ART Tube MP Microphone Preamp (Model 127)
Dial in up to 70 dB of tube gain for microphones, instrument or line-level sources. This compact preamp boasts phantom power, phase reverse, and XLR/TRS I/O.
Overall User Ratings (based on 83 ratings)
Submitted May 21, 2013 by Haniel M in Orlando, FL
"The Tube Mkes a Huge Difference"
If you doubt that the tube in this makes any difference, try swapping the cheap, noisy Chinese tube in this with a Tung Sol of an Electro-harmonix 12AX7, and you will hear a monstrous difference. I use the versions with the meter on it, and I installed latched Tung Sol tubes in two of them, and what a huge difference. Sweet tone, low noise, and low microphonics.
These preamps are great with great tubes in them. I own 4 of them, and I have tried several tubes in each, and they all made a huge difference in the performance of each of the pre amps. So, I highly recommend these pre amps, because they are a great price, very sturdy and can take a beating, and they sound great with a good tube.
So, my suggestion is to keep at least one of these under $50 pre amps on hand, and make sure that you change the tube. I know from my own experience and my own use that if you change the tube in this to a higher quality, lower microphonic tube, you will have a great little pre amp.
Sound
Sound quality relies heavily on the type of tube in it. Highly recommend Tung Sol or EH tubes
Features
The one with the Meter on it is more useful, but this one is fine. I use the MP to add a tad bit more gain in the front of my chain on one of my amps.
I took away one star on this model because this one doesn't have the meter on it.
Ease of Use
just turn the dials up or down
Quality
never had any issues with it. I have 4 and they are all working great
Value
Less than $50? Worth it
Manufacturer Support
if you have questions, they take care of you
The Wow Factor
To be honest, I have been recording with these preamps as the pre amps for my condenser mics, and I really like them. I am actually blown away at how good they sound with the replacement tubes.
Musical Background:
16 year vet, Bluntface recording artist, guitarist
Musical Style:
Experimental death metal
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Submitted January 7, 2008 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Get what you pay for, plus a little quality on top."
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I don't regret the purchase, and I plan on buying Art product in the future for sure. I might even get another one of these too.
Sound
It can be a little noisy if you are not careful, but if you set it up right, no noise at all. As far as adding "tube" warmth, no. The tube is just for looks. Sounds fine though. I have a Motu 896HD and this sounds fairly close, maybe just a little darker.
Features
For the price, you get what you pay for. No complaints here.
Ease of Use
Plug it in and go, make sure not to crank either the input or output gain all the way and your fine.
Quality
I've had mine for about a year now, no problems.
Value
Definite value. I have used the Berhinger equivalent and the blows it away.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't needed it.
The Wow Factor
It's actually a cool looking little guy.
Musical Background:
Recording engineer, active musician
Musical Style:
Rock, funk
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Submitted March 8, 2007 by a customer from HOTMAIL.COM
"HATERS OF THE ART PRE AMP STEP ASIDE!"
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not in the near future unless they drop the avalon or one of those preamps off the ssl g series consoles to under 100.00.
Sound
I have always used this preamp because of space and protability. I have used it on lots of vocals and it still sounds great! I don't know why some user's hate on the sound...maybe they are doing something wrong. Check yourself but this preamp rocks.
Features
enough for me.
Ease of Use
you could use it blind.
Quality
very sturdy could probably use it to hold up my truck.
Value
are you kidding...budget studios this is your preamp...trust me!
Manufacturer Support
haven't needed it yet.
The Wow Factor
looks good next to the pc and other gear.
Musical Background:
10 YEARS HOME STUDIO/ENGINEER/PRODUCER
Musical Style:
R/B, NEO SOUL AND GOSPEL HIP HOP
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Submitted August 17, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com
ART Tube MP Preamp Customer Review
Worked for almost 2 years so far.
Surly can't complain, and when it
does go out, should just need a tube.
Sound
I'm not an audio purest!
Though I listen to audio all the time.
Sounds great to me.
Features
A simple preamp with the adjustments needed.
Includes the 48 volt phantom power for the new mics.
Wall wart power supply is included.
Ease of Use
Simply adjust the gain and there you are.
Value
Great price for this little gem.
Worth over it's price many times over.
Manufacturer Support
Worked for about year and a half so far without any problems.
The Wow Factor
Need a preamp, this here's sexy!
Musical Background:
Broadcast Engineering. (none!)
Musical Style:
other
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Submitted December 31, 2004 by a customer from indiana.edu
"It may be a risk."
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Overall, a seven, because I liked it while it worked, and I assume that not all die so soon. You won't experience any problems with its sound quality at all, unless the problems I had are product-wide, which I hope they are not.
Sound
It always sounded great until 2 months into use, I started hearing clicking, like there was a grounding problem although there was none. I'd wait, and it would go away. Then no sound came through at all after 4 months.
Features
There were no features, and that was exactly as I wanted. It's simple and without unecessary frills.
Quality
I hope that the other ones they make are of better quality than mine. It seems fairly well built, but without any maltreatment whatsoever, it died after 4 months. No bumps or light tapping or even transportation. It never moved or had anything done to it other than semi-frequent usage.
Value
It's a great value if it continues to work. I thought it sounded nice, with maybe too much emphasis on the low-end (probably meant to make it seem "warm," like people are calling it). I think that it is well worth the money, but the risk of having it die has convinced me to try another cheap brand of preamp.
Manufacturer Support
Never called support because it was too cheap to worry about.
The Wow Factor
The "I want it" factor really just comes down to "I want a replacement." It's abscence is very saddening because it has deprived me of a functional microphone input for my system. I depended on it, and now I have to use my guitar pedal as my input again, which is a tragedy. I'm on a pathetically small budget, and it's functionality was integral to everything I do.
Musical Background:
Home Recording and Production
Musical Style:
None
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Submitted December 29, 2006 by a customer from gmail.com
"Enjoy it before it dies."
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Not happy with its usefull life. 5 hours and it craps out, even cheap Behringer gear gives you more time.
Sound
It sounded fine for the time being.
Features
Just the basics. +20 gain. Gain knob, output knob, phase switch and 48v power switch.
Does not have on off switch.
Ease of Use
Its a mic preamp, easy.
Quality
IT DIED WITH IN 5 HOURS!
I recieved it, connected it up and tested my mic (shure sm7b) with it and had the right loudness. Then I tried to use it and my level was so low, but the preamp hiss hadn't changed. All settings where exactly as I left them. Even maxing out the preamp with +20 gain on did not yield enough. I see it as a tube problem. Very unhappy, I deserve it for spending such little and expecting it to work so well.
Value
If it just kept working I would be fine with it. Except it didnt.
Manufacturer Support
ARTs website doesn't even work right. Why bother even sending it back, I spent nothing on it. It will make a neat paper weight or door stop.
The Wow Factor
Its black, its a box and its metal.
Musical Background:
Broadcast Engineer
Musical Style:
All
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Submitted February 10, 2005 by a customer from hotmail.com
"I think this is a great product..."
This is a great pre-amp. I was reading some of the reviews and I got a little worried about how good it would work. But it works great, I have no problems. It's small, but it's great for rappers, I dunno bout Rock and ish like that.
Sound
Good sound, nothing wrong with it.
Quality
It's small, I rap so I dunno how it works for those rock and roll people, but It just sits in my studio and I turn it on when I need to rap, and it works perfect.
Value
It's a great pre-amp.
Manufacturer Support
They miss spelled words in the User's Guide (lol even microphone, its still a good product)
Musical Background:
Emcee (MC) I rap
Musical Style:
Rap
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Submitted April 10, 2008
"Fun little toy"
I'm looking for another one not the best for what I personally need but still a good product.
Sound
This was the only thing I could complain about, great with a bass but a little airy and loud with anything else.
Features
Very basic and perfect for simple projects and use.
Ease of Use
Nothing easier to use
Quality
Seems very sturdy actually dropped it once and still worked as well as it did before. I'll give a little more use before I decide
Value
Best Preamp for the price.
Manufacturer Support
Havn't dealt with any yet.
The Wow Factor
Decent little metal box, not ugly, I like how it looks with my stuff.
Musical Background:
Musician
Musical Style:
any
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Submitted July 4, 2006
ART Tube MP Preamp Customer Review
i give 9 for now but well see how far i go with it...looks very easy to break
Sound
for the price i was expecting less but after the first try i was amazed how much it was getting my sound warm and clean.
by the way ive read in an article by joe gore(tom waits guitar player) that this preamp was sounding 1/40th less good than his
2000$ avalon preamp -future music magazine august 2005
Features
all that i need
but a vu meter would have been sweet
Ease of Use
well theres 5 buttons.. nothing complicated
Quality
looks and feel very fragile and it gets hot quickly
Value
the best you can have for that amount of money
Manufacturer Support
didnt need it yet
The Wow Factor
some say it looks dull but i like its 70's gear style
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