ART Pro MPA II

I recently decided it was time to upgrade from the built in preamps in my Focusrite Sapphire to a 'real' external preamp. My budget was about 600 EUR. Afer a LOT of online research, I narrowed my options down to 6 preamps, in roughly the same price range. The preamps were:


ART Pro MPA II
Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast
Black Lion Audio B173 Preamp
FMR Audio RNP 8380
Warm Audio WA73
Focusrite ISA One Analog

As I will be using the preamp mostly for vocals and bass, I tested both those signals.
I plugged my Ibanez 600 in passive mode into my BSS DI, into the preamp. For vocals, I hooked up my SM7B straight into the preamp, into Logic X. The results:



The ART Pro MPA II is the the biggest of pre on the list (it also has dual channels). This is the preamp I ended up choosing. I didn't really expect to like it so much, because it is the cheapest on this list, but it is amazing. It's the only tube driven preamp on this list, and it sounds really good. Especially on vocals, it gives warmth that is not too smooth, with a crystal like edge on it. But also on bass, where it gives the sound that nice tubey edge.
Where the rest of the preamps sounded different from each other, but stayed very much in the same region, the ART Pro really stood out, in a positive way. The mid/side, DI and tone shape options make this on of the most versatile preamps out there. I read that the soundfloor can be lowered even further by changing out the tubes, which I'm looking into now. Definitely recommended!

For this moment i own just 1 Art Pro MPAII but i am sure buying another one in like a month because:

I did not know my overheads needed this but my drumkit is so much more alive now. Clearer details. I really don't need a new snaredrum:)
I miked my kit with 19 microphones on a Soundcraft Signature 22mtk. The only way of doing thid is to use the stereo inputs and stero signals are overheads and roommics. These mics need 48V so i went first for some Behringer Ultragains.That worked well at a certain level. I decided to lift my game to the next level and boy, i did.

So, the first device is now in dual mono mode. It's kinda hard to hear on headphones while drumming but next moth i am switching to stereo mode. Overheads are X/Y above my snare.
I find the highpass not that usefull in direct monitoring so i leave it unused. I tend to keep the spectrum intact.
I think i can hear that the low voltage setting is more pleasing for me.
And then there is the impedance control. Maximum detail and highend at the highest corrresponding impedance (better use condenser or ribbonmics).

The next ART PRO VLAII is for the roommics and they are set M/S. I really look forward to that!

This really bang for the buck, or you want to spend double or more!

I'm guitar player. My guitar modeling unit - eleven rack, that I use also as an audio interface has only one microphone preamp channel which is not so good. (apparently low quality focusrite preamp)
I wanted to record some stereo acoustic guitar and some vocals and since eleven rack has line inputs so I hooked Art to eleven rack line inputs.
Sound of Art Pro Mpa II unit is warmer and better then eleven rack preamp although a little noisy, especially at front Hi-Z input. Probably new quality tubes will solve this problem.
I have tried Art with Rode NT2000 mic and shure sm57.
Both with good results!
Mid/Side recording is also possible within unit but that is mid/side simulation, not a real deal.
I also tried Art as a DI for bass guitar. I own a avalon U5 unit which is considered as a high-end model instrument DI-preamp. Bass sound obtained from the Art is in every aspect comparable with the sound of Avalon U5 unit except mentioned noise-signal ratio.
One more thing. Unit that I received missed a +4-10 db plastic switch on the back, which is not a big deal but apparently Art's quality control in their Chinese factory should improve.Three stars for quality 'cause of that missing switch.
UPDATE:
I also put new JJ NN003 ECC83S tubes, and the noise mentioned above is gone.Much better now!

I can't believe how cheap this pre-amp is. Such a bargain!

From drum overheads to a bass DI to a cowbell, this colours the sound providing a desirable warm but clean sound.

The variable impedance and plate voltage features are what make these pre-amps stand out. These two features provide allot of flexibility in achieving an amazing sound.

The VU meters make the pre-amp look very professional and are also quite handy in getting suitable gain levels. The mid/side and stereo options are also another key feature I was really happy with, making the two channels work well together.

Lastly the low cut feature is really useful for recording things like OHs, providing a great drum sound straight away.

In my opinion this is the best pre-amp on the market for the price.

The main reason I bought this was for the Mid/Side matrix for recording drums and for the variable impedance feature. I'm pleased to say these work excellently as well as the Hi-Pass filter functionality. It sounds great and the overdrive is very cool, especially for blown-to-bits rock vocals but also a little bit of overdrive on a dark mic can be cool for metal guitars.

My only issue is when wanting to run it clean it can be a bit of a balancing act with the headroom, but then in those situations you probably shouldn't be using a tube pre. The only other problem is adjusting the M/S signal in relation to the headroom can be finicky, but I think that's just the nature of the beast.

Again, for the Mid/Side and Variable Impedance functionality this is easily the cheapest option and is of extremely high quality. Well worth the cash!

Using this preamp for Juno/Moog synth & acoustic piano recording.

This is my first outboard preamp (i.e not audio interface) - and I can't believe I didn't invest sooner.
Knowing that I wanted to record stereo piano, synths and dual mono synths, this ART PRO preamp provided the perfect flexibility.

I am a little intrigued by the quality of the tubes however, as I seem to infrequently get a small buzzing in the right channel when using the microphones on my piano; but a little change in gain/output balancing fixes it.
I've read plenty about switching the tubes on Gearspace, where there seems to be mixed reviews about the success rate; but for now, the preamp is doing exactly what I want.
Just give it a little time to heat up and happy recording :-)

The appearance of the ART Pro MPA II looks like a solid quality product. It is well laid out and there are no complaints of visual quality. Even all electronic components inside the unit are in order and well organized.

The only negative matter I can think of is the 12AX7 tubes that are installed at the ART factory. They are harsh and cheap. Replacing them with vintage Telefunkens, Mullards or other high quality NOS tubes will give a more pleasing sound with softer treble, rounder bass and smoother middle.

The unit gives certainly enough gain for all types of microphones! Impedance trim pot is definitely a big plus for fine tuning treble and high mids. As a guitar and bass preamp or DI box the ART Pro MPA II really enhances the sound by digging out more different timbres of instruments.

Highly recommended product!

I'm using the ART Pro MPA ll preamplifier in a Music Academy recording studio for vocal recordings with the large membrane condenser mics, accoustic guitars, percussions and strings recordings.
I've decided to use the ART Pro II because of it's simplicity, solid quality build and the clear honest sound. I was also looking for that honest warm sound with character.
For a vocal amp that we use five days a week and more than six hours everyday, all I can say is; it was worth the price and I recommend it to everyone, from budget to pro environments. I am not saying that it is the best preamp in compared with lots of costly high-end preamps out there but its final quality is very close to most high priced preamps.

The analogue inputs and outputs are clearly self explanotary, the retro looking knobs feel great and the VU meters are precise. Since I'm working mainly with young people in the studio, I like the idea of the +48 phantom power button switch located at the back of the preamp, meaning that nobody might or can switch it on accidentaly and demage the equipment.
Great of piece of equipment!!