Art ProMPA II - 2-Channel Tube Mic Preamp


Description
The ProMPA II can operate at either a low or high plate voltage on the two integrated hand-selected 12AX7 tubes for wider variation of preamp tone and performance. Large back-lit analog VU output meters display input or output levels while multi-colored LED arrays, with average or peak hold, show tube gain.
Housed in a standard 2 rack unit space rack-mountable steel chassis, with CNC routed black anodized aluminum face panel, the ProMPA II is designed to deliver years of reliable operation in the studio, production facility, or on the road for live sound reinforcement.


Features
- Variable Input Impedance For Flexible Microphone Voicing (150 Ohms To 2400 Ohms)
- Selectable Plate Voltage
- Large VU Meters
- Backlit Function Switches
- Discrete Class-A Input Microphone Preamplifier
- Low Noise at Lower Gain Settings
- Extremely Low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
- Wide Frequency Response
- Additional Front Mounted Instrument Input Jack
- Supports Mid/Side Miking Technique
- Operates at +4dbm/-10dbv Output
- Selectable Stereo/Dual Operation of Output Controls
- Automatic Instrument Input Selection
Specs
- Frequency Response 15Hz to 48 kHz (+0, -1dB) @ normal plate voltage
- 15Hz to 120 kHz (+0, -1dB) @ high plate voltage
- Dynamic range: >110dB ("A" weighted)
- CMRR: >90dB
- THD: <0.005% (typical)
Equivalent Input Noise: -129dBu (XLR, "A" weighted) - Maximum Input Level: +19dBu (cannon)
- Maximum Instrument Input: +17dBu
- Input Impedance: 150-3000 Ohms adjustable (XLR)
- >800K Ohms (Instrument)
- Maximum Output Level: +27dBu (XLR)
- Output Impedance: < 47 Ohms (XLR)
Maximum Gain: 75dB - Meter Calibration: 0 VU = +4dBu output (+4dB mode)
- 0 VU = -10dBV output (-10dB mode)
- High Pass Filter: single pole, 10-200 Hz adjustable
- Power Requirements: USA - 105 to 125 VAC / 60 Hz Export units configured for country of destination
- Dimensions: (H x W x D in) 3.50 x 19.0 x 8.75
- Dimensions: (H x W x D mm) 88 x 482 x 222
- Weight: (lb/kg) 10.5 / 4.7
Warranty
3 year warranty for TPS, DPS, and studios.
5 year warranty for pro gear.
Check with manufacturer for specific product warranty.
Featured Articles
Reviews
4
7 Reviews
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend
- Amateur Recording1
- Experienced1
- Professional Functions1
Reviewed by 7 customers
Great for the Price
Verified Buyer
submitteda year ago
byLars
fromUpland
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
Good entry level gear
Low Price, Great Sound
submitted11 years ago
byShayne
fromGilbert, AZ
This is an awesome preamp for the price. A nice addition to a home studio. It gives a warmth to vocals/instruments that can be hard to get with the preamps of a less expensive interface.
If your buying this buy some decent 12ax7s to replace the stock tubes
submitted12 years ago
byClayton Stokes
fromCharleston SC
Was in the studio 3 months and was tracking drums one day and blew one channel's tube opened it up and they were CHINESE tubes... so there's the first problem Do yourself a favor when you buy this go find yourself a matched pair of russian american or better yet JAN 12ax7 vaccum tubes cause your going to blow through the stock Chinese tubes just like i did. Besides that it works fine just have to be careful with that gain.
Nice for entry level studios
submitted13 years ago
byJacob Vohs
fromNantucket, MA
Look, if you have a home studio and you just need a decent pre-amp, this is the best you're going to get for the price. I have had mine for a couple of weeks now, and I like the unit. It has all the features a $2000 pre might have in fact. Sounds warm and the wav forms I am getting are nice and evenly peaked. The one drawback is the noise in both channels. Ch 2 is way noisier than Ch 1 in my unit, this makes for low quality stereo work. If use only Ch 1 the sound I get is nice, but I can not totally rid the buzz, knowing many tricks to do it (could be the power lines amplified through tube microphonics much like in a guitar amp). I bet if I upgrade the tubes like I have read in many other reviews on the net, I would have better luck. Overall, great sounding for the price and great features onboard make it a good choice for people's budget studio. I use it with large and small condensers for vocals and acoustic guitar, and I use inst processor into 1/4 inch.
Great for the money!
submitted14 years ago
bySteve
fromPortland, OR
I've had my PRO MPA II for about a week now, and I'm very happy with it so far. The sound quality and warmth are great for what it is. It's not a Focusright, but it's also less than $300! I've run some guitar processor's directly into it for recording and it works great, as does running a Bass with active p'ups. I've also run an SM57 and AKG Perception 220 through this, and they both sound good! A great buy for home recording.
comes with a defective in the light back vu meter
submitted14 years ago
byJavito MX
fromSaltillo Coahuila
i just bought a ART PRO MPA II The preamp sounds really good.. but the ART PRO MPA II comes with a defective in the light back vu meter for the channel 1. Just because im in Mexico then i have to get back the gear to the states with my own money.... gonna be expensive for me. Just be careful, and try the preamp there in the store, before go out the country
Q&A
Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.
submitted4 years ago
asked byAugusto
fromRio de Janeiro, Brazil
I have placed an order for this along with other GC products. Could you suggest which cable to use from the MPA II outputs into an FMR 173 Real Nice Compressor, and then going into an SSL2+ interface ? I ask this because the INs and OUTs of the RNC are unbalanced, unlike the MPA and the SSL. Thanks
You will need to use the 1/4" unbalanced line outs. Take a look at the "Livewire Elite Instrument Cable 3 ft. Black"