Used a ART TubeMP for a DI. Results? Good stuff.

RichardCranium · #1 07-24-2011, 11:54 PM

I've been using my Sansamp BDDI forever as a pre/DI and lately haven't been thrilled with the sound especially since going passive with my new bass. I was considering going to a regular DI but can't afford a Radial or anything similar and wanted something better than a $20 passive DI.

Asked a couple of people and they mentioned the ART TubeMP mic pre unit which fortunately we have one we're not using. I said why not and hooked it up on my pedalboard and voila it worked great!

I have it at the end of my pedals and it gives a nice full sound. I also redid the signal path putting the compressor at the end right before the ART and seems to work fine.

I use both outs the XLR to the board and 1/4 to my amp. I also put the BBE unit I had hanging around into the insert on the board and it tightened the sound up too. Sounds great in my IEM and out front. Just had to do a little tweaking to get the levels set and it's smooth sailing. I'll keep the Sansamp for a backup.

New they're only $29 and easy as pie to get setup. Only downside it's a 9VAC unit so it requires its own wall wart and I couldn't use the existing power from my 1Spot to power it.

I know some others here use one for a pre/DI and you can add me to the list!

Rocksolid · #2 07-25-2011, 03:37 AM

This is exactly what I wanted to hear. I am using a stripped down rig more and more and even tried to run a powered monitor via my Radial Bassbone the other week but the signal wasn't hot enough to do it well - I had to really crank the monitor. It was ok but cranking it that hard introduced some hiss. I was thinking about running an ART Tube MP to boost the signal (and get a bit of tube warmth)

Are you using the basic Tube MP or the 1 with the VU meter?

I started a thread (further down in Live Sound) asking about these and was bummed not to hear more. You have just answered my question.

Cheers!

RichardCranium · #3 07-25-2011, 01:20 PM

It's the one with the VU meter. As great at the Sansamp stuff is and I've had mine since they first came out I just wanted something else and was happily surprised. With the IEM setup my stage sound isn't a concern really my amp is mostly for looks these days what I hear in my ears and what's out front is way more important.

Plus it's only $30 a small investment. I'm know the Countryman and Radial are great products but I'm in no position to spend $200 on a DI.

Rocksolid · #4 07-25-2011, 05:27 PM

So I am interested to know where you would run the Tube MP when using it with a Radial Bassbone? Just before the Radial or just after it? I need the Radial to balance the outputs from my fretless and Jazz and for tone shaping on the fretless.

If you run the MP after the Radial would you feed it with the DI or the standard output?

I had been watching some of these on ebay in Oz and picked up a Studio version last night (with VU meter) not the V3 though - one of the original ones.

I was reading about the OPL function - sounds very cool. Could this be used as a compressor or is it still best to get a compressor pedal to run b4 it?

Sorry for all the questions - I'm just trying to draw on your experience using the pedal so I can set mine up!

RichardCranium · #5 07-25-2011, 08:34 PM

I guess it depends if you want it for a DI or a sound shaper. I would try it after the Radial and use it to feed the PA you can use both outputs at the same time and send the 1/4 to your amp.
As far as the Radial's output it depends are you using a power supply or phantom from the board I would imagine the XLR would be a cleaner signal.

Rocksolid · #6 07-25-2011, 08:58 PM

I am using a power supply - can you power the radial with phantom from the desk?

Actually - could I power the radial with the phantom power from the Tube MP? It would mean 1 less 1 spot on my board...

RichardCranium · #7 07-25-2011, 11:31 PM

The TubeMP has phantom power so you could power the Radial that way. Only down side is the TubeMP is 9VAC power and needs it's own wall wart can't daisy-chain it off the 1spot.

Rocksolid · #8 07-27-2011, 04:59 AM

And what about the OPL function? Can this be used as a compressor or is it just a crude limiter?

RichardCranium · #9 07-28-2011, 10:14 PM

Dunno about the OPL function I'm guess it's just a hard peak limiter. I have a compressor in my signal chain and have it switched off.

Awaiting your review hope it works for you!

paganjack · #10 07-28-2011, 10:18 PM

I just tried out my new (to me) ART Tube PAC as a preamp today, and with a tube swap it sounds really good. Very clear and surprisingly warm. Having a little compressor in there is nice too! Not bad for how cheap they can be had!

Rocksolid · #11 08-01-2011, 02:16 AM

Hopefully tomorrow for the Tube MP - the wait is killing me!!!

I have also purchased a Seymour Duncan Double Back Compressor Pedal which I will use also.

Order will be: XDS Plus Wireless > TU-2 > SDDB Comp > RV-5 Reverb > Tonebone > Tube MP.

Is that the right spot to run the reverb? (I only use it for fretless) Should it be b4 the Compressor?