ART TubePAC any good at compression?

jock · #1 10-15-2007, 08:12 AM

How is the comp in the ART Tube Pac?
Better or worse than stomp comps like Aphex and EBS?
Is it transparent or colored/tubey?

infect · #2 10-15-2007, 12:59 PM

With my limited experience w/ this unit, I thought it did an excellent job balancing my stingrays string balance. Subtle and warm..

Puru · #3 10-15-2007, 01:02 PM

TubePac is basically an ART Tube MP and Levelar in one case, review for the Levelar is here: http://www.ev-b.com/compressors.html

I have a Levelar, and it's pretty good. But it needs a good preamp signal into it, so it's not always convenient for me to use. But I do like the sound of it after the Tube MP-they make a nice combination. Can't compare to the others, never used them.

Swift713 · #4 10-15-2007, 08:38 PM

I've read good things about the tube PAC as a direct box.
I tried a Levelar and found it quite decent for transparent/subtle compression but no warmer or tubey sounding than any decent solid state comp. I think Bongo summed it up well.

Puru · #5 10-15-2007, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

I tried a Levelar and found it quite decent for transparent/subtle compression but no warmer or tubey sounding than any decent solid state comp. I think Bongo summed it up well.

I agree there. But combining it with the tube pre section and the right right tube replacement (JJ, EH, Tungsol) you might get some extra tubey-ness. At least it was that way with the Tube MP.

Swift713 · #6 10-17-2007, 04:16 PM

Can these Art pre's get any amount of overdrive? I'm sure it doesn't go crunch or even growl, but maybe purr?

Bluesy Soul · #7 10-17-2007, 04:50 PM

I use an ART TubePAC with my Acoustic Image Focus SA (series III), but I do so more for the warmth of the tube gain than the compression (which, of course, have separate controls). It does a great job, IMHO, of adding the tube warmth I want; but the compression feature is somewhat noisy on mine.

It's an inexpensive unit and, IME. both the tube gain and compression features require a little experimentation and careful adjustment of their respective controls to minimize noise. By doing so, I can get a significant amount of tube gain and avoid readily perceptible noise; but I can't get as much compression without noise becoming noticeable.

I'm still using the original tubes. Different 12AX7s may, of course, produce greater tube gain and/or greater compression without as much noise. I'm very interested ini hearing about the experience of other TBers with other tubes.

If I were looking primarily for compression from the TubePAC, I would probably want to find out about better performiing after-market tubes before investing in one. For tube gain, however, mine is one of the best bargains I've acquired. For about $60 used (including shipping), it provides considerable warmth with little or no noise and it's tiny (smaller than even my Focus SA), lightweight and seems sturdy and well-built. If I couldn't find a used one at a good price, $100 or $120 for a new unit, IMO, is still well worth it.

Bluesy Soul

bongomania · #8 10-17-2007, 06:13 PM

There is an Ebay seller with a big supply of Sovtek 12AX7LPS tubes which she claims are "the best 12AX7's she's ever heard", with a lot of hype testimonials. I bought some on a whim, and in fact they are the lowest-noise 12AX7's I've heard. I won't say they sounded any "fatter", "warmer", "sparklier" or any of that jazz; but the noise level is honestly lower IME than other new and vintage tubes I've tried in various devices.

Here's the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-12AX7-ECC83-...QQcmdZViewItem

(I have no connection to the seller.)

Puru · #9 10-17-2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

Can these Art pre's get any amount of overdrive? I'm sure it doesn't go crunch or even growl, but maybe purr?

Sure you can push them to distort, but it doesn't sound very good IMO. You'll get better OD from your B2. But for a clean sound I can usually get a little extra fullness/warmth/sparkle to whatever I add it to - especially with a tube swap.

4Mal · #10 10-18-2007, 09:23 AM

The TubePAC is a nice, clean and clear unit. It doesn't over driver worth a damn. It really isn't meant to - this is a microphone preamp after all... The comp is smooth and subtle.

I did some tube swapping in the Tube Channel - with tubes that had a pronounced difference in an Alembic F2B, I got almost nothing different out of the Tube Channel. They sounded as close to identical as they could. Buying gucci tubes for one of these is a waste of money and time IMO/IME.

IMO - the Tube Channel is a better find. That's basically a TubePAC with a Tube EQ taked on along side in 1 full ru. Nifty patching abilities as you can run the pre into the EQ then into the comp or vice versa - giving the EQ more gain makes it more effective, conversly giving the comp more input will cause if to squash a bit more if that's what you're looking for.

The Tube Channel is the poor man's answer to the Demeter 201 ...

Swift713 · #11 10-18-2007, 11:50 AM

I think the tube channel sounds pretty nice on bass tasters. I guess not having any eq with the pac would be hit or miss.

Bluesy Soul · #12 10-18-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

The TubePAC is a nice, clean and clear unit. It doesn't over driver worth a damn. It really isn't meant to - this is a microphone preamp after all... The comp is smooth and subtle.

I agree 1000% !!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

IMO - the Tube Channel is a better find. That's basically a TubePAC with a Tube EQ taked on along side in 1 full ru. Nifty patching abilities as you can run the pre into the EQ then into the comp or vice versa - giving the EQ more gain makes it more effective, conversly giving the comp more input will cause if to squash a bit more if that's what you're looking for.

I seriously considered the Tube Channel, but I have EQ in the chain from another source (two other sources when using an active bass) and Tube Channels are discontinued and much more difficult to find, IME, than TubePacs. I've heard consistently good reports, however, from Tube Channels owners.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

There is an Ebay seller with a big supply of Sovtek 12AX7LPS tubes which she claims are "the best 12AX7's she's ever heard", with a lot of hype testimonials. I bought some on a whim, and in fact they are the lowest-noise 12AX7's I've heard. I won't say they sounded any "fatter", "warmer", "sparklier" or any of that jazz; but the noise level is honestly lower IME than other new and vintage tubes I've tried in various devices.

Here's the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-12AX7-ECC83-...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks, Bongo !

Bluesy Soul

Irishbass · #13 10-23-2007, 04:56 AM

This is a timely thread as I've been looking at some of the ART products lately. I was wondering about putting either a Leveller or a Tubepac in line to my Markbass LMII head. I wonder if anyone out there has tried this or with any other SS heads? Some nice warm compression should sit nicely with the clean but puncy tone from the LMII...

bassman1185 · #14 10-23-2007, 08:57 AM

Does anybody know if the TubePAC can be rackmounted? It looks like it would be right at a 1/2 rack width, and I've got an open rack space that I'm itching to fill.