ART tube MP spiking?

[Gremson]

Over the holiday I got an ART Tube MP Studio to use as a preamp with my Bass VI for the BG side of my doubling rig.
The preamp sounds pretty nice, and I like the overdrive I get from it, but I'm having some issues with what seems like spiking the signal, and I get a harsh kinda digital clipping. It happens very quick and only when I pick really hard. I can back off the input gain to remove that issue, but I lose the grit.
Any suggestions on how to combat this? Would a tube swap change things? Maybe a limiter before the preamp to keep the signal from peaking into the harshness?
Thanks for any constructive feedback!

 

[bassbrad]

A limiter might do the trick but part of your issue may be hitting the gain too hard, remember it is designed primarily as a Mic pre or clean tube DI not really intended to be an overdrive.

 

[rufus.K]

the pad switch

 

[Gremson]

I've seen/heard these things used in this manner before. Saw a local funk band a while back, and all the bassist has was a Squier Pbass, ART pre, and a Fender BXR. It sounded great!
I tried the pad switch. It just kinda sucks the life out of it. But I suppose a limiter would give me similar results.
Perhaps this just isn't the right piece of gear for me.

 

[quincy_j_clomo]

The version of the Tube MP i've seen has a built in output limiter, with a button next to the pad/phase/p48 buttons. Check and see if yours does as well, and try using it.

 

[quincy_j_clomo]

also, it could be that the output limiter on your preamp is in fact engaged, and you are hitting it too hard. if that's the case, try bringing down the output volume.