MPA

A professional tube microphone preamplifier is defined by warmth, presence and clarity – core elements which make a performance truly come alive. Sister to the ART Digital MPA™, the MPA Gold™ performs to incredibly high standards, and that it’s tone, functionality and performance will satisfy even the most discerning user.

Like the Digital MPA, the MPA Gold features Variable Input Impedance. Variable Input Impedance is intended to optimize the MPA Gold for the widest range of microphones. Variation of the input impedance of a microphone preamplifier changes the load against which the microphone has to push. This variation dramatically alters the performance of a microphone, and creates numerous sonic possibilities for microphone performance. The variable impedance control of the MPA Gold is infinitely variable, as opposed to steps. This allows users much finer control over the tuning of the impedance.

The selectable Tube Plate Voltage function delivers a wide variety of tones. The tube circuit is differential, and provides the equivalent of a 300V power supply on the high voltage setting. Not to mention it has very low distortion and noise. Our normal setting maintains ART’s classic tube sound (warm with smooth overload characteristics).

The MPA Gold’s unique tube circuitry utilizes two 12AX7A vacuum tubes and renders unsurpassed sonic detail and clarity with the broadest range of microphones. The 12AX7A tube preamplification section provides gain while maintaining the incredible dynamic range of the previous stage and controlled overload characteristics.

Condenser microphones, ribbon microphones, dynamic microphones – new and vintage – all become more versatile and deliver their maximum performance when they interact with the MPA Gold’s Variable Input Impedance. You’ll discover that your microphones will sound better than ever.

TCS

The TCS is a two-channel high performance compression system which features two types of compression per channel utilizing ART’s Dual Topology technology.

On one hand you can choose from optical compression, like that in our Pro VLA, for that smooth transparent compression. On the other hand you might want to use a VCA based compression scheme for hard limiting. Both of these compression methods are underneath the hood of this single space rack unit. Taking it even one step further the TCS offers the breakthrough feature of stacking the VCA and the opto isolator for when you want that over the top compression, or a hard VCA limiter on your optical compressed channels.

Going beyond the idea of just a two-channel compressor, ART decided to spice up the TCS with our famous V3™ technology. The TCS also offers the ability for the user to twist the V3 knob to a variety of settings that take some of the hassle out of compression, yet still allowing each setting to be tweaked to the material’s needs.

The TCS has a long list of impressive features, including a Toroidal Transformer, XLR & 1/4” Inputs, front panel instrument input, Optical and VCA compression capabilities, side chain inserts, channel linking for when you are working on a stereo track, attack, release, threshold, and ratio knobs, de-essing, an expander/gate per channel, V3 control per channel, twin VU meters for measuring compression, twin LED input/output meter for ultra-precise level metering, and the ability to place a tube in the signal path to add some warmth to your signal.

TPS II

The TPS II (Tube Preamp System 2) is a two channel high performance preamplifier coupled with ART’s proprietary V3™ (Variable Valve Voicing) functionality. With variable valve voicing, the TPS II is completely versatile and maintains a high quality of performance you would expect from an ART tube preamp. The TPS II also features variable input impedance which allows users to dial in and match any microphone type from large condensers to ribbon mics.

Like it’s predecessor, the DPS, our newly improved V3 feature provides optimized reference points to begin the recording process for guitars, bass guitars, synths, acoustic instruments, percussion, vocals and more. Unique to its’ class, the TPS II provides level monitoring with two analog meters as well as two newly added input monitoring LED meters. High-Z instruments or balanced microphone signals are input through front and rear panel jacks.

This newly enhanced TPS II can accept +20 dB peaks while maintaining over 120 dB dynamic range, quiet performance and incredibly low distortion.

ART’s legendary tube stage maintains our classic “warm sound” and adds additional tube voicing specifically tailored to vocal, guitar, bass, and acoustic instruments making the TPS II an incredible DI box. Our OPL™ (Output Protection Limiting) feature is also included to control overshoots and normalize levels before clipping occurs.

The TPS II was conceived, designed and manufactured to the highest standards to provide years of quiet, reliable performance. Audition one, and you too will know why the TPS II is indeed the most cost effective professional mic preamp system you’ll find on the market today.