The ART Tube MP Studio V3 is a valve pre-amp, and it borrows the same technology as used in ART’s DP II. This preamp can accept mic-level signals, line inputs, or high-impedance instrument signals on balanced XLRs or unbalanced jacks, whilst the output is available both on a balanced XLR and an unbalanced jack.
A massive 70dB of mic gain is available, and there's an illuminated moving-coil VU meter to read the output level. Separate gain controls are fitted to the input and output, and there's a switch-able 20dB gain boost, 48V phantom power, and phase reverse. A multi-colour LED shows that the unit is powered, as well as indicating clipping/limiting.
The rotary control to the right of the meter is what sets this unit apart from the rest. It contains 15 different switch-able voicings plus a neutral position, each using variable degrees of tube warmth, limiting, and EQ. The presets are: Neutral, Vocal, Guitar, Bass, E-Keyboard, E-Guitar, Vocal (warmth), Valve, Multi, Vocal (warmth and OPL), Acoustic Guitar (warmth and OPL), Piano, Bass, Acoustic Guitar (OPL), Percussion, and Limit.
When the signal level is high enough to approach clipping, the green power LED turns red, though this also signifies that the limiter is operating when OPL is activated. Other than selecting presets, the unit operates like any other mic/line preamp. All you need to do is decide whether or not you need the gain boost switch (which you can think of as being a pad in reverse), then set the input gain and the output level with the Clip/Limit LED and meter to help you.
Selecting a preset introduces a noticeable but still quite subtle tonal change and most have been well chosen to suit their respective sources. However, with any unit of this type, it pays to try all the presets regardless of what sound you're working with, as you might find, for example, that the electric-guitar setting works well on a hip-hop vocal. You should also keep in mind that the output limiter is there primarily as a safety feature, though you can create more aggressive tonal effects by hitting it harder.
