ART TUBE MP STUDIO V3 (01) PDF Document

The ART TUBE MP STUDIO V3 requires an external power supply designed to operate at 115 VAC @ 50 to 60 Hz. You should only use the adapter that came with the unit. If you need to purchase a replacement locally, ensure you specify 9 Volt AC (not DC), at 800 ma.

The unit may be used in a wide variety of environments. Because it is compact and lightweight, the mounting location is not critical. However, for greater reliability, it is recommended that you not place the unit on top of power amps or other sources of heat. The tube circuitry needs about a minute to “warm up” from a cold power up.

Audio connections are balanced XLR (Pin 2 = Hot (+), Pin 3 = Cold (-), Pin 1 = Ground) and unbalanced 1/4″ (Tip = Hot (+), Sleeve = Ground). It is recommended that you switch off the +48V Phantom Power whenever changing connections to the XLR input.

The Input Control sets the amount of input gain. Turn the control clockwise to increase gain and counterclockwise to decrease gain. You may control two ranges of gain with this control, +26 to +60dB and +6 to +40dB. Selection of the gain range is made with the +20dB gain switch.

Use the +20dB Gain Switch to set the gain range of the input control. When the switch is out, the unit operates in Normal mode. Depressing the switch adds 20dB of gain. This mode is indicated by the labeling in red and corresponds directly to the input control’s red gain range labeling. For microphone applications where more gain is needed, push the switch in. For hot line level inputs, set the switch in the out position.

This unit can power any microphone needing +48 volts DC Phantom power. Phantom power is supplied to pins 2 and 3 of the XLR Input jack when this switch is depressed. The unit slowly applies and removes the +48volts to prevent damage to microphones.

Be sure to turn down or mute the output when engaging or disengaging Phantom power. When disengaging, allow 30 to 45 seconds for the power to completely discharge.

The Phase Reverse switch reverses the phase of the signal. It works on Pins 2 and 3 of the XLR output jack and also reverses the polarity of the 1/4″ output jack. In the Normal position, the signal is in-phase. In the Reverse (or “in”) position, Pins 2 and 3 are reversed and the signal is changed to 180 degrees out of phase. This is useful in multiple microphone applications to correct “hollow” or “thin” sounds caused by phase cancellation.

V3 technology provides optimized reference points to begin the recording process for guitars, bass guitars, synths, acoustic instruments, percussion, and more. It offers presets optimized for specific recording applications, allowing the user to select settings like Neutral, Warm, and settings with OPL (Output Protection Limiter).

The bi-color LED lights green after power is applied and with lower level signals. If OPL is not being used, the LED serves as a signal clip indicator and will light red whenever the signal at the tube’s output is about to clip. If the LED is constantly lit, reduce the signal level or activate the OPL circuitry.

When the OPL circuit is engaged, the LED will turn red whenever the output signal peaks exceed the limiter’s threshold, indicating the limiter is reducing gain automatically to prevent output clipping.

The VU Meter gives an analog representation of the output signal level. “0dB” on the meter represents +6dBu at the 1/4″ output jack and +12dBu at the XLR output jack. It shows the average analog level and is sensitive to attack transients. When using OPL, if the signal is “in the red,” the meter will reflect the attenuation of the signal when OPL activates and brings the signal out of the “red.”

The Output Control sets the output level. When fully counterclockwise, there is no output. Turning the control clockwise increases the level of the output signal. Refer to the VU Meter for an accurate level when setting the Output level control.

Neutral settings are useful for uncolored, natural reproduction of sound. When observing the V3 dial from a clockwise perspective:

6:00 – Neutral Flat

6:45 – Neutral Vocal (Microphone)

7:30 – Neutral Guitar Amplifier

8:15 – Neutral Bass Guitar

Warm settings are useful when warming a signal is desired. When observing the V3 dial from a clockwise perspective:

9:00 – Warm Electronic Keyboard

9:45 – Warm Electric Guitar

10:30 – Warm Vocal Microphone

11:15 – Warm Valve

These settings are useful with high sound pressure levels, close proximity micing, and spiky transients, as well as warming the signal. When observing the V3 dial from a clockwise perspective:

12:00 – Warm OPL Multiple Applications

12:45 – Warm OPL Vocal

1:30 – Warm OPL Acoustic Guitar

2:15 – Warm OPL Piano

These settings are useful with high SPLs, close micing, and spiky transients, while maintaining clarity. When observing the V3 dial from a clockwise perspective:

3:00 – Neutral OPL Bass Guitar

3:45 – Neutral OPL Acoustic Guitar

4:30 – Neutral OPL Percussion

5:15 – Neutral OPL Limit

The 1/4″ Input jack is for instrument and line level inputs. It has a high input impedance to minimize loading effects on instrument pickups and can handle up to +22 dBu signals. Both input jacks can be used simultaneously to sum two signals, though the XLR jack will tend to attenuate the signal of the 1/4″ input.

The XLR Input jack is intended for microphone input and can furnish Phantom Power. It handles up to +14 dBu signals. The medium input impedance is extremely flat over a wide frequency range. For signals hotter than +14 dBu, use the 1/4″ input jack.

The XLR Output jack is active balanced but can be used in an unbalanced configuration. It provides a signal level of +28dBu at low impedance. If you experience a grounding hum when using both output connectors simultaneously, disconnect the ground wire (pin 1) from the XLR cable plugged into the output to interrupt the ground path.

The 1/4″ Output jack is unbalanced and should be used for sending signals to amps, processors, or other unbalanced configurations. Both balanced and unbalanced output connections may be used simultaneously, which is useful when using the unit as a direct box.