To all that have an ART MPA Gold...need your comments

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:12 pm

AT this point being unemployed and all....I've been looking for budget tube pre that doesn't suck. A lot of you that have this unit have been saying northing but good things about it. So I think I'll get one. My question is a simple one....are the outputs 1/4 inch or XLR? Also....does this unit have definition to what you record? Can you hear depth? My current pres sound dead as a door nail....zero warmth and zero depth....flat as a pancake. I want this pre for better vocals, kick/snare, guitar/bass. It will really be used on every aspect. Do you current owners think that it will be a decent unit for $380?

Kurt has said to me a million times that my on board Tascam pres should be decent...and they are ok....but don't have anything to them.

Art

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:49 am

Save your money.

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:09 pm

I've got an MPA Gold and would recommend it. You can upgrade the tubes if you need to but honestly, I don't see the need in my budget studio right now. Since I use verb and/or delay and sometimes other effects on my vox, it's really enough of a pre for me. I have tried other high end pres as well and for the quality of the MPA, the high end pres don't sound $2000.00 better. The brick is a good choice but a little different sounding and only one channel. I use ch.1 for vox, 2 for bass into my PRO VLA and it's a GREAT input chain.
Try it, most places u buy from have a return policy if you don't like it.

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:49 pm

Yep, save your money. If your willing to buy crap like Art just to get a tube in your audio path, why even bother.

Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:52 am

Save your money.

You get what you pay for.

Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:58 am

The gear list on your website lists Neve, SSL, API, John Hardy etc.
Why the hell would you waste your money on ART?

Tubes are not everything, but if you REALLY want tubes I would go a mic first.

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