ART Pro Audio Pro MPA III Two Channel Mic Preamp

The ART Pro Audio Pro MPA III Two Channel Mic Preamp routes audio through discrete Class A FET circuitry with a selectable 12AT7 tube stage, housed in a 2U rackmount chassis. This two-channel preamp upgrades the front end of mixers and audio interfaces with variable impedance control spanning 600Ω to 80 kΩ on XLR inputs, a dramatically expanded range that shapes the tonal response of dynamic and ribbon microphones. Each channel accepts XLR microphone or 1/4″ instrument signals, with independent controls for input gain, low cut filter, impedance, and output level, plus switches for 20 dB boost, phase invert, and 48-volt phantom power.

The Voice switch toggles between warm tube and clean solid state signal paths, with frequency response extending from 15 Hz to 48 kHz in tube mode and 15 Hz to 120 kHz in solid state mode. The Character switch compensates for microphone transformer non-linearity by enhancing low and high frequencies, improving vocal clarity without additional EQ. Maximum gain reaches 70 dB, with equivalent input noise of -128 dBu and total harmonic distortion below 0.005%. Balanced XLR and 1/4″ outputs deliver up to +27 dBu, with selectable +4 dBu or -10 dBV operation to match professional or consumer-level equipment.

Analogue VU meters provide visual gain monitoring on both channels, while the universal internal power supply accommodates 100–240V mains operation without external adapters. The 1 MΩ instrument inputs on 1/4″ jacks handle guitars and basses directly, functioning as active DI channels with the same tube or solid state voicing options as the microphone paths. Weighing 4.7 kg and measuring 8.9 cm high, the Pro MPA III occupies two rack spaces and pairs with other units in the ART Pro III series for cohesive studio signal chain integration.

Features

• Discrete Class A FET microphone preamps with selectable 12AT7 tube stage
• Variable microphone impedance from 600Ω to 80 kΩ on XLR inputs
• Voice switch for warm tube or clean solid state signal paths
• Character switch enhances low and high frequencies for vocal intelligibility
• Maximum gain of 70 dB with <0.005% total harmonic distortion
• Balanced XLR and 1/4″ outputs with selectable +4 dBu or -10 dBV operation
• 1 MΩ instrument level DI inputs on 1/4″ jacks per channel
• Universal internal power supply accepts 100–240V mains in 2U rackmount