ART USB Dual Pre Portable Stereo Preamp with USB

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $129.99
Sale Price: $89.00
Today's Bonus: 32% Off

• USB Connectivity to Desktop and Laptop Computers
• Low Noise Fully Balanced XLR and 1/4-inch TRS Combi Inputs
• Up to 48 dB of Clean Gain
• Built-in Low Noise Phantom Power Supply
• 1/4-inch TRS Balanced Monitor and 1/8-inch Headphone Monitor Outputs

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I own the Shure X2U XLR to USB adapter and have used the ART USB Dual Pre 2 Channel Preamp. My preference is for the ART. A review was written, prior to this one, critical of the ART because of the placement of a battery for field recording. This is probably a valid criticism, if your purchase of the ART is for field recording; not plugging into the USB port of a laptop or desktop computer. My evaluation is solely on its ability to quietly drive a professional lo-z microphone into a computer for digital voice recording. And for that, for $99.00 + shipping, you can't beat it. I'm an analog guy by nature and training; working in the broadcast media since 1963 and a licensed broadcast engineer. I've done thousands of voice overs and narrations during the past 4+ decades. I love reel to reel audio tape and simple analog recording, but that's history and I had to acquire gear that would allow me to still think analog, while performing digitally. This ART does the trick, but, for me, it's set up as a preamp into a 2009 model desktop.

Regarding the criticism of battery placement. If that is a problem for field recording, I'd attach an extender to the 9 volt battery connection and attach a battery compartment at the top of the ART.

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Nice features comparable with some other units that are cheap plastic.This thing is metal and built like a tank. I use it to record guitars,vocals and drums into recording software. Works great can't beat the price.

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I am new to recording and thought this would be a good place to start with in regards to home recording. Purchased this used for 65 bucks. Constant buzzing and the earphone monitoring hardly worked. I had a lot of grounding issues. Who knows but overall in my opinion a horrible buy.I have now switched over to a more expensive interface and its like night and day. Again I am beginner but this is def a pretty S*** product!

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If you'll use this unit with a laptop or external power, you'll probably be very happy. It has low self-noise, solid construction and well thought out features. Controls are smooth and solid.

HOWEVER, if you're planning to use it with a 9V battery for field recording, forget it. There isn't a battery compartment; instead, a cardboard (?!?!) sleeve is wrapped around the battery, then the battery/cardboard assembly is stuffed into a hole in the back of the unit, crammed right up against the circuit board and capacitors. (Presumably the cardboard is meant to insulate the battery case from shorting out the innards of the unit.) Worse yet, it is simply impossible to remove the battery once it is "installed". The fit is far too tight and there is no room for fingernails, needle-nosed pliers, an ice pick, or any other implement that can free the battery.

It is hard to imagine how an otherwise very well-built unit could have such a fundamental design flaw, yet it does. ART would do well to spend the extra 30 cents at manufacture to build a proper, enclosed, accessible battery compartment into this unitthen they would have a real winner that would serve perfectly for those of us who need mic preamps for outdoor recording and don't want to spend $650 for a MixPre.