ART Digital MPA II
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
The ART Digital MPA II is a solid, no-nonsense preamp for project studios and smaller commercial setups. It offers a good clean sound and a ton of digital connectivity, making it great for those needing flexible routing and ADAT integration without a huge investment. It's a workhorse, but don't expect boutique-level sonic magic.
Product Description
- ART Digital MPA II
- 2-Channel Microphone Preamplifier
- With AD-converter
- ADAT Input and output
- S-PDIF- and AES/EBU outputs
- Word clock
- Internal sample rates 44.1 kHz - 192 kHz
- Dithering selectable between 16-24 Bit
- Dynamic range A/D converter> 112 dB (A)
- Discret class A
- Adjustable input impedance (150 - 2400 Ohm)
- Adjustable anode voltage
- 2x XLR Mic inputs
- 2x 6.3 mm jack instrument inputs
- Balanced XLR and jack outputs
- 48V Phantom power
- High-pass filter
- Large VU metre
- Backlit switches
- Supports M / S matrix miking
- Design: 19" / 2U
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 88 x 482 x 222 mm
- Weight: 4.7 kg
PROS
- • Discrete Class A preamp delivers a clean, musical character.
- • Versatile impedance adjustment caters to a wide range of microphones.
- • Comprehensive digital connectivity offers flexible routing options.
- • Large VU meter provides accurate visual gain staging feedback.
CONS
- • Build quality feels somewhat plasticky given the premium price point.
- • The ADAT implementation lacks some modern features found elsewhere.
- • Limited headroom can become an issue with very hot signals.
Product Video
Key Features
Channels
2
Preamp Type
Discrete Class A
Gain Range
40-60 dB (estimated, based on ART's typical preamp designs)
Phantom Power
48V
Connections
2x XLR Mic Inputs, 2x 6.3 mm Jack Instrument Inputs, Balanced XLR & Jack Outputs, ADAT I/O, S/PDIF, AES/EBU, Word Clock
Weight
4.7 kg
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Frequently Asked Questions
The MPA II aims for clean gain, while a 1073 offers a much more colored, vintage sound. The MPA II is a great value if you need clean preamps and digital connectivity, but lacks the 1073's character.
It's genuinely useful for expanding your I/O count and integrating with digital workstations. However, the implementation is relatively basic, lacking advanced features like multi-channel ADAT.
While early ART preamps had noise concerns, the MPA II is significantly improved. Careful gain staging is still crucial, but it's generally quiet if used properly.
