ART Voice Channel – Stereo Channel Strip & Mic Preamp

91
GEARANK
91 out of 100. Incorporating 175+ ratings and reviews.
$619.99
ART
ART Voice Channel - Stereo Channel Strip & Mic Preamp
Highest Rated Channel Strip from $500 to $1000

ART Voice Channel

The ART Voice Channel is a versatile piece of gear at a great price. It amalgamates many essential pieces in a signal chain and works well with vocal and instrument recordings. It's not the most transparent preamp, so look elsewhere if that's what you're after.
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Gearank High Notes

Gearank Recommended

The ART Voice Channel was on our recommended list for Microphone Preamps Under $500 from February 2018 until it was removed in May 2019 due to a price increase which made it ineligible for that list.

It remains on our list for Channel Strips.

Rating Source Highlights

Website Source *Rating Value
Sound On Sound Mike Senior 90/100
Gearspace PMoshay 97/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Overview

The ART Voice Channel is a full featured tube preamp with built-in dynamics processor, EQ and digital output, and rightly so because Advanced Research and Technology or ART designed it to be an all-one-one preamp solution.

At the core of this unit is a class A tube preamp circuit with a 12AX7 tube, selectable voltage plate and variable impedance – which makes the preamp by itself quite versatile.

Factor in its other features which include gate, compressor, expander, de-esser and parametric EQ – and you get a truly versatile preamp that can even do digital recording via its built-in analog to digital converter and USB output for direct recording.

Specifications

  • Channels: 1
  • Mic Preamp: 12AX7 Tube Driven
  • Sample Rate: 44.1 to 192 KHz
  • Frequency Response: 16Hz – 42kHz (-1dB)
  • Input Connectors: 2 x Combo (XLR/Hi-Z), 6 x Combo (XLR/Line), 1 x ADAT
  • Output Connectors: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4″, 1 x 1/4″ (Mic Pre Out), 2 x S/PDIF
  • Control Knobs: Gain, Impedance, Threshold, Attack/mSec, Ratio, Release/Sec, De-esser, De-esser Freq, Expander/Gate threshold, Low, Mid1, Mid1-Freq, Mid2, Mid2-Freq, High, Output Level, Sample Rate/Dither
  • Control Buttons: Power, Pad, Invert, Phantom Power, Low Cut, Tube Voltage, Expand/Gate, Low Frequency, High Frequency, EQ Position, EQ Bypass, Optical Output
  • Dimensions: 3.5″ x 9.17″ x 19″
  • Weight: 10.5 lbs.
This was on our recommended list for The Highest Rated Channel Strips Under $500 and Mic Preamps Under $500 but had to be removed from those lists due to a price increase above $500.

Demo

This video has a detailed review:

YouTube video
Highest Rated Channel Strip from $500 to $1000

ART Voice Channel

The ART Voice Channel is a versatile piece of gear at a great price. It amalgamates many essential pieces in a signal chain and works well with vocal and instrument recordings. It's not the most transparent preamp, so look elsewhere if that's what you're after.
Disclaimer: We’re reader-supported. When you click product links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.