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ART Voice Channel Tube Channel Strip

Class A Tube Channel Strip with Dynamics and EQ Processing and Digital Connectivity
$619.99

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ART Voice Channel Tube Channel Strip
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A Quality Tube Preamp with Channel Strip Features and Digital Outputs!

The ART Voice Channel tube channel strip gives you the tools you need to put quality sound into your analog or digital recording device at optimium quality, all in one package. The Voice Channel provides Class A tube preamp quality and clean gain with an integrated dynamics processor and semi-parametric EQ, as well as a range of digital outputs for a versatile, powerful recording front-end. In addition, the EQ can be patched before or after the dynamics for added flexibility, and a separate insert jack lets you take advantage of even more routing options with the Voice Channel.

ART Voice Channel Stereo Tube Channel Strip with Digital Output at a Glance:
  • All-in-one solution
  • Versatile processor-routing
  • Range of outputs

All-in-one solution
Built to provide the ideal all-in-one input solution for analog or digital recording, the ART VoiceChannel is a true second-generation discrete Class-A tube microphone preamp capable of providing clean quiet gain while maintaining incredible transparency. An integrated fully variable powerful dynamics processor subtly controls transients and noise of the most demanding sources while the VoiceChannel's semi-parametric EQ offers wide tune-ability.

Versatile processor-routing
For added versatility the EQ can be patched before OR after the dynamics processor while separate insertion jacks allow you quick quiet in-line connectivity to external signal processing gear immediately after the Mic preamp, before the EQ and dynamics processor in the signal path. Another insert patch point exists just before the A/D converters.

Range of outputs
Choose between a wide range of outputs including balanced analog output, 44.1 KHz to 192 KHz AES/EBU, S/PDIF, ADAT and USB. Both analog and digital meters provide a detailed indication of audio levels.

ART Voice Channel Stereo Tube Channel Strip with Digital Outputs Features:
  • Ideal input solution for any recording application.
  • Tube Microphone Preamplifier with Selectable plate Voltage and Variable Input Impedance
  • Exceptional warmth and definition from proven ART Tube Preamp design
  • Smooth musical sounding dynamics control including Compressor / Expander / De-Esser / Gate
  • Powerful Parametric EQ selectable Pre or Post Compressor in signal path
  • Flexible digital connectivity including ADAT Lite-pipe / AES/EBU / S/PDIF / TOSLink Digital Output supports 44.1 to 192 KHz Sample Rates
  • USB direct-connect to computer or laptop
  • Attack Time: 250 uSec. to 100 mSec
  • Boost and Cut/Frequency Band: +12 dB on each band
  • Compression Ratio: 1:1 to 20:1
  • Dimensions: (DWH in inches) 9.17 x 19 x 3.5
  • EQ Frequency Bands: Low Frequency: 50/150 Hz Selectable
  • MID 1 Frequency: 100 Hz to 3kHz continuously variable
  • MID 2 Frequency: 500 Hz to 15kHz continuously variable
  • High Frequency: 5K/15kHz Selectable
  • Equivalent Input Noise: -130 dBu, Input shorted, Max gain, A weighted
  • Frequency Response: 16Hz - 42kHz -1dB@96kHz
  • Total Harmonic Distortion: 1kHz - less than .015% typical
  • Weight: 10.5lbs/4.8kg
The ART Voice Channel gives you a Class A quality tube preamp with onboard dynamics and EQ processing, plus digital output!

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Tech Specs

  • Preamp Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: 1
  • Phantom Power: Yes
  • EQ: Yes
  • Compressor: Yes
  • Other Processing: Expander/Gate
  • Frequency Response: 12Hz-100kHz (A/A)
  • Analog Inputs: 2 x Combo (XLR/TRS)
  • Analog Outputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4", 1 x 1/4" (Mic Pre Out)
  • Digital Inputs: 1 x ADAT (Optical)
  • Digital Outputs: 1 x AES/EBU (XLR), 1 x S/PDIF (Coax), 1 x S/PDIF (Optical)
  • Computer Connectivity: 1 x USB
  • Other I/O: 1 x Word Clock In (BNC), 1 x Word Clock Out (BNC), 1 x 1/4" (Insert), 2 x 1/4" (A/D Inserts)
  • Rack Spaces: 2U
  • Height: 3.5"
  • Depth: 9.17"
  • Width: 19"
  • Weight: 10.5 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: VoiceChannel

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Amazing unit.

I purchased this about 6 months ago and I'm amazed at the sound. Once you get it dialed (which is easy) the track that you end up with needs very little processing (delay and reverb) to get it to sit in the mix. I use a C414 and follow it with the Klark Teknik Kt-2a. My Girl and I record as a hobby and both have pro backgrounds many moons ago.

Another thing that's an absolute blast with this unit combo it Karaoke in headphones!! My God your vocals will sound absolutely killer with a little dsp reverb and delay from the Presonus 192 or any other outboard processor...even if you can't sing that well. It's really an affordable pro sounding solution in the right hands. For a home studio you can't go wrong with this combo!
Rated 5/5

Thought I'd need a higher end unit but was pleasantly surprised...

Wasn't expecting much but a buddy in the biz said try it with a certain tube before ya plop a LOT down on an upper end strip. He then directed me to a video on YouTube where an engineer took the lid off and was noticeably surprised and impressed with what he saw.

Well, I figured I could just send it back and go high-end if need be. May I also say, the ONLY reason I got it was for spoken voice work. My recording space is pretty quiet already but the help of a very subtle gate makes it even better. In addition, being from the world of old school analog, I DO like putting a little compression on my voice upfront.

Sweetwater suggests using a Gold Lion Tube, rather than the stock, which I also bought but my pal said to buy a JJ Electronic ECC83-S. I tried both but to my ears and voice, the JJ did the trick. Tastes may vary.

Okay, I've had it now for close to a year and use it exclusively with a Sennheiser MKH 416. After the ART I go into an RME Baby Face Pro to the DAW.

I A-B the same voice lines without and then with the ART to my preferred settings and to my ears, it was still incredibly clean, quiet but most importantly, a warmer, richer and tighter sound. NOT over the top warm but there's some definite analog style mojo here.

Never looked again at strips and as long as this keeps chugging along, I'm most satisfied and like others have said, "SURPRISED!" Nice job ART and heck, it's good lookin' to boot!
Rated 5/5

Phenomenol!

Just another guy with a home studio trying to make it sound right and this unit made an excellent addition. It blew me away! It was comparatively easy to get a clean, killer sound. All features respond accurately to help you find the tone you're looking for. Killer vocal tracks going in, you'll never have to struggle with; forget it, will fix it in the mix, "Ever again". One thing did puzzled me though, the price! It so affordable for what it does it doesn't make sense. - I highly recommend it!
Music background: composer/producer
Rated 5/5

Beautiful distortion

Really lovely harmonic distortion. Thanks Darius Beatz!
Rated 5/5

3 years later, I like it even more.

I wanted to update my review from 3 years ago, as I wrote my first review in the first week of owning the unit. Now that I've had 3 years to play with it, I thought I'd offer some experience based thoughts.

First off let me state that in the last few years I've had the opportunity to use preamps by Avid, Presonus, Focusrite, Daking, Warm, and Universal Audio. So I've gained some experience and refined my ear quite a bit. With that in mind...I gotta say, I dont understand why these aren't WAY more popular than they are. If you want a clean preamp to offer up analog sound, which provides enough gain for dynamic and ribbons, this thing absolutely does the job. And very well. But if you want all of that AND the flexibility of a fantastic compressor, a very effective De-Esser, a great noise gate/expander (I always use the expander instead of the gate. Much more musical) and a really effective EQ, then this thing is amazing. Even more though? My absolute favorite feature of this preamp is the impedence knob. With that knob alone I can make an SM7 sound very vintage or very modern. Literally with the impedence knob. This thing makes my microphones sound full without adding weird muddy frequencies. And more than that, because you can move the compressor before or after the EQ, it also has the added benefit of using the LED indicators to find problem frequencies to carve out, as well as hunt for sibilance to cut with the de-esser.

This past week I've really been thinking more and more about how useful this thing is, and how good the preamp is. So I did a test. I mic'd a vocalist and an acoustic guitar, bypassing everything put the preamp and impedence knob, and then compared it with my other 3 preamps. Sent the clips out to 8 of my friends and every single one of the picked the ART. Every.Single.One.

This thing is clean, but has a bit of it's own very nice character. I truly believe this belongs in any studio and can't believe the price. If you're not a brand snob, you should really give this thing a chance. And if you're a brand snob, you should really subject yourself to a blind listening test and open your eyes. Out of every preamp i've tried it against, the only one where there was an obvious difference was the 1073. But that's because the 1073 really has it's own sound. It's famous for a reason. I'm probably going to add one to my setup. But I'd absolutely put this up against almost any other preamp costing 4 times the price of this one.
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