Since purchasing an ART Tube Mixer I have to say that I’ve been pleasantly surprised at what it can do – both as a mixing unit and as a line in USB connection for my computer.
Before I committed to the purchase of this ART Tube Mixer, I was searching for a USB mixer that had little to no loss of signal nor anything much of a change in the tone from my mic to the mixer through to my DAW software. The ART Tube Mix successfully accomplished this for me.
For a USB mixer with a list price of only $299.95 you’d think the sound would be average at best! But, I was pleasantly surprised at how good of a sound that I could achieve from it. Not exactly spectacular, but definitely inspirational, especially with the option for adding the 12AX7 (tube) into the mix!
The mic presence is clear and bright, and the amp simulator and tube on channel 5 will add some nice midrange. Most important, the line-ins are clean.
At first, I wasn’t sure if the tube did anything much, but after some A/B testing, I can hear that yes, the tube ‘does’ add something.
It’s subtle, bringing in just a touch of gain. I noticed that some recordings can benefit from adding it, while others do not. There’s a difference adding it on both the guitar and the mic as well as, with different music styles.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive and convenient way to record your guitar (with tube mix and USB out), then the ART Tube Mix is a great choice.