Technical FAQs

You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers! Please view some of the more common questions we get asked below. Please feel free to send us feedback – we’d like to see what you have to say and the questions you have.

I am using Windows 7 and am having trouble with my ART 2-channel USB product

Unlike previous versions of Windows, Windows 7 defaults to a single channel and adds too much gain to the signal coming though USB audio devices. There are some things you will want to change in “Control Panel > Sound Settings” to get Windows 7 to work with 2-channel USB audio products.

  • The default setting for the input is 1-channel / 16bit/44.1K. In “Properties”, change this to: 2-channel/16bit/44.1K.
  • Windows sets the Mic input gain very high by default, so this needs to be reset.
  • Use the “Configure” button in the Sound window to access the Speech Recognition section and select “Set up Microphone” and select “Other” under the input type.
  • Run a signal into the USB device and run the Windows 7 Speech Level Program, following the prompts.
  • After this, the gain levels will be appropriate, and both channels if the unit will be recognized.

I think my ART preamp is “noisy”. What’s wrong?

If you experience unwanted “noise” when you use a stand-alone preamp, please consider what your signal is and where you’re sending it.

Some people send the signal from their preamp to a mic input (they figure, “well, I’m using a mic!”) on the board or recorder. This is in fact incorrect and could be the problem. The Tube MP and other ART preamps are actually intended to output a nice fat LINE LEVEL signal. If you send that line level signal to a recorder or mixer’s Mic input, that circuit will usually add more gain to the signal. Gain on top of gain will indeed result in noise. Please treat the signal as Line Level and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at your new clean and warm sound.

The same rule applies for guitar and bass players that use ART preamps as their front end. Send the signal from your preamp to a low gain input on your amp, or even a “loop return” jack which allows you to bypass the amp’s solid state preamp altogether.


How do I monitor the audio I am sending through my USB Phono Plus to my computer?

In the Audacity program supplied with our product the setting for this feature is referred to as “software playthrough”, and you will need to select it in the preferences to monitor the audio coming in via USB.

Click “File”, select “Preferences”, then the “Audio I/O” tab, and place a check in “software playthrough”.

If you are using another software program, it may or may not have a setting that gives you the option to monitor the input signal.


I’d like to get an operation manual for my ART product… how do I get one?

Please look for any manuals you need in the resources > downloads > manuals section of this website.We have done our best to make most of our Operation Manuals available online as Adobe .PDF files. If the model you have is not listed, then unfortunately it is not available in Electronic format.


Replacement External Power Supply Info

All ART products (excluding ARTcessories) need 9 volts AC, at a supply rate of at least 800 milliamps. Tube MP Studio V3 and the DI/O require at least 1000 milliamps (or simply 1 amp). The rate (Milliamp spec) can be higher, e.g. a 9-volt AC output at 1300 will work just fine.

The best place to order a replacement is from you ART dealer. You can also find 9 volt AC supplies at an Electronic Supply store. Don’t let them sell you a supply with DC output, only 9 volts AC will work.


The unit appears to power up, but no sound is coming out… what’s wrong?

This is common to units that use an external power supply such as the ECC or BCC, FXR series and personal processors like the Tube MP series, Levelar, and FX-1.

All ART products (excluding ARTcessories) use a 9 volt AC supply. The key word is AC. DC will not work. If you use DC, no harm will come to your ART gear, but then again, no sound will come out either! Polarity? With AC, there are no polarity issues.


Various ARTcessories FAQ’s

Yes, all ARTcessories are built into a metal chassis.

Yes, the SplitCom will pass phantom power

Yes, the SplitCom can be used as a splitter OR combiner.

Yes, the DeeJayPre can be used on modern home stereo receivers that do not have phono Preamps, but also is a great for archiving your LP’s onto your computer. Just use the DeeJayPre between your turntable and the stereo analog input on your sound card.


How can I obtain warranty service for my ART gear?

Prior to sending the unit, you need to obtain a Return Authorization number. Please click here to go to the RA Request form.


I need a 220-240 volt external power supply… can I order a replacement from ART?

Absolutely! Please contact your local ART distributor for further information. You can find a complete Distributor listing by clicking here.


My VU meter pegged as soon as I plugged into my mixing board…. what happened?

This is a common question regarding any of our products that have output level meters. If you use an XLR connection to a mixing board and phantom power is on at the board, the meter will read this voltage and the meter will be pegged at max.

Will this hurt the unit? Eventually, yes. The meter will burn out. While it’s bad form to have any voltage come into an output, sometimes your at a gig where the phantom power cannot be disabled on individual channels, it’s all or none. In these cases, a work around is to use the 1/4″ output instead and use a good quality instrument cord to one of the boards 1/4″ inputs since 1/4″ doesn’t support phantom power.


I need a battery for my ART effect processor… how can I get my hands on one?

ART effect processors use a 3-volt lithium battery, a BR2325 which usually last 5 to 7 years. The battery is similar to the type on a computer motherboard (that holds the clock, bios settings, etc.) and is a round disc similar in size of a US quarter.

Computer retailers or stores like Radio Shack are good sources for this battery, or you can order direct from ART. with a written request and a check or money order for $5.00. USD. For delivery in N.Y.S., please add 8% sales tax, for delivery outside of the U.S., add $5.00 to cover additional delivery charges.


Scrambled LCD Display = Dead Battery… what do I do now?

If the LCD readout is gibberish, and you cannot store presets, chances are the internal memory battery is dead and needs to be replaced.

ART effect processors require a 3-volt lithium battery: BR2325

Once you replace the battery, you will need to reset the unit to the factory settings because the memory has been corrupted. Please see below for a complete list of reset procedures.

Please Note: Only units with storable presets have batteries and resets.


I want to reset my ART gear… how do I do it?

Sometimes it’s necessary to reset your unit. Either the memory has been corrupted because of a dead battery, or maybe you just bought a pre-enjoyed SGX2000 and you want to start out fresh. The resets below will get you back to square one.

Please note: The reset will erase any changes made to the factory presets and also erase any presets you may have created.

  • ECC Press “STORE”, “PARAMETER”, and “VALUE” buttons simultaneously during power up
  • BCC Press “STORE”, “PARAMETER”, and “VALUE” buttons simultaneously during power up
  • Xtreme Plus Press “DISTORTION SELECT”, “VIEW/SAVE”, “DOWN”, and “UP” buttons simultaneously during power up (display shows “88”) 191 01, 01A Press “ROOM TYPE INCREMENT”, “DECAY TIME INCREMENT”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • Pro Gate Press “BYPASS”, “8”, and “SELECT” buttons simultaneously
  • Proverb 200 No reset, remove battery for over 5 hours.
  • Multiverb Press “PRESET DOWN”, “1”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • Multiverb II Press “PRESET DOWN”, “1”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • Multiverb EXT Press “PRESET DOWN”, “1”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • SGE Press “PRESET DOWN”, “1”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • DST 4 Press distortion select (button beside “Xtreme”), parameter edit (button beside “Delay Time”), and “SAVE” buttons simultaneously.
  • Quadra/Fx When in Preset mode only, press and hold in sequence “Bypass”, “Routing”, and “Effects”, release, after “rSt” display, press “Bypass” again.
  • DMV Pro Press all three encoder knobs at once (regardless of current mode), after confirmation prompt hit, Edit B button.
  • Multiverb LT Remove battery for over 5 hours.
  • Multiverb LTX No reset, remove battery for over 5 hours.
  • SGX LT No reset, remove battery for over 5 hours.
  • FXR Elite Press “Preset UP”, “DRY KILL” and “BYPASS” buttons simultaneously
  • DXR Elite Press “BANK”, “SOFT KEY”, and “BYPASS buttons simultaneously
  • RXR Elite Press “BANK”, “DRY KILL”, and “BYPASS” buttons simultaneously
  • Effects Network Press “VALUE”, “SAVE”, and “BYPASS” buttons simultaneously
  • DRX Press “PRESET DOWN”, “1”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • DRX 2100 Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • DRX 2100 SE Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • FXR Elite II Press “MIX”, “STORE”, and “BYPASS” buttons simultaneously
  • Multiverb III Press “PRESET DOWN”, “1”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • SGE Mach II Press “PRESET DOWN”, “1”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • SGX T2 Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • SGX Nitro Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • Alpha Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • Alpha 2.0 Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • Multiverb Alpha SE Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • SGX Nightbass Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • SGX Nightbass SE Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • SGX 2000 Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • SGX 2000 Express Press “PRESET”, “0”, and “4” buttons simultaneously
  • X-12 Press “UP”, “2”, and “5” pads simultaneously
  • X-15 UltraFoot Press “UP”, “1”, and “5” pads simultaneously
  • DST Eighty/Eighty Press distortion select (button beside “Xtreme”), parameter edit (button beside “Delay Time”), and “SAVE” buttons simultaneously.
  • DST 820 and 830 Press “PREAMP SELECT”, “PARAMETER SELECT”, and “SAVE” buttons simultaneously

  • Can you service my older ART processor?

    Due to a lack of replacement parts and product age, service is no longer possible on the following discontinued models:

  • ECC
  • BCC
  • DIO
  • MR-1
  • Xtreme Plus
  • Xtreme
  • Phatboy
  • Bal. EQ’s
  • MDM-8L
  • ProGate/EightGate
  • DR2a
  • DR2a w/ midi
  • PD3 /PD5
  • PD3-1000
  • Proverb
  • All IEQ-series
  • Proverb 200
  • Multiverb
  • All Original HD series EQs
  • Multiverb II
  • Multiverb EXT
  • SGE 400
  • OEM DSP
  • PowerPlant 412
  • DST 4
  • Quadra FX
  • DMV-Pro
  • Multiverb LT
  • Multiverb LTX
  • SGX LT
  • FXR Series
  • DXR Series
  • RXR Elite
  • Effects Network
  • DRX Series
  • FXR Elite II
  • Multiverb III
  • SGE Mach II
  • SGE T2
  • SGX Nitro
  • Multiverb Alpha Series
  • SGX Nightbass Series
  • SGX 2000 Series
  • X-11
  • X-12
  • AP-1 Pedal
  • MDC-2001
  • SC2 /CS2
  • X-15/Ultrafoot
  • Phantom-series mixers
  • Attack Series amps and cabs
  • DST Series amps and heads

  • If I put a different tube in my Tube MP, will it improve it’s sound?

    No. If we thought a different tube would sound better, wouldn’t we put that one in to begin with? Seriously, different tubes may sound better, but they may also sound worse, and usually the results are rather subjective. Also, beware that replacing the tube voids the warranty.


    I need a schematic… how can I get one?

    Simply send an email to [email protected]. Be sure to include the model name! We’ll send you an Adobe .pdf file with the schematic you requested. PLEASE NOTE: Schematics are not released for new products still under warranty. (e.g. Tubefire8)


    Can you help me with my old MXR stuff?

    No, sorry, we do not have any information on older MXR gear.


    I know it’s discontinued, but will you make me an SGX2000?

    No.


    How long will two 9V batteries power the Phantom II?

    The Phantom II draws approximately 32 milliamperes (.032amps) when driving two condenser mics with either the 12 volt or 48 volt setting. This would typically give you about 9 to 11 hours of operation from a standard 9 volt battery and 15 to 18 hours of operation from an Alkaline battery.