The Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1 is a guitar and bass preamplifier that comes in the form of a single space rack mountable unit. It’s pretty in depth and has a lot to offer on a few different levels. It’s got a variety of connections and options as it’s quite flexible in what it can offer. On the front panel there’s a single ¼” input for plugging in your instrument, but on the back panel you’ll find a whole lot more, including MIDI connections, XLR and ¼” outputs, a second ¼” input, and an effect loops with ¼” jacks for stereo returns and a single send connection. Each of the previous gives you the option to send out the signal at either -10 db or flat. As previously mentioned, it is a rack mountable and will only take up a single space.


UTILIZATION

Using the Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1 isn’t all that difficult, although there is a lot you can get into. I’ve mostly just scratched the surface with this device, which is easy enough to do. The front panel gives you parameters for pre-amp level, buzz, punch, crunch, drive, high and low EQ controls, and an overall level knob. If you’ve used other SansAmp products before like their plug-ins, these parameters will seem pretty familiar to you. There are some more in depth features available with the PSA-1 if you so choose to use them, like using it with software and it’s MIDI capabilities, but I haven’t used it in this capacity as of yet. If you’ve just purchased this, it’s probably a good thing to have the manual around as it will give you in depth explanations on everything here.



SOUNDS

Although I’m usually weary of devices like this where you’re replacing a real amplifier, the Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1 sounds quite good for both bass and electric guitar. There are all sorts of presets for different styles and even for artist presets, like those for Jimi Hendrix, BB King, and more. It’s great that you can save your own sounds in here, as you’ve got the best of both worlds with an analog sound and digital controls. While I don’t think that I’d prefer this to a real amp, it’s definitely got it’s own sound and can be helpful in tandem or in place of an amp…


OVERALL OPINION

If you’re doing a lot of work inside the box, the Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1 is a great tool to have around to warm up your guitar sounds a bit. Again, I don’t believe that it’s a replacement for a real live amp, but can help in getting a variety of sounds in one place. It’s somewhat reasonably priced, but it’s not cheap enough where home studio owners on a budget can add it cheaply. It’s definitely something worth looking into for home studio owners more than anyone though…