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Dark974
Published on 02/09/08 at 03:14
Best value:
Excellent
The ADA MP1 is programmable preamp in 1U rack format that features 3 channels.
Originally it has 2 tubes dedicated to the clean tube and distortion channels.
Personally, I had it modified into a 3TM (adding a third tube) by ordering a kit for about $200 from adadepot. That's all you need if you aren't too clumsy with the soldering iron!
It is very comprehensive in terms of connections: 2 outputs, one line output, one headphones output, one mono FX loop. It obviously has MIDI connections (In, OUT and THRU).
The only drawback is that it doesn't have any inputs on the rear panel. What are people who have very crowded racks to do? -1 in this regard!!
Fortunately, you can modify it by converting the line output into an input (which is something I plan to do with a kit available at adadepot).
UTILIZATION
The setup is silly, provided you are used to fiddling with a rack, but, yet again, it's light years from the complexity of a lexicon and company...
The manual gives clear and precise instructions, especially related to MIDI mapping, which may seem a bit arcane, but after that it does everything by itself!
Regarding sound editing, if you buy this preamp (secondhand, unfortunately!!) it's because you like the "vintage" type, good old '80s metal, girls, beer,...but now I'm getting off topic. So, YES, you can easily get a good sound if you don't buy this preamp by chance and you know what you want!
SOUNDS
Does it suit my style of music? LOL, by now I think everybody has already understood that I got this preamp for the sounds it delivers: Metallica (from their good days!!), Iron maiden.......But with the 3TM you get dangerously close to modern sounds and I sometimes surprise myself doing some Dream Theater or even Symphony X (I'm still getting to know it, though.....but it will eventually happen!)
My gear: Gibson SG + John Suhr pickups (SSH+ and DSV, a real delight, I used to have a tone zone and an air norton), MXR phase 90, Boss AW2, Boss DC3, MP1, TC Electronic G-Major, VHT 2/50/2, 1x12 VHT Fat Bottom, 1x12 Marshall with V30. Everything controlled with a Ground Control + GCX. To have a good sound you need good gear!!
Strictly speaking, the sounds are excellent. The clean sound recalls Metallica in "And Justice For All...", but fiddling a bit with the knobs you can get a more twangy sound, too, without having the impression of playing a twin reverb, you have to be reasonable!
I don't use much the Tube Clean channel, it's not my thing. Other people might be able to say more about it.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, the distortion......it's truly wonderful!! Although too mids-heavy, the EQ (which is very effective) allows you to get a very broad sound palette. It's stunning!
The 3TM plays a big role in that, sounds are more aggressive, with more harmonics, in short, a real joy!!
OVERALL OPINION
3 years of MP1, and I haven't had enough. You could maybe criticize its somewhat limited clean channel in terms of sounds, but you have the triaxis for that, which is hardly within the same price point.....Because there's the small detail that this preamp costs ONLY $450.
The first time I used it, I plugged it to the loop of an ENGL Savage and I can still remember my friend's face when he saw that the MP1 (not yet modified) could eclipse the Savage preamp.
I've had the opportunity to test different preamps: Peavey Rockmaster, Rocktron Pirnha, there's simply no comparison — the MP1 is better. Excellent value for money, killer sound, and other than the input on the rear there's mot much to complain about.
Originally it has 2 tubes dedicated to the clean tube and distortion channels.
Personally, I had it modified into a 3TM (adding a third tube) by ordering a kit for about $200 from adadepot. That's all you need if you aren't too clumsy with the soldering iron!
It is very comprehensive in terms of connections: 2 outputs, one line output, one headphones output, one mono FX loop. It obviously has MIDI connections (In, OUT and THRU).
The only drawback is that it doesn't have any inputs on the rear panel. What are people who have very crowded racks to do? -1 in this regard!!
Fortunately, you can modify it by converting the line output into an input (which is something I plan to do with a kit available at adadepot).
UTILIZATION
The setup is silly, provided you are used to fiddling with a rack, but, yet again, it's light years from the complexity of a lexicon and company...
The manual gives clear and precise instructions, especially related to MIDI mapping, which may seem a bit arcane, but after that it does everything by itself!
Regarding sound editing, if you buy this preamp (secondhand, unfortunately!!) it's because you like the "vintage" type, good old '80s metal, girls, beer,...but now I'm getting off topic. So, YES, you can easily get a good sound if you don't buy this preamp by chance and you know what you want!
SOUNDS
Does it suit my style of music? LOL, by now I think everybody has already understood that I got this preamp for the sounds it delivers: Metallica (from their good days!!), Iron maiden.......But with the 3TM you get dangerously close to modern sounds and I sometimes surprise myself doing some Dream Theater or even Symphony X (I'm still getting to know it, though.....but it will eventually happen!)
My gear: Gibson SG + John Suhr pickups (SSH+ and DSV, a real delight, I used to have a tone zone and an air norton), MXR phase 90, Boss AW2, Boss DC3, MP1, TC Electronic G-Major, VHT 2/50/2, 1x12 VHT Fat Bottom, 1x12 Marshall with V30. Everything controlled with a Ground Control + GCX. To have a good sound you need good gear!!
Strictly speaking, the sounds are excellent. The clean sound recalls Metallica in "And Justice For All...", but fiddling a bit with the knobs you can get a more twangy sound, too, without having the impression of playing a twin reverb, you have to be reasonable!
I don't use much the Tube Clean channel, it's not my thing. Other people might be able to say more about it.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, the distortion......it's truly wonderful!! Although too mids-heavy, the EQ (which is very effective) allows you to get a very broad sound palette. It's stunning!
The 3TM plays a big role in that, sounds are more aggressive, with more harmonics, in short, a real joy!!
OVERALL OPINION
3 years of MP1, and I haven't had enough. You could maybe criticize its somewhat limited clean channel in terms of sounds, but you have the triaxis for that, which is hardly within the same price point.....Because there's the small detail that this preamp costs ONLY $450.
The first time I used it, I plugged it to the loop of an ENGL Savage and I can still remember my friend's face when he saw that the MP1 (not yet modified) could eclipse the Savage preamp.
I've had the opportunity to test different preamps: Peavey Rockmaster, Rocktron Pirnha, there's simply no comparison — the MP1 is better. Excellent value for money, killer sound, and other than the input on the rear there's mot much to complain about.