ADA MP-1

I am a pretty eclectic player, with a style that encompasses prog-metal, jazz/blues fusion, old school, and new age--I am also a "tone junkie". Even still, I have been able to dial in settings to keep my "tone-lust" well satiated for years. Most of the pre-sets are garbage, so if you get a MP-1, push those to the side and start dialing for yourself. I've managed to get a Satraini-esque lead tone, a SRV clean tone, an absolute killer gainy blues tone, a kick-ass thrash tone (with the help of a parametric eq), and a few others that are probably gathering dust right now. One things for sure... The MP-1 has gain for days!!! However, the unit can be a bit noisy at high gain settings, but that's the nature of the business with tubes, I guess. The unit does like to produce a lot of feedback and "sqwaking" at these same settings (especially at stage volume), so either be prepared to buy a gate, or keep a volume pedal (between the pre-amp and power amp) close at hand to mute when necessary. I have been happy with this unit for a long time, but honestly, I've finally been thinking of moving up to the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis. If you don't have that kind of cash, then I would definitely reccomend the MP-1--I really haven't found another pre-amp that does it for me (and I've played A LOT)!

The MP-1 features a full analog signal path and gives you control over pre and post eq saturation; presence; bass, mid, and treble; master volume; effects loop in or out; notch filter point (if chorus is not used); compression level (for solid state voice); and a chorus section including rate and depth. There is an overall output knob that is quite handy for adjusting volume without changing your tone, and there is a headphone jack for late night jamming without pissing off your girlfriend or getting evicted from your apartment. The effects loop level is also adjustable. Overall, it has three modes (voices) for tone modeling: Tube Distortion, Tube Clean, and Solid State Clean. You kind of have to ask yourself, "what other controls would I really want/need from a pre-amp???". I bought this pre-amp about six years ago, and at the time, it was state of the art. Much has been done since then, but this unit still remains a good contender for those serious about their racks. Programming is straight forward and is isn't difficult to tweak a setting while on stage.

I've had my unit for years and never had to replace a battery, a tube, or anything!!! I had a button weird out on me for a few minutes, but it went back to normal, and everyting seems to be fine (knock on wood). In all honesty, I do tend to have "the luck o' the irish" and I do take good care of my equipment, and NO ONE touches my rack except me (under penalty of death) =-). Bottom line: Six years faithful service.

I've tried a number of times to get through to these people to answer some questions or provide some assistance--e-mail, telephone, courrier pigeon, whatever... I have NEVER gotten any sort of response form them. I'd hate to think what would happen if I actually had a REAL problem with the gear! There web page is useless. The manual that comes with the unit is weaker than OJ's defense! Bottom line--Tech support sucks! Bastards!

I've been playing for over ten years and I have a full rack set-up (which includes an Alesis Quadraverb+, an Alesis noise gate, parametric EQ, and another reverb unit). I play through a Marshall 1960a 4x12 cab with the stock 70w Celestions and have been sing a 100w all-tube Fender Twin as a power amp and 2x12 cab. I also use Morely volume/wah and "Bad Horsey" wah pedals and a MIDI controller from Digital Music Corp. Like I said, I'm looking at the Mes/Boogie TriaAxis, but I'm still thinking of keeping my MP-1 even after I get the new gear. If you're looking for a rack mount pre-amp with versatility AND YOU HAVE THE CASH, check out the Mesa/Boogie... otherwise this IS the pre-amp you NEED. To me, all the other pre-amps that I've heard (and I've heard A LOT), lack the magic. If you can't afford the Boogie and you don't like the ADA, I'd suggest sticking with a head and cabinet set-up-- I really don't think there IS a FOURTH choice if you're SERIOUS about your tone.

My guitar is a Jackson with American made EMG pickups. I run the ADA as my only preamp...for distortion and clean sounds. It is included in my effects chain to be in use all the time. I have heard better since I recieved it 5 years ago, but for the economically inclined you can't beat it. The stock sounds are junk compared to what you can do if you want to spend some time with your sounds. I've been able to tweak out MESA BOOGIE sounds.

It has a lot of what you will need, especially if it's your first preamp that sounds good. The MIDI section leaves a little to be desired, but if you slave it to change patches from something else (Like the GSP21 legend) it works just fine. I would have liked to have more control in the high-mid section of the tone.

I've had to send it into the factory to have the chips replaced once. But I have used it everyday, 3 hours each, for the 5 years I've had it. Sometimes I notice drop-outs in the sound but that could be sue to bad cables. I replaced the stock tubes with Sovtech's and then I swithed to Groove tubes then the thing got a lot quiter and sounded more like an Amplifier and less like a processor.

I don't know how long the warranty is on this unit, but they covered the repair for me when it broke down. I did have to use my local music store to send it in. (Reduced the shipping fees)
The repair took about 2 weeks to get handled. But it hasn't died since then, and that was a few years ago.

I've been playing guitar for 16 years. And like most guitarists, I have aquired enough gear to do post-production work and sound reinforcement. Before I got the MP-1 I was using a GSP21pro/legend (Which is now used as a compressor and reverb unit). My current setup has the ADA in the effects loop of the GSP21legend and I use a DHP 33 in the same chain and the whole lot goes out through a sonic maximizer and into my 200 watt stereo Peavy amp. I don't use Cab's in my setup, instead I use Yamaha stage monitors, because they handlle more power with out killing themselves. I will keep this unit around even after I get the GSP2101. Since it has been a good stable preamp this long, I'll use it in my back up rack.

I play all rock styles and get any tone I want from Aerosmith to White Zombie. ( and a killer Eddie Van Halen tone!!) Sure its noisey when you have the gain up, but not nearly as bad as other amps I've owned (like Marshall heads, or combos).

A very versatile preamp, I can get any sound I want with it from a country twang, to a crystal clear clean, to a ballz out distortion. The stereo effect loop works great,the chorus I never use (I have a quadraverb for effects).

I've played with it since they first came out (and thats alot of gigs 800 or more), but if it goes out for any reason (and it will) you have to send it back to ADA to fix only!! So have a back-up! You see I talked to them personaly and they won't give out the schematics so your local service guy YOU TRUST can fix it, aparently only the guys at ADA are smart enough to fix these things, and that sucks when you depend on your stuff every night and your making a living with your gear. And it will take a few WEEKS to be returned to you (I sent mine over- night and it took 3 weeks to fix, and then they sent it back 3 day)

This preamp has the EXACT tone that I have been looking for! I can get good "modded" Marshall type tones, plus convincing Mesa Boogie inspired sounds as well. I have been able to achieve a very smooth, singing, liquid sustaining tone that I have had trouble attaining without playing through a fully cranked Marshall, this preamp feels similar to playing a cranked amp even at bedroom listening levels! Plus, I can run the "Overdrive 1" and "Overdrive 2" volumes all the way to 10 without getting that overly fuzzy sound that many other units create when their gain controls are maxed out. I think this unit most have some sort of onboard compressor/limiter in order to keep the tone from breaking up when the unit is used in this manner. This preamp is pretty noisy, but this problem can be minimized by installing premium grade 12AX7 tubes. I was able to substantially reduce the hum and noise in my unit by installing a Groove Tube 12AX7 in the first position (closest to the front panel).

With 128 channel's, this preamp is far more versatile then my actual needs require at this time! The effects loop has plenty of level to drive rack processors plus enough headroom to avoid undesired overload distortion. It has a headphone jack in the back, wich is awkward to reach when the unit is mounted in a rack.

I had to replace the lithium battary, (so that the presets can be stored) but like car battaries, they are a regular maintenance.

I wish that the equalizer section had a parametric midrange control so i could have more flexibility in programming lead sounds.

No submenus, straight ahead

Noisy on high gain, found that when midi controller is hooked up it generates more noise. Was the best sounding unit when I bought it new 10 years ago

10 years, 10 years of hard road use and still keeps going I do break the midi controller switches now and then

Sent me free rom updates quickly

Boy when you have had this much luck with something, you hate to go any where else, but I got my eye on a VooDu valve after talking to Gary Hoey and hearing his

not too noisy, clean channel stays pretty clean at high volumes. distortion sound is good. I dont use any other source of distortion. I run all the gain settings around 6 or so... i use ESP Kamikazee guitar pickup is a Seymour Duncan Screamin Demon

very versatile,great clean sounds,using MIDI w/alesis Quadverb

owned for about a year,play pretty loud stage volume. No problems yet

havent dealt w/ co.

I use w/ a marshall 4 x 12 cab w/25 watt greenbacks. I like a marshall sound a little better, but I need the clean sounds too. this amp has best clean tones i found yet

Very simple. As far as programming is concerned, you don't need the manual. The manual is readable and very simple to comprehend. The "quick setup" section is all you need to read.

I have to say that I like the sound. I used to use a cheese distortion pedal in front of a marshall, and the ADA sounds so much better. Now i just use the Marshall for power. The unit is a bit noisy, but you can get by without a noise reduction device (I do). I am a bit of a novice when it comes to critiqing effects, but the chorus sounds fine to me. I use the chorus from a digitech unit I own instead of the ADA chorus. I prefer more of a "quakin'" sound, so I ignore most of the presets. The however-many distorted presets that ADA programmed are NOT indicative of what the unit can do!! I will say that the balls you get are very dependent on your pickups. The ADA is not very friendly towards crappy pickups. Stock Les Paul pickups do the job! All in all, it sounds good. Try one with a sonic maximizer, and you'll soil your shorts!!!Obviously, there are other choices out there, but this thing's been out for ever.

I haven't had any problems with it. I bought it used, and it hasn't given me any problems.

The only time i've ever dealt with ADA was when the MP-1 first came out. I called and left a message on their machine, and they sent me some literature. I thought that was pretty cool.

The mp-1 is good for what it is. obviously there are better units out now, but if you are short on cash, you can get one pretty cheap. It is worth the $200 you can get one for, but you may want to look for something with more options.

Buttons suck!!!! Try toggling between the overdrive 1 and overdrive 2 settings and then hitting the up and down buttons....This is NOT a unit where you're going to quickly tweak your tone in time of need. The manual is OK, not that you really need to use it.

The unit produces a pretty even sound, but the sound seems a little "dry". The higher gain settings (both od1 and od2 above 7.5 or so) seem pretty unusable, noisy, and compressed. The solid state "clean" tone didn't do much for me, but the chorus was ok. I later was in a guitar store and A/B'd the MP-1 with the new Marshall Midi preamp, and the Marshall sounded a lot warmer and sweeter.

At one point, the unit would not sound in the two distortion modes. I had to ship the unit back (under warranty). Haven't had any problems since.

The ADA staff was very friendly and helpful.

I would use a footswitch other than the MC-1. The buttons are too close together and you easily hit more than one when you stomp on it. I wouldn't buy this unit now that I've heard a lot of others. The Marshall sounds great--the Egnater sounds even better, but it costs nearly $2000!!! There's a lot of stuff out there. I'd audition as many as I could--Go find a guitar store that has an enclosed amp room, and then have at it! It's much easier to compare units using the same guitar/power amp/cab.