PreSonus MP-20

This unit is really simple to use. Only a gain knob and an IDSS knob for added density. The MP20 also provides the standard 80 hz roll off, phase reverse and phantom power. Just set the gain to the appropriate volume and add IDSS to you liking. WIth the IDSS at 0, the MP20 sounds clear and open. WIth the IDSS at 10, it's sludgy and dark. I like it at about half way. You can also plug in anything you want through the effects loop, very cool!

I have used many mics through this pre:Royer R121 TLM 103, RODE K2, Sputnik, KSM 44, RODE NTK, RODE NT5, AT4033, SM57, GT55, Shinybox 46U, and many more. I have always found this mic pre to have a clear and detailed sound. I have 2 MP20s: one with jensens and burr brown opamps, and another with generic transformers and opamps. I have to say that I don't think that one is really better than the other, they are just different. Yes there is more "character" and "warmth" with the former, but I don't think that the stock MP20 deserves the bad reviews that it's received. I use them for different situations, but either would do the job great. There are some situations where the stock mp20 sounds better. It's all opinion when it all comes down to it. If you like the sound of something, then it's right for you. The MP20 is a great unit regardless of jensens or burr browns.

I have had a slight problem with one channel of one of my MP20's. It made a funny crackling sound and lost some power. I sent it back and they went through it and replaced some components. The problem came back, but it turns out it was actually the 1/4 input on the front of the unit. I stuck a plug into it a few times and the problem never returned. Probably just dirty. If you get this problem, try that, it just might work.

Superb support: quick turnaround and with problems.

I think that this pre is the best pre I have used in its price range. I have used Universal Audio 610, Great River, DBX 585, Groove tubes vipre, and a few other and in my limited experience the MP20 is a good balance of price/performance. It's a great unit.

Sounds good. Great on guitars, drum overheads, piano, etc.

Here's the pisser! Left side blew up after a couple of years. I sent it back, and they fixed it for a medium fee. Well, a couple days ago, the left side burnt up again. It always sits in the rack at my studio, I suppose my patch bay could be aging, but doubt it would cause the left side to burn up twice in two year intervals!?!

Very handy folks, very helpful, even when their State is under water!

I do love this pre, I just wish the **** thing would stop catching on fire! I keep the fire extinguisher near, but it is still scarey.

Pretty straightforward - there are only a few knobs to deal with.

What I like best about the MP20 is the crystal clear, warm sound. Other equipment in similar price range is often noisy. The MP 20 is totally silent.

The left channel went on the fritz once after a couple of years and I had it repaired. I only use it in my home studio so that wasn't a problem. Might be a concern for someone using it for live performances.

The company was great when I sent my unit in for repair. They were prompt, polite, and repaired it for a reasonable price. Got it back pronto.

My wife and I sing folk gospel. We used 2 different kinds of Art preamps before the MP 20 and I don't recommend Art at all. I recently ordered a second MP20 to have more channels for recording. Very pleased with this productg.

No manual needed. Refer to web site so you do not blow the wrong stuff into the XLR's. Separate volume controls for output and headphones is useful. Balanced in and out and hear this, balanced in and out on inserts keeps this guy on the quiet side. Meters are quite reliable, short delay on max would be a nice add-on to monitor peaks.

Presonus Digitube -(S-PDIF)- TC Electronics G Force - Mp 20 with DBX 266 in insert. Very transparent, I run the IDSS to darken the sound of acoustic. Helps remove the nasty coloration of magnetic pickup, that little annoying metallic resonance that tells you you are not using a mic. Strong output, even on the headphone side, though a little noisy.
Makes the DBX 266 sounds like hillbilly shakes hand with Bel Air cousin.
Rating of 9 is due to "what would the Jensen's do" comment.

No tube, thick front panel, only 7" deep. So no problem in moving around in rack. Watch out for the front plastic knobs as they are really protruding out and could be banged easily.

Wanted a pre amp that would enable to connect an acoustic guitar straight to a mixing board in live applications, using an amp only as a foldback monitor. Result is reduction in noise. Weak link is the Digitube, but it is patiently waiting for its replacement tube, "out the Ruby" welcome NOS 5751, and as mentioned, the 266, which sounds "electronic". For price paid, and even if I had to pay full price, great value!

Basically you plug your cables into it and adjust for gain. The channels can be panned left or right in a master stereo output, which suggests lots of possibilities, but the function of the unit is absolutely straightforward.

I plug my electric guitar directly into it. The manual says the front panel instrument input is optimized for a guitar pickup to drive into, and I think there are few guitar players who wouldn't find a way to get one of these units if they tried it on their setup. It does not add any noise to the system. Because of better level matching, my system runs quieter. It adds depth, dimension, and warmth to the sound. I am triamping, using separate tube amplifiers for bass, midrange, and treble. I don't know how well this thing works on other instruments, voices and so forth (the reviews are enthusiastic) but for the electric guitar it is lovely.

American made, built like a tank. obvious high build quality.

Have'nt dealt with 'em

I play Baroque Lute music on the electric guitar, through a hifi system which uses stereo leslie cabinets. Solo instrument recordings require above average sound quality. This preamp is a jewel.

This is my first experience with an outboard pre-amp. I own a home studio that has grown to the following basic gear: Alesis HD24 Digital Recorder, Mackie 1604 Mixer, Alesis MidiVerb IV, ART MDC (multi-function compressor, exciter, noise gate), EV Dynamic Mic, Rode NT-1A Condensor Mic. Assorted guitars, amps, Korg X3 keyboard, etc. I was looking for that "professional sound" in my mixes that I never quite got out of my equipment before purchasing the Presonus MP20. I educated myself through magazine and personal reviews of a dozen different pre-amps. The MP20 always came through as the pre-amp of choice in it's price range - hands down. Listen, if you're not getting the "in your face" sound out of your recordings, then, YOU MUST CONSIDER A QUALITY PRE-AMP! It's what's missing dude. Trust me.

As far as ease of use, I'm still learning. It's my first pre-amp. I know that with a little "out of the box" setup, I was impressed with the difference this thing makes!

As mentioned above, if you want to get a more professional sounding recording, YOU MUST LOOK AT PRE-AMPS!!! It sure took me a long time to realize just how important they are. If you recorded directly (as I do a lot of), you need a quality pre-amp to give your tracks the "punch" they deserve. I'm still tweaking the MP20, but I like what I'm hearing through it. I've really had to "pull on the reins" and turn this bad boy down a bit. It will add LOTS of front-end gain to a mic or instrument. And it's clear as a bell if you want. Like everyone else, the IDSS circuit is clearly a matter of try it yourself. The other features are truly professional and intriguing. If I had any gripe about the MP20 at all, it might be the volume level of the headphone output. It's seems pretty low to me and maybe it's my cheesy headphones. It doesn't bother me either way, cause I monitor through my Mackie Mixer anyways.

So far, so good. But I just bought this guy January 2003.

No need for support to this point. Again, I just got this puppy.

Dude, I've learned a valuable lesson. If you're a home studio owner, GET A QUALITY PRE-AMP!!!! Do your own research like I did. Forget all the sales hype, listen to actual users and disinterested 3rd party reviewers. I give the Presonus MP20 an overall rating of 9 because of two reasons: 1) I just got it, and, 2) it's my first experience with a real outboard pre-amp, so right now I have only it to compare. I am very pleased with the unit so far. Rock On!

* Very easy to use - read the knobs - try some different settings - and let your ears be the judge, as should be the case. Knobs are well designed and layout is a no-brainer. The only complaint, which knocks this down a notch - is the "IDSS" whereby even the manual requires to "experiment." I think a little more instruction is required here.

I used to rely on preamps in mixing boards - I was really missing out. This unit not only opened my ears, but my eyes and mind as well. A preamp like this is as required for recording or performing vocals, or anything running on juice as you would prefer using a new 9 volt battery rather than one nearly dead. The sound quality is that noticable!

No problem yet but only had this unit for a few months

No need thus far.

I use this unit for all styles of music since sound is sound what ever might be the case. I would replace this at any cost since I am now a believer of a good preamp! If you want a better sound (and who doesn't) - then get a good preamp - and this unit is the best I've come across for the $ - it was recommended by a major music retailer!

This unit is indeed a Class A Discrete mic pre....and, therefore, it offers an extremely clear gain boost of either mic or line sources...Just turn up the gain...and then dial in the IDSS to your taste, either fully counterclockwise for crystal clarity, or between 80% and fully clockwise for a tube amp "simulation" (NOTE* - see further comments below on this)...The unit has easy to use, totally clear buttons for Pad, Phase, and Phantom power....

Sound Quality: Well...here's where I make my critical comments....Check it out, folks, it is VERY SIGNIFICANT...When Presonus first came out with these units, they built them with high grade Jensen transformers, and advertised this componentry to the hilt...The unit got smashing reviews...and rightly so...it was robust, truly WARM, thick, spacious, you name it...IT WAS TREMENDOUS BANG FOR THE BUCK....well...
somewhere in between '99 and '00, Jensen raised its price on the transformer and, guess what??? Presonus pulled the component from the MP-20, and, after numerous tests, chose another, undisclosed brand of transformer....It should be known by all, with absolute certainty, that from that point on the MP-20 would NEVER SOUND THE SAME....While it is still an excellent unit, offering Class A, etc....and crystal clarity and punch....it now has significantly less character, in my opinion...it is much more transparent, less colored with WARMTH, particularly in the low-mid range...less robust and, well....here's the bitch...colder sounding...which is exactly what is to be avoided when using this as a front end to digital....The biggest difference is in the IDSS control....with the Jensens - for those of you who are lucky to have them - the IDSS is extremely "meaningful", and can really color the sound, with great range, starting around 12:00....without the Jensens, at best, and to much lesser effect, the IDSS kicks in at 4:00 (80%) and coughs a bit more up at 5:00 (100%)...I have both types of units, with Jensens and without....and, truth be told, I like them both, for different applications....I would only put a bass amp mic or DI through the one with the Jensen...same for a snare or kick or any drum, actually...The post '00, more transparent unit works better for guitar amp mics....its crystal clarity can actually add a spaciousness and "toothiness" and, for some reason, an "American sound", that works great when miking a tube amp....Wow...that was all such a mouthful....hope you guys eat it up....

Extremely dependable....rock solid construction....great, easy to use buttons and knobs....solid state punch-o-rama....

Hmmmmmmmmm......sometimes, folks try to cover up stuff...before the cats fly out of the bag....I appreciate TRUTH from companies I buy my precious gear from....not Good Ol Boy back room stroking....BUT.....that said....there's definitely a LOT OF LOVE DOWN IN LOUISIANA....a genuine love of the Holy Grail of Sound we all seek....and a willingness to share....

For the money....the MP-20 is absolutely one of the BEST buys out there....But.....It seems wrong that they pulled the Jensens AFTER all the initial reviews came in...and also, the fact that the unit went from Warm to Considerably Less than Warm...
rendered the change in transformers somewhat less than desirable for what most people are using the unit for, as a front end mic pre for digital studios....Neves have a definite "color" to them, a warmth....and most of us dig that color....

Good sounds come easy. Unlike a lot of the pre amps out there, the MP20 is pretty much JUST a preamp. It has a Gain Control and an IDSS control (will be explained later). Then you have phantom power (48V), phase reverse, 20dB pad, L/R button (it's a 2 channel stereo unit), and 80Hz filter. Total of 5 buttons and 2 knobs per channel. Pretty self-explanatory. Oh. and there's also a master gain control and headphone jack and gain control for the headphones. Pretty simple really.

I'm using this unit mostly to record speech. I play around with vocals and acoustic guitar as well. As for quality, let me say this. I owned a Bellari MP-105 but it was kinda noisy. So I bought a Focusrite unit but it didn't give enough gain. So I traded that for a used tube pre amp (DigiTech VPT-1) but it was noisy and provided no appreciable gain whatsoever. Then I demo'd a DBX thing for a couple hundred bucks and it sucked. So, I then bought the PreSonus and haven't looked back. I've been kinda picky about the pre amp. The PreSonus is the first Pre amp to make me happy.

The gain is impressively clear. As compared to the Focusrite Penta compressor that I had been using, the MP20 is about 7dB's quieter at the input to the hard disk. Not a bad imporovement... the sound is very clean too.

But then you try out the IDSS knob. It goes from clean all the way to "pretty good tube pre amp". The IDSS essentially controls and increases the harmonics in the original sound. It isn't ideal. I doubt it even sounds as good as a great pre amp. But I'd bet it can improve any vocal or instrument.

It smokes all of the other pre amps I tried. In my opinion, if you can't afford the MP20, stick with the Bellari MP-105 (at around $100). It's not that the Bellari is good, it's just that there's nothing between the Bellari and the MP20 that's worth the increase in price. In other words, for pre amps, the MP20 is the real thing at the lowest price you're gonna find for a quality product.

I've only had it a week. But I guess I'd gig with it... And I do depend on it... I wouldn't record without it!

They seem to be consientious. But I dunno.

Let's face it, for the average Joe, this is an expensive unit so I can't give it more than an 8 for value. And if you have a million bucks to spend, then you can probably get something better. But, given how the 4 OTHER pre amps sounded, I gotta say, despite the high price, this may be a great bargain.