Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1 Preamp

Since I was a former ADA MP-1 user, the front panel on this unit was very liberating. I had full control, in real-time, of all the tone- shaping parameters. You can edit existing patches on the fly...just turn the dials until you get THE tone. It took a little fooling around to get familiar with the dials...they've got interesting names: buzz, punch, and crunch. The manual was very well done.

If you take the time, you should be able to dial-in any tone you want. On top of the tone-shaping parameters, you've got Low and High eq controls. The unit isn't any noisier than other amps/ preamps that I've tried. It seems to be quieter than my ADA as far as I can tell. Unlike a lot of other preamps out there, there are no effects in the unit...but when you dial-in these tones, you won't need to effect them to sound better. This is an amp *simulator*, and isn't designed to compete with the multi-effects horde of pro- ducts. I was able to create some very nice clean-tones with a hint of overdrive if I hit hard with my pick...it's very sensitive to your pick/volume knob. Tons of distortion tones are available.

It doesn't seem like a whole lot can go wrong. I would use it on a gig without a backup. As long as the ac power cord doesn't go bad on you, you should be fine.

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I would definitely buy this unit again. It is so easy to use, and you can duplicate any sound you want. I've already re-created all of my favourite patches from my ADA MP-1. I love the fact that I don't have to worry about preamp tubes going microphonic (I've got a Mosvalve power amp as well). I didn't want the hassles of a real tube amp. Patch switching is instantaneous. One thing I do miss is the ability to switch the effects loop out of a patch. If I don't want a particular patch to be effected, I have to hit the bypass switch on my BOSS SE-50 (bypass doesn't colour my tone so much as disabling the effects within an SE-50 patch). I haven't made use of the XLR outs for recording, but if any of you are familiar with the Sansamp Classic direct-to-tape, this unit does just as well. This unit makes it very easy to create music (if you get over the option-anxiety stage -- their are sooo many tones available). This is the perfect tool for recording and live performance. For live performance, I've even used it straight into a mixing board and it sounds incredible...no more mosquito-tone (unless you dial that sound in).

This unit is very easy to use providing you give the short yet specific manual a good going over.Patch editing was one of my great concerns in choosing a new preamp apart from sound.I also employ an RP-1 from digitech which holds all my clean tones yet is hard to change prams on the fly. The great thing with the sansamp is on the fly editing. Tonaly the init is endless.Your instrument still maintains it natural tone and is not totally masked by the preamp.T

The unit can be noisy on some settings but I am guessing it is due to the amount of gain involved in some applications.A vast array of tones are available and quality tones at that.

Yes and yes

I would recommend this unit to players like myself who throught studio and live gigs need a vast array of useable tones fast.I as yet have not found anything to hate .I tried all the major brand preamps tube and otherwise. Let me say one thing here.I cannot say i tried units in the multi thousand dollar range.

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