ADA MP-1 2.01 What to expect?

[ghosty999]

Just about to purchase one of these, it has the version 2.01 software on it.

I've heard good and bad about these Pre-Amps, I will be using it for studio only so mainly for jamming through my studio monitors using software cab emulation and effects.

What am I to expect? Is the 2.01 software an improvement and are there any tips to get it sounding its best?

I like 80s AOR/Melodic Rock... think chorus/delay drenched Def Leppard

 

[IceMan]

The MP-1 is completely tube/analog and only controlled digitally. The 2.01 chip update only fixed some programming bugs and allows MIDI dump to a computer. It has zero impact on sound/tone.

 

[paulyc]

Michael Wagner would disagree with you...he says the 1.01 version is the only good one. I had one a while back, and I couldn't get enough low end out of it no matter what poweramp/cab/speakers I used it with, so I ditched it.

 

[IceMan]

Michael Wagner would disagree with you...he says the 1.01 version is the only good one. I had one a while back, and I couldn't get enough low end out of it no matter what poweramp/cab/speakers I used it with, so I ditched it.

He can disagree with me all he wants. I used to have a version 1 and then when the 2.01 update come out, I got the new EPROM from ADA and put it in and guess what........IT SOUNDED EXACTLY THE SAME!!! Why? Because no signal goes through the chip!!! Any difference anyone claims to hear in the 2 version have to do with other components that may have been changed upgraded - NOT the EPROM.

 

[messenger]

I don't know if Wagner actually updated his or got other MP-1s with different EPROM.

 

[d1469d]

I have the MP-1. 1.01 version. Check out the ADA depot.com. There is tons of information there. I have been gigging out with mine now for a while. I use a mono Peavey 60 watt tube power amp and a Rocktron Replifex. I run it in stereo with a EVH 5150 III Stealth. It hangs right in there with the stealth. There are many tricks on getting the ADA preamps to sound good. It is a preamp you need to spend a lot of time with. The settings you use live and what you record with are going to be a huge difference. Check out the mod section on ADA Depot. I use NOS Chinese Groove tubes in mine. The JJ high grades also sound good in them. I really like the ADA preamp. It is a love hate relationship. I took the ADA rig to band rehearsal several times. I would get so pissed thinking I had it dialed in and then it would sound like shit. I would put it on the shelf for a month or two and then drag it back to practice. I finally got it dialed in. I still make small adjustments here and there. You will need to run some kind of noise gate if you are going to record with it. It is a little hissy. I have a gig next weekend. I will see if I can get some decent recordings and post them.

 

[ghosty999]

Thanks d1469d

I'm only using it for recording so it wont be leaving the home rack, I use a JMP-1 for gigging and rehearsals. I'll be interested to hear the difference between the software update 1 and 2 to see if it's really just adding features or affecting tone

 

[paulyc]

Michael Wagner would disagree with you...he says the 1.01 version is the only good one. I had one a while back, and I couldn't get enough low end out of it no matter what poweramp/cab/speakers I used it with, so I ditched it.

He can disagree with me all he wants. I used to have a version 1 and then when the 2.01 update come out, I got the new EPROM from ADA and put it in and guess what........IT SOUNDED EXACTLY THE SAME!!! Why? Because no signal goes through the chip!!! Any difference anyone claims to hear in the 2 version have to do with other components that may have been changed upgraded - NOT the EPROM.

There's a thread about it on the Gearslutz forum...Michael Wagner has produced more of the 80s bands than probably anyone and knows a thing or three about tone, he says it sounds different. I'd say he knows what he's talking about.

 

[messenger]

Actually he says the one he likes is 1.38

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-en ... itars.html

 

[ghosty999]

Maybe he updated his desk or pedals surrounding the pre-amp during the update? I dunno, I've heard the update is purely software and doesn't affect tone, and vise versa

 

[snowdog]

I had one a while back, and I couldn't get enough low end out of it no matter what poweramp/cab/speakers I used it with, so I ditched it.

It has plenty of low end, not sure what the problem was ?

 

[IceMan]

Michael Wagner would disagree with you...he says the 1.01 version is the only good one. I had one a while back, and I couldn't get enough low end out of it no matter what poweramp/cab/speakers I used it with, so I ditched it.

He can disagree with me all he wants. I used to have a version 1 and then when the 2.01 update come out, I got the new EPROM from ADA and put it in and guess what........IT SOUNDED EXACTLY THE SAME!!! Why? Because no signal goes through the chip!!! Any difference anyone claims to hear in the 2 version have to do with other components that may have been changed upgraded - NOT the EPROM.

There's a thread about it on the Gearslutz forum...Michael Wagner has produced more of the 80s bands than probably anyone and knows a thing or three about tone, he says it sounds different. I'd say he knows what he's talking about.

Yes.......as far as producing music in a studio setting and getting awesome guitar tones.....he knows what he's talking about. But apparently HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT AN EPROM IS!!!!!!!

I cannot believe I'm having this argument about something anyone with a fucking MOUSE can get online and go research what an EPROM UPDATE IS and understand that it is a fucking CONTROL CHIP. Can someone produce a pic of the inside AD/DA converters on the MP-1 and prove me wrong on this??????!!!!!!!

 

[paulyc]

Michael Wagner would disagree with you...he says the 1.01 version is the only good one. I had one a while back, and I couldn't get enough low end out of it no matter what poweramp/cab/speakers I used it with, so I ditched it.

He can disagree with me all he wants. I used to have a version 1 and then when the 2.01 update come out, I got the new EPROM from ADA and put it in and guess what........IT SOUNDED EXACTLY THE SAME!!! Why? Because no signal goes through the chip!!! Any difference anyone claims to hear in the 2 version have to do with other components that may have been changed upgraded - NOT the EPROM.

There's a thread about it on the Gearslutz forum...Michael Wagner has produced more of the 80s bands than probably anyone and knows a thing or three about tone, he says it sounds different. I'd say he knows what he's talking about.

Yes.......as far as producing music in a studio setting and getting awesome guitar tones.....he knows what he's talking about. But apparently HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT AN EPROM IS!!!!!!!

I cannot believe I'm having this argument about something anyone with a fucking MOUSE can get online and go research what an EPROM UPDATE IS and understand that it is a fucking CONTROL CHIP. Can someone produce a pic of the inside AD/DA converters on the MP-1 and prove me wrong on this??????!!!!!!!

Jesus, settle down Francis...

 

[IceMan]

Michael Wagner would disagree with you...he says the 1.01 version is the only good one. I had one a while back, and I couldn't get enough low end out of it no matter what poweramp/cab/speakers I used it with, so I ditched it.

He can disagree with me all he wants. I used to have a version 1 and then when the 2.01 update come out, I got the new EPROM from ADA and put it in and guess what........IT SOUNDED EXACTLY THE SAME!!! Why? Because no signal goes through the chip!!! Any difference anyone claims to hear in the 2 version have to do with other components that may have been changed upgraded - NOT the EPROM.

There's a thread about it on the Gearslutz forum...Michael Wagner has produced more of the 80s bands than probably anyone and knows a thing or three about tone, he says it sounds different. I'd say he knows what he's talking about.

Yes.......as far as producing music in a studio setting and getting awesome guitar tones.....he knows what he's talking about. But apparently HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT AN EPROM IS!!!!!!!

I cannot believe I'm having this argument about something anyone with a fucking MOUSE can get online and go research what an EPROM UPDATE IS and understand that it is a fucking CONTROL CHIP. Can someone produce a pic of the inside AD/DA converters on the MP-1 and prove me wrong on this??????!!!!!!!

Jesus, settle down Francis...

I AM SETTLED DOWN!!!!!!! LOL j/k

 

[d1469d]

You can get a load of information on these preamps at ADAdepot.com. The 2.01 upgrade EPROM chip was to speed up the midi switching between presets. The EPROM has nothing to do with the tone of the preamp. Regardless,I have both versions and I will have to agree that the first version sounds better. I have recently sold my almost mint condition ADA MP 1 / 2.01 preamp and kept my old beat to shit first version. I used the same tubes and settings and the tone on the first version is a lot thicker and warmer. I adjusted the trim pots inside the preamp so they were exactly the same. The wiring and solder joints are different in some areas. I am not sure if the first version I have was modded or what is going on but there is a noticeable difference in the gain and warmth of the preamp. I am guessing it is like other amps/preamps that are made and that there could be a slight difference in tone between units being produced.

 

[ghosty999]

You can get a load of information on these preamps at ADAdepot.com. The 2.01 upgrade EPROM chip was to speed up the midi switching between presets. The EPROM has nothing to do with the tone of the preamp. Regardless,I have both versions and I will have to agree that the first version sounds better. I have recently sold my almost mint condition ADA MP 1 / 2.01 preamp and kept my old beat to shit first version. I used the same tubes and settings and the tone on the first version is a lot thicker and warmer. I adjusted the trim pots inside the preamp so they were exactly the same. The wiring and solder joints are different in some areas. I am not sure if the first version I have was modded or what is going on but there is a noticeable difference in the gain and warmth of the preamp. I am guessing it is like other amps/preamps that are made and that there could be a slight difference in tone between units being produced.

Would be funny if you were the guy I just bought mine from haha!

 

[Elric]

Michael Wagner would disagree with you...he says the 1.01 version is the only good one. I had one a while back, and I couldn't get enough low end out of it no matter what poweramp/cab/speakers I used it with, so I ditched it.

MW is a producing genius but STRAIGHT UP wrong wrt to the effect of the Mp-1 2.02 EPROM effect on the unit. Ice man is correct. 'Older' versions could different from unit to unit due to analog/tube component variations but a change to the MIDI firmware is going to have ZERO effect on the units tone unless it is violating the laws of physics in some way. I have owned several MP-1s and changed out the EPROM on them for the improved MIDI. So I have A/Bd units before and after right on the spot.

Placebo is a helluva drug.

The MP-1 is 80s Rock/Metal gold. Love those units. Enjoy.

 

[chunktone]

I used one for years. I paired mine with a BBE sonic maximizer. It made a HUGE difference with this preamp.

 

[Hamer95USA]

Michael Wagner would disagree with you...he says the 1.01 version is the only good one. I had one a while back, and I couldn't get enough low end out of it no matter what poweramp/cab/speakers I used it with, so I ditched it.

MW is a producing genius but STRAIGHT UP wrong wrt to the effect of the Mp-1 2.02 EPROM effect on the unit. Ice man is correct. 'Older' versions could different from unit to unit due to analog/tube component variations but a change to the MIDI firmware is going to have ZERO effect on the units tone unless it is violating the laws of physics in some way. I have owned several MP-1s and changed out the EPROM on them for the improved MIDI. So I have A/Bd units before and after right on the spot.

Placebo is a helluva drug.

The MP-1 is 80s Rock/Metal gold. Love those units. Enjoy.

I agree with the other posters that the v2.01 EEPROM chip has no effect on the tone of the preamp. It's all software upgrades. I own 2 ADA Depot 3TM "Ultra mod" MP-1 preamps with v2.01 EEPROM chips. It's the best 3 tube circuit tube board mod that Todd Langner (RIP) developed. I've played a stock MP-1 preamp in my rack guitar rig for over 10 years in my cover band gigs. The 3TM mod "Ultra mod" MP-1 preamp is a superior preamp over the Marshall JMP-1 preamp or Mesa Boogie Tri-Axis preamp.

Guitar George

 

[lll]

My v 1.38 (IIRC) doing Queensryche:

https://soundcloud.com/lefty-lounge-lizard/lll-anarchy-x-test

https://soundcloud.com/lefty-lounge-lizard/lll-bts-test-2