Author Topic: ADA MP-1? (Read 2493 times)

marmoset · « **on:** December 20, 2006, 05:30:04 PM »

These questions are probably really simple, but so am I :P

I'm considering buying a secondhand MP-1 to use in front of my Line 6 Spider. As the spider has no power-amp-in jack, it would be going through the spider pre-amp too, but obviously I'd set the spider to be as neutral as possible. At band practices I could send it into the power amp of a solidstate Carlsbro which they have at the practice room.

I've never used any rack stuff, or tube stuff before, so I was wondering about a few things.

1) Do you actually need a rack to use a rack pre-amp? Cos I can't see why you would, and I'm quite keen to make a sturdy plywood box for it.

2) Will it sound OK going through the spider's preamp? I know it's not ideal but if it's useable it would be fine, as it would only be while it's at home anyway.

3) Does the MP-1 run off 230V? Just because I read on ADAdepot that it runs off 110, but presumably that's an American site.

4) How often do you have to change tubes in a preamp?

Thanks for the help (I actually play classical guitar so I'm not used to all the electric malarkey, let alone all this modular midi-controlled madness :P )

Antag · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2006, 06:49:42 PM »

1) No, though it will protect it better than just having it balanced on top of something. If you make a box, make sure you leave adequate ventilation in either the top or back.

2) I guess it will colour the sound & it's not an ideal setup, but it will probably work. Does your amp have an FX loop? If so, just plug the MP1 into the FX return - it's effectively a power amp "in" on most amps & will bypass the preamp stages.

3) Don't know, but one presumes it comes with an adaptor if it runs off 110 as there are plenty of UK users...

4) VERY rarely

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2006, 07:39:52 PM »

Many ADAs are 240V ones
I have 7 or 8 of them (and love them)
You may find it hard to get an uncoloured sound from the spider
Chose a very neutral sounding amp tone if poss.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2006, 10:11:33 PM »

your Spider ain't gonna be the best for running the MP-1 into.

why not sell the Spider and get a seperate rack poweramp?

:twisted:

marmoset · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2006, 10:48:14 PM »

Thanks guys, I may well sell the spider later, but I don't want to be stuck without a workable amp (not a problem with a trusty classical :P ). The spider doesn't have an effects loop, which is annoying. How would the MP-1 sound through a solid state power amp like those in cars? Has anyone tried this?

gingataff · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2006, 01:07:33 AM »

Fizzy I expect. the MP-1 is prone to noise and any kind of hi-fi/car or other full range amplifier/speaker system will really show this up. The frequency range of guitar amps and speakers is quite narrow.

marmoset · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2006, 11:00:30 AM »

Oh ok I probably won't do that. Would some sort of low pass filter make that better? (I've been learning about capacitors and inductors and so on and I reckon I could make one)

steve · « **Reply #7 on:** December 21, 2006, 02:03:02 PM »

I would suggest keeping it simple. A valve power amp would be you best bet.