Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Introducing the A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp, a musician's essential that effortlessly combines style, functionality, and performance. This rack-mountable preamp is MIDI-controlled, offering you the flexibility and control that modern music production demands. Experience a unique blend of overdrive, chorus, and EQ functionality that brings out the best in your musical performance. Enjoy the convenience of pairing it with the A/DA MC-1 MIDI foot controller, a perfect combination for those looking to elevate their sound. The A/DA MP-1 has been the choice of noteworthy musicians like Nuno Bettencourt and Paul Gilbert, further establishing its place in the realm of professional music production.

Key Features:

  • MIDI Programmable for versatile sound control
  • Features Overdrive, Chorus and EQ functionality for a balanced and dynamic sound
  • Rack-mountable design for convenient setup and use
  • Compatible with A/DA MC-1 MIDI foot controller for enhanced control
  • Used and trusted by professional musicians like Nuno Bettencourt and Paul Gilbert

Product specs

Brand A/DA
Model MP-1 Guitar Preamp
Finish Black
Year 1990s
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Preamps
Color Family Black
Electronics Solid State
Number of Channels 1 Channel
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Reverb None

FAQs

What type of tubes does the A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp use?

The A/DA MP-1 uses 12AX7 tubes to deliver its classic tube-driven sound, providing warmth and dynamic range preferred by many guitarists.

Can the A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp be used with MIDI controllers?

Yes, the A/DA MP-1 is fully MIDI programmable, allowing you to switch between presets and control parameters using a compatible MIDI controller.

Does the A/DA MP-1 have built-in effects?

The A/DA MP-1 does not include built-in effects like reverb or delay, but it excels in providing a variety of preamp tones that can be enhanced with external effects.

Is the A/DA MP-1 suitable for live performances?

The A/DA MP-1 is popular among professional musicians for live performances due to its programmable presets and robust tube sound, making it adaptable for various styles and settings.

How many presets can the A/DA MP-1 store?

The A/DA MP-1 can store up to 128 presets, allowing for a wide range of tonal options and quick changes during performances or recording sessions.

shnobel

shnobel

ADA MP-1 Tube Guitar Pre Amp

Video thumbnail for ADA MP-1 Tube Guitar Pre Amp by shnobel

ADA MP-1 Tube Guitar Pre Amp

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for ADA MP-1 vs MARSHALL JMP-1 GUITAR MIDI TUBE PREAMP SHOOTOUT / COMPARISON by Rick Hollis

ADA MP-1 vs MARSHALL JMP-1 GUITAR MIDI TUBE PREAMP SHOOTOUT / COMPARISON

Rick Hollis

Rick Hollis

Video thumbnail for 1987 ADA MP-1 Midi Tube Preamp SERVICE & DEMO (Nuno, Vito & Paul Gilbert Tone!) by The Guitologist

1987 ADA MP-1 Midi Tube Preamp SERVICE & DEMO (Nuno, Vito & Paul Gilbert Tone!)

The Guitologist

The Guitologist

Video thumbnail for How To: ADA MP-1 | Legendary Preamp from the 1980s. by Euge Valovirta

How To: ADA MP-1 | Legendary Preamp from the 1980s.

Euge Valovirta

Euge Valovirta

Video thumbnail for ADA MP-1 80's Cleans | How Does It Sound Direct? by Leon Todd

ADA MP-1 80's Cleans | How Does It Sound Direct?

Leon Todd

Leon Todd

Video thumbnail for ADA MP-1 MIDI tube preamp demo by Spencer Morgan

ADA MP-1 MIDI tube preamp demo

Spencer Morgan

Spencer Morgan

Video thumbnail for ADA MP-1 Midi Programmable Tube Preamp Demo by Jay Brokers

ADA MP-1 Midi Programmable Tube Preamp Demo

Jay Brokers

Jay Brokers

Reviews

PROS

  • Nails the 80's metal tones, perfect for Skid Row, Dokken, and Metallica sounds

  • Versatile with excellent clean tones and built-in chorus

  • MIDI programmable for easy tone changes and effect control

  • Used and praised by legendary artists like James Hetfield and Alex Skolnick

  • Offers more gain than its predecessor and includes a noise gate

  • Compatible with a wide range of setups, from tube to solid-state amps

  • Modifications available for personalized gain and EQ settings

  • Durable and reliable over long-term use

  • First MIDI-programmable tube preamp, setting industry standards

  • Can program all 128 presets for extensive customization

CONS

  • Pots and jacks may wear out over time, requiring maintenance

  • Some background amp noise present, though manageable with additional equipment

  • Earlier versions lack line input available in later models

  • Requires capacitor and battery replacements to reduce noise

  • Output slightly sapped by built-in chorus/doubler effect

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp.

Features and functionality

  • The ADA MP-1 includes a headphone out that provides excellent sound without needing an external power amp or cab.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The ADA MP-1 requires a battery to save patches; replacing it with a socket battery holder can facilitate future maintenance.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Noise mods are recommended to address inherent noisiness, and the Sonic Maximizer can enhance the sound, especially when playing alone.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The ADA MP-1 excels in capturing 80s tones and is particularly effective for Skid Row, White Lion, and Queensryche sounds.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Many users suggest the ADA MP-1 provides a unique tone and feel that digital modelers fail to fully replicate.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Prices can range from $500 to $1,000, with many considering $600-$800 reasonable depending on condition and included accessories.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note the unit is robust, but the button membrane can wear out over time, impacting aesthetics rather than functionality.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 18 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
james_r_powell_iii

I own 2 very useful preamps.

I have used these ADA MP-1 preamps for a long time. I had them in a couple of racks that evolved. They were consistent and dependable. I ENJOYED the use of MIDI for a long time. I ran 2 MIDI controllers: one for changing just my tones and another for CC control of effects. I used the ADA MP-1 with Rocktron Replifex and Intellifex together. I used a Boss NS-2 to quiet the ADA MP-1 in the loop of the Boss NS-2 ran the output into a Tube Works Real Tube II preamp always on clean for use if the stereo fx loop. Powersection: Tube Works Mos Valve or Marshall 9005. 4x12 cabs

tuckerofthorraxe

Articulate and crushing.

James Hetfield, Alex Skolnick, and Paul Gilbert all used these. Does 80s metal and beyond spectacularly. Built in chorus/doubler is nice, albeit with a tiny bit of output sap, but that's easily compensated for. Hot rodded Marshall tone in a single rack space. There's a ton of mods for these, but for my tastes, I see no reason for me to patake. Sounds great through tubes, solid state, or straight into an interface for recording (with a good impulse response, of course). I've owned two of these, the first when I was still in high school and the second one I acquired from a friend about a year ago. I've learned my lesson and will likely never part with the one I have now.

crockett

Amazing compressed distortion

A classic 80s staple. Of course, its all over the Gish album as well. I still have yet to find the same compressed saturated, tight distortion in any other pedal/amp. I use this sometimes with the boss gt3 (as effects/midi controller) . Great piece of gear!

ben_ferguson

The original, and still one of the best!

I'm not going to recount the long list of classic records that this thing was used on, or all the legendary players who still have at least one in their rigs. This was the first MIDI-programmable tube preamp, and it was quickly copied by both Mesa-Boogie (Triaxis) and Marshall (JMP-1) to great success - to my ears, their copies of this design were the best products either company ever offered. Great cleans, overdrives, and way more gain than anyone could ever need - although there were modifications you could make to tweak the gain and EQ structure to get it exactly how you want it. They are a little noisy (like most tube amps of its day), but the aforementioned mods usually include a noise-reduction tweak to fix this as well. If you can find one, you should get it. No, wait - don't get it, I'd like to buy a few more, and I don't need you all driving the prices up!

gary_dizon

I used this as a distortion pedal and flexible amp eq

Loved this. I programmed all 128 presets.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Henry Kaiser uses A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp

Henry Kaiser

Guitarist

French, Frith, Kaiser and Thompson

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"One thing I love about it is that it is gated, but with the gate detection before the distortion, thus a listener never hears the gating. (I first heard this idea of gating in the old ADA MP-1 rack preamp.)"

See how Roland Grapow uses A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp

Roland Grapow

Guitarist

Helloween

...
Verified via Photo

Spotted directly next to the Kemper PowerHead amp behind Roland in his studio.

See how Frank Hannon uses A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp

Frank Hannon

Guitarist

Tesla

...
Verified via Photo

Frank Hannon seen with his ADA MP-1 rack unit in this ADA advertisment.

See how Bruce Bouillet uses A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp

Bruce Bouillet

Guitarist

Racer X

...
Verified via Photo

Bruce Bouillet is listed as an ADA MP-1 user in this advertisement.

See how Peter Yates uses A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp

Peter Yates

Guitarist, Composer

Fields of the Nephilim

...
Verified via Photo

A user-uploaded photo from an interview highlights Peter Yates using the A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp as part of his equipment setup.

See how Yan Yanenkov uses A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp

Yan Yanenkov

...
Verified via Photo

Gorky Park's rhythm guitarist Yan Yanenkov used an ADA MP-1 rack setup with MC-1 Midi foot controller in 1990 when playing Roskilde festival.

See how Tony "Bruno" Rey uses A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp

Tony "Bruno" Rey

Guitarist

Danger Danger

...
Verified via MusicPlayers.com

“Ok, Saraya days (live) I was using the classic ADA MP-1 setup with two Bedrock 4x12 slant cabs/30 Watt Greenbacks in both. Main axe was that Lake Placid Blue ESP strat with a Seymor Duncan in the bridge and a Kramer Sustainer, flip-flop purple/blue. FX were a straight up Lexicon MPX-1 through the FX loop.

When we did the first record, I tracked with that rig (at Bearsville Studios in NY). But we did all the overdubs at Studio-1 in Austin, Texas and Jeff Glicksman, who was producing, brought in this Mashall Plexi that just leveled me. Used it on everything except ‘St. Christophers Medal.’ That track was recorded near 2:00 a.m. and we were drunk, tired and who knows what else, so when the solo came up during basics, instead of staying with the rhythm part, I just went for it. The next day, even though I wasn’t nuts about the tone, I LOVED the solo, so it stayed.

When we did Blackbird (and thank you for the praise... I still love that record), I needed to raise the bar a bit in terms of layers and tone. So I bought a late ‘70s Les Paul Jr. and started getting used to the way it changed my playing. I ended up writing the entire record on that guitar. I did all the demos on my home studio (Korg M1 and Tascam 8-track) and Sandi wrote most of the lyrics in the studio. Funny thing is, we recorded that record just outside of New Orleans and the studio had great vintage gear. So I ended up using a Tele on a LOT of those songs, the Jr., and a Fender Twin, my ADA, and a Roland Jazz Chorus all running together and coming up on six faders.

Danger Danger was another situation like that. The studio had this old Laney Pro-Tube Lead that sounded dope so I used it on the entire record, with my Lexicon MPX-1 and the Blue ESP.”

From https://musicplayers.com/

See how Jeff Irwin (Will Haven) uses A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp

Jeff Irwin (Will Haven)

Guitarist, Composer

Will Haven

...
Verified via YouTube

In a YouTube video at 1:19:23, Jeff Irwin of Will Haven states, "So that was pretty much my basic sound for the longest, it was an ADA Preamp," confirming his use of the A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
stevefairbend

stevefairbend

Gear IQ 134

3 alternative and related items for A/DA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp, curated by the Equipboard community.

A/DA MP-2 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp

 

Vintage or Discontinued newer

The MP-2 is the updated and facelifted version of the MP-1.

Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp

$1,301.63

Vintage or Discontinued high-end alternative

More A/DA Guitar Preamps

Soldano X88R

$2,299.00 - $2,499.99

# 27

Rank

Chris DeGarmo Crispian Mills Hisashi Imai
5 artists using

Accessories & Related Items