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

Step into a world of pristine audio fidelity with the Presonus MP20, where innovation and simplicity coexist in perfect harmony. This dual-channel preamp is a testament to what happens when precision engineering meets musical passion. With discrete Class A input amplifiers followed by a twin servo gain stage, the MP20 ensures that your sound is captured with extreme clarity and ultra-low noise, making it a studio essential for both budding and seasoned audio professionals.

Beneath its sleek, steel chassis, the MP20 is packed with features that elevate your recording experience. Each channel is equipped with phase reverse, phantom power, a 20dB pad, rumble filter, and a DI input right on the front panel. The Neutrik combo connectors at the back offer XLR balanced input/output and TRS line input options, providing versatility for various studio setups. Plus, with separate send and return jacks, integrating external dynamics processors into your workflow is a breeze.

Whether you're capturing the delicate nuances of a vocal performance or the powerful punch of a drum kit, the MP20's +28dBu headroom and full output metering ensure that every detail is preserved. This preamp is not just about sound; it's about empowering musicians and creators to push the boundaries of their art.

Key Features:

  • Discrete Class A input amplifiers
  • Twin servo gain stage for low noise
  • Dual channels with phase reverse and phantom power
  • 20dB pad and rumble filter per channel
  • DI input on the front panel
  • Neutrik combo connectors for XLR and TRS inputs
  • Separate send and return jacks for external processors
  • +28dBu headroom and full output metering
  • Compact one-rack space steel chassis

Product specs

Brand PreSonus
Model MP20 2-Channel Mic Preamp
Finish Blue
Year 2000s
Made In United States
Categories Microphone Preamps

FAQs

What type of microphones can the PreSonus MP20 preamp accommodate?

The PreSonus MP20 is designed to work with both dynamic and condenser microphones, offering two channels with balanced XLR inputs to accommodate a variety of studio recording needs.

Does the PreSonus MP20 offer phantom power for condenser microphones?

Yes, the PreSonus MP20 provides +48V phantom power, which is essential for powering condenser microphones during recording sessions.

What are the standout features of the PreSonus MP20's sound quality?

The PreSonus MP20 is known for its transparent sound with a wide dynamic range, thanks to its Class A discrete input stage and Jensen transformers, which enhance clarity and warmth.

Is the PreSonus MP20 suitable for professional studio use?

Yes, the PreSonus MP20 is well-regarded for professional studio applications due to its high-quality components and versatile features, making it suitable for both vocal and instrumental recordings.

Can the PreSonus MP20 be used for stereo recording?

Yes, the PreSonus MP20 features two independent channels, allowing it to be used for stereo recording setups, providing consistent quality across both channels.

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Presonus MP20.

Features and functionality

  • The Presonus MP20 can potentially be used as a 2-channel mixer, although it's noted to lack serious gain, suitable mainly for speech or ADR.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Presonus MP20 is not considered on par with high-end preamps like API, Great River, or Millennia but is usable at its price point.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Presonus MP20 might work for speech recording with Shure SM7B mics but may struggle with sources requiring higher gain.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners find the Presonus MP20 usable for its price but not ideal for getting the most out of gain-hungry mics like the SM7B.

    Source
  • Some owners report unsatisfactory experiences with Presonus customer support when sourcing replacement parts.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • The Presonus MP20 lacks the advanced gain capabilities needed for the Shure SM7B, which benefits more from preamps with higher clean gain.

    Source

Build quality

  • The gain pot is a dual C1k, which is prone to cracking, often requiring replacement due to brittleness.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Deoxit is recommended for cleaning tobacco residue from pots, offering a simple fix for noise issues.

    Source
  • Replacement gain pots (dual C1k) can be found on eBay for about $9, though soldering skills are necessary.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Gain pot issues may be temporarily alleviated by turning the knob back and forth multiple times.

    Source

Critic Reviews

PreSonus: MP20 Two-Channel Mic Preamp w/ Stereo Bus | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

The PreSonus MP20 is praised for its flexibility and bang-for-buck performance, featuring low-noise, high-gain capabilities, and unique IDSS circuit for added signal warmth. It competes well against pricier preamps, though it may not replace high-end tube preamps entirely. Ideal for various music genres, it's a standout choice for its price.

positive

PreSonus MP20 Review - InSync

sweetwater.com

The PreSonus MP20 delivers a "big sound" with its rock-solid build, user-friendly interface, and impressive audio enhancements. The discrete Class A signal path and twin servo gain stages provide low noise and high headroom, making it a reliable choice for recording. The standout feature is the IDSS control, which adds a saturated tape-like sound, transforming mic characters and enhancing recordings significantly. While the review doesn't highlight any major drawbacks, the overwhelming enthusiasm suggests it’s a highly recommended mic preamp for those seeking world-class sound quality.

positive

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
adamspade

Great bargain Mid level preamp that is fairly easy to upgrade.

You might hear it said that the MP20 is from the days where Presonus was GOOD. However, many are under the impression that the MP20 is at the low-end of the preamp hierarchy. So, the good part is that you get to see these pop up in gear trading land quite often as home studio owners upgrade, and they go cheap! What these guys don't know is that the MP20 is just a few affordable parts away from being in the top-end of the hierarchy, whether they are the originals with the Jensen transformers or not. Out of the box, the MP20 is a very good preamp with enough bells and whistles to excite the tweaker. Pres are clean, low noise, and the IDSS gives an adjustable warmth. It's good enough for Voice work. Acoustic guitars sound brilliant and warm, instrument in, phantom power. Everything you need is there. Clearly there is room for improvement. But if you need something cheap that you can upgrade later on, check out the MP20.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Robert Rich uses Presonus MP20

Robert Rich

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Robertrich

Robert Rich uses the Presonus MP20, as listed in the "Front End" section of his studio setup on his official website.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Presonus MP20, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

TASCAM DR-100 MK3
TASCAM DR-100 MK3 Portable Recorders
1
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler Delay Effects Pedals
1
Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
1
Sennheiser MD 421-II
Sennheiser MD 421-II Dynamic Microphones
1
Audio-Technica AT4050
Audio-Technica AT4050 Condenser Microphones
1
Lexicon PCM-70 Reverb
Lexicon PCM-70 Reverb Effects Processors
1
Oktava MK-012
Oktava MK-012 Condenser Microphones
1
TC Electronic M-One XL
TC Electronic M-One XL Effects Processors
1

More PreSonus Preamps

PreSonus Tube Pre V2

$147.93 - $209.99

# 98

Rank

 
Avalon VT-737SP

$1,646.77 - $4,199.00

# 1

Rank

Matthew Bellamy Skrillex Chris Stapleton
106 artists using
API 512c

$837.19 - $977.00

# 2

Rank

Kevin Parker Jack White Ray Toro
32 artists using
AMS Neve 1073

$3,381.40 - $4,115.00

# 4

Rank

Kevin Parker Billie Joe Armstrong John Mayer
86 artists using
Focusrite ISA One

$515.00 - $699.99

# 5

Rank

Mac DeMarco Lil Peep Bonobo
10 artists using
Universal Audio 4-710D

$1,750.00 - $1,999.00

# 6

Rank

Ray Toro Dijon Oneohtrix Point Never
10 artists using
AMS Neve 1073LB

$941.99 - $1,285.00

# 7

Rank

Chris Martin Lorn Manny Marroquin
14 artists using
Rupert Neve Designs 511

$777.00 - $849.00

# 8

Rank

Josh Dun Oliver Ackermann Bibio
5 artists using
Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre

$333.00 - $464.00

# 9

Rank

Chris Cornell Masaru Teramae James Taylor
11 artists using
AMS Neve 1073DPA

$1,890.00 - $2,830.00

# 10

Rank

Avicii Steven Wilson Matt Berry
12 artists using
AMS Neve 1073 SPX Preamp / EQ

$1,699.00 - $2,095.00

# 11

Rank

Geddy Lee Keshi Andy Morin
9 artists using
Warm Audio WA73-EQ

$599.99 - $899.00

# 12

Rank

George Clanton Josh Turner nothing,nowhere.
6 artists using
Focusrite ISA 828

$2,736.30 - $3,499.99

# 13

Rank

The Edge Chris Wolstenholme Jacob Collier
8 artists using
Focusrite OctoPre MkII

 

# 14

Rank

Kevin Parker Brian Eno Ulrich Wild
5 artists using
Focusrite ISA Two

$795.00 - $999.99

# 15

Rank

Frank Ocean Yuki Kajiura Sick Individuals
3 artists using
ART Tube MP

$45.00 - $129.99

# 18

Rank

Mac McCaughan Tobin Sprout Andre .S
5 artists using
Audient ASP880

$800.00 - $1,799.99

# 21

Rank

Tim Henson Alex Rüdinger Simon (Deceiver)
4 artists using
Art Tube MP Project Series

$145.99 - $169.00

# 22

Rank

mndsgn James Petralli Mirrored Theory
3 artists using
Great River ME-1NV MIC PREAMP

$1,150.00 - $1,500.00

# 23

Rank

Matt Didemus Andy Schichter
2 artists using
ART Pro MPA II

$492.00 - $579.00

# 24

Rank

Josh Turner Ivan Julian Zac Tiessen
3 artists using

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides