Buying a new basspreamp for direct recording is not in the cards right now, but I do have an ADA MP-1 guitar preamp. I think the ADA MB-1 is considered a decent bass preamp, and I was wondering if there is anyone here actually using an MP-1. I do know that there are some differences, like the MB-1 having a compressor, but the MP-1 does sound good through the headphones.
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ADA MP-1 for bass?
- Thread starter jmm55
- Start date
I've got both an MP-1 and an MB-1 (had 'em forever).
Unless I'm going for crazy distortion, I prefer the MB-1 for bass because the eq is far more flexible (esp. sweepable mid points).
There are some other features that the MB-1 offers: compressor, pre/post DI, as well as bi-amping outputs w/ adjustable crossover point. IMO, these are fairly minor factors. The compressor is decent, but it IMO it takes an extremely good compressor to be better than no compressor at all. It's also pretty rare that I want to bi-amp these days. On paper, the pre/post DI is a must-have feature for stage work, but I wouldn't rack the MB-1 for gigs when I didn't want it sent to FOH.
Unless I'm going for crazy distortion, I prefer the MB-1 for bass because the eq is far more flexible (esp. sweepable mid points).
There are some other features that the MB-1 offers: compressor, pre/post DI, as well as bi-amping outputs w/ adjustable crossover point. IMO, these are fairly minor factors. The compressor is decent, but it IMO it takes an extremely good compressor to be better than no compressor at all. It's also pretty rare that I want to bi-amp these days. On paper, the pre/post DI is a must-have feature for stage work, but I wouldn't rack the MB-1 for gigs when I didn't want it sent to FOH.
Les Claypool used to run the MP1 when I first saw Primus. Yeah like a MILLION years ago. Did I really used to have dreads? Weird. From what I recall from bugging him after shows (before they totally blew up) and what I'd read in subsequent interviews, he had his modified by ADA. Of course that was so long ago tht ADA was still in business. Though I am pretty sure all it would involve is changing the value of a capacitor on the input. The preamp apparently had a hi pass filter across the input to keep "string thwack" out of the first gain stage. Not a bad idea actually for guitar.
It might sound a little bass shy without the mod, not sur what the corner freq of that filter.
It might sound a little bass shy without the mod, not sur what the corner freq of that filter.
Thanks for the replies. I can see the advantage of some of the extra effects of the MB-1. Strange thing about compression, when I was doing a bit of testing just using headphones and toggling through the stock settings, I would swear some of them breathed and pumped as if there was significant compression going on. I did not yet look to see what kind of settings were evoking the compression, but I will have to do this.
I will try to make the MP-1 work. My simple listening seems to incidcate it might do O.K. for recording, perhaps not as good as an MB-1, but better than straight in.
I also have an old Loft 401 parametric EQ, and I recently read somewhere that these found favor among some bass players, as they had some 40dB's of gain.
I will try to make the MP-1 work. My simple listening seems to incidcate it might do O.K. for recording, perhaps not as good as an MB-1, but better than straight in.
I also have an old Loft 401 parametric EQ, and I recently read somewhere that these found favor among some bass players, as they had some 40dB's of gain.
I had an MB1 years ago when they were first on the market. I thought it sounded pretty crappy actually. The tone was thin, grainy, and overly compressed. Your mileage may vary... 
Never tried an MP1 on a bass, but didn't like it much for guitar.
Never tried an MP1 on a bass, but didn't like it much for guitar.rockstarbassist
Inactive
Yeah they still get some run from bassists b/c Les used an extremely modded one back in the day; not the MB-1 he shilled for them while still in business.
However I tried one through a guitar rig years and years ago and was kinda meh'd. The only real multiple-setting bass pre I like is the PSA-1. Otherwise just get something you know is solid as a pre. The MIDI-based stuff never has worked for me, bass wise.
However I tried one through a guitar rig years and years ago and was kinda meh'd. The only real multiple-setting bass pre I like is the PSA-1. Otherwise just get something you know is solid as a pre. The MIDI-based stuff never has worked for me, bass wise.
