Rack info needed (ADA Content)

[neilli]

I've decided that I want to build a small, basic rack system, basically for 'bedroom' use. The rack setup I have back in the UK just sounds better than trying to get a 100W valve amp to sound good at apartment levels (duh )

I want to base it around the ADA MP1. In honesty, I just stumbled around with my UK setup until I had something I liked, but I'd like to approach this with a little bit more of a plan.

I know about http://www.adadepot.com but I wanted to get some impartial input first

So, I have a few questions:

MP1 - there are different software versions, and various upgrades. Do they really matter, and if so, what should I get?
MP1 Classic - Are these a newer reissue or what?
MP2 - Are these any good?
Foot Controllers - I like the idea of having phantom power so I can just have a midi cable without the need for a power adapter. There's the ADA MXC and MPC, plus the original floorboard thingy, but I'm not sure of the difference. I assume these work fine with other midi controlled devices?
Microtube Poweramp - are these worth having? I just have a basic SS Yamaha poweramp in the UK, which sounds fine to me. Rememeber, I don't need a great deal of volume here.

I'm gonna post this in various places so if you have some info, please only reply once

[Dogbone]

Ok,
Different versions of the Mp1...
First version...
Version 1.38 (there is a 1.37 as well, but not very common)
This has the top switch for line/guitar. I use this version currently.

Version 2.01 (there is also a version 2.00, but once again not real common)
This version does away with the top switch, which was a good move in my opinion, there was confusion on the top swtich as to which way to go with the switch.
I also have this version as well.
A/B's back to back, sound wise there really is no audible difference.

Difference's between the two versions software comes down to what you want to do with Midi. That is the biggest difference. If you want to have the ability to do a midi dump of your presets, than you will need version 2.01. You can install the version 2.01 chip in a version 1.38 Mp1 also. pretty common to see.

Mp1 Classic was the later release and had a few updates over the original Mp1. Notably the Brown voicing.
Sound wise, I have mixed feelings. They sound good, but not the same as the original.

Mp2 ups the bar quite a lot over the Mp1.
More voicing's, more effects. And in my opinion a better clean voicing.
I am currently in the process of adding a Mp2 into my rack to run along with the Mp1.

Foot controllers,
The Mpc and Mc1 will control other midi controlled devices.
I prefer the Rocktron Midi mate as it adds more functions that integrate well with my effects.
Phantom power is a great feature.

Microtube's are pretty popular. It would work well for what your trying to use it for.


Version 1.38 on top
Version 2.00 on bottom

Mc1 and Midimate size difference,

[neilli]

Thanks very much for that Don - very useful. Forgive my dumbness, but what does the 'top switch' do in practise? And is it actually on the top of the unit, so it's inaccessible when the unit is installed in a rack?

[Trem]

it's a line/instrument level switch.
I prefer the version with the switch actually, because with the ones without, it's line level only. (pretty sure on that, but it's one or the other only line or instrument)

I have one modded with a mini toggle switch moved to the back for the rack, the other is on my desk right beside me and is always used at line level.

But any mp-1 will do ya, there are different versions of the board up to like E or F i think, starting with A, and a few in between had some after thought unused stuff inside along the revisions, i don't think there is much still different in the sound of any of them - the best one i heard tho was a 1.38 with the original tubes in it, and it was likely a revision "A" board because the serial number was really low like within 180 of the first ones made.

without going the modding route, trying different tubes in em can yield some good and varying results.

I cannot give a better recommendation than MJMP at adadepot if you ever wanted to mod it.

And there is no better place on the planet than adadepot to ask or search for these answers.

Nice Rack

[Gank]

Great thread with some great info! I've been GASing for an MP-1 for a while now, just need to get on the ball and pick one up...

[toejam]

Foot controllers,
The Mpc and Mc1 will control other midi controlled devices.
I prefer the Rocktron Midi mate as it adds more functions that integrate well with my effects.
Phantom power is a great feature.

How do you use the phantom power on the Midi Mate without using other Rocktron gear? I use it to switch channels and turn the effects loops on/off on my Carvin V3 head. I still have to have the power supply plugged in for it to work.

[VitaminG]

usually, if you have a device that sends phantom power through its midi-out, you can use a 7-pin cable to send your midi instructions as well as power the foot controller. Check the support docs for your gear to see if and how it provides phantom power

[toejam]

Ah. The Carvin head only has midi-in and midi-thru, so I guess it won't provide phantom power.

[RR05xx]

Most people tend to prefer the MP1 for its tone. I had MP1s for years and recently got rid of them because I simply had not used them for a long time. I held on to an MP2 just because they seem to be a little rarer. I personally also think that MP-2s built in noise gate and higher gain capabilities make it more versital overall (if not a little more of a PITA). I switched to a Triaxis for about 5 years or so and then gave up on Rack systems and bought a head. Everything comes full circle.

BTW - for bedroom use, I would advise going with an inexpensive modelling amp any day of the week over building up a new rack system (as opposed to cobbling one together from what is left around the basement). For example - Crate, Pevey and Line 6 (and others) all have cheap models which sound just fine at low volume for my money. Chances are you will like one.

If money is no object, than I can say from playing one in a store low volume that the new Mesa MK V has a half power setting which sounds really fukin killer!

[Outlander]

Toe, the mc1 only has a midi out.The MP1 has midi in/out/thru but must send its phantom power out to the pedal via the midi nput connection. The power pack plugs into the back of the ADA and must send it out like stated because there's only one cable. My guess is 5 of the pins are sending from the pedal and the other 2 are sending power to the pedal. It may work this way with other units as well. I know that 5 pin cables will work with most units as long as you dont want to send power.

[Newc]

Someone at the ADADepot said the Rocktron 7-to-5-pin MIDI cable will work with the MP-1 for phantom powering a pedalboard, but I think they were using the X-15.

I know I've said before how much I like my MP-1 + Digitech TSR-12 setup, but really I've tried the MP-1 just by itself and did not fancy the lack of tonal options. It's great as a tube preamp for getting the basic sounds but IMO an external EQ and/or EQ+fx unit is desperately needed with it. You can open up a ton of versatility that way.


As for the MP-1 mods, there's various gain-adding mods but I haven't heard them in person. Frankly I don't see how the unit needs more gain. The guy I bought mine from was pretty sure it hadn't been modded, and I don't even know if mods were being done back then (94 I think).

[Dogbone]

Ah. The Carvin head only has midi-in and midi-thru, so I guess it won't provide phantom power.

You can use this cable if you want to do phantom power to your Midimate.
Plug the 5 pin end into the Carvin. The 7 Pin into the Midimate, plug the power supply for the Midi mate into the jack on the Rocktron cable... No more power wire going to your Midimate

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rocktron-5-To-7-Pin-MIDI-Cable?sku=331270

[toejam]

You can use this cable if you want to do phantom power to your Midimate.
Plug the 5 pin end into the Carvin. The 7 Pin into the Midimate, plug the power supply for the Midi mate into the jack on the Rocktron cable... No more power wire going to your Midimate

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ble?sku=331270

Hmmm. I actually have that cable and use it as you state. The power supply cable goes into the Rocktron cable so there's no more power wire going to the Midimate, but I still need the power supply plugged in to a wall outlet to work. So is this correct? I was under the assumption that "phantom" power meant that my amp or other midi device would power it without actual need for a power supply at all. :think:

Edit:
"Allows more flexibility on location placement of power supplies"

I guess I get it now... it just allows you to use the unit further away without the power supply connected directly to the unit itself.

[VitaminG]

it depends on your gear, Joe. Some devices will actually provide to other units via the extra 2 pins. I guess with your setup you still need the power supply. That cable is a cool, cheap option - if you can't do away with the power supply altogether, it's cool that you could have it by your amp instead of running another cable to the footcontroller

[toejam]

Okay, so I wasn't crazy after all in thinking that. Thanks, Gary. I do also have an old, half-space Boss SE-50 stereo effects unit I sometimes use in the amp's loop for my clean channel... I suppose I should try hooking that up through its midi connections and see what I can do. I'm not too midi savvy. Though, the Carvin V3 has "smart loops" that are programmable so that the loops (series and parallel) shut off when using one of the other channels.