A few questions I didn't address; Where is the Myasnikov Superlead? I love that thing but I sold it recently to fund a few other things. Speaking of which... Why are there 3 MP-1's? My original is a V1 and I scored a V1 and V2 so that i can do some mods to them. More on that soon. You know it's pronounced may-suh, right? Yes. I butcher everything. Can I replicate these tones with the Axe-Fx? Yes, more on that soon too.
I own an ADA Mp-1 and after 10 years of playing with it I got it modded (666 mod). Really happy with the mod, but It would have been great to have both versions at the same time. A few years ago I scored a Mp-2 for the price of a used metal zone. MAN! that thing is unreal. I think is not as popular as the Mp-1 because it is kinda cumbersome (difficult to dial in), but it is way ahead of its time, I really recommend you to get one if you can.
In 2001 I traded my Mesa Boogie Studio preamp for a fucking line 6 pod at the house of guitars in Rochester, NY. I still think about this 20 years later when faced with financial decisions.
I got my first MP-1 back in 1990 or ‘91 and paired it with the venerable Alesis Quadraverb and the ADA Microtube 200 poweramp. That rig was so awesome!! The versatility was amazing and I gigged that rig through most of the ‘90’s with various cabinets. Threw them into a 3-space rack bag and used the ADA MC1 midi controller to switch everything. Aside from a wah and tuner.....that was it! That rig was amazing and I really want to recreate it again someday! Cheers!!!
I had two RM so far and love it. But always had issues with fx loop on both of them. Need to clean them very often because the sound drop... did you experience the same thing?
Yeah man I know what you mean about "mojo" as I've got the rock master rack any and only found out about after loving ❤️ my. Peavey bravo which is the all tube Amp combo version with rock master pre amp section in it and they both are awesome but that pre amp turned my 6534+ head into the new EVH 3 with all the clean and gain so yeah I know the MOJO!
@@stephanedubreuil5805 I think you can use line level outputs or balanced outs . I've never had a problem with volume differences but I only use a Headrush pedal board in the effects loop and it is easy to dial in the volume. Try the other out puts.
I had a MP1, a JMP-1 and I still have my Studio Preamp. The clean of the MP1 was very great. The crunch tones of the JMP1 were greats. The Studio Preamp is ly best preamp ever! The clean, the crunch and high gain tones are epic! I love this preamp
I used an ADA MP-2 for a very long time. Now I will go years without plugging it in, but when I do always ask myself why I own other amps.!?! Lol! We all know why... Great to hear all of these side by side. Thank you, Leon!
I use two Switchblade GLs, because you need a truck load of I/O for all of those stereo connections. I haven’t had any concerns with impedance, they’re very well thought out and designed. Steve Vai uses one for all of his Syn-2 preamps and modules, and every now and then you’ll see someone with them. Almost any MIDI floor board will change patches, skies the limit on choices, they also control relay switching amps, and they also have MIDI expression control support. There are limits on how many patches you can create, how many relays you can control, and how many expression pedal patch points... but everything has limitations and we learn to operate within them. I love rack gear. My bother’s daughter just had her first baby yesterday, Kaiya was born in the wee hours last night, he is finally a Grandpa at 51 yo. 🎉 Rock on everybody! ❤️🎶🍻☮️👍😊
I recently switched to a rack setup. I was touring with a Twin Reverb in a head cab. I now am using a SMS Classic Tube Preamp (CTP) w/ Jerry mod. Its basically a Twin Reverb preamp in a rack unit utilizing 2 12AX7 tubes. I have that going into a ART SLA-1 power amp and that goes into my 2x12 with JBL e-120s. Channel one is top speaker in cab on power amp and channel two is the bottom speaker. Each being fed 100watts. I can get a cranked Twin tone at a low volume which i never thought was possible and after 25 years im almost tubeless with my touring setup and I never in a million years thought I could get a Twin sound at any volume level. I am down to just two preamp tubes !!! And my setup weighs less than half of what the Twin Reverb head weighed (That head was easily 42LBS).
Great video !!! Always been a rack guy - at least since 1985. I have missed my studio preamp since i was so stupid to sell it decades ago but found my sound again with the Engl preamp 570, 4 channel MIDI controlled monster assisted by a Palmer poweramp. Try it and get addicted...
I still miss my Rockmaster. Never had the footswitch, either LOL! I used to control the channels with a Peavey MidiPro and ran a Quadraverb for effects. This was obviously before effect units had the ability to control amp channels and stuff like that. Now they’re everywhere LOL!
One point you made is absolutely true. There will be many who ask why wasn't my favorite preamp isn't in you list? After playing professionally for fifty years I discovered the mid eighties/early nineties preamp that hit me like a freight train and I have been buying as many of them as I can so I will never be without one. Of course, it's not in your list.
so Agree on the JMP. I used clean one for strummy open string chords, clean 2 for clean leads, OD1 for my main Rhythm crunch, really not a fad of OD2 channel. and used bass shift to taste, often left if offl. my pedal rig was super simple, so I relied on the pre and the 9100 for majority of my sound. I always had teh 9100 dimed, messed w/ the presence and voice switch bu eventually foudn my optimum power amp setup adn made markings to alwasy nailit. I guess I really like power amp saturation. max gain alwasy on the power amp
Hey Leon! Fun video! This brings back a lot of memories. I still have my MP-1 as well as my MP-2's which give me all of the Mesa kind of tones as well as a lot more, and my MP-1 Classics which sound more like vintage Marshalls than anything else, (including the JMP-1). Sorry the Classics didn't make it to Australia, you would have loved it.
Fantastic preamps. Over the years I've used all except the Rockmaster, and still have them. I generally tend to gravitate toward a Marshall tone. That said, there is a difference in the musicality of these preamps that would have me rank them a bit differently. If I could have only one to play my ranking would be as follows: 1. Mesa Studio Pre- most musical, fabulous 3D clean and heavy MKIIC+ tones, so expressive. It has old school EQ, verb, and channel switching. Takes pedals well and has wide dynamic range. 2. Triaxis- Second to the Studio Pre for clean, and industrial mojo. Bonus is the smooth MIDI switching, but Studio Pre wins on 3D tone and feel 3. ADA MP1- Cleans and distortion scream 80s. Tones stand out, less dynamic than the Mesas, but a top choice if you are in a hair metal band. 4. JMP-1- More of an all-rounder. Great tones out of the box, great for a variety, rock cover band.
I have a Marshall 9100 and Mesa 2:90 power amp. many cabs but these days likeing my Orange 2x12 horizontal cab. digging this I have a triaxis too, it's harder for me to dial in than the JMP-1
I totally agree with this approach. The best comparison actually is make whatever you compare sound THE BEST based on their own strengths, so you can acknowledge the differences and the quality. I have 3 preamps (Triaxis, ADA MP1 3TM and JMP-1) and they all sound killer in their own world through the same power amp. All can do Metal and Thrash, but JMP-1 is Marshall-y, ADA is a league on its own (like Marshall on steroids or boosted Soldano) and Triaxis does the Mark thing greatly.....I play them all alternately, all the time.
marshall jmp1 x 2 marshall el34, 50/50 going stereo, tc g major 2, 2 x mesa 1x12 thelie cabs + furman power conditioner this rig sounds amazing long live racks great review
Long live the rack! I have been playing live with a rack since 94'. I just sold my live rig I used for the last 10 years: rack mounted EVH 5150 III, G-Major. I decided to start using my backup live rack with a modded Peavey Rockmaster, MosValve 962, and G-Major2.
I used my ADA MP1 right up until 2008 when i left the band scene. I loved it from the day it came out for Thrash metal and it worked beautifully in the modern low tuned death metal era,and was a great talking point with other guitarists on the road whom mostly used 5150's,Rectifiers and Axe FX. My current bed room legend status is mostly playing through Axe FX Ultra,but i will never part with my 2 ADA's and my Duncan KTG power amp.
That is a fantastic overview on all the important Pre's with sound exemples super!!! Espacially the Sound exemples in the end. You nailed it!!! I completely forgot on that beautifull Pre's you show here. Should be deffenitely a favorite for all the guys working in the recording area & as studio musicians.... Cool
Great demo, Leon! Long-time Mesa Studio Pre/Simul 2: Ninety user here. Love it! Still have it, and used it live recently with pedals. Got compliments on my tone! Have used it for sessions, and engineers loved it. Was Dann Huff’s main preamp for thousands of sessions.
I Have an ADA Mp1 with the 3.666 Mod, but to be honest, don't use it since having my BIAS rack. On the ADA-MP3 I've dialed up decent Metallica tones, a tone exactly like Rust In Peace, through to Brothers In Arms.
Great comparison! The MP-1 has amazing cleans. I was amazed by that with mine. Some other interesting ones: H&K Attax, 3 channel, 2 FX Loops, very early 90s tone. The Engl E530 is an affordable high gain monster.
I have the Marshall JMP-1. You will have to pry it from my cold dead hands. Combined with a TC Electronic G Major 2, Peavey Classic 50/50 poweramp and a Marshall 1960A quad, it is my favorite rig. I hate loading the bastard in and out of my car, but the tones are worth it.
I’ve tried a bunch of preamps. TubeWorks Real Tube, Boogie Formula/Quad/Recto Pre, Crate TDP/XLP, Bogner/Hafler Triple Giant, Tech 21 SansAmp. I settled on the Boogie Studio Pre and the Peavey Rockmaster.
Rockmaster was my favorite of the 5. And I really love the lower gain sounds on the Studio pre, it has that souped up Fender vibe of the original Boogies.
Leon, you really should check out the H&K Access Preamp. Crazy good preamp with so many analog routing possibilities, with full midi control. Check it out, you will not be disappointed. This coming from a proud Mark IV owner...
The ADA with the microshift was the sh*t!!Me and my brother use to have an ADA when they came out wish I still had it!Great video you Brett Kingman are my favorite long lost brothers from the down under!Rock on 🤘
Leon I have to thank you for this video and for the comparison between the Mark IV and the Triaxis. I have a IV A and I need a new rack with Marshall and Mesa tones. I've bought a JMP-1 and a Triaxis, plus a stereo graphic eq (for the triaxis and the JMP-1). Now I'm happy.
The Studio preamp is based on the Mark IIB. That's why it has just the lead fat switch (pull shift on the Mark IIB). The Quad Preamp's channels are are based on the IIC+ and III respectively. The Quad has the pull shift on the Treble, Mid and Bass controls like the IIC+ and III.
@@LeonTodd YW. And as a gear nerd, thank you for your videos! If you're ever in the UK, you're welcome to come over for a beer and a jam on my collection of amps!
I can get my. Peavey Rockmaster to do all the sounds you demoed here except for the first Mesa tone at the final comparison at the end of the video. I'm running my. Peavey rack into a 100 watt jcm800 clone with spring reverb and low gain tubes to make it sound like a 100 watt black face Bassman but tighter and bit more gain but you get the idea. I'm using and old Peavey 5150 412 cabinet some green/ blue colored Peavey branded speakers but what ever they are they hold up to being abused by 200 watt marshal tube watts at full volume so I just use what works !
Love the clean from the ADA-MP1 (that chorus was lush) and the heavy tones from the TriAxis. The marshall sounded great for crunch and crunch only for me, it's got it's own classic character. Great tones and demo Leon! Thank you for your amazing content always brother.
I read an interview about Angus Young around the razors edge period where he used them (the studio) live. It was a massive contrast with Malcolm's virtually clean tone. Hammet used the mp1 for justice and a bit of the black album. He drove the front with a ts9 for leads- sounded cool live.
Leon sad multiple times that Myasnikov is absolutely the best out of all his rack preamps for high gain-I belive that he didn't consider it for this video because it is copy of an iconic brand.
I would have added it and made this 6 of my favourite preamps - but I actually sold it! Still love the thing but I have the Soldano Hot Rod 50+ for when i'm in that mood and it freed up some cash for a few other things I want to grab.
@@LeonTodd In my time I have had the MP-1, MP-1 (Mod 2 Mk.4 ), MP-1 (3tm), MP-2, Great pre-amp. My favorite mod was the Mod 2 Mk.4, Not quite as chunky as the 3Tm. But I could nail Criss Oliva's (R.I.P.) lead tone with it....
Great choice, G12M25 or 30 are what most would use in the studio and V30 live. For power amps, into the rear of a Marshall head, Boogie Strategy 400 or Carvin FET900. Typically a dbx 160 and a Furman PQ3 in front and a Rocktron HuSH Iic and BBE422a before the stereo efx. Great playing btw!
I recorded the first Lemur Voice album with a Peavey Rockmaster Preamp, loved it back then! The second album and Sun Caged albums after that were recorded with a JMP1 I loved the preamps back then, had great sounds, I ran them through a Mesa 2:90 back in the day.
Marcel! Don’t wanna bust your chops, but sure it wasn’t a 2:95?! I had one of those too with a jmp-1 based on your setup (after that a Mesa studio loaded with Philips Jan👌🏻) great sounds.
Been playing a JMP-1 lately from a close friend: it's a fucking beast, affordable and more versatile than it seems at first. Very very good. Of course the Triaxis is impressive... and I wanna try the ADA MP-1 in the near future :) Amazing video as always Leon, super informative. Cheers man!
Awesome tones man. Half way through I thought to myself that Ultra sitting with them in the rack would make a perfect effects unit with any of those preamps!
I was gigging rack gear in the 90’s when everyone had moved on. Sansamp psa1 > Marshall jfx > peavey 50/50 And then again in the 2000,s digitech GSP1101 and rocktron poweramp
thinking out loud here, but a Triaxis 2.0 with something like the Two Notes Cab M (power amp simulation and IR loading) built in would appeal to a lot of people IMO.
As someone who owned both a JMP-1 and a Triaxis, I can say this: JMP-1 : Loud/noisy even with the clean mods performed. Great midi capability if you want that kind of thing, but I sold mine cheap after years of disappointment. Triaxis: Sounds awesome, some versions are loud on the higher gain channel, and if you have a mesa power amp they combine well. Good midi support but the EQ that mesa designed is really suited for knobs or sliders. It takes ages to dial in a decent tone. Studio pre will probably be my next amp, after I get a Eclipse
Awesome comparison, i had a MP-1 back in the day but did not have anywhere near the required guitar nerd skills to use it skillfully. Will hopefully get a modeller one day that has a good reproduction!
Great video, Leon! Anything with the MP-1 is a winner to me. The other bit in the 80s is that guys would just turn the guitar volume down for less gain, so I imagine you could get that with the preamps too. Peavey did so many things that were underrated. Lots of great guitars, amps, etc. and of course the introduction of CNC into guitar building. Too bad they've kind of lost their way.
My few favorite Analog Rack PreAmps are the ENGL e530 (Which I still use as my maximum gain tone), for a liquid tone that was not compressed, the Digitech GFX TwinTube was awesome (but didn’t do much else well). The Rectifier PreAmp, TriAxis, ADA and Marshall also spent some time in my stable, but never really stuck on me. As the better Rack Modelers came along, they seemed to do a better job at some of the toned and not so great with others. It cracks me up that to this day lots of modelers had a Mesa Tremoverb Preset/Patch and for example what many consider the current rack champ; AxeFXiii, is nowhere close to it, and Helix? nope, PodGo, No, PodHD, No... and amazingly, WTF it’s the POD X3 I’ve found as the only modeler that nails all the Tremoverb tones
That's wild! I've got my eyes open for a Recto Pre, seems like it would be a fun one to throw into the mix here. The Axe-III sounds dead on with my old Rev G recto but I know the tremoverb has it's own thing going on.
awesome Leon. Funny story...owned all those (huge preamp lover) including many others...galien kruger, digitech etc etc. The mesa and mp1 were favs... but strangely even better is my DOD g7 preamp...was mega cheap and is stunning..so many front of house engineers wander over and comment. A-B'd it with many head amps and just kicks their ass...the only thing i can put it down to since its such a inexpensive preamp, is its like a car..some are lemons,some are standard fare and some just roar forever. lol. I found that one thats just majestic.
@@LeonTodd ever consider review on rackmount power amps? Many run through clean channel of head amp but seems ridiculous lugging head just for power amp purpose. Many rackmount amps lack enough power..lackluster. Also spotted was carvin puts out a power amp foot pedal...eyebrows up on that one.
I have a JMP-1 and really like channel OD 1 with gain at about twelve pushed with my Rodenberg drive. I really like all your rack stuff, but I don't have enough space for more. I would really like to have a Soldano SP-77 though.
I picked up an MP1 to scratch my 80s itch a few months ago, going into my Engl Screamer 50 effects return. Still sounds like an Engl haha. But I love it.
Great video dude🤘! You rock! I have a question: could you make a video how you connected your preamp‘s with your amp, cabinet, guitar etc. please? I love your rack but i‘m a noob in this section😅. Great content, keep rockin‘!🤘🤘
Cool visit to the late 80's / early 90's! I clearly remember hating the MP-! interface compared to the JMP-1! And those paper thin blue buttons! Memories! I wound up liking the Rocktron Piranha best back then.
The one thing the rockmaster couldn't duplicate was the Peavey ULTRA + amp head. The ULTRA + I liked far better than the 5150. The band I guitar tech'd and roadied for the guitar player ran a Mark II C+ most of the time. I sold the guitar player my Marshall JCM 800 2204 head and he used that quite a bit.
I'm a modern progressive metal guy, but that MP-1 with the Echoboy sounded fuckin killer! I owned an MP-1 back in the late 90's. Wishing I still had it now.
Leon, you're my hero. I got all these preamps because of you. Except the Mesa Studio that I got a deal on a Mesa Quad instead. I got also several Rocktron, because of you too... of course these are in a different league but very usable too. Dozens of preamps/amps over here to test to, so if you ever come overseas (South France) you could test all of them ha ha ha Kudos to you dude !
![Top 40 Best PS1 Hidden Gems [You Must Play]](/img/n.gif)
A few questions I didn't address;
Where is the Myasnikov Superlead?
I love that thing but I sold it recently to fund a few other things. Speaking of which...
Why are there 3 MP-1's?
My original is a V1 and I scored a V1 and V2 so that i can do some mods to them. More on that soon.
You know it's pronounced may-suh, right?
Yes. I butcher everything.
Can I replicate these tones with the Axe-Fx?
Yes, more on that soon too.
Your Aussie accent isn't as bad as my OL's New Jersey accent....
I own an ADA Mp-1 and after 10 years of playing with it I got it modded (666 mod). Really happy with the mod, but It would have been great to have both versions at the same time. A few years ago I scored a Mp-2 for the price of a used metal zone. MAN! that thing is unreal. I think is not as popular as the Mp-1 because it is kinda cumbersome (difficult to dial in), but it is way ahead of its time, I really recommend you to get one if you can.
My favorite is the Tri Axis but for the music that I play the MP1 chorus is great and like the PeaVey and the Studio as well
Sold it!!! Egad!!! What did you buy ?
I did the 5150/ slo mod on mine- sounded nice but not as much gain as stock mp1.😊
They ALL sound awesome
yey
In 2001 I traded my Mesa Boogie Studio preamp for a fucking line 6 pod at the house of guitars in Rochester, NY. I still think about this 20 years later when faced with financial decisions.
I feel your pain! Definitely made some trades I regret in the past.
That Mesa Boogie Studio pre-amp is BEASTLY.
You're right, that ADA chorus is godlike. Just thick enough and the rate it moves at is perfect.
still love my Marshall JMP-1 I bought new in 1993...still works fine!
I got my first MP-1 back in 1990 or ‘91 and paired it with the venerable Alesis Quadraverb and the ADA Microtube 200 poweramp. That rig was so awesome!! The versatility was amazing and I gigged that rig through most of the ‘90’s with various cabinets. Threw them into a 3-space rack bag and used the ADA MC1 midi controller to switch everything. Aside from a wah and tuner.....that was it! That rig was amazing and I really want to recreate it again someday! Cheers!!!
The rockmaster has been the core of my tone since 1989 lol
I've owned three of them but the one I have now has a strange mojo to it
Rock on bro!!!
I had two RM so far and love it. But always had issues with fx loop on both of them. Need to clean them very often because the sound drop... did you experience the same thing?
Yeah man I know what you mean about "mojo" as I've got the rock master rack any and only found out about after loving ❤️ my. Peavey bravo which is the all tube Amp combo version with rock master pre amp section in it and they both are awesome but that pre amp turned my 6534+ head into the new EVH 3 with all the clean and gain so yeah I know the MOJO!
@@stephanedubreuil5805 I think you can use line level outputs or balanced outs .
I've never had a problem with volume differences but I only use a Headrush pedal board in the effects loop and it is easy to dial in the volume.
Try the other out puts.
It's good to see the old Peavey getting some love. You do need to find the footswitch though. Great video
I had a MP1, a JMP-1 and I still have my Studio Preamp. The clean of the MP1 was very great. The crunch tones of the JMP1 were greats. The Studio Preamp is ly best preamp ever! The clean, the crunch and high gain tones are epic! I love this preamp
I used an ADA MP-2 for a very long time. Now I will go years without plugging it in, but when I do always ask myself why I own other amps.!?! Lol! We all know why... Great to hear all of these side by side. Thank you, Leon!
Peavey rockamster are great unit for metal too especially with maxon Od 808 !! Cheers Leon
I use two Switchblade GLs, because you need a truck load of I/O for all of those stereo connections. I haven’t had any concerns with impedance, they’re very well thought out and designed. Steve Vai uses one for all of his Syn-2 preamps and modules, and every now and then you’ll see someone with them. Almost any MIDI floor board will change patches, skies the limit on choices, they also control relay switching amps, and they also have MIDI expression control support. There are limits on how many patches you can create, how many relays you can control, and how many expression pedal patch points... but everything has limitations and we learn to operate within them.
I love rack gear. My bother’s daughter just had her first baby yesterday, Kaiya was born in the wee hours last night, he is finally a Grandpa at 51 yo. 🎉
Rock on everybody!
❤️🎶🍻☮️👍😊
Does that make you a great uncle now? Congrats!
I was patching this all together thinking "a switchblade would really make this all so much easier"
I've used Ada for many years back in the late 80s Killa bit of kit tho I use 800,s today I still love the versatility of the Ada.
Great video bro
I recently switched to a rack setup. I was touring with a Twin Reverb in a head cab. I now am using a SMS Classic Tube Preamp (CTP) w/ Jerry mod. Its basically a Twin Reverb preamp in a rack unit utilizing 2 12AX7 tubes. I have that going into a ART SLA-1 power amp and that goes into my 2x12 with JBL e-120s. Channel one is top speaker in cab on power amp and channel two is the bottom speaker. Each being fed 100watts. I can get a cranked Twin tone at a low volume which i never thought was possible and after 25 years im almost tubeless with my touring setup and I never in a million years thought I could get a Twin sound at any volume level. I am down to just two preamp tubes !!! And my setup weighs less than half of what the Twin Reverb head weighed (That head was easily 42LBS).
Twins could be used as boat anchors, they heavy!
@Leon Todd Great Way to start off this video with my beloved ADA MP1!!! But also like the others!!! "D"
Agree. The ADA is king to me, but I'm an 80's guy all the way! :-_)
Another Ada and 80’s lover here,agree with you guys
Great video !!!
Always been a rack guy - at least since 1985. I have missed my studio preamp since i was so stupid to sell it decades ago but found my sound again with the Engl preamp 570, 4 channel MIDI controlled monster assisted by a Palmer poweramp. Try it and get addicted...
I still miss my Rockmaster. Never had the footswitch, either LOL! I used to control the channels with a Peavey MidiPro and ran a Quadraverb for effects. This was obviously before effect units had the ability to control amp channels and stuff like that. Now they’re everywhere LOL!
I had a rock master, that thing was crunchy as hell, I still miss it.
One point you made is absolutely true. There will be many who ask why wasn't my favorite preamp isn't in you list? After playing professionally for fifty years I discovered the mid eighties/early nineties preamp that hit me like a freight train and I have been buying as many of them as I can so I will never be without one. Of course, it's not in your list.
so Agree on the JMP. I used clean one for strummy open string chords, clean 2 for clean leads, OD1 for my main Rhythm crunch, really not a fad of OD2 channel. and used bass shift to taste, often left if offl. my pedal rig was super simple, so I relied on the pre and the 9100 for majority of my sound. I always had teh 9100 dimed, messed w/ the presence and voice switch bu eventually foudn my optimum power amp setup adn made markings to alwasy nailit. I guess I really like power amp saturation. max gain alwasy on the power amp
Hey Leon! Fun video!
This brings back a lot of memories. I still have my MP-1 as well as my MP-2's which give me all of the Mesa kind of tones as well as a lot more, and my MP-1 Classics which sound more like vintage Marshalls than anything else, (including the JMP-1). Sorry the Classics didn't make it to Australia, you would have loved it.
Always had a soft spot in my heart for the Rockmaster.....
Fantastic preamps. Over the years I've used all except the Rockmaster, and still have them. I generally tend to gravitate toward a Marshall tone. That said, there is a difference in the musicality of these preamps that would have me rank them a bit differently. If I could have only one to play my ranking would be as follows:
1. Mesa Studio Pre- most musical, fabulous 3D clean and heavy MKIIC+ tones, so expressive. It has old school EQ, verb, and channel switching. Takes pedals well and has wide dynamic range.
2. Triaxis- Second to the Studio Pre for clean, and industrial mojo. Bonus is the smooth MIDI switching, but Studio Pre wins on 3D tone and feel
3. ADA MP1- Cleans and distortion scream 80s. Tones stand out, less dynamic than the Mesas, but a top choice if you are in a hair metal band.
4. JMP-1- More of an all-rounder. Great tones out of the box, great for a variety, rock cover band.
This is almost exactly my assessment. I'd go for the triaxis live and the studio pre for recording
I'm really considering saving up for an MP1 to put in my studio rack for direct recording. Nothing sounds like it
I have a Marshall 9100 and Mesa 2:90 power amp. many cabs but these days likeing my Orange 2x12 horizontal cab. digging this I have a triaxis too, it's harder for me to dial in than the JMP-1
I totally agree with this approach. The best comparison actually is make whatever you compare sound THE BEST based on their own strengths, so you can acknowledge the differences and the quality. I have 3 preamps (Triaxis, ADA MP1 3TM and JMP-1) and they all sound killer in their own world through the same power amp. All can do Metal and Thrash, but JMP-1 is Marshall-y, ADA is a league on its own (like Marshall on steroids or boosted Soldano) and Triaxis does the Mark thing greatly.....I play them all alternately, all the time.
marshall jmp1 x 2 marshall el34, 50/50 going stereo, tc g major 2, 2 x mesa 1x12 thelie cabs + furman power conditioner this rig sounds amazing long live racks great review
That would blow some roofs off!
Love that ADA MP-1...its that beautiful 80's metal sound I'd always heard back in the day but never owned a piece of gear that could produce it.
Long live the rack! I have been playing live with a rack since 94'. I just sold my live rig I used for the last 10 years: rack mounted EVH 5150 III, G-Major. I decided to start using my backup live rack with a modded Peavey Rockmaster, MosValve 962, and G-Major2.
I love rackmounted heads, always wanted to find a rack mount Recto!
I dig my Tech 21 PSA's 1.0 and 1.1. It does everything all those racks do.
Sansamps are the SHIT, all I've ever played, DI!
My main rigs back in the day were Rocktron Pro Gap, Rocktron Voodu Valve, and ADA MP1 among many other heads and power amps. Great memories.
Rocktron made some very cool stuff back in the day. I have a Piranha pre here too
Love this video! Ive owned all but the Studio Pre. Still own the Triaxis. Its my favorite of the bunch. But this video is making me miss my ADA-MP1!
leon님 mp-1, jmp-1 소리가 아주 끝내주는군요.
리뷰 잘 보고 있습니다...
I used my ADA MP1 right up until 2008 when i left the band scene. I loved it from the day it came out for Thrash metal and it worked beautifully in the modern low tuned death metal era,and was a great talking point with other guitarists on the road whom mostly used 5150's,Rectifiers and Axe FX. My current bed room legend status is mostly playing through Axe FX Ultra,but i will never part with my 2 ADA's and my Duncan KTG power amp.
Triaxis is the most versatile and sounds great for all kinds of music. So this is my choice.
If clean is you thing, Fender Princeton Chorus! Cheaper than a JC120 and you can carry it!
That is a fantastic overview on all the important Pre's with sound exemples super!!! Espacially the Sound exemples in the end. You nailed it!!! I completely forgot on that beautifull Pre's you show here. Should be deffenitely a favorite for all the guys working in the recording area & as studio musicians.... Cool
Great demo, Leon! Long-time Mesa Studio Pre/Simul 2: Ninety user here.
Love it! Still have it, and used it live recently with pedals. Got compliments
on my tone! Have used it for sessions,
and engineers loved it. Was Dann Huff’s main preamp for thousands of sessions.
I've been having serious 2:90 GAS recently - which power amp mode do you use with the studio pre?
The price is going up like crazy on these! I am glad I bought my ADA, JMP-1 and Mesa strategy 500 10 years ago for cheap!
The Strategy series are BIG units, in both size and sound!
@@LeonTodd definitely, nothing compares imo. Even on half drive it just sounds huge :).
I Have an ADA Mp1 with the 3.666 Mod, but to be honest, don't use it since having my BIAS rack. On the ADA-MP3 I've dialed up decent Metallica tones, a tone exactly like Rust In Peace, through to Brothers In Arms.
Nice!!! ENGL E530 is the one I use though! Love racks preamp. One day I will snag a ADA...
I had an E530 for years. Loved it
Great comparison! The MP-1 has amazing cleans. I was amazed by that with mine.
Some other interesting ones: H&K Attax, 3 channel, 2 FX Loops, very early 90s tone. The Engl E530 is an affordable high gain monster.
I have the Marshall JMP-1. You will have to pry it from my cold dead hands. Combined with a TC Electronic G Major 2, Peavey Classic 50/50 poweramp and a Marshall 1960A quad, it is my favorite rig. I hate loading the bastard in and out of my car, but the tones are worth it.
i used to gig with the JMP-1 and a G major into the fx return of a DSL and a 1960, LOVED it
50/50
I’ve tried a bunch of preamps. TubeWorks Real Tube, Boogie Formula/Quad/Recto Pre, Crate TDP/XLP, Bogner/Hafler Triple Giant, Tech 21 SansAmp.
I settled on the Boogie Studio Pre and the Peavey Rockmaster.
Rockmaster was my favorite of the 5. And I really love the lower gain sounds on the Studio pre, it has that souped up Fender vibe of the original Boogies.
Leon, you really should check out the H&K Access Preamp. Crazy good preamp with so many analog routing possibilities, with full midi control. Check it out, you will not be disappointed. This coming from a proud Mark IV owner...
The ADA with the microshift was the sh*t!!Me and my brother use to have an ADA when they came out wish I still had it!Great video you Brett Kingman are my favorite long lost brothers from the down under!Rock on 🤘
yeah stereo pitch detune is instant 80's! Thanks man :D
Leon I have to thank you for this video and for the comparison between the Mark IV and the Triaxis. I have a IV A and I need a new rack with Marshall and Mesa tones. I've bought a JMP-1 and a Triaxis, plus a stereo graphic eq (for the triaxis and the JMP-1). Now I'm happy.
BEAST of a rig you have there :)
I’ve said this for a few years now, but I could listen to you play Lay It Down every day!
Wish I still had my Axe-FX Ultra I loved that thing.
Still shreds to this day, amazing unit.
The Studio preamp is based on the Mark IIB. That's why it has just the lead fat switch (pull shift on the Mark IIB). The Quad Preamp's channels are are based on the IIC+ and III respectively. The Quad has the pull shift on the Treble, Mid and Bass controls like the IIC+ and III.
Thanks for clearing that up, was not aware!
@@LeonTodd YW. And as a gear nerd, thank you for your videos! If you're ever in the UK, you're welcome to come over for a beer and a jam on my collection of amps!
I love when you do these types of videos. Thanks dude.
Glad you like them!
I can get my. Peavey Rockmaster to do all the sounds you demoed here except for the first Mesa tone at the final comparison at the end of the video.
I'm running my. Peavey rack into a 100 watt jcm800 clone with spring reverb and low gain tubes to make it sound like a 100 watt black face Bassman but tighter and bit more gain but you get the idea. I'm using and old Peavey 5150 412 cabinet some green/ blue colored Peavey branded speakers but what ever they are they hold up to being abused by 200 watt marshal tube watts at full volume so I just use what works !
Love the clean from the ADA-MP1 (that chorus was lush) and the heavy tones from the TriAxis. The marshall sounded great for crunch and crunch only for me, it's got it's own classic character. Great tones and demo Leon! Thank you for your amazing content always brother.
Big Hair model, tonestack freq at 500 and you have the ADA MP-1 crunch in the Axe-Fx :D
@@LeonTodd ooooh. Thanks man. I must try it!
Dokken, now we’re talking. That’s a great tone 🤘🏻
Well done Brother! Thanks for sharing Leon and Be Well All!
A lot of the early night ranger was Mesa studio pre ..so many people used those
The Night Ranger lead tones were always awesome IMO
I read an interview about Angus Young around the razors edge period where he used them (the studio) live. It was a massive contrast with Malcolm's virtually clean tone.
Hammet used the mp1 for justice and a bit of the black album. He drove the front with a ts9 for leads- sounded cool live.
my 1st preamp was the Rockmaster. then it was JMP-1s all the way...
I can't believe the Myasnikov Superlead didn't make the cut, I thought it sounded amazing in the vids you made with it
Ditto!!!I was about the ask about that and then i saw your comment....thought i will boost it up!!!
@@anmolatwal +1
Leon sad multiple times that Myasnikov is absolutely the best out of all his rack preamps for high gain-I belive that he didn't consider it for this video because it is copy of an iconic brand.
I would have added it and made this 6 of my favourite preamps - but I actually sold it! Still love the thing but I have the Soldano Hot Rod 50+ for when i'm in that mood and it freed up some cash for a few other things I want to grab.
great video ...you used mics thank man....you single tracked your demo------ honest review very good
Jimi Hazel of 24-7 Spyz used the ADA MP-1 for quite a while and his sound was just awesome AF!
Long live the MP-1
@@LeonTodd In my time I have had the MP-1, MP-1 (Mod 2 Mk.4 ), MP-1 (3tm), MP-2, Great pre-amp. My favorite mod was the Mod 2 Mk.4, Not quite as chunky as the 3Tm. But I could nail Criss Oliva's (R.I.P.) lead tone with it....
Great choice, G12M25 or 30 are what most would use in the studio and V30 live. For power amps, into the rear of a Marshall head, Boogie Strategy 400 or Carvin FET900. Typically a dbx 160 and a Furman PQ3 in front and a Rocktron HuSH Iic and BBE422a before the stereo efx. Great playing btw!
Wow, did not see that Peavey coming! What a sleeper.
Right?! Absolute bargain if you can find them.
I recorded the first Lemur Voice album with a Peavey Rockmaster Preamp, loved it back then!
The second album and Sun Caged albums after that were recorded with a JMP1
I loved the preamps back then, had great sounds, I ran them through a Mesa 2:90 back in the day.
The 2:90 is such a great poweramp!
Marcel! Don’t wanna bust your chops, but sure it wasn’t a 2:95?! I had one of those too with a jmp-1 based on your setup (after that a Mesa studio loaded with Philips Jan👌🏻) great sounds.
Wow the peavy rock master!! My main sound in HS 88-91 !
Been playing a JMP-1 lately from a close friend: it's a fucking beast, affordable and more versatile than it seems at first. Very very good. Of course the Triaxis is impressive... and I wanna try the ADA MP-1 in the near future :)
Amazing video as always Leon, super informative. Cheers man!
Got a JMP-1 for about 25 years now. The sounds you can get from it are very versatile. Completely agree with you Adrián.
See so many saying the jmp1 is affordable im only seeing them for about $700- $1000 sadly
I honestly hope rack isnt back because then prices will go up. And I want to get some of these on the cheap ;)
Great vid. Super fun to live vicariously through your preamp collection.
Awesome tones man. Half way through I thought to myself that Ultra sitting with them in the rack would make a perfect effects unit with any of those preamps!
That was actually the initial plan, but I hit 20 minutes and decided against it. Might do a standalone triaxis/ultra vid though ;)
@@LeonTodd Awesome!
In additional to these. I have had a gp1000, gx700, chameleon, prophecy, sp77, voodu valve, maxe, rockman sustainor. gp8, gp16.
What was your fave?
@@LeonTodd sp77, I still have it, and the rocktron units. which i also still have. Very cool units when dialed in.
I still have my MP1 and MP2...most under-rated preamp in my eye's. The headroom alone on those preamps alone are colossal..!🤘🤘🤘🤘
I was gigging rack gear in the 90’s when everyone had moved on.
Sansamp psa1 > Marshall jfx > peavey 50/50
And then again in the 2000,s digitech GSP1101 and rocktron poweramp
You make them all sound good. Thanks for sharing, really appreciate your playing and expertise with all the gear man .. keep up the good work!
The triaxis was the piece of gear I always wanted as a kid. Shame they don't make it anymore
thinking out loud here, but a Triaxis 2.0 with something like the Two Notes Cab M (power amp simulation and IR loading) built in would appeal to a lot of people IMO.
@@LeonTodd im wanting a jmp1 reissue like that too
That's just great! Awesome tones, you just can't beat it.
The Triaxis and the ADA MP1 are amazing.
As someone who owned both a JMP-1 and a Triaxis, I can say this:
JMP-1 : Loud/noisy even with the clean mods performed. Great midi capability if you want that kind of thing, but I sold mine cheap after years of disappointment.
Triaxis: Sounds awesome, some versions are loud on the higher gain channel, and if you have a mesa power amp they combine well. Good midi support but the EQ that mesa designed is really suited for knobs or sliders. It takes ages to dial in a decent tone.
Studio pre will probably be my next amp, after I get a Eclipse
Awesome comparison, i had a MP-1 back in the day but did not have anywhere near the required guitar nerd skills to use it skillfully. Will hopefully get a modeller one day that has a good reproduction!
triaxis through the marshall power section had a very tool vibe
Great video, Leon! Anything with the MP-1 is a winner to me. The other bit in the 80s is that guys would just turn the guitar volume down for less gain, so I imagine you could get that with the preamps too. Peavey did so many things that were underrated. Lots of great guitars, amps, etc. and of course the introduction of CNC into guitar building. Too bad they've kind of lost their way.
I have the luck of owning the ADA MP1 and the Marshall JMP1 both into my tc g system through my Peavey classic studio 60/60 . And they sound awesome .
Get a Peavey 6505 footswitch for the Rock Master, it works. Doesn't cost much at Thomann
My few favorite Analog Rack PreAmps are the ENGL e530 (Which I still use as my maximum gain tone), for a liquid tone that was not compressed, the Digitech GFX TwinTube was awesome (but didn’t do much else well).
The Rectifier PreAmp, TriAxis, ADA and Marshall also spent some time in my stable, but never really stuck on me.
As the better Rack Modelers came along, they seemed to do a better job at some of the toned and not so great with others. It cracks me up that to this day lots of modelers had a Mesa Tremoverb Preset/Patch and for example what many consider the current rack champ; AxeFXiii, is nowhere close to it,
and Helix? nope, PodGo, No, PodHD, No... and amazingly, WTF it’s the POD X3 I’ve found as the only modeler that nails all the Tremoverb tones
That's wild! I've got my eyes open for a Recto Pre, seems like it would be a fun one to throw into the mix here. The Axe-III sounds dead on with my old Rev G recto but I know the tremoverb has it's own thing going on.
I miss my JMP-1 so bad. lost in in an apt fire in 2017. I need it back so bad
awesome Leon. Funny story...owned all those (huge preamp lover) including many others...galien kruger, digitech etc etc. The mesa and mp1 were favs... but strangely even better is my DOD g7 preamp...was mega cheap and is stunning..so many front of house engineers wander over and comment. A-B'd it with many head amps and just kicks their ass...the only thing i can put it down to since its such a inexpensive preamp, is its like a car..some are lemons,some are standard fare and some just roar forever. lol. I found that one thats just majestic.
that's a great analogy - some of them just refuse to ever stop going! *Begins scouring ebay for a DOD G7*
@@LeonTodd ever consider review on rackmount power amps? Many run through clean channel of head amp but seems ridiculous lugging head just for power amp purpose. Many rackmount amps lack enough power..lackluster. Also spotted was carvin puts out a power amp foot pedal...eyebrows up on that one.
Hmmmm.... TriAxis +el34s + Marshal TV + greatness !
Another killer vid, LT. Great stuff. And so much fun!
I have a JMP-1 and really like channel OD 1 with gain at about twelve pushed with my Rodenberg drive. I really like all your rack stuff, but I don't have enough space for more. I would really like to have a Soldano SP-77 though.
Yeah OD1 is the one, sounds so much like a Marshall head
I picked up an MP1 to scratch my 80s itch a few months ago, going into my Engl Screamer 50 effects return. Still sounds like an Engl haha. But I love it.
Great video dude🤘! You rock! I have a question: could you make a video how you connected your preamp‘s with your amp, cabinet, guitar etc. please? I love your rack but i‘m a noob in this section😅. Great content, keep rockin‘!🤘🤘
Also would like to see that one,for I'm a noob myself in these things (I'm a drummer mostly,that's why lol)
I love the TA's Rhythm Green fenderish clean tone. It's my main Axe FX clean tone... USA Pre Clean. It's anything but sterile
Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp !!!!!!
The JMP-1 sounds much better to me when you scoop the mids a little, minus 2 usually does the trick on OD2
Cool visit to the late 80's / early 90's! I clearly remember hating the MP-! interface compared to the JMP-1! And those paper thin blue buttons! Memories! I wound up liking the Rocktron Piranha best back then.
An MP-1 tone with a JMP-1 interface would be KILLER
Leon Todd That’s what I was hoping the Marshall CODE would sound like - ADA modded Marshall gain, with JMP1 interface. Sadly, NOT!
Nice one Leon. Man, that Peavy has some balls! I still have my ADA from the 80's;-)
The one thing the rockmaster couldn't duplicate was the Peavey ULTRA + amp head.
The ULTRA + I liked far better than the 5150.
The band I guitar tech'd and roadied for the guitar player ran a Mark II C+ most of the time.
I sold the guitar player my Marshall JCM 800 2204 head and he used that quite a bit.
Love your demos bro. You always play and sound great. Cheers
Thankyou!
I'm a modern progressive metal guy, but that MP-1 with the Echoboy sounded fuckin killer! I owned an MP-1 back in the late 90's. Wishing I still had it now.
Leon, you're my hero. I got all these preamps because of you. Except the Mesa Studio that I got a deal on a Mesa Quad instead. I got also several Rocktron, because of you too... of course these are in a different league but very usable too. Dozens of preamps/amps over here to test to, so if you ever come overseas (South France) you could test all of them ha ha ha Kudos to you dude !
Congrats on the quad!!
Whoa finally a PRS bridge showing more raw brass than mine. You got some hours and that guitar!!!
Hahaha yep this thing has been thrashed