Just got my MP-1, entering the world of rack guitar gear.

[DesolationBlvd]

Having completed my synth setup, I'm now going back towards the guitar world. But I needed two things: silent recording and preset storage. The A/DA MP-1 was at the top of my list, and after missing out on one deal and then having another deal fall through, I made an offer on one in a lot with a Microcab, both in excellent shape from the original owner. In the meantime, a Marshall JMP-1 popped up, and sold from under me right afterwards, for quite a bit less. But I'm glad I went with the MP-1, because the JMP-1 had a "JCM900" character that wasn't doing it for me. A Quadraverb as would be era correct, and a Yamaha MEP4 so I can use my organ-style pedals to switch patches complete the rack.

While I wish I had an Ampulator to get the power amp response, or that my Microcab was a Monstercab* so I could use a real power amp into it, I'm overall happy with the sound for now. And going from a chorused clean with echo to a dry chugging rhythm just makes me feel more powerful.

I just now found an MC-1 with the 7 pin cable on eBay just as they were running a Bonus Bucks promotion, so the MEP4 will be out. More room for a power amp in the future.

*and it's too bad I'll have to ship to Europe since the mod is not sold as a kit.

[Harley Hexxe]

Welcome to the Depot

       You're off to a good start. MJMP can mod your Microcab to a Monstercab, which if I understand it correctly, just turns the original Microcab into a Microcab II. It's definitely cool to get the character of your poweramp into the direct mix.

Harley  8)

[rnolan]

Hey DesolationBlvd, welcome to the depot  :thumb-up: .  Seems you have the essentials of a good recording rig going  :thumb-up:

[DesolationBlvd]

Welcome to the Depot

       You're off to a good start. MJMP can mod your Microcab to a Monstercab, which if I understand it correctly, just turns the original Microcab into a Microcab II. It's definitely cool to get the character of your poweramp into the direct mix.

Harley  8)

...yeah, I don't have a power amp yet. I'd need a stereo cabinet, or better yet the original A/DA Split Stack. Rather unfeasible in an apartment.

Not going to lie, Skid Row's "18 and Life" sold me on the MP-1. How they went from a chorused clean to a crushing lead in one shift amazed me.

[Harley Hexxe]

Welcome to the Depot

       You're off to a good start. MJMP can mod your Microcab to a Monstercab, which if I understand it correctly, just turns the original Microcab into a Microcab II. It's definitely cool to get the character of your poweramp into the direct mix.

Harley  8)

...yeah, I don't have a power amp yet. I'd need a stereo cabinet, or better yet the original A/DA Split Stack. Rather unfeasible in an apartment.

Not going to lie, Skid Row's "18 and Life" sold me on the MP-1. How they went from a chorused clean to a crushing lead in one shift amazed me.

I live in an apartment, and I have 8 Split-Stack cabs. Good luck trying for find those anymore, I'm still looking for two bottoms.

    Popular opinions don't seem to favor stereo 4x12 cabs though, I can understand why. You can't get the separation or the wide stereo image that way.

Harley 8)

[DesolationBlvd]

Welcome to the Depot

       You're off to a good start. MJMP can mod your Microcab to a Monstercab, which if I understand it correctly, just turns the original Microcab into a Microcab II. It's definitely cool to get the character of your poweramp into the direct mix.

Harley  8)

...yeah, I don't have a power amp yet. I'd need a stereo cabinet, or better yet the original A/DA Split Stack. Rather unfeasible in an apartment.

Not going to lie, Skid Row's "18 and Life" sold me on the MP-1. How they went from a chorused clean to a crushing lead in one shift amazed me.

I live in an apartment, and I have 8 Split-Stack cabs. Good luck trying for find those anymore, I'm still looking for two bottoms.

    Popular opinions don't seem to favor stereo 4x12 cabs though, I can understand why. You can't get the separation or the wide stereo image that way.

Harley 8)

I'm about to move to a new apartment, and thankfully this one is first floor. So I'd be better off with a pair of 1x12s than a stereo cab when the time comes...

I've also got the Sonic Maximizer on the way for opening up the tone when I'm going straight into the Microcab.

[Harley Hexxe]

I'm about to move to a new apartment, and thankfully this one is first floor. So I'd be better off with a pair of 1x12s than a stereo cab when the time comes...

I've also got the Sonic Maximizer on the way for opening up the tone when I'm going straight into the Microcab.

I have an Aphex Type C, which is the same thing as the Sonic Maximizer, and I like it for live applications at lower stage volumes. It works great for that. In recording situations though it seems to kill a lot of the dynamics. It definitely trims out the bass and low mids.

Just sayin'

[DesolationBlvd]

And the Sonic Maximizer arrived yesterday after mail delays. And after all that, it was louder in one channel. Calibrated it, and now it provides that last bit of openness I was missing. No problems with bass, the low contour takes care of that.