ADA Depot - A Forum To Support Users of ADA Amplification Gear
Miscellaneous => Discussions => Topic started by: MarshallJMP on June 09, 2022, 05:58:57 AM
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Well today I went to see Willy, the former ADA importer of ADA gear. He called me a few weeks ago saying he was retiring and he had some new NOS ADA gear lying around he wanted to get rid off. So I asked what he still had lying around and send me a list. So today I left to collect it and I'm one happy bird right now. Here's what I got.
B200S
B500B
Microfet 100
Microtube 100
T100S
Microcab
Microcab
MP2 x2
MP1
STD1 x2
MP2 110V
DIGITIZER 4
AMPULATOR
MXC pack
CCP
QUAD SWITCH x2
DS4
DM-2
QUADTUBE 150M
GRUNDORF CASE x2
Box of parts
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Ever seen a gold ADA sticker? Found it in the digitizer box
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Also found a MB-1 V2.05 factory preset settings chart. I'll try to scan it and send it to Dante so he can post it somewhere.
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Some other pics.
Found some brand new MP-1 frontpanels. Also some parts I can use very well. Too bad nothing for the MP-2. Was hoping for some spare parts and transformers. Did find some MP-1 transformers and a ampulator transformer. Also some other docs I will scan.
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You hit the GOLD MINE!
I'm jealous :lol:
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Yeah, my collection has expanded a bit ;D
Have been playing with the quad tube a bit, it's really good, it looks like a mp-2 but it has some chorus presets that the mp-2 doesn't have. Chorus sounds really good. It does have a microphonic tube I need to replace for the rest it seems to work fine. Got a lot of testing to do. :facepalm:
Also found out that one the MP-2's is the first one ever made, it has serial number 500001 8)
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Cool stuff!!!
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Holy Smokes!!!
I believe you now hold the largest repository of ADA gear in the world (I can neither confirm nor deny the validity of that statement)
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:whoohoo!: :thumb-up: What a score
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:whoohoo!: :thumb-up: What a score
Yeah I was lucky (my wallet isn't ::) ), he still has a bunch of rane gear lying around. Also asked a list, maybe some interesthing stuff there too.
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Holy Smokes!!!
I believe you now hold the largest repository of ADA gear in the world (I can neither confirm nor deny the validity of that statement)
Maybe I do, not sure, maybe there is a bigger ADA nutcase somewhere in the world. Seems I have it all except for the Harmony synthesizer, the tritube 75 and those snake combo's. Also missing a 4x4 midi pedal but he told me he had one lying around, he just needs to find it. I hope he does.
We also talked a bit about ADA, it seems he went there every year when he visited apogee. Told me it was a rough neighborhood. He almost bought ADA when they were going bankrupt but in the end the deal fell through. Also asked him about those combo's, if he ever imported some, but he didn't. He felt it was too dangerous since he first had to pay to get them. Else there was not enough money too produce them. That was late '96 or '97, he couldn't remember correctly.
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WOW!
I can vouch for the QuadTube; some really cool things about that amp. I wish I would've kept it... :-[ But unfortunately, I sold it in order to fund some other thing I thought I really needed at the time. :facepalm: It's in good hands though.
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Have been playing with the quad tube a bit, it's really good, it looks like a mp-2 but it has some chorus presets that the mp-2 doesn't have. Chorus sounds really good.
Hey MJMP,
Do you think any of these presets could be programmed into the MP-2? If they can, and you think they're that cool, then please share :thumb-up:
I'd like to get my hands on a Quad Tube someday, but I'll be honest. As far as combo amps go, it'll be hard pressed to top my Fender Cyber Twin. When you dial that amp in it sounds downright deadly ;D
Harley 8)
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The thing is that the chorus in the QT has modes, Rock I, II, III and Jazz I, II, III. These don't exist in the MP-2 and it's not just software but also the hardware is different.
I attached the manual, on page 34 and 35 you will find an explanation what those modes do. It's quite nice, gives it another dimension.
I also saw in the schematics the QT works on a higher tube voltage (220V vs 190V), this also seems to affect the sound.
I just checked it out and that cyber twin also sounds nice, I think that they are build with approx the same idea in mind as the QT. But they will sound different. And the QT doesn't have build effects like delays, reverb etc.
Just had a look at the schematics of the cyber, does it have motorized pots?
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Yes, the Cyber Twin has motorized pots in the amp section only. The Cyber Deluxe doesn't have those, but both amps work the same way. When you change to a different preset, the sound changes instantly, so it doesn't morph or ramp into the next preset. That's more about looks than it is function.
It's true they will sound different, but then again, they SHOULD sound different. Speaking of sounds, all the factory presets that come in the CT sound like :poop: You have to go into edit mode with any preset sound you want to work with and flip one of the speakers out of phase before it will sound like a real amplifier. Then it comes alive and you can basically edit it to make it sound like something you can work with in a band situation.
I see what you mean about the chorus effect, I don't believe the MP-2 has that variable LFO feature like the QT does. That makes me even more curious about it. If I ever see one of those QT's at a decent price, I'll probably pick it up.
I also see in the flow chart that it shows the tube section as a "Class A" amp section. This part of the preamp should be the same as the MP-2, and the higher voltage in the QT should allow for more headroom in each of the tube voices.
BTW, the Cyber Twin came out after ADA went bankrupt. I believe the year was 1999 when it was introduced. I wasn't quite the same as the concept ADA built on. With ADA, you coud basically built your sound from the ground up to any degree the preamp allowed you to. So in effect, you sort of designed your own amp sound within the operational parameters that ADA built into the preamps.
With Fender, their concept was to be able to call up specific amp circuits that ranged from early vintage amps to modern high gain amps, and be able to tweak within the parameters of those amp circuits. In a way, this is more limiting than what you could do with ADA. As for the effects in the CT, I find that much more limited than in the Cyber Deluxe. You still have the same three groups of effects to choose from, (Modulation, Delay, and Reverb), but many of these are already set up as groups of effects with limited adjustments to each effect. If you are building an amp tone of your own, and wish to add effects to it, then it seems like you can only add one of the effects from one of the three groups. I'm still learning the amp though, so maybe there's a way to create my own effect group, I just don't know what it is yet. With the Cyber Deluxe, I can create a basic amp tone, then add any one, or all of the available effects to whatever degree I choose. You can definitely go on a deep dive with that amplifier, and it sounds great with factory or User preset programs. No matter which amp I'm using, both sound like super-sweet real time amplifiers, and not like modeling amplifiers which you can tell from the real thing right away. That's why I've kept these. If you couldn't see these amps onstage, you wouldn't know it was something like this.
From what I understand about these amplifiers, they are actual analogue amp circuits, but the effects are all digital. For me, that's a great setup :thumb-up: Fender claims this is what set these amps apart from modeling amplifiers.
Since you understand the circuits when you look at the schematics, maybe you can confirm this?
Harley 8)
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Holy Moly!
This is what dreams are made of! What an epic score, I'm quite impressed and envious of four true rarities (at least to me) listed on your tally.
1)Microfet 100
2)T100S
3|)STD1 x2 (srsly)
4)Box of parts
What a truly epic and unique sitiuation.. *SIGHS* WISH IT HAD BEEN ME ;)
Congrats MJMP
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I see what you mean about the chorus effect, I don't believe the MP-2 has that variable LFO feature like the QT does. That makes me even more curious about it. If I ever see one of those QT's at a decent price, I'll probably pick it up.
That Chorus feature was exclusive to the QuadTube. I don't have a TriTube info to confirm if that might have it as well, but the MP-2 does not have that Chorus feature. Wouldn't that be cool if one could just swap the QT firmware chip into the MP-2 and have it? I have no idea if it would be just that easy.....besides where TF would you find extra replacement firmware chips anyway...
But if you do get a chance to get a QT definitely do it! You wouldn't believe the cool extra features that amp has. Just look at all the jacks on the back......everything except the ability to plug in extension cabs. lol
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Very nice amp (looking through the manual), would love one (wouldn't we all LoL). The additional mono loop on the back is a nice touch. And it's a 240v model :whoohoo!:
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@Harley, yes you are correct there is a DSP chip in it for the effects but the "sound" is analog with tubes (as far as I can see there are 2 tubes ?). Is there also a SE version of these amps? I also saw it has a nice footswitch?
@David, yeah got really lucky, and they are all brand new.
@Kim, it's not software alone, but also they added some hardware too on the chorus circuit. An eprom swap with the MP-2 won't work.
@Rnolan, yes it's a very nice amp, especially for clean sounds.
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Hey MJMP,
Thank you for confirming that. I've wondered for years if that was just a load of sales hype, now I know. That's why it sounds so good.
The amp I have is the SE version. It's basically the same as the original but it just has a few added effects to it like a tube screamer for example, plus a few others. Overall, for a combo amp it packs serious tonal punch, and the built-in effects make it easier to use at a gig. The amp comes with a single button footswitch, and a 4 button footswitch. The single button switch lets you bypass the effects on any preset. The 4 button switch lets you recall four of your favorite presets that you can save in a special memory slot in the amp.
There is also a huge MIDI footswitch controller, (purchased separately), and I have two of those also. It's easily the biggest production MIDI controller pedal ever made, but it does work with both of my Fender amps very well.
Oh yes, the CT does have two preamp tubes as well. The Cyber Deluxe does not, but it sounds just as good if not better. Between these two Fender rigs, I can basically have my full rig at any gig and I don't need a truck to haul it around. Don't get me wrong, I love my ADA gear, but just my effects rack alone is the size of a small refrigerator, (all ADA effects). Then add the 8 Split Stack cabs, and the racks that have the preamps and power amps, then connect all the stuff together....it's just not so practical for a live gig. (Unless someone is paying me a lot of money to pay for the roadies who would haul and set it up :lol: )
If I ever see a QT for sale that's priced reasonably, I will pick it up. I'd like to find one with the accessories, but I won't hold my breath.
Harley 8)
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Well I also found a schematic of a big controller, must be the big one you are talking about.
Just downloaded the service manual for the cyber deluxe, don't see any tubes. But it also makes me wonder if it's all analog. Going to study the schematics in the weekend just to make sure, I just had a quick glance at them.
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According to Sam Marshall, who was working for Fender at the time, and spent a year and a half helping design this amp, The CD is like the CT in the respect that it has the same analogue amplifier circuits in it, but all the effects are digital through the DSP.
I've gotten a lot of compliments about the tones that come out of that amp, but then again, I should also point out that I use mine with my old Vibrolux Reverb that is plugged into the expander output. So, there IS an actual tube amp tone with that rig. What's really nice about that rig is that all the stereo effects are now split to the left and right amplifiers, so the further apart I place the amps, the bigger the stereo field. I find that placing one amp on either side of the drum riser to be an ideal setup. (Plus, the panning delays really mess with the drummer's head).
Both the CD and CT have their pros and cons, and the Cyber Foot Controller does have one major con IMHO, and that's the volume pedal. It goes to the Master Volume on both amplifiers which I think is completely useless. It should go to the Input level pot which is labeled "Trim." That would be how a guitar player would use a volume pedal. I've asked a few techs if they might be willing to modify that pedal in the amp circuitry, but no one seems to be willing to try.
Harley 8)
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Hey Harley, I use the MP-2 stereo master volume with the expression pedal which (I'm sure you know) controls the MP-2 outputs. I like it that way. If you put one up front it will reduce your input gain (akin to rolling the vol pot on your guitar), so good if that's what you want to do. I spose I could do that with the MP-2 by assigning the pedal to OD1 (or my 2nd pedal and have both), but that would need to be assigned in each patch. Has the amp got any CC functionality? e.g. can you assign the pedal to any other parameters?
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I use the master volume output of the G force, but I like to control the output volume with my foot.
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I use the master volume output of the G force, but I like to control the output volume with my foot.
That's the same as MikeB does with his MP-1 > GMaj, and controls output with pedal on his FCB1010.
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@Harley, from what I can see the signal comes in and splits to a level meter and a compressor (?), from there it goes into a codec (and from there to the DSP), comes out the codec into the tubesection and from there to the effects loop, goes back into a second codec (to do some more dsp ?) comes out from the second codec to the power amps. So tone controls are also DSP based. This is for the cyber twin. I'll have a look at the other one tomorrow.
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@Richard: I've tried that with the MP-2, and it's not the same as the CT. I didn't much care for the way that works. By using the volume pedal on the input with a dynamic amp, the amp will clean up as you back the volume off. The MP-2 isn't that dynamic in that sense.
With the CT, it is more dynamic that way, but I have to use an external volume pedal. The volume pedal on the Fender controller is not assignable, the other pedal is, but as far as volume, it's only assignable to the master once again. I usually assign the CC pedal for modulation speed control with the vibe programs, and delay time, or feedback control with one of the delay programs. Time control with the digital panning delays actually controls the speed of the delays panning. Feedback I use with one of the Tape delay programs which can send the delay into feedback oscillation, and back it down again. Pretty cool.
@MJMP: Is the Gmaj. in the effects loop or inline between the preamp and power amp? I've never used one of those, but I have a pretty good idea that it would produce a different dynamic response than just manipulating the master output of the preamp itself. I've done something similar with the Lexicon LXP-15 II, and it did have a different dynamic to it. By the way, from what I'm hearing with the volume control on the pedalboard, it seems to control the output of the power amp as opposed to the output of the preamp.
As far as the CT, yes there is a compressor, the same with the CD as well. I'm not sure what the codecs are, but as far as the loop goes, I'm not impressed with it. The loop seems to be the same as plugging into the input. Then again, with the built in effects, the loop isn't something I have a pressing need for in these amps. With the CT, all I need to do for stereo wide separation, is plug the line outs into my old tube Twins and set those apart to either side of the CT. That's a great tone there. With the CD, I use the old Vibrolux Reverb from the expansion output and get the same thing, but with no center amp.
Harley 8)
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The G force (not major) is the last rack before I go into the power amps. So yes between preamp and poweramp. I also use the G force for tuning mute, not with the volume pedal but with an assigned CC like you can do in the MP-2.
Codec = coder/decoder, in this case you "could" call it a sort of soundcard, sound comes in gets coded goes to some processing and comes back out decoded. So a sort of AD/DA converter but a bit more complex.
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The G force (not major) is the last rack before I go into the power amps. So yes between preamp and poweramp. I also use the G force for tuning mute, not with the volume pedal but with an assigned CC like you can do in the MP-2.
Codec = coder/decoder, in this case you "could" call it a sort of soundcard, sound comes in gets coded goes to some processing and comes back out decoded. So a sort of AD/DA converter but a bit more complex.
Sorry about that GMaj. thing, it must be my old age creeping up on me
The codec makes me wonder though. Maybe that's how they decided was the best way to re-route the EQ from Pre to Post gain? There seems to be multiple EQ shelves from the older to the modern amp circuits.
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No worries ;D
Yes they can do it that way with using 2 codecs, pre and post is possible.
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Yes they can do it that way with using 2 codecs, pre and post is possible.
I don't about using two codecs for the EQ routing, I think the second codec may be for the speaker cab emulations, and the speaker polarities, and then the stereo processing outputs maybe? There is a lot packed into this amp.
No matter, it does sound very realistic and organic as a stand alone amp, (unless you go goofy with the effects).
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The codes don't process anything, they just convert digital signals into analog signals and vice versa.
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I realize the codecs don't do any processing, that's not what I was thinking of. I was thinking that maybe one DSP might be handling the EQ routing, (Pre and Post Distortion) as well as the Cab sims since that is also EQ related. It may also be where it sets up the circuit path for the particular amp you've selected.
In your earlier post, you said the signal goes into the 1st codec from the Trim pot which makes sense, since that is supposed to be where you set the level of the guitar before analog to digital conversion. Then, it comes out of that codec and into the tube section, which is where you adjust your gain level according to the amp type, (and gain threshold), you selected. Then it goes to another DSP from there, by way of another codec, which I'm guessing would be where the effects are in the circuit path before going to the poweramps.
I'm also reasonably certain that one or both of those DSP's have something to do with the utility controls in this amp as well, meaning the MIDI data, CC functions, expression pedal, and recording outputs, programming assignments, etc.
These amplifiers do a lot. Either way, whether these amps are typical modeling amps or a more complex version of a modeling amp, they still sound great, and I wouldn't be afraid to put either one of these rigs next to any tube amp rig and let it rip.
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There is only one DSP that does the processing of the sounds so it's not that each codec has it's own dsp.
Midi stuff, programs, expression pedal, controlling the pots (and reading the set values) is handled by a CPU (80C251), it also does handles the communication between the codecs and the dsp.
Is it a modeling amp, IMO yes but it also has a limited analog section with the comp and the tube circuit. And the power amp is also analog if you want to take that in account. If you want to compare it to the MP-2 the cyber twin is a mostly digital modeling amp while the MP-2 is an analog modeling amp but digitally controlled. The analog signal in the MP-2 is never digitized.
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Well that helps clear things up a bit. Most of what Fender was saying about this amp was really sales hype.
No...I would not dare to compare it to the MP-2 or any other ADA preamp for that matter. While I can put the CT next to any ADA rig I hook up at the moment, and both sound good, they don't sound the same.
The poweramp is it's own beast and does what a SS poweramp should do. What I was more interested in understanding was the preamp section and how it re-configures itself to emulate all these popular amplifiers, since that is where all the tones and tone shaping comes from. The preamp creates and shapes the tones, and the poweramp just amplifies that signal. That's the only common ground between the Fender and ADA gear in this instance.
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Yes they are just different doing more or less the same thing but with different technologie.
BTW got some new ADA stuff, see pics. A guy from black bridge sound made it and send it to me as a surprise and oh boy was I suprissed ;D
He also has an ADA rig and made a T shirt from it and send it to me.
Check them out on Youtube, it's a funny channel about home recording.
https://www.youtube.com/c/BlackBridgeSound
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HAH!
That IS cool! You've got to love how ADA owners come up with cool things no one else thinks of
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Oh so true ::)
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Yes they are just different doing more or less the same thing but with different technologie.
BTW got some new ADA stuff, see pics. A guy from black bridge sound made it and send it to me as a surprise and oh boy was I suprissed ;D
He also has an ADA rig and made a T shirt from it and send it to me.
Check them out on Youtube, it's a funny channel about home recording.
https://www.youtube.com/c/BlackBridgeSound
Hey that's a pretty sharp looking shirt right there! ;)
Glad you liked it! I still need to buy a couple pieces to complete that rig :lol:
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Those shirts are AWESOME!!