Hello from Ecuador

[xdiaba]

Hi, I'm 33 years old, when had 21 I owned an MP-1 but it died 6 months later. One week ago I bought an mp1 in ebay and  now I'm just waiting to pick it up to try it again, after 12 years, I'm so nostalgic.

My actual rig is:

ENGl E530 (at the closet collecting dust)
Marshall JMP-1
Rocktron Velocity 100  :(
Tc Electronic Gmajor II
Cheap Furman

Could somebody suggest the best way to connect the Gmajor with mp1, now I'm running the Gmajor through JMP-1 loop, Could I do the same with mp1 with good results?

I'm looking for a nice 80's rock sound like Def Leppard, Skid Row, Racer X and the Versatility to play heavy stuffs like Metallica, Megadeth etc, I love the way that Marshall sounds, but it sounds just like Marshall (obviously) with a poor gain level.

(my appologies for my bad english, my native language is Spanish)

[rnolan]

Hi xdiaba, welcome to the depot.
You can run the G Maj in the MP1 loop (may be a bit tricky getting the levels right) or better between the MP1 and a stereo power amp to keep it stereo (sounds SO much better in stereo).
Eg: guitar > MP1 > MP1 out A > G Maj in L, MP1 out B > G Maj R, G Maj outs L/R to stereo power amp (SS or tube), > 2 x guitar cabs (or stereo guitar cab) (this will sound very good but you need a stereo power amp and some speaker cabs).

[rnolan]

BTW there are lots of good MP1 patches in the MP1 patches area (http://adadepot.com/index.php?board=29.0) to try out and plenty of MP1 users to share their experience.

[xdiaba]

Thanks rnolan,

I'm curious about the loop of mp-1, is it parallel or series?

[rnolan]

The MP1 loop is series and the level adjust knob is a dual ganged pot so turning the send up turns the return down at the some time to help keep unity gain.  Down side of the MP1 loop with the G Maj is you don't get the benefits of the stereo effects but if you place it between MP1 and power amp you do, either way you adjust wet/dry mix in the G Maj.  I never used the MP1 loop when I had one (now have MP2), and some here say it's quite tricky getting the level right with it.
Instead I use a small mixer, mine has 8 channels and 3 Aux (effects) sends so I can send Aux 1 and Aux 2 to L/R inputs of the effect device (I have a Quadverb) and return the effects L/R outs down 2 channels (or a stereo effect return) so:
MP1 A/B outs to mixer chan 1 & 2, Aux 1 & 2 to effect L/R ins, effect L/R outs to mixer chan 3 & 4 (don't turn up the Aux 1 & 2 on the return channels as it will feedback (send back to itself)), mixer outs L/R to power amp L/R ins (adjust effect(s) to be full wet and mix dry/effect levels with the mixer channel volumes).  If you had a small mixer with say 8 line inputs and 2 Aux sends you could plug all 3 of your preamps in and compare between them easily.  If you had 4 Aux sends you could also include your Rocktron, or with only 2 Aux sends, send Aux 1 to G Maj L in (mono), Aux 2 to Rocktron (mono) but then return both in stereo.  This is a bit more elaborate but works very well and makes it easier to get your gain structure right.

[MarshallJMP]

Hey Xdiaba

First welcome to the depot.

Rnolan has a point,i would either go for putting the G Maj after the Mp-1 (and avoid using the loop) or the mixer route.

[xdiaba]

Thank you guys.

[rnolan]

No worries, happy to help, let us know how you go when your MP1 arrives. BTW what power amp/speaker cabs are you using ?

[xdiaba]

Now I'm using a SS rocktron velocity 100 stereo power amp, it's not bad but is SS, I expect buy a Mesa fifty/fifty power soon. My cab is a 2x12 Jetcity with Eminence speakers, It is a small rig for home practice and jam around with friends.

[rnolan]

Clean transparent SS amps work well with ADA preamps, not that there's anything wrong with the Mesa 50/50 (although like most tube amps, it's heavy).

[xdiaba]

Ok, Could you help me with a tip for the valves?, how the unit works?, example: v1 for OD1 and v2 for OD2. What do you think about tube mix?, I mean if the main dist comes from the v1 I prefer choose a Tung Sol tube that has a tons of gain as a chinesse tube but with low noise and v2 usea a JJ for a warm tone, It is just a thought...

[rnolan]

Tubes choice is very subjective, personally, I'd put 2 New Sensor Mullard 12AX7s in it.  JJs also work very well (like the Ruby tested JJ or Boogie STRs) and are a popular choice for MP1. I haven't played around with different tubes in V1/2 but some other members have and may have some suggestions.  The best way is to try different tubes and see (hear) what you think (tube rolling) although you can end up with a drawer full of hardly used tubes  :( (http://www.dougstubes.com/preamp-tubes/12ax7-ecc83-7025.html)  The New Sensor TUNG-SOL reissues look good but I haven't tried them (http://www.dougstubes.com/brands/tung-sol-tubes/tung-sol-12ax7-re-issue.html).  Your idea for a TUNG-SOL in V1 and a JJ in V2 is certainly worth a try.

[xdiaba]

Thanks rnolan  :thumb-up:

[rnolan]

No worries, let us know how you get on, we're all keen to learn from others experience with various tube choices.

[xdiaba]

Hi guys, any thoughts about Ruby 12ax7ac5 hg+ tubes?