ADA MP-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Preamp (late-1980s / early-1990s)

I am on the fence about selling this, so the ad might get pulled. It is hard to beat but I am just not playing much these days. WILL ONLY SHIP WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL USA. Thanks

The legendary American-made rackmount preamp that defined the sound of late-’80s and early-’90s hard rock, shred, and hair metal. The ADA MP-1 combines two low-noise 12AX7 tubes (four gain stages) with full MIDI programmability, delivering the classic tones heard on records by Nuno Bettencourt, Paul Gilbert, Vito Bratta, Extreme, Skid Row, and countless LA studio rigs of the era.

Key Features

• Tri-state voicing per program: Distortion Tube, Clean Tube, or Solid State (the Solid State mode includes programmable compression).
• 128 user memories with three independent gain controls (OD1, OD2, and Master) plus a powerful 4-band EQ (Bass/Treble ±16 dB, Mid/Presence ±12 dB).
• Built-in fully programmable stereo analog chorus/doubler.
• Programmable effects loop with adjustable send/return levels.
• Full MIDI implementation (In/Out/Thru, program mapping, SysEx, etc.) — pairs perfectly with the original ADA MC-1 foot controller.
• Stereo outputs (switchable line/instrument level), front-panel instrument input, rear balanced input, and stereo headphone jack.
• 1U rack space, Made in USA.

Tone Character

Crystal-clear tube cleans that break up nicely when pushed, through to thick, punchy, presence-heavy high-gain distortion that sits perfectly in a mix. It’s the classic “modded Marshall on steroids” sound many players chased in the rack era — articulate, aggressive, and full of harmonic content — while the Solid State mode delivers a different, more compressed clean character. Extremely versatile for both live and studio use when paired with a good power amp (Marshall, Mesa, etc.) or modern IR/cab sim setups.

This is the real deal: the programmable tube preamp that was a studio and touring staple before digital modeling took over. Perfect for anyone chasing authentic 1980s–early-’90s rock/metal tones or looking to add a legendary piece of gear to a modern hybrid rig.

Condition notes: obviously used and has dings etc but works as it should

Includes foot-switch

A classic that still delivers.