PreSonus MP20 worth buying

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deepwater

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I have a Soundcraft M8 mixer now and I want to buy some other pres. I've also he Joemeek 3Q and was looking at the MP20. I think this is a clean pre much like my Soundcraft. I don't want to buy what I've all ready have.

Is the PreSonus MP20 an improvment over my Soundcraft pres?
 
Why not just buy an fmr rnp? They are around the same price as the mp20, and the rnp will unquestionably be better than your soundcraft. The mp20 gets some decent reviews, but I've never heard anyone give it the same type of glowing remarks that you hear about the rnp. I've never personally used the mp20, but every other piece of presonus gear I've used didn't impress me much. Just get an rnp and be done with it.
 
How about the M-Audio Tampa. I can get on of those for only $335.00
 
Well I don't have an RNP, but I did just pick up an MP20, so I can give a review of it:

First off I don't regard them as directly comparable because it's easier to get used MP20s and I don't buy anything new. Used RNPs are hardly discounted at all, so the used MP20 is about $125 cheaper.

There are no worries about wallwarts or rackmounts. Ultimately those aren't sound considerations, but such practical matters are important to me. It would be tough for me to accomodate wallwarts in my rack setup. It also has many more LEDs on its meter than an RNP which is nice but not essential.

Anyway, the unit has a couple of other clever features: a stereo bus & a headphone amp. I wouldn't want that on every preamp I have, or even most of them, but it's nice to have on one unit since I only have a virtual patchbay. I can try out mics, guitars, stereo mic patterns, etc. without firing up the entire rack.

It also has one totally useless feature: the IDSS control. Supposedly this give you a tube-like sound. Full disclosure: I am a fan of cheap tube pres for guitar DI. The IDSS does not sound like a cheap tube pre, it sounds like a Poo control. Instead of adding musical harmonic distortion, it subtracts high end in a very displeasing fashion. Thank you, but the tone control on my guitar works just fine.

Basically the unit generates a nice clean sound. Great as a bass DI, tight low end. Not so good as a guitar DI (I prefer my tewbs!), at least with my LP. Probably OK for a Tele.

Unfortunately I have my favored vocal mic, the SM7, out on loan, so I reserve comment on vocals. I tried a KSM33, SM57, and MD421, but I sound bad on all those mics. I accurately heard myself as a combo of Neil Young and Axl Rose. Did it make the SM57 sound like a great mic? A little I guess. I'm not sure I can be objective about that.

So instead I plugged in an SM81 and moved on to steel string guitar. That was very nice, very accurate. I hit +28dB on the meter several times without clipping. Next I tried digeridoo, also successful. Now the SM81 is undoubtedly a great mic and to me just always sounds good unless somebody starts singing. The MP20 didn't muck it up at all.

Basically I would describe this pre as having little to no character (unless you turn up the Poo control). The character of the mics was very obvious. It has a number of handy features. If you are looking for a warm preamp or a sparkly one, this isn't it. I'd describe it as more of a workhorse, which is the role it will play in my studio.


Note: the unit I bought is 1999, and has Jensen transformers. I've heard newer units use something else but I don't know if that's true or if it makes a difference.
 
mp20 worth buying

Im new here to posting, although I've used this as a source for getting info about gear.
Here's my 2 cents on the Presonus MP 20

I bought one on Ebay for 300 bucks,
My studio consists of an alesis studio 32 console that I use mainly to monitor back. I use MOTU 1224's to get into the computer and Sonar to track.
I have a Joe Meek VC3, that I dont care for. It's OK for snare drum, the little eq section adds some grit to the mix.

I have rented API's and the likes for years, the MP 20 in my humble opinion is OK, seems to be clean. The IDSS is something I dont use, Im sure theres a use for it, I havent found it yet.
I record commercial jingles/country demos/rock demos here in nashville.
When recording's are critical I rent API's or Neve pre's. I also like the tube tech cl1b for vocal.
Anyway, the mp20 is worth buying used, Im happy with the sound of them on just about everything. The drums are more focused than the pre's in my Alesis, much cleaner too. I have noticed though, a few years ago I had a session that I used API 312's on the vocal, sounded good at the time, I listened to the mix recently and hated it! I recorded some stuff with the mp20 that sounds better, most of it is in the knowing how to use what you have.
Hope this helps, sorry for the long first post.........

Makes
 
The early MP20's that had the Jensen transformer are reputed to be better.

I doubt the current ones will be any better than your 3Q,
which is also a nice pre.

Chris
 
chessparov said:
The early MP20's that had the Jensen transformer are reputed to be better.

I doubt the current ones will be any better than your 3Q,
which is also a nice pre.

Chris
Click to expand...

There are two mods that can be done on the newer MP20s. First, there's a Burr Brown op amp swap. Seond, you can replace the trannys with Jensens. John Rice's website has the details. Supposed to improve the MP20 quite a bit.
 
John Rice website?

Where can I find this website for John Rice?
 
sdelsolray said:
There are two mods that can be done on the newer MP20s. First, there's a Burr Brown op amp swap. Seond, you can replace the trannys with Jensens. John Rice's website has the details. Supposed to improve the MP20 quite a bit.
Click to expand...

The MP20 has 5534s, which aren't horrible. I don't think Rice's site mentions an opamp swap, but I did find one thread where a guy swapped them for OPA627s. That's like an $18 opamp, which is $72 of opamps plus the cost of Jensens if you need those too. OPA134 might be a little saner in terms of cost. I haven't tried this mod, but since the total cost would be about $10, it might go in the next Digikey order. Opamps in the MP20 are socket mount.

Jensen part # in the old MP20 is JT-11K8-APC, which is $47 on the Jensen site.
 
mp 20 upgrades

Thanks for the info on the John Rice site
I found it very helpful and am thinking about putting some burr browns in my mp 20.

Makes
 
if your nice to some manufacturers you can get samples of op amps to try.
i dont know if this will work but possibly talk to maxim semiconductors and
also analog devices. the latter makes the ad797 op amp which is a part used in many high end pieces. just email the customer engineering support group.
and ask for drop in replacement for 5534.
also be aware ive found audible differences between different 5534's.
maybe you might try different ones as op amps come in various grades.
 
mp20 worth buying

Thanks again for the great info,
I contacted a few companies and they are sending samples. FREE!!
Thats awesome.

Anyway, I just got a DBX 160A compressor. I plugged my bass guitar into it and the presonus mp20, WOW what a difference. I had been using my Alesis 3630.
I also have recorded drums (Im a drummer by trade) with the mp20 and they sound very good, clean.
I think Im going to save up for a Brent Averil (API) 312 for vocal.
I getting another mp20 for drums, Ill have 4 pre's for drums. And the API 312for Vocal, I think, I may go for a little more color, like the Brent Averil 1272.
Im still undecided at this point.

If your thinking about an mp20 and can get one for around 3 bills or less its well worth it. Especially with the ability to tinker with it, makes it more appealing.

Makes
 
makes said:
Thanks again for the great info,
I contacted a few companies and they are sending samples. FREE!!
Thats awesome.

Anyway, I just got a DBX 160A compressor. I plugged my bass guitar into it and the presonus mp20, WOW what a difference. I had been using my Alesis 3630.
I also have recorded drums (Im a drummer by trade) with the mp20 and they sound very good, clean.
I think Im going to save up for a Brent Averil (API) 312 for vocal.
I getting another mp20 for drums, Ill have 4 pre's for drums. And the API 312for Vocal, I think, I may go for a little more color, like the Brent Averil 1272.
Im still undecided at this point.

If your thinking about an mp20 and can get one for around 3 bills or less its well worth it. Especially with the ability to tinker with it, makes it more appealing.

Makes
Click to expand...

Jim Williams of Audio Upgrades does mods on the DBX 160.
 
mp20 upgrade

I just got my OPA627A op amps in the mail, plopped em' in the mp20, only one channel to start so that I can A/B with the stock presonus op amps.

Heres what I found:

A male vocal (rather thin sounding in his natural singing voice)
I used an Audio Technica 4033
No compression, just want to hear the pre for this test
The OP627A was noticeably warmer, punchier on the bottom end.
More warm color so to speak.

The stock presonus has a very clear tone, not bad in any way, just a little thinner. I have not recorded drums yet with the new op amps.
Ill post my opinion when I do.


Thanks again for the cool info regarding mp20's
NOTE: If you cant get a good recording with this pre, you better get another job or hobby!

Peace....
 
mp 20 upgrades

Do you if the OPA 134 ends with a PA?
Im looking at Texas Instruments page for them, they have 'em but the numer is OPA134PA, along with several other options.

Thanks,
Ruben
 
makes said:
Do you if the OPA 134 ends with a PA?
Im looking at Texas Instruments page for them, they have 'em but the numer is OPA134PA, along with several other options.

Thanks,
Ruben
Click to expand...

That's just the packaging. P is for the 8 pin DIP, U is for surface mount. The A in TI nomenclature usually means audio I think, but the 34 series (134, 2134, 4134) is specifically for audio so all of 'em might be As.
 
OK, tried out the OPA134. Vast improvement over the 5534s. Not quite night and day, but definitely twilight and day.

I tried bass DI, guitar DI, and an SM81 on percussion and nylon string guitar, monitored through the MP20's headphone amp in Sony MDR-V600 cans. For all sources the OPAs had clearer highs, tighter bass, and faster response, very noticeable crispness on attack. In comparison the 5534s sounded soft, muddy on lows, and thin on highs. I wouldn't describe the OPA as warmer, to me that means pleasing distortion or a low-mid boost which is not present at all with either opamp. With the OPA, it's simply a full, well defined signal that preserves all of the natural overtones of the source.

I definitely recommend this upgrade.
 
mp20 upgrades

I got my OPA 134's and installed on 1 channel, have not listened to them yet.

I did record drums using the BB 627's, I gotta say that this is an excellent mic pre for drums with this upgrade. My mp20 has the presonus transformers not the Jensens, Im not going to change them out, Im happy with this setup.
I bought another DBX 160A that makes 2! Drums and bass are definatley an improvement at my studio. I've been looking at several high end pres and cant decide on what to buy. I wanted to spend 1K but I think I may go the extra and get the Daking 52270B with EQ. Which will total about 1400 w/ps

I look forward to hearing the 1134's tomorrow.
I'll post my thoughts when I give them a listen.


Makes
 
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