A Designs MP-2A Stereo Tube Preamp, from A Designs

We got our hand on an MP series mic pre early on in late 2002 when the name A Designs Audio was virtually unheard of, and lined the MP in A/B tests and recording sessions with over 20 of the hottest mic pres on the market. The MP runs 6NI-P and EF86 tubes with a Jensen input transformer on the front-end and a custom-wound output transformer, which yields stunning sound quality with serious bass response and a warm, airy top end typical of great tube mic pres.

We don't find the MP to be overly colored. In tracking sessions, any source that sounded too thin has gotten the MP treatment. The introduction of a good tube design adds even-order harmonics mostly in the area of seconds and fourths. This occurs in nature and is what makes ours ears define a sound as "pleasing." In DI listening sessions with a Lakland Bass through over 20 pres, the MP rose to the top of the pack and was among the favorite of several engineers and was chosen as the best pre by the bass player. On synth/workstation sessions, the MP was used to thicken otherwise thin piano and pad sounds. The MP has also become a first choice for vocals. In our reviewing the MP series mic pres we wanted to see the 1/4" DI on the front rather than in the back. A Designs honored our request and all their mic pres since 2003 include DI jacks on the front. We sounded the word about A Designs Audio early and loud, and have been as pleased to see these great all-tube mic pres growing in popularity - and getting the recognition they deserve.

Peter has added some key features such as: a -20dB Pad Switch, selectable tone switches, which allows you to create 4 different tones per channel. Also, the new output gain standard of the MP1-A and MP-2A Series is now 60 dB! Perfect for the new generation of Ribbon Microphones.

The MP2A has all of the great clean sounds achieveable with the original MP2, but also adds sine significant tonal variation, and the ability to make the preamp more colored, bigger, and rounder by utilizing the tone switches mentioned above.

*Input Impedance: 1.4k Ohm

*Gain Range: 60 dB

*Noise (EIN): -128 dB

*Mic Phantom Power: 48 Volt, Switchable

*Mic Input Phase: 0-180? Switchable

*Instrument Jack Input: dual XLR rear plus dual 1/4" front

*Input Impedance: Min > 100k Ohm

*Balanced Output: dual XLR

*Output Impedance: 600 Ohm Switchable to 10k

*Maximum Level: +22 dBu

*Output: Low-Z, transformer-balanced

*Frequency Response: 28 Hz - 60k Hz

*Distortion (THD): .08 @ 1 Khz

*Power Requirements: 100/120/230 VAC - 42 Watts

*Dimensions: (W x H x D) 19" x 3.5" x 10" 482 x 89 x 254 mm

*Weight: 18 lbs. (6.8 kg)

The MP-2A is a true tube-in, tube-out stereo microphone pre-amplifier based on the celebrated MP-2 from A-Designs Audio.

The new "A" series has many modifications incorporated from the original MP Series. Some of the newer features include a -20dB Pad Switch, selectable tone switches, which allows you to create 4 different tones per channel. Also, the new output gain standard of the MP1-A and MP-2A Series is now 60 dB! Perfect for the new generation of Ribbon Microphones.

Utilizing world class input transformers by Jensen and custom designed output transformers for the lowest noise level and highest quality sound, the MP-2A brings the warmth and richness of analog to your recordings while maintaining a crystal clear spectrum of sound. The MP-2 is a professional class preamp for use on a variety of sources, and includes rear panel instrument and front panel line level inputs.

It delivers warmth, transparency, and a quality sound with a clean and airy high end like only a high quality all-tube pre-amp can