Mooer Micro Preamps: still decent?

[Zado]

Hi everyone, I'm joining a very basic heavy metal project for some gigs with friends - nothing serious or long lasting - and I honestly don't want to carry the whole 2x12/amp setup to the rehearsal room... I'm a die hard tube amp guy tho, the only digital stuff I've been dealing with in my life is a laptop with amplitube 4-5, I've no experience with modelers and I don't really feel like starting now with IR download and stuff.

Now, I recall the Mooer Micro preamps being quite hyped some years ago, as they were cheap (even more now), very portable and fine sounding, but are they still decent compared to, say, 100-300 USD digital gear now?
Also, is it possible to put em at the end of an analog board with other ODs, delays and stuff and still go into a mixer?

Thanks guys!

 

[tjnx]

I had the 005 Brown sound and have played the 800, both are good but I think the 005 is best for just distorted tones. It will work fine with your analog stuff but you probably should get a DI if you're going to do a long run to the board.

However I would spend a bit more and get a Tonex one + if / when its available. There will be many more tones that sound just as good if not better. Just because you are going direct doesn't mean your tone will work through that particular room or pa setup. Certain patches sound better with different speakers so if you can spend a little more I think it would be worth it to have more options at your disposal.

If you want used and cheap then the Mooers are great. You'll need at lest 300ma on your power supply, I just used a one spot wall wart.

 

[bubbastain]

I had a couple of them when they came out. They sounded pretty good and had a cute/collectible thing going for them but there are way better options now.
This is 100X better.

https://a.co/d/0iDbIWcj

 

[rsm]

I have the Mooer Prime P1, replaced it with the Mooer P2, both using the 4-button footswitch.

I emailed them and said why not put the P1 into footswitch, maybe they listened, because after the P2, they released the Prime S1 = P2 in the 4-button footswitch, all-in-one

the sounds are better than I expected; the app is well designed, I don't gig anymore, but I run it into a powered PA with subs, and it sounds great.

You can get this on AliExpress for like $80 now, I think I paid even less when it was released.

worth a look, effects are good too. Stereo outs.

https://www.mooeraudio.com/products/201.html

 

[Zado]

I had the 005 Brown sound and have played the 800, both are good but I think the 005 is best for just distorted tones. It will work fine with your analog stuff but you probably should get a DI if you're going to do a long run to the board.

However I would spend a bit more and get a Tonex one + if / when its available. There will be many more tones that sound just as good if not better. Just because you are going direct doesn't mean your tone will work through that particular room or pa setup. Certain patches sound better with different speakers so if you can spend a little more I think it would be worth it to have more options at your disposal.

If you want used and cheap then the Mooers are great. You'll need at lest 300ma on your power supply, I just used a one spot wall wart.

I've found a used 009/Engl Blackmore for around 40€ (which translates in 35-40$ by today's standards), and I'm kinda tempted. I should probably get a DI box too, just in case, but being the room quite small It wouldn't likely be needed for now I guess.

The Tonex Plus looks like a badass option, but it's likely gonna cost around 230-300€ which is more than I wanted to spend for something that will likely find a place in the wardrobe as soon as the "project" meets its end. I mean I can get a nice chorus pedal instead

I had a couple of them when they came out. They sounded pretty good and had a cute/collectible thing going for them but there are way better options now.
This is 100X better.

View attachment 446218

https://a.co/d/0iDbIWcj

I have the Mooer Prime P1, replaced it with the Mooer P2, both using the 4-button footswitch.

I emailed them and said why not put the P1 into footswitch, maybe they listened, because after the P2, they released the Prime S1 = P2 in the 4-button footswitch, all-in-one


View attachment 446225


the sounds are better than I expected; the app is well designed, I don't gig anymore, but I run it into a powered PA with subs, and it sounds great.

You can get this on AliExpress for like $80 now, I think I paid even less when it was released.

worth a look, effects are good too. Stereo outs.

https://www.mooeraudio.com/products/201.html

Honestly I had zero idea this thing existed. Looks super fancy too! Can this be considered in another league compared to the Micro Preamps for sound and dynamics - considering I don't need more than a clean and dirt channel so flexibility's not an issue?

The Valeton GP-5 seems well priced too, not sure about the stock sounds tho (Youtube vids sound fantastic as they always do, so I don't consider that an evidence).

 

[rsm]

I've found a used 009/Engl Blackmore for around 40€ (which translates in 35-40$ by today's standards), and I'm kinda tempted. I should probably get a DI box too, just in case, but being the room quite small It wouldn't likely be needed for now I guess.

The Tonex Plus looks like a badass option, but it's likely gonna cost around 230-300€ which is more than I wanted to spend for something that will likely find a place in the wardrobe as soon as the "project" meets its end. I mean I can get a nice chorus pedal instead





Honestly I had zero idea this thing existed. Looks super fancy too! Can this be considered in another league compared to the Micro Preamps for sound and dynamics - considering I don't need more than a clean and dirt channel so flexibility's not an issue?

The Valeton GP-5 seems well priced too, not sure about the stock sounds tho (Youtube vids sound fantastic as they always do, so I don't consider that an evidence).

yes, it has updated versions of many amp and cab models, plus effects, global EQ, etc. worth watching a few vids, reading the manual...IDK if the app lets you see amps, cabs and effects are in there without the S! connected, but it's a free download.

If I was looking for something good, inexpensive, for a fun project that I didn't want to spend a fortune on, I'd start here or similar products....it's not a Fractal

 

[bubbastain]

I have the Mooer Prime P1, replaced it with the Mooer P2, both using the 4-button footswitch.

I emailed them and said why not put the P1 into footswitch, maybe they listened, because after the P2, they released the Prime S1 = P2 in the 4-button footswitch, all-in-one


View attachment 446225


the sounds are better than I expected; the app is well designed, I don't gig anymore, but I run it into a powered PA with subs, and it sounds great.

You can get this on AliExpress for like $80 now, I think I paid even less when it was released.

worth a look, effects are good too. Stereo outs.

https://www.mooeraudio.com/products/201.html

I’ve had the 4 button S1 for a couple of years now. It’s great. Here is a clip using the SLO model. A. SLO B. SLO with BB boost. C. SLO no boost but with delay. D. Clean with delay. Not sure of amp sim. All using the EVH 412 IR.
sound is going from the S1 into a Volt1 interface directly into my iPhone.

 

[tjnx]

I've found a used 009/Engl Blackmore for around 40€ (which translates in 35-40$ by today's standards), and I'm kinda tempted. I should probably get a DI box too, just in case, but being the room quite small It wouldn't likely be needed for now I guess.

Yeah I think it will be fine without it and you probably won't beat that deal for $40. I forgot about those primes but they should have all the same algorithms if you can get it for cheap.

The Valetons can do nam captures apparently, with some contingencies for the GP5. If its not too bad to deal with then that's probably the cheapest way to get tones on par or better than the tonex.

https://www.tone3000.com/blog/tone3000-valeton-nam-guide

 

[DanTravis62]

Some are really good, some are really bad

They are super hit and miss, but for like 50 bucks max that's kind of to be expected

 

[BenoA]

How about a ToneX one? So many captures available.

 

[Zado]

yes, it has updated versions of many amp and cab models, plus effects, global EQ, etc. worth watching a few vids, reading the manual...IDK if the app lets you see amps, cabs and effects are in there without the S! connected, but it's a free download.

If I was looking for something good, inexpensive, for a fun project that I didn't want to spend a fortune on, I'd start here or similar products....it's not a Fractal

I’ve had the 4 button S1 for a couple of years now. It’s great. Here is a clip using the SLO model. A. SLO B. SLO with BB boost. C. SLO no boost but with delay. D. Clean with delay. Not sure of amp sim. All using the EVH 412 IR.
sound is going from the S1 into a Volt1 interface directly into my iPhone.

Thanks, definitely keepin eyes open and see If I can find one to try, and if something used pops up. It really sounds badass and you can definitely hear the SLO-DNA, I'm just used to adjust knobs on my pedals and I'm not sure if I can feel comfy with just buttons and pre edited profiles

Yeah I think it will be fine without it and you probably won't beat that deal for $40. I forgot about those primes but they should have all the same algorithms if you can get it for cheap.

The Valetons can do nam captures apparently, with some contingencies for the GP5. If its not too bad to deal with then that's probably the cheapest way to get tones on par or better than the tonex.

https://www.tone3000.com/blog/tone3000-valeton-nam-guide

Yeah, NAM captures sound like the hot trend for guitarists looking for the cheap now, I had youtube filled with vids about in recent months. Definitely an interesting matter, gotta look more into it, as some didn't sound super sold on them. I guess that's what you expect for the price.

Some are really good, some are really bad

They are super hit and miss, but for like 50 bucks max that's kind of to be expected

I believed they all where considered quite nice, had no idea some had to be avoided! And by hit or miss you mean they are generally not very reliable?

How about a ToneX one? So many captures available.

ToneX (the base one) is definitely on my wishlish, a friend of mine swears by it; he just spends too much time messing with it instead of playing, I guess option paralysis is a risk you deal with when you have loads of possibilities. But his tones are very good.

 

[DanTravis62]

I believed they all where considered quite nice, had no idea some had to be avoided! And by hit or miss you mean they are generally not very reliable?

No i mean a couple of them sound bad. The Recto and the Hagen pedals sounded terrible

All of the other ones i've played have been solid

 

[Shask]

Thanks, definitely keepin eyes open and see If I can find one to try, and if something used pops up. It really sounds badass and you can definitely hear the SLO-DNA, I'm just used to adjust knobs on my pedals and I'm not sure if I can feel comfy with just buttons and pre edited profiles



Yeah, NAM captures sound like the hot trend for guitarists looking for the cheap now, I had youtube filled with vids about in recent months. Definitely an interesting matter, gotta look more into it, as some didn't sound super sold on them. I guess that's what you expect for the price.



I believed they all where considered quite nice, had no idea some had to be avoided! And by hit or miss you mean they are generally not very reliable?



ToneX (the base one) is definitely on my wishlish, a friend of mine swears by it; he just spends too much time messing with it instead of playing, I guess option paralysis is a risk you deal with when you have loads of possibilities. But his tones are very good.

I think the Mooer preamps are fine for what they are. They don't have the dynamics of the modern machine learning technology like ToneX and NAM.

I still have a few of them, but I am all team ToneX these days. I have the One and the Plug. I have captured many of my tube amps, which has given me the best digital tones I have ever had. Better than Fractal, Line 6, etc..

 

[Zado]

I think the Mooer preamps are fine for what they are. They don't have the dynamics of the modern machine learning technology like ToneX and NAM.

I still have a few of them, but I am all team ToneX these days. I have the One and the Plug. I have captured many of my tube amps, which has given me the best digital tones I have ever had. Better than Fractal, Line 6, etc..

Wow better than Fractal? That's quite a feat. My only gripe is it likely takes some work and hassle to get the best out of it right? Or it does deliver in stock form as well?

 

[Shask]

Wow better than Fractal? That's quite a feat. My only gripe is it likely takes some work and hassle to get the best out of it right? Or it does deliver in stock form as well?

To me, ToneX and NAM have a more immediate punchy response to it. Fractal has this overly smooth recorded tone to it you can't get rid of.

I think capturing your own amps is the key. When you do that, playing through your amp or ToneX is nearly indistinguishable. You can find tons of good sounds out there though, either on ToneNet or to buy.

The thing about ToneX (and NAM) is that they are software first. Setting up and playing as a plugin VST is #1. What you download to the pedal is just what you set up on the computer. Totally different workflow than your typical modeler pedal.

 

[Zado]

To me, ToneX and NAM have a more immediate punchy response to it. Fractal has this overly smooth recorded tone to it you can't get rid of.

I think capturing your own amps is the key. When you do that, playing through your amp or ToneX is nearly indistinguishable. You can find tons of good sounds out there though, either on ToneNet or to buy.

The thing about ToneX (and NAM) is that they are software first. Setting up and playing as a plugin VST is #1. What you download to the pedal is just what you set up on the computer. Totally different workflow than your typical modeler pedal.

Now that you mention it, the annoying smoothness is something I've heard before about (some?) Fractal products, and imho it's one of those sound traits I really despise as I prefer more abrasive, raw tones.

With that said, I really have zero experience with modeler pedals (or modelers in general), so I'm not entirely sure how one normally deals with them, I guess it's something you learn better with time, but still practical for total amateurs?

 

[rsm]

I sold my FM9 Mark II Turbo because I was using my software plugins more, and I liked them better. I have a few Neural DSP plugins, Helix Native, Marshall Amp Room , BlueCat Audio Axiom, etc.,

but the plugin I use the most is PolyChroeDSP McRocklin Suite, easy to use, sounds great IMO. I also have their Nunchuck plugin which is based on Marshall JCM800.

All of these plugins have free trial periods to try and buy, and I purchased most of them on sale. What's missing is the hardware to "take them with you" like the ToneX. I have a rugged laptop running windows, USB audio interface and MIDI floor controller, as a portable rig to run these plugins...if I could load them into a pedal that would be great. I may give ToneX another look

 

[Shask]

Now that you mention it, the annoying smoothness is something I've heard before about (some?) Fractal products, and imho it's one of those sound traits I really despise as I prefer more abrasive, raw tones.

With that said, I really have zero experience with modeler pedals (or modelers in general), so I'm not entirely sure how one normally deals with them, I guess it's something you learn better with time, but still practical for total amateurs?

I find it interesting that a lot of metal guys have switched to Neural DSP or ToneX. I think it is because of that smooth feel. Lead players and guys that like a lot of effects and sounds seem to be using Fractal. I love Fractal stuff, but the newer technology has shown me the issues I had, but didn't understand what it was I didn't like.

I think with this stuff you just have to commit to one ecosystem and learn it. They all do things a little differently. You have to decide if you want a modeler or capture based device, and then look at the ecosystem built around it. Do you want PC editor or phone app? Do you need lots of effects? Etc...

 

[Zado]

I sold my FM9 Mark II Turbo because I was using my software plugins more, and I liked them better. I have a few Neural DSP plugins, Helix Native, Marshall Amp Room , BlueCat Audio Axiom, etc.,

but the plugin I use the most is PolyChroeDSP McRocklin Suite, easy to use, sounds great IMO. I also have their Nunchuck plugin which is based on Marshall JCM800.

All of these plugins have free trial periods to try and buy, and I purchased most of them on sale. What's missing is the hardware to "take them with you" like the ToneX. I have a rugged laptop running windows, USB audio interface and MIDI floor controller, as a portable rig to run these plugins...if I could load them into a pedal that would be great. I may give ToneX another look

Replace water with boomer vibes and that's me right now. Loads of stuff I've hardly heard of ....

I find it interesting that a lot of metal guys have switched to Neural DSP or ToneX. I think it is because of that smooth feel. Lead players and guys that like a lot of effects and sounds seem to be using Fractal. I love Fractal stuff, but the newer technology has shown me the issues I had, but didn't understand what it was I didn't like.

I think with this stuff you just have to commit to one ecosystem and learn it. They all do things a little differently. You have to decide if you want a modeler or capture based device, and then look at the ecosystem built around it. Do you want PC editor or phone app? Do you need lots of effects? Etc...

.... but I guess the Tonex might be the finest option around for that price. I'm super envious of players who easily mess around this stuff, I wish I had more time to explore the whole thing, but working all day long with just a free sunday I guess won't help. I'm used to Amplitube, is Tonex software any similar?

 

[Shask]

Replace water with boomer vibes and that's me right now. Loads of stuff I've hardly heard of ....




.... but I guess the Tonex might be the finest option around for that price. I'm super envious of players who easily mess around this stuff, I wish I had more time to explore the whole thing, but working all day long with just a free sunday I guess won't help. I'm used to Amplitube, is Tonex software any similar?

NAM is free, but requires more technical knowledge on using DAWs and levels and such. ToneX is the next level. Very affordable, and they simplify the software down to be easier, as long as you learn their way of doing things.

Yes, ToneX integrates with Amplitube. You can use ToneX amp and pedal captures inside of Amplitube. Instead of tweaking amp models, you select from a list of ToneX models. ToneX is a plugin first. You dont need the pedals.