The MOOER 005 Brown Sound 3 is a digital preamp pedal from Mooer Audio, part of the company's Micro Preamp series. Mooer describes these units as "sonically accurate digital recreations of the preamp sections of popular tube amplifiers," and the 005 is modeled after the third version of what the maker calls "one of the most famous signature artist amplifiers in history"1. MusicRadar calls it a "pure 5150 emulation on a budget"2.
What the Brown Sound 3 does
The pedal carries two channels, and Mooer's own description of their character is worth reading in full1:
"has a lush clean channel that can reach mild breakup with the gain cranked and a drive channel that is tight, harmonically balanced, smooth as silk and has saturation in spades"
In other words, you get a clean-to-edge-of-breakup voice on one channel and a high-gain voice on the other, switchable from the top of the pedal1.
The footswitch can work in two different modes1:
- On/Off mode: a simple bypass, so the pedal works like a single voice you kick in and out.
- A/B mode: the switch selects between the two channels, making the pedal a two-channel front end for a recording or direct rig.
Each Micro Preamp in the range, the 005 included, comes with the same core feature set1:
- Dual channels
- Integrated speaker cabinet simulation
- Dual footswitch operating modes
The cab simulation means the pedal can feed a mixer, audio interface, or headphones setup directly, with the speaker filtering baked in rather than added by a separate speaker simulation pedal1.
Where it sits in the Micro Preamp line
The 005 is one of Mooer's micro preamp pedals, and it is an update of an earlier model in the line: MusicRadar notes that Mooer "first launched with the 015 Brown Sound which has since made way for the updated 005 Brown Sound 3 model"2.
| Model | Amp modeled | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 015 Brown Sound | Original version of the signature artist amp | Superseded2 |
| 005 Brown Sound 3 | Third version of the signature artist amp | Current model1 |
Power and connections
The 005 runs on an external supply, not a battery. Mooer specifies a DC 9V 300mA center pin negative power supply1. At 300mA it draws more current than most analog overdrive or distortion pedals, so it is worth checking that your power brick has a 300mA or higher output available for it.
The 005 needs a 9V DC center negative supply rated for 300mA. A low-current daisy chain output designed for small analog pedals may not supply enough current for stable operation.
Connections are simple: one 1/4" mono input at 1 meg Ohm impedance, which suits both passive and active guitar signals, and one 1/4" mono output at 100 Ohm impedance, which is low enough to drive long cable runs, an amp's effects return, or a mixing desk1.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input | 1/4" mono jack, 1 meg Ohm1 |
| Output | 1/4" mono jack, 100 Ohm1 |
| Power supply | DC 9V, center negative, 300mA1 |
| Dimensions | 93.5mm(D) x 42mm(W) x 52mm(H)1 |
| Weight | 160g1 |
Videos
Taylor Danley
The Pedal Guy
Chester Chen
Questions
Is the Mooer Brown Sound 3 a 5150 in a pedal?
Mooer describes it as modelled after the third version of one of the most famous signature artist amplifiers in history, and MusicRadar calls it a pure 5150 emulation on a budget. It is a digital recreation of that amp's preamp section, not the full amplifier, so it shapes your tone but does not replace a power amp and speaker on its own.
Does the Mooer Brown Sound 3 have cab simulation?
Yes. Mooer says each Micro Preamp comes complete with dual channels and integrated speaker cabinet simulation, so you can plug it straight into a mixer, interface, or headphones setup and still get a speaker-filtered sound rather than a raw preamp output.
What is the difference between the Mooer 005 and 015 Brown Sound?
The 015 Brown Sound was the earlier model in the line. MusicRadar notes it has since made way for the updated 005 Brown Sound 3, which models the third version of the amp rather than the original, and carries the dual-channel, cab-simulation feature set of the current Micro Preamp range.
Can I use the Mooer Brown Sound 3 into an amp's effects return?
Yes, that is one of the standard ways to run a preamp pedal. The 005 has a 1/4 inch mono output with 100 Ohm impedance, so it can drive an amp's effects return, a flat power amp, or a mixer with its built-in cabinet simulation. Power it with a 9V DC center negative supply delivering 300mA.
