The Mooer Micro Preamp 016 Phoenix is a micro preamp pedal announced in August 2018 as part of Mooer's expansion of its Micro Preamp range. It is a digital pedal that recreates the preamp section of a popular tube amplifier, in this case one in the style of modern metal amps developed in Germany12.
According to the manufacturer, the Phoenix pays homage to "modern metal amps developed in Germany"2. MusicRadar's Michael Astley-Brown described it as Mooer's take on modern, German-designed metal amps, promising crystalline cleans on one channel and contemporary high-gain tones on the other1.
Two channels: clean and gain
Like other pedals in the Micro Preamp range, the 016 Phoenix has dual channels with independent gain, volume and EQ controls1. Each Micro Preamp also comes with integrated speaker cabinet simulation and dual operating modes67.
The two channels are voiced for different jobs:
| Channel | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Clean | Everything from crystal clear to a crunchy crunch sound2 |
| Gain | Fat rock rhythms, heavy metal riffs and glowing lead lines2 |
The clean channel's range from pristine to crunchy means a player can push it for lighter breakup without switching channels, while the gain channel is aimed squarely at rock and metal playing2.
What amp it is based on
Mooer does not name a specific amplifier. The company describes the Phoenix as an homage to "modern metal amps developed in Germany"2. MusicRadar framed it the same way, as Mooer's homage to modern, German-designed metal amps, with crystalline cleans on one channel and contemporary high-gain tones on the other1.
The other two pedals announced alongside it point at different amp traditions: the 017 Cali Mk IV is intended to map a clean channel and a gain channel from one of the most popular modern session amps, while the 018 Custom 100 is based on a 100-watt Plexi-based boutique signature amp, with a clean channel Mooer says produces both American shimmer in the "F" style and "English heat"12.
Price and availability
Mooer's Micro Preamps 016 to 018 were announced in August 2018 at $99 each and described as available soon1. Guitar World reported the same $99 price and availability5. Guitar.com reported in September 2018 that the models would be available from official Mooer dealers and distributors worldwide at a street price of around $998.
The pricing matched the rest of the range: Micro Preamps 014 and 015 had reached the market in May 2018 at the same $99 street price9, and Mooer's earlier Micro Preamps also carried a $99 price in the US10.
The $99 figure is the launch-era price from 2018. The range has since been superseded in Mooer's lineup by newer preamp pedals such as the Preamp Model X2, announced in December 2021.
The Micro Preamp series
Mooer introduced the Micro Preamp series in 2017 as a set of mini digital preamp pedals featuring what the company calls sonically accurate digital recreations of the preamp sections of popular tube amplifiers4. The initial release was a set of 10 models, each based on a different popular tube amplifier from a range of manufacturers11.
The range grew quickly. By January 2018 Guitar Interactive Magazine was covering models 011 to 013, noting the dual channels with independent gain, volume and EQ parameters12. Models 014 and 015 arrived in May 20189, and the 016 Phoenix, 017 Cali-MkIV and 018 Custom 100 completed the trio announced that August2.
Named models in the series include:
- 001 Gas Station6
- 008 Cali-MK 3
- 010 Two Stones7
- 013 Match Box13
- 014 Taxidea Taxus9
- 015 Brown Sound9
- 016 Phoenix12
- 017 Cali Mk IV21
- 018 Custom 10021
Gearnews welcomed the range's format at launch, writing:
"I like the simple layout and the small format."
Jef, gearnews.com14
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Questions
How much does the Mooer Micro Preamp 016 Phoenix cost?
Mooer's Micro Preamps 016 to 018, including the 016 Phoenix, were announced in August 2018 at $99 each. Guitar.com reported a street price of around $99 from official Mooer dealers and distributors worldwide when the models reached the market.
Does the Mooer 016 Phoenix have a clean channel and a gain channel?
Yes. Like other pedals in the Micro Preamp range, the 016 Phoenix has dual channels with independent gain, volume and EQ. The clean channel is described as covering everything from crystal clear to a crunchy crunch sound, while the gain channel handles fat rock rhythms, heavy metal riffs and lead lines.
What kind of amp is the Mooer Phoenix based on?
According to the manufacturer, the Phoenix pays homage to modern metal amps developed in Germany. MusicRadar described it as Mooer's take on modern, German-designed metal amps, promising crystalline cleans on one channel and contemporary high-gain tones on the other.
What are the other pedals in the Mooer Micro Preamp series?
The series launched in 2017 with 10 models, each based on a different popular tube amplifier. It later grew past 15 models, including the 017 Cali Mk IV and 018 Custom 100 announced alongside the Phoenix in 2018, plus earlier pedals like the 001 Gas Station, 008 Cali-MK 3, 010 Two Stones, 013 Match Box, 014 Taxidea Taxus and 015 Brown Sound.
Is the Mooer Micro Preamp 016 Phoenix available yet?
When announced in August 2018 the Micro Preamps 016 to 018 were described as available soon at $99 each. Guitar.com reported in September 2018 that they would be available from official Mooer dealers and distributors worldwide.
Sources (14)
- Mooer bolsters Micro Preamp range with 3 new mini pedals, MusicRadar, 2018-08-22
- Mooer adds three new preamp pedals, gearnews.com, 2018-08-02
- Mooer Micro Preamp pedals & Baby Bomb 30, MusicRadar, 2017-06-02
- Mooer Preamp Live, Delicious Audio, 2018-12-06
- Mooer Unveils Three New Micro Preamp Mini-Pedals, Guitar World, 2018-08-22
- Micro PreAMP 001 Gas Station by MOOER, RockBoard (rockboard.de PedalPedia), 2026
- Micro PreAMP 010 Two Stones by MOOER, RockBoard (rockboard.de PedalPedia), 2026
- Mooer releases 3 more Micro Preamp pedals, Guitar.com, 2018-09-04
- Mooer Adds Two New Micro Preamps, MusicPlayers.com, 2018-05-04
- Mooer Micro Preamps & Baby Bomb 30, MusicRadar, 2017-06-02
- Micro PreAMP 008 Cali-MK 3 by MOOER, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- NEW MOOER MICRO PREAMPS A trio of boutique delight!!!, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2018-01-10
- Micro PreAmp 013 Match Box by MOOER | RockBoard | PedalPedia, RockBoard (rockboard.de PedalPedia)
- Mooer to launch broadside of 10 new guitar preamp pedals at NAMM, gearnews.com, 2017-01-11
