The MOOER PreAMP Live is a digital preamp and cabinet simulation stompbox from Mooer Audio, first shown at NAMM 20181. Mooer describes it as a digital preamp modeler "designed from the ground up" for live use2: it stores 12 independent preamp channels that you select from 50 amp models available in the supporting software and mobile apps, and each of those 12 channels carries a dual position booster2.
In practice it works as a preamp pedal that can replace or sit alongside an amplifier's own preamp section. It has multiple outputs with optional cab simulation and IR loading, so it can drive a power amp and cabinet, go straight to a mixer with speaker simulation, or feed headphones for silent practice2.
Amp models and channels
The core idea is that the 12 stored preamp channels are filled from a library of 50 amp models, available through Mooer's supporting software and mobile apps25. Guitar.com's reviewer, Darran Charles, described the range when connected to the Mooer Studio software editor:
"the Preamp Live features over 50 preamps, all based on a wide range of famous amplifiers, from well-known classics to present-day boutique circuits"35
Darran Charles, Guitar.com3
Each of the 12 channels also gets a dual position booster, so a solo or volume lift is available without a separate boost pedal2. Editing is done in MOOER Studio For Preamp Live V1.0.0, available for Mac, Windows and Android2.
Controls and connections
On the top of the unit there are knobs for Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble and Gain, letting you tweak the tone and then save it to each channel6. Connections include a standard 1/4-inch input, 1/4-inch and XLR outputs, an effects loop, USB, power and a headphone jack6.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets channel output level, saved per channel6 |
| Bass, Middle, Treble | Three-band tone shaping, saved per channel6 |
| Gain | Sets the amount of preamp drive, saved per channel6 |
Footswitches, banks and MIDI
All banks and channels are selected using the four footswitches on the unit6. The 12 stored preamps are organized into three banks of four (A, B and C), and you switch banks by pressing the two footswitches on either side of the respective letter on the chassis4.
For larger rigs, the unit has fully mappable MIDI IN and MIDI OUT for integration with other equipment2, which puts it in the territory of MIDI pedals for players running programmable boards.
Effects loop and amp integration
The loop effect has an A/B mode that allows you to use both your amp's analog preamp and the pedal's emulation5. That makes the 4-cable method possible: the Preamp Live can sit in front of a real amp for some patches and take over the preamp role for others, or run with external effects in its loop.
Where it came from
The Preamp Live grows out of Mooer's Micro Preamp line, the numbered single-emulation pedals such as the MOOER 001 Gas Station, MOOER 005 Brown Sound 3 and MOOER 013 Matchbox. MusicRadar's reviewer, Michael Astley-Brown, framed the Preamp Live as Mooer having "packaged the whole lot together in one gig-friendly unit"4: instead of one fixed emulation per pedal, you get 12 selectable channels drawn from the model library.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review concluded:
"For guitarists seeking to capture a colossal range of gig-friendly amp tones on a budget, the Preamp Live is a no-brainer"4
Michael Astley-Brown, MusicRadar3
The same review noted the street prices around the sub-$399 mark as part of that value case4. At NAMM 2018, MusicRadar grouped the Preamp Live with the practical and desirable new pedals of the show, alongside the Line 6 HX Effects and Boss GT-10001.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
MOOER Audio
MOOER Audio
Questions
How many amp models does the Mooer Preamp Live have?
The unit stores 12 independent preamp channels at a time, each chosen from 50 amp models available through Mooer's supporting software and mobile apps. The models are based on a wide range of famous amplifiers, from well-known classics to present-day boutique circuits, and are assigned to the 12 slots using the MOOER Studio editor.
Does the Mooer Preamp Live load impulse responses?
Yes. The Preamp Live has multiple outputs with optional cab simulation and IR loading capabilities, so you can use its own cabinet simulation or load third-party impulse responses. Cab simulation can be switched on or off per output, which lets you send a simulated signal to a mixer and a raw one to a real amp.
What power supply does the Mooer Preamp Live use?
The Preamp Live runs on 12V DC in, not the 9V supply most compact pedals use. That means it cannot share a standard 9V daisy chain with typical stompboxes, so plan for a 12V output on your pedalboard power supply or the supplied adapter.
Can the Preamp Live work in an amp's effects loop?
Yes. Its loop effect has an A/B mode that lets you use both your amp's analog preamp and the pedal's emulation, which supports setups such as the 4-cable method where the pedal feeds the amp's front end and its loop at once.
Is the Preamp Live the Micro Preamps in one unit?
Essentially yes. MusicRadar's reviewer described it as Mooer having packaged the whole lot of its Micro Preamp series together in one gig-friendly unit, with the added ability to select and carry 12 channels chosen from 50 models rather than being fixed to one emulation per pedal.
Sources (6)
- The best new effects pedals of NAMM 2018, MusicRadar, 2018-01-30
- PREAMP LIVE_MOOER Audio, MOOER Audio
- Review: Mooer Preamp Live, guitar.com, 2019-07-24
- Mooer Preamp Live review, MusicRadar, 2018-12-10
- Mooer launches the all-encompassing Preamp Live, Guitar.com, 2018-08-29
- Mooer Preamp Live, Delicious Audio, 2018-12-06
