Mooer Preamp Live | In-Depth Review

[@markjamesmason]

Oh gosh finally someone being honest!

[@arbitermatt]

I guess the empty banks are for tone captures you've created, or if you've downloaded some tone captures? Nice review!

[@rangerdoc1029]

I'd love to hear this side by side against the HX Stomp. If the Stomp has as good or better models, then it's a no-brainer. The bluetooth app is pretty sweet though.

[@666tonsofsquirrels]

A big BIG bonus of this pedal is the tone capture, that’s why it’s at the price point it is. It EQ matches (spectral, not just simple bass/mid/treble) the Mooer preamp to the preamp of an amp you enjoy, or any other signal chain for that matter. I think that not looking at the tone cap feature is a big oversight. HOWEVER, if you are not happy with the sounds as they are then it is obviously not a pedal for you 😁 this is a great review as it shows your honest opinion. Personally, I just had a few hours with it in a guitar store and loved everything about it - but I’m a metal player. It made a fender amp sound like a million full stacks. Peace out, and I’ve just subscribed 💪

[@CatPickStudios]

Yeah would have been fun to test the tone capture, but you need an effects loop for it, right? I didn’t have an amp with one at the time I shot the video. Appreciate you agreeing to disagree, too few people seem to be able to do that nowadays! Thanks for subbing!

[@tool14me]

Thanks for the honest review. Its refreshing to hear a different opinion on this unit. One question I see folks asking yet to be answered is if the unit has any sound delay or drop out when you switch presets on the fly?

[@CatPickStudios]

Thanks! I didn't play with them too much but during that time I didn't really notice any kind of audible delay.

[@mixodorians12]

I 'm sorry...for me it is a great piece of equipment. Great tones. The Satriani peavey preset is a joy. The clean tones are lovely. Really enjoying using it. Worth every penny. I use it into a boss katana 2x12 combo effects loop with the Mooer Ocean Machine connected through midi, which was easy to set up. I find the app easy to use, intuitive (it can set up midi connections easily) , connects well over bluetoith and does everything you need. So what, the app doesn't look like a adobe flash game? The tone capturing feature of the preamp live is also great. Tend to think items like these (particularly ones that can capture tone) are an intense threat to the traditional (and used) valve amp market. Surprised there are not more negative reviews tbh. Don't listen to them.

[@CatPickStudios]

Haha it’s completely fine to disagree! People have different tastes in tone and that’s great. I’m a graphic designer by profession so I’m super ocd about visuals and that can sometimes be annoying. I’m glad that you have a setup you enjoy, that’s the only thing that matters. Thanks for commenting!

[@yngwiescott]

Hi bro. Nice thorough review. I just wanted to add that you can adjust the noise gates on the device. Just press and hold the boost control until it's LED's turn yellow. Also, there's some amp models from our micro series (not all) but there's also a lot of new ones which were previously unavailable. 50 amp channels in total to choose from on the current software

[@CatPickStudios]

Thanks for the clarification, I think it's great if you can control the noise gate from the pedal itself too.

[@markjohnson9306]

Great review. Sure wish there was a simple compressor and delay on this unit...

[@rileyioacura]

Amazing video Vlad!! Great playing and awesome tones on the intro track, great mixing but I think If I needed a live solution then maybe synergy system but I still watched the video anyway due to you are awesome dude!!!

[@CatPickStudios]

Thanks Riley!

[@ripley4726]

Kiitos tästä :) I think most of the reviews are paid for so they cant really be negative but its good to hear ALL the points about this. I have been going back and forth with this a while.. I tried the 012 pedal with my tele Direct and was really disappointed and took it back the next day. I tried the preamp live in a shop and with EMG pickups and the metal tones were quite good when going direct and hearing it through the monitors. I had a kemper for years and that thing spoilt me.... most videos of the preamp live make it sound really really good so I wonder how come they sound so good sometimes... always difficult decisions. .. Palataan astialle :)

[@SujeetGT]

That is because they are connecting it to a power amp and then they’re micing it . The DI sound isn’t that great if you use the built in stock cabs. I would suggest you get good custom IR like ownhammer and also use the power amp that’s built into the preamp live using the software to make it sound miles better.

[@OllieNCS]

Did you try it through your amp's effects loop? You may prefer the sound that way?

[@CatPickStudios]

Unfortunately I don't have an amp with effects loop so I couldn't try that.

[@drmarcioonida]

Can you send a cab sim to the PAs And a pre amp signal to a real power amp at the same time?

[@CatPickStudios]

Yep, that's the idea of the two switches on the front of device.

[@drmarcioonida]

Thank you! Great video!

[@ldelvallec]

How to factory reset without connecting it to the PC, some button combination

[@dawnrussell4838]

The tone capture , only good for modern amps that have a effects loop. Capturing the preamp only part of the Over all sound.. I'd have to hear it . Is it stereo out? Is the effect loop stereo?

[@CatPickStudios]

I think both of the outs are mono, but I'm not 100% sure.

[@princepandora88]

Ahhh thanks for this informative video bro, I'm thinking about buying this stuff for a while

[@CatPickStudios]

Happy to help!

[@BenCoombs]

Good video Vlad, quite in depth!!

[@CatPickStudios]

Thanks Ben!

[@cibbantwist]

Good stuff, as per usual. :) You pretty much confirmed all my suspicions about this product. Thanks for saving me the effort of getting one and rage-sending it back. ;)

[@CatPickStudios]

Haha now that's a comment bound to get a raging reply! ;D

[@cibbantwist]

Haha... :D

[@JonathanKillstring]

Hey mate! I enjoyed this video, and I enjoyed the Preamp live when I had one. Frankly kinda miss it, haha: I was convinced that I needed tubes. That was... not a good assumption. That said, we've got really different styles, so it makes sense that we didn't have the same experience. That said, I always appreciate seeing something through different eyes :) Like, I can't stand the sounds I got out of Bias Amp, but this thing sang to me. There really is no "one size fits all" for gear: it's a combination of player, guitar, and the rest of the rig. Anyway, thanks for the review!

[@CatPickStudios]

Thanks, really appreciate a well thought out comment!

[@MARK.CATLI28]

Is this can use as a audio interface?

[@CatPickStudios]

Unfortunately no.

[@SteveRayMorse]

Can I use it as a audio interface like GE 200?

[@CatPickStudios]

I’m afraid no. It works just as a preamp.

[@dukett9078]

Hello have you tried out the Helix HX stomp. I was wondering do you think the Line 6 Helix sounds better than Mooer tones,

[@CatPickStudios]

Haven't tried te HX Stomp yet, but I've tried Helix LT and I've also done lot of live mixing where my friend has used Helix LT. I personally think Helix sounds much better + it has all the effects + looper etc. But obviously it's a matter of taste :)

[@joshuafacer5000]

Hey vlad. I'm kinda new to all this new digital gear, and I was wondering, would I be able to use this preamp with just a iPhone and a cab? Do I need a PC/Mac at all, because I don't have access to one and do not want to buy this pre amp and not get the most from it?

[@CatPickStudios]

Hmm, I'm pretty sure you won''t be able to use with either iPhone or a cab. If you play through your iPhone I would just get Omec Teleport to be able to plug into the phone and get the Bias Amp software. Sounds as good or even better and will cost you something like $120 in total. Preamp Live outputs just line level signal, so it won't have the power to output sound out of a regular cab. Hope this helps, let me know if you have more questions. :)

[@joshuafacer5000]

CatPick Studios could I use the iPhone app to Bluetooth to the preamp? And would it work with a real cab if I also bought the Mooer baby bomb pedal? Thanks for the response.

[@joshuafacer5000]

so if my signal chain was Guitar Mooer Pre Amp Live Mooer Baby Bomb Cab (probably Marshall) Would I then be able to use the iPhone app to change the presets and stuff?

[@CatPickStudios]

Yep that would definitely work!

[@joshuafacer5000]

CatPick Studios cool thanks for the help!

[@jeffdavis1360]

What pickups are in the white telecaster you used? Is that a custom built guitar?

[@CatPickStudios]

Yeah it's a guitar I've built myself. Fender Nocaster '51 in the bridge, Dimarzio Area 58's in the middle and the neck (strat pickups).

[@2n3chordjams70]

I really like that groove! Gotta go back and work on it and post a tribute to Vlad!!!! Excellent review BTW! DON Vlad, when you go to harmonized melody are the chords G to open C to D? DON

[@CatPickStudios]

Thanks Don! The chords in that part are C - D - Em - G, though on the second round I go C - D - Em - D/F# and G.

[@2n3chordjams70]

@@CatPickStudios KOOL! Thanks, gonna take some work but I'll come up with something. Liked this song 1st video, like it more NOW

[@aaronblack735]

why you can't adjust the extra bass with the eq . I understand that cabs no have eq but the preamp have it. If you use a eq plugin after the cab ? I don't know i'm new with this

[@CatPickStudios]

Well the thing is with guitar preamps the bass frequency is pretty much set to a certain frequency range and if that range isn't adjusting the frequencies causing you problems, it won't have any effect. On Preamp Live you can't move the blocks, so the cabinet is permanently fixed as the last thing in the signal chain. If this was a Helix, then I could do exactly what you mentioned. :)

[@aaronblack735]

@@CatPickStudios I appreciate your answer , thank you. Now I understand

[@CatPickStudios]

Dude no problem! If you ever have any other questions feel free to ask them, I try to reply to as many as I can.

[@rileyioacura]

I think the Randy Devil pre amp is Ola Englunds Randall Satan amp that mooer did for him for music China

[@CatPickStudios]

Haha ok, didn't know that!

[@internetnow5243]

How does it send when a pedal board is plugged in front of it? That's what people need to see.

[@CatPickStudios]

Unfortunately I had to return the pedal and I didn't test that feature.

[@rossbrigolimusic]

I think the selling point of this pedal is the user interface. I hate pedals with tiny LCD screens.

[@CatPickStudios]

You might be right. I also felt Mooer had a great idea but ran out budget to excecute them to the potential this unit had.

[@ytheeasinine]

How would this sound as an overdrive/distortion pedal running into a tube amp?

[@CatPickStudios]

Not sure. If you have a nice clean channel, it might pretty good.

[@rangerdoc1029]

Mooer does it on their tutorial videos. Also Rabea does it on his.

[@ytheeasinine]

In both those videos, theyre running the pedal into the fx loop and bypassing the preamp section. Im wondering how it sounds into the amps input.

[@PNGtwentyfour]

Also, HX Stomp doesn't have an XLR out. Sheesh.

[@CatPickStudios]

XLR out takes more physical space in the unit which makes a bigger unit. HX Stomp line out is balanced so you only need a short plug to XLR cable make it work. It's not an issue really.

[@cast390]

I bought one,didnt like it, returned it. The high gain sounds were very gank gank gank sounding. Couldn't EQ it out.

[@CatPickStudios]

Yeah, it might work for some, didn't work for me either.

[@bartekstejk9088]

Nice review, you covered pretty much everything, appreciate it. I don't agree with your opinion on it being pokey though... you fed it with some unusable singal to begin with, IMO.(sounded like your guitar was badly set up) Also, it's designed to be used in FX loop, not before another preamp, so I guess that can cause things like poweamp sim to sound bad.I am done critizing, fight me now! :D Cheers

[@bartekstejk9088]

Also, just to clarify, it's really refreshing to hear negative opinion, that's good. I am waiting for this pedal to arrive atm, so haven't played it yet :)

[@CatPickStudios]

Haha it's ok to disagree. Couple of corrections though: First, I didn't say the lead sound I got was "pokey", I said that on the Tele it can easily be thin and pokey, but that on Preamp Live I found a lead sound where it wasn't. Secondly, sure, my HB tele needs lot more setup to be properly in tune, but that doesn't affect the sound itself. The white tele is setup well and works just fine in all of my other videos. Third, the Preamp Live is a PREAMP. Meaning you can use it in effects loop of the amp, pair it with a separate power amp or use built in power amp and cabinet simulation. The pedal even comes with XLR out to be used right into a recording interface or a mixing desk. What's the other preamp you are talking about? Recording interface? I'm completely ok with all kinds of feedback, but it doesn't mean I don't respond back if the commenter's facts are right or there's misunderstandings. :)

[@bartekstejk9088]

Thanks for reply :) Yes, I thought, for some reason You were using it in front of usual amplifier. Idk why. BTW, some people claim this thing sounds poorly when using presets, and waay better when tone matched with an amplifier. And referring to pokey sounds I meant that little part where you played with different amplifiers - single notey, leady part was so disturbing haha. I was just wondering why it's just your review that has this kind of problem. Did You try using presence knob to tame it ? Cheers :)

[@bartekstejk9088]

Also, i just subscribed, love the honesty and how throughtout are those reviews. Great stuff :)

[@CatPickStudios]

Isn't the Tone Capture meant to "capture" the sound of whatever amp you are using? I'm not sure how that would fix a bad sounding preset :) And thanks for clarifying that! I did use the presence knob, but some presets are just waaaaay more brighter than others. As you saw, I didn't eq every preset separately in the software demonstration, so some of them ended up sounding pretty harsh. Don't know why I'm the only one who has this thing sounding bad. I know for a fact Mooer doesn't like to pay reviewers who say negative things about their products. (I have friends who tried to work with them) So the videos that I've seen haven't been "reviews" but "demos" and the difference is that the first one tells you the good and the bad about the product and the other one is just "here's what it does and these are some of the sounds". I really really don't want to get into the whole "paid demo" debate, but I fear that's what it is in this case. And thanks for subscribing, let's debate on some other video as well! ;) And let me know how you find the pedal when you get it!

[@PNGtwentyfour]

So you never listened to it in a live setting... like its designed to be used. That's a pretty important oversight, Vlad.

[@CatPickStudios]

If it doesn't sound good in a studio setting what makes you think it will suddenly sound amazing live?

[@PNGtwentyfour]

@@CatPickStudios I don't recall saying it will "suddenly sound amazing" live. I know that with my AX8 and other amp simulators, there is a marked difference in the sound coming through my studio monitors, combo amp, and FRFR monitor. Most folks you see demoing the Mooer Preamp Live are running it through the power section of their favorite amps because it's primarily meant to be a live preamp or FOH solution. You're welcome to your opinion and I'm not attempting to quantify or refute it. I'm just pointing out an opportunity to grow the quality of your channel's reviews. I appreciate your contributions and wish you well. Cheers

[@CatPickStudios]

PNGtwentyfour I get what you’re saying but my point was that in studio setting I’m looking at the sound with a magnifying glass. Going through a big PA is just going to make that sound louder. I’ve been doing live and studio mixing for so long that I’m confident evaluating how something sounds without the need to do a live setting test for everything. It’s a lot of work for very little additional information. And it’s not that this unit is bad, I just don’t get where it’s supposed to sit in the crowded market. Moore themselves offer bunch of similarly priced modelers that sound very decent and those things also come with effects, expression pedals etc and I’m pretty sure they contain the same amp sims as well. Preamp Live could absolutely do the job for your average gig but for the same or little bit more money you can get so much more versatile setups.

[@sammaddison2085]

Mate, take it easy on your mouse.

[@CatPickStudios]

But the anger...!!!!

A terrible product. It does sound good, but it is absolutely unreliable. After a week of buying it, it stopped working, luckily under warranty so I got it replaced. The new unit, after a year stopped working again. Unfortunately not under warranty anymore. I lost my money. I was able to record a couple of demos with it and that's all. Also, they stop developing the software. Don't buy it!

[@CatPickStudios]

Oh man that sucks, sorry to hear that.