Sound Devices MP-1
Battery-powered single-channel microphone preamplifier, with 48 V phantom, limiter, and high-pass filter. Powered from 2-AA batteries.
Main Benefits
- Compact and Portable
- Transformer-Balanced
- Extended-Range Peak Limiter
- Runs on Two AA Batteries
- Phantom Power
- High-Pass Filter
- Aluminum Chassis with Metal End Rails
- 20 Hz to 50 kHz Audio Bandwidth
- Easy-Access Battery Compartment
Description
The MP-1: Portable, battery-powered microphone preamplifier with phantom power
Designed for high-definition field production environments, the MP-1 is an ideal studio-quality mic pre for critical radio, television, and film applications.
The MP-1 is extremely durable and easy to use. With rugged mechanical and electrical construction and high-quality components, it will provide years of superb audio performance under the most punishing field conditions.
Simple to Use
The MP-1 provides up to 66 dB of clean, nearly noiseless gain. Its transformer-balance microphone preamplifier offers a two-position highpass filter, extended range, selectable peak limiter, and 48 V phantom power, ensuring superior sonic quality and freedom from interference problems.

MP-1 Key Features
- Superb audio specifications
- 66 dB of gain, in eleven discrete steps
- Transformer-balanced input and output
- Phantom power - 48 volt or 12 volt
- High pass filter @ 80 Hz or 160 Hz, 6 dB/octave
- Limiter makes unit virtually "unclippable"
- High current line output drive
- Excellent immunity to RF interference.
- Battery power (two x AA)
- Durable mechanical construction
Tech Specs
Equivalent Input Noise
- -126 dBu (-128 dBV) maximum (150 ohm source, flat weighting, 22 - 22 kHz bandwidth, gain control set at 50% or higher, phantom power off)
Output Clipping Level (Line)
- +22 dBu minimum with 100k ohm load, +20 dBu minimum with 600 ohm load
Dynamic Range
THD + Noise
- 0.05% maximum (from 60 Hz to 22 kHz @ +4 dBu output level, 22 Hz - 22 kHz filter bandwidth, gain control at 50%, phantom off)
Inputs
- Transformer-balanced, 2k ohm input impedance
Outputs (XLR)
- s/n < 0507 - impedance-balanced, 120 ohm output impedance, s/n >0507 - active-balanced, 120 ohm output impedance
Outputs (Tape)
- Unbalanced, tip-left, ring-right, sleeve-ground, 2.4k ohm output impedance
Power (Internal)
- 2 AA alkaline batteries, 6 hours life typical with +4 dBu signal into 600 ohms, no phantom power
Power LED
- Green indicates power and good battery. Red indicates power and low battery. LED turns red when approximately 1 hour of battery life remain (with phantom power off). Green with external DC power.
Frequency Response
- 20 Hz - 30 kHz, +0.1, -0.5 dB; -1 dB at 5 Hz & 50 kHz (relative to 1 kHz with 150 ohm source, gain controls set at 50%)
Input Clipping Level
Output Clipping Level (Tape)
- +11 dBu (2.75 V RMS) minimum with 100k ohm load
Common Mode Rejection Ratio
- 100 dB minimum at 80 Hz, 60 dB minimum at 10 kHz
Channel Separation
- Greater than 80 dB at 1 kHz (gain controls set to 50%)
High-Pass Filters
- 80 Hz or 160 Hz (switch selectable), 6 dB per octave
Phantom Power
- 48 V through 6.8k resistors or 15 V through 680 ohm resistors (switch selectable)
Limiter
- Thresholds adjustable per channel from -10 dBu to +17 dBu, 10:1 limiting ratio, 5 mS attack time, 100 mS release time, Amber/Red LED indicates limiting/clipping, Dual mono or stereo linked
Internal Voltage Rails
Polarity
- All inputs to all outputs, non-inverting. Pin-2 of XLRs "hot" to unbalanced inputs and outputs.
Metering
- Seven segment GaN (Gallium Nitride) LED meter with three intensities, peak responding
Operating Temperature Range
- 0 to 70 degrees C, 32 to 160 degrees F
Dimensions
- 43 mm x 94 mm x 140 mm (h x w x d), (1.7" x 3.7" x 5.5")
Weight (unit only)
Weight (packaged)
Certifications
- Meets FCC Part 15 Class B, eligible to bear CE mark
Contents
Quantity |
Item |
1 |
MP-1 |
4 |
Adhesive Rubber "Bumpers" |
1 |
Product registration card |
1 |
Full-line Audio Catalog |