Detail 01
+75 dB gain with -140 dB equivalent input noise
Very quiet wide open, so low-output ribbons and dynamics come up loud without hiss riding along.
Product detailSKU #1274228063292
Summit AudioMPC-100A Tube Pre-Amp and Compressor/Limiter
1/4
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Single-channel tube preamp with compressor/limiter and a high-impedance instrument input. For tracking vocals, bass and guitar with analog dynamics control committed on the way in.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Tracking vocals with compression printed to the recording
- Bass or guitar plugged straight into the tube stage
- Quiet ribbon and dynamic mics needing heavy gain
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Stereo sources — this is one channel
- Anyone wanting EQ in the same box
- Budget home setups; interfaces cost a fraction
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Mic, line and hi-Z inputs
Covers microphones, line sources and instruments plugged straight in, so no separate DI box is needed.
Detail 03
Attack from 180 microseconds to 100 milliseconds
Fast enough to catch vocal transients, or slow enough to let a bass note's attack through untouched.
Detail 04
Release from 32 milliseconds to 1.5 seconds
Short settings breathe and pump on drums and room mics; long settings stay invisible under a vocal.
Detail 05
Two 12AX7A tubes
The tube stage thickens as you push it, so gain staging becomes a tone decision rather than just a level.
Detail 06
+30 dBu max output, 150 ohm output impedance
Plenty of headroom and a low-impedance output that drives long cable runs into any converter.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Two rack spaces, 10 inches deep, 17 pounds — allow cable clearance
- 02One channel; stereo pairs need two units and matched settings
- 03No EQ here — plan a separate equalizer if you shape while tracking
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Can I plug a bass or guitar into it?
Yes. The hi-Z input is rated +8 dBu at minimum gain, so instruments go straight in without a separate DI box.
02Is it quiet enough for ribbon mics?
Equivalent input noise is -140 dB averaged from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with up to +75 dB of gain available, so quiet ribbons come up clean.
03How many rack spaces does it take?
Two. The panel measures 19 by 3.5 inches, it runs 10 inches deep, and it weighs 17 pounds.
04Does it have EQ?
No. It's a preamp and compressor/limiter. Response runs 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 1 dB at 1 dB of compression, so tone shaping happens elsewhere.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsSound
- Frequency Response
- 20Hz-20kHz +/- 1dB with 1dB compression
3 detailsConnections & power
- Equivalent Input Noise
- -140dB average 20Hz- 20kHz
- Output Impedance XLR
- 150 ohms
- Max Output Level XLR
- +30dBu
2 detailsSize & weight
- Weight
- 17
- Dimensions H X D X H
- 19 inch x 10 inch x 3.5 inch
10 detailsOther
- Thd Noise
- 0.03% @ 1kHz +4dB out
- Mic
- +15dBu @ min gain, +35dBu with pad
- Line
- +35dBu @ min gain
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- 130dB
- Attack Times
- 180uS-100mS
- Dynamic Range
- 100dB
- Hi Z
- +8dBu @ min gain
- Release Times
- 32mS- 1.5S
- Max Gain
- +75dBu
- Vacuum Tubes
- 12AX7A (two)
