Technical differences

There seem to be a slight difference between the ADA MP-1 units. I own two different units and the oldest ('87) has a software version 1.38. Of course you can upgrade this with the eprom version 2.01. but the older model has a slide switch on top of the unit (see gallery). You can change the output level of the A/B output to instrument or line-output. Line-output is used to connect the unit to a poweramp (high output level) and instrument-output is used to connect the unit to guitar amp (the guitar input / low input level.) This unit is capable for use on a power amp or a guitar amp without any line inputs.

So, that's why people sometimes ask on newsgroups why the manual is mentioning a slide switch while they don't have one on their unit!

My other unit is a bit newer ('89) and has no slideswitch on it, but the original manual packed with this unit also tells me that there is a slide switch and that it must be set properly for using it on an guitaramplifier or a poweramp. This unit has software version 2.01 wich means that there is a capability of using sysex dumps wich can be usefull for dumping your presets to a computer or another MP-1.

There are also some cosmetical differences to find on these two units. Another type of LED display is used, another type of knobs and other prints on the front and rear of the unit. The complete board inside the unit looks different but will be almost the same (I only discovered the extra slide on the board of one unit.)

Dictionary

The so called "Dictionary" is mentioned in the release notes document of the version 2 software. The dictionary was the name for the hidden functions keystrokes on the unit. I'm not sure if it works on units with an older software version, but here the are: