-다이렉트 레코딩 프리앰프

* 믹서에 연결가능, 헤드폰에 연결가능, 앰프 연결가능..

Marshall is trying to eradicate the studio-bound amp stack.
A curious move from a company whose name is synonymous with towering 4x12s and huge amp heads teetering atop.

Nevertheless, the DRP-1 direct recording pre-amp is Marshall's bid to cram the sound of a stack into a box little bigger than your hand.

The idea is to plug your guitar into the unit, bung the output straight into a mixing desk
and experience the Marshall sound over the monitors with not a guitar-speaker cab or microphone in sight.

The DRP-1 comes from the same stable as the SE100 Speaker Emulator, which simulates the
 tone-affecting properties of a 12-inch speaker, and the PB100 Power Brake, which takes the full-on output from an amp head and cuts it back to sane levels for that `turned up to 11' sound without damaging the surrounding neighbourhood.

However, rather than taming power amps or obviating the need for speakers, the DRP-1 gives full-power amp-cab simulation in one unit.

The box, turned out in Marshall's usual black-and-gold livery, is a sturdy bolt-together of formed sheet metal with a non-slip underside and a rather flimsy battery compartment cover - odd considering the build quality of the rest of the unit.

A 19-inch rackmountable format would have been nice for convenience's sake, but would probably add to the price.

Tipping it the right way up, the top panel's design and layout echoes that of Marshall's traditional amplifiers, but the controls differ slightly.

First up we've a Pre-amp Volume knob with boost switch. In Normal mode there's not much colouration, but kick in the boost and - wahey! - distortion.

The switch also gives a useful battery-test function.

You can add further welly using the Master Volume, which controls how much signal is passed into the `power amp' section.

From there the signal passes through three-band sweepable equalisation (Bass, Middle and Treble), which has been given a wider sweep than found on many Marshall amps for extra flexibility, with an active Bass control for low-end, 4x12-style thump.

There's no Presence control, but the EQ is easily flexible enough as it stands.

Finally, the Line Level knob controls the overall output.

The rear-panel connections offer good scope for signal routing, and the whole package has a well-thought-out feel.

Of course, the acid test is the sound you get. Has Marshall really condensed several kilos of amp hardware into something you could lift with one arm? Well, sadly, no.

The sound you get is very usable, but it doesn't quite sing. As anyone who has used a valve Marshall will have found, there's a quality of response you get when you crank it up - it's as if the guitar and amp become one instrument.

When you're using the DRP-1 it feels more like you're driving it. The tone you get is good, both clean and dirty, and you'll no doubt find plenty of uses for it, but an authentic replacement for an amp and speaker it is not.

For that genuine stack sound, get a stack and a mic. But if your budget isn't up to it and you can't spare the room, the DRP-1 delivers acceptable results in a compact format and at a compact price.