Amp & pedal modeling, custom impulse responses, drum machine, jam tracks and audio interface have never come in a smaller package than the NUX Mighty Plug Pro MP-3. Is it the ultimate practice device?
DISCLAIMER: This product was provided to me by NUX, and I got to keep it, but they have no say in the things I mention in this video/review, nor do they get to see the post/video before it is published.
Features
- TSAC-HD (White-Box) Amp Modeling algorithm offers realistic playability & feedback.
- 512 samples IR resolution (36 premium built-in IRs and 18 user slots for 3rd party).
- 7 presets with ACTIVE functions (PRESET switch toggles ACTIVE ones sequentially).
- GATE, CMP, EFX, AMP, IR, EQ, MOD, DLY, RVB effect blocks with free order.
- Stereo DLY / RVB effects.
- Patch Level function for each preset.
- Earphone Volume +/- adjust buttons.
- High-quality earphone out preamp supports TRRS headset or earpods with a mic.
- 5hrs playing time.
- Ultra-low system latency: 1.2ms.
- Wide dynamic range: 103 dB.
- Intuitive MightyAmp™ APP & Mighty Editor™ edit software (3rd party IR loader).
Specifications:
- Input Impedance: 1MΩ
- Earphones Output Impedance: 10Ω
- Dynamic Range: 103 dB
- Sampling Rate: 48KHz / 32-bit
- System Latency: 1.2ms
- Charging Power: 5V USB-C
- Battery: 3.7V / 1450mAh
- Current Draw: 4V/260mA
- Dimensions: 81(L)X41(W)X30(H)mm
- Weight: 70g
What Is NUX Mighty Plug Pro?
The Mighty Plug Pro looks like a small wireless unit you plug into your guitar to run around your house while playing. But instead, it is your full amp rig that you control with your smart device app or your desktop editor.
Using them allows you to create your own rigs, upload your impulse responses, practice with a drum machine, jam to the built-in jam tracks, and with the MP-3, you now can also use it as an audio interface and record with it.
Guitar Rig
If you have used almost any modeler over the past 5+ years, you should be familiar with how to operate the Mighty Plug Pro: your signal chain consists of different blocks that you can edit, and you can move those blocks around in any order.
Click on any of the blocks to bring out more options for that block. When you are happy with your preset, you can save it to one of the 7 preset slots.
First Impressions Of The Stock Presets
Personal note: 90% of the time I play guitar at home, I do that in my studio through my studio monitors and almost never using headphones. So, to try the Mighty Plug Pro out, I ran a stereo cable from the headphone out into my audio interface.
Based on dozens of gear demos I’ve done in the past, the experience of going through presets on a modeler can vary a lot. And this usually comes to the quality of the impulse responses the company ships the unit with. I liked the previous version of Mighty Plug (MP-2) as a whole, but the guitar sounds on that unit were good, not great.
From the first preset, you could tell there’s been a significant improvement in the amp modeling or impulse responses (or both) because the sounds I was getting were good. Gone was the ‘modeler mud’ that you used to get with more affordable modeler units.
The tones and feel aren’t at your Quad Cortex or Axe-FX level, but I don’t think anyone expects that at this price point anyway.
The ambient effects on some of the presets sound very decent to a point where I kept forgetting I’m working on a review. I had to keep reminding myself that I’m playing through a sub-100€ amp-plug-thing.
There’s even an acoustic simulator patch that did a very decent job transforming my telecaster into a Martin D-45. This is what presets are supposed to do: give you an exciting glimpse of what you can do with the unit.
Using External IR’s
NUX made the option to use your own impulse responses with the MP-3 as one of their key selling points, so I obviously had to give it a try.
There are roughly 20 user slots for the IR’s and you can add them by using the desktop editor (which you can download on the NUX website).
I uploaded a trusty VOX AC30 impulse response by Lancaster Audio (From Warren Huart producer pack) I’ve been using for few years. I liked the AC30 on the MP-3 already, but the custom IR took it to the next level.
Maybe it’s just the different EQ of the Warren Huart impulse response, but the overall sound became more ‘Voxy’. It’s less muddy and sounds like the Vox amps I’ve heard on countless records.
Most of these things come down to preference though. I liked the custom IR more but you might prefer the stock one. Both of them sounded good and ‘Vox’, which is the most important thing.
Creating Guitar Rigs
As I mentioned earlier, if you’re familiar with almost any modern modeler, you’ll know how to use the MP-3.
All the basics are well covered with your classic drive pedals, compressors, and modulation units. Your favorite boutique overdrive pedal might not have made the list, but for most of us, there’s plenty to choose from to have fun.
I’m also not ruling out NUX adding more things to the MP-3 with updates, as they have done with their other products as well.
Drum Machine & Jam Tracks
The drum machine is a great practice & songwriting tool. There’s plenty of different drum patterns to choose from and when you pair them with a tempo control you can cover almost any music genre.
The drum sounds aren’t necessarily amazing, but they make practice way more fun. You might even come up with a riff or two because you’re playing to an actual drum beat.
The MP-3 also comes with a bunch of jam tracks, and I especially love the artist made ones. And if you for some reason can’t find anything that works for you, you can use the audio stream feature and play over your favorite songs and jam tracks as well.
Is NUX Mighty Plug Pro MP-3 good?
The NUX Mighty Plug Pro MP-3 is one of the best practice tools I’ve ever tried. It’s affordable, tiny and packs a ridiculous amount of features that make guitar playing fun and inspiring.
There were several moments where I had to remind myself that I’m playing through this small dongle attached to my guitar. The sounds you get with it may not be studio quality, but they are good and more importantly, inspiring.
Besides using it as a practice or travel rig I could see some guitar players use the MP-3 as their tiny backup rig as well.
To me this is a no-brainer to get.
If you’re interested acquiring your own Valeton Dapper Bass and support what I do, you can find affiliate links here:
►►Get NUX Mighty Plug Pro MP-3 Here: https://thmn.to/thoprod/549867?offid=1&affid=394
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