Crate Profiler Model 5 Amp with USB Port
Crate has just released the first Amp with a USB port and it’s looking pretty enticing. This thing is seriously packed with a lot of crap (good crap I mean). First off it is a stereo mini five-watt amp. Thats right, I said stereo. This eight-inch tall, six-pound bad boy comes packed with two four-inch speakers. This sucker blows away all of the other guys mini amps.
Crate packed in gain, delay, and a slew of effects including chorus, flange, auto wah, and reverb. The effects are always fun to play with, but usually end up going unused in actual playing, well except for maybe reverb.
On the back side we have a mini-jack for headphones and a mini-jack for audio input (usually used to connect a CD player or mp3 player). The unit uses a 9-volt battery for portable power or there is also a jack for a 9-volt 700mA AC adapter. I couldn’t determine whether or not the AC adapter was included in the package or optional. Usually if it is extra they will mention that and nowhere I read said it was optional, so I would be inclined to believe it was included in the cost. The adapter is included with the amp.
The real standout feature (if all of the above was not enough) is the fact that this amp is the first ever to have an integrated USB port. Bundled with the included Mackie Tracktion recording software you have a portable guitar recording device with built in effects. Basically what we have here is a POD sans a few effects and models, but with stereo speakers. I would hope you would be able to record with whatever software you like… but that is not certain.
Crate Profiler Model 5 Amp Feature Set:
- Stereo 2×4″ speakers
- 5-watts of power
- 8″ tall weighing less than 6lbs
- Stereo DSP including Chorus, Flange, Wah and Tremolo
- Separate Delay, Reverb and 3-band EQ
- USB port for computer recording
- Includes Mackie Tracktion 2 Recording Software for recording USB output
- Carying handle
- Headphone output mini-jack
- CD/mp3 player input mini-jack
- Powered by 9-volt battery or AC adapter
- Includes AC adapter (Thanks Dustin for the tip!)
So what is this going to set you back? Well Musicians Friend has them listed for $159.99USD and you can pre-order them today! The first batch of orders will ship August 7th, 2007. If they get too many orders you may have to wait for their 2nd shipment.
I have been looking into a computer recording device lately. I have been weighing the options from manufacturers like Line 6. Looks like I might have a new option to consider.
If anyone knows whether the AC adapter is included or not, please let me know. Thanks Dustin for leaving a comment and letting me know that the AC adapter is in fact included with the amp.
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Tagged with: computer-recording • crate-amps
Filed under: Amp Reviews
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Hi, I just wanted to let you know that the AC adapter is included. Thanks.
Hey Dustin, thanks for the tip!
That just makes it seem that much better.
I was interested in this amp, digging for reviews, until I just read it could be powered by a 9V battery. Being an electrical engineer, I know that there is no way a 9V battery can power a 5 watt amp. No way, ain’t happening. Now, if it ran off 6 ‘C’ or ‘D’ batteries, I’d be impressed. As it is, with a 9V battery, it reminds me of the old car stereo amps that claimed 1000watts with a 3 amp fuse and thread thin power wires. Well, common sense tells me this amp won’t do what it claims with a 9V battery. Even with the 9V 700mA adapter plugged in, that means it draws 6.3 watts from the power supply. Assuming this is class D for max efficiency, it may hit the power mark (peak) with the wall adapter plugged in, but not a chance with a 9V battery.
Rick, you can pull 3A from a good 9V battery, so I am inclined to believe it will be able to do what it says. It just won’t hold out long, for a common 9V battery doesn’t hold much more than 800 mAh
That’s totally cool that they finally came out with an amp with a USB port.
However, if you’re looking to find something good for starting your own personal recordings, I would definitely recommend a Line 6 audio interface.
It comes with tons and tons of guitar tones, including an online library where you can emulate the guitar tones of some of the most famous guitarists like Angus Young, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, and Ryan Adams. I own one and I enjoy it.
The only set-back is that it has no phantom power on it, so you can’t use a condenser microphone for recording.
I bought this Crate used at Guitar Center for 50 bucks and it was quite a surprise. It’s pretty loud and the tones are good, but the real bonus is the USB. It works fine with most DAW’s and the sound is clear and clean. What would REALLY be nice is if this thing came with a software editor so you could have more control of all the parameters, especially the effects. As it is, you set an effect and like it or not you get what you get. But hey, it’s still a great deal.
It actually runs on 6 AA’s, not 1 9V.
That’s totally cool that they finally came out with an amp with a USB port.
However, if you’re looking to find something good for starting your own personal recordings, I would definitely recommend a Line 6 audio interface.
It comes with tons and tons of guitar tones, including an online library where you can emulate the guitar tones of some of the most famous guitarists like Angus Young, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, and Ryan Adams. I own one and I enjoy it.
The only set-back is that it has no phantom power on it, so you can’t use a condenser microphone for recording.