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Tech 21 SansAmp PSA 2.0 Programmable Instrument Preamp Pedal

Active DI, Preamp, EQ, and Overdrive Pedal with 49 Presets; 2-band EQ; Buzz, Punch, Crunch, and Drive controls; and Speaker Simulation
$299.00

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Tech 21 SansAmp PSA 2.0 Programmable Instrument Preamp Pedal
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Tone-shaping Beast

When Tech 21 originally released the rackmount SansAmp PSA-1 in 1993, it quickly became an indispensable studio and stage staple — and a favorite here at Sweetwater. It was deployed on countless recordings, worldwide tours, and film soundtracks for multiple applications and instruments, including drums, horns, and even vocals. Unfortunately, as certain key components became unavailable, Tech 21 was forced to retire it. They quickly realized, however, that this sad occasion also presented an opportunity not only to redesign the SansAmp PSA — but to streamline its technology into a pedal. Meet the SansAmp PSA 2.0. It has the same all-analog circuitry (only the programming and memory sections are digital) to deliver punchy, responsive, organic sounds that make any source sound its best. The SansAmp PSA 2.0 provides the same functionality, ease of use, and amazing versatility as its esteemed predecessor.

What the SansAmp can do for you

In the studio, you can use the SansAmp PSA 2.0 to record direct, to spruce up your tracks in mixdown, and to add dimension to any source. Onstage, you can use it as a preamp (plugged, for instance, into a power amp connected to a guitar or bass cab), as an incredible-sounding DI routed directly into a PA system, or as a characterful outboard processor. In addition, the SansAmp PSA 2.0 features a Performance Mode, which turns it into a 3-channel stompbox! As millions of musicians have found, the Tech 21 SansAmp is a tone-shaping beast — your do-it-all DI, preamp, EQ, drive, crunch, and punch machine.

Nail any tube amp character, fast

Tech 21 designed the SansAmp PSA 2.0 with functionality similar to a high-end amp, which means you don’t need an engineering degree to operate it. Storing and recalling programs is easy: craft your tone and push the Save button. When you turn a knob, you’ll immediately hear the difference in real time. The rotation of each control increases and decreases in a smooth, gradual, and linear fashion. The unit has 49 factory presets and 77 memory locations to store your own sounds, plus two bypass programs. And when switching between programs, there is no cutting out or lag time. The SansAmp PSA 2.0 gives you the flexibility to nail almost any tube amp tonal character you can dream up.

Tech 21 SansAmp PSA 2.0 Features:

  • 100% analog signal path; digital programmability
  • Performance Mode to instantly access your 3 most often used presets
  • Buzz, Punch, Crunch, and Drive controls for tons of tonality options
  • Gain for different flavors of overdrive
  • 2-band active EQ, cut or boost ±18dB
  • Global Trim control to adjust the level of all presets
  • MIDI capability for calling up programs and storing program data
  • Special Page Functions
  • 1/4" 1 Mohm instrument-level input
  • 1/4" unbalanced lo-Z universal output
  • Speaker simulation, with defeat switch
  • 3-digit LED display, visible from any angle and in any lighting
  • Rugged, all-metal housing with metal footswitches and jacks
  • Silent-switching, custom footswitch actuators
  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 2.5" x 1.25"
  • Weighs only 12 oz.
  • Included 9-volt DC auto-switching 100–240-volt, 200mA universal power supply
  • Includes interchangeable prong assemblies for EU, UK, Australia/New Zealand, for use anywhere in the world

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Tech Specs

  • Pedal Type: Multi Distortion/Overdrive, Preamp
  • Analog/Digital: Analog signal path, Digital programming
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (instrument)
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • MIDI I/O: 1 x 7-pin DIN (in)
  • Bypass Switching: Buffered
  • EQ: Active 2-band EQ
  • Power Source: 9V DC power supply (included)
  • Height: 1.25"
  • Width: 7.75"
  • Depth: 2.5"
  • Weight: 12 oz.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: PSA 2.0

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Awesome Analog Amp Pedal

If you're looking for an outstanding analog amp pedal, the SansAmp PSA 2.0 is for you!
I selected this over a digital modeling amp pedal as I wanted good solid tone and simplicity, and didn't need built in f/x and dozens or hundreds of presets.
SIMPLIFY and focus on tone and playing was my goal!!

My top reasons to buy this product:

1) Easy to use. Functions like a "real" amp by adjusting the knobs to find your tone rather than selecting an exact amp and building as done with digital modelers. It's a journey to find that tone that fits who you are and what you're playing.

2)Also has the playing feel like a tube amp. Responsive to subtleties in playing resulting in expressive playing experience.

3) Despite the simplicity, has plenty of variety both in amp types and adjustment for clean/overdrive and EQ. Right now I'm favoring more of a British amp sound, so I used the factory Marshall and Vox presets as a starting point and customized to presets to my liking.

4) Perhaps my favorite feature is the DRIVE knob. This adjusts the power amp saturation rather than the pre-amp section. Most of my presets are built around using the drive knob for various power amp saturation. I love the responsiveness of power amp tubes when pushed slightly for varying degrees of sweet breakup.

I also got the Tech21 MIDI Mongoose pedal to have more preset access. Currently, I'm using only the first 5 and that's all I need right now. Easy to add more if/when needed.

See my pedal board photo with everything in place. It's a mix of analog and digital pedals that augment the PSA 2.0 where needed. It all starts with the wonderful rich and authentic tones from the PSA 2.0.
Currently running direct into a PA.
Rated 5/5

tech 21 PSA 2.0

I just kind of stumbled on this. Was thinking of getting a sans amp. This thing sounds great. The presets are very usable. Also plenty of storage for new presets. Very simple to use. Great tones. I am completely rearranging my pedal board to get this sweet sounding piece in the mix. Very satisfied.
Rated 5/5

It rocks!!

I bought mine
circa 2020. I use it in both live and studio applications. Their is NOT any amp tone you cant get from this monster!! I use it now with a new ZOOM G5n (for effects), and into the PSA 2.0.. Then, into a HEADRUSH
1x12 FRFR cabinet. Absolute tonal bliss no matter which of my guitars I use!!
This pedal ROCKS!!
Music background: Gigging semi-pro with 47 yrs. of playing under my belt.
Rated 5/5

I love it so much, I bought two!

You can buy a boatload of boutique dirt pedals, or just buy one of these. The midi control, and 120 spaces allow for just about any guitar or bass tone you can dream up. The cab sim is awesome, and you can use it with a power amp and speaker cab with the sim on and it doesn't make your cabinet sound like it has a blanket over it. Just awesome. So now my two pedal boards (one is a backup) have a Mr Crybaby, a boss MS3, a TC electronic cab sim pedal for the internal boss distortions, and a DI for going direct into a board. It's all I need. I play guitar, bass and keys, and all I need is a small mixer and a my full range monitors and I can do any job or session that comes up.
Music background: I'm old, and actually play instruments
Rated 5/5

Swiss Army Knife Of Tone Shaping

True to the description, The PSA 2.0 is indeed a tone-shaping beast. I am much happier using it to dial in the tones that I want than to load IR's or constructing virtual rigs with software. The PSA 2.0 responds much more naturally to volume roll-off than software and once I got familiar with the effect of the CRUNCH PUNCH BUZZ knobs, I was achieving the tones that I was after in far less time than by other means. Yes it's a beast but it is also very efficient. It's built very well, has premium footswitches and jacks. The shafts in the pots are not metal. They are a clear plastic that pipes the light from what appears to be an LED from within the pot. I might prefer it without the glowing knobs in exchange for more resilient pots but in use, my foot has yet to make contact with the knobs so it may never be an issue. I do kinda like the look of the glowing knobs and thankfully they are not overly bright.

The cons to this pedal are the dimensions and location of the jacks which make the PSA 2.0 a little challenging to conserve real estate on the pedalboard. The back of the pedal has an angle to it which makes it kinda difficult to get the most out of low-profile patch cables and 1 piece connectors but I was able to get an offset connector to work fine with it by using 3M Dual-Lock to mount the adjacent pedal. All things considered, the PSA 2.0 can replace many distortion/overdrive and cab emulator pedals so it can save quite a bit of space. You would be hard-pressed to find this much power per square inch with any other pedal.

Overall I am very happy and impressed with the sound of the PSA 2.0. It's ability to store patches and recall them through MIDI is an awesome feature. Many other pedal's patch storage and recall are cryptic by comparison to the PSA 2.0's LED display and scroll buttons. Plus there is a ton of room in the memory to save user presets. I can't imagine that I would ever find reason to purchase another distortion/overdrive, preamp, cab emulator or EQ type pedal. The PSA 2.0 really can cover most of that territory on it's own and be quick and easy to get you there. Strongly recommend it.
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