Sinvertek MGAT-1 Golden Era – Hyper Preamp
100% amp tone in pedal format.
The Sinvertek MGAT-1 Golden Era is not a traditional overdrive pedal – it is a
true analog preamp circuit housed in a pedal enclosure. Designed to recreate the
response of a real tube amp preamp, the MGAT-1 delivers authentic amp feel, touch sensitivity,
dynamics, and frequency response.
Whether you run it into a clean amp, an FX loop return, a power amp, or a cab simulator,
the MGAT-1 Golden Era is built to deliver classic British amp character – from vintage Plexi-style
tones to aggressive modern Marshall-inspired gain.
MGAT-1 Platform
The MGAT-1 platform is based on Sinvertek’s Multistage Gain Generator and
Advanced Tone-Shaping System.
Three distinct channels are created by adjusting the number of gain stages:
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Clean / Crunch – inspired by early British amplifiers such as the JTM45
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OD1 – classic hard rock overdrive covering Plexi and JCM800 territory
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OD2 – modern Marshall-style high gain
Combined with selectable gain structures and saturation options, the MGAT-1 can produce
19 different gain structures, ranging from clean tones to ultra-high gain.
Its advanced tone-shaping system is designed to accurately reflect the frequency response of tube amps,
helping the MGAT-1 react naturally to your guitar volume and picking dynamics.
Hyper Preamp Concept
Sinvertek describes the MGAT-1 as a Hyper Preamp.
Unlike traditional preamp pedals, it features a unique clean channel filter, allowing it to work:
- directly into a power amp or FX return
- in front of a clean amp channel like a regular pedal
This makes the MGAT-1 Golden Era extremely flexible in modern guitar rigs while still preserving the feel
and character of a real amplifier preamp.
Advanced Switching System
The MGAT-1 features eight switches for detailed control over both gain and tone.
Four switches are related to gain, and four are related to tone shaping, giving players access to
hundreds of possible tone combinations.
Switches Related to Tone
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Sound Density
Selects how the MGAT-1 interacts with different setups:
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Up: Dark Clean Channel
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Down: Bright Clean Channel
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Middle: Power Amp mode
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Top End
Adjusts the high-frequency character:
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Up: Modern – more upper-mid attack
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Down: Vintage – enhanced classic Marshall-style top end
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Low End
Controls bass response:
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Up: Heavy – maximum low end, ideal for Crunch and OD1
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Down: Medium – balanced low end
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Middle: Tight – least low end, recommended for tighter high-gain tones
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Mid Range
Determines the frequency point affected by the Mid control:
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Up: High
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Down: Mid – recommended for classic Marshall-style tone
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Middle: Low
Switches Related to Gain
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Gain Stage
Changes the level of gain stages and selects which channel is active.
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OD1 & OD2 Gain Structure
Changes the structure of the input and output of the amplifier stage:
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Up: High – maximum gain and low-frequency response
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Down: Low – lowest gain and low-frequency response
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Middle: Medium – medium gain and standard low-frequency response
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OD1 Gain Saturation
Adjusts the saturation level of the OD1 channel:
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Right: High gain saturation
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Left: Super high gain saturation
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Middle: Standard gain saturation
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OD2 Gain Saturation
Adjusts the saturation level of the OD2 channel:
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Right: High gain saturation
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Left: Super high gain saturation
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Middle: Standard gain saturation
What Makes the Golden Era Different?
Compared to the original MGAT-1, the MGAT-1 Golden Era offers a clearer overall tone,
bigger low frequencies, and more power, bringing it even closer to the sound and response of classic
Marshall-style amplifiers.
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Clearer tone with stronger low-end response
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More gain in the green channel
- Refined gain levels in the orange and red channels
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A new Gold Era switch replaces the original Mid-Range switch, helping players dial in
the tonal balance between Plexi and JCM800 more quickly and accurately
Specifications
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Input Impedance: 1 MOhm
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Output Impedance: 1 kOhm
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Current Draw: 200 mA
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Power Supply: 9V DC adapter only
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Battery Operation: No
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Width: 60 mm
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Depth: 112 mm
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Height: 47.5 mm
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Weight: 460 g
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Included Accessories: Certificate card, warranty card
Highlights
- True analog hyper preamp design
- Covers everything from clean and crunch to classic rock and modern high gain
- Flexible operation with clean amps, FX returns, power amps, IR loaders, and cab sims
- Deep tone shaping with eight switches and multiple gain structures
- Designed for players who want authentic amp feel in a compact pedal format
