The Mighty Plug Pro is a fully-featured headphone amp that offers an array of functionalities for guitarists. It has many modeling amps, effects, and many functions for supporting your practice. It stands out for its physical buttons on the device, providing easy access to various settings without the need for a mobile device app. One of its key features is its streaming capability. If you're looking for a device that allows you to easily stream your guitar performances on social media, the Mighty Plug Pro is an excellent choice. Its combination of features and ease of use makes it a valuable tool for any guitarist.
This is Yosh (@Yosh_Guitar), an ex-music store clerk. The Mighty Plug, the best cost-effective guitar headphone amp, has now been upgraded with more features and is now available as the Pro version. In this review, we will cover the pros and cons of the Mighty Plug Pro, as well as the differences from the original Mighty Plug.
Pros
Headphone Amp Compatible with Guitar and Bass
The Mighty Plug Pro can be directly connected to a guitar or bass, and by simply connecting earphones or headphones, you can enjoy a full-fledged sound. The ultra-compact body is designed to accommodate all jack shapes and not interfere with the arm of a Stratocaster.
17 Types of Guitar and 4 Types of Bass Amp Modeling
The amp modeling includes 17 types of guitar amps and 4 types of bass amp modeling. The list of amp modeling is as follows, which can cover all genres.
| Name | Base Model |
|---|---|
| Jazz Clean | Roland JC-120 |
| Dluxe Rvb | 64 Fender Deluxe Reverb |
| Bass Mate | 59 Fender Bassman |
| Tweedy | 57 Fender Tweed Deluxe |
| Hiwire | 1969 HIWATT |
| Cali Crunch | 1978 Mesa Boogie MK1 |
| Class A30 | VOX AC30 |
| Plexi 100 | 68 Marshall Plexi 100W |
| Plexi 45 | 67 Marshall Plexi 45W |
| Brit 800 | 1977 Marshall JCM800 |
| 1987 X 50 | 1989 Marshall 1987X 50W |
| Slo 100 | 1980 Soldano SLO 100 |
| Fireman HBE | 2005 Friedman HBE |
| Dual Rect | 1985 Mesa Dual Rectifier |
| Die VH4 | 1999 Diezel VH4 |
| Mr. Z38 | 2001 FR Z MAZ 38 |
| Super Rvb | 2008 Fender Supersonic |
| AGL* | AGL AMP |
| MLD* | MLD AMP |
| Optima Air* | OPTIMA AIR |
| Stageman* | STAGEMAN ACOUSTIC |
34 Types of IR, Loadable
Since the sound becomes that of headphones or line outs, not only the amp but also the IR is adapted to add the sound of the cabinet speaker and reproduce the amp sound that is easy to get used to. In addition, it is equipped with 3 types of acoustic IR that can make an electric guitar sound like an acoustic guitar. It is good to use the single coil of the front pickup. In addition to the 36 models of IR that match the amp modeling, there are also 20 slots available for loading third-party IRs using dedicated software connected to a PC.
| IR (* for bass, ** for acoustic) | Base Model |
|---|---|
| JZ120 | Roland JC120 |
| DR112 | 64 Deluxe Reverb 1×12 |
| TR212 | 65 Twin Reverb 2×12 |
| HIWIRE412 | 1969 HIWATT 4×12 |
| CALI112 | 1978 Mesa Boogie MK1 1 x12 |
| A112 | VOX AC30 1×12 |
| GB412 | Marshall Greenback 4 x 12 |
| M1960AX | Marshall 1960AX |
| M1960AV | Marshall 1960AV |
| M1960TV | Marshall 1960TV |
| SLO412 | Soldano 4×12 |
| FIREMAN412 | Friedman 4×12 |
| RECT 412 | Mesa Boogie 4×12 |
| DIE412 | Diezel 4×12 |
| MATCH212 | Matchless 2×12 |
| UBER412 | Bogner 4×12 |
| BS410 | Fender Bassman 4×10 |
| A212 | VOX AC30 |
| M1960AHW | Marshall 1960A HW |
| M1936 | Marshall 1936 |
| BUDDA112 | BUDDA 1×12 |
| Z212 | Dr.Z 2×12 |
| SUPERVERB410 | Fender Superverb 4×10 |
| VIBROKING310 | Fender VibroKing 3×10 |
| AGL_DB810* | Aguilar DB 8×10 |
| AMP_SV212* | Amppeg SVT 2×12 |
| AMP_SV410* | Amppeg SVT4x10 |
| AMP_SV810* | Amppeg SVT8x10 |
| BASSGUY410* | Fender Bassman 4×10 |
| EDEN410* | EDEN 4×10 |
| MKB410* | Markbass 4 x10 |
| G-HBIRD** | Gibson Hummingbird |
| G-J15** | Gibson J-15 |
| M-D45** | Martin D-45 |
43 Types of Built-in Effects
It has built-in effects such as noise gate, compressor, distortion, EQ, modulation, delay, and reverb, just like a multi-effect unit. The modeling source is several famous machines, which makes you feel a little profitable. The list of effects is as follows:
| Type | Effect | Base Model |
|---|---|---|
| Gate | Gate | Noise Gate |
| Comp | Rose Comp | ROSS |
| Comp | K Comp | Kelly |
| Comp | Studio Comp | Studio |
| EFX | Distortion+ | MXR Distortion+ |
| EFX | RC Boost | Xotic RC Booster |
| EFX | AC Boost | Xotic AC Booster |
| EFX | Dist One | BOSS DS-1 Distortion |
| EFX | T Screamer | Ibanez Tube Screamer |
| EFX | Blues Dry | BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver |
| EFX | Morning Drv | JHS Morning Glory |
| EFX | Eat Dist | Pro Co RAT |
| EFX | Red Dirt | Keeley Red Dirt |
| EFX | Crunch | JHS Angry Charlie |
| EFX | Muff Fuzz | Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi |
| EFX | Katana | Keeley Katana Clean Boost |
| EFX | ST Singer | Dumble Steel String Singer |
| EQ | 6-Band | BOSS GE-6 |
| EQ | 10-Band | MXR 10 BAND EQ |
| Mod | CE-1 | Roland CE-1 Chorus |
| Mod | CE-2 | BOSS CE-2 Chorus |
| Mod | ST Chorus | MXR Stereo Chorus |
| Mod | Vibrato | BOSS VB-2 Vibrato |
| Mod | Detune | Stereo DETUNE |
| Mod | Flanger | BOSS BF-2 Flanger |
| Mod | Phase 90 | MXR Phase 90 |
| Mod | Phase 100 | MXR Phase 100 |
| Mod | S.C.F. | TC Chorus |
| Mod | U-Vibe | Dunlop Uni Vibe |
| Mod | Tremolo | BOSS TR-3 Tremolo |
| Mod | Rotary | Rotary Speaker |
| Mod | SCH-1 | MXR Harmonizer |
| Delay | Analog | BOSS DM-2 Analog Delay |
| Delay | Digital | BOSS DD-3 Digital Delay |
| Delay | Modulation | Ibanez DML Modulation Delay |
| Delay | Tape Echo | Maestro Echoplex EP-4 |
| Delay | Pan Delay | Ibanez DPL10 Stereo Pan Delay |
| Reverb | Room | T-Rex Room Mate Reverb |
| Reverb | Hall | Lexicon 224 Hall Reverb |
| Reverb | Plate | EMT 140 Plate Reverb |
| Reverb | Spring | Vintage Spring Reverb |
| Reverb | Shimmer | Shimmer Reverb |
| Reverb | Damp | NUX Damp Reverb |
Bluetooth Audio and Dedicated App
By connecting with your smart device via Bluetooth, you can play songs from your device, such as YouTube, while simultaneously playing your guitar or bass.
Furthermore, by using the dedicated app “MIGHTY AMP”, you can make various settings such as sound making, saving presets, rhythm patterns, etc. Conveniently, you can do most things without having to connect to a PC every time, which is appreciated when you actually use it. After all, small hurdles can be a big enemy for guitar practice. It also has a built-in drum machine and jam tracks, which could be used for improvisation practice.
USB Audio Interface Compatible with Streaming
By connecting your guitar and earphone mic, you can set up a streaming environment with just one smart device. Furthermore, it even has a loopback function, so you can stream your guitar performance while playing songs from Bluetooth audio or a connected PC or smartphone. There is no other device of this size that allows you to stream so easily. Of course, it can also be used as a regular USB audio interface, so you can record for composing, making demos, and creating videos.
Preset Function that Allows Saving to the Device and Automatic Switching
The sound-making done in the app can be preset saved to the device up to a maximum of 7. Among the 7 presets, for example, you can save only 1, 3, and 5 to the Mighty Plug Pro, and when you press the button on the device, you can switch between only presets 1, 3, and 5 in order. You can also set it in advance to automatically change the preset during song playback.
In this screenshot image, there are marks attached to the timeline 1,4,2,1… These indicate that it will automatically switch to these presets at the time of song playback. In addition to the JamTrack and Artist Track built into the app, you can also set it with songs saved in your smartphone, which is a convenient feature not only for practice but also for videos.
Comprehensive On-Device Control Buttons
While the app features are plentiful and convenient, once you’ve created a preset, you don’t need to launch the app every time you use the Mighty Plug Pro. You can switch presets just with the device button, and there’s also a volume button.
Since it’s a device that allows you to practice and perform easily, the fact that you don’t always need to connect to the app and can play as soon as you turn on the power is a surprisingly appreciated feature when you use it every time, albeit modest.
Approximately 5 Hours of Operation with Built-in Rechargeable Battery
A rechargeable battery is built into the compact body. Charging is done with a USB cable with a Type-C connector. With a maximum operation of up to 5 hours under normal use, you won’t have to worry about the battery running out during practice. It should also be sufficient for live streaming.
Tuner Function Included
As of the update on April 3, 2023, a tuner has been added to the app. The tuner from the Cherub brand is included, and the following settings can be switched:
Mode: Chromatic/Guitar Standard/Guitar Compensated/Bass Display: Flowing/Standard A4: 430Hz〜450Hz The notable point is the Guitar Compensated mode.
This mode is a tuning mode inspired by the tuning method devised by James Taylor, a master of acoustic guitar. By shifting the tuning of each string by a few cents, you can maximize the resonance of the acoustic guitar.
In Guitar Compensation Tuning, the tuning is adjusted from the general standard tuning as follows:
1st string E -3cent 2nd string B -6cent 3rd string G -4cent 4th string D -8cent 5th string A -10cent 6th string E -12cent In Cherub’s GCPS mode, this offset is applied as the default preset for each string, and by simply tuning the guitar to match the mode, you can perform James Taylor’s guitar compensation tuning.
Cons
Sound Quality Depends on the Headphones
This applies to all equipment that allows you to play an electric guitar with headphones, but the quality of the sound depends on the quality of the headphones you use for playback. If you usually use cheap earphones, I strongly recommend investing in earphones or headphones that allow you to hear every detail of the music. In my opinion, cultivating such aural skills is directly linked to improvement.
Comparison with Mighty Plug
| Specification | Mighty Plug Pro | Mighty Plug |
|---|---|---|
| Market Price | $109 | $74 |
| Number of Tones | Noise Gate: 1, Comp: 3, EFX: 13, Amp: 21, IR: 34, EQ: 2, Mod: 13, Delay: 5, Reverb: 6 | Noise Gate: 1, EFX: 14, Amp: 13, IR: 19, Mod: 6, Delay: 4, Reverb: 4 |
| Number of Preset Saves | 7 | 7 |
| Effect Connection Order Change | Available | Not Available |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| USB Audio Interface | Yes | Yes |
| Mic In Terminal | Yes | No |
| Loopback Function | Yes | No |
| Physical Buttons | Power/Mute, Volume +/-, Preset, Reset | Power/Mute, Preset, Reset |
| Latency | 1.2msec (0.0012 seconds) | Not Disclosed |
| Dynamic Range | 103 dB | Not Disclosed |
| Sampling Rate | 48kHz / 32-bit | Not Disclosed |
| Size | 81 x 41 x 30 mm | 81 x 41 x 30 mm |
| Weight | 70g | 62g |
The Mighty Plug Pro was released as an upgraded version of the Mighty Plug. Let’s compare the differences between the two models.
For a difference of only $30, the Pro model offers a greater number of effects and the ability to change the order of connections, optimization for streaming with mic input and loopback function, and the addition of a volume button on the device. Additionally, from the fact that latency and sampling rate have been disclosed, it can be expected that the sound quality of the Pro model has improved. Also, the Pro’s IR can change an electric guitar to sound like an acoustic guitar, which is a nice feature for those who can’t play an acoustic guitar loudly at home. The original Mighty Plug does not have an acoustic guitar IR.
Even the more expensive Mighty Plug Pro is much cheaper than a poor amp or multi-effect unit and is packed with more features, so if you’re unsure, I think you won’t regret buying the Pro.
The NuX Mighty Plug Pro is recommended for people who:
- Can’t play an amp at home
- Always play an electric guitar with an unplugged sound and are worried about the improvement
- Don’t understand the complexities of equipment but want to try streaming guitar easily
- Find it bothersome to open a smartphone app every time they practice guitar
- Want to use effects to create sound even in regular performances
- Are looking for a convenient multi-effect unit or USB audio interface
- Can’t play an acoustic guitar loudly at home and want to enjoy the sound of an acoustic guitar with an electric guitar
The NuX Mighty Plug is recommended for people who:
- Guitar beginners want to minimize expenses as much as possible
- Don’t care about sound creation
- Definitely won’t stream, so the cheaper, the better
