MXR 80 +

MattTheBassist · #1 09-27-2011, 06:40 AM

I've been looking at the MXR M80 + Dunlop pedal, Is it any good and can anyone give me pointers on it? Thanks!

omie · #2 09-27-2011, 07:30 AM

Do you need the DI? This is one of the pedals with distortion that people usually love or hate, a thin trebily crackle on top or your signal in distortion mode. Judicious use of the blend knob is a must . Also the color button auto activates when the distortion is engaged for a mid scoop. Tough little box that's worth a look if you can get it cheap - used, if you're buying new I'd get something better. Rusty Box seems like a popular alternative.

Pollinator95 · #3 09-27-2011, 09:14 AM

I love mine. The "color" switch is pretty drastic, but you can get good tones if you spend time with it.

crapusername · #4 09-27-2011, 09:28 AM

totally love mine - I've been relying on it for DI gigs for years!
the Eq is great, very versatile, and the option of the color switch give more possibilities.
The drive channael is good, once used with (as mentioned before) judicious use of the blend knob

A reall 'swiss army knife' of a pedal, and quite reasonably priced too!

scHism · #5 09-27-2011, 03:07 PM

If you want to stray away from the SansAmp/Ampeg SVT tone, this is the DI for you. If you want to sound like SVT, the Sansamp BDDI or Paradriver is better.

lowfreq33 · #6 09-27-2011, 04:07 PM

I like mine. I keep the color engaged all the time, the difference between channels with it off is too drastic for me. I don't care for the distortion channel as a distortion per se, too sizzly as already stated. I use it as a boost with a small amount of distortion blended in to cut through a bit for solos or punkier parts.

Munjibunga · #7 09-27-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omie

Do you need the DI? This is one of the pedals with distortion that people usually love or hate, a thin trebily crackle on top or your signal in distortion mode. Judicious use of the blend knob is a must . Also the color button auto activates when the distortion is engaged for a mid scoop. Tough little box that's worth a look if you can get it cheap - used, if you're buying new I'd get something better. Rusty Box seems like a popular alternative.

I agree. The M-80 is way too harsh for me.

FaithNoMan · #8 09-27-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scHism

If you want to stray away from the SansAmp/Ampeg SVT tone, this is the DI for you. If you want to sound like SVT, the Sansamp BDDI or Paradriver is better.

I disagree..partially. There are a few other flavors from Tech 21 besides the BDDI/VT Bass that sound nothing like an SVT.

That being said, the Rusty Box would work well. Every time I hear the OD channel on the MXR, I think of the sound of white noise.

singlemalt · #9 09-27-2011, 04:41 PM

I like mine enough that when the switch broke, I wired it to be on all the time. I never turned it off anyway. Color setting stays on all the time too. Never go anywhere without it.

The "distortion" channel is retched. As noted above, with this channel, it is better to use just a touch of gain, a tiny bit of blend and the volume to set up a "boosted" sound for louder parts or solos. Otherwise, it's a nasty thin sounding piece of trash.

The DI works great. Having it could save your butt if your amp dies and you need to get your sound out to the PA.

Even with the weak dirt channel this box won out over other pre amp type boxes like the sansamp paradriver.

Kind of like some girls, reliable and super sweet until you step on the wrong button, then it gets shrill and nasty.

Should be under $100 used.

Dazonbass · #10 09-27-2011, 08:16 PM

by the 80+ do you mean the Japanese special addition. This is the one that I have and do not think there is much of a difference beyond the box colour.

Crystalman85 · #11 09-28-2011, 04:00 PM

I think it sounded pretty cool. even though I don't own one, but I think it sounds awesome. I own a zoom b2.1u and it has a distortion channel based on the mxr m-80. I created a distortion patch using that distortion channel and it sounds totally awesome.

loopmantra · #12 09-29-2011, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

I like mine. I keep the color engaged all the time, the difference between channels with it off is too drastic for me. I don't care for the distortion channel as a distortion per se, too sizzly as already stated. I use it as a boost with a small amount of distortion blended in to cut through a bit for solos or punkier parts.

+1 on this
although I like to use dist. channel,but only with my ehx octave multiplexer with the sub switch off(wicked drive appears),I must say this is a must-have pedal

casio · #13 09-29-2011, 06:34 AM

I had and sold mine, but thats because I don't need the DI anymore.
I liked the distortion for certain tones, it works well in some situations, and the EQ is flexible for me when the color knob is off. Overall, I prefer it to the sansamp, but don't own it anymore!

benthughes · #14 09-29-2011, 11:43 AM

I've got a SansAmp DI and MXR DI and like them both for different reasons.The SansAmp is good if you like the tone which a lot of people do, Hell, I do. I'd like to try a programmable SansAmp since you can get several useful tones out of this thing, it'd be nice to switch on the fly. I prefer to use the SansAmp, not so much as a DI, but an overdrive/crunch pedal. The overdrive it very natural and dynamic; I like to put a boost before it to push it harder and go from clean to dirty.

The MXR is more neutral sounding without the "color" switch activated and has decent EQ. The color switch lends to a decent slap tone but would be tough to actuate on the fly so boo! The distortion on the MXR is kind of harsh but I kind of dig it, the blend knob is essential to dial it down a bit. If you like the sound of your setup as is I'd go with the MXR as it'll let you keep your sound and add a bit of flexibility. Good for the price IMO.