MXR Carbon Copy and Subdecay Echobox Living in Harmony Review

Chronicle · #1 12-12-2008, 09:40 AM

So i decided to get another delay to settle next to the Echobox for some cool double delay effects and having a different voiced delay.

The Carbon copy was on the top of the list since it was always right next to me while at work. Just lurking there...staring me down....anyways...

I decided to take it home a couple of days ago and I was pleased with the results. A nice clean delay for my bass. Unlike my Boss DD-3 which I compared with my Echobox, it muddied the notes big time.

Sound
The delay is nice and clean. 600ms of delay time and that oh so fun feedback control analog delays have.

The modulation isn't the best. I didn't want it for the modulation like I did for my Echobox, but I did play with the pedal at work with different modulation settings and it didn't wow me like the Echobox did. Not a big deal though.

Construction
Built with Tonka-tough steel, the insides are neat and clean. Like most MXR pedals, it's built to last.

Ease of use
You have to be a brain-dead giraffe to not know how to work it. Regen=how many delayed notes. Delay=time between delayed notes. Mix= blend between delay signal and normal.

Features
It only has a couple of great features. Small size, TWO DIFFERENT HUES OF BLUE LEDS!!!!!!, a great clean delay, and a decent modulation.

Let's get onto the soundclips!

All of which are mic'd. Turn your volume up a bit since I can't record at any higher volumes since I live in an apartment :/

Rickenbacker 4003-pedalboard-GK2001/Avatar4x10-Shure SM57-Tascam US144 interface.

http://soundclick.com/jovi

MXRCC1=
Mix at 3oc
Delay at 3oc
Feedback at 9oc

MXRCC2=
Mix-3oc
Delay-9oc
Feedback-12oc

MXRCC3=
Crazy feedback playing around.
Then Echobox feedback.

MXRCC4=
MXR on ~400MS Delay time.
Feedback= 9oc
Echobox on ~400MS
Feedback = 9oc

MXRCC5=
Modulation on same settings both delays.

MXRCC6= (this one came out nicely.)
Double delay time!

MXR-
Delay- 12oc
Regen- 10oc

Echobox-
Delay 4oc
Repeats- 11oc
Modulation depth: 11oc
Speed: 7oc

The delays are played separate at first then come together.

MXR Carbon Copy Specs:
600ms analog delay
MXR size box
Modulation with controls inside
BLUE LED

Subdecay Echobox:
800ms digital delay
Medium size box
Modulation with outside pots
Outside switch for natural decay.
AQUA LED!

Chronicle · #2 12-12-2008, 10:23 AM

All done for now!

In conclusion, I like the MXR CC but if i had to pick between the two- the echobox would definitely win because of the Modulation knobs on the pedal itself and the unique sound it has. the MXR CC is great for what i'm using it for though!

rcubed · #3 12-12-2008, 10:26 AM

Next up, you need to play around with the internal trim pots for the MOD button.

Chronicle · #4 12-12-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcubed

Next up, you need to play around with the internal trim pots for the MOD button.

Yeah when i have time, i'll record them. I did play with the modulation settings on guitar when i was at work this week and I wasn't satisfied with the sound of it on any setting. The Echobox's modulation definitely takes the cake.

katri · #5 12-12-2008, 11:21 AM

Which sounds better in your oppinion, which would you keep if you had to get rid of one?

Also what are the prices of the 2?

LowB-ing · #6 12-12-2008, 11:28 AM

You are a brain-dead giraffe!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronicle

You have to be a brain-dead giraffe to not know how to work it. ...
Mix= blend between delay signal and normal.

Jokes aside, Mix doesn't really blend between delay and dry the way most people think about "blend" (meaning pannig). Dry signal is always at unity gain, and the knob actually sets the volume of the delay signal.

Chronicle · #7 12-12-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katri

Which sounds better in your oppinion, which would you keep if you had to get rid of one?

Also what are the prices of the 2?

Quote:

In conclusion, I like the MXR CC but if i had to pick between the two- the echobox would definitely win because of the Modulation knobs on the pedal itself and the unique sound it has. the MXR CC is great for what i'm using it for though!

150$ MXR
250$ Echobox

Chronicle · #8 12-12-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowB-ing

You are a brain-dead giraffe!

Jokes aside, Mix doesn't really blend between delay and dry the way most people think about "blend" (meaning pannig). Dry signal is always at unity gain, and the knob actually sets the volume of the delay signal.

Then tell the guys at MXR cause that's not what i read in the manual.

LowB-ing · #9 12-12-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronicle

Then tell the guys at MXR cause that's not what i read in the manual.

They might have changed it then. Or the manual is incorrect. It bummed me out a little when I got mine, so I thought it was worth poining out. Still agreat pedal at a great price though.

Try this:
Set Regen = 0, Delay = max and Mix = max.

Do you hear the dry signal when playing?

If they've changed it i might sell my old unit and get a new one.

rratajski · #10 12-12-2008, 04:46 PM

I love the riff and delays on #6. Great clips and review, Chron!

icarussmicarus · #11 12-12-2008, 06:39 PM

Big question is. What can the Carbon Copy do that the Echobox can't? Obviously having two delays is useful in itself, but is there anything you can get from the carbon copy that you cant get with the Echobox?

rratajski · #12 12-12-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icarussmicarus

Big question is. What can the Carbon Copy do that the Echobox can't? Obviously having two delays is useful in itself, but is there anything you can get from the carbon copy that you cant get with the Echobox?

It can save you $100 and room on your board hahaha

Chronicle · #13 12-12-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rratajski

It can save you $100 and room on your board hahaha

That's pretty much it. It has a different voicing in the delay because it's analog but the echobox can do so much more.

Mark Olson · #14 12-12-2008, 08:38 PM

Sweet score! I like simple pedals, the easier the better, and I can get everything I need out of the Carbon Copy so it does the trick for me.

fishtx · #15 12-13-2008, 01:02 AM

tap tempo available on either box?

Mark Olson · #16 12-13-2008, 06:11 AM

I don't think so...

fightthepower · #17 12-13-2008, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronicle

That's pretty much it. It has a different voicing in the delay because it's analog but the echobox can do so much more.

That's where I'm at with the DM-2 and the DD6. I love the sound of the dm-2, but for I what I use delay for the majority of the time, the DM-2 doesn't cut it with it's short delay time... I've thought about modding it for more delay (i'm pretty sure it can be done), but I got it pretty cheap and don't want to kill the resale value. Now that my board is full, I'm in the process of downsizing. IE smaller muff, xo qtron and bms, nano stone (or different phaser all together) etc. I recently took the DM-2 off too, but I love that analog decay. New delay isn't at the top of my list so I haven't done too much research on them, but a DM-2 with tap tempo, 600ms delay time (im assuming its 300ms), hold and reverse, would be the sh!!!t

Thanks for the review!

whoatherechunk · #18 12-22-2008, 07:49 PM

i looked inside the carbon copy and i'm really impressed. i really like how they put that paper cover with the holes for the internal trim pots. i have really been impressed with mxr lately. they really have their **** together. congrats to them.

Chronicle · #19 12-22-2008, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

i looked inside the carbon copy and i'm really impressed. i really like how they put that paper cover with the holes for the internal trim pots. i have really been impressed with mxr lately. they really have their **** together. congrats to them.

I believe it's because of the guy from Way Huge helped out on it. I forgot if he did touch this pedal's design but everything in the Line6/Dunlop production he touches is mint. For example, the M13.

afroman · #20 12-22-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronicle

All done for now!

In conclusion, I like the MXR CC but if i had to pick between the two- the echobox would definitely win because of the Modulation knobs on the pedal itself and the unique sound it has. the MXR CC is great for what i'm using it for though!

I just posted a mini-review of the CC, Hardwire Delay and Nova Delay.
The CC is the best sounding and just plain good and simple. I still have it because the osccilations are great.

Play with the internat MOD trimpot and you'll get a more pronounced Mod sound which is really good. I have mine setup almost all the way.

The Echobox looks very nice but it was too expensive for me, w.o. having presets or tap tempo.