MXR M-80

[RoctoBass]

Hoping to see if anyone can offer some opinions on the MXR M-80 DI.

I am a gigging musician in and around NYC, and have become tired of the tone inconsistencies associated with using different venues' backlines. Unfortunately buying my own amp isn't really in the budget right now, so I figured a solid DI will offer the ability to bring my desired tone to each place. I play a Music Man Sterling, which I bought specifically for its bright tone that old house equipment loves to suck away.

Anyway I love the Dunlop/MXR stuff and am curious about the M80. Any current/former users out there that can help? Any advice will be much appreciated.

[vegas532]

Even though the Sansamp BDDI is considered "industry standard", I'm one of those guys who will always vote for the M80. I've had both and the M80 has a way more versatile EQ section and a rounder, warmer tone overall. The distortion section is always going to be the dividing factor on this one (the blend is the key), but it has the BDDI beat hands down in the EQ section.

The M80 is a winner.

[Grrface]

It's a pretty great piece of gear. I haven't gotten a chance to try any other DIs yet, but at the moment the M80 takes care of pretty much everything I need. The warmth it adds is also very enjoyable, if it's what you're looking for.

[scHism]

Besides the previous mentioned differences in EQ, the most notable and important difference for me is the sansamp tends to "color" your tone into SVT territory, while the MXR M80 leaves your guitars tone intact. It has a mid control w/c most DI do not have, and it has the blend knob to control the distortion/dry. It also has a color switch w/c to my ears scoops the tone a little, but tone heaven nonetheless.

If I need to cut down weight to a gig, I only bring my KORG PB and the MXR M80 and I am all set.

[Pollinator95]

I love my M80 and you will too, probably.
You can use it as a 2 channel pre-amp, a mute switch, or a simple OD.
The only trouble is that the colour switch scoops the mids a considerable amount. "Well, don´t use it" I hear you say. Actually, when you switch to the OD channel the colour is on wether you like it or not. You can counter this via EQ, but then your clean channel will have a pretty big mid boost.
But if you like a mid-boost, your mids scooped, or only need 1 channel, this is great.
Other than that it´s awesome, and yeah, the blend is your friend.

[RickenBoogie]

I'll echo what everyone else has said. It's a great box, very un-Sansamp sounding, (that's a good thing imo), and the eq is top notch. The color button is meh, and since I never use the distortion, it's a non-issue for me.

[bassgiant15]

I have an m-80 and prefer it to the sansamp live. I do use a sansamp for recording though.

[BassIsFun17]

i used to have an M-80 a few years ago, and now i really have missed it. the distortion sounds great on it, as does the eq section. I loved this pedal. I have an Xotic BB preamp now, and the distortion is pretty similar sounding to my ears. Lately I have been thinking of getting one, just don't know how much id use the preamp section on it, aside from gigs. though the preamp section is great to shape the distortion sound with too.

[Hopkins]

I had one for a few days when I first started playing bass, I returned it in favor of the BDDI. That being said I was much more inexperienced then so maybe now under the same circumstances I would choose the opposite. I used to always use my BDDI in my effects loop but for a few years now just keep it around as an emergency back up.

[rekesbass]

I'll mention what no one else has so far. Phantom power...very handy to be able to use it if your batteries die or you forget\don't own a power supply..I use this function a lot at practice for going into pa system(I don't use a bass amp at practice)and a small venue we play at that has house pa..I will also agree with everyone's comments here..A very versatile tool to have, with or without an amp.

[cheapbasslovin]

It's a good box. If you:

A. need a decent and intuitive EQ
B. need a decent DI
C. don't want to sound like a Sansamp

then it really is among the best buys out there, IMO.

[EskimoBassist]

I swear by my M-80, in the studio and live. Much, much preferred to the Sansamp - sweepable mids AND switchable distortion channel. WIN WIN WIN.

[cultrvultr]

Also, the parallel out works as a second input. Add A/B/Y box as another feature!

I've never liked the distortion sound, but if you leave the gain down you can set it as a second cleanish boost. I leave the 1st channel on for rock tunes and the second channel for slapping or guitar solos.

[RNV]

It is a great pedal. I used the OD channel with the full dry signal and the Gate On for some specific passages that needed some extra tightness with the rapid staccato finger picking madness I was playing.