MXR M-80 Vs. BDDI

Flipper43 · #1 01-09-2010, 03:26 PM

Which one? I know most of you will say the Sansamp, but i want opinions and reasons. It would also help if you have actually
tried both instead of one, and going with the one you have tried. After you put your opinion, you should put which would be better in general, for a certain style of music, ect. Sorry if this has been posted before, just give me a link to the thread(s). Other than that, let the debate begin!

billphreets · #2 01-09-2010, 03:28 PM

neither

try http://www.davehallamps.co.uk/Products.html

; )

MNAirHead · #3 01-09-2010, 03:34 PM

I've owned both.. kept the M-80

A bit of this depends if you're using distortion...

I liked the tone shaping and sturdy box and smaller form factor.

======

Like many things, tone can be dialed in to create the same effect with many different boxes.

you can find them for about $65 used on ebay.

Flipper43 · #4 01-09-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I've owned both.. kept the M-80

A bit of this depends if you're using distortion...

I liked the tone shaping and sturdy box and smaller form factor.

======

Like many things, tone can be dialed in to create the same effect with many different boxes.

you can find them for about $65 used on ebay.

I know that the M-80 also has a blend knob on it... how's the distortion on it?

MNAirHead · #5 01-09-2010, 03:37 PM

Distortion is not the best.. but then again your sound guy wants a clean signal.

Distortion sounded like the Dist+ box from the 80s... did the job.. just enough to dirt a bit.. if you're an over the top fuzz folk - you may want tubes.

I use it most frequently to preshape for a power amp.

Flipper43 · #6 01-09-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Distortion is not the best.. but then again your sound guy wants a clean signal.

Distortion sounded like the Dist+ box from the 80s... did the job.. just enough to dirt a bit.. if you're an over the top fuzz folk - you may want tubes.

I use it most frequently to preshape for a power amp.

I'm not one of those over the top guys. But i like it sometimes

Does the distortion sound warm at all? I know that the BDDI even sounds a little metallic.

René_Julien · #7 01-09-2010, 03:42 PM

Interested in this too.

I never played the M-80, but I have and love the BDDI (except it would be great if it had more EQ control).

I wish MXR made a Blowtorch (M-181) with DI.
I played one once, the midshift on the Blowtorch is awesome IMO.
Never owned one.

Can the Blowtorch drive a poweramp? Anyone?

MNAirHead · #8 01-09-2010, 03:46 PM

Sounds like a Distortion+ pedal.. it's solid state

cheapbasslovin · #9 01-09-2010, 03:47 PM

I didn't much care for the SansAmp. It just never sounded any better than me running straight into my amp, IMO. I think it had much to do with its cab emulation; it cut some highs and I use a HOG pretty regularly to add highs to my sound. The two band EQ combined with the presence created extreme or bland sounds that didn't suit what I was trying to accomplish, which was primarily a nice sounding DI similar to my bass tone. The drive wasn't bad, but did not inspire me.

I currently use the M80 now. The distortion has a heavy gritty sound, but I don't use heavy distortion in my band so I don't know how it sounds in a mix for any longer than a few notes. More than anything I find it to be a nice clean sound with a pretty natural, smooth, and predictable EQ.

I traded my Sansamp for the M80 with a guy that simply wanted the Sansamp sound. It worked out well for both parties. To me there isn't one that is better than the other. Just better for the individual user.

Flipper43 · #10 01-09-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

I didn't much care for the SansAmp. It just never sounded any better than me running straight into my amp, IMO. I think it had much to do with its cab emulation; it cut some highs and I use a HOG pretty regularly to add highs to my sound. The two band EQ combined with the presence created extreme or bland sounds that didn't suit what I was trying to accomplish, which was primarily a nice sounding DI similar to my bass tone. The drive wasn't bad, but did not inspire me.

I currently use the M80 now. The distortion has a heavy gritty sound, but I don't use heavy distortion in my band so I don't know how it sounds in a mix for any longer than a few notes. More than anything I find it to be a nice clean sound with a pretty natural, smooth, and predictable EQ.

I traded my Sansamp for the M80 with a guy that simply wanted the Sansamp sound. It worked out well for both parties. To me there isn't one that is better than the other. Just better for the individual user.

Well, i play in a pretty heavy band. I want a warm sounding distortion in a DI box or pedal, but at the same time i want a metallic kind of edge to it, but not too much.... I'll probably have to buy/try numerous amps and pedals, and A/B/Y two amps to combine sounds... this could cost a lot of money lol. I don't know if you know what i'm getting at, but if each one is better for the individual user, which one should i lean towards?

cheapbasslovin · #11 01-09-2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipper43

Well, i play in a pretty heavy band. I want a warm sounding distortion in a DI box or pedal, but at the same time i want a metallic kind of edge to it, but not too much.... I'll probably have to buy/try numerous amps and pedals, and A/B/Y two amps to combine sounds... this could cost a lot of money lol. I don't know if you know what i'm getting at, but if each one is better for the individual user, which one should i lean towards?

IMO for a sharp metallic tone the SansAmp would be the choice, but the M80 would be more suited for a bigger, but less cutting dirt sound. This is all based on my inferring from my past experiences in hard rock bands and isn't based on any experience with these pedals in hard rock situations, so take it for what it is worth.

Flipper43 · #12 01-09-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

IMO for a sharp metallic tone the SansAmp would be the choice, but the M80 would be more suited for a bigger, but less cutting dirt sound. This is all based on my inferring from my past experiences in hard rock bands and isn't based on any experience with these pedals in hard rock situations, so take it for what it is worth.

Hmmm, that's tough..

MNAirHead · #13 01-09-2010, 04:09 PM

Are you sure a Line6 floor pod isn't what you're after?

MNAirHead · #14 01-09-2010, 04:10 PM

Unfortunately it's tought to get "what will I like" over the internet.

It's much easier to have someone post a clip of what they like.. then ask if a pedal will emulate.

Part of this is your bass, amp etc...

Flipper43 · #15 01-09-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Are you sure a Line6 floor pod isn't what you're after?

I'm sure it's not.. and this thread is meant to be a discussion of kind of comparing/ conrasting both pedals, i was just curios about which would fit me better as a side note.

Flipper43 · #16 01-09-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Unfortunately it's tought to get "what will I like" over the internet.

It's much easier to have someone post a clip of what they like.. then ask if a pedal will emulate.

Part of this is your bass, amp etc...

Well, i already have a tone that i really like, and i know how to get it (i emailed the bassist), but it would cost a ton of money to even get close, and it's not a tone that can be exactly replicated without a lot of work put into it. I'm just trying to approximate it somehow. I can tell you the details of how he got it if you want. Here's a song that he used that tone on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3uZHf09bNM The bass is the first instrument you will hear in the song. Again, just tell me if you want to know what he actually used/ did to get the sound, if that would help to approximate it somehow.

MNAirHead · #17 01-09-2010, 04:15 PM

They're almost 2 different beasts..

The BDDI is kind of promoted for the premium buyer.. the MXR is gig gear.

Overall the distortion is the difference.. unfortunately we don't know how much or what kind of distortion you like

Youtube commonly will have demos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGT9IVvR8sM

MNAirHead · #18 01-09-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipper43

Well, i already have a tone that i really like, and i know how to get it (i emailed the bassist), but it would cost a ton of money to even get close, and it's not a tone that can be exactly replicated without a lot of work put into it. I'm just trying to approximate it somehow. I can tell you the details of how he got it if you want. Here's a song that he used that tone on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3uZHf09bNM The bass is the first instrument you will hear in the song. Again, just tell me if you want to know what he actually used/ did to get the sound, if that would help to approximate it somehow.

Guessing
Passive bass..
Pick (or hard attack)
distortion pedal
Direct to the board

The MXR youtube commercial should help

MNAirHead · #19 01-09-2010, 04:19 PM

Thought..

ABY sound.. have you tried a 2 channel guitar amp with mixing.

You should be able to find a Reknown (160 watts) for around $200 or so.. you can run slave cabs from this.

T.

TheWoodShed · #20 01-09-2010, 04:24 PM

As said previously, the major difference is the distortion.

If you like a grindy Ampeg style OD then the Sanamps is your thing.

If you like distortion, like a Fear Factory bass type distortion, the M-80 is your pedal.

I liked the M-80 when I owned it. Lot's of options...the Swiss utility knife of effects pedals. But both serve their purpose well.