MXR M-80 what's your experience

[TheVoiceless]

Hey TB,

I use a distortion with a lot of high end and presence to get my sound. But I get a horrible feedback by doing this. I have found ways to control that but it usually means cutting highs or lowering gain. I tried a traditional noise gate but it killed the low end( I don't think it was meant for bass).

My guitar player sent me this link. I wanted to know if anyone else is using this and how you like it. If you are using it how are you using it in your chain? It also has phantom power and I can't think of why you would need one on a pedal?


http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....ELAID=26018460

Thanks!!

[stflbn]

Good all around PreAmps/Distortion units and DI's. The PreAmp is adaptive and versatile and very clean sounding that does not color your sound like a Sansamp does. The Distortion can range from subtle Overdrive to very edgy distortion depending on how you dial it.

Good inexpensive unit that's under-rated by many people because of it's low cost.

[TheVoiceless]

So if its a pre amp, is it meant to run through the effects loop or to a straight up power amp? And I have tried the Sansamp and its not my bag So to hear that is good news IMO. Thanks!

[stflbn]

I'd personally run it before the amp, or into a power amp.

[the low one]

I run mine before my amp and direct into FOH. As has already been said it's a very clean and transparent eq so you can add as much or as little as you need.
The distortion has a blend so you can keep it under control. It's not the best bass distortion but I've heard a lot worse. I find it keeps the bottom end in on the distortion which not all pedals do.

[MNAirHead]

I own about 10 DIs .. it's the best value one out the

Unfortuantely without knowing the distortion you're liking, it's tough to make recommnendations.

With the wided variety of tone/sound/distortion on the unit it takes some time to dial it in...

[TheVoiceless]

I am a little weary of the distortion sound on it. But the blend is a big plus. And the noise gate is what I am really looking for.

So how would I run it?

bass>Compressor(keeley4knob)>MXRM-80> Input of amp(GK1001RBII) and to FOH

[MNAirHead]

My personal choice is to run a DI immediately out of a bass.. FOH can best deal with FOH sound issues..

Distortion is kind of strange to dial in.. it almost needs to be done on a wireless from 25+ feet away... most guys have horrid distortion sound.. either all on or something.. needs to be dialed in with Band mix.

[MNAirHead]

forgot.. I have had good success running from this MXR directly to power amps too.. I commonly use it going directly into the power amp section of a Crate Power Block (smallish gig setup)

IF you really want, I can test going directly into a traditional PA style power amp.

T.

[TheVoiceless]

Thanks MNAirHead for all your input. Ok so its sounds like I have a few choices as far as signal path.

bass>MXR>FOH and Compressor to the Input of my amp

Or

Bass>MXR>FOH >compressor >effects loop(power section of the amp, GK1001RB-II)

or

Bass>MXR>FOH> compressor>straight up power amp


The first option is what I am going for. But I have never used a pedal preamp before. So I was told that if you are going to use a bass head that you should by pass the amplifier's preamp and run it through the effects loop to only utilize the power amp section. And at that point why should I own a head if all I am using it for is the power amp section and none of its preamp/eq?

I would like to be able to utilize my GK tone with the blended distortion and a gate to avoid the nasty feedback and be able to crank the highs to get a knarly sound.

Don't worry about running it through the PA, though I do appreciate your help. For the DI is just a bonus and not the real reason I would use it. Main reason I would use this pedal is for the distortion and gate.