MXR M80 Bass DI+ review

[t.langard]

Hey guys. Lots of good info here on the M80, thanks for that. Have anyone here had the opportunity to compare the distortion on this one with the MXR Blowtorch?

[NewstedsProdigy]

This might seem like a stupid question (there are no stupid questions, just stupid people) :P

Can I just use this in place of my boss ODB-3, Straight into my amp head? After hearing those sound samples, I WANT ONE!!

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by NewstedsProdigy

Can I just use this in place of my boss ODB-3, Straight into my amp head? After hearing those sound samples, I WANT ONE!!

Sure you can. It can go 1/4" out to your amp and also XLR out to the mixing board.

[Razman]

When I suddenly had the need for some distortion as an accent to a couple of our songs, a used M80 just happened to be waiting for my at my local shop.

I'll second everyone's sentiments about it: super clean sound (like, you can't even tell it's in your chain - until you step on the 'magic' button), modern distortion sound. Oh, and it's a DI, almost forgot. It sounds great through my rig and meets my needs perfectly.

My bass has Bart pre/pups, so it's already weighted more on the low end - that said I don't run the color switch on. My settings are as follows:

Clean volume: noon
DS volume: 1 o'clock
Blend: 10:30
Trigger: 4 o'clock
Gain: 2 o'clock
Bass: noon
Mid: 1 o'clock
Treble: 1:30

This way when the distortion is engaged my volume/presence in the mix stays the same and the tone still sounds full.

Raz

[Mattbass97]

Originally Posted by NewstedsProdigy

This might seem like a stupid question (there are no stupid questions, just stupid people) :P

Can I just use this in place of my boss ODB-3, Straight into my amp head? After hearing those sound samples, I WANT ONE!!

The distortion part on my mxr replaced my boss odb-3!

[Dazonbass]

So much quieter than an ODB-3, the M80 doesn't hiss; even when you boost the mid, which for me was key.

[AllenLee]

I have both the M80 and the ODB-3; Both are good to me. Try out the M80 right next to the ODB-3 going back and forth to see which one you prefer.

I use both.

[irbass]

Originally Posted by Dazonbass

So much quieter than an ODB-3, the M80 doesn't hiss; even when you boost the mid, which for me was key.

You answered my question. M80 will be my DI

[jcburn]

I've owned 2 in the past and about to buy one again. They are invaluable. Wont sell the new one. Always sold in the past to try new stuff and always regret the sale in the end!

I love the versatility. I agree the color button with dials set to 12 o'clock is too much of a mid scoop but bump some mids back in and youre away.
I used to use mine after my passive basses into the front of my amp, and love the fact that both the clean and distorted channels have volume levels (which nearly every other pedal I have available doesn't), and on top of that the dist channel has a clean blend.
I love the fact it isn't trying to cop that whole tube drive emulation vibe. I think tube overdrive only sounds good to a point, but at high levels becomes to flabby and muddy sounding. I actually like a modern sounding overdrive/distortion that adds that chunky attack to every note. For what I'm talking about check out Trujillo's tone on Death Magnetic. Not gonna be everyone's cup of tea but I love it.

[jcburn]

While I'm raving I will add that it's probably obvious to everyone by my previous comments I'm a rock and metal player, however I do play regularly in an acoustic covers duo where the clean channel and DI is invaluable if I dont feel like taking my amp and 410, or the venue is too small. My bass into the mixer/FOH sounds pretty bland but through the pedal sounds like gold.

[NewstedsProdigy]

Originally Posted by jcburn

I've owned 2 in the past and about to buy one again. They are invaluable. Wont sell the new one. Always sold in the past to try new stuff and always regret the sale in the end!

I love the versatility. I agree the color button with dials set to 12 o'clock is too much of a mid scoop but bump some mids back in and youre away.
I used to use mine after my passive basses into the front of my amp, and love the fact that both the clean and distorted channels have volume levels (which nearly every other pedal I have available doesn't), and on top of that the dist channel has a clean blend.
I love the fact it isn't trying to cop that whole tube drive emulation vibe. I think tube overdrive only sounds good to a point, but at high levels becomes to flabby and muddy sounding. I actually like a modern sounding overdrive/distortion that adds that chunky attack to every note. For what I'm talking about check out Trujillo's tone on Death Magnetic. Not gonna be everyone's cup of tea but I love it.

Just ordered one of these badboys, should arrive tomorrow!!! I love trujillos distorted sound and when I found out he uses one, that was the tipping point for me, I HAD to have it. Does anyone want to buy a boss ODB3?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_rSm8fthQ8 - Trujillo bass solo...

[thefruitfarmer]

I was going to sell mine, but after reading all this I am going to keep it.

[takeout]

Does anyone know if this will drive a power amp input? Had been using a VT Bass Deluxe for this purpose.

[Razman]

Originally Posted by takeout

Does anyone know if this will drive a power amp input? Had been using a VT Bass Deluxe for this purpose.

I don't see why not, you get three outputs with this thing: two high impedance (wet & dry) and one low impedance, so you should not have any issues there.

[jcburn]

Just thought I would add my thoughts to the above threads. I've recently bought another one of these and this time I wont let it go. I run my sound like this...
Color - on
Bass - 12 o'clock
Mid - 2 o'clock
Treble - 12 o'clock
I also boost 200hz, 800hz and 4khz on my amp to about 1 o'clock but this gets me my clean bass sound that I use in my acoustic duo/trio.
For playing rock and metal I engage the drive channel with the same settings as above, run the blend at 9 oclock, the drive somewhere between 9 o'clock and 11 o'clock (depending on how heavy I want the drive) and the noise gate at about 3 o'clock. I keep the volume at 12 o'clock on both channels. Love the sound - cuts through just enough and supports the bottom end just right.
It can definitely drive a power amp. I had a young friend come around to try it out through his old GK 400RB head. Worked both in the front of the amp or directly into the effects send, and to be honest the latter sounded better!

[AndyLES]

Originally Posted by takeout

Does anyone know if this will drive a power amp input? Had been using a VT Bass Deluxe for this purpose.

I've used it this way - and yes, it works! I run it with the distortion channel on, BUT with the blend only a quarter of the way up and the gain on 2; I try to get just a little minor grit, and use a Boss ODB-3 for distortion.

[jumblemind]

I really wish MXR would make a small pedal that just had the colour switch with mid control. The M80 got kicked off when I went to a Nano, and I really miss that. Can't seem to get close even with an EQ pedal.

[scottfeldstein]

I can get a similar effect with the Contour knob on my GK head. But, yeah, that Color circuit is pretty neat...IF you can get some mids back on demand, which with the M80 you can.

[DonBorelli]

Love the M80!

...and it can even handle a P-bass with flats.
Right now I'm really into playin my aforementioned bass with a bit of grit on top of the note. I boost the mids and bass a bit and reduce the treble a bit.
Sounds awesome when you play with a pick.
Very warm, defined sound - it's got attitude but it still sounds like....a bass

Now I'm just waiting for my M87 compressor to add the last bit of sparkle (hopefully!) - I'm really into flats and compression, so it should be a winning combo.

[AndyLES]

My M80s is the most versatile thing I own. Thing is, one of them is acting funny (as I pointed out in another thread), probably from my abuse. :-/