MXR M80 as a preamp

[spego]

Has anyone ever used a M80 into a power amp?

I have a QSC RMX850 I am bridging to 830 watts and running it into a Ampeg SVT810. I noticed I need to turn the eq settings and the volume up near max on the M80 to get enough gain out of it to push the amp near its limit.

I was wondering if anyone else experienced this?

Tonal it sounds pretty decent (possibly loosing some clarity by pushing the M80 too far though).....next step is to see how it sits in a loud live rock band.

[SurferJoe46]

Not the same-o setup - but I did use my MXR Bass DI+ for a pre in a studio a few months ago and it worked just fine.

Actually, we found the MXR to be pretty hot for output signal and we had to clamp down on it a lot - this was on just a 1-Spot PS.

I also know that (be careful here!) you can actually run the MXR on higher voltage as they don't seem to mind going to 12 Volts. Do this at your own needs and with no license from me - but mine still runs and does well after those few experiences.

Pretty much any stomp that uses some power source can technically be used as a pre - as I've even used a Wah pedal to pre my harmonica a time or two in a pinch.

Your needs may be different from mine - and a few times I had a lot of studio geek-stuff running in satellite building for support - but it all worked for us those times.

[shaolinwhat]

I don't believe MXR makes any claims that the M-80 can be used as a pre-amp to push a power amp.

[bassman1185]

It can work, but you need an amp with pretty high input sensitivity. My M-80 works fine to push my Peavey IPR1600.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by shaolinwhat

I don't believe MXR makes any claims that the M-80 can be used as a pre-amp to push a power amp.

I know and I'm pretty sure that most stomps won't say it either but it works if you do it intelligently.

It's kinda obvious that the MXR 80 is in consideration and should be at least somewhat capable though with the Phantom voltage and the XLR connex - so I think it's a parallel, and not too far from a legitimate, off the wall, pre-type application.

Stomps typically add to the input line to the amp - some incrementally, others with a great big voltage and amplitude spike, so you've got to do a little research if you'd like to try it.

Like I said - the Morley Wah works pretty good for a pre for my harmonicas and I keep it in the gig bag for 'those times' when I need a little something extra. Yes it seriously colors the input - but I want that anyway.

One stomp I don't like to use since it's just plain noisy is my LMB-3 Compressor. It adds a lot of churning noise to the mix and is just nasty overall.

I think bang-for-the-buck output and flexibility is in the ART Tube Amp, which I usually carry with me all the time too now. It's just good insurance.

[spego]

Thanks for all the input guys....I will have to tinker with it a bit more and see if it pans out.

[gregoire1]

The MXR M-80 doesn't acually "step-up" your signal like the Sansamp Bass driver, so it may not drive a power amp enuff to work or sound good by itself.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by gregoire1

The MXR M-80 doesn't acually "step-up" your signal like the Sansamp Bass driver, so it may not drive a power amp enuff to work or sound good by itself.

I wonder what/how much the difference is - I know that SansAmp is more-so designed for that purpose - but the MXR really needs to go into my padded input to keep the amp from clipping really hard.

I actually tried a SansAmp and found it kinda hollow and dull-sounding compared to the MXR.

When I got the MXR (for a really good price too in a pawn shop, so I am kinda slanted that way) - but it seems to have more 'life' to it and better tone qualities that are very easy to recon with then the SansAmp I feel.

To each his own - but I don't find I need much else.

[Vic Winters]

You can run this after the MXR and you'll have plenty of juice to get your power amp going.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ELAID=41699112

[MNAirHead]

I've done this successfully - depends on the amp.

Timmy

[spego]

Originally Posted by Vic Winters

You can run this after the MXR and you'll have plenty of juice to get your power amp going.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ELAID=41699112

I was thinking about that too...saw one of these used for like $19 somewhere not long ago. That might be worth a shot too. Thanks all again for the input....I figured it had to do with the sensitivity of the power amp inputs.

[catboyzee]

I've owned an M80 for a few years. I think it works well as a preamp/DI. Nowadays I use it mostly for home recording, but occasionally I'll use it as a preamp to a power amp and cabinets on certain gigs. To me it lends itself more to vintage tones using fingers or a pick, rather than hi-fi slap/tap tones. I love using it with the EMG bridge pickup on my six string bass...it gives the tone a Jaco-like burp.

I think its important to make sure the levels are set properly between your instrument, the M80, and whatever amp you're using. After setting the levels I start with subtle tweaks on the EQ and adjust to my liking. Remember: EQ and effects are not a cure-all for a bad sounding bass or amp. They are supposed to enhance, not fix, your tone.

[spego]

Thanks for the reply catboyzee! I was trying to run that M80 into a QSC power amp and a SVT810. My Warwick is wired to 18V and has quite the output....I just think the sensitivity of the power amp isn't very high though. I did try the ART preamp as mentioned above but it seemed to mud up the overall tone (I returned the ART to GC)....and it was much clearer with just the M80 into the power amp (though the volume was much lower). I have since put the power amp back in the PA rack and went on with life using the M80 as more of an effects box in from of my SVT3 and dropped the idea of using that power amp all together.

Thanks all for the input.