MXR M87 compressor

dbay01 · #1 04-18-2012, 03:48 PM

I recently purchased the MXR M87 compressor. When it arrived I hooked it up and the LED lights were not responding. In addition the only two knobs that seemed to be working were the input and output. All the other settings seemed to sound the same. I realize that the effect is supposed to be transparent but there was no noticeable difference with different attack, release or ratio settings. Long story short I returned it and was sent another one. I am having the same issues with this one. I thought they may have sent the same unit back by mistake but I checked the serial number and it was a different pedal. Has anyone had this problem or am I doing something wrong? Or is it possible that I got 2 defective pedals with the exact same problem? This is the first compressor I've owned so any help would be appreciated.

AmpedSilence · #2 04-18-2012, 03:59 PM

so you are saying that with the pedal engaged, you can turn the input knob all the way clockwise and none of the lights will light up, no matter how hard you attack the string?

I use passive basses and I find that with the input knob at 1:00-2:00, I light up most green lights playing aggressively. The release knob is a bit backwards imo. counter clock wise for slower release (more squash) and clockwise for faster release ( more punchy notes). I have mine set at 2:00.
Attack I have set at 10:00 cause thats what sounds best to me, I honestly really can't hear much difference in the attack settings...
Output to unity.

ratio at 8.

3tsb · #3 04-18-2012, 04:01 PM

I have not had this issue. How do you have the input and output set? When you crank the input, there's not lights??? Try setting the input so that just a few lights light up with normal playing and the output to unity. At 4:1 and 8:1, you should see the gain reduction climb the harder you play.

dbay01 · #4 04-18-2012, 04:25 PM

The lights don't light up no matter what I set the input at. The volume increases and there is a slight hiss but the lights just don't light up at all. When I first plug in they all light up and then turn off one by one.

**RaginRog** · #5 04-21-2012, 05:02 PM

If you've had the same issue with 2 units, is it possible the battery or power supply you're using is either old or defective?

alec · #6 04-21-2012, 06:09 PM

Someone recently posted about having the same problem (different from yours) in two M87s from the same supplier. I wonder if MXR have problems in a batch of products and a shop gets sent a shipment with the same problem.

Testing123 · #7 04-22-2012, 08:15 AM

I'd shoot an email to techsupport@jimdunlop.com and ask them about it.

BTW -- Here's the page with all of the Dunlop contact info: Dunlop

Hope that helps...

CPplaysBASS · #8 04-22-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3tsb

Try setting the input so that just a few lights light up with normal playing and the output to unity. At 4:1 and 8:1, you should see the gain reduction climb the harder you play.

+1

You might have a defective pedal, but ...

When I'm playing at home through my board, my attack on the strings is pretty light and the signal hardly crosses the threshold at most settings. If I play like I would if I'm playing with my band, the pedal is clearly working as it should.

That doesn't mean you have hit the strings hard at all. Playing normally, it should work fine, but if you practice on your own with a really light touch, the compressor won't do much.

ingboy · #9 04-25-2012, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbay01

I recently purchased the MXR M87 compressor. When it arrived I hooked it up and the LED lights were not responding. In addition the only two knobs that seemed to be working were the input and output. All the other settings seemed to sound the same. I realize that the effect is supposed to be transparent but there was no noticeable difference with different attack, release or ratio settings. Long story short I returned it and was sent another one. I am having the same issues with this one. I thought they may have sent the same unit back by mistake but I checked the serial number and it was a different pedal. Has anyone had this problem or am I doing something wrong? Or is it possible that I got 2 defective pedals with the exact same problem? This is the first compressor I've owned so any help would be appreciated.

There is a LED swich inside .You should remove the bottom ,then turn the swich on !

Mike M. · #10 04-25-2012, 05:14 AM

I tried the mentioned pedal, but the problem I had was the amount of hiss the pedal generated. This didn't seem right. Took it back and tried another in in the store and that one had a lot of hiss as well. Again, this can't be right. Got a refund.

ih388 · #11 04-25-2012, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPplaysBASS

+1

You might have a defective pedal, but ...

When I'm playing at home through my board, my attack on the strings is pretty light and the signal hardly crosses the threshold at most settings. If I play like I would if I'm playing with my band, the pedal is clearly working as it should.

That doesn't mean you have hit the strings hard at all. Playing normally, it should work fine, but if you practice on your own with a really light touch, the compressor won't do much.

+1 on this, playing at home with a light touch the pedal hardly wakes up but when hitting harder with the band it is obvious from the lights that the pedal is working hard

PawleeP · #12 03-22-2013, 08:51 PM

Have a dbx 160 a and a mxr m87.. tried the mxr once or twice.. cant seem to get it right.. the dbx seems fine is just a little too much to move and set up.. am curious about the FEA and Empress units Have been experimenting with running the DBX in effects loop of USA Made 2006 svt CL (TRS in and out of course) seems to be quieter when ran that way..