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MXR M-80 color button

Do you use the COLOR button on the MXR M-80

  • Yes

    Votes: 79 74.5%

  • No

    Votes: 27 25.5%
  • Total voters
    106
T

the low one

Feb 21, 2002
1,388
156
UK
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#1
I have an MXR M-80 and use 2 passive basses, a fretted MIJ Precision and fretless MIM Jazz. Do you use the color button? It cuts the mids so what about with the fretless? It’s been said it make you sound like a ‘Nu Metal’ bass player.

I do use it all the time at present but wondered what the rest of the M-80 users think.
 
#3
I use the MXRT at the end of my chain as DI out and as EQ without the color button. The MXR is always on. I use the distortion channel as 'color' channel by setting the blend at zero thus eliminating all distortion. (the color setting is as default on in the distortion channel) So when I switch on the distortion, I actually engage the color-setting. (This trick I learned here on Talkbass) This way I have 2 EQ-settings with the MXR. I use the color setting in several songs.
 
#5
I leave the color switch on but I only use the M-80 for distortion and for the rare times when I need a brighter sound when using a pick.
This thread has me thinking about using the M-80 without the color switch. I haven't heard the distortion without the color switch engaged in a while. I have a gig Saturday night so I might give it a go.
 
#6
Edwcdc said:
I leave the color switch on but I only use the M-80 for distortion and for the rare times when I need a brighter sound when using a pick.
This thread has me thinking about using the M-80 without the color switch. I haven't heard the distortion without the color switch engaged in a while. I have a gig Saturday night so I might give it a go.
Click to expand...

When you step on the distortion switch, the color defaults to on regardless of button position.
You can't use the distortion side without the color. :(
 
#12
I had an M-80 and found it rather limited. :spit:
The mid and treble knobs didn't really do much. I got a Hartke Bass Attack and it's way better for tone shaping. The whole sound in general is better now. I use it as a DI box and run it through the house system at my church. I don't use it with my amps since I like the tone of my amps I rely on the amps EQ. :bassist:
 
#17
I voted yes in this poll but now I'm not so sure.

After reading a couple of the other posts I thought I’d give it a go without the color button depressed and I actually like it. My fretless Jazz and fretted P bass both sounded a bit more natural without the color button making them sound ‘modern’. I also liked the fact that when I step on the distortion channel, and therefore the color button is activated automatically, it adds some extra lows. This makes up for the lows lost by adding distortion to bass very nicely.

I’m still going to monitor how this sounds over the next few gigs, but at the moment, the color is off.
 
#18
Andy V. said:
When you step on the distortion switch, the color defaults to on regardless of button position.
You can't use the distortion side without the color. :(
Click to expand...

Thanks Andy!
I just re-read the manual and I don't know how I missed that one.
Maybe this is why I don't use this as my primary distortion. I think it works better as a DI/preamp. I do find the distortion useful for guitar distortion parts on my six string but it just seems too thin. If I set it to sound good without the distortion it doesn't work when I kick it in.
I might try to get something different and just keep this around the studio or just velcro it into my rack as a backup. I primarily use the distortions in my ME-50B so I could live without the M-80 if need be.
 
#19
the low one said:
I voted yes in this poll but now I'm not so sure.

After reading a couple of the other posts I thought I’d give it a go without the color button depressed and I actually like it. My fretless Jazz and fretted P bass both sounded a bit more natural without the color button making them sound ‘modern’. I also liked the fact that when I step on the distortion channel, and therefore the color button is activated automatically, it adds some extra lows. This makes up for the lows lost by adding distortion to bass very nicely.

I’m still going to monitor how this sounds over the next few gigs, but at the moment, the color is off.
Click to expand...

Well I've played both my fretted and fretless passive basses, with and without the color button and have decided that the color button is actually well worth using when going through the PA, but not just with my amp. In the FOH mix it adds a depth and punch that sounds great, but I like the sound of my Trace Elliot amp as it is. So, this means that when I go though the PA and use my amp on stage I have to adjust my amp's EQ accordingly but that no big deal. For smaller gigs when it's just the amp I'll only use the distortion channel when required.
 
#20
I keep the color switch on all the time, but I don't use the distortion on the M-80 any more. And I constantly get comments about how good my basses sound. Just like Jack said, it cuts just the right frequencies. Both my Fender and my Warwick cut through the mix well, without the high end getting in the guitar player's way, and he uses one of the brightest sounding telecasters I've ever heard in my life!!
 

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