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3Leaf Groove Regulator vs. MXR M82

Hans Gruber

Hans Gruber

Jun 18, 2003
3,016
1,681
#1
I apologize if this seems redundant and I don't want to flog a dead horse here, but I did a lot of searching and couldn't anything that really directly compared the 2. I hear amazing things about both envelope filters independently, but does anyone have anything to say about an actual comparison between the 2? I'm having a hard time deciding...
 
#4
IMHO, the Groove Regulator should be the winner. However I've never owned the M82 to compare them. :D

I will say that the Groove Regulator ended my envelope search, which then became a moot point when I realized that I don't use or need filters in anything I am currently playing. :bawl:

Should I in the future though, Spencer and Kevin Wilson will totally be getting my business again. :bassist:
 
#6
I've owned a 3Leaf and tried out an MXR. The biggest difference is that the M82 is a bandpass filter and the GR is a low pass filter.

This gives the M82 a snappier "pop" to its filter sound but the drawback is that the filter will sound very thin in the mix if soloed. Thus the inclusion by MXR of a clean blend to keep the low end. Set right it reminds me of a vintage DOD FX 25 in a blend loop, one of my favorite filter sounds.

It's generally a more "aggressive" sound but the MXR has a wider range of possible tones. It can have a bit of a volume spike depending on the setting. Other differences are the MXR's smaller size and lack of a downward sweep. For some that's not a big deal, but I use the down sweep fairly often especially for synthy combos so the MXR probably wouldn't be the lone filter on my board if I had one.

The Groove Regulator is a LPF so it has a fatter sound to its sweep. It's bigger (but with top mounted jacks which saved space on my board), haas a down sweep and is easy to dial in and get a great sound with minimal volume spikes while letting your tone through.

The GR is very smooth and fat but is not super wet. It is somewhat subtle and doesn't have a huge range of tones.

For what they are I think both are great filters.
 
#10
These are two very different filters, the only option is to OWN BOTH! I have had both, there are allot of GR types out there theres only one other pedal that I have heard that sounds like the M82 and that is the FX25. M82 has one great sound with dry blend. The new GR2 has many great sounds with dry blend. You can not get either to sound like the other. In the end, the M82 is still on my board and the GR moved on so I could fund other filter purchases. The uniqueness of the M82 has earned it's spot for now.
 
#11
OhulahanBass said:
These are two very different filters, the only option is to OWN BOTH! I have had both, there are allot of GR types out there theres only one other pedal that I have heard that sounds like the M82 and that is the FX25. M82 has one great sound with dry blend. The new GR2 has many great sounds with dry blend. You can not get either to sound like the other. In the end, the M82 is still on my board and the GR moved on so I could fund other filter purchases. The uniqueness of the M82 has earned it's spot for now.
Click to expand...

Both??? Haha, well I'm looking for just one to fit on my pedal board. I suppose I could just buy both and sell it, but I'm trying to avoid that route.
 
#13
I have both the MXR and the GR2, and I agree with the above sentiments. The GR is more of a funk flavor, it's not overwhelming. Your guitar player may not notice it. The MXR grabs the tone and shakes it like an English nanny. Everyone will notice it.
 
#14
I own both. I had my GR modded to add a clean blend (like on the GR2). For me, this is an important feature.

GR has a great analog vibe to the tone, but sometimes I prefer the sound of the M82. I'm tending to prefer GR for fingers and M82 for slap, but everytime I plug one or the other in I change my mind about something.

I've managed to settle on one pedal for each effect I use except for filters. Can't ever seem to sell one off yet I keep buying new ones :crying:
 
#16
Mr. Pickles said:
Don't let Jared convince you that the Groove Regulator is too dry and subtle.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say it's dry sounding (like say, the Robotalk's filter which has a more "aggressive" tone) but it IS on the subtle, "let-your-tone-through" side. But that isn't to say it isn't funky sounding, because it absolutely is.

I found it similar tone-wise to the EMMA DiscumBOBulator as opposed to filters that really impose their own sound. Not a bad thing, just its flavor.

I absolutely understand why people dig the GR but I do like my filters more on the wild side.
 
#17
I'm not looking a Mu-tron sound per se, but something musical that gives it a different flavor, even in rock.

I love Nick Fyffe's subtle filter sounds from Jamiroquai. It doesn't have to be SUPER wet, but enough I suppose.

If I did get another filter, it'd be Spencer's Mu-tron clone for all my ranges. But to start off with I'm looking at the MXR and the GR.

Thanks again for this help!
 
#19
andysvec said:
I own both and found myself gigging the MXR more than the GR. I love the groove regulator at home but just can't seem to find the sweet spot in a gig situation, never seems wet enough. But the MXR I'm not a huge fan of at home but seems to do it's part at the gig better for me, don't figure..
Click to expand...

This was my experience with the GR, The great tone just got swallowed by my 7 piece band. You could even tell it was on.
 
#20
drnknmstr said:
I'm not looking a Mu-tron sound per se, but something musical that gives it a different flavor, even in rock.

I love Nick Fyffe's subtle filter sounds from Jamiroquai. It doesn't have to be SUPER wet, but enough I suppose.

If I did get another filter, it'd be Spencer's Mu-tron clone for all my ranges. But to start off with I'm looking at the MXR and the GR.

Thanks again for this help!
Click to expand...

For my band Jamiroquai covers I now use my Source Audio BEF. If you want a one fits all, ("one fits all" as in more great tones than you'd imagine for $300 but some how 80$ cheaper than a GR), then I would get the Source Audio Bass envelope Filter. Don't let digital scare you, it sounds less digital than some of the analog filters I've tried. And it comes with a Hot Hand expresion ring to control your sweeps if you choose to use it.

However, out of all the filters I've tried the one tone I can't really get close to with the Source Audio is the MXR M82 tone.
 

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