3LEAF Proton vs MXR M82 BEF

[tommyr01]

I've looked through the forums enough now, that I'm stuck trying to decide between these two filters. At some point I will own both, but I'm actually filterless right now , I need to get one soon, very soon.....

I am leaning towards the Proton, however I don't want to get lost in the mix when the band plays live, so I want to choose the right one.

Anyone have any experience/opinions on either? playing during practice or live?

 

[InHarmsWay]

I don't have any experience with the 3LEAF, I have the MXR BEF. I love it! Any bass effect with a DRY knob is perfect in my book. It is easy to use, and sounds great. You really can't go wrong with the MXR.

 

[Jon Moody]

I have both, and would say that they are fairly different from each other. The Proton gets that wet, bubbly sound pretty well and the BEF gets more of the quacky agressive, goes well with distortion type of sound.

I have used both in live settings and have had no issues with being lost in the mix. The BEF does have the separate clean and effect volumes though, which is nice. Without knowing your band's sound and your goals with the effect, it's hard to say which one will work better for you. They both have their place.

 

[Kwesi]

They are about as far apart as filters get and I've owned quite a few filters. I'll try and keep my observations brief.

MXR82 BEF:

-Aggressive
-More tone shaping
-Super quacky
-Bandpass (really thick sounding though)

Overall it has a very modern sound. Among all the filters I've tried it ties for the most unique next to the Source Audio BEF as far as normal filters go. You absolutely will not find anything else out there like it.

3Leaf Audio Proton:

-A more mellow, old skool bubbly sound
-Tad trickier to dial in

An awesome do-it-all filter. If I could only own one, this would be on the shortlist because it handles everything well.

Rather than focus on whether or not you'll get lost in the mix think about the tonal options each one offers and go by that. You'll be much happier that way. The M82 definitely has more flexible "mixability" thanks to the dry and wet knobs but that doesn't mean that the Protons some sort of slouch you just have to compensate a little more with your amp volume depending on the venue. Also, if you plan on using ANY kind of distortion, overdrive or fuzz, nix the M82 immediately unless you want to be sorely disappointed. As a bandpass filter it's just not meant to handle that stuff on bass, it sounds terrible. It does, however, sound totally badass with a octaver. On the distorted tone front, the Proton is better but it kind of muffles the tone a bit. If you really intend to run a distorted signal I'd look elsewhere (EHX Q-tron or Enigma, WMD Fatman or Super Fatman, Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk Mk. II). Both are just super funky pedals. Maybe it's just me but it feels like they were both just made to be as funky as they possibly could in two very different ways. I don't have any video clips myself but check out Uriah Duffy on the M82:

YouTube - MXR M82 Bass Envelope by Uriah Duffy

And Spencer of 3Leaf Audio on the Proton:

YouTube - 3Leaf Audio Proton Envelope Filter on bass

Two badass players right there. Both should give you a very good idea of the tone. As someone who owns both I can tell you that that is EXACTLY how they both sound.

 

[Plunger]

I had the MXR BEF and found that it would get lost in the mix, and my band is only a three piece(albeit a loud three piece). I returned it in favor of the EHX Enigma Qballs, and noticed a huge difference. Like the Proton, it has a very wet sound. The thing that both the Proton and Qballs have is a choice between LPF and BPF, which the MXR does not. I also really dig the Qballs because of the built in distortion option(gotta love a multi-tasker). But as BadMonkey said, it depends on what you are playing. I am waiting now for the Source Audio BEF Pro...that is going to be a beast and my next investment

 

[Kosko]

Not regarding the actual sounds of the pedals. THe Proton won't be available till late May, and you can usually find MXR BEFs in the classifieds.

 

[tommyr01]

Kwesi,

thank you for that detailed break down. In some of our new material, I have ideas of integrating some subtle filter in our songs. I have always been partial to the 70's filter sound, and the fact that the Proton does so much, I was leaning towards that.

 

[bassplayer7770]

Not regarding the actual sounds of the pedals. THe Proton won't be available till late May, and you can usually find MXR BEFs in the classifieds.

For anybody interested in a Proton, I bought my Proton from Bass NW recently, so it may be worth checking with them.

 

[Kosko]

They're out as well, but looks like Spencer is getting everyone back in stock and shipping on May 23rd.

 

[Bob C]

Hmm ... One of the above posts says the MXR is fuzz friendly, and another says that it's not. Anyone else care to weigh in?

Also, on youtube (right next to the Proton video that's linked above) there's a shootout between the MXR, Groove Regulator (not the Proton) and the WMD Fatman.

To my ears, there's definitely a difference in sound/character. But it's not really "night and day". The 3Leaf is "bubblier". The Fatman is bubbli-est. The MXR is middier and kind of naturally synthy.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I'm not getting the bubbly reference. I have the MXR and it sure does quack if you let it, but what is bubbly??

 

[Bob C]

I'm not sure I can describe it any better than you could describe "quack".

 

[Downunderwonder]

After watching those vids,

1, man I need to schedule more practice
2, I gather bubbly is the filter catching on a little or a lot depending on the dynamic?
3, nobody is to introduce any girls to the kid, lest he stop with the pedal designing.

 

[Kwesi]

Hmm ... One of the above posts says the MXR is fuzz friendly, and another says that it's not. Anyone else care to weigh in?

Also, on youtube (right next to the Proton video that's linked above) there's a shootout between the MXR, Groove Regulator (not the Proton) and the WMD Fatman.

To my ears, there's definitely a difference in sound/character. But it's not really "night and day". The 3Leaf is "bubblier". The Fatman is bubbli-est. The MXR is middier and kind of naturally synthy.

I really wish the M82 had a low pass mode because, then, I'm sure it'd be amazing with fuzz.

As far as how different the two sound, my playing is really percussive and tends to push filters more so their differences become really pronounced. You don't have to pluck really hard to make either sound good but that's how I play. I think that hear how different they sound, you'd have to hear them both live through an actual. Earlier today I was doing some recording and messing with both pedals going straight into my computer and they sounded a lot less different than they did through any of the amps I've tried. Check out the vid of Spencer and the one of Uriah Duffy I think that one better highlights the differences.

The 3Leaf and Fatman are definitely in the same tone zone. I'd love to get my hands on another Fatman to A/B the two. The synthy quality of the M82 is why I say that with a low pass option it would be totally sick. I imagine that running my Chunk Systems Brown Dog through it would sound awesome then.

 

[Jon Moody]

Hmm ... One of the above posts says the MXR is fuzz friendly, and another says that it's not. Anyone else care to weigh in?

I'm sure "fuzz friendly" may have a little leeway depending on user and their intended use, but I've paired up the MXR with a Fuzzhugger Algal Bloom, Arc Flash, Chalice and a Take Flight Goose and all worked well with it. The best one, however, was the AB. Those two really work well together; dirty angry filtered fuzz that still retains a lot of low end character.

 

[Bob C]

All good points. Thanks guys. I'm going to go watch some more videos now.

 

[tommyr01]

I'm with BobC....you guys have given some great reviews and insight, I appreciate it...that's what I love about Talkbass!

 

[bassplayerbob]

My m82 arrives tomorrow so I can give some insite too. Check out the bass whisperer on youtube. Ed has an awesome review on the mxr. I based my purchase on his video.

 

[FilterFunk]

I'm not sure I can describe it any better than you could describe "quack".

True, but I'll try anyway! To me, some filters are better at doing "bubbly", which I would describe as "bwop bwop", and with a faster attack, more of a "pop", like bubbles popping. Other filters are more adept at "quack", which is more like "wack wack", which, when notes are played closely together, sounds like "kwack", indicating the end of one sweep and the start of the next. I've tried many filters and stuck with the Qballs because the Attack/Decay/Start/Stop allows you to get a huge variety of character, including "bubbly" and "quack."

 

[Kwesi]

True, but I'll try anyway! To me, some filters are better at doing "bubbly", which I would describe as "bwop bwop", and with a faster attack, more of a "pop", like bubbles popping. Other filters are more adept at "quack", which is more like "wack wack", which, when notes are played closely together, sounds like "kwack", indicating the end of one sweep and the start of the next. I've tried many filters and stuck with the Qballs because the Attack/Decay/Start/Stop allows you to get a huge variety of character, including "bubbly" and "quack."

That's actually a perfect description, lol. I was at a total loss on how to describe the two but you nailed it!