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DOD FX84 Milk Box vs MXR M87

G

Gord

Jan 10, 2004
458
102
40
Calgary, Alberta
cera.bandcamp.com
#1
Hello!
I can't seem to find any discussion about these two pedals together, and I'm assuming that's because of the price difference.

Both of these just came up on my local craigslist. I'm looking for a compressor that just evens everything out, and maybe adds a little punch. Would one of these be better than the other for that? I'm OK with the sound getting coloured, which it sounds like the milkbox does. It also sounds like the mxr is more of a peak limiter and the milk box helps with sustain. Would one be better at evening everything out than the other?

Thanks!
 
#3
Stock answer - if the prices are fair(similar to past sales on classifieds) buy both and resell the one you don't like, you'll only loose the money it'll cost you to ship and that's more than worth it.

Second stock answer - ovnilab.com

I've owned the milkbox but not the mxr. The milkbox makes more of an effected sound, think of it as maybe like a dirt pedal that doesn't get distorted but does the other things that makes you think of.

The MXR AFAIK is more transparent & versatile. Compressors like this can be used for all sorts of stuff - controlling peaks from slapping or an envelope filter, bringing out harmonics, string leveling, giving an pitch shifter an easier signal to track, etc.

What are you trying to do?
 
#7
The Milk Box (which I own) and M87 are difficult to compare for a few reasons.

- They belong to different eras. The Milk Box is a product of the late 20th century and no longer in production. The M87 has been with us only a few years and has the advantages of newer technology and greater understanding on its side.

- Different price points. You can get a used Milk Box for well under $100. Without looking it up, I can reasonably guess that the M87 will cost at least twice as much. And with compressors, you do generally get what you pay for.

That being said, I love my Milk Box. It's been a standard on my board for years. I use it for basic light compression and signal boost. It's not transparent, but has its own flavor which I like. I currently have a Fairfield Accountant on the way as a possible replacement, which is another comp that has its own tonal flavor, but I don't expect it to be an easy fight. As long as you don't want hard limiting or transparency or any of the other things the MXR does, the Milk Box is a lot of bang for your buck. YMMV.
 
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#8
Have no experience with the MXR. I absolutely love my Milk Box though. So much so that I will be buying a backup and any non working units I can find just in case I need parts. It is good at light compression, sustain, and adding lows and highs and fattening up your sound overall.
 

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