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Dunlop MXR is simply amazing!

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by Seth Shonefeld, Oct 20, 2021.

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  1. Oct 20, 2021 #1
    Seth Shonefeld

    Seth Shonefeld

    Oct 14, 2016
    San Francisco, California
    I just have to take a minute and throw this company's customer service some love.

    I have an MXR M87. Although I do have some background in sound reinforcement, I'm not that experienced with bass compression.

    I been trying to use compression on my bass at gigs and have been disappointed that it didn't seem to have any effect and I thought maybe it was broken.

    He didn't make any effort to deny that it might be broken. He very painstakingly explained how to use the tool and the way that guitar and bass players typically use them.

    He suggested that first I try again to test out the unit with the insight he shared, then as a second stage test, to go to a guitar shop and try one of theirs the same way, then as a third option, I could send it in to him.

    I'm fairly convinced now that I just wasn't using it right. The knobs, switch, and jacks are all in good shape. Pro-tip - don't use the volume on the instrument as much to limit the volume. Crank it and let the compressor and amp do that work.

    Apparently, lots of guitar players will literally dime the volume and do all signal strength tenuating through the effects and amp.

    Also, MXR has fantastic customer service.
     
    Low Commotion, BrentSimons, JimmyM and 1 other person like this.
  2. Oct 20, 2021 #2
    Swimming Bird

    Swimming Bird

    Apr 18, 2006
    Wheaton MD
    Oh yeah, gotta hit that pedal with a relatively hot signal to get it to do it's thing. I use it last in the chain as a limiter, so less problematic than if you're trying to use it more subtly.

    I almost always have instrument volume pegged...
     
    Seth Shonefeld likes this.
  3. Oct 20, 2021 #3
    Seth Shonefeld

    Seth Shonefeld

    Oct 14, 2016
    San Francisco, California
    That's interesting, opposite of the placement I see opted for at the beginning of the signal chain.
     
  4. Oct 21, 2021 #4
    Marihino

    Marihino

    Mar 25, 2010
    Scotland
    I use a compressor at the beginning too. Fairly easy to test it - set the threshold low so most notes get hit, and ratio high. Play something with very wide dynamic range, from very quiet to ultra hard - the effect should be rather obvious.
     
    Seth Shonefeld and BrentSimons like this.
  5. Oct 24, 2021 #5
    Swimming Bird

    Swimming Bird

    Apr 18, 2006
    Wheaton MD
    Depends on how you want to use it. I use the largest ratio and go pretty easy on the input gain to use it as a brick wall limiter. That way I don't hurt my amps with delay feedback, overboosted lows or harsh cleans.
     
    Seth Shonefeld likes this.
  6. Oct 24, 2021 #6
    Bassmike62

    Bassmike62 Punch'n Ooomph Supporting Member

    Oct 4, 2009
    Somewhere Northwest of Montreal, CAN
    I had an issue with a 1st generation iso-brick when they came out years ago and had to contact them. Class organization all the way.