Just a real quick question about this pedal. Aside from the real estate, what's the difference between the older and XO versions? I know a lot people prefer one over the other and I'm just wondering why that is.
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EHX Micro Synth question
- Thread starter BioDriver
- Start date
The old one has a tone-sucking bypass, no activation led, a non-standard power supply (24v). The XO version is true bypass and is 9vDC (boss standard) powered.
The old one has a shockingly awful tone-sucking bypass, but it can be easily modded to be true bypass without requiring any additional components. That's the only real down side.
The new one has more available resonance on the filter, but the sliders move a bit too freely (compared to the old one) and in particular the rate slider seems too sensitive because the most useful settings are very close together on the slider - the older model is easier to use.
While the new one is capable of slightly more extreme sounds in terms of the top end of the filter, the old one sounds warmer and fuller somehow. It's a subtle difference but obvious if you try both.
Agreed. I tried the new and the old. Old has a better sound overall, richer and more depth. Plus the sliders on the old feel better. Down side is the by-pass but I am running thru a looper so no problem for me.
Nah you definitely should, don't listen to us, what do we know?
I'll do you a straight swap if you like - XO BMS for old model.
rratajski
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- Jul 1, 2008
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I'll take my new version over my old one ANY DAY of the week! Even in a true bypass looper, the old version still had a little bit of a level issue.
You can do some mods to the big jawn to bring up to TB and add an LED, but seriously, I would just get the new version.
You can do some mods to the big jawn to bring up to TB and add an LED, but seriously, I would just get the new version.
I'd be tempted to go for the XO over the original as the 24v power would be a major issue for me.
The real question: would the sound differences be *that* noticeable in a live setting? 
Personally, I'd probably go with the XO for pure space and power convenience.
Personally, I'd probably go with the XO for pure space and power convenience.
that's the point. With the XO you wouldn't need to.
Personally I think the XO looks better too.
The real question: would the sound differences be *that* noticeable in a live setting?
I've used both in my main band and the older one established itself in the mix better than the new one. It sounds fuller, it's quite noticeable.
You are wrong though.
The real question: would the sound differences be *that* noticeable in a live setting?
Personally, I'd probably go with the XO for pure space and power convenience.
If a fly farts in the vicinity of the 'rate' slider, then it would be very noticeable... The XO rate slider maintains 90% of it's filter sweep, in only 15% of sliders physical range. Very touchy. The bigger one does indeed sound fatter, and the XO does have more available resonance in the top end of the filter.
unfortunately, it doesn't sound as good and is harder to use
Harder to use? How so?
The sliders have a little less range and move more easily. some people might like this, I suppose, but in my experience it is enough to make it more difficult to dial in the same settings twice in a row. Also, what ftp said above about the resonance slider is true.
It does have more resonance available but that's of little use if it's difficult to control.
I need to pick up another (bypass modded) Bass Macrosynth. Baaad.
