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MP Tiny Orange Phaser (TOP) Mini Review

It's late Friday night and I'm beat, but this looks like the only time I'll have for this mini review.

The subject is the Mad Professor's phaser. Got a GREAT deal on a used one, in fact #7 out of the first 10 ever made.

For your reference, here's a pic:

TOP.jpg


There are three controls on the TOP. First is speed (S), does what you would expect. Next is resonance (R). This control seems to effect harmonic content or depth of the phasing effect. Last control is mix (M). This control is funky and controls two different phasing effects. Turned to the left (CCW) you get a deeper, lusher phasing effect. Turned to the right (CW) you get a lighter, more vibe like phasing effect. Set the control at 12:00 and you get no phasing effect.

For recording the clips I used a Line 6 Toneport GX with a B15 amp model. I used Audacity for my recording software. The bass is a MIM P bass with a Lindy Fralin normal wound pup and DR flats.

The same bass line is used for each clip to provide a good basis for evaluating the effect (no comments on the playing please, I have a fragile ego ;)). When I recorded the clips, I turned off the effect at the end of each clip so you could get an idea of how it maintains unity gain. You'll hear it does a great job. Here's a listing of the what I was doing when I recorded the clips:

TOPFlat - Flat, no effect
TOP1 - S=2:00, R=8:00, M=8:00
TOP2 - S=2:00, R=4:00, M=8:00
TOP3 - S=2:00, R=8:00, M=4:00
TOP4 - S=2:00, R=4:00, M=4:00

TOPLeslie - S=1:00, R=8:00, M=3:00
This is a quick try at getting a "Leslie" sound from the pedal. A little adjusting goes a long way with this pedal.

Here is a link to the soundclick files (they use the same names as described above).

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=943853

My impression is this is a very versatile pedal with a wide range of phasing tones from very dark and deep to light and shallow. At the darker end of the spectrum, the pedal does a very good job of maintaining lows. At the light end of the spectrum you do loose some bottom end (which I expected).

There is no change in volume when switching the pedal on/off.

With the little time I've spent with this pedal, I'm really enjoying it. Would I pay the $398.00 price most on-line dealers are asking for the pedal, don't know. For the price I payed, I'm keeping it and it will find a place on my board.

I hope this helps!
 
Nice review. I've been curious about this one for a long time. I was afraid it would be too delicate and shimmery for use on bass after hearing the guitar clips, but it has a nice syrupy quality to it, but it isn't the most prominent phaser sound. I bet it sounds very good with a filter.
 
BigO, the fact that you were the first to chime in on this thread seems as inevitable as the sun coming up tomorrow. Don't quote me on that when the sun chooses not to rise. :smug:

To the OP: It not only sounds like it retains the low end, but possibly adds some in certain settings? One thing is for certain from the clips: it's as subtle as feta in a gorgonzola ball. Not quite what I would go for personally, but I still like it.
 
BigO, the fact that you were the first to chime in on this thread seems as inevitable as the sun coming up tomorrow. Don't quote me on that when the sun chooses not to rise. :smug:

To the OP: It not only sounds like it retains the low end, but possibly adds some in certain settings? One thing is for certain from the clips: it's as subtle as feta in a gorgonzola ball. Not quite what I would go for personally, but I still like it.

Maybe it has something to do with "Sunshine of Your Love!?" :D

To my ears, the TOP does settle a little on the subtle side and I like that. I seem to prefer effects that enhance my tone. It may add a little subharmonic with the resonance and mix knobs cranked all the way CCW, not totally sure yet. Definitely darker. I am enjoying the variety of effects....I just hope I don't wake up the wife and kids.....could be very ugly!