MXR M80 problem - distortion channel not working.

[El Raro]

I bought the MXR M80 not that long ago and I love the hell out of it but I'm suddenly running into some issues.

Basically, the distortion channel isn't activating at all for some reason. It lights up, but the tone remains the same as I would having it in clean mode. In saying that, the clean mode isn't really doing much except boosting the volume...the preamp doesn't seem to be kicking in that much.

I haven't played it n a few days and when I got home, I noticed my pedals have been shoved off to the side rather carelessly. Probably time to get a new cleaner. I've tried running it with different power adaptors, daisy chains and even straight but the distortion refuses to kick in. Anyone else had an issue like this? If so, how did you get around it?
I remember something similar happened to my Bass Big Muff a while back but that kind of fixed itself somehow...hmmm...

Thanks for any help, guys. I really hope the unit hasn't carked it. I JUST started falling in love with it.

 

[El Raro]

Bump. Anyone?

 

[cultrvultr]

That sounds like an upgrade. The distortion on that thing isn't very good but the clean tone is awesome. Good excuse to buy a dedicated fuzz and use the second channel of the mxr as a volume preset for solos and such.

 

[Craig_S]

The distortion on that thing isn't very good

I like mine.

My guess is the foot switch is the issue. Shouldn't be extremely hard to replace it.

 

[vegas532]

I'd contact Dunlop on it. They have a fantastic Customer Service department.

 

[loopmantra]

ehm...a silly question-
have you tried turning the colour switch to ON ?or turning BOTH channels ON?
m80's distortion channel works ONLY if the contour channel is active(meaning both red lights are flashing) ,you can not use the distortion channel only,that's why they have the switch,in case you don't like their 'contour setting',but it HAS to be engaged....i think it even says so in the manual..
then again,it could be a dud.how long ago did you purchase it?

 

[loopmantra]

yup.just checked it in the manual.and I quote-"to activate the distortion channel,leave the clean channel on...etc."

 

[Craig_S]

m80's distortion channel works ONLY if the contour channel is active

This is wrong. The color switch doesn't have to be engaged for the distortion to work. The "color" turns on automatically when the distortion is engaged.

 

[RickenBoogie]

I think he meant the effect itself has to be on to use the distortion, which is correct. The color button sucks out all your mids- and it's true, you have no choice when using the distortion effect.

 

[Craig_S]

I think he meant the effect itself has to be on to use the distortion, which is correct. The color button sucks out all your mids- and it's true, you have no choice when using the distortion effect.

I see what you're saying. It read, to me, like he was saying the contour switch has to be engaged.

Yes. Both foot switches need to be on. The contour switch does not.

 

[Vefa Erdem]

I bought the MXR M80 not that long ago and I love the hell out of it but I'm suddenly running into some issues.

Basically, the distortion channel isn't activating at all for some reason. It lights up, but the tone remains the same as I would having it in clean mode. In saying that, the clean mode isn't really doing much except boosting the volume...the preamp doesn't seem to be kicking in that much.

I haven't played it n a few days and when I got home, I noticed my pedals have been shoved off to the side rather carelessly. Probably time to get a new cleaner. I've tried running it with different power adaptors, daisy chains and even straight but the distortion refuses to kick in. Anyone else had an issue like this? If so, how did you get around it?
I remember something similar happened to my Bass Big Muff a while back but that kind of fixed itself somehow...hmmm...

Thanks for any help, guys. I really hope the unit hasn't carked it. I JUST started falling in love with it.

I have same exact problem with my m80 and it was because of my cat! He "literally" pissed off for some reason which I don't remember. Whenever I pass by my equipment closet I could smell the cats pee, even after hours of cleaning. One day I wanted to connect my M80 to my Zoom B3 for comparising. And I found the resource of that terrible smell. Connected them, hit the strings and I realized that the distortion channel not kicking in, output volume is way too low compared to B3. Thought that it could be some corrosion issue, dismantled the M80, the smell got stronger. Soaked the board in denaturated alcohol for a minute, didn't work. Tried to clean with contact spray all over, didn't work either. I can see the corroded components and soldering right under the GAIN potentiometer, but the components are too tiny for me to mess with and resoldering. I know that laptop repair shops bakes the mainboards for similar issues to resolder all the board, maybe I'll take it to them to check if they can help. But this is the last resort, I know it could fix problems or damage it further.