MXR or MarkBass Compressor?

[mancefine]

Hi Guys,

I'm going here in a few minutes to sell my POS EHX Bass Metaphors to get an actual good compressor and I wanted to know people's opinions on whether the MXR or Markbass compressor would be best? I play a Spector Euro into an Orange Terror 1000 if that matters. They are both roughly the same price, the MXR is just smaller which would be the only advantage I see, but that wouldn't stop me from getting the Markbass if the consensus was one was better than the other. Thanks!

 

[bcoomes]

I've only tried the MXR in the store, but I did own the Markbass for a while. Here's my experience: the MXR seemed to be very transparent and not very noisy - overall, a nice pedal. The Markbass is dead quiet and can "color" your tone a little more (not really a bad thing, especially if you like a tube- ish sound). It's even able to get a little gritty like an overdrive. I eventually sold the Markbass because I found that I was getting plenty of "warmth" from my VT Bass. I've been through a few other compressors since, but I've very recently picked up an Ovnifx Smoothie. A fellow TB'er (BongoMania) runs a site called Ovnilab on which he has reviewed almost every compressor under the sun and this is his company's pedal. It's my current favorite compressor (and I've played the MXR, Markbass, Phat Beam, T Rex Squeezer, DOD Milkbox, and a host of others).

I digress - both the MXR and the Markbass are nice pedals, but very different, so it really depends on what you want from a compressor.

 

[monkeyfinger]

One of the things you should consider is where you are going to use the pedal. The MXR is well liked. It has a lot of flexibility and control that makes it great for studio use. One complaint owner's have is the small knobs and wide range of settings makes it difficult to dial in for live use. Of course, how much an issue that is will depend on the person using it. For live use, with an inexperienced user, simpler designs can be better. I also like the Ovnifx smoothie. It is one of the best small compressors out there IMO.

 

[eagle67]

I played both last week, and I liked the Markbass a lot better because it had a warmer tone. Now, to keep this thread going, let's add the Diamond BCP-1 into the discussion. I've never played the Diamond.

 

[Stevorebob]

If you want to add warmth, go with the Markbass. if you want transparent, go MXR.

 

[irbass]

MXR - Clean and easy to use.
Markbass - Color your sound
Aguilar - Clean and not to easy for first time. The best of this 3.

 

[mmbongo]

Don't forget the EBS MultiComp and the Pigtronix Philosopher Bass, which are the ones I kept out of this bunch

 

[groovebass5]

I recently got to spend some time at a local music store with the MXR and really liked it. I was going back and forth between the MXR and the Empress. I liked the Empress a little better but would not hesitate about getting the MXR at all. It's very versatile, quiet and a really good price for the features you get. I would say check out the Empress if you don't mind the higher price but the MXR is definitely a great pedal. I haven't had the chance to try out the Markbass but like everyone says they are different and if you're looking for a more transparent sound then the MXR is definitely the way to go. I haven't heard much negative about the Markbass though with the possible exceptions of the larger size and also the power supply too since it's 12v I believe as opposed to the MXR's 9v which makes it easier to power with more power supplies/One-Spots etc.

 

[BazzTard]

I have the MXR M87 and love it to bits.

As a compressor noob I really like the ten LEDs that show how much comp I'm adding, really really useful. As to the small knobs, once you find your setting,you won't need to change it, and it will be always on.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

M87 clean transparent easy to use
Compressore warm fat syrupy heavy color.

 

[SGT. BAKER]

If you want to add warmth, go with the Markbass. if you want transparent, go MXR.

I agree. I dislike adding some color to my bass tone when I´m using a compressor. I know some friends of mine that they really liked notice that warm, punch, edge or whatever that some compressor in the market can add when they are on. But I like that my compressed signal be with the same tone as when the compressor is off.

My only complaint about the MXR is that it´s a tad harder to dial ´cause their knobs they are real sensitive. Every minimal turn in their knobs it affects a lot in the bass signal. But once you found your sets it really works fine.