A Must-Read for Bassists! Standard Equipment, but a Wild Horse of a Preamp

I would like to introduce a classic preamp that every bassist has had in his or her hands (or at his or her feet) at least once.
This time, we would like to introduce the MXR M80 Bass D.I+ (MXR M80). (A classic).
In my personal story, the MXR M80 was my preamp debut, and it was the equipment that got me hooked on preamps. (I love it too much.)
There is another classic, the “TECH21 Sansamp Bass Driver” (Sansamp), but this time I would like to focus on the MXR M80.
Actually, my first encounter with this preamp was when a friend of mine who loves musical instruments (he is a guitarist) took me to a music store in town to try out a bass guitar and the clerk recommended it to me. (Looking back on it now, I'm amazed that the clerk recommended it to a beginner.)
I didn't buy it because I didn't own a musical instrument at the time and I was working irregular hours, so I thought that being in a band was just a dream.
But then, I started to be interested in effects pedals (preamps), so I started to look into multi-effects pedals to see what kind of effects pedals were available. (Reference: A must-see for bassists and guitarists! Encyclopedia of Effects Pedals)
So after a long time, I had a reunion with this MXR M80. (It's modeling.)
Using a multi-effects pedal, I compare the standard MXR M80 and Sansamp.
After I bought the MXR M80, I tried many things and found out that it is an interesting preamp that can be used in various ways, and now I have two of them on my hand (← I like it too much).
So, why two preamps? I would like to get down to the main topic of this article.

■ This Edition

1. ”Color Switch” reproduces bold modern sound with a single switch
2. Intense distortion! The rampaging “Distortion”
3. There are other ways to create a mute switch!
4. EQ and Clean Sound are actually very easy to use!
5. Not only stand-alone, but also in combination with each other! （How to combine them (in my opinion)
6. All this at an introductory price!

1. “Color Switch” reproduces the bold Modern Sound with a single switch

The MXR M80 has this sound, the “Color Switch” ON, which reproduces a thick, modern sound.
The sound around 1KHz in the middle is cut off, and the bass is cut off at 30Hz.
Also, from 80Hz on the bass side to 2KHz on the treble side is raised. (The sound I want is raised).
It is often introduced as having a peculiar sound, but it can be greatly changed by playing around with the EQ.
I often read on the Internet that the EQ doesn't work when the Color Switch is turned on, but it seems to work for the ones currently on the market. (The two units I own do work.)
I think the “Color Switch” which produces too much bass will be easy to use if you adjust the EQ. (Please consult with your bass player before making a decision here.)
Also, some people say that the phase changes, but I have heard that this is not the case with the current model (At least, it didn't happen to me).
Please try to experience it for yourself! If you like this sound, buy it.

Reference video:

2. A true distortion! Distortion”, a rampaging horse!

This is the sound you've come to expect from Distortion! It's a cold, jarring sound.（It's like a ruthless guitar distortion.)
It sounds a little different from “Darkglass”, but I guess it’s also a sound for different tastes. It seems that there are people who like it and dislike it. （I like it.)
If you distort it too much, it sounds vicious as usual. (This is what makes it feel like a wild horse.)
But, the sound doesn't collapse and disappear, but at full volume, it becomes a complete guitar sound.
So, use BLEND and GAIN to adjust (tame) it. The sound impression will vary quite a bit depending on your bass and amp. (Headphones and a home amp will also change the impression.)

The Distortion is after the EQ (in the order of Distortion←EQ←Bass), so it is important to adjust the BLEND and GAIN. It seems that the EQ is not so effective in this order, like the MXR M80. (This is just my experience and guess, so I apologize if I am wrong.)
Also, when I turn on “Distortion”, “Color Switch” is automatically turned on.
This itself is a specification, so there is nothing we can do about it.
If you like it and can use it, you can already be a believer.
And this Distortion channel has a TRIGGER knob, which is activated by turning on the GATE switch. (You can visually check it because the switch glows.)
This knob is used to remove noise (?). This is a knob to remove noise. This knob is used to eliminate noise, not to completely remove it.
If you still think “I can't use this distortion, just use Color Switch,” we have [good news] for you!
Actually, this “Distortion” does not distort if the BLEND and GAIN are set all the way to the left.
It is really well made. Some pedals distort even when BLEND and GAIN are set to 0, but this MXR M80 does not do so at all.
Therefore, the Effect Switch ON can be used for EQ correction with the Clean setting, and the Distortion setting with the BLEND and GAIN set to 0 can be used with the Color Switch ON. (The “Color Switch” button is so small that it is almost impossible to switch it with your foot while playing, so I think this is a possible way to use it.)

3. Other ways to devise: Mute Switching

This is a continuation of the previous point. (This has become too long, so I'll start over.)
Even if the Distortion switch is turned on, if the Effect switch is off, distortion cannot be used.
So, if you want to use only the Color Switch, you can use it as a Mute Switch by setting BLEND and GAIN to 0 on the Distortion switch and setting the volume of the EFFECT Switch to 0.
The reverse is also possible: if you want to use only Clean, you can do the same thing, since each volume is independent.
Then, by using either channel as a Mute Switch, you can connect the PARALLEL OUT to the TUNER Pedal and tune the pedal without making a sound.
This unexpectedly convenient PARALLEL OUT technique is also possible because the incoming sound does not pass through the effects pedal but it comes out directly.

4. The EQ and Clean Sound are actually very easy to use!

I have been focusing on Distortion and Color Switch for a long time, but it can be said that all of this is because of how well this EQ works. (It's excellent!).
According to the manufacturer's information, you can adjust the BASS (60Hz), MID (850Hz), and TREBLE (4KHz). (It is not possible to raise or lower them with pinpoint accuracy.)
This is a very good preamp, and it’s very easy to use.
In fact, when I bought this preamp, I also bought the MXR M108S EQ, which I thought was good because it could be played with pinpoint accuracy, but it was more for experts and I had trouble using it. If you are unsure, return it to the center and move it one by one, and you should be able to easily understand the changes.
This is another example of a setting that depends on the bass itself and the amp.
You may buy MXR M80 for this EQ.
By the way, the sound is very nice and dry when the EQ is in the Clean state.
It’s the opposite of the heavy Color Switch sound.
To put it simply, even with the same car's V8 engine, Color Switch sounds like an American car, while Clean sounds (or gives the impression of sounding) like a Ferrari. In terms of motorcycles, Color Switch is the sound of an American V2 engine, while Clean is the dry sound of a Kawasaki 4-cylinder engine when it is turned up.
It is difficult to describe. Especially when using the MID, the impression changes greatly depending on whether you swing it to the right or left.
You can create a sound that suits you.

5. It’s not just a single product, but it’s a combination of products! The art of combination.

It is also interesting to use them in combination.
For example, here is how I use it in combination with my current BOSS ODB-3.
Connect MXR M80←BOSS ODB-3 in this order and turn on Color Switch on MXR M80,
BOSS ODB-3 is used as a distortion.
Here’s an example that’s shown in this video.

Isn't it great?
I am sure there are other combinations. I am sure there are other combinations that I would like to try in the future.
I have two more recommendations for you, one of them is this guy again.

RAT2 is great for bass guitar, isn't it?
This is a guitar effect pedal, but it retains a solid bass sound and has a nice roughness to it.
I'd like to think about using this RAT2 again. (I recommend the person who made this video for many other ideas.)

Now, one last thing, a combination of MXR M80 and MXR M80 (2 couplings).
This two-coupled locomotive has a massive feeling like the “D51” two-coupled locomotives of the past. (Sorry if you don't understand, but the actual locomotive is on display at Saga-Arashiyama Station on the Sagano San-in Line, so you can take a look if you have a chance.)
The MXR M80 on the bass is used as a distortion channel, so both channels are used here.
On the bass, turn on the “Distortion” setting of Vol MAX and fully open the EQ to the right of MID. On the clean side (effect side), adjust the distortion level with BASS, MID, and TREBLE to your preference while adjusting the Vol. (This EQ will change the impression of the distortion, which was difficult to use.)
Then, on the bass side, turn on Color Switch for Clean as well, and make it a sharp switch.
This is so that the impression of the sound created on the bass side does not change depending on whether it is turned on or off.
Now, set the “Distortion” side of the MXR M80 on the Amp side to “Mute Switch” with the volume set to 0. (You can also create another Distortion with a different character if you like.)
You can make another distortion with a different character here if you like.

This usage is the result of my research by looking at various artists. (My skills have not improved in spite of my research.)
As you can imagine, the Darkglass Electronics B7K was also a great match.
It fits perfectly with the modern sound! (I would like to try their Alpha omicron next.)

6. All this at an introductory price!

This may be exactly what I want to say. The best in the world in terms of price for the quality! You can buy it for less than 20,000 yen. It is black and heavy, which is what Han (men) like. It is surprisingly heavy and looks like a “D51 (SL locomotive)” of the effector world! It is not equipped with anything unnecessary (but for better or worse, it is not equipped with any modern equipment (Phone out, AUX in), but I wonder if there will be a model change one day.)
If you use the MXR M80 Bass D.I+, you will find that it has been decades since its debut (it debuted in 2001, already 20 years ago), but like Sansamp, it is a classic and a champion.
Even if you buy it for the time being and think it is not quite right, you can use it in various combinations (this flexibility is a wonderful thing). (This flexibility is what makes it so great.)
Even if you buy the wrong seasoning, try it in curry or natto and you'll be surprised at how good it tastes! Just as you can buy the wrong seasoning and mix it with curry or natto , you can create such chemical reactions with effect pedals as well.
In this article, I focused on the combination part.
The combinations are endless! Let's mix and match the Japanese favorite hybrids!

■ Finally

I have written three articles about “preamplifiers” from an amateur's point of view.
I really am an amateur, and I have a strong tendency to want to know the structure rather than the musical point of view, and I cannot get rid of my habit of wanting to know what is inside and starting from the mechanism. (I'm the type of person who follows everything from its origins.)
But it's interesting how a preamp alone can change the sound of a bass, and vice versa, bringing out the full character of the bass. （It's like a magic box.)
I can see why some people keep selling and buying pre-amps over and over again. (I would like to add more if my wallet allows)
I have not been able to play in a band because of Covid, but I would like to stay motivated and prepare for the coming day (?) through this equipment. I will try to keep myself motivated through this equipment and prepare for the coming day (?).
I hope to write another article when a new preamp joins the band.
Thank you very much for reading this article.

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