Welcome to this review of the MXR M85 bass distortion pedal, where we’re going to be discussing the pedals features, tone and performance to find out what makes this distortion pedal so highly regarded amongst bass players.
MXR M85 Bass Distortion Review
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Ryan Ratajski, the founder of Fuzzrocious Pedals, has teamed up with the MXR. As a result, we now have this impressive bass distortion pedal that operates in a slightly different manner than the majority of the other pedals on the list. The catch with this unit is that it has some sort of filter that preserves low-frequency tones. The distortion effect only affects higher notes, which means that no matter how hard you crank the distortion knob, you’ll get exceptional clarity.
Features and controls
There’s nothing out of the ordinary about the layout of this pedal. There are four common knobs that allow you to change the tone in a variety of ways. We’re talking about the Dry and Wet knobs, which control the blend of dry and effected signal, as well as the Tone and Distortion knobs, which control tone shaping. A small switch in the middle of the pedal makes it extremely versatile, as it allows you to choose between two well-known distortion styles: silicon diode and LED clipping.
Given the number of features and the fact that you can expect true analogue sound, the price appears to be very reasonable. Of course, you can count on MXR’s trademark characteristics, such as compact, and a size that is fully pedalboard friendly.
Check out this video demonstrating the MXR M85 distortion pedal in action.
Tone and Performance
This unit is ideal for those looking for a versatile pedal, but one that is versatile in a unique way. It has two distortion modes, each of which sounds different because the pedal keeps the fundamental bass tone almost intact. The only disadvantage is that there aren’t many similar pedals on the market, so you’ll have to buy one to see if it’s right for you.
As with most other MXR products the M85 bass distortion pedal can be powered by 9 volt battery or other compatible power supplies including MXR’s DC Brick or Iso Brick. We fully recommend this pedal for the Bass player who needs that high level of dirt at the flick of a switch.
Customer Review Rating
The MXR M85 Bass Distortion has a rating of 4.5* out of 5* on Amazon – Check Reviews Here
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