MXR
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2007) |
Company type | Parent Dunlop Manufacturing | |
---|---|---|
Website | http://www.jimdunlop.com |
MXR is a New York–based manufacturer of effects pedals from Rochester. The company was co-founded in 1972 by Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood[1]
History
MXR co-founders Terry Sherwood and Keith Barr met as high school students at
Reference Series (1973–1984)
The first MXR
The first period is known as the "Script period," in reference to the
The "Box Logo Period 1" began around 1975-6 and lasted until 1981, and is named for the writing on the front of the box. The "Box logo period 2" started in early 1981 and went until 1984, when the company stopped making pedals. The main change in this era was the addition of LEDs and A/C adaptor jacks. These pedals used 1/8" power jacks and had exactly the same circuit board as their pre-1981 box logo brothers.
Model | Effect Name | Year Intro |
---|---|---|
MX-101 | Phase 90 | 1974 |
MX-102 | Dyna Comp | 1974 |
MX-103 | Blue Box | 1974 |
MX-104 | Distortion+ | 1974 |
MX-105 | Phase 45 | 1974 |
MX-106 | Noise Gate Line Driver | 1975 |
MX-107 | Phase 100 | 1975 |
MX-108 | 10 Band Graphic Equalizer | 1976 |
MX-109 | 6 Band Graphic Equalizer | 1976 |
MX-117 | Flanger | 1976 |
MX-118 | Analog Delay | 1976 |
MX-120 | Envelope Filter | 1976 |
MX-133 | Micro Amp | |
MX-134 | Stereo Chorus | |
MX-137 | Power Converter | |
MX-138 | Power Plate | |
MX-142 | Distortion II | |
MX-143 | Limiter | |
MX-144 | Loop Selector | |
MX-148 | Micro Chorus | 1982 |
MX-152 | Micro Flanger | 1982 |
MX-157 | Headphone Amp | 1982 |
MX-180 | Omni Multi Effects | 1983 |
MX-181 | Omni Footswitch | 1983 |
Commande Series (1981–1984)
In 1981, MXR introduced the Commande Series, a line of plastic (Lexan polycarbonate) pedals. Their design departed from the Reference Series in several respects. The input, output and power jacks were all moved to the top of the case to allow a tighter grouping on the floor, or pedal board.
- M-161 MXR Phaser
- M-162 MXR Preamp
- M-163 MXR Sustain
- M-164 MXR Overdrive
- M-166 MXR Time Delay
- M-167 MXR Stereo Chorus
- M-168 MXR Flanger
2000 Series (1982–1984)
The Series 2000 was a complete rework of the Reference and Commande lines of pedals. They were higher quality pedals, with electronic
The MXR Series 2000 sported six models. These original pedals in the series included the Dyna Comp, Distortion +, Phaser, Stereo Chorus, Stereo Flanger and Time Delay. In late 1983 MXR announced a digital sound effects pedal generator simply known as the Junior. The Junior was released in early 1984 and was added to the other six pedals in the Series 2000 line. The Junior boasted four sound effects: a laser, a clap, a snare and a high hat. The effects were
Model Number | Effect Name | Year Intro |
---|---|---|
M-201 | Phaser | 1982 |
M-202 | Dyna Comp | 1982 |
M-203 | Stereo Flanger | 1982 |
M-204 | Distortion+ | 1982 |
M-206 | Time Delay | 1982 |
M-250 | Stereo Chorus | 1982 |
M-210 | Junior | 1984 |
MXR Rackmount Effects
MXR also had a line of professional
Maximum Delay (msec)
bandwidth | 1 Memory Board | 2 Memory Boards | 3 Memory Boards | 4 Memory Boards |
---|---|---|---|---|
20KHz | 40 | 80 | 120 | 160 |
10KHz | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 |
5KHz | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 |
2.5KHz | 320 | 640 | 960 | 1280 |
Model Number | Product Name | Year Introduced |
---|---|---|
MX-113 | Digital Delay | 1976 |
MX-122 | Case for Delay | |
MX-124 | Dual 15-Band Graphic EQ | |
MX-125 | 31-Band Equalizer | |
MX-126 | Flanger/Doubler | |
MX-129 | Pitch Transposer | |
MX-510 | Pitch Transposer with LED Display | |
MX-136 | Dual Limiter | |
MX-151 | Delay System II | 1982 |
MX-175 | Digital Time Delay | |
Pitch-Shift Doubler |
In 1983, MXR introduced one of the first multi-effect rack units for guitar and bass, the Omni.[11] The Omni had 6 different effects: sustain, distortion, delay, equalization, flanger and chorus. The main unit was a 2U with separate controls for each effect. There was a footpedal (M-181) that enabled the player to switch the different effects on and off, as well as changing the order of the distortion and equalizer effects, a master bypass as well as an effects loop. Since 2006, the "M-181" product number has been re-appropriated by Jim Dunlop for the MXR Bass Blowtorch Overdrive pedal.
MXR Desktop Effects
In 1980 MXR released the MX-114 Two Channel Graphic Equalizer. From the 1980 Catalog: "The Equalizer's wide dynamic range and interface characteristics allow for a variety of applications. the frequency response of a system can be tailored to compensate for room acoustics, speaker aberrations and program material. Horizontal control placement and the equalizer's compact case permit easy manipulation in studio mix down situation. P.A. applications include: suppression of major feedback frequencies, compensation for high frequency attenuation in miking and rejection of unwanted signals (60Hz hum and noise) Two channels permit separate main and monitor equalization.[12]
Drum Computers
In late 1981, MXR got the resale rights in the US to sell the KIT (M-178), a digital drum machine. In early 1983, MXR released the M-185 [1] MXR Drum Computer, similar to Roger Linn's Linn LM-1 drum machine with individual pads for the instrument sounds and individual volume controls for each sound.
Jim Dunlop and MXR
Products
References
- ^ Art Thompson, Dave Thompson, The Stompbox, Backbeat Books, 1997, p. 106
- ^ "In Memoriam: Keith Barr 1949-2010", Mix Magazine Online, Aug 25, 2010 http://www.mixonline.com/news/keith_barr_obit_2508/
- ^ Art Thompson, Dave Thompson, The Stompbox, Backbeat Books, 1997, p. 106-111
- ^ "Eddie Van Halen's Rig and Tone Techniques".
- ^ Rob Hughes, "Selectron to Distribute Rochester Series Pedals", MI Pro, Oct 2009 http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/30577/Selectron-to-distribute-Rochester-pedals
- ^ Tolinski, Brad (September 1994). "Welcome to the Machines". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
- ^ MXR 1980 Catalog
- ^ 1980 MXR Catalog
- ^ 1980 MXR Catalog
- ^ 1982 MXR Catalog & Price List
- ^ "MXR". 18 October 2021.
- ^ 1980 MXR Catalog
- ^ "Current MXR Pedals Catalog".