All user reviews for the MXR M134 Stereo Chorus

It's 'pearl' yellow, footprint is about 4' x 5', and it's not actually marketed as a specifically bass-dedicated device, but there's 2 reasons I'm reviewing it under 'Bass Guitar Effects': 1stly, cuz thaz how I use it, and even WHY I use it; and 2ndly cuz I don't give a ratzass about geetards and their pedal abuse addiction.

I play a lot with just vox, KB and bass, aka 'The Diva Duo' [with Ms. D. on KB and sole vox], and thaz got much to do with my 'Reason Number 1'.

I don't recall where I got it or what it cost, but I doubt I bought it brand new.

The 'Why I got it' is cuz sometimes I play fretted bass guitar in the Diva Duo along with Ms. D. on digital piano. Fretless or upright basses do not routinely 'beat against' the lower notes of the digital piano, since the FL notes are not that precicely 'sculpted'. Fretted notes have a more definite 'shape', and since the majority of notes on a fretted instrument will be very very slightly out-of-tune compared to the digital piano, there's a slight 'beating' effect that makes things sound 'not right' [to quote Ms.D.]. So the job of the chorus box is to mess with the fretted bass notes such that they are no longer so sharply sculpted, and therefore the 'beat' does not arise.

It has a 2-band EQ that can be handy, but thaz no big deal really. I get the impression that the EQ is only about +/- 10db anyways. The Real Deal here, for me, is the full control over the chorus effect, meaning control over intensity, width, and rate. Without getting into what each one does, I can tell you I do need all 3 controls to find that sweet spot where there's no obvious effect. IOW my sound still seems pretty normal to the audience and Ms D., yet a subtle effect is actually delivered, and it's enuf to avoid the 'not right' sound of the slight difference between fretted bass and Ms. D's left hand.

So, It does exactly what I need. It eliminates Ms. D's complaints. Also it has a non-adjustable shelving-type bass boost, so I guess thaz really a 3rd reason to review this under 'Bass Guitar Effects'. The shelved bass boost is similar to the 'Ultra Bass' button on an Ampeg.

Finally, another good thing is that this is an 18v box, so it's quite low-noise, important in such a duo. We can't get away with the crap that you can hide under rock band sound levels !

No dislikes, so I'll use the 'dislikes' area to mention the 'don't know' or 'no comment' stuff. It's a *stereo* device, but I never bother about that, so 'no comment'. Also no comment on the quality of the stomp switch. I mean, it looks OK, but I don't stomp it, cuz I use it continuously. But I will point out a potential for trouble if you do stomp it: The 'Effect Engaged' LED protrudes from the box about 1' to the left of the stomp switch. Dumb that. So, if you stomp, take two ordinary hardware store washers, like for a 3/8' bolt, super glue them into a stack of 2, and glue that stack onto the box, to put a 'fortress' around the LED without hiding it from view

It's a cast metal box, and it has the well-proven old-school 'leaf-spring' type of jacks, with the usually metal retaining nuts. The more modern jacks with the black plastic nuts do not have the very forgiving long internal leaf springs. The newer jacks can be fussy about what plugs will fit without extra effort or without damaging those jacks. I don't know how old my pedal is, but I hope MXR doesn't switch to the newer jacks for boxes newer than mine ! ! !

The pair of 9v battery chambers are not the hinged pop-up types, and inside is a molded hard plastic 'dual-snaps' terminal, on a length of wire. Not the most convenient, but not so fragile as the pop-up types. All in all, it seems well made with good components, so maybe I am needlessly wary of the LED being near the stomp switch ?

Well made, works for my purpose, but I'm not a stomp-crazed geetard and I don't crank the effect to levels where it's obvious that an effect is in use. I'll repeat here my praise for the 18v power that provides a low-noise device, which is very important for those who use effects in a more subtle way ... like me.

I know that there are some really ultra sooper effects devices out there, at ultra sooper prices, but I feel this one has some 'above average' points, so I'll rate it in between a
'5' and a '3'. There's no '3+' so it gets a '4' [but I don't feel like it's an 'almost 5'].

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I actually bought this thinking it wasn't analog, but turns out it is, which is great. MXR has really built a reputation for solid construction and I think in that aspect they are up their with some of the boutique companies. The switches are great and the pedals as a whole just feel very solid. This is a stereo chorus, although I never use that function.

UTILIZATION

This pedal has a few more knobs than some. The bass treble knobs are more there for "in case you need them" situations where certain frequencies do get lost. I don't think they're actually meant to shape the sound in drastic ways. I actually use this with keyboard in addition to guitar. Sounds great for both really.

SOUND QUALITY

Now we all know that like most pedals, a chorus' flexibility is limited to the inherent character it has. Some are more vintage sounding while others have a modern flavor. Others do the 80's thing well. There's all kinds to choose from. I feel the MXR is more in the modern camp, however you can convince it to sound a lot of ways using all the knobs it has. The knobs have a pretty wide range, especially the width control, which I feel is the secret to really shaping how you want the pedal to sound. I think everyone has their favorite chorus pedal that gets the tone they hear in their head, or maybe that cops a certain vibe they hear. For me, the MXR is flexible enough to get a lot of the tones I need. It can do 80's stuff pretty well but it also lends well to more "radio friendly" stuff if you know what I mean.

OVERALL OPINION

To me this is more of a studio pedal than for live use, although I've used it for both. If I could change one thing, I would probably take away the EQ section because I honestly don't use it much. My motto for chorus pedals is that if you have to tweak the bass knob, there's a problem somewhere else in your gear. But hey, this is a solid pedal and I would buy it again with no complaints.

J uses the chorus for 8 months now and my only regret is ..... not to have it bought before! This chorus has a digital bass and setting trbble and intesity, width and rate + a small switch or the chorus is assigned as the acute (or roughly the last 3 strings for practice arpeggios). It is powered by a fournie.1 input power 18 v, 2 L and R. The sound is beautiful transparent, natural. A good chorus, that is when you do the "mean" but not against when the off you say: "something is missing." The 's case, that is true it is a bit expensive but once that is the' ac 'is for longtemps.J' ve taken the MXR to replace my boss ch 1, IT IS no comparison between the two. In addition, the MXR n 'stuff causes no breath of PRO.

UTILIZATION

Siplissime. A leslie effect is possible but that is obviously in the chorus he is the best

SOUND QUALITY

TOP OF THE TOP

OVERALL OPINION

I remake my choice without the problem we are in the very good, it is the likes of TC Electronic. I have paid € 215

Analog pedal is the high-end in MXR Chorus.
It has a lot of thanks to the possibility of its various knobs (EQ: Bass & Treble, Intensity, Width, Rate) ...
The pedal works in 18V (transformer Provides MXR)
As the name suggests, it is stereo ... double amplification, that thing you stun ...

UTILIZATION

My only complaint ... the effect is very good, very versatile but it has so many possibilities that we must spend some time to find the sound that suits us.
but then it's really happy.
As usual, I do not pretend to open the manual

SOUND QUALITY

Here, nothing can be wrong ... very very good, really the top, a super nice grain, an EQ (single chorus) who can give a new personality for this purpose ...
It is suitable for all styles and is still as good.
The various knobs can be the most subtle chorus to chorus as psychorigid!

I love

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for some months now.
No complaints, really very very good.
Regarding the price is very expensive but well worth the ca.
I tried the EHX, the Jacques ... He buries them all in my opinion ...

Tried

Stereo chorus effect with the possibility leslie.
18V power supply provided, otherwise you can put two 9-volt batteries.
I have not tried the stereo connection.

is the MXR, it's tough

UTILIZATION

There is indeed a flyer, oh no, it was the manual. good, keep, is 2-3 rglages lot that can take the pedals by hand.
edition of the sounds is off trs, and I will still qq hours to explore all possibilities.
each knob has its own efficiency. I do not think there are more versatile.

SOUND QUALITY

So here I have DBAL knob tweaking in all directions, now I attack.
the flying V First: it is a killing in its clear humbuckers. with distortion, you can reach a kind of flange couraging. the sound quality is simply breathtaking from light to more saturated. harmonic rich, vibrant sharp ... but happiness.
Then the stratum. ottoman in my face leslie effect. pouf re, re in my face like chorus version money on the low light ... I put a little overdrive, and tape on 3 rerepoufpouf agreements. the sound is good l. playing with the "rate", it has a vibrato that blends well with a lightweight crunch. I want to put 11, but the points are / 10.

OVERALL OPINION

I tried qq chorus. bcp me more. I tried the Line 6 mm4 coming out also trs good chorus ... but the something else. is the top. I want also to say that my only dcption is not having bought earlier ...
the relationship quality price in mind mxr: it is not given but it is largely justified trs!
I remake that choice again!

It's a chorus that I have used, received in a state a little yucky ........ but on (most) after a good cleaning. Very nice place, however, plastic housing or both batteries AC not seem very reassuring and less effective than even for that price boss.Quand ca do a little fake.

UTILIZATION

No manual just for my model of instint OCCAZ with brands make adjustments by the predecessor of the paint around the knobs that do not correspond at all to my stuff.

SOUND QUALITY

to abuse found sounds "sheaf" if we find what you want about delving into the well. No agreement at all with the distortion of my mesa boogie for now, have not yet tested with the MXR DD11 and with my wah.
I still behind the Jazz Chorus for now

OVERALL OPINION

Quality is, a test since it happened, I find it even better than that of the famous 77 Roland Jazz Chorus amp. The Boss Super Chorus not be ashamed next to this one. I wanted to move on as the boss (the already seen and which I found by my house at 110 €, nine with transformer), bought a € 138 to OCCAZ with shipping and transformer. Well I recommend it to someone with a significant financial comfort for a small boss super chorus 40 or € 50 is better for someone who does not necessarily afford to buy everything, I mean especially for budget who want strong and effective. I would test the next move MAXON.

It you need a solid chorus pedal with a little more options than the regular one knob control micro chorus, than this might be your ticket. This is a fantastic chorus in the size of the MXR flanger boxes. It has that classic chorus shimmer found in many records and stages around the world. The pedal is very precise with the EQ knobs and the extra bass filter switch.

MXR M-134 Stereo Chorus Pedal Features:

* Add sparkle to clean-toned arpeggios
* Animate strummed passages
* Widen and fatten distorted power chords
* Rate and Width controls
* Run in mono or use the stereo outputs for a huge, vibrant sound
* Bass Filter button applies effect to HF only


UTILIZATION

This is a very similar operation the the MXR Flanger. It has five knobs to control the over all intensity and varying EQ that take the Micro Chorus from MXR up to a whole new level. Tailoring your chorus is very easy with this pedal but it will take a little bit of effort finding a sound you like since there are so many options available to achieve with this pedal.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound quality is so perfect in the unit. It is lush and warm just like a quality analog chorus should sound like. One thing I don't particularly care for is the bass and treble EQing and the bass shift control knob. I wish they would stick with the parameters of getting the tone rather than the EQing. I like to have my amp do all of the the EQing and not rely on effect units to help with that.

I use this with a Strat and a Fender Deluxe. Is sounds great going into a clean amp. It also sounds equally pleasing going into a dirty amp for that 80's rock tone.

If you want to get that Rush sound try the Intensity maxed and the Width and Rate around noon. If you want to get a good tone to slam in the front of a dirty amp try everything around 9:00.

OVERALL OPINION

This is great pedal for the person who wants to use a chorus pedal and needs as many options that will fit on his pedal board. If chorus effect is your thing than the extra options will suit you just fine. If you need something a little more simpler than try the MXR Micro Chorus. Both sound the same as far as the voicing of the chorus unit itself.

I would recommend anyone who likes using chorus effect to try this pedal out . At new they come in at around $150. Which is a great price for a unit of this caliber. These are great to record with and fantastic for live gigging. They will hold up to a lot of abuse.