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Pros:
- Wide range of modulation
- Sweet sound of 80s
- Can work with everyone (from beginners to experienced professionals)
- Natural tones
Cons:
- The LED light might blind you
- Might not be suitable for all kinds of chains
There are many who claim that chorus is outdated. Many modern musicians consider this effect as something from the past – something, that does not fit in among contemporary devices. But there are many (including me) who cannot get over the chorus and are not going to either. For us, this effect is beautiful and nothing can substitute it precisely. When you read about it, you do not even get half of what it actually is. And that is why you should own a pedal that can emit those wonderful sounds.
If you are here, it means you have done your research, have found several names and now you want to dig even further and get specific. You are in the perfect place if that is your goal. But even if it is not, this article will provide you with all the detailed information. Oh, I almost forgot to indicate – today we are going to talk about MXR M234. This unit is somewhere between Macro Chorus and Stereo Chorus, but not with its capabilities. Want to know more about this bad boy? Then you have to stay with me and continue reading this article!
Features
MXR M234 offers quite a pack when it comes to its features and capabilities. I will not waste your time appraising the brand, since we already know what stands behind the name of this line. I will just tell you that this pedal is just as good and versatile as you would expect. It is an all-analog guitar chorus pedal that utilizes Bucket Brigade circuitry to create sound. What difference does it make? – you might ask. I will leave it a secret for now and discuss this subject a bit later. But for now, let’s continue going through all the features.
Additionally, MXR M234 has a two-band EQ that allows you to shape various parameters in your sound. This way you can make professional modifications and achieve studio-quality results. This pedal operates in mono or stereo modes thanks to additional stereo output. It can be powered either with a single 9V battery (situated under the bottom plate) or a power supply. I also want to mention the bright blue chassis that is also rugged apart from being eye-catching. M234 is compact in size, so it will fit really easily on the majority of pedalboards. And lastly, this unit has a LED indicator that shines so bright that the creatures from the parallel universe will know it’s on. Dimed stages and poor lighting will not be a problem with this fella. Good stuff, right?
Controls
The control section will not leave any detail unmodified. No, I am not exaggerating, MXR M234 is extremely meticulous with its knobs and encoders and gives you the ability to tweak all the desired properties. These controls not only shape everything to perfection but also give you ethereal versatility. They all have spectacular range, which means you will not be stuck in one boring place with this pedal. Though everything is quite simple to understand and the labels tell you what are the functionalities of each knob, I will still dive into it and nag you with meticulous information.
The first two knobs in the top row are Low and High. The former modifies the amount of the bottom-end frequencies that are cut out of the mix, while the latter does the same thing for the trebles. Then we have the second row, which features the encoders that are in charge of the chorus itself. Level alters the overall volume of the effect, Rate changes the speed, while Depth adjusts the intensity. Though it might not seem like it, these offer different savors of the chorus and drastically modify the end result. With the help of all these controls, you can explore the true possibilities of the pedal and take your performance to a whole new level. After all, it takes both your craftsmanship and the tweakable options of the unit to nail the spectacular sounds.
MXR Analog Chorus Sound
MXR M234 unleashes the beast hidden behind nice colors and enclosure as soon as you plug it in and start performing. It seems like a kind, soft device. In reality, it is everything but those things. This pedal produces a lush, juicy chorus that submerges the whole ambiance into nice swirls. Creating the sound that resembles beloved legends is a piece of cake with this one. Once you start playing your favorite tracks, you will see just how close it can come to the original songs. MXR M234 can be dialed to any extent.
With lower Level settings, you can add just a tiny bit of chorus in order to enhance the texture and thickness of your signal. But as you crank it up, you enter more daring places. Pairing it with higher settings of Depth and Rate will take the pedal to the extreme and mesmerize your existence with rhythmic, fast pulses. M234 works wonderfully with other pedals and accommodates itself to their sound. This means that you can easily incorporate it into your chain without worrying about units not getting along. This bad boy can replicate a flanger as well, which is just a cherry on top. Its overall character is spatial and dimensional – exactly what a decent chorus should be like.
Conclusion
It is hard to find faults with MXR M234. It has a magic power that forces you to fall in love with every bit of it. The way it changes your sound will quickly become your favorite. It can awaken your creativity and push you to create the most wonderful pieces. Performing with this bad boy is nothing but enjoyment, with all the notes sounding right and perfect. MXR M234 is everything we ever asked for and a bit more. Spend some time with it and you will know what I am talking about. Good luck!