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MXR M81 Bass Preamp Pedal

Bass Preamp Pedal with XLR Direct Out, 3-band EQ, and Level Controls
$179.99

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MXR Bass Innovations Preamp Pedal

For studio-quality bass tones wherever you play, rely on the MXR M81 Bass preamp pedal. Separate input and output level controls let you take advantage of MXR's innovative Constant Headroom Technology for clarity at volumes other preamps just can't produce. The flawless direct out can be sent to the house pre or post the 3-band, sweepable midrange EQ section - dial in tone for your amp and leave the PA to the sound chick. To get a new tone from an old bass or amp, or for just a touch of something every now and then, the versatility of the MXR M81 Bass preamp pedal is what you need.

Dunlop legacy and MXR

Dunlop Manufacturing started in 1965 much like Sweetwater, a family-owned and operated company. In 1972 Dunlop introduced the MXR pedals and quickly established themselves as pioneers in the guitar effects pedal market. Their continuing innovations are highly-acclaimed, winning multiple awards with their Bass Innovations line and presenting the guitar-playing world with new classics like the Carbon Copy delay pedal. The MXR Custom Shop delivers you the classic MXR pedals made from original specs and gives you a touch of 'boutique' with special runs of guitar effects pedals. Sweetwater is proud to partner with Dunlop to give you the best MXR has to offer!

MXR M81 Bass Preamp Pedal Features:
  • Switchable pre/post EQ direct out - get the right tone for your amp and the room
  • High headroom input and output level controls for distortion-free signal
  • 3-band EQ section with sweepable midrange dials in whatever you need
  • Buffered bypass/True bypass switchable for even greater versatility
  • Operates on 9V battery, optional power supply, pedalboard power, or phantom power from your mixer
Put award-winning tone at your feet with MXR Bass Innovations pedals!

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Bass Preamp
  • Form Factor: Pedal
  • Analog/Digital: Analog
  • EQ: 3-band EQ, Mid Frequency Control
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4", 1 x XLR (DI out)
  • Bypass Switching: True Hardwire, Switchable to Buffered
  • Power Source: 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
  • Power Usage: 8.5mA
  • Batteries: 1 x 9V
  • Height: 2.12"
  • Width: 2.62"
  • Depth: 4.37"
  • Weight: 0.56 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: M81

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Great bass preamp.

I originally bought this preamp simply because I love mxr pedals. I know that sounds shallow but I'm sure I am not the only gear head thats ever done that. I did not know much about it. I did not do much research on it, as I typicaly do with all my gear, especially pedals because I have so many of them. I needed a preamp for my new pedalboard so I chose this one. It turned out to be an excellent investment. As a preamp it is very effective at giving my signal that extra humph but I mainly used it to help shape my passive "PJ" bass tone before it hits the rest of the effects pedals. I especially like the "line out" knob which gives the tone some guts. I have it after the mxr bass compressor and before everything else.
This is such a good preamp that I want to buy an extra one just in case I lose the one I have or it gets stolen.
My advise is, dont even bother looking somewhere else for a bass preamp. This is a killer preamp at this price point and in this tiny footprint. MXR makes the best pedals out there.
Music background: Classic rock and 80s metal.
Rated 5/5

Perfect for a silent sound stage

I use this whenever I need a silent sound stage (e.g., church, small bars, pit orchestra, etc.) and it has just taken a licking and kept on ticking. I have it on pedal board now, but for a long time, the phantom power feature was so incredibly nice.
Music background: Semi-pro bass player
Rated 5/5

It does exactly what I want!

The MXR M81 does exactly what I want it to do! I mostly play in a church worship team these days. We all play directly into the house system. My bass is a 5 string Ibanez with Aguilar pickups. Though I have a pedalboard with a number of affects, there is no need bring it in to use just the preamp and tuner. However, I felt like something was missing plugging into a DI and making tone adjustments on the instrument. So after reading a few reviews, I got this MXR preamp that sits alone between my bass and the house DI. I turned off my bass' active preamp switch and let the M81 do it's job. I wanted a way to boost the low frequency without losing a distinct attack. The M81 did it for me. That's it. That's all I wanted and that's all it does. Very simple and very effective!
Rated 5/5

What a great preamp

Most of my basses have high-end onboard preamps, but a couple do not have any preamp at all. I bought this pedal to "level the playing field" from a volume standpoint, as well as give my fully passive basses the same tonal flexibility as their preamp-equipped brethren. This pedal hits it out of the park, and then some.
First off, like all MXR pedals, this beast is built like a tank. The knobs are nice and sturdy, and the pots are firm.
Secondly, with all knobs at 12 o'clock, everything is perfectly flat (versus your original signal) as it should be. Your natural sound is not "colored" at all, until you start tweaking outside 12 o'clock.
Third, the EQ is both effective without any spikes, and CLEAN, free of distortion.
Fourth, I love me a good sweepable midrange.
Fifth, the ability to plug in an XLR cable and use this to drive your tone directly to a PA or recording interface is beautiful. Basically, you got yourself a clean SansAmp here, if you want it.
Finally, the price is hard to beat.
All in all, if you are in the market for an off-board preamp, this is what you want.
Music background: Anything but country
Rated 5/5

Great preamp/DI

I play a Fender American Pro Jazz Bass. The bass sounds great but I noticed on the silent stage at our church did not have strong output. To compensate, I bought the M81. Problem solved! Additionally, it is built like a tank and records well. Be aware it will not color your tone like a Tech 21 or Darkglass pedal but if you like the sound of your instrument, you can't go wrong with this pedal.
Music background: Church music, studio work with Nashburg Studio.
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