The MXR Flanger/Doubler model 126

[Terry McInturff]

This unit is one of the true classics that are seen to this day in the racks of the best recording studios in the world, for a very good reason....nothing sounds like it.

Unknowingly, we've all heard the 126 on countless recordings, used on a multitude of tracks including and besides guitars. It is, simply, a fabulous sounding device. I use it strictly in the studio either on a mixing desk channel insert, or strapped to a mixing desk aux send.

The 126 has a fat, lo-fi personality that cannot be had any other way. It is rich in it's way. Even in bypass, running a signal thru it captures some of the sound. Any mono track that needs a bit of motion, I'll try the 126 before any plugin.

Nothing else in my outboard rack can duplicate it. My Lexicon PCM 70, PCM 91, LXP-15ii, TC Electronics M3000, etc etc...none of them can do what the MXR 126 does. Not even close. Nor do any of my plugins.

Guitar-wise, it's very useful for giving it's type of "motion" in mono. It sounds excellent on high-gain stuff, set for a moderate mix level, and my vaunted H3000 cannot do it. I don't rack it for live use, but would if that sort of thing was needed.

I just replaced the power transformer in mine, and so was reminded to post about it.

 

[jnovac1]

the floubler. part of being back in the day is not needing an orientation!

 

[Terry McInturff]

It sounds great gently manipulating delays and verbs

 

[NorCal_Val]

Didn’t EJ have one of those on the floor at some point?
Yep, at about 1:10 in you can see it.

 

[Bucksears]

Didn’t EJ have one of those on the floor at some point?
Yep, at about 1:10 in you can see it.

I think that’s what he used on ‘High Landrons’ on AVM.
Love that vocal quality on the flange. Only thing that I’ve found that comes close is the filter -> ON setting on the Ibanez FL99.

 

[NorCal_Val]

I think that’s what he used on ‘High Landrons’ on AVM.
Love that vocal quality on the flange. Only thing that I’ve found that comes close is the filter -> ON setting on the Ibanez FL99.

On the studio version of “High Landrons” they stacked 2 flanger pedals to get that “vomiting flanger” sound.

 

[drewl]

On the studio version of “High Landrons” they stacked 2 flanger pedals to get that “vomiting flanger” sound.

Now that's funny!

Bandmate had one we used at rehearsal for some slight doubling of vocals.

 

[ChorusCrackpot]

Now that's funny!

Bandmate had one we used at rehearsal for some slight doubling of vocals.

I have a SR&D Rockman Stereo Chorus/Delay rackmount unit from 1985. Its instruction manual suggest to use its chorus effect for not just doubling vocals but also to smooth them out - essentially a prelude to Autotune.

 

[Kelly]

On the studio version of “High Landrons” they stacked 2 flanger pedals to get that “vomiting flanger” sound.

I always thought it was actual tape flanging on the album.

 

[NorCal_Val]

I always thought it was actual tape flanging on the album.

Nope; dual flanger pedals.

 

[NorCal_Val]

Didn’t EJ have one of those on the floor at some point?
Yep, at about 1:10 in you can see it.

Cr@p. I hate when I'm wrong. That's not an MXR Flanger/Doubler on the floor, it's an old MXR delay unit. D'oH!!!!

 

[Anje]

Eric did use one of those 2U blue MXR flanger rack back in the day; live it was in a small rack on the floor next to his pedalboard. You can see it in the '88 ACL performance for instance.
Great sound indeed!

 

[jimmycupo]

Eric Johnson also used an MXR Digital Time Delay rack unit. It can do some very cool flanger tones which EJ is famous for as well as delay too!!

 

[Terry McInturff]

These blue face MXR rack units from the late 70's/early 80's are awesome, but very rare these days.
Dimebag Darrell used a 126 apparently.
I also have the Pitch Transposer model 129 and it's display. It cost me $990 in 1980!!!!

 

[ChorusCrackpot]

These blue face MXR rack units from the late 70's/early 80's are awesome, but very rare these days.
Dimebag Darrell used a 126 apparently.
I also have the Pitch Transposer model 129 and it's display. It cost me $990 in 1980!!!!

Did Dimebag use the 126 for This Love, both on the album and for the following live performance?


I love that sound. When I like chorus/flanger effects with distortion, this is what I mean!

 

[Terry McInturff]

Did Dimebag use the 126 for This Love, both on the album and for the following live performance?


I love that sound. When I like chorus/flanger effects with distortion, this is what I mean!

I can't be sure, but it sure sounds like the MXR 126!
Apparently the 126 was a standard part of his gear and I can see why. I have a great selection of rack mount gear for the studio, and nothing sounds like the 126. It is so good for heavy guitar sounds!!!!!!!!!

 

[ChorusCrackpot]

I can't be sure, but it sure sounds like the MXR 126!
Apparently the 126 was a standard part of his gear and I can see why. I have a great selection of rack mount gear for the studio, and nothing sounds like the 126. It is so good for heavy guitar sounds!!!!!!!!!

Yep it is!

I use a Rockman Stereo Chorus/Delay in a similar way, but at a lower volume so it doesn't smother the main 'dry' guitar sound. It enriches the texture more, broadens it.

When I do want a full-blown flangery or strongly chorused distorted heavy guitar sound, I'll run the Electric Mistress flanger or an analogue chorus pedal in front of the amp. A non-cyclical chorus such as the Neunaber Chroma (digital) on a low Mix and medium Width works well too.