Tone Report Weekly Issue 132 | Page 12

MXR M76 Studio Compressor MXR’s M87 Bass Compressor has been around for a while now, and is a beloved pedal in the bass world for its clean, natural sounding compression, fully featured control set, and Phase 90-style compactness. In the time since it has hit the scene, a small cadre of clever guitarists has also become enamored of its transparent tone and comp and limiting powers. MXR wisely took note of this trend, and realizing that many guitarists would be discouraged from trying the M87 due to its “Bass Compressor” designation, repackaged it as the new M76 Studio Compressor. The M76 model number is intended as a reference to the Urei 1176, a classic studio limiter, and those familiar with it will notice that the pedal does indeed feature similar controls. Whereas the 1176 is largely notable for its sonorous coloration, the M76 is a bit more transparent. It offers incredible flexibility, organic compression and peak limiting, and it even has a meter for proper visual signal monitoring. Get one!    12 TONE TALK // Five Compressors for People Who Hate Compressors