# MXR > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MXR > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MXR.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MXR > Source revision: 1356301850 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Music effects company For other uses, see [MXR (disambiguation)](/source/MXR_(disambiguation)). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "MXR" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message) MXR Type Private Industry Consumer electronics Products effects pedals Parent Dunlop Manufacturing **MXR** is a [New York](/source/Rochester%2C_New_York)–based manufacturer of [effects pedals](/source/Effects_unit) from Rochester. The company was co-founded in 1972 by Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood[1][2] and incorporated as MXR Innovations, Inc. in 1974. The MXR trademark is now owned by [Jim Dunlop](/source/Dunlop_Manufacturing). NAMM Show in LA MXR dyna comp, phase 45, phase 90, distortion +, carbon copy ## History MXR co-founders Terry Sherwood and Keith Barr met as high school students at [Rush-Henrietta Senior High School](/source/Rush-Henrietta_Senior_High_School) in Henrietta, New York, a suburb of Rochester, New York. Together they started Audio Services, an audio repair business, where they repaired stereos and other music equipment in their rented basement apartment. This experience led them to form MXR and they began producing their first original effect pedal design: the Phase 90. This was quickly followed by the Distortion +, Dyna Comp, and the Blue Box. Michael Laiacona joined this early MXR team in a sales position. Barr later left MXR and went on to found [Alesis](/source/Alesis) while Sherwood and four managers/engineers of MXR, John Langlouise, Phil Betette, Tony Gambacurta and Richard Neutrour, co-founded Applied Research & Technology. Mike Laiacona and his wife went on to found [Whirlwind USA](/source/Whirlwind_USA).[3] [Jim Dunlop](/source/Dunlop_Manufacturing) acquired the MXR brand in 1987 and continues the pedal line of original MXR classics, such as the Phase 90 and Dyna Comp, as well as modern pedals like the Carbon Copy and Fullbore Metal. Dunlop has also added a line dedicated to bass effects boxes, MXR Bass Innovations, which has released the Bass Octave Deluxe and Bass Envelope Filter. Both pedals won Editor Awards in Bass Player Magazine and Platinum Awards from Guitar World Magazine. The MXR Custom Shop is responsible for recreations of vintage models such as the hand-wired Phase 45, as well as doing limited runs of pedals such as the Custom Comp. ### Reference Series (1973–1984) MXR MX-101 Phase 90 (1975–1981) MXR MX-104 Distortion + (1979) MXR MX-105 Phase 45 (1975–1981) The first MXR [effects pedal](/source/Effects_pedal) was the MX-101 [MXR Phase 90](/source/MXR_Phase_90) [phaser](/source/Phaser_(effect)). The Phase 90 was used on the first two [Van Halen](/source/Van_Halen) albums.[4] The MXR Phase 45, followed, as well as a programmable version, the Phase 100. Like other pedals of the time, MXR pedals prior to 1981 did not have LEDs, A/C adaptor jacks, or true-bypass switching. The first period is known as the "Script period," in reference to the [cursive](/source/Cursive_writing) logo on the case. The earliest script logo pedals were made in the basement shop of the MXR founders[5] and the logos were silk screened. These very first pedals can be identified by a slightly larger font "MXR" on the case. The "Block Logo Period 1" began around 1975–1976 and lasted until 1981, and is named for the writing on the front of the box. The "Block logo period 2" started in early 1981 and went until 1984, when the company stopped making pedals. The main change in this era was the addition of LEDs and A/C adaptor jacks. These pedals used 1/8" power jacks and had exactly the same circuit board as their pre-1981 box logo brothers. Model Effect Name Year Intro MX-101 Phase 90 1974 MX-102 Dyna Comp 1974 MX-103 Blue Box 1974 MX-104 Distortion + 1974 MX-105 Phase 45 1974 MX-106 Noise Gate Line Driver 1975 MX-107 Phase 100 1975 MX-108 10 Band Graphic Equalizer 1976 MX-109 6 Band Graphic Equalizer 1976 MX-117 Flanger 1976 MX-118 Analog Delay 1976 MX-120 Envelope Filter 1976 MX-133 Micro Amp MX-134 Stereo Chorus MX-137 Power Converter MX-138 Power Plate MX-142 Distortion II MX-143 Limiter MX-144 Loop Selector MX-148 Micro Chorus 1982 MX-152 Micro Flanger 1982 MX-157 Headphone Amp 1982 MX-180 Omni Multi Effects 1983 MX-181 Omni Footswitch 1983 ### Commande Series (1981–1984) In 1981, MXR introduced the *Commande Series*, a line of plastic ([Lexan polycarbonate](/source/Polycarbonate)) pedals. Their design departed from the Reference Series in several respects. The input, output and power jacks were all moved to the top of the case to allow a tighter grouping on the floor, or pedal board. - M-161 MXR *Phaser* - M-162 MXR *[Preamp](/source/Preamp)* - M-163 MXR *[Sustain](/source/Sustain)* - M-164 MXR *[Overdrive](/source/Overdrive_(music))* - M-166 MXR *Time Delay* - M-167 MXR *[Stereo Chorus](/source/Stereophonic_sound)* - M-168 MXR *[Stereo](/source/Stereo) [Flanger](/source/Flanger)* ### 2000 Series (1982–1984) The Series 2000 was a complete rework of the Reference and Commande lines of pedals. They were higher quality pedals, with electronic [FET](/source/Field_effect_transistor) switching and dual [LED](/source/Light_emitting_diode) indicators. They had a contoured, all-metal chassis and an easily removable battery. They had a fully rubberized bottom and were remote-controllable. Most of the pedals had dual outputs with distinctly different sounds. The MXR Series 2000 sported six models. These original pedals in the series included the Dyna Comp, Distortion +, Phaser, Stereo Chorus, Stereo Flanger and Time Delay. In late 1983 MXR announced a digital sound effects pedal generator simply known as the Junior. The Junior was released in early 1984 and was added to the other six pedals in the Series 2000 line. The Junior boasted four sound effects: a laser, a clap, a snare and a high hat. The effects were [samples](/source/Digital_audio_samples) stored on a replaceable 24-pin [ROM](/source/Read-only_Memory) chip that was produced by MXR. MXR continued to manufacture most of the Reference, Commande and 2000 Series pedals until they closed down in 1984. Model Number Effect Name Year Intro M-201 Phaser 1982 M-202 Dyna Comp 1982 M-203 Stereo Flanger 1982 M-204 Distortion+ 1982 M-205 Stereo Chorus 1982 M-206 Time Delay 1982 M-210 Junior 1984 ### MXR Rackmount Effects MXR M-124 Dual 15-Band Graphic EQ MXR M-131 Pitch Transposer Display MXR M-129 Pitch Transposer MXR M-126 Flanger/Doubler MXR also had a line of professional [rackmount](/source/Rackmount) effects used by the likes of [David Gilmour](/source/David_Gilmour),[6] [Stuart Adamson](/source/Stuart_Adamson) and [Mike Rutherford](/source/Mike_Rutherford). The first product introduced was the Digital Delay, which had delay times from 0.08ms to 320ms, but users could purchase additional plug-in memory boards that were user-installable and could increase delay times to 1280ms.[7] Maximum Delay (msec) bandwidth 1 Memory Board 2 Memory Boards 3 Memory Boards 4 Memory Boards 20 kHz 40 80 120 160 10 kHz 80 160 240 320 5 kHz 160 320 480 640 2.5 kHz 320 640 960 1280 [8] Model Number Product Name Year Introduced MX-113 Digital Delay 1976 MX-122 Case for Delay MX-124 Dual 15-Band Graphic EQ MX-125 31-Band Equalizer MX-126 Flanger/Doubler MX-129 Pitch Transposer MX-510 Pitch Transposer with LED Display MX-136 Dual Limiter MX-151 Delay System II 1982 MX-175 Digital Time Delay Pitch-Shift Doubler [9][10] In 1983, MXR introduced one of the first multi-effect rack units for guitar and bass, the *Omni*.[11] The Omni had 6 different effects: sustain, distortion, delay, equalization, flanger and chorus. The main unit was a 2U with separate controls for each effect. There was a footpedal (M-181) that enabled the player to switch the different effects on and off, as well as changing the order of the distortion and equalizer effects, a master bypass as well as an effects loop. Since 2006, the "M-181" product number has been re-appropriated by Jim Dunlop for the MXR Bass Blowtorch Overdrive pedal. ### MXR Desktop Effects In 1980 MXR released the MX-114 Two Channel Graphic Equalizer. From the 1980 Catalog: "The Equalizer's wide dynamic range and interface characteristics allow for a variety of applications. the frequency response of a system can be tailored to compensate for room acoustics, speaker aberrations and program material. Horizontal control placement and the equalizer's compact case permit easy manipulation in studio mix down situation. P.A. applications include: suppression of major feedback frequencies, compensation for high frequency attenuation in miking and rejection of unwanted signals (60Hz hum and noise) Two channels permit separate main and monitor equalization."[12] ### Drum Computers MXR 185 Drum Computer In late 1981, MXR got the resale rights in the US to sell the *KIT* (M-178), a digital [drum machine](/source/Drum_machine). In early 1983, MXR released the M-185 [\[1\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20080113152700/http://www.hollowsun.com/vintage/mxr185/index.html) MXR *Drum Computer*, similar to Roger Linn's [Linn LM-1](/source/Linn_LM-1) drum machine with individual pads for the instrument sounds and individual volume controls for each sound. ## Jim Dunlop and MXR MXR by Jim Dunlop [Jim Dunlop](/source/Dunlop_Manufacturing) bought the MXR licensing rights and currently manufactures reissues of some of the classic MXR effects pedals. Dunlop has created new models in addition to the original lineup, including signature pedals such as *Eddie Van Halen Phase 90* and *Flanger*, and [Zakk Wylde](/source/Zakk_Wylde)'s *Wylde Overdrive* and *Black Label Chorus*.[13] The brand has also collaborated with two [boutique](/source/Boutique) pedal-makers on mass-produced versions of their renowned [overdrive pedals](/source/Overdrive_pedals), in 2020 with the *Timmy* (based on Paul Cochrane's pedal of [the same name](/source/List_of_distortion_pedals#Paul_Cochrane_Timmy)), and in 2022 with the *Duke of Tone* (based on Analog Man's [King of Tone](/source/King_of_Tone)).[14] ## Products - [MXR Dyna Comp](/source/MXR_Dyna_Comp) - [MXR Phase 90](/source/MXR_Phase_90) - [MXR Distortion +](/source/MXR_Distortion_%2B) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Art Thompson, Dave Thompson, *The Stompbox*, Backbeat Books, 1997, p. 106 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** "In Memoriam: Keith Barr 1949-2010", *Mix Magazine* Online, Aug 25, 2010 [http://www.mixonline.com/news/keith_barr_obit_2508/](http://www.mixonline.com/news/keith_barr_obit_2508/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160810104142/http://www.mixonline.com/news/keith_barr_obit_2508/) 2016-08-10 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Art Thompson, Dave Thompson, The Stompbox, Backbeat Books, 1997, p. 106-111 1. **[^](#cite_ref-vhphase_4-0)** ["Eddie Van Halen's Rig and Tone Techniques"](http://www.amptone.com/eddievanhalenrig.htm). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Rob Hughes, "Selectron to Distribute Rochester Series Pedals", MI Pro, Oct 2009 [http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/30577/Selectron-to-distribute-Rochester-pedals](http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/30577/Selectron-to-distribute-Rochester-pedals) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Tolinski, Brad (September 1994). ["Welcome to the Machines"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120617034157/http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t11634-phil-taylor-welcome-machines-guitar.html). *Guitar World*. Archived from the original on 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2011-07-29. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** MXR 1980 Catalog 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** 1980 MXR Catalog 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** 1980 MXR Catalog 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** 1982 MXR Catalog & Price List 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["MXR"](https://www.tonepedia.com/mxr). 18 October 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** 1980 MXR Catalog 1. **[^](#cite_ref-mxr_models_13-0)** ["Current MXR Pedals Catalog"](http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?page=products/p_and_e_detail&cat=16). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Owen_14-0)** Owen, Matt (September 2022). ["MXR partners with revered boutique builder Analog Man for the Duke of Tone"](https://www.guitarworld.com/news/mxr-analog-man-duke-of-tone). *guitarworld.com*. Guitar World. Retrieved 29 April 2025. ## External links - [Jim Dunlop](http://www.jimdunlop.com) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [MXR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MXR) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MXR?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.