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Micro Boost: based on MXR Micro Amp
The Micro Boost model is based on MXR’s Micro Amp, an opamp-driven clean boost pedal.
MXR, now owned by Jim Dunlop, was one of the largest effects makers in the 70s - 80s. Several of their products are considered classics: Dynacomp, Phase 90 and 100, Flanger etc.
Slamming the input of an amp with a boost pedal often leads to better results than putting an overdrive in front of it, because the increased distortion is more natural and transparent and the tone gets fatter. It enhances the characteristics of the amp instead of changing it.
We’ve got more boost models to our disposal such as the Esoteric RCB (RC Booster), FAS Boost, FET Boost and FET Preamp. Other “boosting” possibilities are described in the FAS Boost thread.
The Micro Amp was one of the first of its kind. It doesn’t provided overdrive of its own (no clipping), it just ups the signal level, often causing the amp to generate more overdrive. While many boost pedals claiming to be transparent still add color of their own to the sound, the Micro Amp really is quite neutral (maybe adding just a touch of treble) and so is its model.
The model’s Clip Type is “Opamp”. The pedal’s only control is:
About CPU:
Link to the list of published threads
Micro Boost: based on MXR Micro Amp
The Micro Boost model is based on MXR’s Micro Amp, an opamp-driven clean boost pedal.
MXR, now owned by Jim Dunlop, was one of the largest effects makers in the 70s - 80s. Several of their products are considered classics: Dynacomp, Phase 90 and 100, Flanger etc.
Slamming the input of an amp with a boost pedal often leads to better results than putting an overdrive in front of it, because the increased distortion is more natural and transparent and the tone gets fatter. It enhances the characteristics of the amp instead of changing it.
This Tone Report article discusses the basics of the use of electronical components in pedals: resistors, capacitators, transistors, diodes, ICs / op-amps. Makes you realize how cool it is that Fractal Audio has modeled all of these digitally to obtain the same functionality and sound!
We’ve got more boost models to our disposal such as the Esoteric RCB (RC Booster), FAS Boost, FET Boost and FET Preamp. Other “boosting” possibilities are described in the FAS Boost thread.
MXR:
“Adding a preset amount of gain with just a single control, the Micro Amp is a great way to boost your signal for lead work or adjust between two different guitars with unmatched output (i.e. humbuckers to single-coils). It can also provide a permanent boost in a long effects chain where signal drop off is a problem.”
“Adding a preset amount of gain with just a single control, the Micro Amp is a great way to boost your signal for lead work or adjust between two different guitars with unmatched output (i.e. humbuckers to single-coils). It can also provide a permanent boost in a long effects chain where signal drop off is a problem.”
The Micro Amp was one of the first of its kind. It doesn’t provided overdrive of its own (no clipping), it just ups the signal level, often causing the amp to generate more overdrive. While many boost pedals claiming to be transparent still add color of their own to the sound, the Micro Amp really is quite neutral (maybe adding just a touch of treble) and so is its model.
Keith Barr (president and co-founder of MXR), when asked about the Micro Amp (source: Analog Man's Guide to Vintage Effects):
"That was one of the later boxes that we didn't really care about."
"That was one of the later boxes that we didn't really care about."
The model’s Clip Type is “Opamp”. The pedal’s only control is:
- Gain: adds up to 26dB to the signal. It’s not clear if the control has been replicated in the model’s Drive or Level parameter, but the result is quite the same.
Personal note:
Certainly a useful pedal in an all-analog rig. But the pedal and model are so neutral that IMHO we can obtain similar results in our digital devices by adding a VOL block before the AMP block, or by increasing Input Trim in the Amp block, without the burden of a Drive model on CPU usage.
Certainly a useful pedal in an all-analog rig. But the pedal and model are so neutral that IMHO we can obtain similar results in our digital devices by adding a VOL block before the AMP block, or by increasing Input Trim in the Amp block, without the burden of a Drive model on CPU usage.
About CPU:
- Fractal Audio's Drive models take up varying amounts of CPU. The Micro Boost requires a moderate amount.
- When a Drive block is engaged, CPU percentage will rise during playing, because CPU usage is "amplitude dependent".
Link to the list of published threads
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