MXR Flanger/Doubler

Overview: Revival of a Rack Icon

The MXR Flanger/Doubler follows in the footsteps of the original MXR rackmount unit, a staple on many 1970s and 1980s recordings. This pedal format brings those classic flanging and doubling effects to pedalboard users, retaining the signal path flexibility and control interface that defined the original but in a smaller footprint.

Core Features

• Analog-Flavored Modulation: Emulates the signature metallic flanger and lush vintage doubler/chorus effects.
• Pushing Beyond Guitar: CV (Control Voltage) input and output provide direct integration with synthesizers, sequencers, or modulation sources, not limited to conventional instrument workflows.
• Instrument/Line Level Switch: Onboard input level adaptation allows straightforward connection to everything from guitars to line-level studio gear.

Effect Modes and Controls

The pedal offers two primary modes: Flanger and Doubler. Switching is handled by a dedicated Doubler push button on the face of the unit, with a status LED to indicate mode selection. The available effects extend to chorus, vibrato, and slapback delay within doubler mode, while flanger evokes classic jet-airplane sweep textures, driven by the same circuitry philosophy as the rack ancestor.

Adjustment is streamlined yet granular, with five primary controls:

• Mix: Sets the balance between dry and effected signal.
• Regen: Feeds a portion of the output back into the effect input for deeper resonance, especially in flanger mode.
• Manual: Sets the delay time of the sweep, useful for static or dynamically modulated filtering.
• Width: Affects the depth or intensity of the modulation sweep or doubling effect.
• Speed: Controls the rate of modulation oscillation for flanger or the perceived detune/chop speed for doubling/chorus.

An Invert push button reverses the phase of the wet signal for both flanging and doubling, giving further control over cancellation patterns and stereo field implications (especially useful in re-amping or line-level studio setups).

Connectivity and Integration

The inclusion of both Control Voltage (CV) input and output is one of the distinguishing features of this pedal among current modulation effects units. With standard 6.3 mm (quarter-inch) jacks, the user can:

• Receive external modulation, such as LFOs or sequencer data, to shape flanging or doubling parameters in real time.
• Send generated modulation signals to other compatible devices, synchronizing effects chains or modular instrument environments.

This broadens the scope beyond a traditional pedalboard, directly supporting users with hybrid guitar/synth setups or modular rigs. The input and output are both via standard 6.3 mm jacks, fitting comfortably alongside traditional instrument cables in a live or studio context.

Input, Output, and Power

• Audio In/Out: Standard mono instrument jacks (6.3 mm) for easy pedalboard or studio patchbay integration.
• True Bypass: Ensures no tonal coloration when the effect is disengaged.
• Power Supply: 9V DC center-negative, 160 mA current draw. A dedicated power supply is required and not included with the unit.

The pedal features dedicated LEDs for effect engagement, doubler mode, and invert status. A robust footswitch provides effect bypass control, suited to both stage and studio use.

Physical Design and Build

This pedal measures 122 x 91 x 52 mm and weighs in at 809 grams. The slightly larger enclosure, relative to many standard stompboxes, is justified by the extensive control set and robust build quality. All jacks and switches feel substantial. MXR has opted for a black, rack-style finish that hints at its studio heritage while staying practical for daily use. The controls and push buttons are spaced to avoid inadvertent switching, and the unit feels stable on a board or desk.

Target User and Use Cases

The MXR Flanger/Doubler targets more than just guitarists seeking classic modulation. Studio users will appreciate the instrument/line level toggle and CV interfacing, while synthesizer players can take advantage of real-time modulation and chaining with other voltage-controlled gear. Its ability to deliver chorus, vibrato, and slapback doubling, plus iconic jet flanger sounds, suits a range of genres, from new wave textures to experimental sound design.

For live performers, true bypass and clear on/off status LEDs make board management straightforward. In the studio, the extended parameter control and phase inversion facilitate both creative and corrective processing.

Summary: An Authentic, Flexible Modulation Tool

The MXR Flanger/Doubler stands out as a modern take on a vintage modulation classic, now enhanced with forward-looking connectivity and parameter flexibility. The inclusion of full CV interfacing and both instrument and line level operation marks this as a tool for contemporary rigs as well as vintage emulation. With its robust design and finely tuned control set, this pedal fits comfortably into any setup requiring nuanced, analog-style modulation, whether that means recreating a 1980s rack chorus or firing the flanger into new experimental territory.