Product: MXR 1500 Digital Delay
Price Paid: US $50
Submitted
03/13/2003
at
08:17am
by
David Lee Myers
Email: dmgraph<at>pulsewidth dot com
Ease of Use
:
9
Very easy to use. Completely self-explanatory except you should know that to get the very shortest delay range, it is necessary to depress two range buttons simultaneously. This isn't a snap if you're in a hurry, and is my only complaint about the unit. It would be nice to have an input level control, but for my use that's not essential. As I recall, the manual was a little pamphlet.
Sound Quality
:
10
I use the 1500 for general electronic music type applications. It is dead quiet and the sound is super clean. When it came out about 1985, it was the first long digital delay (1.5 seconds) with true full bandwidth. I believe the spec was given as 20 Hz-20 kHz. No, it's not "warm", but it gives a terrific scalp-peeling flange for a digital.
Reliability
:
10
I also got mine on ebay recently. I wanted it because I bought one new in the 80s and have always lamented letting it go. It's all metal and I think it's tough as nails. Besides, this one is almost 20 years old and it's chugging away.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
The 1500 was one of MXR's last products. A couple MXR guys started ART and they produced the unit as one of ART's first. My own has both names on it, but my first was just MXR. in the late 80s I saw one with different graphics but identical controls, obviously a face lift, from ART. If you need support on this piece, you're out of luck. Maybe a general tech repair could deal with it.
Overall Rating
:
10
I do what is probably called experimental soundscape electronics (www.pulsewidth.com) and this delay is very good for hands-on work in that realm. Yeah, this is a toughie to find. Two on ebay at the same time recently (hello, Myk T!), which is a shocker. The 1500 is an excellent delay if you need to fool with KNOBS! Modern units are no good if you want to "play" a delay as I do in my music. And since this unit has full bandwidth sound, you have the best of both worlds. And Myk: most DDLs of the period have "hold" buttons--Digitech made a bunch of delays with hold (esp. the RDS series). I have owned many Digitechs and love them. But the 1500's squeaky cleanliness makes them seem just a bit dull. If you see a 1500, buy it!
Product: MXR 1500 Digital Delay
Price Paid: US $105.00
Submitted
03/12/2003
at
06:18pm
by
Myk T.
Ease of Use
:
5
Not too bad, just takes some time to make all your adjustments to where you really want them. This is a rackmount unit, I'm guessing early '80's because I can't even research these things, they're so rare. The 1500 was manufactured by ART (Applied Research & Technology) before they were big guys. Anyway, the 1500 has a repeat hold on it that can infinately repeat your delay signal when you hit the button or stomp an optional footswitch. There's also a flange and doubler mode. There is no manual for this - as I've said they're getting harder and harder to come by, so if you see one snag it.
Sound Quality
:
8
I wanted this thing because Eric Johnson uses it for his second delay unit and it can be heard on the first track of his "tones" record, "Soulful Terrain" with the repeat hold function activated. You just can't find these anymore unless you really look and wait. Anyway, I used to be big on using the same equipment EJ uses but I sold some of it and the other half broke, so I slimmed down my rig and generated my own sound. This is my setup: Fender Stratocaster or Epiphone SG to a Chandler Tube Driver, EH Big Muff Pi, Ibanez Tube Screamer, EH Small Clone chorus, VOX wah-wah, Danelectro Reel Echo, MXR 1500 Digital Delay to a Fender Princeton Chorus & Deluxe Reverb. The sound I get from my setup is pristine, thanks to the Deluxe Reverb. But back to the 1500 - it doesn't seem too bad in the chain of effects, you just need to adjust the delay volume which I'm still trying to play with. It does have a BYPASS jack in the back of the unit but I have yet to use it. It is MUCH quieter than the Danelectro. I won't even compare the two. I used to use the Echoplex but sold it to get the Reel Echo. It works fine but not as good, and the MXR 1500 beats it soundwise hands down. Don't forget it IS digital, so you can tweak it pretty nice where you get it sounding almost like an Echoplex, though not as warm.
Reliability
:
5
I'm sure this is dependable, and it is cased in a pretty strong metal rackmount unit, so I'm not really worried about it getting broken, especially if you put it inside a rackmount case. Would I gig without a backup? Probably, only because there's nothing else I know of off hand that has a true "Hold" function to hold your delay signal. Therefore, if it broke, I just wouldn't be able to get the type of sound I wanted, so I'd go without it. It is a pretty old unit but I think it will hold up if it's taken care of. It's not a pedal, and my footswitch for the repeat hold I made from parts at Radioshack for 4 bucks.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
MXR is long out of business, and Dunlop has nothing to do with this unit. This unit was originally made by A.R.T., and I'm sure even they can't help you.
Overall Rating
:
9
Overall, I'd say this is a lucky find if you are seeking one out. I found this one on eBay. It was the 3rd one I've seen on there in 4 years, and I've been seeking one out all that time. and yes, this is a good unit. Digital delay with a flanger and a doubler, and you can hold the delay signal. Not bad for an old rackmount. If you do find one, they are fun to play with. You can tweak the "manual" knob while the signal is holding and you can make some really tripped out sounds with it. Almost like a theramin. Fun toy.
