Modulation Showdown - Mobius vs MD-200

A modulation pedal can be a great tool for any pedalboard because you can get so many effects out of one pedal. Strymon has been the king of multi-FX pedals with the Mobius being no exception. Boss has come out with the 200 series pedals which includes the MD-200 modulation pedal, and it's $200 less than the Mobius! But can it hold up?
You can get the pedals here:
Boss MD-200 - amzn.to/3h0pwC9
Strymon Mobius - amzn.to/30ekkoa (don't buy it on Amazon, way too expensive)
Intro - 0:00
Price/Size - 1:22
Features/Connectivity - 2:20
Testing - 4:58
Chorus Comparison - 5:41
Flanger Comparison - 7:04
Phaser Comparison - 7:55
Vibe Comparison - 10:03
Vibrato Comparison - 10:36
Tremolo Comparison - 11:11
Rotary Comparison - 14:02
Auto Wah Comparison - 17:09
Other FX - 17:45
Ease of Use - 19:11
Outro - 21:56

[@therealdealblues]

Definitely all in what your needs are. I agree a better comparison would be the Boss MD500. It's not any smaller than the Mobius but WAY more options and ways to customize your sounds. Easy to read screen and you can see all the options quick and easy. So much easier to program than the Mobius to me. Had the Timeline and Bigsky as well and replaced them all with the Boss 500 series. The ability to run 2 effects at once is crazy and with the RV500 you can actually run 2 different Reverbs and 2 different Delay times all in parallel with each other which keeps all that wash from ever sounding muddy, especially in stereo. Perfect if you want reverb and a nice roland space echo tape delay sound in one pedal. Definitely worth looking into if you're looking for something in that range.

[@paulodantas1492]

I love the Destroyer and Quadrature presets on the Mobius haha. Its worth mentioning the Quadrature is a ring modulator, which is an effect that is understandably too weird for some. I really like the simple playing/straight forward approach for the comparison, it helps to hear the differences between the two pedals.

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Yeah, I'm not much of an "experimental" guitarist, so the Destroyer and Quadrature are pretty useless to me. But I can see how they would be great for other guitarists.

[@vac8846]

as you probably know there are expensive single pedals that only do what the destroyer effect does. I like it the most, the other effects I don't have much use for but they're nice to have. I'm not experimental, i just like degraded sounds so... I've wasted my money!

[@LukeVidler]

Check out the Incubus song ‘glass’ ring modulation is a killer effect

[@vac8846]

@Luke Vidler will do. sold my mobius for the same price i bought it. now i only have od/fuzz/distortion pedals. if you want your guitar to sound 80's use modulation. if you want it to sound like a cave full of mud use delay & reverb.

[@opart]

@@vac8846 Totally just bought a used Mobius for the Destoryer - was lucky to get it for 300... I wish it was a cheaper standalone :/ as I already had everything else I needed with EX Oceans 11

[@parkermckinney4606]

On the rotary effect, you can hold the "Memory/Tap" switch and this tap between Slow and Fast. That's also how you Tap tempo in the time-based effects. I just got the MD-200 and couldn't recommend it enough. But the Mobius is the goal when I have the budget.

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Good to know. Was that in the manual at all? I couldn't find it.

[@parkermckinney4606]

@@ManBunMetalHead I don't know I kind of just stumbled upon it, but the memory and tap switch allows for tons of live gigging potential. I loved your comparison great work keep it up!

[@johngee4306]

I tried a Mobius and think it’s great. Especially the rotary and vibe sounds, but the various modes of Choruses, Flangers and Phasers sounds were all outstanding too. I will get one someday.

[@siavashmassoudi]

I’m looking into the MD 200 mainly because I use modulation a lot less than I do reverb and delay. As amazing as the Mobius is it to me wouldn’t be worth the money for me because modulation is my least used effect.

[@DelScully]

man I'd love to see more comparison videos from you! You're very good at explaining the differences! Would be neat to have you put the GFI Synethesia against the mobius!

[@gilmouring]

What you said on the slow/fast of the MD-200 is not true. You can set the tap tempo to do that.

[@guitfiddleblue]

I own both of these pedals - I think the mobius sounds better overall, but it just takes up so much real estate on the board. For that reason, along with the comparable chorus effects, I switched to the MD on the board.

[@manifestgtr]

I had an MD500 on my board for a couple years and here’s my takeaway. If you don’t use drive with your modulation effects, it’s a BRILLIANT pedal…it’s deep, swirly and beautiful. My issue is that I typically pair my mod sounds with a tube screamer or a nobels odr…and the MD would do this odd thing where it hacked ~1-5k out of my treble sound and left my drives sounding kind of brittle and anemic. I wish to god that wasn’t the case because I loved that pedal and actually liked some of its sounds more than the wampler terraform I’m using now. Again, if you’re all clean with your mods, you’ll love the MD series…but my drives are just too important to me and I rely on these sounds for my job. For what it’s worth, I’m not selling the MD…overdrive issues aside, it sounds nicer than the mobius to my ears.

[@jamesnichols5998]

Got to factor in price too - the MD gives you a whole lot for about $200 on Reverb. Also, you can set which parameter to control by expression, which makes the rotary sound much easier to control. In the menu you can set low and high so you never go beyond what you want, but can control the speed you get to each

[@match8289]

Why do the shootout between something that's not it's competitor.. The MD500 stacks up better because it's more similar of a unit.

[@lourossi9862]

I’ve had the Mobius on my board for about 6 years. I only use three mod FX: chorus, phaser and rotary. The chorus in the Mobius is so lack-luster that I cannot use it and had to resort to adding a TC SCF Gold to my board for chorusing. Reading the MD-200 manual a few days ago. I am pretty sure it said that while in rotary mode, the right footswitch no longer serves as a memory preset recall, but as the slow/fast rotor speed changeover. Yet you specifically said the only way to go from one speed to the other is by turning one of the parameter knobs? Also, is it possible to adjust the rotary speed ramp time on the MD-200? Thanks!

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

It sounds like the “Vibe” effects had no “throb” like a UniVibe.

[@Evilmusician4_2]

Nice comparison but i feel the md 500 would of been a closer one , both great units but i perfer my md500 to the mobius when i had it .

[@2speedy4u22]

Feature wise in some ways the md200 might actually be a closer comparison. The md500s ability to run two different effects at once and deep editing put it in another league. The md200 has a feature set and controls similar to the mobius. The main thing it’s missing is one foot switch and the excess footprint.

[@wulf67]

"Dude, somebody's been messing with my fricken phaser!"

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Hahaha!

[@makingmusiconline2309]

So many of the negatives on the MD-200 are due to it being a cut-down MD-500 which has a much better screen, the third footswitch does the Rotary speed switch and many of the other things work in the MD500, but of course it's a bigger pedal so takes up about the same space as the Moebius.

[@makingmusiconline2309]

Have you tried the Walrus Audio M1? No screen, but a fantastic modulation powerhouse.

[@HoddyRidarick]

On the MD 200 rotary effect you can change speed by simply stepping on the right hand switch.

[@rikquishewright2167]

If John Malkovich had a mean beard and a man bun, he might look a lot like you. Rock on man, sweet review! \m/

[@IndyRockStar]

serious question. What can the Mobius do that I can't accomplish with a Timeline and/or Big Sky outside of the flanger (which I don't use)? I use a MXR Phase 90 eVh for my phaser. Not sure if I need buy a mobius. I'm having the same quandary over the Volante.

[@SIKKYBEATS]

I wish theyd just include OLED displays on these. Thanks for a super informative video 🙏

[@theLastSpringDay]

In my opinion - your videos definitely should have more views, thanks for your job! Keep going!

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Appreciate it man.

[@MegaTechnoteacher]

Well done I like the Boss D/A so I got it. Thank you.

[@DrKennyWang]

Just bought the md 200 today. Absolutely love it

[@jakelee9238]

Manbun. Love your videos and you taught me a ton about the ES 8. On this one however I have to disagree. Boss is king of chorus. MD-200 has some cool sounds and sounds less digital than Mobius IMO. It takes up less space on the pedal board. Fully midi capable -- it is just a different system/set up than Mobius. True, the screen is small and the codes can be a little non-intuitive to read, but that's true with most Boss stuff. Once you adapt, it is fine. Keep up with the videos!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I have both and the Boss lets you run two effects in parallel or at same time while Strymon Mobius only lets you run a single effect at one time. But the Mobius has a looper I think so that is cool. Both are great but large pedals.

[@thierrygoli4271]

I'm sorry but the MD 200 can only run the effects 1 by one.

[@lankududniteshift]

Why not u checkout GFI's Synesthesia, dual engine modulation pedal, with a good size display on it. It is seriously an awesome sounding modulation pedal. You can have up to two mod fx simultaneously.

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Interesting pedal for sure. I might have to check it out.

[@elblito86]

its mono in stereo out...dealer breaker for most synth players

[@micheledibella9375]

Much Better than strymon, too much. I sell strymon for this

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

I gather you can only use one effect at the same time with both of these. Helpful video. No way I'm paying that much for a Mobius when the MD200 is that good.

[@MaTTheWish]

Great comparison. Id be curious if you ever tried Wampler terraform..thx

[@edandadria]

The Wampler Terraform fits in with these two. I'm curious what you think of it. I suppose it doesn't have the LCD screen

[@ManBunMetalHead]

I've never used the Terraform but from the specs a couple things stick out. First, there are only 8 presets. I think is not enough especially for a pedal that has 11 effects, but depending on how many you need, it could be fine. The lack of screen is also worrisome. Although, it might not be much worse than the MD-200 with only 3 characters. The one thing I am not sure about is patch recall. It looks like it has an LED for each patch so you should be able to at least know what effect is saved. The real unknown is if there is any indication of what each parameter was set to. Overall, if the effects hold up, I'd put it between the Mobius and MD-200.

[@edandadria]

@@ManBunMetalHead well said, thank you

[@RyanMcQuen]

Strymon stuff sounds great but it is just too complex. At the end of the day I want to play my guitar, not the pedal. Boss for the win!

[@pmcate2]

You would get rid of destroyer? That’s one of the best ones for making lofi.

[@Ottophil]

I only have room for the md200, plus I have a dd200 sitting right next to it. So my only option if i get the strymon is a smaller delay

[@spacebarbus]

A few inaccuracies on this video. One is that the MD has a few more phaser modes than you mentioned.

[@SPaulAndrewMaertens]

Thanks for going so in depth on all of this!

[@alexandreavelar9696]

Congrats on the great video! I have the Mobius and love it... but i was thinking about downsizing my pedalboard and hoped the MD200 could fill that spot. I'm afraid it can't, especially because i love rotary. If i need to shrink the setup (and have to accept some loss of efx quality) makes more sense to have an multi fx like HX Stomp or Ampero II doing all mods, delays and reverbs, plus the possibility to play without an amp.

[@marksc1929]

Great video .....and I've made my decision....I'm going with the Line 6 MM4 for $85.00 ....in fact its on the way ...

[@atozee7189]

If it does the job, why not, it’s a classic.

[@TheFrozenDesert]

Rotary speed on MD200 is the Memory/Tap switch. See page 7. Still I like the MBMH channel :-)

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Thanks for the clarification.🤘🏼

[@damienomusic]

Is there any multi effects modulation pedal with less functionality but a better overall sound? These two sound unnatural and too digital to me

[@basvredeling]

You can try the Wampler Terraform. It's digital but supposedly sounds terrific.

[@damienomusic]

Bas Vredeling thanks, I’ll check it out!

[@lankududniteshift]

U can also checkout GFI Synesthesia. Seriously an awesome sounding unit which is a dual channel multi-modulation pedal with good size info screen.

[@DavidHanks90]

Where do your source the materials to make the custom length MIDI to TRS cables? I make all my own patch cables already and have the soldering iron, etc, but can't seem to find anywhere online that just sells the connectors and cable to do it.

[@user-qh8zb7ve4b]

The new Sidekick Jr pedal has Chorus, Reverb and delay in one pedal to allow way more space.

[@faridzayish]

Does the MD200 have FX loop like Mobius (pre/post) ? It'd be useful to be able to put the modulation after or before reverb&delay based on the patches

[@luissaldivar2808]

I was on the fence about getting the MD 200 and you just completely saved me 200$, Mobious does offer you quality but 450 or even 350 is way too much, specially because those “extra” effects literally sound like garbage

[@tomasorrtiz]

Great video but Just one recommendation. EVH used his phaser into a cranked Marshall. So that's phaser pedal intro drive pedals. I'm not sure if that's the set up in the video

[@chrisrussoroos6091]

Great job dude- thank you !

[@geigerjan]

great video.. I was interested in both pedals...Conclusion: Wampler Terraform

[@orxanbabayev7644]

Hahaha exactly what i did

[@saepiumv3813]

I read that the wampler had no midi clock. Is that not important if you are using other time based mods such as delay? I'm a midi noob and looking at the wampler to add as my second midi pedal plus a midi controller.

[@etherlords88]

That extra $200 on strymon worth it. I always find boss tries to deliver too much in underengineered/substandard way in it’s every multi pedal/floorboards.

[@mathisto21]

Great video man - liked and subbed

[@89ji76]

I thought I’d bricked my 200 series pedal too. That updater is finicky as hell

[@BB-ft6nd]

I'm going with the MD-200 cause my board is tiny, and the Mobius is insanely expensive in Canada.

[@luckysmile7060]

Very accurate - nearly scientific quality. I appreciate it!

[@thomaschilds8781]

Going to stick with my TC electronic Dreamscape for now

[@fuzzyboost3785]

We’ll done. Thx mate

[@veguillar1]

best combo delay/reverb ----> source audio collider

[@saepiumv3813]

👍 I have that pedal and its great.

[@marcellinusmusic]

Got it. and The BEST !

[@jbgaludhimself]

Hi ! I've just bought the md 200, i've an es-8, and i've not a single Idea about how to change presets on the md... How Can i do it please ?

[@ManBunMetalHead]

I'd recommend downloading the MD200 manual from the Boss website and check out my video on setting up MIDI control with the ES-8, kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJmahoqtl9Wcl8U. That should give you a good start. I may make a 200 series MIDI control guide in the future.

[@jbgaludhimself]

@@ManBunMetalHead Thanks :) I've done it (manual and your vidéo) and still no clue :( Me and a Friend, we spended 2 afternoons trying to figure it out, without any results :(

[@ManBunMetalHead]

I'm not sure how quickly you want to figure all this out but I can start looking into making a video. It'll take a month or two to get it done though.

[@jbgaludhimself]

@@ManBunMetalHead great ! I may have figure it out, but your video will definitely be helpfull for a lot, There is none on KZbin !

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

The Mobius retails for $750 and the MD-200 is over $400 in my country.

[@alexmurphy5289]

Kick ass Symphony X poster man

[@AchillesWrath1]

Can you play multiple effects at the same time with these pedals?

[@ManBunMetalHead]

as far as I know, you can not

[@victorbr234]

just the thought of updating a pedal is a no go for me... keeping my setup as analog as possible.

[@_leopold_butters_stotch]

The Strymon sound quality is so much better especially it's made in the U.S. compred to the Boss made in Malaysia.

[@ElmerFerrer]

I had the MD200 and to me it sounded weird with distortion or OD in front of it, it had a "fishy" top end. I didn't like it taking line in neither. The Mobius is Solid! The only plus on the MD200 to me is the Slicer.

[@atozee7189]

That’s interesting. I was thinking about buying one to go with my timeline but will stick with my trusty analog duo of MXR Phase 90 & MXR Micro Flanger, they sound great just as they are and cover most things. They take OD & Distortion beautifully. I’ve tried various digital modulation from multi effects & pedals over the years but never been happy with any of them so far.

[@ElmerFerrer]

@@atozee7189 if you have the opportunity, try it, I was looking forward to the slicer, love that effect… but it didn’t work for me

[@atozee7189]

@@ElmerFerrer Might do if it doesn’t sound digital. I have a timeline and love it.

[@thierrygoli4271]

Thumbs up man! This is by far the best review about this pedal. I own the md 200. All you say about this pedal is right. Please review the ehx mod11. Better than the boss for tremolo rotary and autowah IMO. But md 200 better for stage and rehearsal functionalities. Presets and stéréo.

[@thierrygoli4271]

Just a precison. It is possible on the MD200 to change from slow to fast speed using the tap tempo footswitch; in the rotary mode, as on the moebius. The tap tempo needs first to be activated. (press on it for more than 2 seconds, then it blinks. You're now in tap tempo mode for the tap tempo right footswitch)

[@AqworldsAuildere]

Am I able to use multiple effects that the MD-200 provides?

[@parkermckinney4606]

No, you can't but it's definitely understandable!

[@GuitarDaan]

Yes, but not at the same time. You can with the MD-500 tho'.

[@Wickedsensations2001]

hey man a while you made a video about why you should get a 2x12 instead of a 4x12 how to you feel about vertical 2x12

[@Highmagic]

I like you dude, you're straight up. 5/5

[@OrkhanJulfa]

I think this is not fair comparison. Strymon Mobius should be compared with Boss MD-500 not MD-200.

[@thorpenator9148]

We are waiting for your comparison...Thanks.

[@OrkhanJulfa]

@@thorpenator9148 Send me these pedals and I will probably make this comparison... Thanks.

[@SandalwoodBros]

I guess I could get used to it but menu diving in the MD-200 with that screen would give me anxiety.

[@ManBunMetalHead]

You and me both

[@catboyzee]

The fact that you can't program the footswitches on the MD200 to control the slow/fast speeds on the Vibe and Rotary effects is a disappointing feature omission.

[@spacebarbus]

You can...this video has a few inconsistencies.

[@TimO-wt9sz]

Good demo I think il shy away from both like you mentioned an unjustice of the mobius which I found with the time line which in turn I have the dd 200.The 200 dd is the most inspiring pedal I've ever owned i am self taught basement player of 20 plus years .even after getting the time line for 400 canadian its just ro much tweaking the dd allowed me as soon as i turned it on to be in a very musical preset there is alot to learn about it but guess what I dont care its a solid 10 I even had the 500 and to me the 200 is the best of what the 500 has to offer .thanks for helping me with this video .it made me be a subscriber. I have also owned the od 200 meh not impressed over all .lol.i would love to see a demo on the 200 series eq . Again thanks Tim from london canada

[@angelmunoz3385]

Is the MD200 analog? And true bypass?

[@AqworldsAuildere]

Thank you for making this!

[@Nitro4x4]

I agree with some of the comments below...the "fair" comparison would have been between the Mobius and the Boss MD-500, not the 200.

[@Justaguy11199]

Actually, everything can replace a Strymon pedal imo. They charge a ridicilous ammount of money for all their products. The quality does not even come close to the price you pay. To me, they are like the 'Nord' of the pedal world. Relatively new, good, but nothing special at all but yet charge even more than the popular brands. I dont understand why anyone, anyone at all would buy a Strymon pedal. I do agree with you about the flanger, tho. The Phaser on the Mobius sounds more like a Univibe to me? Whereas the MD200 sounds like a classic phaser.

[@neilwalshuk]

Thanks man. I found this really useful. 👍

[@venomjoe]

how many memory have the Boss MD200???

[@ManBunMetalHead]

With the firmware update, 128

[@venomjoe]

@@ManBunMetalHead oh good point

[@Deltototdel]

With the MD 200, can you use 2 modulation at once?

[@ManBunMetalHead]

You can not

[@firstaidkitful]

@@ManBunMetalHead if u use boss footswitch again u cannot use 2 mod effect at once ?

[@josephmichaelbrunson3331]

Nice job! You've helped me make up my mind!

[@randyesquire]

soooo must wistful staring ....... look at all that wist hold a chord.....WIST listen to the swoosh.....WIST Joking aside, this is a great side by side - makes me feel happy enough that my MD-200 isn't a complete dog, but also makes me wonder HOW much I might want an upgrade Someone is selling a Wampler Terraform for £220 - and i could get about £160-£180 for my MD-200 but am I just changing it for the sake of 'the endless quest' us guitarists go on? Not like there are any gigs on at the moment anyway! haha @manbunmetalhead - have you played through a Terraform since this video?

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Haven't tried the Terraform yet. Good luck on your endless quest. I seem to be in the same position.

[@lancethompson218]

The ce1 mode sounds like crap compared to a ACTUAL CE1. modulation effects are strymons weakness...they make great delays and reverbs. Digital modulation effects always disappoint. There's no replacing a mn3002 chip

[@ozuidema]

Very good review. It’s clear that these units won’t replace my separate analog trem, phaser or chorus pedals. Both units sound quite digital to my ears.

[@kikko422]

Is it bad that I didn’t enjoy the sounds of either of them? 🙁

[@Millennial_Mike]

The fair comparison is MD500 to Mobius.

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Definitely agree, but these are what I had

[@do-beebrothers2550]

I bought the Joyo Vision, good enough

[@dalecastor8821]

Awesome content. Subbed!

[@skiba727]

You missed the part wher the MD200 has built in gain pedals for the Vibe and a few others. Not a very good deep dive. You owned the mObious for years so you know the feature set. Obviously you didnt even mess with the parameters bc its very also the tap is the slo easy to get that and you have options that you completely missed as well like you can move the md200 anywhere in the chain the rotary has a slow and fast as well its called the tap button.... wow. You dont even have it on the md200.

[@jorgea.9988]

And what about using the pedals in 4 cable method? For example, one preset with the phaser before the preamp and then switch to other preset with a chorus in the FX loop? Can I do this with both pedals?

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Unfortunately you can't do this with either.

[@lesfrithdidier2745]

Strymon mobius vs boss md 500!?🤔

[@szilardszaloki]

"...Quadrature, which is just another way to turn your signal into garbage." - Way too sloppy description of such a cool modulation machine.

[@youparkedinmysafe-space1476]

You gonna cry?

[@sherwintavarez8539]

MORBIUS 2 ITS MORBIN TIME!!!!!!!!!!

[@awol.oper8r]

Meet in the middle at the Terraform!

[@humro5960]

Flanger in both sound so digital.

[@danyeo]

It’s just that he has the resonance set high for both.

[@markallen381]

The vibrato on both units doesn't at all sound like the vibrato on an old Fender tube amp. That's what I'm looking for. These both suck!

[@TheFarout69]

I using a Deja-Vibe and a Seymour D Polaron - it's too late for me.

[@joeymc5272]

That chorus vibrato fx sounds so good. Im surprised.

[@hardstonedevil]

2:50 why some things are preferred as an analog effect.

[@gregmccourt4730]

Neither did a Phase 90 close to the OG.

[@VIDS2013]

The MD-200 phaser is very nasal compared to the MXRc Phase 90. No thanks!

[@lamonet]

#TeamMobius

[@felipedourado]

In short. If you are a professional, stuck by practicality, sound quality, equipment construction, versatility, mobius is the wayto go. It is not surprising the difference of 200 dollars in the final price

[@smalltown4855]

A GIANT HAT ON THE BONNET OF A BUICK

[@bonafideguitar]

The strymon Ola sounds way better