The MXR Layers is an ambient workhorse | Secret Weapons Demo

[@jeffallen3382]

Listening to this on my mobile phone and hearing the stereo effect is trippy! I've never heard it like that before in this. I really dig this MXR Layers pedal!

[@ShaighJosephson]

I'm running a Superego+ into it for all kinds of layering possibilities with different effects in the Superego+ FX loop... I run a Bloom in front of them to kick up the bass, but any EQ pedal should work... 🙂

[@cosmogang]

Whoa. This could very well be my first pedal purchase in years. The whole market got to a point probably 6 years ago where I lost interest due to the amount of overlap and decision fatigue, and some of the charm of the pedal industry seemed to be lost, but this seems like such a nice addition to my current setup which has remained unchanged for many years now... Something I never would have thought I would have been saying lol I used to have a serious problem 😅

[@bmoneybby]

I'm always down for a good relapse.

[@cosmogang]

@@bmoneybby Just what I need, ENABLING! 😅🤣

[@James0113-c5e]

I'm curious to know what's in the current set-up that's so good it's remained unchanged for years!!??

[@cosmogang]

@James0113-c5e Polytune mini > Tech21 BoostComp (not great) > Ehx superego > Walrus Audio 385 > A+ Astronaut > Hotone Grass > Instant Lo-fi junky > Skreddy Echo > Line 6 Echo Park V2 (legendary) > Earthquaker Avalanche Run > Ditto x4.

[@tommyguardi1984]

Dude, that demo was magical! Now I have to get one. Thanks for one of the best demos on this pedal! And exceptional playing and vibe!

[@KellyP56]

Just got mine yesterday... absolutely great!

[@whailee]

Best review on this pedal. Formidable pedal indeed. As always you are detailed and thorough. Thank you!

[@Michael-j7s5r]

Baffled why you don't have more subscribers! Love your work and demos! Ty

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I think it’s an even blend of 1. I don’t promote well (at all) and 2. I’m not sure there’s mass appeal behind 30-90 minute pedal demos. Haha

[@LoudKnobs]

@@markjohnstonofficial Best kept secret!

[@JoRoBu17]

@@markjohnstonofficialI don't know; I was bummed this one seemed a little short😥

[@AwayWithWordsMusic]

Hey thanks! I just heard about this device (after just purchasing the TC Infinite Sustain). Of the several KZbin videos I just checked out YOU have delved into the many capabilities this unit has and your demo song shows you have an understanding of how to use it. Thanks again!

[@dorianford6227]

Just ordered it. This is affordable and feels more grounded in musical usage. I use outward to drone and while I love it, it decays away and I just feel like I am under utilizing it

[@thankyouspaceexpert]

Another killer demo! Amazing work

[@rogermcp]

Love your reviews brother.

[@BISHAMONT3N]

This pedal sounds glorious in stereo. I just got the Joshua, think I may need to grab this as well. And awesome demo as always, you're #1 for deep dives into pedals, keep it up man 🔥

[@sam-browne]

They should have called this the Mark Johnston pedal. I knew this demo would be the best of this pedal, and sure enough, it was. That opening jam was just beautiful.

[@paultaylorfollowframe3579]

Amazing only half way through your video sounds amazing

[@scottolgard]

Sounds great but with the amount of awesome sounds I think it would benefit from presets. Totally understand that it already has so much going on, but I think that actually necessitates the presets. Great video

[@jamescovan8853]

I dont know, I'm not a fan of presets. I think that memory and interest should guide you. Use your brain to remember where your settings are... or don't. Depends on what it means to you.

[@jfo3000]

​@jamescovan8853 Presets can allow instantaneous recall of all controls for live gigs. Without them it's pretty much for only studio use. And maybe that's enough.

[@jamescovan8853]

@@jfo3000 fair. I'm pretty bare bones, even in the studio. Live, I'm raw. Didn't really consider that perspective. I like pedal demos, but don't really use them. That said, since I don't really see live work as worth the type of attention to detail, I'm inclined to believe that the spontaneity at the core of live music lends itself to avoiding presets anyway.

[@markwilliamson2033]

What a great pedal, and a great review, as always. It reminds me of the EHX SuperEgo Plus but modernised and compact.

[@StuartwasDrinkell]

Another pedal I had to buy because of you Mark ❤

[@nealpike6611]

This feels like it could replace by mood yeah big words there

[@dorianford6227]

It’s replacing my cooper fx outward. I wanted onward but I don’t have a spare $400 or $500 to drop on it. However Layers cuts right to the chase in what I need it to do which just to simply drone and stay droning. I don’t have to spend hours fucking around with granular pedals.

[@ericskinner7355]

Diggin'the sounds. This one is definitely on my radar! ✌️

[@bienventuradurruti1622]

when the clean signal is present the layers’ decay has a grainy digital breakup that’s not present with the kill dry activated. that’s not necessarily a disqualifier because i’d be mainly using it for pads which it excels at, but it’s worth noting. i improvise into 3 loopers.

[@AmbientMelancholy]

Awesome demo as usual! That bass line gave me Death Cab For Cutie vibes. Very cool 😎

[@jash500]

Those first few notes were my favorite clean ambient sound. The Cali76 sound in position 4 or 5 of a Strat is very identifiable once you’ve heard it before. Objectively beautiful 💫 Anyway, really cool live ambient tool here. This one feels like it has staying power, not just a flavor of the week 👍🏼

[@HristoVelev]

Amazing demo!

[@KevinJohnsrude]

I've used the EHX SuperEgo first in my guitar signal chain to automatically trigger sustains but the problem with that pedal is that I needed to boost my guitar signal to get the trigger to work, then attenuate the signal after the EHX to gain-stage the rest of the signal chain. The MXR Layers is sensitive enough that I don't need to do that and it's a lot smaller as well.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

love to see the benson boost in frame. 🧙

[@rovenordiales]

The visual feedback on this device is amazing. 🔥

[@levigonzalez2498]

how does this MXR layers compare to the EH Superego+?

[@patricknichols7441]

Just ordered one today. Among other things, I'm hoping to use it to sort of span the gap between playing rhythm and lead when I'm the only guitarist.

[@pedalgaze]

sheesh, what a sick pedal!

[@kingadammusic]

Studio workhorse, yeah I'm down. Won't be able to bring this live if one has to dial in each time it is turned on. Going to have it set up next to my Chase Bliss Mood MK2, LVX, Microcosm etc on my studio desk 🙂 excited

[@duarteestelita7257]

This is currently, the N#1 pedal, on my must-get list. It really is the closest i have seen to the stuff i want to do, and not just with guitars. I'm curious about its expansion ability, namely MIDI mapping and/or external footswitches & Expression pedal assigning. You said one can control the Trigger knob, with an Exp Pedal. What else ? Can one switch between _adding OR replacing_ the current layer with a different (external) footswitch ? I definitely need to dive into this pedal's manual. Solid review, as per usual, Mark. Thank you 😉

[@calebraden]

Can you do a bass tone video? Sounds so good, would love to see your process.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I’m bot sure it merits a focused section on bass. I mention in the review portion that catching and reproducing on bass for this is pretty hit and miss. This definitely is designed for your guitar and not as a studio or bass effect imo.

[@2morningz]

Wondering about the bass signal chain.

[@barnshart9662]

I think they meant just a video about your core bass tone, bdcause its like, really good.​@@markjohnstonofficial

[@duarteestelita7257]

I reckon this should really work well with a dedicated Loop pedal. I'm partial about the Aeros....but it hasn't convinced to the extent of actually purchasing it. I liked your review on it, but i wanted a bit more, hehe.. To me, the difference between this MXR and a Mood, for eg.. (other than the obvious), is that it doesn't rely on Randomness, so much. I love the Ch Bliss stuff, i really do..but i wish it gave us a lot more control, beyond the randomness.

[@AutopsySuiteable]

Well now I want one.

[@bennettyouth]

How do you make your drum tracks? They sound great! Doesnt sound like the logic drummer. Thanks!

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I use Mixwave Aaron Gillespie.

[@barrycreed9886]

Seems like a mix of the EHX Superego and some of the Red Panda Particle granular settings.

[@Steven-u5w]

While I must check this one out, imagine this with an ebow have fun, enjoy. That's what it's all about

[@uncletonysfunhouse]

Pedal details aside, I really dig the bass tone in your intro song. Feels really clean and full. Do you have any advice or tips on how you approach recording bass?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I honestly feel like I am still heavily in a guesswork stage of dialing good bass tone. I am big on parallel compression (origin cali76 bass) and I’ve been using the origin bassrig super vintage for my amp. It just kind of works so it’s tough to really dig in. The recent level up has been running that rig into a UA 610 solo which is an analog tube preamp and that tube gain stage has really helped thicken things up without gaining them up. I think for clean bass tone to feel huge there’s a precarious balance of increasing gain but not grit and it’s a tough balance.

[@uncletonysfunhouse]

@@markjohnstonofficial Got it, thanks! Will play around with parallel compression and check out that origin effects stuff. So that UA 610 is the last stop before it's recorded? Seems like you've found that balance. The bass in this sounds thick and clean and big.

[@danieldeleongonzalez]

A reverse mode could be awesome in that pedal

[@AfferbeckBeats]

Does it remember your settings after being switched off? Would be a hassle to reconfigure all those sub options to get back to where you were. It's impressive they managed to squeeze all that into such a small body, but it kinda makes me wish it was a bigger format with more knobs for accessibility, and at least a few presets to save.

[@IKilledTheDodo]

It seems to remember your settings as you turn it off, but from what I can tell from the product website there’s no way to store additional presets. Shame if that’s the case, because with massive amounts of tweakability like this, it sucks to lose a tone you like just to try a new one.

[@jam3152]

I’m writing an ep solo, and the part I struggle with the most is drums! I have Logic Pro, any insights where to look? I trust your musicality! I’m sure you prob program your own and I love it

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Correct; I write all my own drums for everything (I am NOT a drummer) I have a video on my drum workflow from about a year or two ago on here that is worth watching if you’re looking for some insights on my process. Some of my tools are updated since then but the fundamentals are all the same.

[@konradkuczera8658]

Hi man. Love from Poland! I dont know why but your pkaying style reminds me of the band Rosetta? Have you ever heard them? Take care.

[@davedraws76]

This seems a bit onward-esque? At least the freeze side. Is that an accurate assessment?

[@louderthangod]

Some strong Mono vibes with the intro.

[@seanms35]

Let's gooo

[@sandyturner1911]

Of course! As soon as I break down and buy the EHX Freeze Pico, This comes out. Gahhhh!!!!! Great Demo, of course. Thanks!

[@Jamman610]

Vocals would be interesting or EHX organ pedal.

[@oo7799]

I really want to hear someone use this before a drive pedal or dirty amp. This begs to be shoegazed

[@kingdozerr]

Very similar to EHX SuperEgo +

[@duarteestelita7257]

Another thing that Ch Bliss puts forward, and that this MXR line also does, is.. too many submenus. Believe me..i am ALL FOR small footprint pedals...but it reaches a point where it just loses usability.... If one loses its tactil advantage.., might as well get back to PlugINs _ you can't dial in, but at least you can see everything that it is able to do, in one 'UI sheet' . So what, if Layers was twice as large ?? At least there might've been room for MIDI IO (ext MIDI controller), and maybe an extra Exp Control In, for eg. How ergonomic and practical, specially in a live situation...are those middle tiny buttons... I wouldn't mind paying 50 or 60% more, for that upgraded design. Reminds me of Pre M1 Apple laptops...where it was SO thin....it sucked !! 😅

[@h4ndrix]

I'm so confused lol is it a drone pedal? 😅

[@crock2434]

Mxr just added a staple to the board....

[@brianrollins7275]

I like these digital mxr pedals but man are they power hungry. 300 mA for this one.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Stereo digital effects with a lot of parameters that can be controlled, I’m not surprised it draws above 100ma. I think brands are getting less concerned with draw these days now that *most guitarists (read; pedal nerds) have power that reliably supplies 500mA per port.

[@LifeHawkeye]

Mark! I need help learning how to use my IMac’s Logic Pro to record my own music! I’m easily confused by this stuff, despite having been in studios (20 years ago) but I always just played my parts and never learned the production side. Help! Love your channel man!

[@nativeeats8719]

But… does it doom?

[@stockholm1752]

No presets? No sale.

[@briangarcia8384]

Bruh, I unfortunately might have to unsub you. I can't keep buying sick ass pedals. 😂

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I’m sorry to see you go but I understand. Godspeed.

[@KodyXXVll]

More complicated than a chase bliss pedal lol.

[@elwynsmiles]

Reminds me a bit of my CB Habit 😁

[@B.EDWARD319]

Annoying

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Thank you for introducing yourself Gottem

[@JoelDubay]

I get that he's new to this and trying to pace his explanation of things… But those little micro pauses are not natural. Just talk like you're talking to a friend. You're getting there.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Well I’ve been making videos like this for more than 5 years and this in fact how I speak to people in real life so… maybe this channel just isn’t for you.

[@corbinhaynes7543]

The pauses didn't even register to me and I'd much rather have "micro pauses" than someone saying "umm" "uhhh" "aaaaand uhhh" or making weird mouth sounds

[@markjohnstonofficial]

That’s because I jump cut 90% of that out haha

[@themikepadua]

I definitely appreciate that you kept your criticism constructive. I respectfully disagree, though. I think his presentation was really great.

[@LifeHawkeye]

I love the way mark explains things it literally sounds like he’s very excited about each piece of gear he reviews. Matter of fact, Mark IS my favorite gear review channel and I watch a lot of gear channels on KZbin. I guess that says something huh? Love ya Mark!

[@duarteestelita7257]

great video ! This pedal and the MOOD mk II (and this channel!) are responsible for making me considering getting back to pedals. Pls see the question I posted on your Aeros Loop pedal video . Thanks Mark