Turn Your Bass Into a Funk Machine – Meet the MXR Bass Synth
Ready to take your bass into a whole new dimension? The MXR Bass Synth delivers a powerful blend of vintage analog synth tones and futuristic funk, all packed into a pedal designed specifically for bass players.
Whether you’re chasing the iconic synth sounds heard on tracks by Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Parliament Funkadelic, or you’re ready to carve out your own intergalactic grooves, this pedal brings the magic right to your pedalboard.
Built for Bassists, by Bassists
The MXR Bass Synth was developed in collaboration with none other than Ian Martin Allison, the master of melodic bass and tone-shaping wizard. The result is a pedal that’s intuitive, expressive, and incredibly fun to play.
Expect fat sub-octaves, punchy synth waves, and smooth filter sweeps, all with flawless tracking and sustain that keeps your playing articulate and musical. This isn’t just a synth pedal slapped onto a bass signal — it’s built from the ground up to honor the feel and dynamics of the instrument.
Your Synth, Your Sound
The MXR Bass Synth puts a world of sonic textures at your fingertips. Shape your sound with an easy-to-use but incredibly powerful set of controls:
Sub Mix – Add deep, fat sub-octaves to your synth signal for chest-thumping low end
Mod – Introduce liquid, shimmering textures or bold pulsating motion
Envelope – Control how the filter responds to your playing, from slow, sweeping filter movements to quick, snappy attacks
Cutoff – Set the frequency point where your filter starts working its magic
Resonance – Emphasize the filter’s cutoff point for a sharper, more pronounced effect
Voice – Engage additional harmonically tuned oscillators for an even richer, fuller tone
Shape – Choose the waveform that fits your style:
Triangle – Smooth and subtle
Sawtooth – Rich and aggressive
Square – Thick and punchy
Instant Groove with 8 Presets
Don’t feel like dialing in your sound from scratch? The MXR Bass Synth comes loaded with 8 expertly crafted presets, designed by Ian Martin Allison.
These presets are inspired by some of the most legendary synth bass sounds in music history — from the infectious groove of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to the jazzy funk of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon”, the anthemic drive of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer”, and even the industrial edge of Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like a Hole”.
Switching presets is as simple as tapping a button — no menu diving, no hassle.
Dig Deeper: Full Control and Connectivity
For those who love to push the boundaries, the MXR Bass Synth offers even more flexibility:
Stereo output for immersive soundscapes
External footswitch compatibility (e.g., MXR Split + Tap or Tap Tempo Switch) to easily scroll through presets on the fly
Expression pedal support to dynamically control mix or other parameters
Fine-tune everything from oscillator blends to compression and tracking response
Ready to Funk
The MXR Bass Synth is more than a pedal — it is a portal into a universe of groove. Whether you are dropping fat sub lines, creating liquid synth textures, or adding an unexpected twist to your bass tone, this pedal delivers with style, power, and vibe.
