MXR Phase 90 vs. 95 – SHOOT-OUT (In-Depth Review + Pros & Cons)

This is an in-depth comparison guide for MXR Phaser 90 vs MXR Phaser 95. We’ll start with the basics and go on to the intricate details of both the Phasers

People need a circuit that divides incoming signals across two routes if people want to create the Gatling gun phenomenon.

One does not change at all, while the other is out of rhythm. Individuals can have more or less influence over little settings based on the laser weapon individuals choose.

The absolute minimum is the ability to regulate the LFO’s rate, which determines how quickly the phasing effect occurs.

Users may be able to modify the effect’s strength and the number of phasing levels the information passes through with the help of additional instrument amplifiers.

The MXR Phase 90 and its derivatives, the Electro-Harmonix Small Stone and the Electro-Harmonix Bad Stone, are some of the phaser circuit’s most well-known applications.

MXR Phase 45

Phaser shifters are not frequently thought of as delicate phenomena. However, if you consider yourself to be phase opposed due to the harsh, only those soundscapes a few of them produce, MXR’s ’75 Vintage Phase 45 might convince you otherwise.

To be fair, MXR’s phases are recognized as classic films. Phase 45, on the other hand, was more of a series of episodes at the party than its more subdued cousin, Phase 100, which has become famous thanks to musicians like David Gilmour and the Phaser 90, which influenced Eddie Van Halen’s early work. 

MXR might be able to bring this delightful instrument back into the spotlight with this lovely edition of the 45.

The MXR Custom Workshop ’75 Retro Phase 45 distortion pedal allows you to enhance your performance using characteristics that range from full-on hallucinogenic swirling to hard rock adapting to the changing needs. 

This vintage stomp box gained popularity among musicians who appreciate subtlety. It was originally designed as the younger brother of MXR’s widely successful Phase 90 pedal.

Purists will appreciate the authentic additions MXR made to the 1975 Vintage Phase 45, such as its 9V-only functioning and LED-free frame.

Sneakily Rippled

The Phaser 45 seems to be a delight to use right away, thanks to its compactness and pleasant, tuneful nature.

Simple syncopated rhythms had performed through such a pristine black Bass Tremolux and were tinted with a transparent, dreamy, trippy swirl rich in high-end melodic information when the Speed was set to 9 o’clock.

The Rolling Stones’ slow burner on Tattoo You, “Heaven,” and my personal attempt at it, sound best when the Velocity is adjusted to halfway.

This setting also offers a richer, marginally faster auditory swoosh ideal for Stax-inspired, sustained diatonic scale songs.

MXR Phase 90

One of the earliest and most recognizable instruments of this kind still in use today is the MXR Phase 90. Through every measure, the recently constructed devices are just as excellent as the previous MXR manufactured ones.

The MXR Phase 90 Classifier musical instrument phaser is ideal. It is dependable, well made, and easy to use. 

People nearly always get a wonderful sound using it without bothering to devote a lot of time experimenting with various parameters.

Its traditional phaser sound, which you have already experienced on many albums, will sound instantly comfortable and simple to work with.

Structure and Design Quality

The MXR Phase 90 has a very basic and uncomplicated strategy. It has a very noticeable bright orange finish and one knob that can be covered so you can easily change it with the shoe during performing.

This pedal is made that will last you for an extremely long time, just like other MXR pedals.

It is the ideal complement for any guitarist’s previous and existing one that lacks a phaser because it is strong and long-lasting without overly hefty.

Performance

One of the primary reasons users keep returning to the MXR Phase 90, an already dated analog phaser pedal, is its functionality. The block logo circuitry used by MXR is not very complex, but it is difficult to duplicate. 

The sound users get largely extremely genuine and genuine. The impact has a particular amount of personality. 

However, more contemporary phaser pedals just do not have. Rock or blues could unquestionably be the genres of music that the MXR Phase 90 has been most suited for.

Where even more clinical and adaptable phasers are significantly more useful is in metals.

Pros Of The MXR Phase 90

Traditional Tone

The ability to tune a fantastic phaser sound is one of the main benefits of utilizing a Phase 90.

If you have a certain soundtrack in sight, duplicating it should not be too difficult because every variable has a predetermined value, and you simply alter the frequency and Speed.

Reliability

There are fewer possible problems with these pedals over time compared to much more sophisticated ones because of their simple electronics, levers, and valves.

In addition, it should last a period of usage due to its excellent construction and continue to perform flawlessly each time you use it. Just be sure you connect it using a quality, well-isolated power source.

Cons Of The MXR Phase 90

Fewer controls

This pedal enables you to change the frequency of the phaser’s LFO, so if you want to continue exploring the transitioning effect, it could not be the best choice for you.

There are alternative products available on the market that give you greater control over the outcome, and they could better suit your needs. A Walrus Audio Lillian Distortion pedal would be a fantastic illustration of this.

MXR PHASE 95

The MXR Tiny Phase 95 controller combines two of the most well-known phaser pedals ever produced by MXR.

The Phase 45 pedal came after the Phaser 90, a four-stage phaser that essentially established the phaser tone for acoustic guitar. It produced a softer tone that went better with particular musical genres. 

With the 45/90 selector knob, the MXR Compact Phase 95 pedal offers both tastes. A strong pattern is produced when the “Script” switch is turned on, while a greener, more muted audio is produced when it is turned off. 

MXR phasers are a popular choice for Professional musicians’ pedalboards, and thus the MXR Compact Phase 95 controller combines two recognizable phaser impacts into one road-ready stomp box.

Features of the MXR Mini Stage 95 Distortion Pedal

• Acoustic guitar phaser adverse effects pedal
• Modeled on each Phase 90 and Phase 45, two iconic phaser amplifiers
• The 45/90 switch allows you to switch between two-stage phasing with four-stage phasing.
• The “Script” option changes the response to produce a more noticeable or quieter “swoosh” effect.
• Ideal for any previous and existing, this little, durable pedal

MXR PHASE 100

MXR was founded in 1972 but did not release any music until 1974. At this point, the Maestro PS-1 Transmission System was available, although it was designed primarily for vocalists and keyboardists due to the enclosure’s included screw-on microphone stand attachment. 

There were only three preset speeds, and a plastic rocker switch in the form of an organ was the sole way to access them. Even though the device has incredible sound quality, there are a few issues. 

For instance, because the preset speeds slope toward one another, the machine’s full flexibility cannot be experienced until the switches are manually adjusted.

The unit is large, as throughout much, far larger than people imagine, possibly the biggest contemporary blunder.

Features

MXR Phase 90 was as straightforward as it came back in the day. It was a cutting-edge effect plugin that drew both well-known and lesser-known guitarists to its tent simultaneously. 

That mounting system was used as the foundation for MXR M107 Phase 100, which improved it to a new level. The orange box is still there, except this now is a dual wide.

In contrast to the knob, people are acquainted with the Phaser 90, and Phaser 100 has another one. The quality and reliability are strong, as you would anticipate. 

Anyone may abuse the casing and its internal components to any degree they like. For many users, having that level of dependability is crucial, which explains how the orange camp continues to expand.

Control

The MXR Phase 100’s controls do not have many options or sophisticated capabilities, but you can still precisely create the tone with them.

This time, in addition to the regular Velocity control that Phase 90 included, customers now receive an extra knob called the Intensity control.

Performance

The sort of tone that MXR M107 Phase 100 provides has not altered significantly over time.

When users consider how long a particular wheel has been available and how it is amongst the most reliable phasers, you can see that MXR did an excellent job. 

The sound is fairly clear and pure. The various phase contours are clearly defined and responsive to pure and warped channels.

Even though the only options currently are for Speed and Intensity, with a little fiddling, anyone can find the perfect phaser arrangement for the songs you’re currently listening to is functionality provided are elegantly stated below their respective spots. 

These give a considerable level of diversity while not being very adaptable, in that users can only choose from a limited number of phaser forms. When you lay them down on the board, there are more than you might anticipate.

Orange Box Phaser Including A Classic Twist

The velvety, ethereal tone of the venerable MXR Phase 90 is amplified with the MXR Phase 100.   

The MXR Phase 100 could create various phased-out sounds, from delicate squiggles to deeper, squawking variations, and has a Speed knob to adjust whether chaotic or moderate it goes. 

It comes with four configurable preset strengths. This MXR Phase 100 seems to be a fantastic studio instrument that can spice up voices, synthesizers, drum overheads, and more, in addition to guitars.

Electric guitars at Southwest know that everything inside an orange box is reliable when selecting a phaser.

Aguilar Grape Phaser

Aguilar’s transducers, preamplifiers, processors, treatments, and enclosures were designed for bass players.

Aguilar Amplifier devices are made to provide you with the greatest experience possible, whether you have been performing life or producing in the studio. 

Famous bassists from around the country have come to appreciate the sound, intensity, and dependability of Aguilar products, including John Patitucci, Adam Clayton (U2), and Paul Turner (Jamiroquai). 

Features

• Excellent for tunes, leads, slap-and-pop performance, and nylon stringed work
• Simple change operations with two knobs
• Bloated and toned
• Protects the end of the range
• Frequency has been regulating the modulation’s pace
• Even though your battery is low, the live concert feature still transmits a signal.
• Supplied by an additional power source or a 9-volt battery
• 3-year producer guarantee

Color

It uses phase shifting to create quirky filtering impacts by feeding some of your impacted communication processes through all the circuits.

EVH Phase 9

When the MXR 90 first appeared on the market, Eddie popularized it. He was well known for using the MXR 90 extensively during his concerts.

It results from a partnership involving Eddie van Halen and Jim Dunlop, the MXR 90’s original designer.

One may categorize the MXR 90 as a traditional phaser controller. It is a classic phaser with a renowned tone. Due to its unique elegance and tone, that device will inspire you to investigate other plugins from the same era.

High-quality acoustics

It produces the wonderful old Eddie sound. Eddie used an outdated Phase 90 MXR brake earlier in the day. This pedal sounds distinct from the original model when asked to be replicated.

The block symbol is the name of this new sound. The transitional phase pedal may generate the whole old and new tones by clicking a button.

Controls

There are few controls on certain MXR EVH Phase 90. It features a variable speed lever and an on/off switch.

In addition to a blue indicator light that is visible on any stage, regardless of how dark or bright it might be, there is a sound switch between the script and block logos. 

Due to this, it is simple to set up and use. Relatively fewer switches mean less flexibility and greater durability. In defense of itself, the EVH90 is designed to sound like Eddie Haden and accomplishes just that.

What Is The Difference Between The Phase 90 And 95?

Main Features of MXR Phase 90

This MXR Phase 90 has always been a relatively basic pump, so there are not many things we can discuss since its debut in 1974.

Along with the variant we are now staring at, called M101 Block Logo, there is also the Scripts Logo, which can be identified by the “MXR” printed in shimmery characters. O

The settings, including attention in development and a button to switch among two- or four-stage sequencing, are included in the other models by MXR.

This renowned pedal is available for much less than $100, which is an incredible deal for a vintage-sounding influence packed in a durable casing that will withstand years of continuous usage.

Soundtrack

Anyone can achieve a variety of whooshing effects with this pedal, from a subtle, steady whirring noise to a slightly elevated vortex that sticks out significantly but may inspire someone to behave differently.

In a side-by-side comparison of the Block Logo and Scripts Logo Phase 90 pedals, you will probably hear that perhaps the Block Logo is a much more prominent sound than the Script Logo. Now, this likes to blend into the backdrop a little bit more.

Controls

One control knob was all that the first financially viable phaser from MXR had. That knob controls the phaser effect’s Velocity, or more accurately, periodicity. Before then, that worked out just well for the most part.

Some guitarists prefer MXR Phase 90 primarily due to its clarity and adore it. In contrast, modern gamers will at least find the absence of options to be an annoyance.

Undoubtedly, it is one of those factors that depends on the music genre you listen to instead of your preferences.

Main Features of MXR Phase 95

There are fans of all of these MXR phasers. Some people, like myself, adore them all. The fact that MXR required so much time to merge phaser ideas into a single box is not surprising.

The Phaser 95, which includes Phase 90 or Phase 45 circuitry as well as “block” and “script” modes, may provide the greatest news since it can fit a lot of whirling modulating colors in a small box.

Features

The MXR Phase 95 has become so small that it is difficult to imagine how they fit this much phasing power onto a single pedal that is only 1.5 inches long and 3.5 inches long. 

The Phaser 95 contains 45/90 switches that switch among Phaser 45 (red Light) as well as Phaser 90 (blue Lighting) settings, a Script switch that turns off input from the circuitry, and a single small speed knob for effect rate adjustment. The pedal is powered by a Dunlop nine-volt adaptor that is provided.

Performance

I have to give MXR credit for accurately recreating Phaser 45’s sugary sweet two-stage phasing, and Phase 95’s more intense four-stage phasing.

It is utterly fascinating to investigate the layer after layer of tightly packed phasing that is accessible with each flick of the buttons. 

Phase 45, the first block logo, has a stunningly understated and peaceful impact that is the ideal approach to introducing the phase appearance.

The Phase 45 effect is noticeably enhanced when the Script switch is turned on, producing an immediate swirl resembling a uni-vibe and luscious warmth. 

A broad, deep phase only becomes faster before becoming more aggressive and swooping. This is all Van Halen after this point on after you turn on the Screenplay switch for this preset. 

The phrasing of “Eruption’s” second half, the tapped portion, is rich and develops with prominent peaks and articulated low points. Everything is so fantastic that individuals know this pedal is a need.

Frequently Asked Questions