First IImpressions of the MP 201

Lux_Seeker · Post by **Lux_Seeker** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:05 am

My MP 201 just came yesterday in the mail. I have not had a chance to use it yet in my home studio but I did get a change to sit down with it last night and the manual and try to learn the menu system and footsiwtch functions before I use it.

I have seen a lot of foot controllers out there and frankly, most are glorified exprression pedals. The MP 201 is not but I would have to say its real strength, which is why I bought it, is if you are a Moog gearhead and I must admit I am, then this is a fantastic way to put a lot of the CV power of Moogerfoogers, the Voyager or the Little Phatty right at your feet.

I do believe that the power of Moog products seems to multiply as you have more because the ability to interconnect is much more powerful using CV than trying to push to many MIDI CCs message through a standard that was not meant to handle it. There has always been something so powerful to me about control voltages because they are simple. You don't have to understand complex timing or high and low bits or stop and start bits or any of the geeky details of MIDI. Sure, a little knowledge of electronics can help but pretty much buying a few packs of TRS patch cables and your on your way to a miriad of possiblities.

Now don't get me wong, I would love to see a bit more power on the MP 201. Some CV and gate ins would be nice but MIDI does compensate a bit for triggering envelopes so I am not that displeased and there is really nothing out there with this much power so I am pleased. The addition of envelopes is also a huge plus. An example of an application is the use of a Moogerfooger LPF with a MIDI based keyboard.

When I started to go though the menu system and the footswich functions I started to see something that I did not see before. A very smartly designed system to control a lot with the foot. When you are getting controlling effects and switching programs, if you are doing it while playing a keyboard, it's not that easy to get a free hand even for a moment. The design of the functions of the MP 201 in relation to the footwtiches is clearly a carefully designed system to make it easy to use ones foot to control multiple CV controlled and MIDI controlled keyboards, pedals and effects.

In reading the manual before I even got the MP 201, I also did not realize the lighting system on the MP 201 which is frankly brilliant. If someone is using a footpedal, expecially in performance, you are not going to go look at the menu screen to see where you are. The MP 201 lights up like a Christmas tree with cues for knowing if a channel is on (top red light) and the other lights to give and effective visual cue to the type of modulation used on each channel from pedal controlled, S&H or LFO. This became quickly apparent to me switching through presets and watching the lights show ensue. Impressive visually but on the practical level, this is very useful because again, one can't go reading LCDs while playing music. Visual cues like this are very effective in my mind.

I also love the quad and single mod idea. Either of these would made for a good pedal but the combo of the two really adds to the power of this pedal. Having multiple controllers changing CVs or CCs simultaneously is a very powerful idea and being able to eaily switch channels in and out (with visual cue in a different color than the modulation cue - nice idea !) makes this mod a very power way to create effects that frankly are not possible with any other gear. Also being able to control 4 CVs or CCs individually also allows for another added flexiblity. I can see creating complex effects changes in a single performance.

My intital impressions are that Moog did an outstanding job with this one and I can't wait to start exploring everthing I beleive I can make this beast do.

Thanks Moog

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:39 pm

What about the build? Is it as sturdy as the Foogers?

Portamental · Post by **Portamental** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:08 pm

Hi Erick...

The body of the unit is very sturdy. The gas pedal is lightweight, made of cast aluminum. I does not give the feeling of an armored Boss pedal, yet, there's no play in the mechanism and it looks sturdy enough for heavy use. The feeling is soft and precise (hard to match in other any pedal I have seen except the el-cheapo M-Gear EX-P), that makes it a very suitable hand controller (EP-2 not very good at this, action too heavy and scratchy). The smoothness also help controlling with the foot. I can always find and leave the pedal in the soft spot with the MP-201, my other Roland exp's leave much to be desired compared to the MP-201 in that regard.

Lux_Seeker · Post by **Lux_Seeker** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:21 pm

EricK wrote:What about the build? Is it as sturdy as the Foogers?

Well, it has no wood. It's metalic but classy looking. It probably more sturdy than the foogers so if you want to use it on stage I think it would stand up to it pretty well.

Lux_Seeker · Post by **Lux_Seeker** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:24 pm

Portamental wrote:Hi Erick...

The body of the unit is very sturdy. The gas pedal is lightweight, made of cast aluminum. I does not give the feeling of an armored Boss pedal, yet, there's no play in the mechanism and it looks sturdy enough for heavy use. The feeling is soft and precise (hard to match in other any pedal I have seen except the el-cheapo M-Gear EX-P), that makes it a very suitable hand controller (EP-2 not very good at this, action too heavy and scratchy). The smoothness also help controlling with the foot. I can always find and leave the pedal in the soft spot with the MP-201, my other Roland exp's leave much to be desired compared to the MP-201 in that regard.

I did not think of this but yes, I agree. The pedal has a very smooth feel to it. It does not stick but its also light and manuverable.

slabwax · Post by **slabwax** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:06 am

Nice to hear it's well build. But I've not seen a Moog product that was not well made and well thought out.

I just ordered mine today

Dean

GregAE · Post by **GregAE** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:07 am

For anyone interested, the December 2009 issue of Electronic Musician (US) has a review of the MP-201 Multi-Pedal.

The review isn't currently available on the EM web site (will probably be posted next month).

- Greg

Kent · Post by **Kent** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 6:45 pm

The thing is built like a brick outhouse. I've been gigging with mine. It's tough as hell.

blewis · Post by **blewis** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 12:24 am

EricK wrote:What about the build? Is it as sturdy as the Foogers?

The selector knob is sketchy. I would think that would be the first thing to break. Everything else feels rock solid. The selector knob feels like it might fall off on its own.

Brandon

DontBelievetheHype · Post by **DontBelievetheHype** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:08 pm

blewis wrote:
EricK wrote:What about the build? Is it as sturdy as the Foogers?
The selector knob is sketchy. I would think that would be the first thing to break. Everything else feels rock solid. The selector knob feels like it might fall off on its own.

Brandon

Maybe Amos or someone else can confirm, but I had another pedal with the same type of knob (from best I can tell) and when I inquired about it to the builder, I was told that it is supposed to feel like that and is the same type of knob as used in Buchlas and whatnot--- Im assuming the MP is using the same, and not much to worry about regarding reliability.

Franz Schiller · Post by **Franz Schiller** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:24 am

So I got my MP-201 on Friday, and rushed home to play with it, and MY AMP DIED!

Granted, it was a lowly Behringer, and I was told this might happen, but really... I figured I only kept the amp at home and never bring it to shows, so it should last, right? Guess not. Only lived three years.

Anyways, I updated the software, and played with the MP for about an hour, and was totally stoked. Its so sweet.

I spent the rest of my minimal free time this weekend looking for a new amp. Thinking of a Hartke. Anyways, can't wait to discover all sorts of other sweet ass applications.