Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

[Andrew Lamprecht]

MXR Carbon Copy:



MAXON AD-999:





I have been looking at a delay pedal and I think I've narrowed it down to these 2. There is a large price difference (CC: $120 new, AD-999 $340 new) but I'm willing to pay more money if it will be better.

I've played the Carbon Copy and liked it but I absolutely love the clip on the AD. Just sounds perfect to me but what do you guys think? I'm already predicting the CC in a landslide but that may also be because the Maxon pedals aren't as easily available. I think the CC may be better at short delays and the Maxon might be better at long delays but to be honest I may use the long spacious Gilmour-esque delays more then the slapback type delay. I usually don't use effects but when I do they aren't subtle. Opinions?

(You guys gotta watch the end of the AD-999 for some cool spaceship sounds.)

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

I have no experience with the CC, but own the AD-999.

I will tell you that it is very precise for an analog pedal. I don't know another way to say it. The delays trail off perfectly. Actually, it was that PGS.com video that sold me on the unit.

It preserves your tone very well, but the delays are very dark. I think that may be unavoidable in an analog delay capable of 900 ms delay times. The great thing about the highs being rolled off due to bucket loss is that the delay signal stays out of your way. I mean, if you want super long ambient washes or loud repeats it is a matter of setting the blend and delay time to achieve that, but for that stadium rock sound at moderate blend levels the darker repeats tend to stay in the background (in a good way). It is a solidly built pedal, but I would only choose it (again) if I had to have the extremely long delays and I had to have it all analog. By the way, I almost forgot to mention that you can dial in some very long delays before you get into uncontrolled self oscillation.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

I have an Ibanez AD-9 I like better than my friend's carbon copy. His is more versatile but mine's more vintagey sounding

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

I have an Ibanez AD-9 I like better than my friend's carbon copy. His is more versatile but mine's more vintagey sounding

Yeah, that Ibanez has probably my favorite slapback ever but it really has no long delays and I would some of those...

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

Well since you're looking at the maxon anyways, have you considered slightly bigger delays? The duncan one and EHX memory man come to mind...

 

[erksin]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

Of those two, I would say definitely the Maxon.

If you're looking for another suggestion, I'd offer up the Malekko 616. It's a similar thing to the CC, but IMO it is a much better sounding pedal. I'm sure there is a PGS vid of that one too.

I'd also consider the Analogman AR20DX - Mike's analog delays are always great sounding pedals.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

I only have experience with the CC... I friggin' loved it.

 

[Davidandrew]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

I had a carbon copy it is a great pedal but I love my nova delay.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

I own neither - but have played each and read a ton.

General comment: You guys are listening to frickin' hard.

However - I have never heard a discouraging word about that Maxon. Period. Ever. since a long time. But, given the love for the CC, and the 1/3 price tag - I'd go CC. My retched ears do not think they can be THAT different.


remember - at some point people just get stupid. Digital delay came about in the first place because of the shortcomings of analog (i.e.; LACK of preservation of the original signal). Then along comes a revolt against all things digital and analog is hip again. Now - a high end boo-teek analog delay gets kudo's why? Because it is pushing levels of performance associated with digital delays.

Get an DD3 and an AD 9 and be done with it.

 

[erksin]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

General comment: You guys are listening to frickin' hard.

While I do agree to a certain extent that you can go overboard chasing your tail for that last 5% of 'THE TONE', I also think there is merit in critical listening. There is quite a noticable difference IMO between analog delays (and digital ones too), and figuring out what to listen for in terms of the repeat attack and decay and the EQing can make a HUGE difference in terms of not only sound but the feel of the thing - which is equally important.

For instance - I love slapback delay. I mean LOVE it. To me, the most important traits for a great slapper is the feel of the attack of the all-important first repeat and having warmth with clarity. I want something that is very responsive and predictable to play off of, but it needs to have a certain fatness to it for thickening. You know it when you play it. It is a feel thing as much as it is a sonic thing. I've had great success getting the sounds I like with analog and digital pedals, but I can't just take any old thing and be happy with it. There are important differences between them and to me they aren't small or trivial.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

I'd also consider the Analogman AR20DX - Mike's analog delays are always great sounding pedals.

Dude, every one of Mikes pedals are awesome. That's another option I have been thinking about.

 

[erksin]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

Dude, every one of Mikes pedals are awesome. That's another option I have been thinking about.

You speak the truth - I have an AR20DL and AstroTone Fuzz and both are ridiculously awesome boxes. :smokin:

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

You speak the truth - I have an AR20DL and AstroTone Fuzz and both are ridiculously awesome boxes. :smokin:

Ahhh you ass. lol. The only 2 pedals I want right now are the Astrotone and a good analog delay. I already have his NKT Sunface which is the best fuzz face I have ever played with.

 

[erksin]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

Dude - don't hate, I'm an OG Wings fan. Southfield represent!

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

Dude - don't hate, I'm an OG Wings fan. Southfield represent!

Wha?

 

[saladin]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

Now that were talking Michigan, I suggest you try a Rocktron (made in Battle Creek) Short Timer Delay. They're digital but voiced like an analog, I sold my Boss and Korg delay's as soon as I first got mine. They have a vibe about them that digital delays usually don't have. I use 2 of the Short Timers now, one for slapback and one for longer times.

 

[J. Burns]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

I've had the Carbon Copy on my board for a couple years now. Love it. No regrets. Not even interested in any other delay pedal.

The Maxon is pretty nice, but it's not $200+ nicer.

That said, I have little use for a super-long delay. If I did, I'd probably go digital anyway.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

I do love my Carbon Copy, but I don't have a whole lot of experience with delays. The delay on my Liquid Chorus is also fantastic, and it works beautifully with the chorus. And I've never really been able to get along with the Boss delays. I've been through a DD-5 and a DD-6, and I didn't like either one that much.

That being said, the Carbon Copy is a great choice, especially with the modulation button.

 

[J.LaGrassa]

Re: Poll: MXR Carbon Copy vs. MAXON AD-999

Carbon Copy has my vote, it's just a nice sounding affordable anlog delay!