The MXR Layers is an interesting take on the stereo ambient pedal, generating three layers of potentially infinite sustain without relying on reverb or compression. The pedal’s circuit gives you either one or three layers of sustain (selectable via the Single switch) to create simple or complex ambient soundscapes, integrating them also with delay and modulation.
The layers are slight variations of the original signal in tone and pitch, which generates a slight modulation in the 3-layer mode, due to the phase interaction between them. A different effect can be achieved by transposing one octave lower when the Sub Oct switch is engaged.
The layer(s) can be triggered either through the footswitch (acting as a momentary switch) or through the signal’s dynamics when the Trig knob is active. It’s also possible holding a layer with the footswitch and then auto-trigger more layers on top.
The knob controls are pretty straightforward:
- The Mix knob adjusts the volume of your layers.
- The Trig knob sets the sensitivity of the circuit’s auto-trigger function, allowing you to set at what input lever the new layers will be generated.
- The Attack knob adjusts the fade-in time of each layer
- The Decay knob sets the fade-out time
Under the hood, the Layers features a host of effects borrowed from the MXR Joshua ambient echo pedal, including modulation intensity, delay time, diffusion, and more. These can be programmed through alternative programming functions described in the manual.
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MXR Layers, Builder’s Notes
The MXR Layers Pedal blooms with rich, organic sustain that imbues every strum and pluck with resonance and depth. With a versatile suite of controls, this pedal can be as simple or complex as you need. Whether you want to lengthen single notes or generate multi-layered soundscapes rich with ambience, the MXR Layers Pedal will extend the creative potential of your instrument. Pull off chord voicings you never thought possible, compose transcendent melodies, orchestrate harmonic ensembles, create lively stereo pads, and more—all from a standard MXR housing.
HOLD ON TO YOUR TONE
The MXR Layers Pedal will confer its expertly created sustain and natural decay to up to three layers, each with its own mini LED to tell you its active. First, decide if you want to run just a single layer or up to three—engaging the Single switch keeps it to one. Layers can be triggered both with the footswitch and through your playing dynamics. With the footswitch, you just play a note or chord and hold the switch down—releasing the switch will allow the layer to fade according to your Decay knob setting. This is perfect for composing complex solos over droning accompaniments. Alternatively, you can trigger layers automatically in response to your attack, as set by the Trig knob. Combine these two methods for more creatively complex sound stacking: with Single mode disengaged, you can hold a layer with the footswitch and then auto-trigger more layers over top.STACKED WITH OPTIONS
The MXR Layers Pedal offers a straightforward set of controls to tailor your layers to taste. The Mix knob adjusts the wet signal level; in other words, the volume of your layers. As previously stated, the Trig knob sets the sensitivity of the pedal’s auto-trigger function, allowing you to generate new layers according to the intensity of your pick strokes. The Attack knob adjusts the fade-in time of each layer, while the aforementioned Decay knob sets the fade-out time, which mimics the natural vibrations of a physical string by decaying the high frequencies first. For a fat subterranean vibe, engage the Sub Oct switch to take one or more of your layers down an octave.LAYERS DEEP
Delving beyond the core features, the MXR Layers Pedal offers the experimentally inclined even more intricate opportunities to customize not only the sound of your layers but the overall playing experience. Through the pedal’s programming functions, you can adjust additional parameters, including modulation intensity, delay time, diffusion, and more. You can also use your keyboard’s sustain pedal or another off-board switch such as the MXR Split + Tap to trigger your layers, blend setting configurations with the Volume(X)™ 8 Pedal, and run Stereo Input, Stereo Output, and Dry/Wet Split modes.THERE’S LEVELS TO THIS
With its pristine, high-fidelity sustain, the MXR Layers Pedal begs to be the new mainstay of just about any signal chain. Its deep feature set invites you to venture beyond your creative frontiers, where you can build richly detailed soundscapes that elevate musical expression to new heights.
