Most guitarists shy away from excessively technical gear. Because of this, they usually gravitate towards uncomplicated effects pedals. So the goal for most manufacturers is to put out pedals with only a couple of knobs. But occasionally even three knobs can be intimidating. Don’t allow this to stop you. Get in there, experiment and learn how to dial in cool sounds with your guitar pedals. If you are just learning how to customize your tone using guitar stompboxes, the MXR Carbon Copy is a groovy place to start.
Insert the Carbon Copy into your signal chain.
Your guitar plugs into the input of the Carbon Copy. Then connect the Output jack of the Carbon Copy straight to the Input of your guitar amp.
Before you add the Carbon Copy, you’ll need to determine where to put it in relation to your other stompboxes. The ordinary rule of thumb for guitar signal chains is dynamics processing (compressor/limiters), followed by distortion/boosters, followed by modulation processing (delay/reverb).
Understanding what each control does.
Delay:
The Delay knob allows you to set the amount of delay time from 20ms (fully counter-clockwise) to 600ms (fully clockwise).
Regen:
The Regen knob allows you to modify the total number of delay repeats from one (fully counter-clockwise) to infinite (fully clockwise). This knob works together with the Delay knob, changing the amount of Delay changes the amount of Regen.
Mix:
The Mix knob allows you to alter the portion of delayed, or “wet”, signal from entirely dry (fully counter-clockwise) to uniform amounts of wet and dry (fully clockwise).
Mod:
The Modulation button allows you to impart a certain portion of modulation to the delay signal. Modulation is an effect that varies the pitch of a signal by a small, regularly occurring amount, creating a warbling effect.
Inside the Carbon Copy there are two internal trim pots that allow you to set the width and rate controls of the modulation effect.
Effect on/off switch:
Like most guitar pedals, the Carbon Copy has a foot-switch that toggles on and off.
Some final tips:
Begin with the Delay and Mix knobs placed completely clockwise and the Regen knob arranged completely counter-clockwise. Turn the pedal on by stepping on the footswitch. A blue LED illuminates when the effect is engaged. Now all you need to do is dial in your desired sound by adjusting the three knobs in relation to each other.
No matter what your level of experience, get in there and move some knobs. You’ll be certain to come up with something exciting.
Head on over to MXR Carbon Copy. While you’re there be sure to check out our top 5 Carbon Copy videos.
