Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $182
Standard/Professional
$70
$201+
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Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "MXR M81 Bass Preamp". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash the full potential of your bass guitar with the MXR M81 Bass Preamp Pedal. Packed into a compact and sleek Phase 90-sized box, this pedal offers a blend of pristine preamp and studio-quality Direct Out, ensuring your tone stays crystal clear without occupying too much space on your pedal board.
Whether you're looking to breathe new life into an old passive bass, add a touch of warmth to any amp, or dial in that perfect tone for a specific song, the M81 Bass Preamp has got you covered. With separate INPUT and OUTPUT level controls and a 3-band EQ section with sweepable midrange, you have extensive tonal flexibility at your fingertips. You can shape your sound precisely the way you want and send it straight to the house - pre or post-EQ - with the built-in Direct Out.
The true magic of the M81 lies in its Constant Headroom Technology, which ensures super clean delivery with high headroom. This innovative technology sets the M81 apart, giving you clarity at volumes other preamps can't match.
Key Features:
- Constant Headroom Technology for high headroom and super clean delivery
- Separate INPUT and OUTPUT level controls for maximum tonal flexibility
- 3-band EQ section with sweepable midrange (from 250hz to 1khz)
- Built-in Direct Out, switchable pre/post EQ
- GROUND LIFT switch to eliminate ground loop hum
- Factory preset to operate in ¼" out buffered bypass and Direct Out active
- Two internal switches to disable the Direct Out and ¼" out buffered bypass for true ¼" out bypass mode
- Operates on 9V battery, optional power supply, pedalboard power, or phantom power from your mixer
- Compact size, fitting neatly into any pedal board setup
Product specs
| Type | Bass Preamp |
| Form Factor | Pedal |
| Analog/Digital | Analog |
| EQ | 3-band EQ, Mid Frequency Control |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4", 1 x XLR (DI out) |
| Bypass Switching | True Hardwire, Switchable to Buffered |
| Power Source | 9V DC power supply (sold separately) |
| Power Usage | 8.5mA |
| Batteries | 1 x 9V |
| Height | 2.12" |
| Width | 2.62" |
| Depth | 4.37" |
| Weight | 0.56 lbs. |
FAQs
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What type of EQ controls does the MXR M81 Bass Preamp offer?
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The MXR M81 Bass Preamp features a 3-band EQ with a mid-frequency control, allowing you to shape your bass tone with precision by adjusting the bass, mid, and treble frequencies.
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Can the MXR M81 Bass Preamp be used as a DI box for recording?
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Yes, the MXR M81 Bass Preamp includes an XLR DI output, making it suitable for direct recording or live sound applications, providing a clean and balanced signal.
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Does the MXR M81 Bass Preamp work with both active and passive basses?
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The MXR M81 Bass Preamp is compatible with both active and passive basses, offering flexible tone shaping and signal boosting for various bass guitar types.
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What power supply does the MXR M81 Bass Preamp require?
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The MXR M81 Bass Preamp requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately, or it can be powered by a 9V battery for convenience.
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How does the MXR M81 Bass Preamp handle bypass switching?
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The MXR M81 Bass Preamp features true hardwire bypass switching, and it can be switched to a buffered bypass if desired, maintaining signal integrity in different setups.
Videos
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MXR Bass Preamp
Reviews
PROS
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Boosts signal effectively, enhancing bass tone quality
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Ground lift option reduces noise, ideal for passive basses
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Phantom power feature for silent stages
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Durable build, withstands heavy use
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Transparent EQ allows natural sound shaping without coloration
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Pre/post-DI option offers tone-shaping flexibility
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Sweeping midrange control for precise tonal adjustments
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XLR output for direct PA or recording interface connection
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Compact size, smaller than other MXR models
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Affordable without compromising on quality
CONS
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Does not work with phantom power from mixing desks as some models do
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Lacks the overdrive section found in other MXR models
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Some users may prefer pedals that add coloration or saturation
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MXR M81 Bass Preamp.
Features and functionality
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Owners find that the MXR M81 is less noisy when input is cranked and output is dialed back, contrary to typical line level practices.
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The MXR M81 can be powered via phantom power, which some find slightly quieter than using a wall wart power supply.
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The MXR M81 offers sweepable mids, which many users find advantageous for achieving transparency and better EQ control compared to fixed mid-range settings.
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User experience
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Users with noisy environments report improved results by isolating power supplies and using rechargeable pedal bricks to avoid ground loop issues.
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Some owners find the MXR M81's EQ less powerful compared to the SansAmp, indicating a preference for those who need extreme EQ adjustments.
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Setup and maintenance
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Gain should be applied early in the signal chain with this preamp, as boosting the input reduces noise levels.
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Use cases and applications
Comparisons
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The MXR M81 is praised for its small form factor, making it ideal for pedal boards with limited space, contrasting with bulkier options like the SansAmp.
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Users recommend exploring the Tech21 VT Bass DI for those seeking an Ampeg-style voicing, providing an alternative tonal palette to the MXR M81's transparency.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 14 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Ariana Grande was photographed with the MXR M81 Bass Preamp in the third slide of an Instagram post shared by her on August 28, 2024.
In an interview with BassPlayer.com, Todd Kerns discusses using the MXR M81 Bass Preamp Bass Pedal to achieve his clean sound.
"On the floor, keeps a modest board handy. He plugs his Dunables into a Line 6 Relay G70 wireless that sends the signal to his TC Electromic PolyTune, MXR BAss PreAmp and Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini. A Truetone 1 powers the board."
Lilli Macieira, the bassist for Lambrini Girls, uses the MXR M81 Bass Preamp as part of their pedalboard. This is confirmed with my photograph taken on May 2, 2025, after their set at Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA.
Full pedal list: BOSS TU-3 Tuner, “F**k You Then” - Unknown pedal, MXR Bass Preamp, MXR Poly Blue Octave, JHS Haunting Mids, Gamechanger Audio Third Man Records Plasma Coil, Fairfield Circuitry Randy’s Revenge Ring Modulator, ARTEC CPB-12 Power Brick, JHS Octave Reverb, Behringer VD-400 Vintage Delay
Correct name spelling: “Lilli” https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/07/17/lambrini-girls-dc9-punk-feminists/
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use MXR M81 Bass Preamp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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