MXR releases the 5th in its Badass Series - the MOSFET-based M249 Super Badass Dynamic Overdrive

Controls - Output, Tone, Mids : Boost / Cut, Gain.

So the Super Badass Dynamic Overdrive is the latest of the line - building on a MOSFET-based circuit for an evolved dynamic overdrive with superb touch-sensitivity and volume cleanup of gain.

There are a number of well-known MOSFET overdrives already on the market - Blackstone, Fullltone Full-Drive, and DOD Gunslinger among them - and the Super Badass Dynamic Overdrive continues that trend of beautifully richly textured amp-like overdrives. 

You have very simple controls with maximum impact - and that really handy Mids switch to Bump or Cut the midrange frequencies to alter the character and help the output cut through the mix.

it's a cool sounding overdrive for sure - while for me it ranks as a nice-to-have overall - there are other overdrives still out there that have more of an appeal for me - including the Modified Overdrive in this rundown.

Controls - Tone, Bump Button (Mids), 100Hz, Output, Gain.

First introduced around 11 Years Ago in November of 2011 this kind of reminds me of an extended range Tube Screamer. I'm not sure it's the same sort of topology - but the tone certainly reminds me of that circuit - while here you get 5 controls versus the usual 3 - where the 100Hz allows you beef up or tighten the low-end - and the Mid-hump sits on a push-button switch - giving you all kinds of additional possibilities.

I probably prefer the core tone and character of the above MOSFET type circuit - while this one is undeniably more versatile. There are a lot of players who profess that this is one of their all-time favourite overdrives - and I certainly understand that with the even tones and inherent flexibility that resides in this pedal. For my preferences still just a nice-to-have!

Controls - Crunch Button, Output, Tone, Distortion.

This obviously gets its name from the Vintage 1978 Marshall JMP Super Lead 100w Amp - also known as the Marshall Plexi. It's one of the great takes on that genre - while it does seem to slip under the radar every now and again.

I included it in my sizeable Brown Sound alternatives article from a couple of years ago - while it didn't end up as one of the most wanted - on account of others have more extended feature sets - including 3-Band EQ - which for me is almost essential for Marshall style pedals as the mids are so critical to the nature of that chewy crunchy output.

I've still always liked this, and it's been on the wishlist a couple of times - I do have so many other pedals in this category that I'm not sure how much this would get in the rotation - but it's certainly a great pedal of its type and well worth consideration! It was the first pedal to carry the Badass moniker - all the way back on May of 2011 - some 11 years ago today.

Controls - Output, Distortion, Bass, Mid, Treble.

I'm not clear on the topology or noise-maker chip as such here - but this is certainly a magnificent all-rounder Distortion with the most phenomenal range - from early 70's sort of moderate crunchy distortion all the way through to monster metal when gained - and everything between.

It has a lovely cover voicing and character and is very well calibrated with highly effect control - including a great 3-Band EQ. If you're looking for one really versatile Distortion pedal that can really do it all - then this is just one such candidate. To me it's like the MXR equivalent of the Wampler Sovereign or Strymon Riverside. Just a really flexible and versatile all-rounder distortion pedal which is so capable of easily producing really great tones. This pedals was originally released in or around June 2013.

Controls - Tone, Variac (Volts / Starve), Output, Gain.

I believe this is based on that classic 2-transistor topology - Silicon no doubt - but with an extra Variac - Variable Voltage Control - which allows you to Starve the output at one end, and spike it at the other - ranging from 5V to 15V - to give you various different textures to the output from starved and stuttery to sticky and searing.

A really great sounding extended range fuzz with extra texture and character aboard that few fuzzes make use of. I mentioned in the intro that this was one of two MXR fuzzes I still had me eye on along with the La Machine octave fuzz. I just have so many priorities to juggle at one time that I've never hit those two at there right time.

I obviously have a number of projects and collaborations I'm committed too - and most of those involve some degree of funding - so it's always a juggling act in deciding what should be added to the references collection at any give time - when of course the price, condition, and timing is right. I'm sure I will pick these up eventually - I've just no idea of when. I typically have an infinite continuously updating wishlist where I'm tracking at least 100 potential acquisitions and additions at any given time! I keep trying to slow down a touch - but there's just too much happening out there in the world - and particularly since the pandemic - which has results in nearly twice as many independent builders.

The Super Badass Variac Fuzz was the last to be released - in November 2016 - before the Dynamic OD at the centre of this feature.