TC Magus Pro opinions?

noisepolluter

I’ve been very much enjoying using my TC Electronic Vintage Distortion as a stand-alone pedal at a couple of jam sessions rather than taking a pedalboard. It’s a Mudhoney variant which is itself a rat variant.

I’d be interested to have a modestly priced straight rat clone (but not Nano size), and the Magus Pro has 3 clipping modes and the YouTube clips all sound good. I’m aware it has some kind of relay bypass which some folks aren’t keen on, but this would literally be something to chuck in the gig bag. Any users/owners?

monquixote

There are a few Rat comparison videos online and most of them seem to agree that other than things like more expensive models having a lower noise floor there isn't much difference between them.

Given this has multiple modes and is relatively inexpensive it seems like a great choice.

Dodge

I think this is one of the ones where then effect doesn't engage until you release the footswtch rather than depress it.

I didn't think it'd bother me at all, but it turned out to be a deal breaker on the TC pedal I had briefly.  It'd be ok in a loop pedal though I guess.

I've got the TC Vintage Distortion also - great pedal.

noisepolluter

I’ve ordered a Magus Pro and will report back tomorrow 

noisepolluter

It’s arrived and it’s huge amounts of fun. Great crunch sounds all the way from nearly clean to utterly filthy, and the filter control works well. Plenty of clarity without being DS1 raspy. Surprisingly small but heavy for its size, and the knobs and jacks feel very sturdy. 

The footswitch is the one thing about it which has a bit of a budget feel, possibly because I’m used to switches with a definite solid click, and this sits on a spring above a push-button on the circuit board. I imagine it’ll be fine for my purposes - if I have any issues in warranty I’ll post an update. 

Babones

As i've mentioned in a previous thread and is mentioned above, the pedal only engages when you release the switch, which makes it useless for my purposes. Maybe if you're a looper pedal person, then fine. It's now dead to me as i'm using a real RAT which works as it should. Also, mental note made to never purchase a TCE pedal again.

https://i.imgur.com/JiaZ3BK.jpg

stickyfiddle

@Babones What’s the issue with the activation on release of the switch?

Babones

stickyfiddle said:

@Babones What’s the issue with the activation on release of the switch?

The issue for me is that most standard pedals engage the effect when you stomp on it i.e. when you click/press down, so you can time it to the beat for example as you put your foot on it. These however only engage the effect when you you press down and then release the footswitch, so that produces a delay of the effect engaging. If you press down and don't let go, the effect is not engaged for example. It goes against all instinct of years of playing for me. This probably isn't an issue if you're just casually messing around between pedals on your own or studio recording or indeed if you use it as an always on pedal, but it's a big no for me in a live situation if switching on and off. 

Musicman20

Surely just click it quick like a half a second before it needs to kick in? 

Babones

Musicman20 said:

Surely just click it quick like a half a second before it needs to kick in? 

Whilst still playing a clean part? It doesn't work. If not playing anything, fine. How about they just install a normal, industry standard footswitch like every other pedal manufacturer.

TheBigDipper

Babones said:

Musicman20 said:

Surely just click it quick like a half a second before it needs to kick in? 

Whilst still playing a clean part? It doesn't work. If not playing anything, fine. How about they just install a normal, industry standard footswitch like every other pedal manufacturer.

I think we've been through this on another thread. Aren't these actually Behringer pedals that were rebadged as "budget" TC pedals after Behringer bought TC? That switch picture would worry me now I've seen it. The housing for these pedals has sharp right-angled corners. The ones TC designed (like, say the TC Spark) have rounded corners and seem much better built.

All TC-designed pedals do work as you'd expect and engage effect on press, not release - although I seem to remember that wasn't the case with a TC Nova that I used to own, but that was some time ago now. 

"Proper" TC pedals engage on press and many of the TonePrint-enabled ones have TCs "Mash" feature, as well, which allows you to use the pressure of your foot on the pedal switch to act as a form of expression control. For example, to control tremelo speed between the upper/lower limits you defined in your Toneprint - rather useful.

nonesuch

The Magus Pro is part of a newer series of pedals like the Bucket Brigade Delay - the older 'Grand Magus' was one of the ones from a few years ago when they rebranded the Behringer line of pedals.

I don't mind the switch too much, the soft action is a lot better than some pedals where the switch is really stiff. But, yes it does activate as you lift off. Interestingly I have the new TC Stereo Chorus Flanger and the switch activates the same way.

I'll admit I don't love it that way, but as long as you don't leave you foot hanging around on the switch it's fine.

Edit: I have had another pedal in the past where it activated as you lifted off the switch, but I can't remember what it was - possibly an EHX one.

noisepolluter

The bucket brigade delay also looks like it could be rather fun - I was a bit put off by reviews of the Nano deluxe memory man, specifically reports of switching noise that comes through on the trails (can anyone corroborate this?)

monquixote

Babones said:

Musicman20 said:

Surely just click it quick like a half a second before it needs to kick in? 

Whilst still playing a clean part? It doesn't work. If not playing anything, fine. How about they just install a normal, industry standard footswitch like every other pedal manufacturer.

It's relay bypass.

Quite a few pedals work that way.

Theoretically it's more reliable.

EricTheWeary

I have a Lovepedal pedal that I think works that way (I haven't used it for quite a while). When I first got the pedal I thought something was wrong with the footswitch. In practice it's not an issue but yes stomping down and nothing happens is counterintuitive. 

stickyfiddle

Don’t you just put your foot on it before you need it to activate, then release on cue? 

I’m sure I’ve had pedals like that before and it’s never bothered me

noisepolluter

Oddly it does switch *off* instantly when pressed. It’s only switching on that is delayed till the switch is released. 

Secret_Sam

Do try a Grand Magus. It's another TC electronic Rat clone, and despite the 'it's a behringer' snobbery it is made nicely and sounds really good. It also has a conventional footswitch for those of you who don't like stomping on the off-beat. And it takes batteries. And is stupidly cheap.