I have owned both. MXR is REALLY good at dialing in sounds for their pedals with minimum control schemes (Phase 90, Micro Chorus, Micro Flanger, etc) so that you can pretty much plug in and play out of the box. Boss' digital pedals have more features and versatility, and boxes like the PH-3 are packed with crazy sounds for you to experiment with. I have to say in a 4-stage shootout, the PH-3's 4-stage sounds too artificial and has a volume drop, making it inferior to the MXR. But the other modes, particularly Rise and Step, are killer, not to mention tap tempo and an EXP jack make this pedal a veritable battle station. The Block logo Phase 90s have their share of problems too, though: the stock effect gives a huge volume boost after dirt and is present to the point of clipping your signal. The best thing to do with these Phase 90s is place them before all your dirt boxes to tame the effect as much as possible. You can also snip R28 on the PCB; it'll make the effect blend better with your signal. It won't tame the volume boost after dirt, but it will take out the ugly clipping you get when using the effect on clean. The final verdict? If you just want a solid, classic phase tone, get the MXR. If you want funky weirdness and options, get the Boss.
Thanks for the demo :) After fuzz and echo I am a certifiable f a z o r junkie (into the Bi-Phase, Whetstone and Empress currently). The MXR always sounds good in it's somewhat limited domain. The Boss sounds close to ideal when sweeping slowly at lower res, but once speed and res is pushed up it shows it's digital nature very clearly.
I JUST did the exact thing at the store and went with the Boss. Bottom line is you had better love the MXR because that sound it what you are stuck with. Yes you can adjust the speed but thats it. At least with the Boss not only can you tweak away but when going from single coil to humbuckers, moving the pedal around the chain etc, you can add or take away things where the MXR you got one choice.
I've got the PH-2 and, like the PH-3 in this video, it sounds too Dr. Who swooshy and synthetic and I want the smooth old VH tone of the MXR. Got one on the way now.
When I compared to a small stone, I wanted to get rid of the PH3. The sound seems in comparison digital like many say. The same in this video. But when I played PH3 on it's own, it was different and addicting. Especially with the expression pedal you can get really in higher spheres .
Hi! help me with a question if you can. I had a Mooer ninety Orange Phase that i loved. Soo I thought, the Boss PH3 have more options it will be better. I bought one. but I noticed that the guitar sound seems to lose definition with the Boss. You also had this feeling? is it worth the MXR? Thanks
Cool vid. My personal list of phaser favorites include: Source Audio's Lunar Phaser and Orbital Modulator pedals, TC Electronic's Helix, Home Brew Electronics Pislcybe, EHX Bad Stone, Pigtronics Envelope Phaser, Chase Bliss Wombtone, Empress Phaser, Moog 12 Stage, Digitech Hardwire Phaser, Boss PSH1r
These are actually apples and oranges... The mxr is an analog 2 stage phaser, the ph3 is a digital phaser with not only 4 to 12 stages but the additional weird modes and tap tempo. Depending on your needs, you should get one or the other. The small stone is an analog 4 stage phaser, sounds deeper than the phase 90, but again, very different, not necessarily better.
I'd say only Stage 4 and Step are usable on the Boss. 8, 10, 12, Fall all have that cheesy / cheap flangery sound. But even Stage 4 doesn't sound as lush, groovy, and interesting as the MXR 90's one sound.
Digital vs analog , i feel traditional players will go with MXR 90, while experimental players will prefer the werid territory the Boss ph3 will venture too ....
+Sharkbate211 I've tried all three and the electro harmonic range is so much better. I do like the boss phaser more than the Mxr just because of the extra controls.
+Sam Harrison but if your a dumb ass like me, you'll find your self fiddling with all the knobs and never finding the tone you want, so I'm kind of leaning on the mxr and maybe the electro you recommended because of the price, what do u guys think
I have owned both. MXR is REALLY good at dialing in sounds for their pedals with minimum control schemes (Phase 90, Micro Chorus, Micro Flanger, etc) so that you can pretty much plug in and play out of the box. Boss' digital pedals have more features and versatility, and boxes like the PH-3 are packed with crazy sounds for you to experiment with.
I have to say in a 4-stage shootout, the PH-3's 4-stage sounds too artificial and has a volume drop, making it inferior to the MXR. But the other modes, particularly Rise and Step, are killer, not to mention tap tempo and an EXP jack make this pedal a veritable battle station.
The Block logo Phase 90s have their share of problems too, though: the stock effect gives a huge volume boost after dirt and is present to the point of clipping your signal. The best thing to do with these Phase 90s is place them before all your dirt boxes to tame the effect as much as possible. You can also snip R28 on the PCB; it'll make the effect blend better with your signal. It won't tame the volume boost after dirt, but it will take out the ugly clipping you get when using the effect on clean.
The final verdict? If you just want a solid, classic phase tone, get the MXR. If you want funky weirdness and options, get the Boss.
Thanks for the demo :)
After fuzz and echo I am a certifiable f a z o r junkie (into the Bi-Phase, Whetstone and Empress currently).
The MXR always sounds good in it's somewhat limited domain. The Boss sounds close to ideal when sweeping slowly at lower res, but once speed and res is pushed up it shows it's digital nature very clearly.
I enjoy the PH3 very much.All the options plus the tap Tempo it's hard to beat.
perfect timing I was just deciding which one I should get, thanks Simon
Get the small stone by electro harmonics its better than both for the price.
+Sam Harrison almost forgot about that one thanks sam u saved me some bucks
MXR is still my favourite of all time. Can't beat it.
+Simon Smith just watched the mxr vs the electro I think I'm going to have to go with the mxr thanks guys
Yea, I also prefer the subtle phase tone of the MXR phase 90. Check out the script 1974 model, that one is so warm sounding.
I JUST did the exact thing at the store and went with the Boss. Bottom line is you had better love the MXR because that sound it what you are stuck with. Yes you can adjust the speed but thats it. At least with the Boss not only can you tweak away but when going from single coil to humbuckers, moving the pedal around the chain etc, you can add or take away things where the MXR you got one choice.
There’s a reason a lot of players have their Phase 90 on all the time. They love the sound. I have to agree though, the Boss covers way more ground.
👍❤ PH3 & EHX SMALL STONE......MY FAVES 🎸
I would love to see a comparison of the boss super phaser ph2 versus the mxr phase 90
I've got the PH-2 and, like the PH-3 in this video, it sounds too Dr. Who swooshy and synthetic and I want the smooth old VH tone of the MXR. Got one on the way now.
When I compared to a small stone, I wanted to get rid of the PH3. The sound seems in comparison digital like many say. The same in this video. But when I played PH3 on it's own, it was different and addicting. Especially with the expression pedal you can get really in higher spheres .
Hi! help me with a question if you can. I had a Mooer ninety Orange Phase that i loved. Soo I thought, the Boss PH3 have more options it will be better. I bought one. but I noticed that the guitar sound seems to lose definition with the Boss. You also had this feeling? is it worth the MXR? Thanks
That Boss is out of control dude !
The PH-3 is the better choice because you can make the sounds of the MXR plus a whole lot more.
One of issues with the phase 90 which I own is it doesn't have a wet/dry mix adjustment
Exactly. That's huge for me. I want to sell my 90 and maybe get a 45 or just scrap the whole MXR idea. It's dumb that you can't dial back the effect.
Cool vid. My personal list of phaser favorites include: Source Audio's Lunar Phaser and Orbital Modulator pedals, TC Electronic's Helix, Home Brew Electronics Pislcybe, EHX Bad Stone, Pigtronics Envelope Phaser, Chase Bliss Wombtone, Empress Phaser, Moog 12 Stage, Digitech Hardwire Phaser, Boss PSH1r
Would it sound acceptable as well as good if a bass guitar was plugged into the phase shifter ph3?
All the talk of Phase 90. I'm thinking of getting the Phase 95. Is that the better versatility than the 90?
They both sound great but I think I might grab the Phase 100
These are actually apples and oranges... The mxr is an analog 2 stage phaser, the ph3 is a digital phaser with not only 4 to 12 stages but the additional weird modes and tap tempo. Depending on your needs, you should get one or the other. The small stone is an analog 4 stage phaser, sounds deeper than the phase 90, but again, very different, not necessarily better.
leonardokula the mxr is 4 stages not 2, phase 45 is the 2 stages
Sorry but what do you mean when you talk about stages?
Which one do you like best
They're both great, but I gotta go with the PH-3. I can use an expression pedal to control the speed.
Anyone noticed the PH-3 is a little quieter than Phase 90?
Boss is boss in that line-up anyway.
I'd say only Stage 4 and Step are usable on the Boss. 8, 10, 12, Fall all have that cheesy / cheap flangery sound. But even Stage 4 doesn't sound as lush, groovy, and interesting as the MXR 90's one sound.
i like that the ph3 has tap tempo
The Boss has only one interesting sound: the STEP mode. Phase90 wins for warmth and musicality.
Digital vs analog , i feel traditional players will go with MXR 90, while experimental players will prefer the werid territory the Boss ph3 will venture too ....
MXR for me all the way.
I gotta go with the PH-3
I'd take the PH-3 over the Phase 90 any day
PH-3
Boss baby! EXCELLENT!
Adjustability wins
The MXR sounds betterr but it only has one knob. 😎👍🇨🇦
Sometimes less is more
Con esa única perilla es más que suficiente
The best phasers are small stone and mxr phase 100.
Get the small stone by electro harmonics its better than both for the price.
u sound like u bought one and like both of these more
+Sharkbate211 I've tried all three and the electro harmonic range is so much better. I do like the boss phaser more than the Mxr just because of the extra controls.
+Sam Harrison I quite like the controls too, there is only so many options with one knob
+Sharkbate211 yeah I agree. Even the eh phaser has a colour switch for more depth and tone.
+Sam Harrison but if your a dumb ass like me, you'll find your self fiddling with all the knobs and never finding the tone you want, so I'm kind of leaning on the mxr and maybe the electro you recommended because of the price, what do u guys think
I enjoy the PH3 very much.All the options plus the tap Tempo it's hard to beat.