MXR Bass DI+From real comments

Verdict distilled from 53 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment77%
PROS 77%
CONS 23%

Rank based on 53 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a versatile all-in-one preamp/DI for clean-to-driven bass tones
  • You need battery or phantom-power flexibility for gigging straight to FOH
  • You want a proven alternative or upgrade to the Sansamp BDDI

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You dislike aggressive, fizzy distortion and want a tighter overdrive
  • You need aux-in or headphone output for practice/recording
  • You're worried about long-term reliability or power-supply sensitivity

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Mid
MXR Bass DI+
Long-term durabilityBeloved 'color' tone switchVersatile across genres and bassesDistortion can be harsh or fizzyColor switch can sound scooped or artificialLacks modern conveniences
MXR Bass DI+
Long-term durability
Beloved 'color' tone switch
Versatile across genres and basses
Distortion can be harsh or fizzy
Color switch can sound scooped or artificial
Lacks modern conveniences

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The 'color' switch defines the pedal's identity, for better or worse. Many users keep the color switch engaged constantly, saying it adds tube-amp warmth, richness, and punch, and pairs well with active or passive basses alike. Others find it too scooped or glassy, avoiding it entirely and preferring the pedal's other EQ features. Several note cranking the midrange counteracts the scoop, and that the switch also applies filtering that colors tone even when barely noticed.

The distortion channel splits opinion sharply. Some bassists love pushing it from light crunch to full metal grind, using the blend knob to dial in an overdriven-amp feel, while others call it harsh, fizzy, or too extreme by default and prefer it tamed with an external overdrive. A few use it creatively as a boost, mute switch, or to trigger the slap gate rather than for actual distortion.

Long-term reliability is generally strong but not universal. Many owners report using the same unit for 15-20+ years, calling it bulletproof and built like a tank, still functioning as a core part of their rig. However, a handful report crackling knobs, random noise, or picky power-supply compatibility (working best with Dunlop-branded supplies), leading some to retire units from active rigs despite liking the tone.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?