I will be buying the MXR when it's out, been waiting a while for it. It's so close (to my ears) and for my unprofessional playing, it'll be more than enough goodness!

Something to remember is that no matter the brand/quality, there is a good amount of variance between potentiometers. So, just setting two of them to the same place visually in no way means that their impact on the circuit is the same. They always have to be adjusted by ear. That would apply to the volume, gain, and tone knobs and the treble pot inside. For what it's worth, in Analog Mike's own video, he gets his dialed in to sound basically exactly like his KoT. Cheers!

@perudolux

Жыл бұрын

👍 exactly to the point. When comparing, you should adjust by ear and not just applying the same settings

@RiffMusic1970

Жыл бұрын

Agree. A couple clips sounded darker on the MXR. Shoulda turned the tone up a little.

@shichen4805

Жыл бұрын

Exactly.

@gooberthoreau

Жыл бұрын

It killed me in the video when he talked about opening up the pedal and setting the trims to the exact same position and he made a comment that not making the settings identical ruins the point of the shootout. Lol, setting them visually the same ruins the point of a shootout.

I've been on the waiting list for over a year! Saw this instantly bought this for time being very excited!

Great comparison, thank you for doing it. I agree with your findings as the demo points out. I'm on the list and waiting for delivery of the Duke. I hope there won't be a list for that one.

Yo dude, since the duke came out i've watched all of it's reviews and this is by far the best one. kudos, great job!

First time watcher of your reviews.. great playing, and I liked how much detail you went into for the comparison!

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Rolf, I really appreciate it!

Your video's are some of the best I've watched on KZread! Your methods are well thought out making comparisons realistic. Very well done. Yes, the King of Tone has something extra that makes it superior. But the Mxr surprised me how capable it is.

I love that Analogman was willing to collaborate with MXR to make these. I would love a King of Tone but can't justify spending the money for it and suffering the current 4+ year wait. 75% of the original's tone and a couple of weeks of waiting is pretty great.

Thanks for the great review! I appreciate your conclusions, especially since I'm not too familiar with the King of Tone.

I'd love to see these videos done as blind comparisons, I guarantee most commenting that the MXR pedal is "missing something" would have a difficult time telling them apart or possibly prefer the MXR in some situations.

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

The differences are really small and way more relevant to the player (if it's a picky one like me) than to the listener. 😅 Equally great pedals these two with a slightly different feel.

@tonepoet

Жыл бұрын

Good points made here. That's snob appeal of the cork sniffers. 99.9% of the people in the world would never be able to tell the difference, and even less with a full band together.

@chipsterb4946

Жыл бұрын

Record the dry guitar and play the same loop through both pedals … I guarantee most people couldn’t tell the difference.

@crigonalgaming1258

Жыл бұрын

Lol even 2 same pedals under the same maker and same components would still sound technically different because of parts tolerances. Helllooo we can recreate mobile phones relatively consistently. I don't see how that isn't possible with effects pedals that have 50's technology.

@michael_caz_nyc

Жыл бұрын

I agree. People "Hear with their Eyes" thats Why: I prefer the Blind Sound Comparisons so you get a True assessment and make an Unbiased choice . . . " Facts "

Really good comparison demo! The Duke sounds extremely close. I currently have the Prince and King (borrowed) on my board. The Prince in Boost mode with the gain all the way up imparts a rounder OD with some clarity. I haven’t gotten the King to do that.

Thanks for posting this. Great demonstration!

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

🙏

Amazing demos always. Beautiful playing. Thank you.

@KrisBarocsi

Ай бұрын

I really appreciate that! 🙏

Hey this is the first video of yours the KZread algorithm has thrown my way (after watching josh's). Love your feel and sounds.

Such a cool intro track Kris! Definitely should be on your album (in a longer version) when you record it finally! 😉 🤩

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Aww man, thanks!! You’re the best.

I need to try one for sure. Great stuff.

What a fantastic video GIFT!! Thank you!

Hey Kris, thanks for this! Gave me some ideas on how to use my DoT!

@KrisBarocsi

8 ай бұрын

Glad to hear that. Enjoy that awesome pedal. 💪

Very cool and instructive vid, thank you Kris. I would love to see how the Duke in dist mode compares to a Xotic SL drive.

definitely could hear differences but both sound amazing... also your playing is top notch. thanks for the video

Very nice video. Thanks. I wonder if you could EQ the DOT to increase the clarity or bass.

Very interesting comparison. I actually prefer the MXR, so I’ve saved myself a few years, and a few hundred bucks…

@fredstgelais

Жыл бұрын

Me too! Slightly low mids without getting muddy. That said, I think if one were to adjust the setting with their ears and not their eyes, both pedals could achieve the exact same result.

Cheers from Texas! 🤘😺🤘 Fantastic example music/improv... tone clarity is spot on! thanks for the review. all the best, M

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much man, I really appreciate that!

Great point about how the pedals will sound in a mix. Most guitarists either no longer play in bands or never have and never will, and that's ok (guitar is fun!). The minor details that guitarists like to argue over are completely irrelevant when playing live. In my experience of playing live (from the mid 90s to last year) the sound guy and the venue's acoustics have much more influence on our tone than anything on our boards, and a lot of the frequencies we love at home have to be dialed out in order to properly sit in a mix anyway. Plus, the audience will never ever know or care about our gear, they just want the band to sound good. :)

@m0j0b0ne

Жыл бұрын

My experience, also. In the context of a loud band in a bar, the subtleties go right out the window; a crowd of drunks neither hears nor cares. I had the most amazing technology, the Line6 Variax, able to swap guitars, dobros, banjos, six and twelve string, electric sitar and even alternate tunings at the twirl of a knob and nobody even noticed. They care even less about a pedal they can't even see, and don't know it's there.

@aryehwiznitzer9060

Жыл бұрын

Totally agree. Not to annoy bedroom people too much, but a performing musician - you aren't looking for some mystical sense of legendary tone. As stated above, need to have your instrument eq-ed to a spot in the mix where it won't get lost among a loud drum kit and some other loud instruments, and then you need something that helps you cut through for solos or single line work. No one can tell a price of tone or a duke of tone or a king of clone, etc. There's no way. Also the thing about the pots everyone is going to say.

You have a very unique way of describing your impressions. They spoke to me. This is a next level shoot-out. ty sir.

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Anytime! Glad to hear that. 🙏

Thanks for the video🤘

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Any time buddy! Thanks for watching!

I've been on the waiting list for a KOT for almost 3.5 years. I will continue to hold out. However, it is very cool that MXR is doing a prince version.

Nice melody at the beginning. Love it

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 🔥

Duke sounds a HAIR brighter than the KOT, but then again, I used to have a POT and recall the same thing about the POT vs. KOT. But for the price and size, it's so darn close that I couldn't every see paying for a KOT when you can get the Duke. Nice job on the demo!

Wow. I love the “simplicity” of the MXR Duke❤ sounds great

I would like to see a comparison of the Duke of Tone to the Prince of Tone. I’ve always thought that the KOT and POT had some differences in sound and response. Curious to see how the DOT and POT compare side by side

I think its crazy (not surprising though) that according to my Sweetwater sales rep that the preorders are just about sold out and they wont see a next wave until sometime 2023. Idk how it is with other stores that offer a preorder around the world, but its just crazy to me that there is so much demand for the KoT, PoT, DoT that even the intended mass produced version is still getting back ordered and it hasnt even released yet.

Both sounded amazing IMO. Of course, there's the player in the equation as well. A bit more treble with the DoT in some examples, but still sounding great.

Hi Chris great demo and fantastic playing. Through the admittedly not great speakers of my iPad, they both sounded very close. The only noticeable difference seemed to be on the Les Paul, with more bottom end for the King, and this sense of more “oomf”. The Duke more than held its own and sounded really good. Looks like a great option, I would be happy to have one, even as a backup in case something happens to the KOT. Today of all days is a reminder that sometimes, a Duke can become a King…

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for watching! I really appreciate the kind words!

Both tones are great! Every pedal can fit the sound of a song that it's supposed to fit. I use my POT in like every wrong "typical way" for a couple songs during my bands sets. I use it for that nice standard over drive sound for like one song. But where I found it sounds best for MY BAND is funny enough in the distortion setting. Volume and gain at like 3 o'clock. I have my Union over drive now that I use for my always on warm over drive. But yea so, you don't need to listen to trends to use a pedal for your tone lol

Thanks for the great demo! Just a questions did you try adjusting the internal trim pot to cut the treble on the duke? From my experience too much tremble can cause that fizzy sound in the KOT/Prince of tone.

Great demo, but you should turned the treble up a little to add more clarity to the MXR. Settings can vary from the same pedal to pedal.

I think I still prefer the sound of the Protein blue channel for blues breaker style tones, but I am definitely going to try this.

The Duke of Tone is based on the Prince of Tone, not the King of Tone. I always thought the magic of the King of Tone was in using both sides and stacking them.

@phililpb

Жыл бұрын

just buy two

I just reserved my spot for one of these at Zzounds. I’m very excited to finally be able to have a pedal that Analogman made or had something to do with. I’m sure me and my telecaster or going to love it. Can’t wait to get one. Obviously the KOT is the Grandfather of them all and is the King for a reason but I’m so happy they have finally catered to the poor man guitarist. Making this circuit available to the average bedroom player at an affordable price is a godsend. Kudos to MXR and Analogman.

great comparison and i liked stuff on one pedal and other things on the other and i can't remember which ones at this point lol but i must say the thing i like the most is your subliminal sign on the left!

I dig the MXR! I'm getting 2 and buttin them Up!

I really enjoyed this video. At one point during one of your leads you turned on a pedal that did harmony or a doubling effect. Can you tell me what that pedal is? That Revv amp is awesome also. Thanks

Hey, Kris! You really are a fantastic musician, Thanks for these videos. I’ve listened to it accurately and my two cents’d be: Bump discreetly the treble pot in the Duke, as well as a minor gain increase would be welcome. The lesser definition could be resolved by a pre-eq low-cut

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Thanks André! You are way too kind!

Yo Kris! Question, do you have your super clean set as a buffer, or is it set to true bypass? Thanks 😊

Good vid! Only thing missing is a clean tone without the pedals, for reference!

I don't have room on my pedal board...I got the Moxie after your last review, and there wasn't space for it either....but its so good.

Well, there are definitely differences that I can clearly hear. I guess it need to be like that from the selling companies perspectives. Close enough for people to like and buy, different enough for people to still want the king. I build pedals myself and listening to your comparison I feel like there is some tweaking on some components values to reduce the bass response or an overall narrower frequency response. Maybe it’s just different brands and quality components. Superb playing, as always!!

Great shootout! I already have the PoT, and I am on the list for the KoT (still a few years to wait for it though), so I think I'll skip the DoT. Although having the DoT next to the PoT on my board could be a bit like already having the KoT? Would it? I do have to remember your gold version KoT. When it's my turn finally, I might get it with that finish as well. Would be nice on my board next to the Keeley Super Phat Mod and the Wampler Tumnus to form a golden gain triumvirate...

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Ohh dude, a golden pedal trio that is. 🙌 Yeah go for it! I’d skip the DoT in your place if you don’t want to stack the sides. But if you’re into that, the DoT PoT combo would be a really cool „kinda KoT“.

I think the DOT sounds really good. I’ve got an original gooped Zendrive, so don’t feel the need to wait 5 yrs for a pedal. Between that and an Xotic Effects Souldriven and Mad Professor Bluebird, the OD canvas is pretty well covered.

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Yeah it looks like you're gonna be fine with those pedals. 😆 Sick collection!

I compared the Prince Of Tone to the Roadrunner from Echoline and I found more usable sounds for me in the Roadrunner..... which is great because I have one and don't need to buy one of these and can get the MXR Timmy instead 😀

It's worth mentioning that the Duke and Prince of tone are based on one side of the KOT with the high gain mod. Analog Mike mentioned that in an interview in another video

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Yes, true! Same as my KoT, which has the high gain mod. 👍

Thanks for this. I thought to my ears there wasn't much difference. Sure there will be distractors but I feel this thing will sell well and has a place in the market. Good on Dunlop for another great colab.

I have a KoT but ordered the MXR version anyway - with this long of a waitlist I prefer taking the DoT out gigging (then I don’t need to worry about the KoT)

That MXR “ Duke of Tone” is amazing, I just bought one.

I found the biggest issue on the new MXR Duke of Tone is the internal treble trim pot. It should be labeled as presence not treble and it appears to work as a hi-cut so when turned all the way up the presence is not adding too much brightness. It should ship that way! I love the boost and dist modes but not the OD. Sounds like clean and dirty tone are separated

It sounds good to me! I have a prince of tone and just recently had my king of tone arrive after 4.6 years of waiting. I’m kind of curious to pick on of these up for the hat trick of all three, 😂

@Nobddy

Жыл бұрын

Lol you might as well. Enjoy your kot. Seems like a great pedal

@risteardohaodha23

Жыл бұрын

You’ll have the whole royal family 🤣

Never owned a KOT, but the Duke is awesome. It’s one of my favorite drive pedals. Worth it, In my book. 😊

If I was really pressed to choose based on these samples, the KOT is the winner for it's slightly clearer attack in a few of the samples. I think the Duke of Tone is going to be very popular because it's still a very versatile Bluesbreaker-style pedal with 3 clipping options. Now we just need the Earl of Tone by Tone City pedals. 😀 Thanks for the demo.

@rodrigozamo

Жыл бұрын

There's also a company called DemonFX that makes a pretty accurate replica, with the graphics and everything for WAY less money. Will have to look into that as well.

@davidboczkowski685

Жыл бұрын

@@rodrigozamo if you want to support Chinese communists :/

It’s a fantastic pedal I used the pot as my main drive for years I would say it’s 95% there

Seriously nice playing

For me personally, the small size is an issue. Same with the Timmy. I would like both and I do like how both of them sound, but I don't like these tiny pedals with tiny knobs. Somehow they never seem to sit on my pedalboard very sturdy. If they would make them in their normal MXR size, I would get both of them though. Thanks for the nice demo!

I love this Chanel . Kris you rock ;)

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Luv ya dude! 🙌

@GhostriderPossum

Жыл бұрын

@@KrisBarocsi 👌👍

That was some beautiful playing, it reminded me of Chris cornell and later sound garden

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much 🙏

Wooo did you double track the intro? Let me guess, it's the double track feature of the captor!? Sounds amazing. Oh and I decided to sell my KoT. After all the myth, hype, waiting and tears. The hype is suddenly gone and I like other BB style pedals more. Especially the JHS MG, the Snouse BB and the Timmy (from MXR). My go to sound will always be Klone into one of those. That's my conclusion after 10 years playing guitar.

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Hey man, I double tracked the intro song. One take (the one I filmed) on the left side and another one for the right side of the mix. Yeah, you know how it is, the King of Tone is an amazing pedal but it's not perfect for everyone. Same as every other overdrive, it has to click with the player. Those other pedals are super cool too so I get it. Such luck we all have different tastes. Imagine everyone liking the exact same gear and sounding the same. That'd be boring af. 😆

Boy I sure do like how that little thing sounds with the LP.

I just got on the waiting list recently and was wondering if I'd bother paying the price for a KoT. To put the price in perspective, I just bought a Marshall origin 20 head for not much more than the KoT, but I did get a really good deal on the Marshall, and I've got 5 years before I'll need to bother with buying it. ✌️🇦🇺

Over KZread, playing back through my M-AUDIO BX5 monitors (nothing special, but pretty good), I mostly couldn't hear a difference between the KOT and the MXR DOT. The lasy few playing examples might have shown the DOT to be a little bit brighter. But to your point, in the mix, noone would hear the differences. The MXR seems like a no-brainer if you are in the market for a Blues Breaker / Prince of Tone / King of Tone - tiny, the designer gets a cut (ie: an authorized copy), and it sounds great.

All of the differences you mentioned, safe for the low end, may come down to potentiometer value tolerance and the low end itself may be a question of a different pre-gain low cut filter value. I'd love to see a comparison of the resistance measurements for the gain, volume, tone & presence pots. I wonder if this is what it boils down to. Care to check, Kris? I know you have a multimeter at hand :)

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Haha, I don't want to go down that rabbit hole THAT deep. 😅 If something works, don't fix it, right? Both are great pedals and the DoT is definitely close enough to the KoT for my taste.

Im on preorder for the DoT. Cant wait to try it out. Curious if i pair it with the Blues Breaker side of the Toxic Twins i can get straight KoT tones, or at least extremely close.

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Ohh man, extremely close. Especially if you put the Toxic Twins second. That pedal has all the frequencies the KoT has.

@orryfishburne5326

Жыл бұрын

@@KrisBarocsi yea man that's exactly how im going to place them. 😁 Cant wait to test it out! The Toxic Twins's left side is just beautiful. The sensitivity to playing dynamics and the way notes bloom are heavenly, cant wait to put the DoT in front of it and see how they pair.

@orryfishburne5326

Жыл бұрын

@@KrisBarocsi got to try the Duke of Tone today. It sounds great, and stacking it into the left side of the Toxic Twins is phenomenal! The left side of my Toxic Twins is still my favorite blues breaker circuit ive tried though, but its a close second. Great pedal and great combo

I dont know if you've gotten more comfortable with the camera or if you've developed as guitarists these last 5-6 years. To me it sounds like you've progressed hugely. Love it ❤️❤️❤️

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

I really hope it’s both. 😆 Thanks so much buddy! Sometimes it really feels like I’m running around in circles so I really appreciate your words man. Cheers!

I'm not a distortion guy but that KOT distortion is very good, pleasing to the ear.

Yes 🔥🔥🔥

What voltage did you run into the duke? I know it can accept 9-18

sounds pretty good to me. I 'd buy one if I didn't already have the KOT. I may buy one anyway later just to have one.

Like most clones, they sound more like each other as you turn the gain up. At lower gain settings the difference is more apparent.

Kris - You also need a pretty good amp + guitar + cables + all high end you enjoy at your place (including yourself) to qualify for the difference YOU hear... Nice demo.

It’s my understanding that the Duke of Tone was made in collaboration with Analog Mike, so it’s his circuit backed by a large distribution network. I don’t see a problem with that at all especially if it can be affordably made.

I'm a Les Pail player. I'm years into my wait for the KoT. The MXR just didn't do it for me next to the KoT. I have some great OD pedals already. I won't be adding the MXR pedal to my board. Appreciate the well done comparison.

Bought Duke of tone, very pleased with it

...from your demo...the distortion setting on the MXR seems noticeably thinner than the KOT. The OD on the MXR sounds good but slightly lower in clarity than the KOT -- in the end, the MXR is impressive at $149 and for many gigging players it could work well...IMHO... BTW - great demo, examples and explanation.. well done:)

Great comparison, I think the King has a bit of extra magic but it should to keep that allure and legendary status. The Duke is a killer option at $150.

@DanFlashes99

Жыл бұрын

Does it though? In a non-blind comparison like this video, I am also tempted to think the KoT has some "extra magic." However I've watched a few blind A/B comparisons and in both cases, I preferred the DoT when I didn't know what was what!

@crigonalgaming1258

Жыл бұрын

There's no "allure" or "legendary" status. It's the same 50's technology. We live in an era where we can replicate more complex tech like computers consistently. What you hear is the parts tolerances, where, even the same manufacturer, with the same components can produce 10 pedals in a row, and will find minor differences between them.

@CradleRawk

Жыл бұрын

For 150 bucks I’d have ordered already. Alas here in Europe it’s €220! The mxr Timmy is just €159 here, so maybe it’ll come down, but I’m not holding my breath. I got my KOT exactly a year ago and with shipping, VAT and duties it was still only about €315, expensive but not that much more than this mxr, certainly far less than the price of two mxr dukes

@fixedgear37

Жыл бұрын

There’s no magic other than the paint job and name

GREAT Duke of Tone shootout Kris. Thanks a lot. Did you ever do a ´King of Blues´ V2 Overdrive (Tone City) shootout? Would be great if you could share your highly skilled listening experience. In case you tested against KOT or DOT would be great to hear about the outcome of that. Concerning your perception of the ´clearness´or ´clarity´ of the KOT sound I just want to subscribe: it´s not been reached by any other device (to my opinion). The way Mike Piera tests and chooses his diodes and components to be used in KOT is really unique. I do think you can hear it anytime unless you do have a live-equip that kills that ´clarity´. To be fair, a skilled ear (listening capability) is what helps a lot in immediately getting the width and feel of that clarity. THANKS for SHARING the KING OF BLUES shootout (in case you did it).

@elchelch11

4 ай бұрын

just saw you already did the comparison kzread.info/dash/bejne/o46Xo5mjkpDLc7w.html Thanks Kris. I feel we are talking the same language in terms of perceiving sounds. Great shootout.

@KrisBarocsi

4 ай бұрын

@@elchelch11 I just finished searching for that same link for you but you were faster, haha! Yeah I did that comparison too and it was really interesting. Glad you enjoyed the videos. Cheers!

@elchelch11

4 ай бұрын

your videos really inspire having more fun with playing my guitar. Just great! @@KrisBarocsi

I could be wrong here....but....whenever you'd play the Duke you seemed to dig into the notes a little bit more. They both sound fantastic and of course your playing is superb. For impatient tone seekers the MXR would probably be way more available, but, is it as desirable? Hmmm.... Well once again thanks brother for sharing your talents with us all. Laundry time....!

Note: KOT and Dukes internal presence pots are reversed from each other.

I’m on the list. In the meantime I have a Prince and a Duke side by side on my board. Once I get the King, I might keep the other two, so the King doesn’t get stolen at a bar gig.

Does your King of Tone have the high-gain option on the red side?

A different yet similar pedal, worth it imo

Very interesting. Were you running your KOT in 9 volt or 18 volt mode? That is supposed to really contribute to the headroom and clarity.

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter! 9 volts for both pedals to keep it fair. Cheers

Even 2 same pedals under the same maker and same components would still sound technically different because of parts tolerances. Do not copy the same knob position EVEN if they technically have the same circuitry.

Is it closer to the King when you run it on 18v?

Screw it all. KoT and PoT have their mojo. Period. Grab the MXR, feel it and go ahead spend more money if the sound is really what you want and you have the greens to make it. Great video as always!

That strat is awesome!!!

Can you compare two KOTs one golden and one purple and compare then with a duke of tone? 😅

Thanks Kris. The Duke comes at almost the same price like the Kasleder Toxic Twins. 🤷🏽‍♂️What‘s the better deal?

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Hmm. Good question. Well the TT is a bit more expensive but you also get a lot more. 2 sides, one of which is very different (another cool tone - TS vibes) plus this "modded Blues Breaker / KoT thing". So if the extra cash for the TT isn't too bad for you, you get a lot more for a little more.

can i say the mxr, to me, sounds a touch brighter, more open, clearer, and more dynamic in most examples i've heard here and other videos. giving a good cut in a mix. just a touch though, the king sounds great. however, i would buy the MXR, and may do for myself.

What about stacking? It does not appear that you can stack the Duke of Tone, unless you purchase a second Duke of Tone.

What is the song you're playing at 3:22??

Your playing is Aces; I enjoy listening to you no matter which pedal you chose.Agreed, the devil is in the detail, when playing more complex voicing’s, the KOT will shine indeed

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much buddy! 🙌

The internal pot being in the same position as the KoT doesn't mean the pots are set the same. To my ear, the DoT sounds slightly brighter/treble-ier and I would probably bump down the treble pot a little. Still sounds great though.

@KrisBarocsi

Жыл бұрын

Hey, I know, I set the internal pot of the DoT to sound as close as possible to the KoT. It is a little brighter indeed. If you turn down the treble knob though it looses that “KoT sparkle” and sounds much darker. That’s why I went for the setting I ended up using. Cheers!