Mxr M307 Layers

M307 Layers is MXR's pedal offering three separate sustain layers that can be blended and adjusted to create a rich and varied soundscape. Sustain layers can be activated either in response to the attack, i.e., when strings are played, or via footswitch. Modulation, delay, and octaver add further sonic possibilities to this pedal.
MXR M307 LAYERS OVERVIEW
The MXR Layers is a three-layer sustain pedal, each with its own status LED to indicate it is active. You can choose to manage only one layer or up to 3: pressing the SINGLE button will activate only one sustain layer. Layers can be activated both with the footswitch and through dynamics, by playing the instrument's strings. Using the footswitch, simply play a note or chord and hold down the switch; releasing it, the layer dissolves according to the DECAY knob setting. This mode is perfect for creating "drone" pads to play over. Alternatively, you can automatically activate the layer in response to the attack, as set by the TRIG knob. Combining these two methods can achieve complex sound layering: with SINGLE mode deactivated, you can sustain one layer with the footswitch and then automatically trigger other layers on top of it.
The MIX knob adjusts the effect level, which is the volume of the layers. The TRIG knob sets the sensitivity of the pedal's auto-trigger function, allowing new layers to be generated based on playing intensity. The ATTACK knob adjusts each layer's fade-in time, while the DECAY knob sets the fade-out time, which mimics the natural vibrations of a physical string by decaying high frequencies first. For a fatter sound, activate the SUB OCT switch to drop one or more layers by an octave.
Through the pedal's programming functions, other parameters can be adjusted, including modulation intensity, delay time, diffusion, and more. You can also use a sustain pedal or another external switch like the MXR Split + Tap (click here for product details) to activate layers, blend settings configurations with the Volume (X) 8 pedal, and use Stereo Input, Stereo Output, and Dry/Wet Split modes.
With its high-fidelity sustain, the MXR Layers can adapt to any effects chain. Its variety of functions allows you to venture beyond normal creative barriers, building richly detailed soundscapes. This pedal offers experimenters many opportunities to customize their sound and playing experience.
MXR M307 LAYERS CONTROLS
ATTACK: Sets the attack or fade-in level of each layer.
MIX: Controls the overall level of the effected signal.
SINGLE: Limits the sustain effect to a single layer: by default, the three layers overlap, but when the SINGLE button is active, only one layer is activated at a time.
TRIG: Sets the sensitivity of the layers' auto-trigger in response to pick attack. With the TRIG knob fully counter-clockwise (OFF position), auto-trigger is deactivated, and only the footswitch can activate the layers. When active, the LED will be red by default; when the signal exceeds the set threshold, the TRIG LED turns green.
DECAY: Sets the decay, or fade-out, level of each layer. High frequencies decay faster than other frequencies, just like a vibrating physical string. When the TRIG knob is in the OFF position, the effect signal will automatically bypass when all three layers have fully decayed. The three status LEDs show when the layers have decayed.
SUB OCT: Lowers new layers by one octave. Layers created prior to activation will not be lowered. This allows for normal layers and others one octave below. This mode can be adjusted with an expression pedal (see advanced operations). There is a setting that allows only the lowest frequencies of a layer to be transposed down by an octave (see advanced operations), useful for adding bass to a layer without lowering all other notes.
CTR: This jack can be used to connect an expression pedal or an external switch, or to send the dry signal when using Dry/Wet Split mode (see advanced operations).
FOOTSWITCH: Controls the creation and deletion of sustain layers. Pressing the footswitch activates a layer. Holding down the footswitch activates a layer until it is released. Upon release, the layer dissolves according to the DECAY knob setting. A double tap clears all layers and bypasses the pedal.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS
Using a sustain pedal or other external switches to activate layers
You can use a keyboard sustain pedal or another external switch to activate layers instead of the integrated footswitch, in cases where it is inaccessible (e.g., if the pedal is used on a desk and not on the floor) or if you want a different tactile response. First, set the switch to the TAP/EXP position (left). Then, connect an instrument cable from the pedal or external switch to the CTR jack of the MXR Layers. Please note: the pedal or external switch must be discrete switches, not continuous TRS switches.
Using an expression pedal to blend two configurations
An expression pedal such as the DVP5 Volume (X) 8 can be used to smoothly transition between configurations. First, set the CTR switch to the TAP/EXP position (left). Then, connect a TRS cable from the expression pedal to the CTR jack of the Layers. Set the rocker with the heel down. Adjust the Layers controls to the desired settings. Then, set the rocker with the toe down and create a different configuration. Moving the rocker back and forth smoothly transitions between configurations. Please note: the advanced functions of the SINGLE button are controllable with an expression pedal, while the advanced functions of the SUB OCT button are not.
Stereo Input
To operate in Stereo Input mode, remove the back plate of the Layers and set the MONO/STEREO switch to the STEREO position (left). It is recommended to also enable the Stereo Output function when using Stereo Input mode.
Stereo Output
To operate in Stereo Output mode, connect a TRS splitter cable from the output jack of the Layers to the desired inputs and set the CTR switch to the TAP/EXP position (left). Then, press and hold the SUB OCT button and turn the DECAY knob fully clockwise to select Stereo Output mode. The center LED will flash for confirmation. To return to Mono Output mode, follow the same steps and turn the DECAY knob fully counter-clockwise. When Stereo Output mode is active, the three layers will be panned one to the right, one to the center, and one to the left, as represented by the positions of the three LEDs. When modulation is active (see advanced settings), you can automatically pan the levels in the stereo field.
Dry/Wet Split
The MXR Layers can split dry and wet signals to allow them to be sent to different effects chains or to operate with a stereo dry/wet rig. First, set the CTR switch to AUDIO (right). The dry signal will exit from the OUT jack, while the effected signal will exit from the CTR jack. Please note: Stereo Input and Stereo Output modes must be deactivated for Dry/Wet Split mode to function correctly.
ADVANCED SETTINGS
Introduction
Pressing and holding the SINGLE and SUB OCT buttons while adjusting the knobs accesses various functions. These functions allow you to add modulation and/or delay to the layers, pass the dry signal through a delay, activate Stereo Output mode, and more. The MXR Layers features delay and modulation based on those of the MXR Joshua Ambient Echo but with darker tones to allow the sustain layers to stand out.
MIX knob while pressing the SINGLE button
Modulation amount
Sets the depth and rate of the modulation. Turning the MIX knob clockwise increases both depth and rate. With the knob at minimum, modulation is deactivated.
MIX knob while pressing the SUB OCT button
Mute dry signal
Turn clockwise to mute the dry signal or counter-clockwise to activate it. The SINGLE button LED will flash for confirmation. Note that no sound will output if the MIX knob is turned fully counter-clockwise and the CTR jack will be muted in dry/wet split mode.
TRIG knob while pressing the SINGLE button
Delay time
Adjusts the delay time. Setting the knob to minimum deactivates the delay. Delay regen is linked to the DECAY knob.
TRIG knob while pressing the SUB OCT button
Amount of dry signal in delay
Turn the TRIG knob clockwise to increase the amount of dry signal sent to the delay.
ATTACK knob while pressing the SINGLE button
Modulation blend
The modulation effect consists of chorus and tremolo. Turning the knob fully counter-clockwise activates only chorus, while fully clockwise activates only tremolo. At the midpoint, there will be an equal mix of the two. With Stereo Output mode activated, the tremolo will pan the levels in the stereo field.
ATTACK knob while pressing the SUB OCT button
Root Note Sub Octave
Turn the ATTACK knob clockwise to activate Root Note Sub Octave mode or counter-clockwise to deactivate it. The SUB OCT LED will flash for confirmation. With the SUB OCT button activated, this mode will apply the lower octave only to the lowest frequencies of the layer.
DECAY knob while pressing the SINGLE button
Diffusion
Turn the knob clockwise to add diffusion to the layer, creating a texture effect. Turning the knob fully counter-clockwise deactivates the diffusion effect.
DECAY knob while pressing the SUB OCT button
Stereo Output
Turn the knob clockwise to activate Stereo Output mode and counter-clockwise to deactivate it. The center LED will flash for confirmation.
SUB OCT button while pressing the SINGLE button
Tap Tempo
By holding down the SINGLE button, you can set the delay time using the SUB OCT button as a tap tempo.
To restore all parameters to default settings, press and hold the SINGLE and SUB OCT buttons for five seconds. The main LED will flash for confirmation.
MXR M307 LAYERS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Input Impedance: 1 MΩ
Output Impedance: 100 Ω
Maximum Input Level: +5 dBV
Noise Floor: -97 dBV
Current Draw: 300 mA
Power Supply: 9 volt DC