MXR brings its 1970s Flanger/Doubler rack unit back as the M226R pedal

August 11, 2026 · 6 sources

MXR released the Flanger/Doubler pedal on August 11, 2026, putting the circuit of its M-126 rack unit into a compact enclosure¹². The original rack unit is believed to have been first manufactured in 1976 and to have lasted until MXR's bankruptcy in 1984³.

The pedal is an all-analog design built on bucket-brigade device circuitry, with what MusicRadar describes as the same controls as the rack unit¹². A Doubler button switches between flanging and doubling¹³. The dials are Manual, Width and Speed, with Regen controlling feedback intensity and Mix blending wet and dry signals¹⁴. An Invert button reverses the polarity of the wet signal¹². Two LEDs on the front show the effect working⁴. On the back are CV in and out ports for synths, sequencers or an expression pedal, and an input level switch for hotter line signals⁴⁵.

Guitar Pedal X reports that the M226R runs from a 9V input and converts it internally to plus and minus 12V, giving the same 24V swing as the original rack unit without needing a 24V supply⁶. It also reports that the pedal uses a pair of 3204 chips for the flanger and a pair of 3205 chips for the doubler, and that MXR does not disclose exact component models⁶. According to the same article, the M226R omits the original's Vactrol, which no longer meets RoHS compliance standards in many countries, and uses a VCA filter in its place⁶.

Guitar Pedal X gives the delay ranges as roughly 1 to 20 milliseconds for flanging and 15 to 35 milliseconds for doubling³. MusicRadar notes that in some settings the pedal can sound like a slapback delay¹.

The Flanger/Doubler is available now for $333²⁴. MusicRadar listed it at $339¹, while Guitar Pedal X gave $333³.

Dimebag Darrell was the unit's most famous user, with MusicRadar calling it an ever-present in his rig¹. Guitar World reports that Zakk Wylde's guitar tech, Justin Perez, said he had used the new pedal in Wylde's Pantera Celebration rig².

More on flanger pedals.