The MXR M117R Flanger is a flanger pedal made by MXR, the Jim Dunlop brand that owns the MXR name. MXR describes it as "a staple of funky '70s sounds, from jet plane to space effects," and the pedal carries the four-knob control layout of the original MXR Flanger: Manual, Width, Speed and Regen, along with numerous tweakable parameters1. It lists at $199.99 as of October 20262.
A flanger works by mixing a slightly delayed copy of your signal back with the original, with the delay time swept up and down. That produces the characteristic whooshing, jet-like sweep associated with the effect. The M117R's maximum delay is 12.8 ms, and its rate range runs from 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz, which covers everything from slow, seasick drift to fast, almost vibrato-like movement1.
Controls and what they do
The four knobs each shape one part of the flanging effect, and the manual explains them directly1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Manual | Controls the degree of phase shifting. Clockwise emphasizes higher frequencies; counterclockwise emphasizes lower frequencies. |
| Width | Controls the intensity of the time delay set by the Speed knob. Clockwise increases intensity; counterclockwise decreases it. |
| Speed | Controls the speed of the time delay. Clockwise gives a faster phase effect; counterclockwise gives a slower one. |
| Regen | Sets the degree of feedback in the effect, from a single sweep to repeated, more intense sweeps. |
The manual also includes a set of sample settings with names players may recognize: May Gallop, Chained Flange, Eddie, and Genius of Flange1. These give starting points for different flanging styles, from subtle doubling to the pronounced jet-plane sweep the effect is known for.
Power and connections
Setting the pedal up is straightforward: run a cable from your guitar to the Flanger's INPUT jack, then another cable from the OUTPUT jack to your amplifier1.
The power requirements are where the M117R differs from most modern pedals. It runs on 18 volts DC with a current draw of 39 mA, and Dunlop specifies an 18-volt AC adapter such as the Dunlop ECB004/ECB004E, or a DC Brick power supply1.
The M117R draws 39 mA, more than many compact pedals, so check that your power supply can cover it. Plan for a supply that meets the manual's power requirements, or use the two-battery option the manual describes.
The pedal can also run on two 9-volt batteries, with the bottom plate removed to install them1. That makes it usable without an 18-volt supply, though battery life at 39 mA will be shorter than on a low-current digital pedal.
Specifications
The manual publishes a full set of electrical specifications1.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 18 volts DC |
| Current draw | 39 mA |
| Input impedance | 470 kΩ |
| Output impedance | 1 kΩ |
| Max input level | 5 dBV |
| Max output level | 5 dBV |
| Rate range | 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz |
| Max delay | 12.8 ms |
| Noise floor | -98 dBV, A-weighted |
| Noise reduction | 2:1 ratio |
The 470 kΩ input impedance is friendly to passive guitar pickups, and the matched 5 dBV maximum input and output levels mean the pedal handles line-level signals without clipping. The -98 dBV A-weighted noise floor and 2:1 noise reduction ratio speak to a quiet signal path1.
Where it sits among MXR flangers
The M117R is the full-size reissue of the original MXR Flanger. MXR also offers the M152 Micro Flanger, a smaller two-knob version, and the EVH Flanger, a signature model associated with Eddie Van Halen, whose playing is one of the sounds the original MXR Flanger is known for. In 2026 MXR also released the M226 Flanger/Doubler, a pedal version of its 1970s Flanger/Doubler rack unit. Compared with those, the M117R is the one that keeps the original's four-knob layout and 18-volt power arrangement.
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Questions
What power supply does the MXR M117R Flanger need?
The M117R runs on 18 volts DC. Dunlop specifies an 18-volt AC adapter such as the Dunlop ECB004 or ECB004E, or a DC Brick power supply. Its current draw is 39 mA. Because of the 18-volt requirement, it will not run correctly on a standard 9-volt pedal power output.
Does the MXR M117R Flanger run on batteries?
Yes. The manual states the pedal is powered by two 9-volt batteries, and you remove the bottom plate to install them. It can also be powered by an 18-volt AC adapter such as the Dunlop ECB004/ECB004E or a DC Brick power supply.
What does the Manual knob do on the MXR M117R?
The Manual knob controls the degree of phase shifting. Rotating it clockwise emphasizes higher frequencies, while rotating it counterclockwise emphasizes lower frequencies. In practice it sets where in the sweep the flanging effect sits, from a brighter, more vocal sweep to a darker, thicker one.
How fast can the MXR M117R Flanger sweep?
The Speed knob controls the speed of the time delay, and the pedal's rate range runs from 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz. That covers everything from very slow, barely moving sweeps to fast, rotary-style modulation. Maximum delay is 12.8 ms.
Does the MXR M117R Flanger have a blue LED?
Yes. The footswitch toggles the effect on and off, and a blue LED indicates when the effect is on. This makes it easy to see the pedal's status on a dark stage.
Sources (2)
- M117R.pdf, Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc., 2019
- MXR® FLANGER, Jim Dunlop (www.jimdunlop.com)
