Chorus is one of those effects that can either be magic or way too much, and the MXR M234 Analog Chorus lands squarely in the sweet spot for me.
This pedal does exactly what I want a chorus to do. It adds movement and depth without getting in the way of your playing. It’s warm, musical, and never feels over the top. You can keep it subtle and barely noticeable, or push it a little and let it shimmer. Either way, it always stays usable.
I personally use this pedal chasing that Eric Johnson-style sound. That wide, almost three-dimensional feel where the guitar seems to float without sounding obviously effected. One thing that really helps is where you place it in the signal chain. I like running the M234 after a delay and before a reverb, which creates a really spatial, wet sound that just blooms around the notes.
The controls are simple, but they’re powerful. Rate and depth let you fine-tune the movement, while the level knob makes it easy to blend the effect in without washing everything out. Small adjustments go a long way, and that’s always a good sign.
What I appreciate most about the MXR M234 is how natural it feels. It doesn’t draw attention to itself or try to be flashy. It just adds the right amount of movement and depth, whether you’re playing clean, working through lead lines, or stacking it with other effects. It always stays musical and never gets in the way.
This is one of those pedals that quietly becomes part of your sound. You don’t always notice it’s on until you turn it off, and suddenly everything feels smaller. That’s when you know it’s doing its job.