Mission Engineering Inc EP­1 Review – The Right Tool For The Job

Controls:
Features:
Performance:
Value:

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EP­1 from Mission Engineering Inc is a very solid expression pedal that has a somewhat retro vibe. It just so happens to be one of the best pedals of this type on the market. Today we are going to take a closer look and see what it has to offer.

Features

When we said that EP­1 has a pretty vintage vibe to it, we weren't kidding. There is something about it that just screams early VOX era or similar. This is an all metal pedal that is made domestically in USA. As you can imagine, it is about as tough as they come. Sheet metal used to form the chassis feels heavy and inspires a lot of confidence. That theme is also present when you look at the components they have used to put this thing together. For example, the pot switch is a really refined unit, which is largely what gives EP­1 its capabilities. In terms of aesthetics, Mission Engineering Inc. has kept it old school. In other words, EP­1 is an all black piece of gear that draws its appeal from simplicity. Those looking for a proper workhorse expression pedal for stage work, will love EP­1.

Controls

In terms of controls, the situation is similar to other pedals of this type. Mission Engineering Inc EP­1 features just the main pot switch and not much else. We have already mentioned that they have chosen a great set of hardware for this build. However, the cam system is also worth some praise. It is fairly neutral in a sense that you will be pretty used to it given that you have used any classic expression pedals in the past. The grip pad on top of the pedal is fairly subtle, although it features some pretty aggressive textures. That is quite alright considering how inconspicuous the whole pedal is. One thing you will notice is that EP­1 isn't really small nor compact. Sometimes the full size chassis is exactly what you need, despite all the weight issues this entails. Naturally, it all comes down to personal preference in the end.

Performance

Performance is where EP­1 really comes to shine. So far we have seen that it is pretty much in line with the rest of the herd. However, when you plug it in, you get to see what the hype is all about. Before we go any further, we have to mention that EP­1 is very compatible by nature. Mission Engineering Inc offers a version of EP­1 that expands that compatibility to a wide array of Line 6 products as well. The core performance is impressive to say the least. Pedal is very smooth but accurate and offers plenty of precision even under heavy use. Overall, it just gives off an impression of a pedal that will follow you to hell and back. We haven't really been able to test that, but chances are it's an accurate claim.

Conclusion

Mission Engineering Inc might not be as popular as some other brands out there, however they definitely know what they're doing. EP­1 is a awesome expression pedal that has the looks, but most importantly the performance as well. At this price, it's a great choice for pros but also enthusiasts.

For more info about the Mission Engineering Inc EP­1, click here.
For more Expression Pedals you might like, click here.