The Electric Eye Audio Mud Killer is a boost and overdrive pedal designed to tighten high gain amps and distortion pedals. Premier Guitar bills it as a "Modern Overdrive/Boost," and Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson described it as a Metal Tone-Enhancer, Clarifier and Tightener, while noting it also works as a cool sounding overdrive on its own. It launched in 2020 and, per Guitar Pedal X, was widely praised among high gain players.12
The controls
The Mud Killer's control set will feel familiar to anyone who has used a Tube Screamer-style overdrive. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson wrote that "You can easily think of the Green knobs as being the same Overdrive, Tone, and Level controls you find on a Tube Screamer," with the Pre Gain switchable and the Tone control targeting 2.5kHz to 6kHz.2
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pre gain | Controls the amount of overdrive1 |
| Tone | Cuts or increases high mid frequencies1 |
| Post gain | The output volume1 |
| On/off switch | Bypasses the overdrive section, making the sound absolutely clean1 |
| Comp switch | Compression options using silicon diodes1 |
| Amp Remote switch | Off/On switch enabling the Remote Amp Switch socket to trigger amp channel changes with the footswitch2 |
| Amp switcher orientation mini switch | Changes the orientation of the amp switcher between normally open and normally closed1 |
The on/off switch is worth a second look: it bypasses the overdrive section entirely, so the pedal can run as a clean boost into a high gain amp or distortion pedal.1
Amp channel switching
Beyond its tone shaping, the Mud Killer doubles as an amp switcher. A Remote Amp Switch socket sits on the left of the pedal, a 1/4-inch jack for amp channel switching.12 With the Amp Remote switch set to On, pressing the On/Bypass footswitch can trigger the amp's higher gain channel to switch at the same time as the pedal engages.2
Compatibility varies: Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson cautioned that "said feature won't work with all amps - some trial and error is required!"2
How it compares
The Mud Killer's green knobs map onto the Overdrive, Tone and Level controls of a Tube Screamer, but its clipping differs: Premier Guitar lists silicon diodes, whereas Guitar.com notes the Tube Screamer uses a symmetrical clipping stage.123
As for where it belongs on a board, Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson found it "best really for those older more saggy / slightly mid-scooped amps and distortions - which need to be" brought into the modern era, saying it does cool things for Marshall distortions and fuzzes, but is not needed for The Thrasher or Bardic Audio's Rival.2
As of November 2023, both editions were available for order on the Electric Eye Audio webstore.2
Videos
Electric Eye Audio
Ola Englund
SpectreSoundStudios
Questions
What does the Mud Killer's high pass filter do?
The Mud Killer is built as a tone enhancer, clarifier and tightener for high gain pedals and amps. Its Tone control cuts or increases high mid frequencies, targeting roughly 2.5kHz to 6kHz, which is how it trims the low end mud and brings definition to a saturated signal. Guitar Pedal X described it as a Metal Tone-Enhancer, Clarifier and Tightener.
How much does the Electric Eye Audio Mud Killer cost?
As of November 2023, the Standard Green accented edition was $175 and the Blackout, also called Stealth, edition was $189.50, according to Guitar Pedal X. Both editions were listed as available for order on the Electric Eye Audio webstore at that time.
Can the Mud Killer switch amp channels?
Yes. The pedal has a Remote Amp Switch socket, a 1/4-inch jack on the left of the pedal for amp channel switching. An Off/On switch enables the socket to trigger amp channel changes with the footswitch, and a mini switch changes the orientation of the amp switcher between normally open and normally closed. Guitar Pedal X noted the feature will not work with all amps and that some trial and error is required.
What kind of clipping does the Mud Killer use?
The Mud Killer uses silicon diodes for its clipping, according to Premier Guitar. That sets it apart from the Tube Screamer's symmetrical clipping stage, which Guitar.com describes in its review of the classic Ibanez-style circuit.
Who designed the Electric Eye Audio Mud Killer?
The Mud Killer was conceived by Silas Fernandes in 2012, according to Guitar Pedal X, and launched under Electric Eye Audio in 2020.
What is the difference between the Standard Green and Blackout editions?
The two editions differ in appearance and price. The Standard Green edition has green accents and was $175 as of November 2023, while the Blackout, or Stealth, edition was $189.50. Functionally the pedals are the same boost and overdrive circuit.
Sources (3)
- Electric Eye Audio Releases the Mud Killer, Premier Guitar, 2021-08-20
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-11-08
- Boss SD-1 review, Guitar.com, 2025-04-29
