The Fuzzrocious M.O.T.H. is a hybrid fuzz/overdrive pedal with an oscillator effect built in. Fuzzrocious describes it as a pedal that sits well in a live mix, and Performer Mag's reviewer found it gave an "Excellent blend of fuzz/overdrive tones" that sit well without overwhelming the signal1. Alongside the drive engine, a second footswitch engages what the maker calls a Hex Schmitt Trigger, which acts like an oscillating tremolo effect, though it is in fact a glitch oscillator rather than a traditional tremolo circuit1.
Controls
The fuzz/overdrive side is straightforward, with a single volume and a gain control. The gain knob covers a wide sweep: from about 7:00 to 12:00 it sits on the fuzz side of things, and from 12:00 to 5:00 it moves into overdrive and distortion range1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Level for the fuzz/overdrive side1 |
| Gain | Fuzz character from about 7:00 to 12:00, overdrive and distortion from 12:00 to 5:001 |
| Speed | Large knob controlling the Hex effect speed, adjustable with your foot1 |
| Internal trimpot | Reduces the Hex effect1 |
The Hex effect
The second footswitch engages the Hex Schmitt Trigger, which acts like an oscillating tremolo effect. Performer Mag is clear about what it actually is: "it's a glitch oscillator, and not an actual traditional tremolo circuit"1. Two things are worth knowing before you rely on it:
- The Tremolo Hex effect can only be engaged when the overdrive/fuzz is active1.
- The pitch changes at the last quarter turn of the speed knob, where the effect speeds up and can get into ring modulation territory1.
The large speed knob is sized so it can easily be adjusted with your foot while playing1. If the Hex effect is more than a given part needs, there is an internal trimpot that can reduce it1.
The Hex effect is not a standalone tremolo. It only works with the fuzz/overdrive engaged, so plan your switching accordingly.
How it cleans up and where it sits
Performer Mag's reviewer found that "The M.O.T.H. also cleans up nicely when the volume knob on the guitar is rolled back"1, which makes it usable as a dynamic drive rather than a one-note fuzz. On the tone itself, the reviewer's verdict was that with this hybrid fuzz/overdrive, "there's no issue of it getting lost in the mix live"1.
Where it fits in Fuzzrocious's range
Fuzzrocious makes a number of fuzz and drive pedals that approach similar territory from different angles, including the Gray Stache, the Heliotropic, the Demon and the Electric Ocean, a fuzz and phaser combination. For more on the maker, see the Fuzzrocious brand page, or browse fuzz pedals and overdrive pedals more broadly.
Videos
Fuzzrocious Pedals
Fuzzrocious Pedals
Fuzzrocious Pedals
Questions
Is the Hex effect on the Fuzzrocious M.O.T.H. a real tremolo?
No. Although the second footswitch engages what Fuzzrocious calls a Hex Schmitt Trigger, which acts like an oscillating tremolo effect, Performer Mag's review points out that it is a glitch oscillator and not an actual traditional tremolo circuit. It also can only be engaged when the overdrive/fuzz side is active, so it is an effect layered on the drive rather than a standalone tremolo.
Can the Hex effect be used without the fuzz on?
No. According to Performer Mag's review, the Tremolo Hex effect can only be engaged when the overdrive/fuzz is active. The Hex runs on top of the fuzz and overdrive engine, so if you want the oscillating effect you have to run the drive side as well.
What does the speed knob do at the end of its travel?
Performer Mag's reviewer found that the pitch changes at the last quarter turn of the speed knob, where the effect speeds up and can get into ring modulation territory. In other words, the final stretch of the knob's travel pushes the Hex effect from a slow oscillation into faster, more extreme pitch-based sounds.
Does the M.O.T.H. clean up with the guitar's volume knob?
Yes. Performer Mag's review notes that the M.O.T.H. cleans up nicely when the volume knob on the guitar is rolled back, which makes it workable as a dynamic drive that responds to playing technique rather than staying at full fuzz all the time.
What does the internal trimpot on the M.O.T.H. do?
The M.O.T.H. has an internal trimpot that can reduce the Hex effect. If the oscillating glitch effect is too strong for a given setting or rig, opening the pedal up and adjusting the trimpot dials the intensity of the Hex back.
Sources (1)
- REVIEW Fuzzrocious M.O.T.H. Pedal, Performer Mag, 2017-04-26
