The IdiotBox Effects DeathRay is a square wave fuzz pedal that reshapes your instrument's signal through a square wave divider rather than simply clipping it. IdiotBox describes it as an AWESOME square wave fuzz that can go from a high filtered squelchy fuzz to a low buzzed out bit crushy mess1. In other words, it is not a warm vintage fuzz: it is a synth-adjacent effect aimed at players who want squelch, buzz and glitch textures.
The DeathRay is IdiotBox's revamped version of the original Death Ray Frequency Mangler, a circuit the company had offered earlier in a V2 form1. It sits alongside other IdiotBox fuzzes like the Static Fuzz, the Blackout and the Monster Fuzz, but its square wave divider design puts it closer to synth pedals than to a traditional fuzz.
What it does to your sound
The core of the pedal is a square wave divider, the circuit that converts your input into a squared-off waveform and divides its pitch. Because the waveform is a hard square rather than a rounded guitar signal, the result reads as synthy and aggressive, with the pitch of the divided wave set by the FREQ knob. IdiotBox says the pedal can go from a high filtered squelchy fuzz to a low buzzed out bit crushy mess, which covers a wide range of textures from piercing upper-register squelch to broken, digital-sounding low buzz1.
The maker also notes a practical detail: there is no oscillation noise when the signal is muted, so the pedal stays quiet between notes rather than droning on its own1.
Controls and the Glitch switch
The DeathRay keeps the control set small, with three knobs and one switch:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| FREQ | Controls the main pitch of the square wave divider1 |
| CYCLE | Slews the duty cycle of the wave1 |
| OUTPUT | Keeps the loud output under control1 |
| Glitch switch | Adds even more variables to the sound1 |
The CYCLE knob is the texture control: slewing the duty cycle changes the shape of the square wave, which alters the harmonic balance of the fuzz. Delicious Audio's write-up of the earlier V2 version noted that lower CYCLE settings produce more lo-fi sounds2.
The Glitch switch is a toggle rather than a footswitch. IdiotBox describes it simply as adding even more variables1, while Delicious Audio, reviewing the V2, explains that it adds an extra variable to the oscillator resulting in brighter or darker tones2. In practice it gives you two overall characters for the oscillator to work from.
IdiotBox also warns that the pedal can get very loud, which is what the OUTPUT knob is there to rein in1.
Expression pedal control
The DeathRay has an expression pedal input that takes foot control of the FREQ knob. IdiotBox pitches this as the way to get killer synthy tone sweeps, letting you ride the pitch of the square wave divider up and down while you play rather than reaching down to turn the knob1. Delicious Audio highlighted the same feature on the V22. If you already own an expression pedal, this is the feature that turns the DeathRay from a set-and-forget fuzz into a performance instrument.
Guitar and bass use
IdiotBox says the DeathRay kills on guitar or bass1, and Delicious Audio repeated the same claim for the V22. Bass players looking for synth-like fuzz textures can therefore treat it as a candidate alongside dedicated bass pedals, with the caveat that the FREQ and CYCLE settings that work on guitar may need rethinking for low frequencies.
From the Death Ray Frequency Mangler to the DeathRay
The DeathRay is a revamped version of the original Death Ray Frequency Mangler1. The earlier circuit appeared as the Deathray Frequency Mangler V2, which Delicious Audio covered in December 2021, describing it as an update on the same square fuzz circuit with the same FREQ, CYCLE and OUTPUT knobs, the Glitch toggle, the expression input and true bypass2. The current DeathRay carries that design forward in a 1590BB enclosure with the same core feature set1.
Power and setup
The pedal runs on a common 9V DC center negative BOSS style power input and draws 9mA1, so it works with any standard pedalboard power supply. A power supply is not included2, so plan on supplying your own. True bypass switching means the pedal leaves your clean signal alone when disengaged1.
Videos
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Guy Incognito
Questions
What does the Freq knob do on the IdiotBox DeathRay?
The FREQ knob controls the main pitch of the square wave divider, which is the heart of the pedal's sound. Turning it moves the effect from a high, filtered, squelchy fuzz down to a low, buzzed out, bit-crushed mess. You can also sweep it with an expression pedal for synthy tone sweeps.
Can you use an expression pedal with the IdiotBox DeathRay?
Yes. The DeathRay has an expression pedal input that takes foot control of the FREQ knob, so you can sweep the square wave divider's pitch while you play. IdiotBox describes the result as killer synthy tone sweeps.
Does the IdiotBox DeathRay work with bass?
Yes. IdiotBox Effects says the DeathRay kills on guitar or bass, so bass players can use the same square wave fuzz and glitch sounds. It is a standard instrument-level pedal, not a bass-only design.
Is the IdiotBox DeathRay true bypass?
Yes. The DeathRay uses true bypass switching, so with the pedal disengaged your signal passes through without buffering or coloring. IdiotBox also notes there is no oscillation noise when the signal is muted.
What power does the IdiotBox DeathRay need?
It runs on a common 9V DC center negative BOSS style power input, drawing about 9mA. A power supply is not included with the pedal, so you need your own 9V supply with the standard center negative barrel plug.
What does the Glitch switch do?
The Glitch switch adds an extra variable to the oscillator, shifting the character of the effect. IdiotBox says it adds even more variables, and Delicious Audio describes the result as brighter or darker tones depending on its position.
Sources (2)
- DeathRay, IdiotBox Effects
- Idiotbox Deathray Frequency Mangler V2, Delicious Audio, 2021-12-14
