The Idiotbox Effects Deathray Frequency Mangler V2 is a square wave fuzz pedal, an updated version of the original DeathRay Frequency Mangler. Paolo De Gregorio, writing at Delicious Audio, called it "an AWESOME square wave fuzz" and pointed players who love extreme and noisy fuzz sounds toward the new version when it appeared in December 20211.
What sets it apart from a conventional fuzz pedal is how far its sound travels. As Idiotbox puts it, "This pedal can go from a high filtered squelchy fuzz to a low buzzed out bit crushy mess!"1. In other words, one end of its range behaves like a filtered, treble-thin fuzz, while the other pushes into lo-fi, bit-crushed territory closer to a broken digital converter than a guitar amp.
The controls
The V2 keeps things to three knobs and a toggle, each aimed at a different part of the square wave:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| FREQ | Controls the main pitch of the square wave divider1 |
| CYCLE | Slews the duty cycle of the wave, producing more lo-fi sounds at lower levels1 |
| OUTPUT | Keeps the pedal's high volume output under control1 |
| Glitch toggle | Adds an extra variable to the oscillator, resulting in brighter or darker tones1 |
The OUTPUT knob earns its place: as Delicious Audio put it, "This sucker can get loud as balls and the OUTPUT knob keeps that under control"1. The CYCLE knob is the one that shapes the lo-fi character, since changing the duty cycle of the square wave thins and roughens the tone as it turns down.
Expression pedal input and foot control
The V2 adds an expression pedal input that takes foot control of the FREQ knob. Since FREQ sets the main pitch of the square wave divider, rocking an expression pedal sweeps the pitch of the fuzz live. Idiotbox describes the result as "killer synthy tone sweeps"1, which puts the pedal in territory shared by dedicated synth pedals while staying a fuzz at heart.
Power, bypass and enclosure
The pedal runs on a common 9V DC center negative BOSS style power input and draws 9mA, but the power supply is not included1. Switching is true bypass, and Idiotbox notes there is no oscillation noise when the signal is muted, a practical detail on a pedal built around an oscillator1. The enclosure is a 1590BB sized box measuring 4.72 x 3.71 x 1.33 inches1.
The Deathray Frequency Mangler V2 is a revamped version of the original Death Ray Frequency Mangler. Idiotbox's own words on the change: "The DeathRay is my revamped version of the original Death Ray Frequency Mangler"1.
Where it sits in the Idiotbox range
Idiotbox Effects builds a number of fuzzes beyond the Deathray, including the Static Fuzz, the Blackout, the Monster Fuzz and the WHORES. Fuzz Freq V.2, along with pedals like the Tractor Beam. The Deathray V2 is the one aimed squarely at players who want their fuzz to misbehave, from filtered squelch to bit-crushed buzz1.
Questions
Does the Deathray Frequency Mangler V2 have an expression pedal input?
Yes. The V2 has an expression pedal input that takes foot control of the FREQ knob, which sets the main pitch of the square wave divider. Idiotbox describes this as a way to get killer synthy tone sweeps, since sweeping the pitch of the square wave with your foot moves the fuzz through its range while you play.
Is the Deathray Frequency Mangler V2 true bypass?
Yes. The pedal uses true bypass switching, so when it is off your guitar signal passes through without the fuzz circuit in the way. Idiotbox also notes there is no oscillation noise when the signal is muted, which matters on a pedal built around an aggressive square wave oscillator.
Does the Deathray Frequency Mangler V2 come with a power supply?
No. The power supply is not included. The pedal runs on a common 9V DC center negative BOSS style power input, the same connector type used by most standard pedalboard power supplies, and it draws 9mA.
What does the Glitch toggle do?
The Glitch toggle adds an extra variable to the oscillator, resulting in brighter or darker tones. It sits alongside the FREQ, CYCLE and OUTPUT knobs as a quick way to change the character of the square wave fuzz.
How much current does the Deathray Frequency Mangler V2 draw?
The Deathray Frequency Mangler V2 draws 9mA at its 9V DC center negative power input. That is a light load by pedal standards, so it fits comfortably alongside other pedals on a standard power supply.
What size enclosure does the Deathray Frequency Mangler V2 use?
The pedal is built in a 1590BB sized enclosure measuring 4.72 x 3.71 x 1.33 inches. The 1590BB is a common Hammond-style box used by many small-batch builders, large enough for three knobs and a toggle switch.
Sources (1)
- Idiotbox Deathray Frequency Mangler V2, Delicious Audio, 2021-12-14
