The LuckDuck Pedals Nu-Tron II is a six-stage optical phaser built as a remake of the MuTron Phase Shifter, an effect that is now out of production. Paolo De Gregorio, writing at Delicious Audio, called it "a faithful take on the now out of production MuTron Phase Shifter" and "an updated and modernized remake" of the original design1.
What it does and how it works
As an optical phaser, the Nu-Tron II uses LDRs, or light dependent resistors, in its phase stages. On the Nu-Tron II these are hand-matched for each of the six phase stages, which De Gregorio described as a way "to get the best sounding phase effec[t]"1. The original MuTron Phase Shifter used the same six-stage optical topology, and the remake carries it over1.
De Gregorio described the pedal's range as going "From smooth vibrato-esque phase, to vibe style sounds, to full on space-ship warble," and called it "a very versatile phaser for a 3 knob pedal"1. For a player, that puts it in the same territory as a vibrato or univibe-style effect at one end of its range and a pronounced, warbling phase at the other, all from three knobs.
"From smooth vibrato-esque phase, to vibe style sounds, to full on space-ship warble"
Nu-Tron II and the original MuTron Phase Shifter
The remake keeps the original's six-stage optical design and adds true-bypass switching, which De Gregorio noted means no "tone suckage" when the pedal is off1.
| Nu-Tron II | MuTron Phase Shifter | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | 6-stage optical phaser | 6-stage optical phaser |
| Bypass | True bypass | Not true bypass |
| Status | In production, built by hand | Out of production |
Build, bypass and power
Each Nu-Tron II is built by hand, and the artwork is full color silk-screen printed and powder coated, which De Gregorio noted is for maximum durability1. The pedal adds true-bypass switching over the original design, so that when it is off there is no "tone suckage" and your signal does not pass through the phaser circuit1.
Power is 9V DC from any industry standard boss style adapter or modern pedal power supply, with the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus given as an example1.
The MuTron Phase Shifter this pedal remakes is out of production, so the Nu-Tron II is one of the few ways to get that circuit's design on a board1.
What reviewers said
Delicious Audio's write-up is paired with a demo by GearManDude, and De Gregorio's impression of the demo was that "GearManDude seems to dig it"1.
Videos
Luke Orsie
gearmanndude
njkmonty1
Questions
What is the LuckDuck Nu-Tron II based on?
It is a remake of the MuTron Phase Shifter, an effect that is now out of production. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio described the Nu-Tron II as a faithful take on that pedal, updated and modernized, keeping the original's six-stage optical phaser design while adding true-bypass switching.
Is the LuckDuck Nu-Tron II true bypass?
Yes. The Nu-Tron II features true-bypass switching, which De Gregorio noted means no tone suckage when the pedal is bypassed. With the effect off, your guitar's signal passes straight through to the output without going through the phaser circuit.
How many stages does the Nu-Tron II have?
The Nu-Tron II is a six-stage optical phaser, matching the stage count of the out-of-production MuTron Phase Shifter it remakes. The light dependent resistors used for the phase stages are hand-matched for each pedal.
What are LDRs in an optical phaser?
LDRs are light dependent resistors, resistors whose value changes with light. In an optical phaser they are used in each phase stage, driven by the modulation so the stage's response shifts over time. The Nu-Tron II's LDRs are hand-matched for each of its six phase stages.
What voltage does the Nu-Tron II use?
The Nu-Tron II runs on 9V DC. De Gregorio said any industry standard boss style 9V DC adapter or modern pedal power supply works, naming the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus as an example.
Is the Nu-Tron II handmade?
Yes. According to Delicious Audio, each Nu-Tron II is built by hand, and the artwork is full color silk-screen printed and powder coated for durability.
Sources (1)
- LuckDuck Pedals NU-TRON II Optical Phaser, Delicious Audio, 2019-04-12