The Mastro Valvola OFF1 is an "Octave Fuzz Filter" pedal from Italian maker Mastro Valvola, released in January 202212. It puts three analog circuits in series, Octave, Fuzz and Ladder, and the result, as MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley put it, is a trio of circuits that "blur the line between sub-octave, octave fuzz and synth sounds"2. It sits in the overlap between fuzz pedals, octave and pitch pedals, filter pedals and synth pedals.
What it does
The OFF1 chains a sub-octave circuit, an octave fuzz and a ladder-style synth filter, all analog and all in series23. Premier Guitar described it as "three analog stand-alone circuits in a series: Octave, Fuzz, and Ladder"3. Because the sections run in series, the filter acts on the fuzzed and octaved signal, which is where the synth-like character comes from.
It is not a guitar-only pedal: Horsley notes it "can be used for electric guitar, bass or synthesizer"2.
Controls and footswitches
- Two footswitches, one each for the octave and fuzz effects2
- Both footswitches work in latching or momentary mode, so sections can be held on for a stab or switched on permanently23
- Sub1 and Sub2 each have their own volume control, so the two sub-octave voices can be combined in different amounts2
- An expression pedal or CV input controls the filter's cutoff frequency2
- The Res (resonance) control pushes the filter into self-oscillation: Mastro Valvola says anywhere past 3 o'clock on the Res dial the unit will self-oscillate2
The OFF1 draws 100mA from a 9V DC supply2, which is worth checking against a daisy-chain supply's spare current before sharing a power output.
Dream mode
Beyond its fuzz and filter duties, the OFF1 has a Dream mode. Delicious Audio's Griffin Jennings wrote that "In addition to functioning like a very versatile fuzz, the Dream mode will feed the signal back onto itself, turning it into a self-oscillator"4. In practice that means the pedal can be pushed into sustained, feedback-driven oscillation, territory closer to experimental synth and noise sounds than to a standard fuzz.
Availability
Mastro Valvola listed the OFF1 at 290,00 EUR1. The pedal is handmade in Italy2.
Videos
Mastro Valvola pedals
Mastro Valvola pedals
BassTheWorld.com
News
Questions
What does the Dream mode do on the Mastro Valvola OFF1?
Dream mode feeds the signal back onto itself, turning the pedal into a self-oscillator. Alongside its use as a versatile fuzz, this gives the OFF1 a range of sounds that sit closer to experimental synth and noise territory than to a conventional octave fuzz.
Can the OFF1 be used with bass or synth?
Yes. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley notes the OFF1 can be used for electric guitar, bass or synthesizer, so it is not limited to six-string use.
Does the OFF1 have an expression pedal input?
Yes. There is an expression pedal or CV input for controlling the cutoff frequency of the filter section, which lets a player sweep the filter by foot or from an external control voltage source.
Is the Mastro Valvola OFF1 analog?
Yes. The OFF1 combines three analog circuits in series: Octave, Fuzz and Ladder.
How much current does the OFF1 draw?
The OFF1 takes a 9V DC power supply and draws 100mA, according to MusicRadar.
Where is the Mastro Valvola OFF1 made?
The OFF1 is handmade in Italy.
Sources (4)
- OFF1 - Octave Fuzz Filter - Mastro Valvola, Mastro Valvola, 2023-06-16
- Mastro Valvola's OFF1 combines octave, fuzz and ladder filter effects in one tweakable pedal, MusicRadar, 2022-01-18
- Mastro Valvola Releases OFF1 Octave/Fuzz/Filter Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2022-01-13
- The Best Crazy, Weird, And Unusual Fuzz Pedals In 2024, Delicious Audio, 2024-10-24
