The Mu-FX Boostron 3 is a three-in-one pedal: a boost, a compressor and a distortion in a single box1. Each of its three sections is built to resemble a classic circuit: the Blaster boost follows the Alembic Stratoblaster, the Squeezer compressor follows the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer, and the Slacker distortion follows the Pro Co RAT2. Mu-FX announced it in March 2016 at an RRP of $299.953.
The idea is to cover the front end of a signal chain in one pedalboard-friendly housing. Delicious Audio described it as having "all basic guitar signal processing needs covered" and "a solid choice for virtually any type of rock'n'roll guitarist"2. The signal flows boost first, then compressor, then distortion, with an effects loop insert point after the boost and before the compression so other pedals can sit inside the chain2.
The three sections
The pedal is organized as three named sections, each with its own controls and switching145.
| Section | Effect | Based on | Switching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blaster | Clean boost | Alembic Stratoblaster FET preamp5 | True-bypass on/off toggle, not footswitchable2 |
| Squeezer | Compressor | Musitronics/Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer5 | Footswitch4 |
| Slacker | Distortion | Pro Co RAT, using the LM308 op-amp3 | Footswitch4 |
Two footswitches control the Slacker and Squeezer portions of the pedal4. The Blaster boost is the only effect of the three that is not footswitchable; it is switched by a panel toggle instead2.
The controls
Mu-FX's product page describes the controls section by section1:
| Control | Section | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Boost knob | Blaster | Controls the output level of the effect |
| Blaster On/True-Bypass switch | Blaster | Determines whether the effect is on or off (true-bypassed) |
| Blaster LED | Blaster | Indicates volume by brightness |
| Output knob | Squeezer | Controls the output level of the compressed signal |
| Bass Flat/-/+ switch | Slacker | Flat position is the normal tonality of the distortion circuit |
The Slacker section also has a mode toggle. Pedal of the Day describes its Comp mode as "a 2 diode symmetrical, or 'limiting' distortion"4. The Blaster LED doubling as a volume indicator is a practical touch: you can read how hard the boost is pushing from across the pedalboard.
The Blaster boost cannot be turned on or off with your foot. If you plan to kick a boost in mid-song, this is not the section to do it with; the toggle is a panel switch.
Signal order and the effects loop
The guitar's signal flows through the boost circuit first, then the compressor, then the distortion2. Between the boost and the compression there is an on-board effects loop insert point for integrating other pedals into the chain2. That placement is unusual: most pedals only offer a loop after everything, whereas here an external pedal can sit between the Blaster and Squeezer circuits, for example feeding the compressor a signal that has already gone through your own overdrive.
History: Stratoblaster, Squeeser and Rat circuits
All three circuits are made to resemble the original pedals as closely as possible3. The lineage:
- Blaster is based on the Alembic Stratoblaster FET clean boost preamp, a circuit associated with 1970s live rigs5.
- Squeezer is modeled after the Musitronics/Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer compressor5.
- Slacker mimics a Pro Co RAT distortion, built around the LM308 op-amp chip, which achieves far heavier levels of gain than a boost3.
The Boostron 3 was designed in collaboration with professional guitarist Ran Anderson, to offer a flexible boost alongside the other two circuits3. MusicRadar reported the pedal as available in March 2016 for $299.95 direct from Mu-FX53, and Gearnews announced it the same month at the same RRP3.
The pedal itself is a modern package for those older designs: Pedal of the Day noted it "combines visual and sonic cues from the past with a thoroughly modern, pedal board oriented design" in what Mu-FX calls its "mini-mu" housing, made in the USA4.
What reviewers said
"The Boostron 3 is a unique take on some classic sounds, and being able to house 3 rad effects into a small and unique enclosure is a feat itself, but to have them all sound this good is just ridiculous."4
Pedal of the Day4
Delicious Audio's write-up echoed the practical appeal, calling it a compact, pedalboard-friendly housing for three classic circuit designs and a solid choice for virtually any type of rock'n'roll guitarist2.
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Questions
Is the Mu-FX Boostron 3 true bypass?
Yes. The pedal uses true bypass switching on its 1/4 inch input jack, and the Blaster boost section has its own true-bypass on/off toggle switch, so the boost can be taken fully out of the signal path when it is off. The Slacker and Squeezer sections are handled by their two footswitches.
Can you footswitch the boost on the Boostron 3?
No. The Blaster boost is the only one of the three effects that is not footswitchable. Instead it has a true-bypass on/off toggle switch on the panel, so you switch it by hand rather than by foot. The Slacker distortion and Squeezer compressor sections each get their own footswitch.
What order are the effects in on the Boostron 3?
The guitar's signal flows through the boost circuit first, then the compressor, then the distortion. In section names that is Blaster, then Squeezer, then Slacker. There is also an effects loop insert point after the boost and before the compression, so other pedals can be placed in the middle of the chain.
Does the Boostron 3 have an effects loop?
Yes. There is an on-board effects loop insert point after the boost section and before the compression, which lets you integrate other pedals into the chain between the Blaster and Squeezer circuits rather than only in front of or after the whole unit.
What power supply does the Mu-FX Boostron 3 need?
It runs on 9 to 9.6V DC, the standard pedalboard supply range. The pedal is made in the USA and carries a 1 year limited warranty. No battery or current draw figures have been published for it.
Sources (5)
- Mu-FX Boostron 3, Musitronics Mu-Tron
- New Pedal: Mu-FX Boostron 3, Delicious Audio, 2016-08-31
- A Boutique Trinity: Mu-FX announce Boostron 3 pedal, gearnews.com, 2016-03-20
- Mu-FX Boostron 3 Boost/Compressor/Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2016-08-08
- Mu-FX unleashes three pedals in one with the Boostron 3, MusicRadar, 2016-03-18
