The Mu-Tron TubeTron is an op-amp based overdrive effect from Mu-Tron that can also be used as a transparent clean boost, according to the maker's product page1. Mu-Tron describes it as usable either as a clean boost or as a "tube screamer on steroids," and lists it under treble boost, overdrive and gain pedal categories1. The pedal uses Mu-Tron's patented opto-mod technology to create a push-pull type of parametric tone stack, and is made in the USA1.
Controls
The TubeTron carries four controls, each with a distinct job. Mu-Tron's product page describes three of them directly1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Middle | Controls low and mid-range EQ simultaneously1 |
| Treble | Controls the brightness and presence of signal1 |
| Drive | Sets the amount of drive (named on the maker's page as a control)1 |
| Level | Controls overall output level of signal1 |
The Middle control is the unusual one here: rather than a single midrange band, it adjusts low and mid-range EQ at the same time, which is part of what Mu-Tron means by a push-pull parametric tone stack1. Together with the Treble control, it gives the player tone shaping before the Drive and Level stages, so the pedal can be dialed in as a treble-focused clean boost to push an amplifier or as a fuller overdrive voice1.
How it fits a pedalboard
As a boost, the TubeTron sits in the same family as other boost pedals, and Mu-Tron's own line includes the Mu-Tron Boostron II as a dedicated boost option. As an overdrive, it sits alongside the broader field of overdrive pedals. The maker's description of a treble boost clean drive to push an amplifier points to its most common use: placing it early in the chain to lift the front end of an amp without coloring the basic tone, then using the Middle and Treble controls to shape what gets lifted1.
The TubeTron is a current Mu-Tron product, with a 1 Year Limited Warranty1.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power | 9V DC1 |
| Input | 1/4" input jack1 |
| Output | 1/4" output jack1 |
| Dimensions | 4.75" x 2.5" x 2.25"1 |
| Weight | 1 lb1 |
| Enclosure | Rugged Mu-Tron enclosure1 |
| Made in | USA1 |
| Price | $189.00 USD1 |
The maker's page also lists a shipping-oriented product table with a weight of 1 oz and dimensions of 5 x 5 x 4 in, which describes the packaged unit rather than the pedal itself1.
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Questions
What does the Mu-Tron TubeTron do?
The TubeTron is an op-amp based overdrive effect that can also be used as a transparent clean boost. Mu-Tron says it uses the company's patented opto-mod technology to create a push-pull type of parametric tone stack, and describes it as usable either as a clean boost or as a tube screamer on steroids. It is powered by 9V DC and made in the USA.
Is the Mu-Tron TubeTron an overdrive or a boost?
Both, according to Mu-Tron. The maker describes it as an op-amp based overdrive effect which can be used as a transparent clean boost, and lists it under treble boost, overdrive and gain pedal categories. At lower settings it can push an amplifier with clean drive, while higher Drive settings take it into overdrive territory.
What power supply does the Mu-Tron TubeTron use?
The TubeTron runs on 9V DC power, housed in what Mu-Tron calls a rugged Mu-Tron enclosure. The maker's product page does not give a current draw figure, so a supply rated for the pedal's stated 9V DC requirement is what the specification calls for.
Is the Mu-Tron TubeTron made in the USA?
Yes. Mu-Tron's product page states that the TubeTron is made in the USA, and it carries a 1 Year Limited Warranty from the maker.
What does the Middle control do on the TubeTron?
The Middle control adjusts low and mid-range EQ simultaneously, according to Mu-Tron. It works alongside the Treble control, which handles brightness and presence, giving the pedal tone shaping beyond a simple boost.
Is the Mu-Tron TubeTron analog?
Mu-Tron describes the TubeTron as an op-amp based overdrive effect, which places it in analog circuit territory rather than digital modeling. The maker's page does not use the word analog explicitly, but the op-amp based description and the opto-mod technology point to an analog design.
Sources (1)
- TubeTron, Musitronics Mu-Tron
