The Mu-Tron Octavider+ is an analog octave and pitch pedal that creates a thick analog octave-down, a fuzzy ring-modulated octave-up tone, and a creamy hi-fi fuzz tone, all in one box1. Mu-Tron's own pitch for it is blunt: "Turn your instrument into a fat monophonic synthesizer"2. It is the newest reincarnation of the classic Mu-Tron Octave Divider, the 1970s pedal the company built its octave reputation on2.
Where most octave-down pedals do one job, the Octavider+ stacks three effects: a sub-octave voiced to match your original signal, a ringer circuit that adds a fuzz octave-up, and an independent fuzz circuit you can use on its own or layered with the octave effect1. Pedal of the Day reviewed it in 2020 and called it "a small but powerful machine," noting that its newly developed circuitry analyzes the original signal and pairs it with the note one octave below, matching tone color and dynamics over an exceptionally wide range3.
What it does to your sound
The core of the pedal is the octave-down side. Mu-Tron says the circuit produces a sub-octave with many of the characteristics of the original signal, so the generated note follows your tone color and dynamics rather than sounding like a separate synth voice3. On top of that sit two fuzz-flavored layers:
- Ringer: a ring-modulated octave-up effect that Mu-Tron describes as adding a slight octave up and fuzz tone. The ringer signal is added to the output regardless of where the Mix control is set, so it stays in the sound even at low effect levels2.
- Fuzz: an independent, high-fidelity fuzz circuit with a single knob, which Mu-Tron says may be used independently or in addition to the octave effect1. The knob increases fuzz clockwise while interactively decreasing output level2.
Pedal of the Day's reviewer found the tracking held up across instruments: "The Mu-Tron Octavider+ Analog Octave Fuzz tracks steady on guitar, bass, keyboards & horns, and will turn your instrument into a fat monophonic synthesizer"24. The same review noted that the fuzz side features an independent, hi-voltage, high-fidelity circuit that adds harmonic overdrive tones with one single Fuzz knob3.
The controls
The control set is small and switch-heavy, which suits a pedal where the sounds live in combinations rather than sweepable ranges.
| Control | Type | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Fuzz | Knob | Adds a warm hi-fi fuzz tone; increases fuzz clockwise while interactively decreasing output level12 |
| Tone | Knob (Lo-Hi) | Controls the tone1 |
| Mix | Knob | Controls the mix between the direct signal and the effect signal2 |
| Ringer | Switch (On/Off) | Adds a slight octave up and fuzz tone; added to the output regardless of Mix2 |
| Stabilize | Switch (On/Off) | Provides note tracking stability1 |
| Bass Only | Switch (On/Off) | Takes out the input signal, leaving the generated sub-octave2 |
Two of those switches deserve a closer look. Stabilize is the tracking aid: Pedal of the Day described it as "the unique Stabilize toggle switch activates a circuit that enables the Octavider+ to lock into the musical tone and sound a simultaneous sub-octave with accuracy that is not found in any other device"3. Bass Only removes your dry input entirely, which is the fastest way to hear what the octave generator is actually producing, and a natural setting for bass players who want only the sub-octave underneath.
The reviewer also pointed out that the pedal's sound keeps changing at the guitar end: "by using the Tone and Volume controls on your guitar, many great in-between tones are just waiting to be discovered"3. LED indicators on the pedal show the operating status of each effect2.
Versions and the classic Octave Divider
The Octavider+ is a reissue-era descendant of the Mu-Tron Octave Divider, the 1970s Musitronics pedal that Mu-Tron calls the classic original2. The vintage Octave Divider produced a sub-octave with many of the characteristics of the original signal, with a built-in ringer providing a fuzz tone in the low register and a fuzz octave up in the high register, plus a tone color control for the sub-octave5. The modern Octave Divider reissue carries the same core idea: a thick analog octave-down and a fuzzy ring-modulated octave-up tone, with a Ringer on/off switch6.
The Octavider+ differs from the Octave Divider mainly in its fuzz circuit. Both pedals do the octave-down plus ringer combination, but the Octavider+ adds the independent, high-fidelity fuzz circuit with single-knob control, which can be used on its own or stacked with the octave effect14. In effect it folds an octave pedal and a fuzz pedal into one enclosure.
The Octavider+ has also appeared in a Black Limited Edition, with the same feature set: thick analog octave-down, fuzzy ring-modulated octave-up, and the independent hi-fi fuzz circuit, powered by industry-standard 9V DC4.
The Octavider+ is 9V DC powered in a rugged Mu-Tron enclosure2. No battery operation is listed, so plan on a 9V DC supply.
What reviewers said
Videos
Mu Tron
Mu Tron
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the Mu-Tron Octavider+ polyphonic?
No. Mu-Tron describes it as turning your instrument into a fat monophonic synthesizer, so the octave effect is built around single notes rather than chords. Pedal of the Day found it tracks steady on guitar, bass, keyboards and horns, and the Stabilize switch helps it lock onto the note you are playing.
What does the Ringer do on the Octavider+?
Ringer is an on/off switch that adds a slight octave up and fuzz tone. It is a ring-modulated octave-up effect, and Mu-Tron notes that the Ringer signal is added to the output regardless of where the Mix control is set, so it stays present even at low effect mixes.
What does the Stabilize switch do?
Stabilize is an on/off switch that provides note tracking stability. According to Pedal of the Day, it activates a circuit that lets the Octavider+ lock into the musical tone and sound a simultaneous sub-octave with accuracy the reviewer said was not found in any other device.
Does the Octavider+ work with bass guitar?
Yes. Pedal of the Day reports that it tracks steady on bass as well as guitar, keyboards and horns, and the pedal carries a Bass Only switch that removes the input signal from the output so you hear only the generated sub-octave.
Does the Mu-Tron Octavider+ take a battery?
No battery operation is listed. The pedal is 9V DC powered in a rugged Mu-Tron enclosure, so it runs from a standard 9V DC supply rather than an internal battery.
How is the Octavider+ different from the original Mu-Tron Octave Divider?
The Octavider+ is the newest reincarnation of the classic Mu-Tron Octave Divider. Both create a thick analog octave-down and a fuzzy ring-modulated octave-up tone, but the Octavider+ adds an independent hi-fi fuzz circuit with its own knob that can be used on its own or layered with the octave effect.
Sources (6)
- Octavider+, Musitronics Mu-Tron
- Octavider+ Vintage Silver, Musitronics Mu-Tron (mu-tron.com)
- Mu-Tron Octavider+ Analog Octave Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2020-07-02
- Octavider+ Black Limited Edition, Musitronics Mu-Tron
- Mu-Tron Octave Divider, Musitronics Mu-Tron
- Octave Divider, Musitronics Mu-Tron
