The Musitronics Mu-Tron Octavider+ is an analog octave and pitch pedal with fuzz built in. Musitronics describes it as creating "a thick analog octave-down, a fuzzy ring-modulated octave-up tone, and a creamy hi-fi fuzz tone," and as the newest reincarnation of the classic Mu-Tron Octave Divider1. It is made in the USA, runs on 9V DC, and carries a 1 Year Limited Warranty1.
The octave side uses newly developed circuitry that analyzes the original signal and pairs it with the note one octave below, matching tone color and dynamics over what Pedal of the Day called "an exceptionally wide range"2. The fuzz side is an independent, hi-voltage, high-fidelity circuit with a single knob2. A patent-pending stabilization circuit lets the pedal lock into single-voiced signals so the sub-octave tracks accurately1.
What the Octavider+ does to your sound
The Octavider+ combines three things in one box. The core is the octave divider: an analog circuit that produces a sub-octave with many of the characteristics of the original signal. A built-in ringer provides a fuzz tone in the low register and a fuzz octave up in the high register4. On top of that, the Fuzz control adds what the maker calls a warm hi-fi fuzz tone1.
Pedal of the Day reviewed the pedal in 2020 as "a small but powerful machine" combining fuzz and octave effects, and found it "works wonders with both stringed and wind instruments, making it an all-around powerhouse for any musical genre"2. The maker's own pitch for the Black Limited Edition is blunt: "Turn your instrument into a fat monophonic synthesizer."3
Two details from the maker are worth knowing before you build a sound around the ringer:
- The Ringer effect is added to the output regardless of where the Mix knob sits, and the octave-up component is strongest with Mix full down3.
- The single-knob Fuzz circuit increases fuzz clockwise while interactively decreasing output level, so turning fuzz up means the overall level drops3.
Pedal of the Day noted the same behavior on the fuzz side: turning the Fuzz knob down decreases both the fuzz and the output2.
The controls
The Octavider+ has two knobs and three toggle switches:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tone (Lo-Hi) | Controls the tone1 |
| Mix | Controls the mix between the direct signal and the effect signal1 |
| Fuzz | Adds a warm hi-fi fuzz tone1 |
| Ringer (On/Off) | Adds a slight octave up and fuzz tone1 |
| Bass Only (On/Off) | Takes out the input signal1 |
| Stabilize (On/Off) | Provides note tracking stability1 |
The Bass Only switch is the one bass players will reach for: with the input signal removed, only the octave-down effect comes through, which suits bass pedalboards where a clean direct blend is not wanted1.
The Stabilize switch is the pedal's distinguishing feature. The maker describes the unique stabilization circuit (patent pending) as enabling the Octavider+ to lock into the musical tone and sound a simultaneous sub-octave with accuracy not found in any other device1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer described the Stabilize toggle as activating a circuit that lets the pedal lock into the musical tone and sound a simultaneous sub-octave with accuracy13. In practice it addresses the classic problem of analog octave dividers: tracking that wobbles on anything but a clean single note.
Power, size and connections
The Octavider+ runs on industry-standard 9V DC in a rugged Mu-Tron enclosure1. Connections are simple: one 1/4″ input jack and one 1/4″ output jack1. At 4.75″ x 2.5″ x 2.25″ and 1 lb, it is a compact pedal rather than a vintage-style rack unit1.
The Black Limited Edition product page lists two different weights and dimension sets: 1 lb and 4.75" x 2.5" x 2.25" in one place, and 14 oz and 5 x 4 x 4 in in its product table3. The standard Octavider+ page gives 1 lb and 4.75″ x 2.5″ x 2.25″1.
From the Mu-Tron Octave Divider to the Black Limited Edition
The Octavider+ traces back to the Mu-Tron Octave Divider that Musitronics produced in the 1970s2. The vintage unit produced a sub-octave with many of the characteristics of the original signal, with the built-in ringer providing a fuzz tone in the low register and a fuzz octave up in the high register4. Musitronics currently lists a reissued Octave Divider alongside the Octavider+, with the same Ringer (On/Off) function and an auxiliary impedance-compensated output5.
The current lineup includes several versions of the pedal:
- Octavider+, the standard version, in a rugged Mu-Tron enclosure1
- Octavider+ Vintage Silver6
- Octavider+ Black Limited Edition, listed at $299.00 USD3
All three versions share the same control set: Tone, Mix, Fuzz, Ringer, Bass Only and Stabilize, with the same analog octave-down engine and 9V DC power136.
Musitronics also positions the Octavider+ as part of a larger system: the maker says it is designed to work in a complementary fashion with the Mu-Tron Micro-Tron IV and Phasor III products to produce a modular synthesis system6. Players building in that direction can also look at the Mu-Tron Octavider+ Analog Octave Fuzz page for the version Pedal of the Day reviewed, or compare it against other synth pedals that take a guitar toward monophonic synthesizer territory.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Mu Tron
Mu Tron
Questions
Does the Octavider+ work on bass?
Yes. The Bass Only switch takes the input signal out of the output, leaving only the octave-down effect, which is aimed at players who want the sub-octave on its own. The maker also notes the tracking circuit pairs the original note with the one below across a wide range, and the pedal works with stringed and wind instruments.
What does the Stabilize switch do on the Mu-Tron Octavider+?
Stabilize (On/Off) provides note tracking stability. It activates a patent-pending stabilization circuit that lets the Octavider+ lock into the musical tone and sound a simultaneous sub-octave with accuracy the maker says is not found in any other device.
Is the Mu-Tron Octavider+ analog?
Yes. Musitronics describes the Octavider+ as creating a thick analog octave-down, plus a fuzzy ring-modulated octave-up tone and a creamy hi-fi fuzz tone. The fuzz side is an independent, hi-voltage, high-fidelity circuit.
Where is the Mu-Tron Octavider+ made?
The Mu-Tron Octavider+ is made in the USA by Musitronics, in a rugged Mu-Tron enclosure, and carries a 1 Year Limited Warranty.
Does the Octavider+ work with the Micro-Tron IV and Phasor III?
Yes. Musitronics says the Octavider+ is designed to work in a complementary fashion with the Mu-Tron Micro-Tron IV and Phasor III products to produce a modular synthesis system.
Sources (6)
- Octavider+, Musitronics Mu-Tron
- 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
- Octavider+ Vintage Silver, Musitronics Mu-Tron (mu-tron.com)
