Korg KOT-401 Octave V Module

The Korg KOT-401 Octave V is a rare vintage octave and distortion module designed for the Korg PME-40X Modular Effects System. Built in the 1980s, it is one of the most distinctive cartridges in the PME-40X lineup, offering five separate octave voices with individual level and distortion control.

Unlike many analog octave pedals of its era, the KOT-401 does not only generate octave-down effects. It provides one octave up, normal signal, one octave down, 1.5 octaves down, and two octaves down, allowing the player to blend complex synth-like, fuzz, sub-octave, and octave-up textures from a single module. Catalinbread describes the Octave V as having 12 sliders and notes that it delivers one- and two-octave-down sounds, octave-up, dry signal, and distortion across the voices.

Key Features

• Vintage Korg PME-40X effect cartridge
• Octave and distortion / fuzz module
• Five-voice octave architecture
• Individual level control for each octave voice
• Individual distortion control for each octave voice
• Master output level control
• Built-in noise gate control
• Designed for the Korg PME-40X modular pedalboard
• Also commonly listed as compatible with the Yamaha PSE-40A modular effects system
• Rare 1980s Japanese-made module

Controls

• 2 Oct Down: Level of the signal two octaves below the input
• 2 Oct Down Distortion: Distortion amount for the two-octave-down voice
• 1.5 Oct Down: Level of the signal 1.5 octaves below the input
• 1.5 Oct Down Distortion: Distortion amount for the 1.5-octave-down voice
• 1 Oct Down: Level of the signal one octave below the input
• 1 Oct Down Distortion: Distortion amount for the one-octave-down voice
• Normal: Level of the dry/direct signal
• Normal Distortion: Distortion amount for the direct signal
• 1 Oct Up: Level of the signal one octave above the input
• 1 Oct Up Distortion: Distortion amount for the octave-up voice
• Level: Overall output volume
• Noise Gate: Noise gate sensitivity

These 12 controls are also documented by Effects Database and match the commonly cited KOT-401 layout.

Technical / Product Details

• Brand: Korg
• Model: KOT-401 Octave V
• Series/System: Korg PME-40X Modular Effects
• Effect Type: Octave, pitch, fuzz, distortion, overdrive
• Voices: 1 octave up, normal, 1 octave down, 1.5 octaves down, 2 octaves down
• Controls: 12 sliders
• Format: Plug-in cartridge/module for modular pedalboard system
• Era: 1980s
• Compatibility: Korg PME-40X; frequently listed as compatible with Yamaha PSE-40A
• Condition Market: Rare vintage module, usually found used

The Korg KOT-401 is especially valued because it goes far beyond a standard octave pedal. Its multi-voice design, independent distortion per octave band, and noise gate make it capable of producing aggressive octave fuzz, synth-bass textures, glitchy octave-up sounds, and layered analog pitch effects. Reverb listings describe it as a rare Octave & Distortion cartridge for the PME-40X and note compatibility with the Yamaha PSE-40A system.

Overall, the KOT-401 is one of the most unusual and collectible modules in the Korg PME-40X ecosystem, ideal for players looking for vintage Japanese octave-fuzz tones, experimental textures, and modular analog effect control.