Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $2,099

High-end/Boutique

$75

$201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Mu-Tron Bi-Phase, a masterpiece from the innovative 70s, is more than just a phaser effects pedal. This legendary device, born from the creative minds at Musictronics, offers dual channel phase shifting with a distinct set of two "Sweep Generator" sections. This pedal is available in two variations: the classic two-button design or the slightly more valuable optical pedal, both presenting a unique and immersive sonic experience.

Key Features:

  • Dual-channel phase shifting
  • Two "Sweep Generator" sections
  • Available in two-button or optical pedal
  • Pioneered by Musictronics in the 70s
  • Produced from 1972 to 1981

Product specs

Brand Mu-Tron
Model Bi-Phase
Finish Blue
Year 1970s
Made In United States
Categories Phaser Pedals

FAQs

What makes the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase unique compared to other phaser pedals?

The Mu-Tron Bi-Phase is unique due to its dual phaser circuits, allowing for complex, swirling phase effects. This setup provides a rich, vintage sound that can be customized extensively, making it a favorite for musicians seeking a distinctive phasing experience.

Can the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase be used with instruments other than guitar?

Yes, the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase can be used with various instruments, including keyboards and bass, to achieve lush, modulated sounds. Its versatile design makes it suitable for a wide range of musical applications beyond just guitar.

How does the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase handle live performance settings?

The Mu-Tron Bi-Phase is well-suited for live performances, offering robust build quality and intuitive controls for on-the-fly adjustments. Its dual phaser circuits provide dynamic soundscapes that can enhance live shows with rich, evolving textures.

Does the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase require a specific power supply?

The Mu-Tron Bi-Phase requires a specific power supply, typically a 24-volt adapter, to operate correctly. It's important to use the appropriate power source to ensure optimal performance and avoid potential damage to the pedal.

Is the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase suitable for studio recording?

Yes, the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase is excellent for studio recording, offering a wide range of phase modulation options that can add depth and character to recorded tracks. Its vintage sound quality is particularly valued in professional recording environments.

Reverb

Reverb

Funky Vintage: Mu-Tron Bi-Phase | Reverb Video Demo

Video thumbnail for Funky Vintage: Mu-Tron Bi-Phase | Reverb Video Demo by Reverb

Funky Vintage: Mu-Tron Bi-Phase | Reverb Video Demo

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Mu-Tron Bi-Phase by hiwattbob

Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

hiwattbob

hiwattbob

Video thumbnail for mrfett's Mu-Tron Bi-Phase Review by mrfett

mrfett's Mu-Tron Bi-Phase Review

mrfett

mrfett

Video thumbnail for George Duke - Mu-tron demonstration record 1975. by Adrian Täckman

George Duke - Mu-tron demonstration record 1975.

Adrian Täckman

Adrian Täckman

Video thumbnail for Mu-Tron Bi-Phase by Miguel d'Oliveira

Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Miguel d'Oliveira

Miguel d'Oliveira

Video thumbnail for Mu-Tron Bi-Phase | Rare and Vintage Phaser Pedal! by The Upper Bout

Mu-Tron Bi-Phase | Rare and Vintage Phaser Pedal!

The Upper Bout

The Upper Bout

Reviews

PROS

  • Unlimited phase options in mono or stereo fields

  • Allows for both shallow and deep sweeps

  • Built like a tank, durable for industry use

  • Offers insane phase sweeps for creative sound manipulation

  • Versatility from subtle to intense sounds, fitting various music styles

  • Can use two phasors separately or together for more sound diversity

CONS

  • Requires footswitch for full operation, which can be lost or damaged

  • Takes up significant pedalboard space

  • Can be daunting to use due to its complexity

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mu-Tron Bi-Phase.

Comparisons

  • The Behringer Bi-Phase clone is favored over the Mu-Tron reissue by some users, despite the original Mu-Tron being preferred overall.

    Source
  • Some users compare the Bi-Phase ii's subtlety to classic phase pedals like the MXR Phase 90, noting it provides a more complex and layered sound.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Behringer's Dual Phase has clicking footswitches and a CV input that may not work with all expression pedals, despite being advertised as compatible.

    Source
  • The Behringer Dual Phase was initially sold under the name BiPhase, with a name change following legal issues and parts shortages affecting availability.

    Source
  • The Mu-Tron Bi-Phase ii offers a subtle phasing effect, which some users find less pronounced than expected, suggesting its suitability for more nuanced soundscapes.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Opening the Behringer unit to adjust trim pots can make the phaser rate slower and increase input gain, altering sound resonance and volume.

    Source
  • A PedalPCB Duo-Phase build is a suggested project for DIY enthusiasts, though it's not a perfect clone, unlike the more complex Dead End FX version.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Adjusting the rate trim pot on the Behringer can slow phasing significantly, while the gain trim pot can enhance sound resonance.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Behringer Bi-Phase clone can be found under $200 if purchased during restocks, but is often resold at higher prices due to demand.

    Source
  • The original Mu-Tron Bi-Phase can fetch over $3,000 on Reverb, with the lowest current listing at $1,600, reflecting high collector demand.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Users often route the Bi-Phase ii in stereo settings, allowing for more expansive soundscapes, particularly in ambient and psychedelic music genres.

    Source
  • Users commonly run the Bi-Phase through electric organs and bass guitars, emphasizing its versatility across different instruments.

    Source
  • It's been noted that the Bi-Phase can be integrated into setups for artists like Billy Corgan and Jerry Garcia, highlighting its iconic status in rock music.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note a learning curve in maximizing the pedal's potential, often requiring experimentation with different settings to achieve desired effects.

    Source
  • Owners advise never selling an original Bi-Phase, considering it a "holy grail" pedal and a lifetime investment.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 8 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jay Watson uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Jay Watson

Guitarist, Drummer

Tame Impala

...
Verified via Photo

In the first image of this Instagram post from August 2022, a Mutron Bi-Phase can be seen on a stand to the right of Jay’s desk in his home studio

See how Mick Gordon uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Mick Gordon

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

At 18:37 - "The third was a Mu-Tron Biphase"

See how Al Cisneros uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Al Cisneros

Singer, Bassist

Sleep

...
Verified via Google

Can be seen bottom left of pedalboard.

See how Larry "Ler" LaLonde uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Larry "Ler" LaLonde

Guitarist

Primus

...
Verified via Questia

Used during the recording sessions for Pork Soda.

See how Kenny Wayne Shepherd uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Guitarist

The G3 Jam

...
Verified via Guyguitars

used on the 1st album on the song 'Riverside'

Is that a Mu-Tron Bi-Phase?!

Yeah! Yeah, exactly! It's actually Prince's, it's his pedal - well, the producer who produced my record is the guy that produced all of Prince's stuff, and "found" Prince and all that, and so he had this big Mu-Tron, it's like this big , you know , and he pulls this thing out, he says, "Here, try this", throws it on the ground, and I'm like, "What is THAT?" , you know, and he's like, "check it out!", so I did.

See how The Crystal Method uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

The Crystal Method

Music Producer

The Crystal Method & Bubba Sparxxx

...
Verified via YouTube

at 4:00 the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase can be seen beside the TR-909 behind Scott

See how James "Munky" Shaffer uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

James "Munky" Shaffer

Guitarist

Korn

...
Verified

James Shaffer, also known as "Munky" from Korn, reportedly used the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase phaser pedal in the mid-1990s. While the specific songs are not identified, this usage is documented in the Korn Equipment List on Angelfire.

See how Mick Jagger uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Mick Jagger

Singer

The Rolling Stones

...
Verified via Pedal of the Day

The prototype was given to Jagger by inventor Mike Biegel, as stated by Beigel himself in this February 15, 2017 Pedal of the Day interview.

By the time Musitronics was in full swing I met quite a few Jazz and Rock & Roll stars, and learned from them what they wanted in their “musical toys”. […] Spending most of a night at a Rolling Stones rehearsal and giving Mick Jagger the first prototype of the Bi-Phase was an education all by itself.

See how Justin Meldal-Johnsen uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Justin Meldal-Johnsen

Bassist, Music Producer

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post captioned "F it Friday," Justin Meldal-Johnsen showcases the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase, highlighting its use in a studio session.

See how Mark Ronson uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Mark Ronson

Guitarist, Music Producer

Silk City

...
Verified via Photo

Mark Ronson, a renowned music producer and guitarist, explicitly showcases his use of the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase, a phaser effects pedal, in his BBC Maestro class from 2022. During lesson 17, titled "Tones, Colours and Textures," he demonstrates the pedal's effect on a Fender Rhodes electric piano, expressing his admiration for the device. Ronson shares, "So this is a Mu-Tron Bi-Phase. It’s one of my favourite pedals. I learned about it because David Bowie used it on the Young Americans album and Carlos Alomar — the guitar player on it, who I was lucky enough to work with on my Uptown Special record — it was just the sound of his guitar on that record, and it’s fantastic, so I got obsessed with it. I tracked one down, and when I got to have Carlos come in the studio and play on some songs on Uptown Special, I had this out and it was cool because I don’t think he’d seen one in 30 years, and he was super-psyched to have his old gear and rig back, and he played some beautiful stuff on it… You can use this on anything. You can use this on production, you can use it on your synths. It just makes a great stereo phase, and you can adjust the depth and the feedback and the rate on each side — on the left and right channels." This direct citation confirms Ronson's use and preference for the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase in his music production process.

See how Lee Ritenour uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Lee Ritenour

Guitarist

GRP All-Star Big Band

...
Verified via YouTube

In a video interview titled "Lee Ritenour Revisits his Biggest Sessions" hosted by Vertex Effects on YouTube, guitarist Lee Ritenour discusses his use of the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase pedal across numerous studio sessions, highlighting its role in shaping his sound during recordings.

See how Joris Voorn uses Mu-Tron Bi-Phase

Joris Voorn

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Joris talks about the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase pedal. He says, "It sounds amazing. It's very deep, kind of warm sounding," at 1:20.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Mu-Tron Bi-Phase, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

4 alternative and related items for Mu-Tron Bi-Phase, curated by the Equipboard community.

Behringer Bi-Phase Dual Phase Shifter

$119.00 - $144.11

Vintage or Discontinued newer similar sound

Behringer has re-issued the famous Mu-Tron Bi-Phase.

More Mu-Tron Phaser Effects Pedals

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Gear Guides