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Average Price: $495

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$301+

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Description

Introducing the Mu-Tron Octave Divider, a revolutionary product from the 70s that is still loved by musicians today. Known for its innovative design, this pedal is a gem from the golden age of Musictronics. It offers a unique way of adding depth and richness to your sound by producing tones an octave above and below the input.

Key Features:

  • Designed by Musictronics, a brand renowned for its innovative effect pedals
  • Offers an exciting way to expand your sonic range by creating tones an octave above and below your input
  • A classic piece from the 70s, beloved by musicians for decades
  • Part of the popular Mu-Tron III series
  • Perfect for guitarists looking to add a vintage touch to their sound
  • Manufactured between 1977 and 1981

Product specs

Brand Mu-Tron
Model Octave Divider
Finish White
Year 1970s
Made In United States
Categories Octave and Pitch-Shifting Pedals, Ring Modulator Pedals

FAQs

What type of effect does the Mu-Tron Octave Divider provide?

The Mu-Tron Octave Divider is a harmonizer and octave effects pedal that generates a note one octave below the input signal, adding depth and richness to your sound.

Is the Mu-Tron Octave Divider suitable for bass guitar?

Yes, the Mu-Tron Octave Divider works well with bass guitars, allowing bassists to create deep, powerful octave effects that enhance their playing.

How does the Mu-Tron Octave Divider track notes?

The Mu-Tron Octave Divider is known for its reliable and accurate note tracking, ensuring that the octave effect remains clear and consistent even with complex playing.

What is the best position for the Mu-Tron Octave Divider in a pedal chain?

It is recommended to place the Mu-Tron Octave Divider early in your pedal chain, after tuners and volume pedals, to ensure a clean signal for optimal note tracking.

Can the Mu-Tron Octave Divider be used for live performances?

Yes, the Mu-Tron Octave Divider is ideal for live performances, offering robust construction and reliable operation to enhance your live sound with octave effects.

mikesgigtv

mikesgigtv

Mu-Tron Octave Divider Flashback Review | MikesGigTV

Video thumbnail for Mu-Tron Octave Divider Flashback Review | MikesGigTV by mikesgigtv

Mu-Tron Octave Divider Flashback Review | MikesGigTV

mikesgigtv

mikesgigtv

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Mods and upgrades

  • Adjusting R16/R17 boosts bass volume significantly, crucial for achieving a balanced sound output.

    Source

Build quality

  • Compact design results in a knob nearly touching a toggle switch; LED placement could be improved.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Initial issues with missing V- supply in opamps were resolved by connecting them to GND via a flying wire.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Modifications derived from BYOC schematics and tweaks to R8 enhance performance without altering stock values significantly.

    Source
  • The pedal is praised for its unique sound, famously associated with Neil Young's "Satan’s butthole" tone, a signature aspect of his Crazy Horse performances.

    Source
  • It’s been confirmed the pedal uses components like flip-flops for frequency dividing, which results in a square wave output.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite doubling costs, owners find the modifications worthwhile for improved sound and build quality.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The pedal's analog octave effect is noted for its excellent tracking, especially when used with bass guitars.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners have compared the Mu-Tron Octave Divider favorably against modern clones, noting its authentic sound and historical value.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
miggz

Classic Effects Pedal

I was given this pedal by a guitar teacher I had in Hollywood when I was a young teen. I wish I had held onto it, but at the time, Boss and other upcoming effects pedal companies were providing smaller and more convenient AC adapter/9 volt battery designs to go along with the multi effect feature pedals of that day, so this type of monstrous pedal with just one effect was not so sought after(past it’s initial era). The octave splitting fuzz can effectively be heard on the solo of ‘Fool in the Rain’ by Led Zeppelin. It can also create and variate gritty synth tones. Poster child for the ‘built like a tank’ vintage pedal category. Overall a classic pedal with an effect that would be difficult to genuinely reproduce with any other pedal or effect board.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jeff Beck uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Jeff Beck

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

According Jeff Beck's tech, Stevie Prior, Beck uses an Octave Divider during his solo shows that's controlled in an offstage rack by Prior.

See how Neil Young uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Neil Young

Singer, Guitarist

Crazy Horse

...
Verified via Photo

Neil Young's Mu-Tron Octave Divider is mentioned in this Guitar World interview:

"The slanted portion features five buttons: one for each of the four Whizzer presets, as well as a reverb kill. Across the top panel are switches for, variously, a Mu-Tron octave divider; an old, AC-powered MXR analog delay; a Boss Flanger in a “blue, cast-metal box”; and an Echoplex."

See how Frank Zappa uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Frank Zappa

Singer, Guitarist

The Plastic Ono Band

...
Verified via Killuglyradio

What's in the large console you use on stage? It looks very complex. "Well, actually it's not all that complex. It's a little rough to maintain. Things can get broken where it's shipped around. It's got a pair of Dynaflangers, a pair of MXR Flangers. It's got one input and four outputs – two dirty outputs and two clean outputs, all stereo. There's also two Big Muffs, Systec Harmonic Energizer – all these things are in pairs – Oberheim ECF, Eventide Harmonizer, MXR DBL, Mutron, DBX 162 compressors, Gain Brains, Kepexes, a Theremin and a Biphase. That's about it, and there's about 24 switches on the floor. I add to it every year. The Dynaflangers are on the newest thing. Oh yes, there's a Mutron Octivider and a DBX Boom Box. " - From the Guitar Player Magazine (May-June) in 1979, written down on the Frank Zappa Wiki "Wiki Jawaka"

See how Wes Borland uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Wes Borland

Singer, Guitarist

Marilyn Manson

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by Wes Borland, the Mu-Tron Octave Divider is visible among his gear, suggesting its use in his setup.

See how Mike Einziger uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Mike Einziger

Guitarist

Incubus

...
Verified via Photo

On the insert pic of this article a Mutron Octave divider can be seen on his pedalboard

See how Ace Frehley uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Ace Frehley

Singer, Guitarist

Kiss

...
Verified via Archive

Ace used this pedal for solos with Kiss, as described on a placard in an exhibition display that can be seen in this photo sourced from fansite Ace Frehley Les Paul’s “Ace Without A Les Paul” page. It is also mentioned in this March 1997 Vintage Guitar interview.

Exhibition card

ACE FREHLEY OCTAVE EFFECT USED DURING GUITAR SOLO WITH KISS

Vintage Guitar, March 1997, “Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley”

What kind of outboard gear are you using?

Very little. Right now, I’m using some DDL for the smoking guitar effect in the guitar solo. I used to use a Mutron Octave Divider, but now I find I like the Zoom better. It has reverb, compression, phasing you name it, it does it! I got it in a pawnshop. It’s one of the floor models, but I think I’m going to get the rackmount version for the tour so my roadie can control it. To me, the less effects I can get away with the better. I don’t understand why guitar players have a rack with 20 different things in it. Just plug a Les Paul into a Marshall, put everything on 10 and go for it!

See how Jerry Garcia uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Jerry Garcia

Singer, Guitarist

Grateful Dead

...
Verified via Google

In a photo from a Google search, Jerry Garcia's rack setup includes a Mu-Tron Octave Divider, positioned to the left of his Mu-Tron III. Garcia began using this pedal possibly in 1976, with confirmed usage from 1977 through the mid to late 1980s.

See how George Lynch uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

George Lynch

Guitarist

Dokken

...
Verified via Georgelynch

Talking about 2008 tour gear on georgelynch.com wordpress: "The OC-2 replaces the use of the MuTron octave divider that blew up on the road in 2007"

See how Bootsy Collins uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Bootsy Collins

Singer, Bassist

Funkadelic

...
Verified via TalkBass.com

Used with Parliament and Funkadelic, as mentioned by Collins in this excerpt from a 1979 Guitar Player interview as transcribed TalkBass here and here from a reprint in Bass Heroes: Styles, Stories & Secrets of 30 Great Bass Players,

What kind of amps do you use in your setup?

The entire system is divided into three different parts - high, mid, and low. But we're not just talking about amplification, we're talking about the effects in each part. On my highs I use a Big Muff fuzz, a Mu-tron III [envelope-following filter], an MXR digital delay, a Morley Fuzz/Wah, a Morley Power Wah, and an Eventide Harmonizer. The Harmonizer sits in a case that looks like R2D2 from Star Wars. It looks just like a little robot, so I call it R2FunkU. There's a sign hanging on it that says, "Can I Play?" Inside of it, there's also a keyboard for the Harmonizer that enables me to preset harmonized intervals to what I'm playing. That way I can play a note and have a fifth or a third coming out at the same time.

All of that equipment just for the highs?

Right. For the mids, I have a Big Muff fuzz, a Mu-tron III, and an MXR digital delay. On the lows, I use a Mu-tron Octave Divider, two Roland Space Echos, a Big Muff fuzz, and a Mu-tron III. I keep all my effects in one box called the Space Case. The highs and mids each have an Alembic preamp, two Crown DC-300A amps, and four Cerwin-Vega speaker cabinets.

What's in each cabinet?

The cabinets used for the highs are called V-32s. They have two 12s, one midrange horn, and two tweeters. The midrange cabinets are basically the same, except there's one 15" speaker instead of two 12s. Those are called V-34s. On the bottom end are three Acoustic 370 heads and six Cerwin-Vega cabinets. Two have one 18" speaker and one 12", two more have an 18 and a 10, and two have one 18" and an 8.

Isn't that a lot of equipment for onstage?

I don't play it that loud. I've just got it there so that I don't have to strain the equipment and everybody can hear. As a matter of fact, the whole stage is set up like that. The guitar player, the keyboard player, everybody is set up like that so there is no real strain.

See how Larry "Ler" LaLonde uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Larry "Ler" LaLonde

Guitarist

Primus

...
Verified via Indstate

This was used during the Brown Album-era.

See how Pat O'Brien uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Pat O'Brien

Guitarist

Cannibal Corpse

...
Verified via YouTube

Cannibal Corpse records vocals and guitar solos at Mana Recording Studios with producer Erik Rutan. All footage was shot by the band.

As of 3:38 Pat can be seen using a Mu-Tron Octave Divider for lead tracks.

See how Robert DeLeo uses Mu-Tron Octave Divider

Robert DeLeo

Guitarist, Bassist

Stone Temple Pilots

...
Verified via Twitter

"Had this since high school."

Album Usage

The Mu-Tron Octave Divider has been featured on the following albums:

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 Octave Divider, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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rothhandlestudios

rothhandlestudios

Gear IQ 1963

rothhandlestudios

rothhandlestudios

Gear IQ 1963

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similar sound

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Mu-Tron Dan Armstrong Green Ringer

 

Vintage or Discontinued cheaper alternative

The Green Ringer was implemented in the Octave Divider as the “Ringer” switch.

Behringer Octave Divider Effects Pedal

$55.00 - $72.90

similar sound cheaper alternative

A more affordable clone of the Mu-Tron Octave Divider, with strikingly similar appearance and functionality.

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Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    austinmw
    austinmw

    Gear IQ 5227