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Average Price: $750

High-end/Boutique

$70

$251+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Immerse yourself in the rich legacy of the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter, a legendary pedal that has been the secret sauce in the tone recipe of renowned artists since 1972. Renowned not just for its vintage charm, this analog envelope filter pedal excels in delivering a diverse palette of tones. Whether you're chasing the funky twang of Bootsy Collins or the melodic resonance of Jerry Garcia, the Mu-Tron III lets you shape your sound with its low-pass, bandpass, and high-pass filter responses. Tailored to adapt to a range of instruments, this is more than just a pedal, it's your creative companion on the journey to sonic nirvana.

Key Features:

  • Analog envelope filter pedal
  • Low-pass, bandpass, and high-pass filter responses
  • Versatile and adaptable to a variety of instruments
  • Iconic tone shaping tool used by legendary musicians since 1972
  • Produces a broad spectrum of tones.

Product specs

Brand Mu-Tron
Model Mutron III
Finish White
Year 1970s
Made In United States
Categories Filter and Wah Pedals

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter?

The Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter is known for producing dynamic, auto-wah effects that respond to your playing intensity. It delivers a funky, quacky sound popular in genres like funk and rock.

Is the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter suitable for bass guitar?

Yes, the Mu-Tron Musitronics III works well with bass guitars, providing rich, responsive filtering that enhances low-end frequencies without losing clarity.

How does the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter differ from a standard wah pedal?

Unlike a standard wah pedal, which is manually controlled by a foot pedal, the Mu-Tron III automatically responds to the dynamics of your playing, creating a more organic and expressive envelope effect.

Does the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter require a specific power supply?

The original Mu-Tron Musitronics III typically requires an 18V power supply, so ensure you have the correct adapter to avoid any power issues.

Can the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter be used with other effects pedals?

Yes, the Mu-Tron Musitronics III can be effectively combined with other effects pedals, such as distortion or modulation, to create unique and complex soundscapes.

BassTheWorld.com

BassTheWorld.com

MUSITRONICS MUTRON III

Video thumbnail for MUSITRONICS MUTRON III by BassTheWorld.com

MUSITRONICS MUTRON III

BassTheWorld.com

BassTheWorld.com

Video thumbnail for Bassicsgear Musitronics Mu-Tron III Envelope Filter Demo by Justin Goodman

Bassicsgear Musitronics Mu-Tron III Envelope Filter Demo

Justin Goodman

Justin Goodman

Video thumbnail for Vintage Mustronics Mu Tron III Funky Demo from 2012 by Soultron

Vintage Mustronics Mu Tron III Funky Demo from 2012

Soultron

Soultron

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 Musitronics Mu-Tron III Envelope Filter (1972) Showcase Spotlight by The SoCal Riff Ranch

Musitronics Mu-Tron III Envelope Filter (1972) Showcase Spotlight

The SoCal Riff Ranch

The SoCal Riff Ranch

Reviews

PROS

  • Warm, wet, and delicious sound

  • Authentic Jerry Garcia tones for Deadhead guitarists

  • Reliable and functional with maintenance

  • Superior to other envelope effect pedals in maintaining volume with a band

  • Unique funk and Jerry Garcia sound unattainable by other pedals

CONS

  • Requires maintenance and potentially repairs due to age

  • May arrive damaged due to vintage status

  • Needs modification for dual voltage power supply

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter.

Comparisons

  • EHX Q-Tron, designed by the same engineer, offers a big box version with extensive features and a Nano version similar to the original Mu-Tron III.

    Source
  • The Qtron+ from EHX has a distinct chewy, rounded sound, closely related to the Mu-Tron but with its own unique characteristics.

    Source
  • 3leaf Chromatron is highly regarded as a top-tier Mu-Tron style filter, but scarcity and high prices make it difficult to obtain.

    Source
  • The FARM pedals custom envelope filter is praised for its close replication of vintage Mu-Tron III tones, making it a standout alternative to the Micro-Tron IV.

    Source
  • The Lovetone Meatball provides greater flexibility, but for guitar or keys, the Mu-Tron III delivers comparable sound quality in a simpler format.

    Source

User experience

  • Source Audio Spectrum receives praise for its ultra-tweakable nature, allowing users to adjust signal reception and trigger sensitivity independently.

    Source
  • Owners report that the Micro-Tron IV demands a high output signal for optimal performance, often requiring high output pickups or a boost pedal for consistent quack.

    Source
  • The Micro-Tron IV is recognized for its convenient 9V operation and smaller footprint, making it suitable for space-constrained pedalboards while maintaining usability.

    Source
  • Building the Mu-Tron III clone enhances understanding of playing dynamics, significantly boosting creativity and offering a hands-on learning experience in envelope filter usage.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Microtron IV has been criticized for potential reliability issues and poor customer service, with some customers experiencing communication difficulties.

    Source
  • The Analogman Envelope Filter includes a reverse phase switch and is noted for being easy to dial in with settings at noon, offering versatile and approachable use.

    Source
  • The use of waterslide decals with a laser printer ensures durable graphics for the pedal while maintaining color accuracy and sharpness.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Pairing the Earthquaker Spatial Delivery with Lizard Queen creates a punchy tone reminiscent of "Shakedown Street."

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The big box EHX Q-Tron with the R-32 mod and volume knob is highlighted as closely achieving Jerry Garcia tones, especially when utilizing a 24V power supply.

    Source
  • Opting for TC1044SCPA ICs can improve bipolar 9V conversion, reducing noise and enhancing circuit stability.

    Source

Build quality

  • The clone build uses a MC34063A reverse voltage module for better power delivery, addressing issues with Neutron's original power section.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 16 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
vern_mcelroy

Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadewloop

I have tried every other envelope type effect, its one of my favorites, and while the WMD Fatman comes close there is no other pedal that gives up the funk (Or the Jerry if that's your thing) better than the Mutron III You can hear the difference mainly when the whole band is playing- you don't get the same level drop most envelope followers have. A Classic and unbeatable really...

Artist usage

Add artist
See how James Petralli uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

James Petralli

Singer, Guitarist

White Denim

...
Verified via Photo

Today James posted this picture on the White Denim Instagram account.

See how Chris McQueen uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

Chris McQueen

Guitarist

Snarky Puppy

...
Verified via Photo

A Mu-Tron III Envelope Filter can be seen in this photo of the pedals Chris used for the Forq - Batch recording sessions.

See how Simon Jones uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

Simon Jones

Bassist, Composer

Gorillaz

...
Verified via Photo

Simon Jones is confirmed to use the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter in his signal chain, as evidenced by a photograph showing the telltale silver and blue box next to a Tech 21 SansAmp programmable DI by the wedge.

See how Anthony Marinelli uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

Anthony Marinelli

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:01:52 in the video "My Synth Studio Revealed | Studio Tour 2025," Anthony Marinelli's pedal collection is shown to include a Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter, as documented by Anthony Marinelli Music on YouTube.

See how John Norwood Fisher uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

John Norwood Fisher

Bassist

Fishbone

...
Verified

Listed among Fisher's gear in the May 1991 Musician interview "Fishbone Swims Upstream To Spawn Its Punk-Funk Hybrid" by Roy Trakin.

JOHN NORWOOD FISHER plays a Warwick thumb bass with a bubinga and wengewood body, a fretless Fender bass and an Alembic bass, with Dean Markley Blue Steel strings, through an EBS-1 preamp and a Trace Elliot MP-11 mini-programmable preamp and an Eventide H-3000 SE Ultra-Harmonizer. with a Rockman Mini-Octopus for the switching. He also uses EPS-600 and Trace Elliot RA-500 SuperX power amps and two SWR Goliath speakers. In addition, live he uses a Musictronics Mu-Tron 3 envelope filter/effects box, which "gives him a bow-wow bass sound just like Bootsy Collins."

See how quickly, quickly uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

quickly, quickly

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by qqitemstorage, quickly, quickly confirmed ownership of the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter, stating that the "envelope filter is #AllMine."

See how Needlz uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

Needlz

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

The item can be seen 2:40 into this video

J

John Kadlecik

Guitarist

Dark Star Orchestra

...
Verified via Johnkmusic

According to gear section on Kadlecik's website, Kadlecik uses Mu-Tron III envelope filter.

See how Grant Geissman uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

Grant Geissman

Guitarist

Chuck Mangione

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

"When we did the tracks, I used a Music Man HD120 amp. I also had a Sho-Bud volume pedal. I used a Mu-Tron III on “The XIth Commandment.” Some of the tracks had no effects – probably the L-5 straight into the board or through the amp. Mick would sometimes add cool delays."

See how Larry Coryell uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

Larry Coryell

Guitarist, Composer

Gary Burton Quartet

...
Verified via Mu-tron

Larry Coryell is shown using the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter in a Mu-tron advertisement.

See how Ali Friend uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

Ali Friend

Bassist

The Imagined Village

...
Verified via Photo

You can see Musitronics Mu-Tron III Envelope Filter on Ali's pedlboard during the show in Saint Petersburg, Russia, "Cosmonaut" club, 30.09.16

See how Connor Kennedy uses Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter

Connor Kennedy

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Connor Kennedy uses the Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter for his keyboards, as shown in his Instagram post where he prepares for a performance.

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 Musitronics III Envelope Filter, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Mu-Tron Bi-Phase Phaser Effects Pedals
3
Boss OC-2 Octaver
Boss OC-2 Octaver Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
2
Moog Moogerfooger MF-102 Ring Modulator
Moog Moogerfooger MF-102 Ring Modulator Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
2
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive Overdrive Effects Pedals
2
MXR M107 Phase 100
MXR M107 Phase 100 Phaser Effects Pedals
2
Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars
2
Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble Chorus Effects Pedals
2

13 alternative and related items for Mu-Tron Musitronics III Envelope Filter, curated by the Equipboard community.

Keeley Neutrino V2 Envelope Filter Pedal

$116.00 - $189.00

similar sound cheaper alternative

The Keeley Neutrino is an optocoupler based envelope filter, inspired by the classic Mu-Tron III design.

VFE Mini Mu Optical Autowah

 

similar sound cheaper alternative mod

According to VFE;

The MINI MU is derived from the classic Mutron III envelope filter (aka autowah), and has all the same great fat and funky filter sweeps inside a much smaller box. A few extras have been added, namely an active clean gain stage and an "in between" position on the range switch. With the included charge pump, the MINI MU runs on +/-9V like the original without needing a special power supply or two batteries.

Mu-Tron Micro-Tron IV
newer similar sound cheaper alternative

The latest Mu-Tron envelope filter, that better mimics vintage units than the previous Micro-Tron III.

Mu-Tron Beigel Sound Lab Mu-FX Tru-Tron 3X

 

Vintage or Discontinued newer similar sound

A smaller, more tweakable version of the Mu-Tron III, with an additional down sweep mode.

Mu-Tron Micro-Tron III

 

Vintage or Discontinued newer similar sound

A smaller, reissue version of the Mu-Tron III, created by the new Mu-Tron company. Now replaced by the Micro-Tron IV.

Guyatone GST-OU5 Ultron

 

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound cheaper alternative

A hybrid digital/analog envelope filter inspired by the Mu-Tron III.

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