EHX Q-Tron vs. Mutron-III

Ryan Mohr · #1 10-29-2007, 05:02 PM

What is the difference? I want to replicate Stuart Zender's sound and I don't know which to choose.

markjazzbassist · #2 10-29-2007, 05:09 PM

use the search function, this has been done a million times. the mutron is the original, it sounds the best, the q-tron is a clone that sounds decent, but not like the real thing.

stu didn't use either, he used a Boss Multi FX unit. i forget which one. search, you'll find it.

assboglin · #3 10-29-2007, 06:09 PM

You didn't have to make a whole new thread for this question, but the Q Tron was designed by the same person who designed the Mutron III. It is designed to be very similar, with some modern enhancements. According to what you said in the other thread you won't be able to afford a Mutron III anyways, so the Q Tron is your best bet.

And I do believe Stuart Zender used actual pedals in the studio. I know one track in particular, though I can't remember which one, is definitely a Mutron III with dying batteries or sagged voltage. It's a very peculiar sound that can't be achieved any other way. It's also the same effect used on RHCP's Sir Psycho Sexy.

Higgie · #4 10-29-2007, 06:24 PM

I think Stu has used a Mu-Tron III in the past yes, but not with dying batteries like on Sir Psycho.

00Funk · #5 10-29-2007, 06:39 PM

Ive owned both. I like the Q-Tron a thousand times better

Higgie · #6 10-29-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00Funk

Ive owned both. I like the Q-Tron a thousand times better

The HAZ III+ or the Musitronics original?

Ryan Mohr · #7 10-29-2007, 08:24 PM

What is the difference?

markjazzbassist · #8 10-29-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AqueousView11

What is the difference?

the HAZ reissue sucks ass. the original (the company is called Musitronics) are vintage (1970's) and sound like an orgasm (they are delicious)

Sir Edward V · #9 10-29-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

the HAZ reissue sucks ass. the original (the company is called Musitronics) are vintage (1970's) and sound like an orgasm (they are delicious)

someone should reverse engineer the mutron III, I wonder if they used some illusive parts or something...

I want to try to do it... but getting my hands on one could be tricky...

**TheMutt** · #10 10-30-2007, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Edward V

someone should reverse engineer the mutron III, I wonder if they used some illusive parts or something...

To my knowledge, some of the parts that make up the MuTron III are really hard to find NOS. There are some work-arounds that you can make work (Check GGG for this...) But getting something that is exactly like the MuTron III would indeed be quite a chellenge.

OhThePeacock · #11 10-30-2007, 06:52 AM

I've been watching the bay for one but I've only seen the HAZ ones. Are the new ones really that bad?

assboglin · #12 10-30-2007, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgie

I think Stu has used a Mu-Tron III in the past yes, but not with dying batteries like on Sir Psycho.

On most tracks he uses it without the dying batteries, but on just one track in particular it is used with dying batteries. I can't remember the track, I'll have to look it up, but that's what tipped me off to that it is indeed a Mutron.

I've owned a lot of filters including the HAZ Reissue and in my opinion it wasn't all that bad, it's not my favorite but in fact it's one of the better filters I've used. I preferred it over the AF-9 even, for example. The HAZ has been used by Marcus Miller, if that tells you anything.

Basdyret · #13 10-30-2007, 09:07 AM

I have a 1972 Mutron III...

Paid a load for it, but it's worth all of it. I love the fact that you can also go bandpass on it, though I never use the highpass option (it could be a fun effect, though). I mainly use the lowpass, of course, and the sounds... man, the sounds...!

It sounds just like old school funk, and that way it complements my Moog MF-101 perfectly - they don't sound alike, so I can use them for different things. I'd never part with any of them.

The only thing that annoys me, though, is that the Mutron will only take batteries (2x9V), and it eats up a brand new pair within HOURS...!! This means that I can actually never gig with it, unless I swap batteries between sets. I tried finding an original PSU, but that's impossible... and even if I did, it would be for an american socket and 110V power. It's a strange 3-legged plug that's needed. I tried having my local store change the connection to a DC plug, but after it had been down there for about 4 months I took it home again - apparently it wasn't that easy.

Well, anyway - if you want the original old school envelope sound, this is the only place to get it, an original Mutron III.

TaySte_2000 · #14 10-30-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basdyret

The only thing that annoys me, though, is that the Mutron will only take batteries (2x9V), and it eats up a brand new pair within HOURS...!! This means that I can actually never gig with it, unless I swap batteries between sets. I tried finding an original PSU, but that's impossible... and even if I did, it would be for an american socket and 110V power. It's a strange 3-legged plug that's needed. I tried having my local store change the connection to a DC plug, but after it had been down there for about 4 months I took it home again - apparently it wasn't that easy.

Use 2 isolated outputs on a decent power supply like a voodoo labs to 2 battery snaps and problem solved.

Basdyret · #15 10-30-2007, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

Use 2 isolated outputs on a decent power supply like a voodoo labs to 2 battery snaps and problem solved.

I was actually just wondering about that option as I wrote the post...!

Thing is, I only have a Diago Powerstation, and that would never do for that purpose... so the question is, do i want to buy a Voodoo Labs 2 or something like it to solve the problem...? Let's see - I might just do that some day

I just thought the other option (DC socket and a 9V-18V booster circuit) was easier, but apparently that was too difficult to do.

assboglin · #16 10-30-2007, 10:40 AM

OK I found it, listen to the track "The Kids". The bass sound is the dying battery Mutron sound. If I remember correctly only certain units will even do that sound, so if that's the sound you're looking to cop, you're going to need a lot of money.

TaySte_2000 · #17 10-30-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basdyret

I was actually just wondering about that option as I wrote the post...!

Thing is, I only have a Diago Powerstation, and that would never do for that purpose... so the question is, do i want to buy a Voodoo Labs 2 or something like it to solve the problem...? Let's see - I might just do that some day

I just thought the other option (DC socket and a 9V-18V booster circuit) was easier, but apparently that was too difficult to do.

Google Johnny Shredfreak he has a cheap line of power supplies you could add to the Diago to save money.

But shush it's meant to be a secret

Higgie · #18 10-30-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by assboglin

OK I found it, listen to the track "The Kids". The bass sound is the dying battery Mutron sound. If I remember correctly only certain units will even do that sound, so if that's the sound you're looking to cop, you're going to need a lot of money.

I knew it was gonna be "The Kids" you were talking about.

I believe he achieved that sound with the Boss ME-8B effects unit he was using at the time. It's the synth and filter patches being run together.

assboglin · #19 10-30-2007, 11:16 AM

Maybe it is, but I personally doubt it.

benmoore88 · #20 10-30-2007, 04:58 PM

has anyone here actually made that GGG neutron filter?
i wonder how it sounds?

looks like a build and a half!!!