Why people hate HAZ Mutron III+? (clips)

depalm · #1 11-05-2008, 08:06 AM

Hi there,

I've searching for envelope filters and seems that the HAZ Mutron III + is the most hated envelope pedal on this forum.

So I'd like to know why?

I know it's a reissue model, expensive than other brands and it may sound different from the original but it doesn't sound bad at all in my opinion.

In fact it's really solid constructed, retains the low end nicely and sounds very warm to my ears. Of course its all a matter of taste but I just can't understand why so many people dislike it.

So I decided to post some clips.

http://www.filefreak.com/pfiles/7965...%20%28a%29.mp3

http://www.filefreak.com/pfiles/7965...%20%28b%29.mp3

http://www.filefreak.com/pfiles/7965...%20%28c%29.mp3

Not trying to start a flame thread, just want to have a better idea of the other options on the market.

That would be great if some people could also post some clips.

Thanks in advance.

stingray56funk · #2 11-05-2008, 08:09 AM

It was my holy grail envelope filter for a long time. I love the quack quack and I bought mine when I was 16 years old for $150 out the door. I later sold it in college because I needed $ right then...but I used it proudly for years and wish I still had it.

I like the pedal.

I also like your 3rd clip the best. Great line.

4stringmangler · #3 11-05-2008, 08:11 AM

i got one in the mail, it should be here today, those were some good clips! i like what i heard.

scotch · #4 11-05-2008, 08:21 AM

I love mine as well!

Many folks say that they prefer the original Musitronics to the HAZ reissue... I honestly wonder how many of those people have played through both. I have, and while I definitely tend to lean towards "vintage" gear, I definitely prefer the reissue! It retains low-end better, is easier to find an ac adapter for & is far more flexible. The sounds are great as well.

There are probably a lot of "haters" who are heavily influenced by Mike Beigel (the original inventor). His website doesn't exactly support the HAZ reissue while heavily recommending products that he currently has an interest in. http://www.mu-tron.org/
While I sympathize with his loss of control over his product, he did sell it voluntarily. Circumstances played against Mike a little, but c'est la vie!

4stringmangler · #5 11-05-2008, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

I love mine as well!

Many folks say that they prefer the original Musitronics to the HAZ reissue... I honestly wonder how many of those people have played through both. I have, and while I definitely tend to lean towards "vintage" gear, I definitely prefer the reissue! It retains low-end better, is easier to find an ac adapter for & is far more flexible. The sounds are great as well.

There are probably a lot of "haters" who are heavily influenced by Mike Beigel (the original inventor). His website doesn't exactly support the HAZ reissue while heavily recommending products that he currently has an interest in. http://www.mu-tron.org/
While I sympathize with his loss of control over his product, he did sell it voluntarily. Circumstances played against Mike a little, but c'est la vie!

i heard an old employee makes the new mutron

depalm · #6 11-05-2008, 08:43 AM

yeah I'm ware of the situation with Mike and HAZ.

NoHomework81 · #7 11-05-2008, 10:10 AM

Great clips!

Thanks for sharing!

Still can't decide b/t

A)this
B)Agent Funk
C)Snow White Auto Wah

Definitely like the sound you were able to get out of the III+

depalm · #8 11-05-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoHomework81

Great clips!

Thanks for sharing!

Still can't decide b/t

A)this
B)Agent Funk
C)Snow White Auto Wah

Definitely like the sound you were able to get out of the III+

Thanks NoHomework! That's my point, this is a good envelope pedal for bass!

I have no experience with that other brands and models but the SWAW demo on you tube sounds very good on a guitar.

best
de palm

markjazzbassist · #9 11-05-2008, 12:44 PM

is the pedal True or Buffered Bypass?

that does sound pretty decent. i have an original and do prefer it better. all those clips kinda sounded the same IMO.

the original has a little more character to it's squawk. the reissue sounds a lot like a qtron.

Jared Lash · #10 11-05-2008, 12:50 PM

I've long said that if the HAZ circuit had its own housing and name and weren't trying to ride the coatails of the original Mu-Tron it would be better regarded. But I have played both and the reissue falls well short IMO.

depalm · #11 11-05-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

is the pedal True or Buffered Bypass?

that does sound pretty decent. i have an original and do prefer it better. all those clips kinda sounded the same IMO.

the original has a little more character to it's squawk. the reissue sounds a lot like a qtron.

Yep I think its way better than decent.

Don't know but it doesn't seem to be True Bypass. But I really don't care much about that.

I tried a Qtron few weeks ago and honestly didn't like. It's Ok but I prefer the HAZ.

funkometer · #12 11-05-2008, 01:25 PM

Nice clips!

tomvelsor · #13 11-05-2008, 01:30 PM

i wanted to look closer at them when i was filter shopping but everyone here said "its nothing like the original.."

your clips sound real good and mutron-ish...i guess i shouldent trust TB too much next tie.

scotch · #14 11-05-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

is the pedal True or Buffered Bypass?

It's definitely not true-bypass. The output buffer isn't very great either - Before using true bypass looping solutions, I definitely lost some tone when the Mu-Tron III+ was bypassed. Pretty much exactly my experience with the Musitronics as well...

agreatheight · #15 11-05-2008, 01:33 PM

Awesome clips!

scotch · #16 11-05-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

... But I have played both and the reissue falls well short IMO.

Just curious (not everyone has the same tastes

),.. what differences did you note between the two? "Falls short" doesn't communicate an awful lot... It would be good to note the sonic differences in this thread.

My experience was that the HAZ reissue had much better low frequency retention and greater filter depth range. Honestly, there wasn't a sound that my old Musitronics produced that I couldn't easily replicate with the HAZ. The only thing I had trouble replicating from my old Mu-Tron III was a lost power supply (why I sold it...)!

Mark Olson · #17 11-05-2008, 01:54 PM

Thanks for those great sounding clips! I just wanted to add that between the III+ and the Q Tron, I actually preferred the III+.

Gashaponcito · #18 11-05-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depalm

Hi there,

I've searching for envelope filters....

Wow pretty nice clips and good riff =D if I may ask who did you recorded the clips thanks!

depalm · #19 11-05-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Just curious (not everyone has the same tastes

),.. what differences did you note between the two? "Falls short" doesn't communicate an awful lot... It would be good to note the sonic differences in this thread.

My experience was that the HAZ reissue had much better low frequency retention and greater filter depth range. Honestly, there wasn't a sound that my old Musitronics produced that I couldn't easily replicate with the HAZ. The only thing I had trouble replicating from my old Mu-Tron III was a lost power supply (why I sold it...)!

Hey scotch, thanks for the quick review, it helps a lot.

I haven't play an original Mutron and of course this isn't a "which one is better" thread.

I can say HAZ did a great job with this pedal and that would be great if we could hear some clips from the original Mutron.

depalm · #20 11-05-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gashaponcito

Wow pretty nice clips and good riff =D if I may ask who did you recorded the clips thanks!

Thank you Gashaponcito, but I guess you mean how did I record the clips, isn't it?

The chain is just my brazilian JB copy> Haz Mutron > Apogee Duet Interface > Mac (Logic).

best