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Interested in a MuTron Octave Divider clone?

#41
I think rather than a "stabilizer" switch, I would simply prefer an extreme lowpass filter (range of something like 250hz to 500hz) and a high pass with a range of 30 hz at the bottom to 60 hz or so before the detector. This would help filter out unnecessary harmonics on both the low and high end, optimizing the detector's tracking of the fundamental with minimum confusion.
 
#42
Aesthetically I would really like it to to still have the original Mutron knobs and possibly big rocker style switches. Other than that I'm all for it looking new and original. This is of course just my opinion and I don't even know if I could afford one if/when they'd be available, but I guess time will tell.
 
#43
Maybe you could spread this to other forums. For input on mods and such byoc and diystompbox have some very creative people and if your searching for more participants there could be some interest there (although they would rather have the layout and get all dirty and diy on it :p).

There is probably some interest on the gearpage as well.

Edit: I did some searching and the schems are readily available on the interwebz so you can safely call in the diy troops for mods and such. Maybe the builder can arrange a sort of group buy on the parts and pcb and then distribute one part to diy guys and use the other part to build some boxes to sell. That could at least cut down the parts cost considerably if there is interest.
 
#45
The layout design and my tour is what has stopped me from cloning my own atm. The filtering before the octaver circuit is similar but if I remember just different enough from the Boss OC-2. Currently im building the ampeg sub blaster and was going to do some mods to it, tone control and a ring mod option...

Hope your quest comes to fruition.
 
#46
chicago_mike said:
Hope your quest comes to fruition.
Click to expand...

It certainly looks like it will. Right now I think the Green Ringer circuit will stay, but only because I couldn't think of another simple circuit that I'd replace it with.

I was thinking of a built in OD or fuzz for synthy combos with a filter but (1) the green ringer does some of that anyway and (2) it sounds like Conical Johnson thinks there's the possibility of isolating a square wave octave anyway which is even better.

I think we've decided on a name and may have a design idea sometime soon.

I'll be sure to update this thread as the project progresses.
 
#49
Unrepresented said:
Don't know anything about these other than that you're jonesing for one.

How does this differ from say a Big John Granny Puker?
Click to expand...

Having a Granny Puker myself, I must say this:

I find the granny puker to be quite the opposite of a standard-octaver, since the sound of it is so "****ed up"... in a good way, that is. It's funky and somewhat deep-ish, but with an entirely different sound than what you imagine to be an octave. If you give it a lot of "mix", it starts going "crazy" with unpredictable soundwaves as a result. Also, the granny puker, or at least mine, has a very metallic sound.

Judging from sound samples, the octave divider sounds less metallic, less unpredictable and a lot smoother...
 
#50
I'd keep the Stabilizer switch just as a toggle switch on top of the pedal. Footswitches for Bass Only/Effect on or off/Green Ringer.

If you're gonna add anything to it, make sure it's as close to the original as possible before you start changing things. That's my opinion anyway!
 
#55
markjazzbassist said:
i found the stabilzer worked in upper register stuff, but made the octave less stable in lower register (A string e and below).
Click to expand...

That's funny, when I owned a Mutron (circa 1982) I found that nothing made the lower register stable...in fact, I specifically avoided going below the 7th fret E on the A string because the suboctave never tracked cleanly in that register regardless of what position the Stabilize switch was in.
 
#59
Jared Lash said:
That's the plan.

I have tried pretty much every octaver I could (POG, Octabass, Bass Octave Deluxe, Octron, OC-3, Bass Synth Wah and now Octamizer and probably others I'm forgetting) and my two favorites are still the old Mutron and OC-2.

Can't wait for this one.
Click to expand...

Not to derail, but what are your thoughts on the OC2 vs the BOD? I've heard you can pretty much nail the OC-2 tone with the BOD but I haven't witnessed it first hand. I take it you disagree to some point?
 
#60
Mingus Addict said:
Not to derail, but what are your thoughts on the OC2 vs the BOD? I've heard you can pretty much nail the OC-2 tone with the BOD but I haven't witnessed it first hand. I take it you disagree to some point?
Click to expand...

Was just reading over this thread and realized I never answered this question. Well, I have in other threads, but not here. Anyway:

The MXR's "Growl" knob is almost an exact sonic copy of the OC-2's octave down sound. However, it doesn't track quite as well. During faster playing the notes of the MXR run together more and it glitches a bit more often. That said, they are VERY similar. Add in the beefy "Girth" knob tone, the mids switch and true bypass in an attractive and slightly smaller package and I can see why people dig the MXR.

But for what I do, the OC-2 works slightly better and is cheaper to boot.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] comparing the two with the octave down soloed. OC-2 first than BOD.

Link Removed
 

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