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mutron iii question

kesslari

kesslari

Groovin' with Fusion Cuisine
Staff member
Gold Supporting Member
Dec 21, 2007
15,232
45,109
Santa Cruz Mtns, California
Disclosures
Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
#1
There was a later version of the mutron iii (NOT the iii+) that had a built-in power supply.
How does it compare with the prior version? I mostly read about the "2 9v" version. Are there tonal or other differences?
 
#2
kesslari said:
There was a later version of the mutron iii (NOT the iii+) that had a built-in power supply.
How does it compare with the prior version? I mostly read about the "2 9v" version. Are there tonal or other differences?
Click to expand...

I owned one with the attached power cord, purchased it myself in 1979. I never was impressed by the sound, had it modded by LSound recently, although it sounded much better than it did originally...I still wasn't impressed. I ended up selling it after owning it for 30 years. I keep hearing that the battery versions are better sounding.

I instead, went for the new breed of filters (Super FatMan, Enigma, BassIQ, etc) on the market today and couldn't be happier.
 
#4
Thanks guys.
The comparison of Lsound modded versions is especially helpful. I was wondering "if I send it to Lsound will that make it right?" But reading his site, where he says the mods make it "sound more like older vintage ones" (as opposed to "sound just like") and your posts - that clarifies it for me.
I think I'll wait on a non-AC.
I've got the HAZ and honestly am getting great sounds out of it. I just would like to try an original.
I tried a Groove Regulator (I'd be glad to have something that doesn't hog so much board space), and much as I wanted to like it (Spence impresses me as a good guy and a class act) the GR didn't do it for me. Maybe I didn't spend enough time trying to dial in the sounds, but "easy to get good sounds" is important to me.
 
#7
kesslari said:
I've got the HAZ and honestly am getting great sounds out of it. I just would like to try an original.
Click to expand...

To me, the HAZ models sounds better than my LSound modded Mutron III w/attached pwr cords. So, I think you're doing fine with what you've got.

I too want to try out the battery powered MuIII units....but am very happy with my WMD Super FatMan, EHX Enigma, EBS BassIQ and DOD FX25B. ;)
 
#8
Huh... I had no idea about the tone being different between the battery vs. non-battery units! Mine was one with the power cord, and it was awesome but not awesome enough to keep compared to my Maxon and DOD filters... makes me want to buy a battery one and see how it rolls.
 
#9
bongomania said:
Huh... I had no idea about the tone being different between the battery vs. non-battery units! Mine was one with the power cord, and it was awesome but not awesome enough to keep compared to my Maxon and DOD filters... makes me want to buy a battery one and see how it rolls.
Click to expand...

just to make sure. we're talking ATTACHED power cord versus non-attached/no cord at all.

i've never tried a no-power/battery only mutron. just the non-attached (non-AC) mutron.

which now makes me want to try the battery only one. dangit:(
 
#10
I have been disappointed with the tone of my Mu-Tron III since having it rebuilt by CAE Sound. They did a very tidy job (drilled out and replaced corroded screws, very neat job on reconstructing the battery plate and added an effect active LED) but there is no significant quack after having the standard re-furb kit installed.

To better qualify, there is no quack using an active bass whilst powering the unit using battery clips to a PP2+. Also, the unit distorts when the gain is set past 8 o'clock.

The PP2+ is my first preference as a power supply - it's smaller than the standard non-attached AC power supply and it doesn't need replacing when I invariably leave the power switch on.

I think I will try using the two sag controlled points on the PP2+ and a passive bass before I put it away in the back of the cupboard.

At the moment I'm a little disappointed given the initial cost, plus import duty, plus the cost of repairs and rebuilding, plus shipping to and from the states, plus import duty on the rebuilt unit...
 
#11
markjazzbassist said:
i have the non-AC version now. what you heard was the Chunk Systems Agent Funk with the brown dog. the combo for a synth like tone.
Click to expand...

I coulda swore I saw you turn on the Mutron that night... I had a birds eye view of the board the whole night...

That reminds me. I have a ton of pictures for you guys. Where should I send them?
 
#12
Lindsay said:
I have been disappointed with the tone of my Mu-Tron III since having it rebuilt by CAE Sound. They did a very tidy job (drilled out and replaced corroded screws, very neat job on reconstructing the battery plate and added an effect active LED) but there is no significant quack after having the standard re-furb kit installed.

To better qualify, there is no quack using an active bass whilst powering the unit using battery clips to a PP2+. Also, the unit distorts when the gain is set past 8 o'clock.

The PP2+ is my first preference as a power supply - it's smaller than the standard non-attached AC power supply and it doesn't need replacing when I invariably leave the power switch on.

I think I will try using the two sag controlled points on the PP2+ and a passive bass before I put it away in the back of the cupboard.

At the moment I'm a little disappointed given the initial cost, plus import duty, plus the cost of repairs and rebuilding, plus shipping to and from the states, plus import duty on the rebuilt unit...
Click to expand...

we are talking about L Sound here. (www.lsound.com)

kaputsport said:
I coulda swore I saw you turn on the Mutron that night... I had a birds eye view of the board the whole night...

That reminds me. I have a ton of pictures for you guys. Where should I send them?
Click to expand...

nope, it was the agent funk. i have a mutron octaver on my board which you heard, but no mutron iii (i had just gotten it back from L sound and it wasn't board ready yet). PM sent.
 

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