MU-TRON SUPER-FREQ Dual Filter Effects User Manual
- June 11, 2024
- MU-TRON
Table of Contents
SUPER-FRE Q
QUICKSTART MANUAL
CONTROLS AND OPERATION
The Super-Freq consists of two optical, state variable FILTERS which may be
used in STEREO, MONO-DUAL, or MONO-SERIES cpnfiguration.
Either FILTER can be configured as ENVELOPE FILTER (auto-wah), WAH-WAH
(pedal), or PARAMETRIC EQ (manual). Either FILTER has LOW PASS, BAND PASS, and
HI PASS modes as well as HI or LOW ranges. UP or DOWN mode for either ENVELOPE
FILTER can be set internally. PEAK also can be set internally to operate in
RESONANCE mode of a traditional Mu-Tron Ill or in DAMPER mode of an Alembic
style active filter. Either FLTER has the ability to blend DRY signal together
with the FILTERED signal. In MONO-SERIES mode, many EQ applications can be
acheived as can strange effects like COMB FILTER by utilizing dual WAH-WAH
and/or ENVELOPE FILTER settings.
INPUT OUTPUT SECTION:
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INA-Astandard 1/4’(TS) output jack receiving a mono input signal to wnatever comes previous in your signal chain.
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OUT A -A standard 1/4”(TS) output jack ending a mono output signal to whatever comes next in your signal chain.
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a. PEDAL: A 1/8” (TRS) jack used to connect an expression pedal. We recommend an expression pedal that employs a 10k or 50k linear pot.
This allows you to manually sweep either FILTER or to control the rate of either or both FILTERS for stereo WAH-WAH effect. -
9v DC – 9VDC (70mA current minimum) negative center power supply. The supply should use a 2.1mm barrel plug.
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IN B- A standard 1/4”(TS) output jack receiving a mono input signal to whatever comes previous in your signal chain.
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OUT B -A standard 1/4”(TS) output jack ending a mono output signal to whatever comes next in your signal chain.
ROUTING SECTION: -
FILTER B INPUT — Three-way toggle switch used for selecting one of three input signal options:
● IN A – The input signal to both FILTER B and FILTER A is the same, commonly selected to create a stereo signal from a mono instrument.
● OUT A – Audio is passed through both FILTER A and FILTER B in series; if you have a monophonic instrument and a single amplifier then you’ll probably use this setting. This basically allows you to use one side as a WAH-WAH and the other as an ENVELOPE FILTER.
● IN B – Stereo input signal to be processed by FILTER A and FILTER B independently.
FILTER BYPASS SECTIONS:
FILTER A:
7a. EFFECT FOOTSWITCH — Determines whether the FILTER A effect is engaged or bypassed.
7b. EFFECT ON-OFF LED — When the LED is OFF, the FILTER A is bypassed. When the LED is ON, FILTER A is engaged.
FILTER B: -
8a. EFFECT FOOTSWITCH — Determines whether the FILTER B effect is engaged or bypassed.
8b. EFFECT ON-OFF LED — When the LED is OFF, the FILTER B is bypassed. When the LED is ON, FILTER B is engaged.
FREQUENCY FILTER SECTION (EITHER FILTER ) -
PEAK: Continuously-adjustable control that determines the width of the frequency range. It adds a resonant PEAk or “Q” to the FREQUENCY of the FILTER. The greater the PEAK, the narrower the frequency range that is swept, and the sharper and dramatic is the filtered sound. PEAK may be set to RESONANCE mode or DAMPER mode internally. RESONANCE mode is suggested when configuring either FILTER in ENVELOPE FILTER mode.
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FREQUENCY: Continuously-adjustable control that sweeps the FREQUENCY of the FILTER. Turning the control clockwise,SWEEPS the FILTER into higher frequency range. Sweeping the control counter-clockwise SWEEPS the FILETR into lower frequency range. When in ENVELOPE FILTER mode or WAH-WAH mode, this controls the start point of the FILTER sweep controlled by playing dynamics or foot pedal.
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FILTER GAIN: Continuously-adjustable control that determines the level of the effect to be blended with dry signal as determined by DIRECT GAIN.
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DIRECT GAIN: Continuously-adjustable control that determines the level of dry signal to be blended with effect as determined by FILTER GAIN.
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SWEEP: Toggle switch that determines the source to control FILTER modulation. to be controlled by rate knob(MAN) or by pedal(PED).
– MAN: Modulation source of FREQUENCY to be controlled manually by FREQUENCY knob.
– ENV: Modulation source of FREQUENCY is the ENVELOPE FOLLOWER. There are internal jumers to determine the UP or DOWN drive of the FILTER. There are also internal trimmers which will allow for fine calibration of UP and DOWN modes as well as FILTER ATTACK.
– PED: Modulation source of FREQUENCY to be controlled manually by external expression pedal. This is WAH-WAH mode. -
MODE: Toggle to determine the FILTER shape or mode.
– LP: LOW PASS mode allows for bass or “bottom end” signal to pass through.
– BP: BAND PASS modes allows for a nore mid-range sound and is useful for cutting out muddy lows and shrill highs.
– HP: HIGH PASS mode cuts out most bass and mid-range and produces a sharp, nasal sounds.
SUPER-FREQ SETTINGS AND USAGE
The SUPER-FREQ is a dual state variable filter with multiple routing and
actuating options. Either filter can be run as an ENVELOPE FILTER, WAH-WAH
pedal, or a PARAMETRIC EQ with resonance control. It can be used in STEREO,
MONO IN -DUAL OUT , or MONO-SERIES to allow for limitless applications.
A state variable filter is a type of active filter in electronic circuits
which can produce simultaneous lowpass, highpass, and bandpass outputs from a
single input. State variable filters are frequently used for modifying
frequency response in audio signal processing. At low Q settings they are
often used in parametric equalizer circuits, and at high or variable Q
settings to create resonant filter modules in analog synthesizers.
For manual control of frequency, dual potentiometers are usually employed as
in V the Tychobrahe Parapedal and the Alembic SF-2.. The SUPER-FREQ utilizes
optical circuits servo both filters simultaneously. Both the Mu-Tron III and
the Mu-Tron Vol-Wah are examples of optically controlled state variable
filters. The Mu-Tron III translates the musician’s playing dynamics into
current which then drive an LED. The Mu-Tron Vol-Wah uses a potentiometer in
the foot pedal to sweep current to the LED.
The LED in either design then servos multiple photo-resistors to vary the
resistance of the state variable filter.
QUICK START SETTING STACKED WAH-WAH
Connect a recommended power supply to the power socket at the rear of the
SUPER-FREQ . Connect expression pedal to pedal jack using TRS 1/8 to 1/4
adpator. Connect your instrument to the [FILTER A INPUT] socket at the rear of
the pedal. Connect the [FILTER B OUTPUT] to your amplifier. Using the visual
guide below, set the controls to the above template. Make sure both channels
are turned on — both channel LEDs should be lit — then play something and turn
up your amp.
DUAL ENVELOPE PEDALS UP AND/OR DOWN
Connect your instrument to [FILTER AINPUT] on the rear of the pedal, and your
amplifier to [FILTER B OUTPUT]. Set FILTER A to Envelope Mode and find the
sweet spot of your instrument. Set FILTER B to Envelope Mode and find the
sweet spot of your instrument. Either ENVELOPE may be used independently or
you can run one into the other. Try setting one in UP drive and set the other
filter in DOWN mode. It is like having two pedals in one chassis.
You can also try other combinations such as WAH-WAH and ENVELOPE, WAH-WAH and
PARAMETRIC, PAREMETRIC and ENVELOPE, and so on.
State Variable Filter Circuit
DUAL PARAMETRIC FILTERS BI-AMP CROSSOVER
For surgical crossover and equalization applications. Set FILTERA to split
upper-mid and high frequencies to one amplifier and set FILTER B to spit low
frequencies to another amplifier. Connect your instrument to the [FILTER
AINPUT] jack and the [FILTER B OUTPUT] jack to your amplifier. Set FILTER Ato
act as a BAND PASS or HIGH PASS filter.
Set FILTER B to act as a LOW PASS filter. This is a very useful combination to
EQ and route “dry” and “wet” signals, such as in an effects chain.
TWO AMPLIFIERS MONO TO STEREO WAH-WAH
Connect your instrument to [FILTER A INPUT] on the rear of the pedal, your primary amplifier to [FILTER B OUTPUT], your secondary amplifier to [FILTER AOQUTPUT], then set the controls like template. There is a noticeable ‘movement of the input audio signal between the two amplifiers. Try to experiment with various LOW PASS, BAND PASS, and HIGH PASS settings on either side. By actuating different frequency ranges simultaneusly, you can acheive some weird COMB-FILTERING effects.
INTERNAL CONTROL SETTINGS
For more information on the SUPER-
FREQ please visit mu-tron.com