Behringer Mutron III clone (B-Tron III)

[ped]

I like how they've used a Haz pedal in the article as an example of the 'real thing'. Who writes this stuff?

 

Musitronics seem very badly run as a company, and you could argue that this goes back to the root of the problem in the first place. They always seem quite grumpy about 'copes' and yet don't seem to offer anything themselves - or, if you can get your hands on one, I think they've failed to tap into what people like about their original pedals. 

[p4ul]

"Who writes this stuff?" Guitarists 🫠

[Quatschmacher]

In stock at Andertons now:

https://www.andertons.co.uk/behringer-b-tron-iii-envelope-filter-pedal/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADujoUpDSiAF12WRrPX5Co7xlrMfq&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4LGXpNX9iwMV-YtQBh08FhbgEAQYAiABEgIpuvD_BwE

[Cosmo Valdemar]

7 minutes ago, Quatschmacher said:

In stock at Andertons now:

https://www.andertons.co.uk/behringer-b-tron-iii-envelope-filter-pedal/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADujoUpDSiAF12WRrPX5Co7xlrMfq&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4LGXpNX9iwMV-YtQBh08FhbgEAQYAiABEgIpuvD_BwE

Ordered!

[Kyndainverse]

Since it’s my birthday this week. I’ve treated myself. Should arrive on Tuesday. 

[Quatschmacher]

More in stock as of yesterday. 

[HoorayForAnonyms]

The Behringer Dual Phase is also reduced; even cheaper on Amazon. I tired it briefly and it was surprisingly nice. It’s also almost the exact same dimensions as the B-Tron. Would make a nice pairing. A mini dual modulation Behringer board has an odd appeal to me! 

 

I do love wasting time mocking up boards with the Rock Board configurator.

 

 

 

https://www.rockboard.de/en/boardConfigurator/?id=7956400773

Edited Tuesday at 16:54 by HoorayForAnonyms

[Kyndainverse]

Mine has arrived. I will have a play tomorrow. (Although my feedback won't be that helpful as the only vaguely similar pedal I have used is a bassballs). 

[SumOne]

Ordered mine from Andertons £69 (Gear4music have them listed at £57, but not in stock until mid April). I'm now hoping they do the MF-101 clone (BM-101) they had shown off a couple of years ago.

[Kyndainverse]

1 hour ago, Kyndainverse said:

Mine has arrived. I will have a play tomorrow. (Although my feedback won't be that helpful as the only vaguely similar pedal I have used is a bassballs). 

Any tips on settings to try for a time poor Bass player would be gratefully recieved. Not looking for any specific, sound just want to see what it can do. 

[Quatschmacher]

27 minutes ago, SumOne said:

Ordered mine from Andertons £69 (Gear4music have them listed at £57, but not in stock until mid April). I'm now hoping they do the MF-101 clone (BM-101) they had shown off a couple of years ago.

The PastFX 101 clone is excellent. 

[SumOne]

2 minutes ago, Quatschmacher said:

The PastFX 101 clone is excellent. 

 

I would go for it at Behringer prices, but I'm also eyeing up the FI v4 so am hoping that will cover that ground once I save up my pennies. (the temptation is to wait for the small version, but the original size doesn't particularly bother me - it is probably quite good to keep my clumsy size 12s a decent distance away from the display and 'edit' dial). 

[HoorayForAnonyms]

5 hours ago, Kyndainverse said:

Any tips on settings to try for a time poor Bass player would be gratefully recieved. Not looking for any specific, sound just want to see what it can do. 

It’s hopefully a relatively straightforward pedal to dial-in compared to other envelope pedals.
 

I think concentrating attention on only adjusting the Gain control and finding the spot where the envelope begins to trigger/open will be a good starting place before adjusting other controls. You could also try the other controls as below whilst only adjusting the Gain; starting with the Gain fully counter clock-wise and gradually moving clockwise until you start to hear the filter open up. 
 

Mode: LP

Peak: 7

Range: Low

Drive: UP

 

A looper pedal like the TC Electronic Ditto can be really useful in dialing in a pedal by freeing up your hands! 
 

This video might help to get some ideas.

 

https://youtu.be/3xBLTzmDVbA?si=3Enn54E3QkmXxvsf

Edited Tuesday at 17:30 by HoorayForAnonyms

[Quatschmacher]

Would love to hear feedback from folks who’ve bought one. 

[Cosmo Valdemar]

Mine arrived yesterday... didn't work properly. A strange dead battery/step filter noise. 

It's going back, but only after the shop trying to tell me it wasn't designed for bass...

[SumOne]

My first impressions are: 

 

Good quality all metal enclosure and decent quite high end look and feel.

 

Unreasonably large - and yet the in/out and power cable are all still squashed right next to each other.

 

On/off button seems pointless, and does a loud 'pop' if switched when footswitch is engaged. (Edit, apparently it is useful if battery powered to turn off)

 

Gain suddenly gets very crackly and distorted when turned past 9.

 

High Pass is useless on bass. (Edit, I have found some okay high pads sounds)

 

Band Pass has some decent sounds if Range is set 'low', but for me the gain needs to be low to get a decent sound with the drive set 'up' - meaning the output is quiet. Drive 'down' can sound good if peak is set low and gain high, then it has a decent volume and nice squish, clean blend with it would be useful though.

 

 

 

.....now all that considered I was ready to put it in the box and return it. But - the Low Pass, Low Range, Drive Down does do a very good lazy 'Chameleon' type of filter sound. I've not decided yet if that's good enough reason to keep it, but it is definitely a good sound.

Edited 22 hours ago by SumOne

[Kyndainverse]

It's been fun to play with, makes some great sounds with Low pass. Much more enjoyable sounds than I have managed to get out of my bassballs.

It was a bit of an impulse buy and I didn't realise how huge it would be. I'll probably send it back and get something small.
It does look cool and feels quality for the price. Even if it is giant.  

 

[Kyndainverse]

[Kev]

16 minutes ago, SumOne said:

My first impressions are: 

 

Good quality all metal enclosure and decent quite high end look and feel.

 

Unreasonably large - and yet the in/out and power cable are all still squashed right next to each other.

 

On/off button seems pointless, and does a loud 'pop' if switched when footswitch is engaged.

 

Gain suddenly gets very crackly and distorted when turned past 9.

 

High Pass is useless on bass.

 

Band Pass has some decent sounds if Range is set 'low', but for me the gain needs to be low to get a decent sound with the drive set 'up' - meaning the output is quiet. Drive 'down' can sound good if peak is set low and gain high, then it has a decent volume and nice squish, clean blend with it would be useful though.

 

 

 

.....now all that considered I was ready to put it in the box and return it. But - the Low Pass, Low Range, Drive Down does do a very good lazy 'Chameleon' type of filter sound. I've not decided yet if that's good enough reason to keep it, but it is definitely a good sound.

To be fair, from that description it seems like a very faithful copy all round!

[SumOne]

4 minutes ago, Kev said:

To be fair, from that description it seems like a very faithful copy all round!

Yes, I suppose the aim is a clone - warts n'all and it seems to have succeed in that (although I've never actually tried the original).

 

There are some good sounds to be had, as good as any filter I've owned for that particular thing. 00Funk comes closest that I've owned.

 

 

Edited yesterday at 19:52 by SumOne

[HoorayForAnonyms]

8 minutes ago, Kev said:

To be fair, from that description it seems like a very faithful copy all round!

It’s all sounds like the joy of a vintage pedal. Big, some unusable features, and a little noisy at certain settings. 
 

I still want one. 
 

 

[SumOne]

A bit more playing around (it is one where you need to 'play to the pedal') and I think it's a keeper. 

 

Who needs sensible practicality when you have funk?!

[ped]

It’s not as big as a real one! Typical of Behringer they’ve copied the on/off button but as it doesn’t operate with a battery option the switch is pointless whereas it’s a really useful addition on the originals (you can keep the bass plugged into the pedal and it won’t draw power).

[HoorayForAnonyms]

5 minutes ago, ped said:

It’s not as big as a real one! Typical of Behringer they’ve copied the on/off button but as it doesn’t operate with a battery option the switch is pointless whereas it’s a really useful addition on the originals (you can keep the bass plugged into the pedal and it won’t draw power).

Apparently the B-Tron does also run on a 9v battery. You’ll have to send a letter of apology to Behringer, @ped. It might make a change to the usual ‘cease and desist’ letters they receive 😛

 

[HoorayForAnonyms]

6 hours ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

Mine arrived yesterday... didn't work properly. A strange dead battery/step filter noise. 

It's going back, but only after the shop trying to tell me it wasn't designed for bass...

That’s a shame. Hopefully it’ll be a straightforward return. I wonder if Behringer is shipping these with a 9v battery included. Might be worth opening it up to check and removing if included. Are you asking for a replacement or refund?