October Audio releases the really cool F Division Sub Octave Drive - a sort of Monophonic Bass Fuzz Synth with 3 selectable Sub Octaves

F Division stands for frequency division - where each of the number 1-3 switches divide the output frequency by a certain fraction / degree - resulting in progressive sub-octaves - you can use the switches in any combination - and each one denotes the level of Sub Octave generated 1, 2 and 3.

This is essentially a kind of analog Bass Synth really - while it produces really cool glitches at different combinations and settings - and particularly when you play below the 5th fret.

There are two different circuits at work here - a CMOS counter / divider that creates the various sub-octaves by dividing the frequency in half. The Sub Octaves on their own produce a Square-Wave like Bass Fuzz - with somewhat lower fidelity tracking (more glitches) further down the fretboard. The Drive side circuit has a somewhat Crunchy and Synthy sound at its core.

Controls - 3 Octaves down switch, 2 Octaves down switch, 1 Octave down switch, Sub circuit Level, Drive circuit Level.

You get to combine the different Sub Octaves 1-3 in any combination - each produces a slightly different texture, and where you balance the output ratio of Sub Octaves to Drive via those two variable knobs.

The pedal is highly sensitive to your playing style - and there are various ways to induce interesting glitches and textures - as showcased in the above demos.

The purpose of this pedal is mainly for the creation of those synth fuzzy Basslines - which you then add melody and overtones too. Great for building up looper-style tracks. And also cool if the guitarist needs to sort of take over on bassline duty for a while.

The nature of this overall circuit delivers a fascinating palette of tones and can be used in some really creative ways.

I’ve included the previous Mntns Phaser here too - where I feel these are both essential acquisitions - high on my own wishlist. The background is actually a tree with autumn leaves - slightly digitised and adjusted for hue.

I personally would possibly have done slightly more of a colour change here with the pedal graphics / enclosure - as overall they can look very similar - while I feel both of those look really cool - and the difference in knobs is enough to set them apart really! There are also some smaller incidental differences - logo colour, some of the text, and the LED colour of course!

It’s really smart that October Audio can use exactly the same enclosure type for these two very different circuits - just really clever thinking all-round!

The Mntns is $159, and the F Division is $149 - both available right now from the October Audio Webstore.