MXR M306 User guide

Poly Blue Octave

M306

The MXR Poly Blue Octave brings modern and classic
pitch shifting styles together with fuzz and modulation
to create the ultimate octave pedal for tonecrafters
and sonic seekers.

jimdunlop.com/m306

External Controls

5 6 7

4

3

8

9

10

2

1

1 EXP jack allows use of expression pedal or tap switch

to control certain parameters

2 FOOTSWITCH toggles effect on/bypass

(white LED indicates on)

3 MOD knob adjusts rate of modulation effect

4 DRY knob adjusts output level of dry signal

5 FUZZ switch toggles fuzz effect on/off

(blue LED indicates on)

6 SUB-1 knob adjusts output level of signal shifted

one octave down

7 MONO switch toggles between monophonic and

polyphonic pitch-shifting modes (red LED indicates
monophonic mode)

8 SUB-2 knob adjusts output level of signal shifted

two octaves down

9 OCT+1 knob adjusts output level of signal shifted

one octave up

10 OCT+2 knob adjusts output level of signal shifted

two octaves up

M306 | Poly Blue Octave 2

Basic Operation

1. Run a cable from your guitar to the M306’s INPUT jack

and run another cable from the M306’s OUTPUT jack to
your amplifier.

2. Start with all controls at 12 o’clock.

3. Turn the effect on by depressing the footswitch.

4. Rotate DRY knob clockwise to increase output level of

dry signal or counterclockwise to decrease it.

5. Rotate SUB-1 knob clockwise to increase output level
of SUB-1 signal or counterclockwise to decrease it.

6. Rotate SUB-2 clockwise to increase output level of
SUB-2 signal or counterclockwise to decrease it.

7. Rotate OCT+1 knob clockwise to increase output level
of OCT+1 signal or counterclockwise to decrease it.

8. Rotate OCT+2 knob clockwise to increase intensity of
overdrive or counterclockwise to decrease it.

9. Rotate the MOD knob clockwise to increase rate
of modulation or counterclockwise to decrease it. To
remove modulation from signal, rotate the MOD knob
fully counterclockwise. The sound of the modulation is
dependent on the pitch-shifting setting as determined by
the MONO switch: in the default polyphonic mode, the
modulation circuit simulates the Leslie speaker effect,
while in monophonic mode, it sounds similar to the MXR
Phase 90.

10. Push the FUZZ switch to add fuzz to all five signals.
Blue LED indicates fuzz is active. To adjust the volume
level of the fuzz effect, press and hold the FUZZ switch
until the blue LED flashes. Use the DRY knob to set your
desired fuzz volume, and then push the FUZZ switch
again to save the setting.

11. Push the MONO switch to toggle toggle from
polyphonic pitch shifting—which can be applied to
single notes as well as full chords—to monophonic pitch
shifting, which focuses on a single note at a time. When
in monophonic mode, the OCT+1 and OCT+2 signals will
resemble the sound of an Octavio Fuzz with the intensity
dialed all the way back. Red LED indicates monophonic
mode is active.

Power

The MXR® Poly Blue Octave is powered by one 9-volt battery
(remove bottom plate to install), a 9-volt AC adapter such as
the Dunlop ECB003/ECB003EU, or an MXR Brick™ Series
power supply.

M306 | Poly Blue Octave 3

Advanced Operation

ADJUST VOLUME LEVEL OF FUZZ EFFECT

To adjust the volume level of the fuzz effect, press and
hold the FUZZ switch until the blue LED flashes. Use the
DRY knob to set your desired fuzz volume, and then push
the FUZZ switch again to save the setting.

USE AN EXPRESSION PEDAL TO BLEND
BETWEEN TWO SETTING CONFIGURATIONS

An expression pedal such as the such as the DVP5
Volume (X)™8 Pedal can be used to toggle and sweep
between two different setting configurations. To set it up,
run a TRS cable from the expression pedal’s OUTPUT
jack to the M306’s EXP jack. Set rocker to its heel­down position. Adjust knobs and switches as desired.
Move rocker to its toe-down position. Adjust knobs and
switches as desired to a different setting configuration.
Moving the rocker back and forth will transition smoothly
between the sounds created by the two settings.

USE A TAP SWITCH TO CONTROL FUZZ
AND MONO SWITCHES

An off-board tap switch such as the M199 MXR Tap
Tempo Switch can be used to control the FUZZ switch
and MONO switches. To set it up, run a standard patch
cable from the tap switch’s OUTPUT jack to the M306’s
EXP jack. To engage fuzz, press the tap switch once; to
disengage fuzz, press the tap switch twice. To engage
monophonic phase shifting, double tap the tap switch;
double tap again to disengage.

M306 | Poly Blue Octave 4

Specifications

Input Impedance 1MΩ

Output Impedance

Maximum Input Level +5 dBV

Noise Floor -97 dBV

Current Draw

Power Supply

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or
an experienced radio/TV technician for help. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Unauthorized changes or modifications to this product
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

100 Ω

265 mA

9 volts DC

M306 | Poly Blue Octave 5

End-User License Agreement

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M306 | Poly Blue Octave 6

End-User License Agreement (cont.)

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M306 | Poly Blue Octave 7