bass octaver in a band mix

hans9 · #1 10-02-2011, 08:50 AM

so i just pulled the trigger on two envelope filters..
now im GASsing for an octaver, and im still deciding if im going to get a boss oc-2 or a boss oc-3, the mxr is a bit off my budget

but there's one question in my mind right now,

does it mix well in a band mix in a live setup?

i only have one guitarist in my band right now, and im thinking of using this when he's doing the solo parts...

oh, and is it true that boss oc-3 is digital?? some say it's analog..

cheapbasslovin · #2 10-02-2011, 09:02 AM

It doesn't inherently disappear.

I have little trouble getting most octaves down to sit up in a mix unless the band is really too loud or there is a left hand heavy set of keys. Perhaps I've been lucky though.

OC-3 is digital. It has an OC-2 'mode' which gives you the one and two octave down. I'm not even sure if it is supposed to emulate the tone of an OC-2, though.

cybersnyder · #3 10-02-2011, 11:57 AM

The OC-3 is digital. It's OC-2 mode is supposed to emulate the real OC-2, but IMHO it's only 70% effective. The OC-3 sounds best playing in Poly mode through the guitar input. It tracks better than the OC-2, but I think it's safe to say that the OC-2's tone is superior.

The BurgerMeister · #4 10-02-2011, 03:19 PM

i did the exact same thing when i was in a trio. i used the POG and added a little upper octave info to the mix, too. it worked very well.
the most recent band has two guitars, and i use the MXR (because the tone is more tweakable) just to make the end of a particular song that much heavier.

the sad thing is that you can't really know which one will sound better in a particular mix until you try them both. another point to remember is that something that sounds good solo might not sound good at all in a mix.

good luck!

hans9 · #5 10-02-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The BurgerMeister

i did the exact same thing when i was in a trio. i used the POG and added a little upper octave info to the mix, too. it worked very well.
the most recent band has two guitars, and i use the MXR (because the tone is more tweakable) just to make the end of a particular song that much heavier.

the sad thing is that you can't really know which one will sound better in a particular mix until you try them both. another point to remember is that something that sounds good solo might not sound good at all in a mix.

good luck!

exactly...the mxr sounds good solo, i've heard samples of oc-3 on bass solo and also sounds good.. im just not sure if it will cut through the mix..
i think one thing i noticed is that the bass sound is thicker but it kinda looses the attack...

jgroh · #6 10-02-2011, 07:50 PM

I use my Line 6 M9 octaver, which is excellent by the way, alot in my band. I use it for some songs where it needs the thicker tone. You have to be careful with it, as Ive learned the hard way.

hans9 · #7 10-02-2011, 08:00 PM

line 6 is too expensive for me...

i've heard clips of the micropog and i feel it sounds better than mxr.. just more expensive..

damn! im done with my gas on filters, now octavers...

im leaning towards oc-3 right now, unless someone can tell me it doesn't cut through the mix and it doesn't work well on a rock band..

my07bass · #8 10-02-2011, 08:10 PM

i only have one guitarist in my band right now, and im thinking of using this when he's doing the solo parts...

I was thinking of a chorus/reverb pedal for the same reason. I've been faking it with adding distortion, which of course doesn't do that well. Would an octaver be a better choice? Trying to close the gap between the guitar solo and the bass.

lowfreq33 · #9 10-02-2011, 08:13 PM

The OC-3 is good, and tracks pretty well down to A or Ab.

BUT I'm planning on replacing mine with the MXR as soon as I can afford it. The OC-3 has no means to tweak the tone on the octave, and it can be too boomy for some stuff depending how you have your rig set.

jdwilliams · #10 10-02-2011, 08:37 PM

I havent seen one used too many times that iv noticed...

Tip Toe - Here Come the Mummies - YouTube is the only one that comes to mind and thats via a bass POD

JimmyM · #11 10-02-2011, 08:50 PM

The only thing about using an OC2 or 3 for that purpose is that you start off having a nice natural bass sound, then you kick on the pedal and play up an octave and all of a sudden the low notes that sounded so natural before sound synthy. A very good thing for some purposes, but not so much for filling in holes. So for that purpose I don't think they match up very well. I think if you're looking to fill in holes, you'd be better off with something that does a good up octave like an EHX Micro Pog. You can make the Micro Pog sound very much like an 8 string bass, your fundamental tone will not radically change, and you can kick in a little grind from a distortion pedal for a little extra fun.

Or you could do what I did for decades before I bought a Micro Pog...just play octaves.

The BurgerMeister · #12 10-03-2011, 01:44 AM

i tried chorus and reverb before, but they sounded too wet for the rock band. i guess it depends on the type of rock...

the POG/MicroPOG will do the best, i think, because of the 8ve up (like JimmyM said). you might want to save up or take donations from fans/other band members for one.

two more words of wisdom: return policy. try the OC3 from a place with a good return policy! then you'll know if it works for you and your band.

hans9 · #13 10-03-2011, 03:59 AM

yeah, POG might be the best...

but im still confused right now,
i'm in a rock band with one guitarist
my intention is to thicken our sound while the guitarist solos...

which one would be better in this situation and which one would cut better in the mix?

overdrive (like EHX big muff) or an octaver pedal??

thanks

kevteop · #14 10-03-2011, 04:38 AM

Both would work well, depends which sound you prefer on a given song. What you're playing is more important than what effects you switch on though. And switching on effects just for a guitarist's solo can cause the audience's attention to switch to you when they should be listening to him/her, so it's not often an ideal time to be turning on bass pedals IMO.

eekmeg · #15 10-03-2011, 04:51 AM

+1 to Jimmy and kevteop.
I used an EBS Octabass and currently use the OC-2. Both sit in the band mix pretty well for me, but the OC-2 sounds very synthy. If you are looking to fill in the mix when the guitar solos, get with the drummer and work on some guitar solo filling ideas.

hans9 · #16 10-03-2011, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eekmeg

+1 to Jimmy and kevteop.
I used an EBS Octabass and currently use the OC-2. Both sit in the band mix pretty well for me, but the OC-2 sounds very synthy. If you are looking to fill in the mix when the guitar solos, get with the drummer and work on some guitar solo filling ideas.

thanks!

this might save me more money hehehehe
@keteop -- thanks for reminding me the purpose of the guitarist solo -- i really need to re-think this approach with my band

kevteop · #17 10-03-2011, 05:24 AM

Have a listen to some jam bands and some 'classic' three-piece line ups, see if you can get some ideas there. Actually I think you will find it's most often the drummer who takes up more space when the guitarist solos. Or the space is intentionally left blank.

hans9 · #18 10-03-2011, 05:43 AM

now my buddy who sells me stuff, told me to forget about both and just order this from him "Fishman Fission Bass Powerchord Octave Bass"-- description looks very attractive, i just hope it sounds very well too...
good thing that's way off the budget

Bart277 · #19 10-03-2011, 05:48 AM

sansamp bddi or vt bass

DWBass · #20 10-03-2011, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdwilliams

I havent seen one used too many times that iv noticed...

Tip Toe - Here Come the Mummies - YouTube is the only one that comes to mind and thats via a bass POD

Dude..........that was effin' hot!