Do I Want an Octron II

TaySte_2000 · #1 01-02-2008, 08:51 AM

Hopefully the experience of any octron users will sway me one way or another.

I currently have a Digitech BSW and a DOD FX35 Octoplus and there are features on both I like and dislike so I'll break it down.

Digitech BSW: I love the speed of the tracking and the fact it can just about manage anything I can throw at it. What I don't like is the tone is quite digital and synth like and it can't handle 100% octave down with out distorting. Also don't like the bypass.

Octoplus: Love the tone of it and the 100% octave down with fuzz's and such but the bypass and build quailty is worrying and the tracking is iffy when you get lowish and its not the fastest tracking one out there. Also difficult running it 100% wet as this needs to be first and then it's buffers mess with some of my occilating fuzz's that would then follow it.

I have played an octron and felt it gave me the best of both worlds the speed of the BSW but the tone of the Octoplus but the price wasn't really justified considering I could have the 2 units for less which is still true and even more so with the Octron 2 but here's where it get competitive is I also want an octave up fuzz, I've enjoyed the craziness of the French Toast but dislike the bass loss so am looking for something a bit more boutique like a Catalinbread mini or the new mojo hand one but between those 3 pedals (BSW, FX35 and Octave up fuzz) It would come to the price of an Octron 2.

So thats my reasoning or am I better having the Digitech for most of the octaving, the Dod for the 100% wet and some octave up fuzz because overall its a better one than the octron and it gives me another opportunity to complete my catalinbread mini collection but then space would/is an issue.

So opinions

Thanks

speak_onion · #2 01-02-2008, 09:36 AM

The problem with the 3-pedal solution, other than space, is the buffers and bypasses all over the place. I think that tips things in favor of the Octron. I was pleasantly surprised at the tone of the Octron's octave-up, so I think it will work well for what you want.

markjazzbassist · #3 01-02-2008, 12:54 PM

get the octron man. great pedal i loved the 2 and normal octron i had. both were great. i multiple switches on the 2 make it really useful.

OR get a mutron octave divider

sounds like heaven

enjoy

ChocolateTV · #4 01-02-2008, 02:29 PM

Given you've already put your BSW and Octoplus up for sale, I'd say you'd already decided anyway!

Nonetheless, if one pedal can do for you what you would otherwise need three pedals for then I'd say it's worth the extra wonga just for the convenience and the simplicity of your signal chain. Get the Octron.

assboglin · #5 01-02-2008, 02:35 PM

Were I in your shoes, I'd most certainly go with the Octron. Unless you like the way those buffers mess with your fuzzes, they've got to go.

TaySte_2000 · #6 01-02-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChocolateTV

Given you've already put your BSW and Octoplus up for sale, I'd say you'd already decided anyway!

Nonetheless, if one pedal can do for you what you would otherwise need three pedals for then I'd say it's worth the extra wonga just for the convenience and the simplicity of your signal chain. Get the Octron.

Only so many Octron 2's in the world my friend gotta jump on this one and if I miss it I'm working up a backup plan but still not certain it's a lot of cash to drop for one pedal even for me.

OhThePeacock · #7 01-02-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

get the octron man. great pedal i loved the 2 and normal octron i had. both were great. i multiple switches on the 2 make it really useful.

OR get a mutron octave divider

sounds like heaven

enjoy

HEY!

You still owe us clips of that!

Pearl_jammin · #8 01-02-2008, 05:33 PM

Get a M.Pog? Cheaper, does the job, and ad fuzz to it and you have basically what you want.

Excuse the very drunken post.

markjazzbassist · #9 01-02-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhThePeacock

HEY!

You still owe us clips of that!

its off to see the wizard (l sound) to get repaired. when it gets back in a month i'll post clips and review.

OhThePeacock · #10 01-02-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

its off to see the wizard (l sound) to get repaired. when it gets back in a month i'll post clips and review.

I see...I suppose that is an acceptable excuse.

TaySte_2000 · #11 01-03-2008, 01:17 AM

Ok so change in plans the Octron 2 sold before I my other octavers did so I don't think I can get oen now as they are rather rare.

Still debating what to do I did figure out I could put the FX35 in the loop of my barge with it set to 100% octave down and then toggle the barge between blended and 100% wet as I do with many effects but then I still have to get an octave up and running them as separate pedals is going to cause problems I think.

I could of course still get an Octron I or a Micro Pog and use some switching tricks to switch between 100% down and mixed but couldn't really tweak the up octave in with out bending down and turning a knob.

So open to more ideas and just to check they don't still make the octron 2 do they?

Thanks

Higgie · #12 01-03-2008, 03:13 AM

You could split your signal and send one to the Barge with the FX35 in the loop, send the other to a Micro Pog?

Barge are bringing out the VFB-Jr soon, which is the blender without the feedback loop. Should be in an MXR size casing, though it could be the one the Analogman Mini Chorus is in, as the Barge's circuit is quite populated. That could save you some space.

Edit: Just thought of this - The Micro Pog has wet and dry outs right? Why not send the Dry out to the Barge with the FX35 in the loop, and then combine with an LS-2/ART AB-Y or something.

TaySte_2000 · #13 01-03-2008, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgie

You could split your signal and send one to the Barge with the FX35 in the loop, send the other to a Micro Pog?

Barge are bringing out the VFB-Jr soon, which is the blender without the feedback loop. Should be in an MXR size casing, though it could be the one the Analogman Mini Chorus is in, as the Barge's circuit is quite populated. That could save you some space.

Edit: Just thought of this - The Micro Pog has wet and dry outs right? Why not send the Dry out to the Barge with the FX35 in the loop, and then combine with an LS-2/ART AB-Y or something.

Sounds like effort

Higgie · #14 01-03-2008, 04:58 AM

No pain no gain

TaySte_2000 · #15 01-03-2008, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgie

No pain no gain

Well with the pedals you've mentioned and the space they take up I wouldn't really gain anything over what I have now and add an octave up fuzz (especially since I don't want a clean octave up)

I shall see how the sales of my pedals goes I may just get an octron 1 but I'm still waiting on my Soul Provider which might fill that void of octave down fuzzy goodness in which case I'll just add the octave up catalinbread pedal and be more or less happy ish kinda for about a week or so

Higgie · #16 01-03-2008, 06:52 AM

Sounds good to me mate. Fill us in when it's all sorted, won't you

TaySte_2000 · #17 01-03-2008, 07:39 AM

Well I found another Octron 2 and it's in Europe but it works out about 400usd maybe a bit less, so seeming less of a bargain since I could buy 2 brand new octron 1's for that price.

Opinions?

Also anyone tried the Exar Octavium it looks like a pearl clone quite tempting

Higgie · #18 01-03-2008, 08:14 AM

That Exar pedal looked mighty tempting to me a little while ago, but you offered me that OC-2 and it quenched my octaving thirsts!

$400 is quite alot mate.

**grygrx** · #19 01-03-2008, 08:18 AM

Rare as they are I'm not sure I'd spend $400 on an Octron 2, maybe if it had mystical tracking like the POG

**grygrx** · #20 01-03-2008, 08:23 AM

The exar looks neat, but I've never tried one. Not sure -2 octave would be worthwhile for bass...