EH Multiplexer or EBS Octabass for HEAVY stuff?

Azalin · #1 06-16-2010, 12:55 AM

What the title says.
I'm mainly playing doom/heavy rock stuff so mainly will be using the sub octave and the "lower"/heavier it is, the better.
Heard the EBS, it's designed for bass and it has better/more natural sound compared to other octavers i heard.
The multiplexer on the other hand, has that sub knob that "gives the sub-octave a deeper, bassier sound" according to the manual.

Found the pedals in around the same price range and i'm about to make a purchase.
Unfortunately i live in a small town, zero chance of trying the pedals myself unless i travel 800+km etc etc.
So, please help =)
Thanks.

Step · #2 06-16-2010, 02:55 AM

I use the multiplexer in my stoner metal band, it sounds very very good, but I haven't tried any other octavers, I had to order mine as well.

The tracking below A in standard is pretty bad though, but we play in standard anyway so that's not a problem

coupled with a bass big muff or a big spider this thing rocks, makes the floors tremble

Jazz Ad · #3 06-16-2010, 02:56 AM

The Multiplexer is perfect for doom. The EBS is too clean.

crapusername · #4 06-16-2010, 03:31 AM

i have the EBS. Whilst it works great for most things, i find that it just isn't what I'm looking for in my classic hard rock / metal band.
When i bought the ebs, i tried it head to head with the MXR BOD. i found it incredibly tough to pick between them and ended up going for the ebs since it was considerably cheaper. The ebs i found to be a little cleaner in the mid ranged area of the neck.
I'm going to get hold of the mxr at my next opportunity as i think it will suit the sound better for this context.
i did also try the EH. Great sound for the money, had a great 'edge' to the sound too. Wasn't hugely enamoured of the tracking though.

If there had been an 'other' option i would have selected that.

Ian Perge · #5 06-16-2010, 04:47 AM

I'm thinking perhaps the standard Octave Pedal's "exact line one octave lower" isn't exactly or won't give you're looking for. You might want to try Aphex's Bass Xciter (be sure and click on the "button" to *hear* the difference with it engaged), rackmounted 204 Aural Exciter and Optical Big Bottom (there's a great review from "EQ" magazine here) or the Peavey Kosmos V2 Generator-Processor. Check 'em out: they might be more helpful with what you're trying to do.

Darkglass · #6 06-16-2010, 05:39 AM

Yeah, I think the EH is nastier than the EBS... which one is better? Depends entirely on your taste

.

Azalin · #7 06-16-2010, 05:46 AM

I'm interested in the nastier (due to the genre), not the better one

Thanks for the replies, keep em coming.

bass.bert · #8 06-16-2010, 12:38 PM

…another vote for the multiplexer.

can't compare the tracking, cause i played an octabass just for a few minutes. but soundwise the ehx is really great. huge amount of subbass via sub knob, and if you leave the filters open you'll get a nice distortion on top. overall it sounds really thick and gritty.

the only downside: in some settings you won't have unity gain. two independent volume pots like on the mxr bod and the aguilar octamizer would be more flexible.

chrisisnotevil · #9 06-16-2010, 03:15 PM

I rock an OM, usually into a rat or musket. It makes some truly lovely evil noises, but is very prone to glitching. I like that though...

JanusZarate · #10 06-16-2010, 03:19 PM

If grit is something you seek in your suboctave sound, do check out the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe. The Growl knob delivers some nice dirty and edgy sub sounds, while Girth adds a smooth suboctave instead. It's a nice way to get the best of both worlds, or max out on just one or the other. The trick to getting real growl out of it is using the Mid+ switch.

IME, it tracks much better than the Multiplexer, but it ultimately can't get raunchy like the Multiplexer can. The Multiplexer also has better control over highs with the High Filter, whereas the Bass Octave Deluxe has better control over mids and overall level balance.

I personally lean towards the MXR, but I would definitely suggest either the MXR or EHX pedals to anyone who wants a pedal than can approach either end of the suboctave tone spectrum.

IPS · #11 06-16-2010, 03:31 PM

^agreed, I can get my mxr to really glitch if I want it to but it tracks great. Sounds fantastic with dirt before or after it.

Azalin · #12 07-01-2010, 11:44 PM

So ok, in the end, i bought the EHX Octave multiplexer.
I've been trying to get a solid sound out of it for quite a few hours yesterday, but unfortunately couldn't.
I tried with the sub switch ("Turning the SUB switch on gives the sub-octave a
deeper, bassier sound") off and on,with the bass filter knob all the way counter clockwise ("Turning the BASS FILTER knob counterclockwise will make the sub-octave sound deeper and bassier"), with the blend knob on various positions (i found out that after 11 o'clock the tone loss is annoying so i mostly kept it below that), with the high filter on various positions (it gets crunchy after 3 o'clock) and of course single as an effect or along with my russian big muff (before and after it on the chain).

After a while my head got a bit heavy though, so i quit trying.

I'm gonna run another round of various settings test this evening.
As i already stated, i'm into "heavy" stuff.
Anyone has any advice or an already working cool setting he would like to share?
Thanks ^^

chrisisnotevil · #13 07-02-2010, 08:15 AM

Blend about eleven, high about two, bass about ten, sub on. Go from there, your ideal sound will depend on how it interacts with your dirt.