Good Octave Pedal?

[hLenz]

Hey Guys,

So about 6 months ago, i started venturing into the world of effects in general, and lately have been listening to a lot of Muse. I got a BOSS ME-25 pedal and a bass big muff. Although I know the ME-25 isn't for bass, i still get a pretty good sound out of it, but one thing I'm not impressed with is it's going down an octave capability, the sound usually just gets out of control and the note no longer exists.

Point is, I'm looking for a pedal which can get me a really nice octave down sound for my bass. One that will have a nice sound to it if i play it clean, and not turn into a mess if I try to run it through with my big muff.

Thanks!

[TrevorOfDoom]

try the MXR Deluxe Bass Octave.

[Jimbob Jones]

The octave down on the Digitech BSW is pretty solid, and goes real nice before distortion. Fun, cheap pedal too.

[JBMysteron]

MXR Bass Octave Deluxe doesn't track very well, boss octave pedals track HORRIBLY.
Aguilar Octamizer seems to be alright

[Skrogh]

If you do a search you'll find plenty of threads about octavers. But to sum up there basically is two types:

Pitch-tracking ocavers: Tracks your pitch and divides by two, this signal then modulates your clean signal in some way. - this is how the Boss OC2 and OC3, MXR BOD, Aguilar Octamizer, EBS Octabass and other analog (and some digital) octavers work. People often report them as being more "groovy", "fat", "organic", "natural" or "synthy" (however that works, being natural and synthy at the same time ).
They will only track one note at a time (OC3 and Octabass somewhat allows for a second note, but won't octave it). Most of these require some altered playing technique and set-up. Solo neck-pickup, play close to neck, turn down tone and flats, or old strings help tracing a lot. They also don't seem to track well below A or in dead-spots.

Multi-vibrato octavers: Has multiple vibrato units and fades between them, so only the lowest-pitched one will be heard. This is how the EHX POG works (and some other digital octavers, I've yet to see an analog octaver working this way).
The POG doesn't need to track anything and will octave almost anything you throw at it; single-notes, double-stops, chords, distortion, low E's and so on. The cost is the sound and a bit of delay (due to how the vibratos work). The sound is said to be more "sterile" or "artificial". I've never tried the POG, so I can not make a personal comment on that. But based on others is pretty good. Does octave up as well.

I own a Boss OC-2 and LOVE it! Tracks pretty good (for short notes I can go all the way down to G, with some EQ'ing) and the sound is amazing. Good for rock, electronica and played a cover of a hip-hop song on it too. Gets really aggressive with some fuzz or distortion after it.

Here are some threads on octavers:
My octaver experience (rant)
Octave pedal tracking - which is best?
MXR M-228 vs. Boss OC-2 Octave Boxes

Good luck with finding an octaver that suits you!
(btw try the tips for analog octavers for the ME-25, might improve the sound of it.)

[khabalah]

OC-2

[Plays_For_Dog]

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

try the MXR Deluxe Bass Octave.

+1

Originally Posted by JBMysteron

MXR Bass Octave Deluxe doesn't track very well

Sadly, +1 here too. As long as you keep hitting notes, it does well. As soon as you try and hold a note... it cuts in and out. Usually with an undesirable muddy tone.

[Distant Cousin]

If you're just after an octave down, worth checking out EHX's Octave Multiplexer. I have one and it gives some beautiful analogue tones. Tracking's great too. Worth noting though that it's monophonic so no chords, which kind of sucks but to be honest how often would you need that? Also, it doesn't like going below a B (Pedal sounding a low B, you playing 2nd fret A String or whatever). It can do that note no problem but any lower and it starts cutting out.

For what I like to use an octaver for it's great, and good value for money too. Don't know where you are but in the UK they're around £50 (~$78 US).

[bearhart74]

EBS Octabass is sweet

[Reaper Man]

Originally Posted by Plays_For_Dog

+1



Sadly, +1 here too. As long as you keep hitting notes, it does well. As soon as you try and hold a note... it cuts in and out. Usually with an undesirable muddy tone.

I'll agree. It'll hold a note (depending on the note, try sticking higher the 5th fret area- though I have found it gets "weird" on some of the G string). Best policy is to just keep moving (I like using it with my groove regulator when playing N.I.B.- sounds great with that)

[Refonbass]

I find the poor tracking comments odd, as I personally notice that the MXR tracks the best of all the octave pedals I've owned!
Although I must admit that I don't often hold sustained notes with it engaged..

[fitz420]

you're not really going to find an analog octave pedal that holds sustained notes well. if thats what you're after go the pog/micropog/pog2 route.

[JTE]

I've had an MXR whatever they made in the '80s, a DOD FX-something or other, a Boss OC-2, and an EBS OctaBass. I don't really recall the MXR very well, as I only had it for a few weeks and only used it for guitar. The DOD was OK, but very touchy to get set up correctly. A very slight nudge of the knobs threw it off quite a bit, making it hard to set it for live gigs. The OC-2 was very very good, has a classic and instantly recognizable sound (think Pino's work with Paul Young, including the classic octave pedal on bass performance on "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down"). It tracked very well down to the D (open 2nd string) and if my strings were in good shape and my technique was better, I could get it to work reliably down to C, and occasionally down to Bb or even A.

Then I got an EBS OctaBass around 1999 or so (don't recall exactly). It tracks a LOT better than the Boss, allowing me to fearlessly go down to A without a problem. It's got some different sounds, while still getting into the classic OC-2 sound. Very rugged and reliable. I haven't tried another octave pedal since the EBS. I have two of them, one original gray-labeled one and the more recent (well, it's still almost 10 years old) black one. The only reason I got a second one was because I used the wrong sized AC adapator plug and broke the power jack on the gray one.

Yeah, you do have to alter your technique a little bit, or a lot depending on how sloppy you are. You need to feed it a distinct note so it can decipher what you're doing and create the octave. But it's not a huge problem, and the EBS and the Boss have always worked very well using any pickup combination on my Laklands (4-49 with MM/J), my Precision, and my fretless P/J.

John

[Elmeaux]

Mod Tone Deep Dive.

[Livewire]

I have the MXR Octave deluxe and really love it. Actually sold my EBS Octabass in favor for the MXR. I found the octabass to have no soul, no face. Give the MXR a try!

[cybersnyder]

What the hell, I'll throw my opinion in too...

The MXR tracked worse than any other octave pedal I've tried. Couldn't hold any notes, the high notes had a half second delay between playing the note and the octave sounding. My OC-2 killed it for both tracking and tone. I hated the tone from the POGs. The OC-3 has exceptional tracking in POLY mode, Guitar input. I still prefer the tone of the OC-2, but if your playing isn't super clean, I'd recommend the OC-3. I also like the EBS Octave. Nice tone, good tracking. But the mack daddy of all is the Bass Octaver on the M9/M13. It's so good that it's almost worth the price of the entire pedal.

[Reaper Man]

Originally Posted by fitz420

you're not really going to find an analog octave pedal that holds sustained notes well. if thats what you're after go the pog/micropog/pog2 route.

right, I only found that out by playing around. For when I'm using it, it works great and does track "decently" to the low G area (I wouldn't go any further than that though or even try to hold that note for too long)

[newbold]

Lenz - quit playing low notes with your octave down setting. On bass, you need to be playing notes higher up on the neck - they track AND sound better.

Chances are your octaver's just fine and you don't know how to use it properly.

Also, Octave first, Muff second.

Save your money and run your rig right.

[Clark Dark]

Which one of the aforementioned comes close to this ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq8VZDz5lEc

forward to 5:47

[BootsRiley]

fwiw, i use an Aguilar and have no sustain problems. I'm really enjoying it!