Micro POG vs BMS

Bob C · #1 03-09-2009, 06:25 PM

Okay, I'm thinking about creating the three ingredient synth sound: octaver, envelope, fuzz.

The Micro POG is one of the few pedals that does octave up, as well as down. The EBS does both, but not simultaneously, correct?

But the Bass Micro Synth has so many more parameters for not that much more money. Okay, it's 37% more, but the Micro Pog ain't cheap. And as I said, the BMS has fuzz, filters, etc too.

I know one is analog and one is digital. Also, the Pogs look WAY easier to use. How is the difference in sound on the octave effect? Tracking? Chords?

kevteop · #2 03-09-2009, 06:33 PM

Their octave voices sound completely different. They really can't be compared.

The BMS doesn't track as well as the POG but it is capable of some surprisingly good sounds. For the money I think it's a brilliant unit, and it's one of the longest-staying pedals I've had. You can't play chords on it if you're using the sub-octave voice. The other three voices don't need to track your playing, so you can play what you like, but for me the sub-octave voice is usually a must.

I occasionally think about buying a Micro POG but I've a feeling I'll quickly be disappointed with the sound, although the practicality of it (near-flawless polyphonic tracking) is very compelling.

niftydog · #3 03-09-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

The EBS does both, but not simultaneously, correct?

No, the EBS does down only.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

How is the difference in sound on the octave effect? Tracking? Chords?

The POG sounds a tad artificial, but better than the HOG, IMHO. The EHX BMS octave up is quite distorted, and the octave down is less defined than, say, a Boss OC-2. Tracking is very good on the POG, and quite good for analogue technology on the EHX BMS.

Analogue octavers don't handle chords at all. But then again, why you would want it to track chords is beyond me - it invariably sounds awful. Fine for making stupid noises, but ultimately fairly useless.

Check out the many, many sound samples of all of these pedals, available from the manufacturers as well as the Wiki page here at talkbass.

Bob C · #4 03-09-2009, 06:49 PM

Thanks guys. I've been reading up on the Micro Synth for a while, but never even heard of the POG until recently. Also, I just became aware of how few pedals do the octave up thing.

Gashaponcito · #5 03-09-2009, 07:12 PM

if you want those 3 things you will do good with the BMS, good pedal with a reasonable price tag

Unrepresented · #6 03-09-2009, 07:23 PM

i own both and if i had to keep just one, the bms is way more fun. Know that the BMS cannot do the independent features very well in a component sense. As for tracking the POG definitely is superior but as stated above, more artificial sounding. feel free to ask specifics if you have any...

Bassist30 · #7 03-09-2009, 07:46 PM

I think your wrong about the ebs. It does have an up but it won't single it out http://www.ebs.bass.se/2007/manuals/octabass08.pdf. What you are also talking about is that you are comparing digital and anolog. Analog is fatter but won't track as good. Personally I like all of them and its your own personal taste. But I would wait for the newer MXR.

Bob C · #8 03-09-2009, 08:00 PM

All points well taken. Thanks again,

bigchiefbc · #9 03-09-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist30

I think your wrong about the ebs. It does have an up but it won't single it out http://www.ebs.bass.se/2007/manuals/octabass08.pdf. What you are also talking about is that you are comparing digital and anolog. Analog is fatter but won't track as good. Personally I like all of them and its your own personal taste. But I would wait for the newer MXR.

I don't know how you got the idea from that document that it does an octave up as well. The Hi-Mid-Low switch only chooses the range the Octabass is expecting, and can also change the tone a bit, but it doesn't change the pitch of the generated note. It is always only an octave down.

"The EBS Octabass analog octave divider creates a single note one octave below the played note, adding a new dimension to your sound."

Bob C · #10 03-09-2009, 08:26 PM

Yeah, I went back and read the EBS info and see that you guys are right. Also, I've listened to some clips on EHX's site in the past. But the videos don't work well on my dial up.

I'm well aware of the analog/digital differences. Also, I wasn't considering using the BMS for any one feature.

Anyway, it seems as always, the answer is to buy both.

cheapbasslovin · #11 03-10-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Anyway, it seems as always, the answer is to buy both.

Ha! I have a HOG and love it. Learn something new about it almost every time I use it. I am REALLY gassing for a BMS though. It seems that you are correct.

Bassist30 · #12 03-10-2009, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

I don't know how you got the idea from that document that it does an octave up as well. The Hi-Mid-Low switch only chooses the range the Octabass is expecting, and can also change the tone a bit, but it doesn't change the pitch of the generated note. It is always only an octave down.

"The EBS Octabass analog octave divider creates a single note one octave below the played note, adding a new dimension to your sound."

I did not mean an octave up. I guess I did not read the previous thread correctly. What I meant it has an up switch but its a high which I also was incorrect, whereby it does give it an upper type tone to it but yes it does not have an octave up. So my bad.

meekee73_2008 · #13 03-10-2009, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Okay, I'm thinking about creating the three ingredient synth sound: octaver, envelope, fuzz.

The Micro POG is one of the few pedals that does octave up, as well as down. The EBS does both, but not simultaneously, correct?

But the Bass Micro Synth has so many more parameters for not that much more money. Okay, it's 37% more, but the Micro Pog ain't cheap. And as I said, the BMS has fuzz, filters, etc too.

I know one is analog and one is digital. Also, the Pogs look WAY easier to use. How is the difference in sound on the octave effect? Tracking? Chords?

man, imho the point is: what kind of synth sound you aim for? if you dig into 80's stuff then stay away from BMS and think about buyin an OC-2 and a filter (also a fuzz if you want)

maybe akai deep impact could be your best buy but is so expensive and hard to find..so

Michele

jblock · #14 03-10-2009, 07:20 AM

The Micro Pog does have a bit of an artificial sound to it, but since you're looking for synth sounds anyway this shouldn't be an issue. I think it's a great pedal. The BMS is nice as well but it's very difficult to replicate your sounds with the slider; you may never get the same exact sound twice, which may not be a bad thing.

coreyfyfe · #15 03-10-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

Ha! I have a HOG and love it. Learn something new about it almost every time I use it. I am REALLY gassing for a BMS though. It seems that you are correct.

I've owned all three (HOG, BMS, and mPOG) and I'd agree that the HOG is the best of the three (for my purposes, YMMV, etc). I had the BMS and mPOG at the same time, the BMS is a lot more organic sounding (duh) but because of that, you can't get a clean octave up. The mPOG is great for little things, but it really depends on your needs. To the OP, you should definitely go with the BMS. As far as the HOG goes, the filters on the BMS are the balls, but you can pretty closely approximate them if you work with the settings on the HOG. The only thing I really miss about the BMS is the fuzz on the octave up, as the HOG (and the POG) are way too clean.

If you do look into the HOG (or if you own one but don't have it) I would recommend the foot controller as well. It's an extra hundred bucks or so, but it really makes your life so much easier. I have 7 settings (6 on the controller, one on the pedal itself) ready to go for different songs, and even use multiple settings in the same songs without having to bend over to change stuff. That and with the expression pedal you can get some cool effects using the freeze functions.

monsterthompson · #16 03-10-2009, 02:07 PM

I use my micro POG more than I would use a BMS. I'm using it for live work with a rock band (vox/guitar/drum/bass/keys). I need to keep the low end pounding. If I was working on more layering and stuido work, the extra options of the BMS might open more doors. But for driving/throbbing live sound, I like the micro POG and the ability to blend the two octs w/ the dry sound and combine w/ fuzz.

I currently have a Line6 Filter pedal that does some similar effects to the BMS, and I can't quite get it to fit where I want. Some of the synth sounds are "full" enough for my tastes, in the sense that they let the bottom fall out when engaged, which was similar to my test drive experience with the BMS.

Bob C · #17 03-10-2009, 05:17 PM

I should clarify: I'm not expecting the MicroPog to "do it all". Just wondering if it's worth the price, considering I'd be also buying an envelope filter and a fuzz.

I haven't even looked into the HOG. I'd love to get a Deep Impact, but refuse to pay what they're going for these days.

Also, I know al these pedals do some things well and other things not so great. Just putting some feelers out.

monsterthompson · #18 03-10-2009, 05:41 PM

I certainly wouldn't consider the Micro POG anywhere near do-it-all, but it is super useful to me. Play 'em first is the only way (or order from a place you can return). If the other pedals can do what the POG can do and more, then consider spending the extra. If you want a simple box that does one trick very well, go with the POG.

...remember, it uses a plug only, no batteries.

edit - oh yeah, to your first set of questions - POG is way easy to use. The sounds are synth notes and don't sound like your original tone shifted an oct. The tracking is instant and chords don't seem to glitch it out. My Line6 unit doesn't track anywhere near as well and chords blow up certain settings, which is the case with the BMS, though the BMS seems more stable than the Line6.

matskull · #19 03-16-2009, 06:40 AM

I've tried the POG 3 times, first time with a guitar and the 2 other times with a bass.

I really liked it on guitar but for some reason I don't enjoy it on bass, sounds fake to me.

Yesterday I tried the MBS and I didn't like it neither, just too much weird noises.

I heard clips from the octron and I like what I hear, anybody else feel the same?

monsterthompson · #20 03-16-2009, 10:46 AM

Yeah, the "12 string" sound on guitar is nice with the POG.

I can see the "fake" feeling you mention, but I think that is what I like about it with the bass

I hear ya on the "weird" noize from the MBS.