MXR M-228 vs. Boss OC-2 Octave Boxes

Jim C · #1 12-18-2010, 09:55 AM

Have a fear that I will buy an octave box and find out it doesn't work for me live although fun at the store.

I really liked the M-288 and would buy it over a Micro-Pog.
OC-2's are cheap; are these things even close to as good?

I realize that getting performance below approx low G is iffy with the MXR; can the Boss get down to at least an A?

Also, what about tracking and overall tone?
TIA

cybersnyder · #2 12-18-2010, 10:16 AM

For tone, I think the OC-2 is the best. Maybe it's because it's the first and therefore the standard by which all are measured. Dunno, but it sounds great. I have one that tracks insanely low, but I've had others that won't track well below a D on the A string. I find the EBS to be a good compromise between tone and tracking. Also love the Bass Octaver on the M9/M13, but that's a much higher unit cost.

I've owned or played three different M288's and it had the worst tracking of any octaver I've played with the possible exception of the M88. Other people have them and love them, so maybe there is something wrong with my playing technique. Higher notes had a half second delay until the octave kicked in. So I figure that after strike three, I'm done with the M288.

I like the OC-3 in Poly mode using the Guitar input. Really good tracking, tone isn't as good as the OC-2 but it's definitely not bad.

ccouch7 · #3 12-18-2010, 12:49 PM

I've had a BOSS OC-2 for 15+ years and just got a MXR M-288 about 4 months ago.
I like them both, to me they are really different tone wise (it would be hard to say which is best for a given application), the OC-2 has a kind of open sound which I like and the 288 to me has a really smooth sound which I also like.
Tracking wise I thought they were similar within reason. If I had the room they would both be on my board for different flavors.
I don't think you would have a problem with either live.
Hope this helps.

fredguy · #4 12-18-2010, 08:23 PM

I've used the micropog and the oc-2. I sold the micropog. It really depends on what you want out of an octaver. The micropog tracks lower and has octave up. That said I use an octaver more for synthy tones and thats where the oc-2 shines.

dave

yem · #5 12-18-2010, 10:03 PM

My OC-2 tracks well down to the A on my E string. I like its tone way more than the uPOG. Never tried the M-288.

*insertcoolname · #6 12-19-2010, 04:57 PM

I guess I'm one of the lucky one's that has an M-288 that tracks exceptionally well. Mine goes down to second fret on the E, no problems.

Can't go wrong with either!

silky smoove · #7 12-19-2010, 07:56 PM

My M-288 tracks really well once you take technique and pickup selection into consideration. With that in mind, it's my favorite sounding octave pedal. It will never track as well as a digital pedal, but then again, a digital pedal will never sound like an M-288. It's a compromise any way you spin it.

Matt Dean · #8 12-19-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silky smoove

My M-288 tracks really well once you take technique and pickup selection into consideration. With that in mind, it's my favorite sounding octave pedal. It will never track as well as a digital pedal, but then again, a digital pedal will never sound like an M-288. It's a compromise any way you spin it.

This is my experience too. I'm playing a nordy with passive big singles and the M-288 tracks and sounds great.

TrevorOfDoom · #9 12-20-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silky smoove

My M-288 tracks really well once you take technique and pickup selection into consideration. With that in mind, it's my favorite sounding octave pedal. It will never track as well as a digital pedal, but then again, a digital pedal will never sound like an M-288. It's a compromise any way you spin it.

i agree.

i use my 288 as a substitute for a 5 string, so i want it to sound like a real bass, and it does. no complaints here!

Matt Dean · #10 12-20-2010, 12:15 AM

But the M-288 also can cop an CO2 sound with the growl knob about dimed and the girth knob ~ zero'd.

**jmattbassplaya** · #11 12-20-2010, 12:55 AM

I had the M288. It sounded great whenever it would track - which was virtually never, unfortunately. I sold the M288, bought an OC3 and have been happy ever since.

Tone wise, they are both in the same ballpark, but the M288 is smoother and dubbier, whereas the OC3 is grittier and synthier.

Jim C · #12 12-22-2010, 01:08 PM

Thought I'd bump this around one more time for any last thoughts.
The M288 I played tracked very well but am concerned as either there are some QC issues or, that particular box doesn't work for some playing styles. Have never played an OC2 but from this thread, it doesn't sound like tracking is a big problem unit to unit.

Lastly, is the Arion pedal as good as an OC2 minus the metal housing?

cybersnyder · #13 12-22-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

Lastly, is the Arion pedal as good as an OC2 minus the metal housing?

I never played the Arion, but I saw a different Arion pedal at GC in the Used Gear case. Picked it up and it felt extremely cheap. If they were that unconcerned with quality on the outside, I would assume the same would hold true for the inside.

gastric · #14 12-22-2010, 04:46 PM

My experience is you'd buy the OC-2 for its specifically synthy (and unique) character. And something else if you wanted clean octave sounds.

BassBob1 · #15 12-22-2010, 05:12 PM

I had the mxr for 2 days before it stopped tracking completely. I got it as soon as it came out so I suppose it could have been a bad one from the first batch which does happen with electronics. I'm not one to use effects in the first place, i'm more of a plug and play kinda guy. When it worked the mxr sounded great. Never used an oc-2. my guitar playing brother had on oc-3 for a short while.

BassMonstrum · #16 12-22-2010, 05:22 PM

Have you considered the EBS Octabass? This is the one I prefer over my Boss OC-2 and EHX MicroPOG.

Jim C · #17 12-22-2010, 05:42 PM

Have thought about the EBS but my GC only had the Micro Pog and MXR 288 to try; ironicaly the 288 wasn't even on open display; they had to get one from the back room

Slackerprince · #18 12-22-2010, 08:35 PM

I just finished this journey. I started with an OC-2 that I got in a trade, but GASSED for the MXR just because it was Bass-Specific, and because it got enough decent reviews and the YouTubes and everything sounded good.
I got the MXR and really like it. Does everything I want and can get very heavy.
I ran out of room on my board, so I moved the OC-2 to my *other* board.
I have no plans to sell or trade either of them.
They're both good and offer something different.
You can also find and buy both of them used for under $150 (together).
Good luck.

S

jamzcl · #19 12-22-2010, 08:38 PM

Owned both and stayed with the OC-2.

To me my '82 OC-2 tracks better than my '83 did and even though I liked the MXR 288, I thought it sounded too "modern" for my liking.

Stereo Joe · #20 12-22-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gastric

My experience is you'd buy the OC-2 for its specifically synthy (and unique) character. And something else if you wanted clean octave sounds.

Exactly. The OC-2's sub octaves have a very synthy tone that for some (me included) is highly desirable. It definitely does not sound like 'your bass but lower' but has a very fat, warm artificial colour to it.

In fact, one of my favourite things to do with the OC-2 is to use it with only the 1 octave down knob turned up and everything else off (2nd octave and the direct). By playing by bass lines up one octave, I still get the pitches in the correct register but with a very unique 'synth bass' type of tone.

I love the OC-2...