MXR Octave: What am I doing wrong?

[MonkeyBass]

I have an old MXR Bass Octave (not the deluxe). It used to work great but lately it just seems to fart out and won't track the notes.

What's up with that? It's about 6th in line on the pedalboard, could that be it? It seems to work better with my active basses than with my passive ones. But I can't remember that it was never a problem before.

Any thoughts or advise?

[stflbn]

IMHO, put it first or early in the chain after a compressor to smooth things out.

[MonkeyBass]

OK I'll try it. Like I said, that never seemed to be an issue before.

Thanks.

[plankspanker13]

6th in line? That's a lot of potential to glitch, and for voltage drops. I concur with the suggestion to put it early in your signal chain.

[cybersnyder]

Double check your setup. If you have buzzing, that can cause issues.

[Robertron]

You may also need to check the basses you're using.
Poor setup can inhibit an octaver's tracking.

[MonkeyBass]

Thanks guys. I know the setup is fine on all my basses. Buzzing in the line is a possibility too.

I think it's that I have it so far down the chain. Maybe it was a fluke that the pedal worked 6th in line all these years!! I've done some research and between what you guys all say and what other forums etc have said, it looks like I need to put it first in the line. Well... 20+ years playing bass and I still make mistakes eh?

I'll try it when I get home tonight.

Thanks all!!

[dannybuoy]

Also, might sound obvious but if it's battery powered then try a new battery!

[reubmister]

its unusual you have it so late in the chain normally I have it early so it gets the best tracking

[MonkeyBass]

OK... I plugged it in the chain FIRST... and it still won't track. It's plugged into a power supply so I know it's not a lack of power. The bass is nice and clean.

What the heck? It's never given me problems before.

Any thoughts? I hate to have to buy a new one.

[Hippos Melas]

How's your bass' setup? My Sterling had setup issues and once I lowered the action my BOD (so not your model but still similar issue) tracked much better.

[Matt Dean]

I second all the suggestions to place the octave pedal first in the signal chain. Octave pedals benefit from signal integrity.

[MonkeyBass]

It's not the setup... all my basses, active and passive, won't track anymore.

I'm starting to think it's broken.

It's been around. I toured with it so it's seen some stanky stages. Do you need to clean them?

I don't know, I'm grasping at straws.

[CajunCanuck]

*pulling out my crystal ball*......I see, a new MXR BOD in your near future.........

[MonkeyBass]

Originally Posted by CajunCanuck

*pulling out my crystal ball*......I see, a new MXR BOD in your near future.........

Ha ha!! I think you're right.