Not happy with MXR M288...is it working right?

eastcoasteddie · #1 12-02-2010, 08:00 PM

SO I just got an MXR M288 Deluxe Bass Octave. I didn't have time to try it in the store, but judging from all the samples I've heard all over the internet, I knew I'd live it's tone.

However, it isn't the tone that I'm not happy with, I love the tone. The pedals seems to not track the higher notes played ont he G-string well. It seems to track low notes much better, even on the E string. If I play an A or B on the G string, it'll take about a second or 2 for the note to start getting screwy. My old Boss OC-2 did a much better job, but couldn't play anything lower than a D on the A string.

Anyone else have the M288 have the same issue? or is mine just not working right? I can return it no problem, got it from GC with warranty.

Bassmike62 · #2 12-02-2010, 08:09 PM

I had similar issues with mine. I was told it's typical analog octave behavior, or something to that effect. Tried putting it in different places in the chain, to no effect. Ended up selling it and currently use a Digitech BSW as an octave. It's digital and tracks real well. Of course, it sounds a little synthy, but I'm OK with that. Plus, plenty of other stuff I can do with it. I'm happy

radksa · #3 12-02-2010, 08:35 PM

I also have noticed this. On it's own, I tend only to play on the A and D strings, or quickly on the G, so that the tracking is not so obvious. Why not use the OC-2 for upper registry playing and the BOD for lower string play?

For me, the sound on those 2 strings is soooooo good, I don't care. I do currently have the BOD in an Xotic Xblender effects loop, and with the dial at 1200 on the blend feature, the tracking sounds much better on all the strings. Also, if you put it first in the chain, and then have other effects on afterwards, such as a chorus or analog delay, you really won't notice it.

eastcoasteddie · #4 12-02-2010, 08:37 PM

I'm thinking of trading it in for an OC-3...good or bad idea?

Kwesi · #5 12-02-2010, 09:35 PM

Well the BOD does track the low notes better than the high notes but I don't start having problems until I hit the 12th fret of the G string and up (also C on the 5th fret for whatever reason). Try onl using one of the octaves (growl or girth) in addtion to the dry signal instead of both at the same time if you don't already do that. I found that it gave me a cleaner sound on the higher notes. If that doesn't work for you and you absolutely have to have a octaver that tracks those high notes take a look at the Aguilar Octamizer. That thing would not fail no matter how high I went but the tone isn't as ballsy as the BOD and it doesn't own the low notes like the BOD does.

eastcoasteddie · #6 12-02-2010, 09:52 PM

I tried increasing the Dry signal, one or the other octave modes, noting helps. Some of the notes on the G-string just sound like they lose tracking instantaneously, a nanosecond after I hit them.

**jmattbassplaya** · #7 12-02-2010, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastcoasteddie

I'm thinking of trading it in for an OC-3...good or bad idea?

I traded mine for an OC-3 and I'm much happier because the thing actually tracks what I play lol. That said, I also wanted a slightly grittier/synthier tone (ala Muse), which is different from the M288's dubby/bubbly tone. It was the right trade for me, but it might not be for you.

cybersnyder · #8 12-03-2010, 05:02 AM

Similar problems here. I much prefer the OC-2 or OC-3. The former for tone, the latter for tracking. (Use the Guitar input on the OC-3 in Poly mode!)

jaspercbass · #9 12-03-2010, 08:52 AM

There's a couple of notes on the G string that glitch for me. I found that if I play the same note on the D string it works though. So I just changed the way I play that certain passage when I use it. Not a big deal for me, but it could definitely be annoying depending on what you have to play.

eastcoasteddie · #10 12-03-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I traded mine for an OC-3 and I'm much happier because the thing actually tracks what I play lol. That said, I also wanted a slightly grittier/synthier tone (ala Muse), which is different from the M288's dubby/bubbly tone. It was the right trade for me, but it might not be for you.

I really loved the tone of the OC-2, and the OC-3 is supposed to sound very similar...it might be a good trade for me, too. I'm going to check it out tonight.

eastcoasteddie · #11 12-03-2010, 07:38 PM

So I got the OC-3. Using it in Polyphonic mode is really sweet. No tracking problems whatsoever. But it is odd how using the Guitar input in Poly mode sounds a bit deeper than Poly mode with the Bass input.

But since the OC-3 has an OC-2 mode, using it that way, in retrospect I see that the MXR is such a VAST improvement over the OC-2 as an analog pedal. But I guess I just still can't deal with some of those shortcomings of analog. In Poly mode, the OC-3 has a bit of a smoother octave than in analog, sounds very similar to the MXR in that respect. But what I think is the BIGGEST bonus of the polyphonic mode is that you can slap that bass and the notes will come out perfectly, as opposed to an analog octave where the slaps and plucks come out very distorted.

I think perhaps they should have made the Polyphonic mode with the 2 octaves like the OC-2. It just sounds meaner.

So at this point, I'll use it in Poly mode and really think about if I will keep and Octave pedal in my pedal collection; if I can put it to good use or if it is just a noise maker.

Funny....coming from a guy who has been plugging a bass straight into an amp for 15 years, and I still like it that way 99% of the time. I have 5 pedals now. Crybaby, ODB, Bass Big Muff, Micro Q-tron and the OC-3. I think the Q-tron is probably the most fun to play with though, and I think I'll try it with the OC....

**jmattbassplaya** · #12 12-03-2010, 07:47 PM

I'm glad this worked out for you

silky smoove · #13 12-04-2010, 12:45 AM

Analog octave pedals will always track only so well. You really need to focus on playing as cleanly as possible. More specifically you need to work as hard as you can to generate as much fundamental and little harmonics as you can. Playing closer to the end of the fretboard, solo'ing the neck pickup, etc. are all things that really help with the BOD and any other analog octave circuit for that matter.

I've found that when I take those things into consideration my BOD tracks great. That said, I mainly only use it for the range between B (2nd fret of the A string) and G (10th fret of the A string), so for me any tracking issues are pretty small.