which octave pedal do I want?

[dokazaado]

hi pedal nerds! help me choose an octave pedal.
i think i want an analog pedal, although you may convince me otherwise,
and mainly I'm interested in making bass synth sounds using the octave with fuzz and an envelope or wah.
just octave below is fine.
MXR Bass Octave Deluxe? Boss OC-2? what say you? $150 or less, please.

[BassistFreak416]

ehx micro pog. perfect tracking, plus octave up. i think 200 new, but you could find it used for around ur price.

[bassbmx]

I've spent a lot of time with the EBS Octabass (old version) and Boss OC-2. I played for a couple of days with the POG2 and really didn't like clean/digital it sounded.

I really like the OC-2 for its synthyness but I think the MXR BOD will be one of my next pedals as it seems to be a bit fatter but can still do the OC-2 synthy sounds. Have a look at the Aguilar Octamizer too.

Oh, the Line 6 M9 and M13 both have a really nice (apparently) bass octave in the updated software. I have the M9 but haven't updated yet so can't comment. I will when I've sorted it out.

[fivestringgecko]

I currently have 3 octave pedals (in order of preference): MXR Bass Octave Deluxe, EBS Octabass and most recently, a Boss OC-2.

I've played with a EHX Micro Pog... Like BassistFreak says, it tracks the best and the octave up is a nice feature, but I agree with bassbmx... it just sounds way too digital for my taste.

I haven't spent a ton of time with the Boss, but like bassbmx also said, the OC-2 does have a more synthy sound, which the MXR seems to do a pretty good job of copping.

The MXR BOD is my favorite and has pretty much earned a permanent spot on my pedalboard... That little MID switch makes all the difference. I posted an A/B comparison of the EBS and MXR with clips in another thread (MXR Bass Octave Deluxe thread, post #338). Check it out, hopefully it'll help?

EDIT: P.S. Chronicle posted a review in another thread (MXR M288 Bass Octave Dx Review) with more clips, Growl and Girth soloed among them. Might be more help as well.



5sg.

[TheRockinRoadie]

I have an OC-2 and love it, its definately worth checking out if you want synth sounds!

[TheMutt]

Personally, I'm really liking my Foxrox Octron 2, which is just a limited edition build of the Octron 1. You can get one used for at or under $150.
The OC-2 is also a great analog octaver and is used and loved by many. I have owned an EBS OctaBass in the past and it does sound good, but wasn't what I was looking for. The EHX POG/HOG family have a really great tracking octave, but do sound a bit digital which may or may not be your thing. Although, I'd suggest you save up for and find a used PitchFactor instead if you're thinking of going digital.

I've yet to try an MXR Bass Octave Deluxe, but I've heard only good things about them and if you find one used it's an even better deal. The Aguilar Octamizer is also an interesting pedal, but I've also yet to try one out.

[HosMan]

I had the MXR M88 octave pedal and really liked the simplicity of the controls and the old school sound of the effect. This little guy was solid and sturdy and sounded cool.Ok,it was a cool toy for me and fun to mess with...even though never used in actual playing. Retro look pedal,analog(right?),solid and the older M88 is a quality octave effect for lots less than you could pay.I`ve seen them as cheap as $65.00 online.

my $0.02 worth

[4-string]

I own three, EBS Octabass, Ashdown and MicroPOG. The Ashdown I've found more or less useless for live use, poor tracking and the fuzz just sounds horrible. I use it at home for practice, and it works fine thru the Tascam BT.

I really dig the EBS, it sounds so fat in a live mix, and the tracking is great for an analog pedal IMO. Combined with the EBS BassIQ it is just so cool.

I haven't had the MicroPOG for long, but I'll probably sell it. While the tracking is excellent, I agree with the others that it sounds way too digital. Nothing like the fat, huge sound the EBS has. To my ear the octave up sounds like it comes from within a tin can IMO, even though used sparingly it is kind of cool.

Just my opinion.

[JLP]

I,m looking for an octave pedal myself. Cost is an issue w/ me so which is best bang for buck? Boss, MXR, EBS? I,m leaning toward the MXR 288. Any reason I shouldn,t?

[Lefty Geek]

Originally Posted by TheMutt

Personally, I'm really liking my Foxrox Octron 2, which is just a limited edition build of the Octron 1. You can get one used for at or under $150.

There is no way you can get an Octron 2 for $150! They usually go for full retail on Ebay. Sometimes you can get lucky and get a normal Octron for below that price.

I own the MicroPog, Akai Unibass and an Octron, and I like the Octron the best. I do not play clean, some type of distortion is always on, so I don't worry about the added fuzz. Don't like the clean digital glitchiness.

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by JLP

I,m looking for an octave pedal myself. Cost is an issue w/ me so which is best bang for buck? Boss, MXR, EBS? I,m leaning toward the MXR 288. Any reason I shouldn,t?

The only reason I can think of is if you want digital over analog? If you haven't checked out a microPOG, at least check one out so you can hear the difference. Too digital, but just my opinion... maybe it'll be what you're looking for.

Seriously, MXR really hit the mark with the new Bass Octave Deluxe. The controls are perfect, the MID switch is killer, it sounds awesome and the tracking is great (consistently down to F# on the E string for me).

I have yet to find a downside to my M288.

5sg.

[DuoSonicII]

+1 for the FoxRox Octron - fully adjustable analog octave up and octave down. It also has enough fuzz of its own (adjustable via internal trimpot) that you may not even need a separate fuzz pedal for synthy stuff. It's been my favorite pedal hands-down ever since I first tried it on bass - the one pedal I wouldn't part with.

[kevteop]

If you want an analogue octaver as good as any other you'll find for a low cost, get a used OC-2. You will probably like the sound.

If you don't like the sound, you can sell it for the same money you bought it for and buy something expensive like the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe, EBS Octabass or Foxrox Octron, but you will probably really like the OC-2 anyway. They are discontinued but abundant, they are always for sale. And they sound great.

[paradigm_shift]

Check out the DOD octoplus, I own both the oc-2 and the octoplus as analog octaves, I prefer the Dod , it seems to track slightly better and I prefer the tone of it.

[Poor Tom]

Is the OC-3 just as good/better than the OC-2?

[fivestringgecko]

I can't say for sure, but it seems like the OC-2 gets more love around Talkbass. I messed around with an OC-3 in a shop, I think the OC-2 has more of the synthy-ness that people around here seem to dig. It's got a couple nice features that the OC-2 doesn't have though, so maybe it's a wash?

5sg.

[TheMutt]

Originally Posted by Lefty Geek

There is no way you can get an Octron 2 for $150! They usually go for full retail on Ebay. Sometimes you can get lucky and get a normal Octron for below that price.

Sorry, I should have clarified that I meant you could get an Octron for that price, not the Octron 2. I mention the Octron 2 only because it is what I own, and is essentially the same pedal as the Octron. Amazing pedal(s)!

Originally Posted by Poor Tom

Is the OC-3 just as good/better than the OC-2?

I've played around with both and personally liked the OC-2 over the OC-3, but it's certainly a much-debated matter of personal preference around here. My advice: whichever one you like best is the one that you should go with.

[adube810]

aguilar octamizer?

[smo]

Originally Posted by TheMutt

Personally, I'm really liking my Foxrox Octron 2.....

Me too.
The internal pots really help to tailor the sound of each octave to your taste.
I prefer it over a Pog sound.

The MXR may have better tracking though.

[fretlessman71]

Sounds like the consensus here is that the MXR tracks the best. That's my biggest hangup - if I can get it to track, I can take care of the tone post-effect. Looks like I'll be getting one of these. Anyone know if a 1SPOT will power the M288?