Octave pedal that doesn't mess with my great tone

dagrev · #1 07-01-2011, 07:33 PM

I've read every thread on TB and have narrowed my choices to the MXR 288 or the EBS Octabass (but am open to others). The thing I looknig for is a pedal that doesn't color the sound much or as little as possible.

I've got a nice sounding Ampeg and don't want the goodness sucked out of it or made to sound like a synth. I love the sound of my basses but want the extra lows. I also don't want to spend more than $150.

Am I asking for the impossible?

s_mcsleazy · #2 07-01-2011, 07:46 PM

well a octave is always going to give you more lows. most the time it will just over power what you already have

behndy · #3 07-01-2011, 07:49 PM

you want an eq pedal, not on octaver. an octaver is designed to give you a VERY different tone out than what goes into it.

have you ever used an analog octaver before? you should try one before you buy. sounds like it's not at all wjat you're looking for.

M Sterling · #4 07-01-2011, 07:55 PM

scotch · #5 07-01-2011, 08:00 PM

I dont know Behndy,... Ive gotten very un-synth like tones from analog octavers.

It isn't clear, however, if the op wants an octave 'effect' or just more low end (eq).

That aside, I think the EBS' generated octave-down is one of the most organic and natural in its class. It's also easy to blend in just a touch, or earth-shaking thunder!

dagrev · #6 07-01-2011, 08:00 PM

Yes I've used them before and have one on an old Ashdown junker amp I have (and on and old SWR i used to own).

I'm not looking for simply lows, I want the octave effect--but not too much of a synth sound with it. Just my bass tone lower.

scotch · #7 07-01-2011, 08:03 PM

Ok then, while the EBS is no longer my favorite analog octave-down, I still think it has the nicest bass-like tone out there. Not spot-on, but very natural mixed in!

kaputsport · #8 07-01-2011, 08:04 PM

Eventide pitchfactor is the only octave pedal I know of that will not change the clean sound at all.

cybersnyder · #9 07-01-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagrev

Yes I've used them before and have one on an old Ashdown junker amp I have (and on and old SWR i used to own).

I'm not looking for simply lows, I want the octave effect--but not too much of a synth sound with it. Just my bass tone lower.

Given that description, I'd suggest the EBS with the 3 way switch. (disclaimer - I'm selling one in the classifieds, but I'm not recommending it for that reason. I prefer the tone of the MXR, but I'm looking for a more obvious octave effect.)

behndy · #10 07-01-2011, 08:06 PM

phsow you right Scotchtillius! the EBS IS a way more natural sounding octaver then most, but with the way the analog ones track a bit sketchy and get glitchy any double stops or going below about G on the A string, it just sounds like it's going to change his tone more than he wants mebbe.

i'm not a huge fan of EHX, but maybe a micro pog? it's octave down is a bit crisper almost. more defined and less Crap Your Pants Thickness than what i love from the Aggy Octo or MXR BOD, but it does stay a bit more true to the tone that goes into it.

all IME/IMO of course. ScothDiddly knows his SHIZZ too.

scotch · #11 07-01-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaputsport

Eventide pitchfactor is the only octave pedal I know of that will not change the clean sound at all.

Interesting you say that... None of the analog octavers I've owned have appreciably changed the 'dry' signal whatsoever. ?

dagrev · #12 07-01-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I'm selling one in the classifieds, but I'm not recommending it for that reason.

You still have it?

behndy · #13 07-01-2011, 08:09 PM

yeah. they usually leave the dry the hell alone i feel. GET OFF MY CLEAN TONE'S LAWN YOU DAMN -12 KEEDS!!

.... that's actually what i LURV about the Aggy 'un. the separate filters for clean and oct down gives it a nice range of tonez.

scotch · #14 07-01-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by behndy

phsow you right Scotchtillius! the EBS IS a way more natural sounding octaver then most, but with the way the analog ones track a bit sketchy and get glitchy any double stops or going below about G on the A string, it just sounds like it's going to change his tone more than he wants mebbe.

i'm not a huge fan of EHX, but maybe a micro pog? it's octave down is a bit crisper almost. more defined and less Crap Your Pants Thickness than what i love from the Aggy Octo or MXR BOD, but it does stay a bit more true to the tone that goes into it.

all IME/IMO of course. ScothDiddly knows his SHIZZ too.

Yeah, the EBS does tend to track less reliably below Bb. Most analog's do. If polyphony or ease-of-use tracking are priorities, the POG series are a good choice (but definitely sound more digital!).

M Sterling · #15 07-01-2011, 08:12 PM

The pitch glide on the line 6 M series is pretty transparent as well.

behndy · #16 07-01-2011, 08:23 PM

yerp. i just really think the description of using an octaver, digital (bleh) or analog (yay!), to NOT change the sound of a tone is a tad silly. not really what they're designed for OR good at. yuuuuurpah.

kaputsport · #17 07-01-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Interesting you say that... None of the analog octavers I've owned have appreciably changed the 'dry' signal whatsoever. ?

What I meant to say was the dry and effected signals sound very close in tone. Almost fake sounding, but very clean.

Venom of God · #18 07-01-2011, 11:03 PM

Slightly off topic, but what is a double-stop? I have an MXR BOD and it's great for what I use it for, would like to learn how to get more use out of it actually (I only use it in one of our songs when I'm playing a cool riff up the neck a bit, and otherwise only at home and again when I'm fiddling around past the seventh).

behndy · #19 07-01-2011, 11:14 PM

double stop is just two notes at the same time. technically a chord needs three notes, so it SHOULD be Power Double Stop, not Power Chord. but that just sounds silly.

yerp!

edit - and octavers glitch up outside a certain note range and/or when playing more than one note at a time.

heh. i LIKE the way they glitch sometimes though.

groooooove · #20 07-02-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by behndy

heh. i LIKE the way they glitch sometimes though.

i love the way the octave-up blended w/dry glitches on my digitech whammy. always play chords through it.

to the op- i'd get any octave. literally any. and just keep the wet signal low. the suboctave will sound synthier than your bass no matter what, but if you dont turn it up it wont matter- itll just come across as another thunderous bass doubling yours..