octave pedal , why ???

[PATTY1]

why are octave pedals so popular? i don't think i've ever heard one on a recording, i don't get it ??

[dmusic148]

Gives an interesting, synthy texture. Not for everyone, but listen to some Pino stuff on old Paul Young tunes. It can get real funky, especially with a filter.

[80'sRocker]

why ANY pedals on bass?

[NateS]

Originally Posted by 80'sRocker

why ANY pedals on bass?

why ANY pedals on guitar? Why any pedals ever?

stay out of effects. Please.

[kevteop]

The question should be "Why not?".

They make an interesting sound and they are old, fairly reliable tech, hence the popularity.

[CHILDISHGAMBINO]

Originally Posted by 80'sRocker

why ANY pedals on bass?

Why ANYone like you even reading posts in the effects forum?

[Stingray5]

I find it useful when playing a synth line on bass. My band plays 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' and the octave pedal is on the entire song.

Also they work nicely in a 3pc setting during guitar solos. Adds a really nice effect to fretless etc.

[bigchiefbc]

As has already been said, I use an OC-2 specifically for its synthy, square-wave-like tone. If I just want a straight octave top of my signal, then I just play the octave with my hand.

[GreggBummer]

This is the way that I use it:

I use it as a "subtle" effect. I like mixing it about 60/40 dry to wet. It adds some beef when I am cranking the mids, or using some fuzz. I don't play anything real crazy... mostly blues and classic rock. It is so subtle that it took a few weeks for the guys in my band to notice it was on. They only noticed when I left it home one week. I use it on two/three "slow blues" songs.

IMHO, Octave is like all effects: Use it like spice or seasoning to your soup. A dash will do ya.

My signal chain: Bass ---> Boss OC-3 Octaver ---> Bass Muff Pi ---> Bassballs Envelope Filter ---> Boss LM-2B Limiter ----> amp or DI box.

If you are going to build a "pedal board" Octave, Chorus, Fuzz, and Filter are really the "BIG FOUR" of bass effects.

[cheapbasslovin]

I will direct you to this thread, and recommend some patience. There is plenty out there with octave on it.

[60jbass91]

without effects there are only so many different sounds you can get from each and every amp and each bass, if you throw effects in you can have almost a limitless amount of combinations for tones and sounds.
even a crappy old octave pedal that doesnt follow the notes aswell as the best boutique £300 pedal will still make your bass belch and squelch in a way that no ther pedal or amp will ever be able to make it.
why pedals or octave pedals? experiment, try and find these unique new sounds and people will be jealous.
and dont get me wrong im still a massive fan of pure tone, nothing sounds better than a raw uncoloured pure bass tone, but nothing sounds more interesting than a bass tone mutated with electronic wizardry.

[JohnDavisNYC]

i'm just so stupid and my hands are so weak, i can't find that other note that is the same but lower. pedals make up for my incredible lack of ability on the instrument.

john

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by GreggBummer

IMHO, Octave is like all effects: Use it like spice or seasoning to your soup. A dash will do ya.

Or do it the manly way - have only synthesized octave note in your signal, destroy anything else in its path.

We've got one tune where the intro is like a casio reggae bass line that I do with my OC-2, and whenever we have a sound guy we haven't worked with before they always comment on it. Some even ask "Was that an OC-2?". Yeah you know they're the best sound men.

[bassplayerbob]

I use it to mimic the intro to stevie wonders I Wish since we have no keys to double that part with me. Boss OC-2.

[Chris K]

I have an OC-2, use it less and less. It only does down octaves. It is useless below A and the less than perfect tracking is causing a sloppy edge to my grooves. Octaves up, so I've heard, give a very synth like tone.

[kesslari]

Originally Posted by 80'sRocker

why ANY pedals on bass?

The other way to read this (and I'm giving the benefit of the doubt) would be "the same reason as any other pedal - it gives a cool sound that the player likes!"
Which does pretty much say it.

To the OP - octave pedals are fairly common in funk, as a lot of recordings will double a minimoog or other keyboard bass an octave below the bassline to fatten it. A trick from a successful funk producer I met.

[greenboy]

Originally Posted by JohnDavisNYC

i'm just so stupid and my hands are so weak, i can't find that other note that is the same but lower. pedals make up for my incredible lack of ability on the instrument.

Me too. And that awesome 80's rock music especially challenges my lameness.

[greenboy]

I often use V-Bass COSM models to double lines, play distorted guitar solos, and overdriven chords, and on my fretless, do bottleneck electric blues.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by JohnDavisNYC

i'm just so stupid and my hands are so weak, i can't find that other note that is the same but lower. pedals make up for my incredible lack of ability on the instrument.

john

If you're serious, and I have to assume you are, you've missed the point entirely. Actually playing octaves together on the bass is a COMPLETELY different thing, totally unlike using an octave pedal. The pedal, especially an analog one, creates a synthetic, and very groovy sound which even the best technique can't create at all. Try one and see for yourself.

[cybersnyder]

After that V-Blade incident I can only reach the D and G strings so I get the lower notes using octave pedal. Pay attention to the warning to use the protective guard when making coleslaw. (It was delish, BTW.)