Which octave pedal will suit me best?

Poor Tom · #1 12-04-2009, 04:34 PM

I know, I know, "not another octave topic?!"

I am looking for an analogue synthy type of octave pedal to add to my board. Right now I am running an OBD-3->BF-3->PH-3->DD-3 and can get some pretty sweet sounds. Some of the more synth-like sounds I have found tend to lack in the low-end. I feel like an octave pedal would really help complete this little setup.

I have pretty much narrowed it down to either the MXR BOD or the Boss OC-2/3.

I am unsure of which is better the oc-2 or the oc-3. The 3 has more features but I see more people on here talk about the oc-2. The oc-3 has an oc-2 mode, but it might not sound the same or as good. I don't know. I would love to try them all out a/b/c but it isn't going to be possible.

Any suggestions?

RickenBoogie · #2 12-04-2009, 05:26 PM

Well, since you've got all Boss pedals now, why not stick with 'em. I prefer the MXR over the OC-3, but the OC-2 gets alot more love. Also, one of my fav's, the Ehx Octave Multiplexer.

Poor Tom · #3 12-04-2009, 05:39 PM

Yeah I am leaning strongly towards the OC-2. Not sure why my setup is all boss, it wasn't an intentional thing. I do have a Demeter Compulator in front of it all so there!

debassr · #4 12-04-2009, 05:43 PM

I swear by an ampeg sub blaster for octave fx. Sorry I can't be of much help on this one.

nellie48 · #5 12-04-2009, 05:44 PM

I love my Ampeg SubBlaster. But, if you want one you will have to look for one used. They dont sell them anymore. It sounds more on the analog side than the synth side.

I modded mine to have an LED

Thunderscreech · #6 12-04-2009, 06:23 PM

MicroPog

Poor Tom · #7 12-04-2009, 06:26 PM

The micro pog is digital and doesn't fit the sound I am going for. I've settled on the oc-2.

debassr · #8 12-04-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nellie48

I love my Ampeg SubBlaster. But, if you want one you will have to look for one used. They dont sell them anymore. It sounds more on the analog side than the synth side.

I modded mine to have an LED

That's SO funny, I did the exact same mod with the light in the same place. I got it working, but it introduced noise so I disconncted. What did you connect the led leads to? Any pics?

Very sorry for the thread hijack - but it's so rare to see another one of these, nevermind a modded one - I just had to ask.

Thunderscreech · #9 12-04-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Tom

The micro pog is digital and doesn't fit the sound I am going for. I've settled on the oc-2.

Mind, to that I am running it through no less than 2 dirt boxes. if you are running a (reletively) clean signal than the OC-2 is the superior choice. They are good little pedals.

nellie48 · #10 12-04-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debassr

That's SO funny, I did the exact same mod with the light in the same place. I got it working, but it introduced noise so I disconncted. What did you connect the led leads to? Any pics?

Very sorry for the thread hijack - but it's so rare to see another one of these, nevermind a modded one - I just had to ask.

You my friend are in luck. I posted a tutorial on how to do it about a year ago. My pedal is quiet as a mouse.

debassr · #11 12-04-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nellie48

You my friend are in luck. I posted a tutorial on how to do it about a year ago. My pedal is quiet as a mouse.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Poor Tom · #12 12-05-2009, 01:48 PM

I was actually able to get to Sam Ash today and try out both the Boss OC-3 and the EHX Micro POG. Well....I'm going with the pog. It blew the OC-3 away in terms of sound qualty.

The second octave down on the OC-3 was pretty much indistinguishable and the first didn't sound so good to my ears either. I would never use the Poly or Drive mode.

Both the lower and upper octaves on the POG sounded great. I actually really liked the octave up and know I would use it a lot. The only problem now is that I want to try the POG2...

Maybe if my relatives(I mean santa

) are really generous this year...

chuck3 · #13 12-09-2009, 07:43 PM

I just scored a POG 2 off e-Bay and I have to say, it's what I was looking for in an octave pedal. The reason is the flexibility of octave choices - up one, up two, down one, down two - plus dry. You can mix them as you like with sliders. The other features are good as well but this is what I needed for my situation. I have an EBS Octabass, which is a good pedal for what it's designed to do, but it's limited in what it can do compared to the POG 2.

Poor Tom · #14 12-09-2009, 07:55 PM

Well the thing about the POG2 that I will find most useful(aside from the 5(!) octave range) is the presets. The fact that you can save 8 presets is amazing and makes it sooooo usable live.

TheWoodShed · #15 12-09-2009, 08:52 PM

I got a bit of a suprise on the octave front the other day. A fellow wanted to buy my bag End 4x10 but was a bit short on cash. He made the difference up using a Grey Label EBS Octabass pedal. I thought, what the heck...been wanting to try an ocatver anyways.

Man, this thing sounds great! Even using my EMG's, I get a great dub sound.

chuck3 · #16 12-09-2009, 09:15 PM

yeah, the Octabass rocks.

The presets on the POG 2 are definitely good for the reason you say, Tom. I've gotten some great sounds out of it already and I haven't even really gotten started.

JohnDavisNYC · #17 12-09-2009, 09:23 PM

OC2 is the shizzle

chuck3 · #18 12-09-2009, 09:44 PM

OC2 looks good but I wanted a pedal with octave up capability and OC2 is one/two octaves down.

Poor Tom · #19 12-09-2009, 10:46 PM

The octave up feature is also part of what drew me to the POG, chuck. I was able to try an OC-3 and a micro pog at sam ash and I instantly fell in love with the pog sound. It was a surprise because I went in there expecting to like the supposedly more analog/synthy flavor of the boss pedal. The pog wasn't at all "cold or sterile" like lots of people had said. It was different than the boss for sure, but I preferred the sound, however you want to describe it. I'm gonna place my order for the POG2 tomorrow.

chuck3 · #20 12-12-2009, 09:31 PM

Just for fun, tonight I played my upright (which has a pickup) through the POG 2. Now that was a mighty roar. I may do some more of it and shock my jazz and bluegrass friends.