Octave pedals getting buried in a band situation...

[oggdawg]

I have had both the Boss OC-2 and Aguilar Octamizer. Both sound really good when I'm playing by myself. When I play with a full band, however, they get lost in the mix. I cannot get them to be loud enough or clear enough. Anyone have a similar experience or an octave pedal that is better with this? I love the effect, but if I can't use it in a band, it's pointless.

[seedokebass]

Have you ever tried the OC-3? It has a overdrive mode that you can blend with the octave to get subtle or nasty overdrive with the octave.

[newbold]

if you can't hear yourself in the band then somebody's competing for your sonic space or you're a bit too wet perhaps?

drive after octave should work.

[cheapbasslovin]

Are you using the octave right at the low range of your bass? Could be your speakers can't pump out the volume on the octave that low unless there's nothing else competing for frequency. Maybe.

[rosstanium]

Never had that problem with either pedal. Especially the Octamizer. That thing is so stinking versatile...

[jumbo_steelie]

I've never tried one, but the MXR BOD has a mids boost button that is supposed to remedy that problem. I have the OC-2 and I only use it if I'm playing with one guitarist, otherwise I disappear too...

[oggdawg]

I love the Octamizer...when it's just me and the Octamizer. When it's me, the Octamizer, and anyone else...I can't get it to cut. And I don't play hard rock or anything.

[tombaker]

Boost the mids on you amp. Or alternatively, get an MXR Bass Octave Deluxe which has a mids boost switch. Im yet to try mine in a band situation but ive heard from many users that it helps a lot

[Bryan R. Tyler]

JMHO, but I think octavers works best when you're NOT competing with a lot of other instruments. They shine most and are more easily audible when you are filling out the sound when there is less instrumentation to cut through (like during a guitar solo, etc.).

[Bootzilla]

The whole point of an octave pedal is to create a very wide frequency range to fill a lot of space. If you fill a lot of space you don't stand out or cut through. If you want to cut through you need to stay in your niche. Maybe you don't need to cut through to be heard and contribute to the sound of the band. Just be careful not to drawn guitars so they have to fight to be heard. That can only lead to a mushy mix and volume wars.

[KellyM]

With an octaver, in a live situation, first off you have to run it through speakers that can handle it. Not saying that you are, but if. for instance, you run one through a 12" at home, by yourself, it will probably sound fine.

However, on stage what you will need are big drivers and a lot of watts, and all that Bose legerdemain be damned. 15" minimum, and 18" speakers will be better, for that low-end rumble. 1000 watts would not be unreasonable for what you are trying to achieve. You wouldn't need to use them all, all the time, but you would use them sometimes, even at moderate volume levels. To make lows seem as loud as mids, it takes several times the watts.

In short, there really is no substitute for big speakers and awesome power, and aside from that, you will probably be less than happy with your octaver.

Kelly

[cheapbasslovin]

Originally Posted by KellyM

With an octaver, in a live situation, first off you have to run it through speakers that can handle it. Not saying that you are, but if. for instance, you run one through a 12" at home, by yourself, it will probably sound fine.

However, on stage what you will need are big drivers and a lot of watts, and all that Bose legerdemain be damned. 15" minimum, and 18" speakers will be better, for that low-end rumble. 1000 watts would not be unreasonable for what you are trying to achieve. You wouldn't need to use them all, all the time, but you would use them sometimes, even at moderate volume levels. To make lows seem as loud as mids, it takes several times the watts.

In short, there really is no substitute for big speakers and awesome power, and aside from that, you will probably be less than happy with your octaver.

Kelly

I really disagree with this as a rule. I'm rocking a 112-200 watt combo and my octave can be heard loud and clear. My gig doesn't have me fighting with a pair of dimed stacks, but I can be heard just fine.

What you say may be an issue with the OP, but I suspect there's more to it than that.

[Swimming Bird]

OP -- what are your settings?

[oggdawg]

I agree, it has nothing to do with wattage or speakers. I play through a 200 watt tube amp and a single 15", but that shouldn't matter. I don't play with a "scooped" EQ...treble is cut, bass and mids slightly bumped on my VT Bass that I use as a preamp. My tone is actually very present regularly (perhaps on the verge of being too present). And it's not a matter of the octave pedal not "filling space"...it's that the volume drop / muddiness makes it hard to even hear. I'm going to try the MXR Bass Octave deluxe to see it it is any better. I'll trade the Octamizer or the OC-2 + cash on your end if anyone's interested, by the way.

[kaputsport]

Having a large stack does help, but again, most people are right. Sonic space is really a huge deal. If your guitard is boosting tons of lows, and you are mostly mids, you are constantly fighting for the same sonic area...

That being said, I push the octave hard when I play. My OC-2 has directat 3 o'clock or so, and the OCT1 all the way up. This assures me that the octave signal is pumping. I may even turn the direct tone to 12:00 if needed, or off.

My setup is more elaborate than this, but it works well. I have all my dirt after the pedal, and it makes total sense when I need synthy fuzz tone, and want bottom end. I also almost never play below the open A string with the OC-2 on. There really is no point. Play higher up the neck, or up some strings, andit will shine.

[Bassnut62]

+1 re playing higher up the neck. It's a nice place to be even without octave.
I rarely apply octave below D (using a 4 string, not a 5 string bass).
In fact I like it most above 12th fret on any string.
As well as adding fuzz, I like using it with an envelope filter to get a bit more quack 'n' cut-thru.
In my experience I've found keyboard players can invade bass territory more than guitards.

[jgroh]

Thats why I dont have an octave pedal. I have two guitards and a keytard to compete with so there isnt much sonic space left.

[aledeville]

You just shouldn't go too deep. Normally I don't play below a B (second fret on the A-String), and it just sounds fine.

[henryjurstin13]

I don't have any specific "fix" knowledge for the situation, but I don't feel lost in the mix with my POG. It's EXTREMELY tweakable & has quite a bit of volume boost as well.... just my .02

[TheRockinRoadie]

my octave pedal set fire to the band PA, i win