Octaver with a Different Character

jufros · #1 09-21-2009, 07:36 PM

I am really getting comfortable with my synth bass rig right now and have realized that I really don't need as much dirt as I might have anticipated, and that octave pedals are just as important to sonic variety as fuzzes and filters are.

I'm currently using the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe w/ a GEB-7 after it and the 4ms Nocto Loco. Each runs in a separate parallel loop of an LS-2. I normally use one or the other and usually use the BOD/GEB combo when I'm throwing an octave in front of gated fuzzes or "wave shapers" (Subdecay NoiseBox, Robot Factory Pulse Synth). These two pedals definitely sound radically different from each other and yield equally different synth sounds. Surprisingly, they really good when I blend them together via LS-2 as well.

So, I'm looking for a 3rd octave pedal to add my arsenal, but I want something that sounds different enough from the BOD and Nocto to warrant having it around. I'm not really looking for an OC-2 (BOD cops it fine, especially with the GEB-7) and I don't think I'm looking for an EBS Octabass (the Girth side of the BOD is really smooth). I'm not at all particular as to whether it's analog or digital, but I do need it to track reasonably well and I really need it to sound different from both the BOD and Nocto. The synthier the better.

Anyone have any suggestions?

knuckle_head · #2 09-21-2009, 07:43 PM

Need it be a pedal? There are a couple of Digitech Harmony Machines that are single space rack units that give multiple intervals - they're pretty fast as octavers go.

jufros · #3 09-21-2009, 07:55 PM

My rack is full at the moment and I have the board space so yeah at the moment I would say so. Interesting recommendation though.

Also, I tried a uPOG in my rig today and the octave down was just way too weak.

JMDT · #4 09-21-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jufros

My rack is full at the moment and I have the board space so yeah at the moment I would say so. Interesting recommendation though.

Also, I tried a uPOG in my rig today and the octave down was just way too weak.

I didn't like the POG either, the pitchfactor however sounded quite amazing when I took it for a test drive.

jufros · #5 09-21-2009, 08:54 PM

Pithfactor would be cool but I'm not willing to sacrifice the board space for it. I'm going to have both the MF-101 and Photron running in parallel so I definitely need something more compact.

JMDT · #6 09-21-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jufros

Pithfactor would be cool but I'm not willing to sacrifice the board space for it. I'm going to have both the MF-101 and Photron running in parallel so I definitely need something more compact.

A good part of the reason I don't have one, along with the price and power requirements. I may still get one due to the sheer awesomeness though.

icarussmicarus · #7 09-21-2009, 10:02 PM

If space wasn't an issue, I'd suggest tracking down a Mutron Octave Divider. To me it still stands as a unique octave sound/combination of features, which hasn't been copied yet.

*insertcoolname · #8 09-21-2009, 10:25 PM

I say OC-3. Pretty synthy and has some quality tracking no doubt. Give it a whirl, but make sure to test it in the guitar input as well as the bass input!

WaldoNova · #9 09-21-2009, 10:31 PM

I think the micropog may be what your looking for. It definately sounds synthy(some say to synthy) with the octave up dimed and is very different then the BOD and the Nocto.

jufros · #10 09-21-2009, 11:37 PM

I was definitely not feeling the uPOG as an octave down signal to modify via dirt and filters. I did get some really cool sounds by running it after fuzz though.

BOD->GEB-7->Brown Dog->uPOG w/ Dry and Octave Up maxed->Moog MF-101->Boss CE-5 was really really cool as a synth pad effect, for example.

But at the end of the day, I'd rather have another powerful sounding octave down than a pedal for more textural and/or ambient sounds. It would just suit my personal style better as well as the music that I'm playing at the moment.

anechoic · #11 09-22-2009, 05:10 AM

I know you said the rack was full, but another interesting unit to check out (if you can find one) is the Digitech IPS-33B. Honestly, I can't remember how its octave down sounded with bass, but it does have some unique features, like an arpeggiator, intelligent harmonization, a really cool synth pad setting, as well as some general purpose effects like delay, chorus, and flange. Hmm, I might have to go dig mine out.

jetofuj · #12 09-22-2009, 05:25 AM

FoxRox Octron. I think it's my favourite pedal. You can find nice samples in Wiki.

speak_onion · #13 09-22-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetofuj

FoxRox Octron. I think it's my favourite pedal. You can find nice samples in Wiki.

+1. Way useful in a synth rig.

jufros · #14 09-22-2009, 02:11 PM

I like those Octron samples quite a bit. At this point, I'm torn between getting one or selling a bunch of less-used gear and getting a Pitchfactor that I'd control from the MP-201...

speak_onion · #15 09-23-2009, 10:36 AM

Pitchfactor. Octron is useful, but if you really decide you need that sound you can just throw a dano french toast on your board and blend it with BOD or Nocto and you'll be close enough.

jufros · #16 09-23-2009, 10:42 AM

Cool. I snagged one and a Modfactor for good measure haha.

speak_onion · #17 09-23-2009, 03:57 PM

Dude, you're out of control in the best way.

JBTucci · #18 09-23-2009, 07:24 PM

I'll throw in my opinion for whatever it's worth. I used to have an old Mutron octave and of all the new octave pedals on the market the Octron comes the closest to that tone.

kkrivoshein · #19 04-02-2012, 04:54 PM

i know this is years ago....but i cant beleive no one came forward with akai deep impact.
by far the most synthy pedal you can get......and very good tracking and very flexible.
only problem.....finding one....and then...paying the price