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MXR Bass Octave Deluxe - Tracking PROBLEM - BOO HISS!

IanMartinAllison

IanMartinAllison

May 27, 2006
762
621
Minneapolis
#1
So I'm a big octave pedal fan - I own all 3 incarnations of the EBS Octabass, various Boss octaves and now, my shiny new MXR Bass Octave Deluxe. I thought this was going to be the octave pedal to end all octave pedals, you know? - an OC-2 and an EBS in ONE PEDAL?!?! Now I can sell off all my other octave pedals and simplify my life and make my wife happy . . .

But wait . . . there is trouble in the forest . . .

Has anyone who has a good bit of experience with this pedal encountered a tracking glitch, or more precisely, a tracking LAG in the UPPER register of the bass? My pedal tracks flawlessly down low and in the middle register, but when I go up the neck on the D and G strings, to anything past the 12th fret, the octave signal takes a split second to kick in making a slight lag in tracking response.

To clarify, I play passive Lakland and Fender basses and I'm totally hip to technique modification and pickup selection to make the most out of octave pedals. That said, when I add gain before the pedal (say, a Sadowsky outboard pre with a little bass boost - or a Demeter Compulator), this problem gets WORSE!

:(

It's totally bumming me out - and I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this problem. Maybe I just need to go back to my trusty EBS!
 
#3
Gashaponcito said:
I think you've got a defective pedal, I think someone else in the forum got a lime as well, is it new or used?

btw awesome antigua!
Click to expand...

There was one guy who swore up and down that he had a defective pedal... and then came back a few months later to say that he didn't return the pedal in time, and after spending a little more time with it he worked out the pedals 'issues' :smug:

BigO mentioned in the past that the OC-2 tracked better than the BOD and it sounds like artiseasy is having a different problem than the other talkbasser, though Im not sure what to make of it as I haven't played the BOD.
 
#4
Hmm.

The BOD definitely tracks better in the lower register than it does up high, but I didn't experience a really noticeable lag time. I DID notice that it gets "congested" sounding when playing on the D and G strings higher up on the neck. I've got sound clips but mine are solely with the octave down soloed so it wouldn't show the type of lag you're experiencing even if it was there.

It could be a defective unit. I like MXR's pedals a lot but I have noticed slightly more quality control issues with them of late. Personally I got a defective Carbon Copy. But without hearing sound clips I really can't say if what you're hearing is "normal" or not for the Bass Octave Deluxe.
 
#7
One thing that hasn't been mentioned is make sure you're not allowing lower strings to ring while playing up high. I've found that sometimes this will throw off the tracking a bit. I have not experienced the problem as you describe it.
 
#12
Matt14500 said:
Yup, same thing happened to me.
Click to expand...

Humabass said:
I have one and have yet to experience this particular glitch.
Click to expand...

I'd really need to hear soundclips to determine what we're all talking about here. As I mentioned, when playing quickly around the 9th to 15th fret on the D & G strings (but with good technique) I ran into tracking issues that gave very congested feel. But it does sound like the OP is referring to a more dramatic issue.
 
#13
As far as Octave pedals go, I love my MXR. However, I have yet to take my Boss OC-3 off of my pedalboard because of a similar problem I am having with the MXR tracking.

My problem is occurring around the fifth fret on the D and G strings.
At first I thought I had dead strings, so I changed them, no change.
Then I thought my action was to low and a small fretbuzz was the culprit. Not the case.

The tracking problem seems to occur during what I consider to be a reasonable note sustain. My OC-3 in Poly Mode holds it. I am disappointed that my MXR is not.

Other than that one problem though... The MXR Octave is F'in BEEFY !!!
 
#16
Ant1977 said:
Point taken...
But, I bought it for it's supposed amazing tracking.
And, in my opinion, analog or digital, an octave pedal is expected to flub out on an open E or a G, not a high C.
Click to expand...

To me most [I'm saying most because there are a few I haven't tried yet but of the ones I have tried....] analog octaves track about the same, your bass and strings and playing make a big difference with them.
 
#17
Thanks for all the thoughtful replies guys . . .

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that is experiencing the bloom off the rose for the BOD. Although, I sure do wish it worked perfectly for all of us!

In terms of letting two notes ring at once - that isn't the issue at all. Even when I'm very deliberately muting all but one high register note, I get this slight lag - or warble before tracking. ICK!

I went back to my EBS Octabass (version 1 - which to my ears, is still the best version) tonight on a rehearsal and couldn't have been any happier to have my old friend back.

I'm going to try to exchange my BOD for a new one and see if I just got a lemon. I'll keep you posted!

Ian
 
#18
Ant1977 said:
As far as Octave pedals go, I love my MXR. However, I have yet to take my Boss OC-3 off of my pedalboard because of a similar problem I am having with the MXR tracking.

My problem is occurring around the fifth fret on the D and G strings.
At first I thought I had dead strings, so I changed them, no change.
Then I thought my action was to low and a small fretbuzz was the culprit. Not the case.

The tracking problem seems to occur during what I consider to be a reasonable note sustain. My OC-3 in Poly Mode holds it. I am disappointed that my MXR is not.

Other than that one problem though... The MXR Octave is F'in BEEFY !!!
Click to expand...

I haven't noticed any tracking "lag" with my BOD deluxe, but the weird glitch on the 5th fret of the D and G strings may actually be a dead spot on your bass.
 

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