Boss OC-3...I don't get it

[Killing Floor]

So I'm the opposite guy. I'd suggest putting it right after your fuzz. IME octavers before fuzz will really get gummy. Octave right after fuzz will tighten up a lot. I think it actually complements the fuzz. try it.

 

[HolmeBass]

I have a lively, harmonically rich compressor tone and I have to run my octavers before the compressor. But it works out really well b/c the compressor makes the octavers sound better.

 

[Frank77]

In terms of signal chain, I guess you'll have to try what you like best but from a logic standpoint, the less stuff there is between the octaver and your bass, the better it will track. Now, the compressor can be before or after...some say that putting it AFTER the compressor will help it track better, but in my personal experience it doesn't really make a difference. Personally I put my compressor at the very end of my chain and I like the results better that way. My whole chain is like this:

Bass --> Tuner --> Octaver --> Envelope Filter --> Overdrive --> Phaser --> Chorus --> Compressor --> Amp

Octaver is my favourite effect and I use it quite often, but it's not an "always on" effect...for what I do, it's mostly for short solos/breaks/fills.

If you're looking for inspiration, there's this guy named Tim Lefebvre who knows a thing or two about octavers...

 

[Gyver]

As already mentioned by others, put it before your compressor. I have an OC-2 and it has always worked best at the very front of the pedal board and before a compressor.

 

[tpaul]

I had one of those a long time and always got better results when I plugged into the “guitar” input rather than the “bass” one.

Lots of bass players favor the guitar input on the OC3. There's no extra charge for trying both.

 

[mikewalker]

Use the direct out if you don't like the way the pedal sounds.

 

[WillyW]

They make a 3 now! I need to get rid of my pesky 2!

I have mine tuna>envelope>OC2

I had thought of trying it before the envelope, but it just sounds like a whole lotta effort to fight the velcro....

 

[vvvmmm]

Lemme guess - sounds fishy?

 

[Matty Koff]

They make a 3 now! I need to get rid of my pesky 2!

I have mine tuna>envelope>OC2

I had thought of trying it before the envelope, but it just sounds like a whole lotta effort to fight the velcro....

There's an OC-5 now, or soon will be. The three has been around for some time.

 

[dirtychinchilla]

Thanks for all your tips guys. I did manage to get it working a little better before the compressor and having looked at the presets etc.

However, I impulsively bought the Helix HX Stomp (Andertons do very good finance) which means I no longer need the tuner, compressor, or octave so I'm going to sell the OC-3 on!