EBS Ocatver VS. Boss OC-2

I haven't tried the boss, but the EBS seems to be praised alot more, to my ears. And haveing tried the EBS I definately liked it.

What you said is slightly incorrect, as there is "Grey" and "Black" label versions. Basically Grey is the older model, and Black is the newer one. I'm not quite sure of the differences but someone round here will know

 

I have two OC-2 pedals (there is a newer OC-3 pedal out btw), only reason i have 2 is because a shop was closing down and they had to go together, anyways, planning on selling at least one on, maybe the other one too, dont see much point in them tbh, the boss one doesnt seem that good

 

The OC2 sounds more "synthy" and square wave. I really like it.

The ebs sounds more natural and perhaps a little faster.

the OC2 sounds really cool if you turn down your direct line and only have octave 1. good for drum and bass

 

I have both and prefer OC-2. I like its rawness and more in your face character for driving grooves. The Ebs is more natural and decent, good probably for solos or jazzy stuff. Both track very well.

 

Grey labels were the first series EBS produced. They had a grey/blue case, the input was on the left side, output on the right side.

As for the Octabass, the greyface had only one mode. I think it should be the "middle" on the "blackface" model.
I used to have both units and I am absolutely sure that the greyface were not sounding better, sweeter, more analog..... That's just vintage mania, or ebay rubbish told to rise prices!

OK, Flame me now

 

Hmm.

 

Quality is the same, sound is the same (in the Mid mode). I would get the Black Model. It has more sound options.
As I stated earlier, I owned both at the same time and I sold the grey one, for the above reasons (Not to mention the easier setup on the pedalboard, as the in / out jacks are reversed on the grey one)

 

I have the black and if it were damaged I would do whatever necessary to replace it. Then I would call Chuck Norris and have him deal some justice to the goon who ruined my pedal.

Oh, Black btw.

 

Have you tried the EHX octave multiplexer. I really like mine, and i think there are a few others on here who like them too. good tracking, and a sub switch which adds a square wave distortion type sound to it, or have it off and a really nice smooth sound. Plus its alot cheaper then the boss and EHx make some great stuff. Or, if you want the almighty of octavers, go for the ehx pog.
Also at the shop, the owner was a bassist and sed he had heard them both and he liked the EHX more.

Peace

 

the OC-3 does a reasonable impression of the OC-2, provided you use judicious knob tweaking!

The OC-2 sound is more subtle and "dub-like" (ie; muffled)

The OC-3 sound is more pronounced and has a midrange bump that makes it stand out a bit more.

I prefer the OC-2 - check out my review somewhere around here titled OC-2 vs OC-3.


The EBS black label are far superior in every way to the grey label. They sound just the same or better, have more options, are more reliable and are MUCH easier to fix if they do break which is not very often.

 

Can anyone supply a Boss OC-2 sample?

 

I've heard the samples of the EH octave multiplexer on EH's website (made with guitars) and i'd be happy to hear samples of it played with bass guitar.
Chips, can you (or other owners), please let us hear how it sounds on bass by tweaking the filters knobs?
Thank you in advance.

 

The EHX POG, of course.

 

sure
Well on bass... The high filter pretty much has the same effect as the bass filter. The setting that i find most useful for the sound i want to get (phat dub smooth sound) high filter 12 o'clock, Blend 12 o'clock and bass filter at 3 o'clock and the sub switch down.

If you "crank" the settings u can get a reall rumbly/growly almost overdriven octave. not in the way of distortion, but it becomes so growly its essentially overdriven. Pretty timmy c.

The sub switch adds like a square wave/synth-ish type distortion to the octave signal. But its not a very loud/strong distortion. And is more like a 'slow' fuzz type sound. The pedal itself is very natural sounding. And im pretty sure is analog.

This pedal sounds phenominal when used with a big muff. and last night i was messing around and found that the multiplexer > guvnor > big muff > v-wah sounds insane!

Any other questions PM me or just ask here i would post some clips but i have no recording equipment here sorry.

 

I have both a black and a grey EBS, and an old Boss. I prefer the new black EBS, because it has more options. The sound of the black and the grey is similar.
I also prefer the EBS boxes because they track better than the Boss

 

I used to own the Boss (-2, not -3) years ago and now own the EBS (black). If low note tracking isn't a significant issue for you (the EBS does track very well) and dollars are a consideration, I think you'd be totally happy with the Boss. Since I sold the one years before I bought the other, I never A-B'd them, but I never was unhappy with the tone, output or ruggedness of the Boss. The EBS probably does sound a bit more natural or organic as others have mentioned, but in a band context, how significant will that difference be? When it comes to bang for the buck, Boss pedals are hard to beat.