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EBS Octabass vs Aguilar Octamizer
- Thread starter TravTrav
- Start date
Aahh, yes, I heard about it a long time ago and forgotten...Yes, the Ampeg Sub-Blaster:
Is it still made(either by ampeg or a cloner)?
Ampeg don't built it anymore, but I suppose that there are some clones.
If you are in the DIY, here are a interesting post: Invalid Link Removed
I'm sorry for my English.
Greetings!
Thanks!
I am NOT a DIY-er but guess that I could find someone who is if it came to putting a pedal together .
Clearly the MXR MX288. Never had an octave pedal that tracks that good! And the mid boost function is really helpful when playing with the band!
Update: Sent the Aguilar back today. Played it last night at practice and the tracking was poor even in the upper registers. Switched over to the EBS which tracked the same songs much much better. Might give the MXR a spin to see if it brings anything different to the table, but overall the EBS seems to give me the tone and performance I was after. I only plan to use it as an occasional effect (together with a chorus), nothing extreme, mainly to give some solo parts a bit more heft and character.
To the OP:
It will depend on your tone goals, bass, technique and your patience in learning how to play the effect.
My first attempt was with the Octabass, but I did not spend enough time with it. At the time I felt as if it didn't track well and the sustained notes fizzled too soon, and it was all due to the factors I mentioned.
When I picked up the Octamizer, it read my bass slightly better, and at that point I realized that I would need to spend some time with any unit to learn how to play it. The Octamizer's octave filter control does offer a great variety, between DEEP and tight/synthy. I think they both sound great when fed a strong signal and properly played for the desired result. If you can get both of them used on TB for comparison, that would be your best bet, as people are constantly experimenting and turning these over in the classifieds.
If you dig synthy, I really like the MXR for that.
It will depend on your tone goals, bass, technique and your patience in learning how to play the effect.
My first attempt was with the Octabass, but I did not spend enough time with it. At the time I felt as if it didn't track well and the sustained notes fizzled too soon, and it was all due to the factors I mentioned.
When I picked up the Octamizer, it read my bass slightly better, and at that point I realized that I would need to spend some time with any unit to learn how to play it. The Octamizer's octave filter control does offer a great variety, between DEEP and tight/synthy. I think they both sound great when fed a strong signal and properly played for the desired result. If you can get both of them used on TB for comparison, that would be your best bet, as people are constantly experimenting and turning these over in the classifieds.
If you dig synthy, I really like the MXR for that.
Yes, the Ampeg Sub-Blaster:
+1 although not answer the OP's question, I have to say this is the best, organic sub-octave pedal I tried which included both of the pedals mentioned by the OP. I still have the Ampeg and an OC-2.
Poor tracking. Definitely flexible tone-wise. Currently going with the EBS which has comparatively limited tone options but far better tracking.
From my experience with playing octavers and reading countless TB threads about them, I've come to believe that tracking is more based on the individual's technique and other gear moreso than the particular octaver -- there is just too much debate and disagreement over how well each pedal tracks, which otherwise would seem to be a reasonably objective question. This would mean that you really don't know how well a pedal will track for you until you try it.
That said, I prefer the Octabass because I find that of the popular octavers it seems to have the most bass-guitar-like (i.e. least-synthy) basic tone (although you can make it more synthy by changing the settings or adding other pedals).
That said, I prefer the Octabass because I find that of the popular octavers it seems to have the most bass-guitar-like (i.e. least-synthy) basic tone (although you can make it more synthy by changing the settings or adding other pedals).
people have already listed plenty of faults in this thread about the pedal. a unique thing about the octamizer is that the tone knob effects the dry signal. i use my mxr for solos, so having a tone control would be cool. i haven't tryed the octamizer. i f seen it around, i'd sure try it out.
octave are tricky and you have to work with them. some work better for other people because they have different gear.
the mxr's tracking is perfect for me. the tone is the creamiest octave out their.
octave are tricky and you have to work with them. some work better for other people because they have different gear.
the mxr's tracking is perfect for me. the tone is the creamiest octave out their.
On the Internet you bassically find whatever you search for since every possibly opinion is out there. The MXR BOD has plenty of people either liking it or hating it, as has the Octamizer.
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I have the Octamizer and I love his sound, and the tracking is good for me.
I didn't try the MXR yet, then I can't compare them.
I didn't try the MXR yet, then I can't compare them.
Resurrecting this thread to say that I have had exemplary performance from my v1 EBS Octabass since the beginning which is now getting onto the better part of 20 years. Tracking and bloom even in the earlier units is outstanding. For whatever reason the only other pedals I've held onto have been EBS.
My experience concurs with all of this (although I find the Octamizer to be in the same realm of sounding like a real bass guitar). IME the strength of signal hitting the pedal is the single biggest factor that affects tracking, and that is determined by how hard/soft you hit the strings and the hotness of your bass/other pedals (technique and gear).
If I'm hitting hard on a Muse song, the MXR works better for me...better tracking when thumping and more of a synth-growl sound. If I'm playing a solo or wanting to make my 4-string get into 5-string territory with regular finger style, the Octamizer is solid. I love the tone of the EBS, but it just doesn't get perceptibly loud enough for my needs. The MXR can get TOO loud if you aren't careful with your technique...I've shut down PA systems playing too hard into that thing.
The age of threads like this is proof of so much. Always good to have discussion, though, IMO.
Its crazy how its still all over the place as far as what pedal is better and from all the threads ive read there still is not a clear winner.
