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Octave Pedals
- Thread starter StaggerLee
- Start date
Have they been improved or just updated?
If impoved...how is this version better than the first and second?
I have resigned myself to using the BOD, but I don't love it. What I really want - and I promise this isn't just fanboy mania - is the Broughton Synth Voice. Zach Rizer's demo sold me.
The BOD just doesn't inspire me, though I'm willing to wait until the day I put it through a real PA. My dinky Carvin rig isn't the best platform, so the BOD gets a reprieve. For now.
The BOD just doesn't inspire me, though I'm willing to wait until the day I put it through a real PA. My dinky Carvin rig isn't the best platform, so the BOD gets a reprieve. For now.
I've had the MXR BOD for a few years now and have really enjoyed it, the 2 different sub voices are distinct and fun to blend and the mid boost helps it cut thru. Plus sparkly blue finish! I am kinda interested in a Boss tho as it's a classic sound, or failing that something simpler and smaller. That Markbass one upthread looks kinda cool. Anyone try the TC Electronics Nether?
Have they been improved or just updated?
If impoved...how is this version better than the first and second?
The update to the MKIII that I am happiest about compared to the MKII is that Spencer fit it into same size enclosure as the old Octabvre Mini, thus freeing up pedalboard space. There are some other, subtler updates as well such as moving to V/V controls for the wet and dry signals and moving the sub volume to a trim pot. Whether or not one finds these to be “improvements” is a matter of personal taste - for me, though, the MKIII ticks all the boxes.
I've tried and owned the following octavers:
Mooer tender octaver mk1
Digitech Ricochet
BOSS OC-5
BOSS OC-2 "Octaver"
tc electronic sub'n up mini
Source Audio Spectrum (envelope/octave/phaser pedal)
As for clear upper octave, I prefer the Mooer and Digitech. But tracking and tone for the lower octave, I like the Spectrum the best (it would be the same for the C4). My Stingray and jazz bass doesn't track too well on my OC-2 but the SA Spectrum can track my Stingray all the way down to my low E string! And even though it's digital, it sounds "organic" and analog enough to me. The Boss OC-5 would be 2nd since the cost is excellent (especially in the U.S. It's more expensive in Japan for some reason).
Mooer tender octaver mk1
Digitech Ricochet
BOSS OC-5
BOSS OC-2 "Octaver"
tc electronic sub'n up mini
Source Audio Spectrum (envelope/octave/phaser pedal)
As for clear upper octave, I prefer the Mooer and Digitech. But tracking and tone for the lower octave, I like the Spectrum the best (it would be the same for the C4). My Stingray and jazz bass doesn't track too well on my OC-2 but the SA Spectrum can track my Stingray all the way down to my low E string! And even though it's digital, it sounds "organic" and analog enough to me. The Boss OC-5 would be 2nd since the cost is excellent (especially in the U.S. It's more expensive in Japan for some reason).
From what I hear from my mk1 and mk3 they track about the same. The main differences is obviously size and the V/V instead of the mix. I found that the tone knob has much more range on the mk3 and also the sub seems to hold together a little tighter. The Mk1 has absolutely killer OC2 tones though, where the mk3 can dial it in but there’s something about the mk1 that sounds a little sweeter, I’m guessing it has to do with the mix knob. The mk3 has way more range to it though!
I had the EBS Octabass but sold it because it was a good tracking pedal but the sound was not for me (hard to explain but it was too boring). I A/B'd the MXR BOD and the Aguilar Octamizer and preferred the Aguilar, but neither has the OC-2 vibe. I am using a modified Boss OC-2 ATM and really liking it. For my bigger pedal board, I'd consider the COG, Markbass, MXR VBO, or the 3-Leaf audio.
On the digital side, the TC Elec sub+up and the EH POG are both great.
On the digital side, the TC Elec sub+up and the EH POG are both great.
I recently swapped my MXR BOD for a Boss OC-5. I'd been using the MXR for a good few years, however was really looking for octave +1 too. Tried a Micro POG last year but just didn't get on with it - found it just a bit too sterile sounding for my liking. The OC-5 has incorporated that classic OC-2 sound really well and has a nice octave up also, much more pleasing to my ears than the POG.
I’ve been liking the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe. The mid boost is adjustable via internal frequency switch & level knob. After messing with that a bit, it gives me exactly what I want which is a clean sub octave and the ability to dial back in the dry tone on top of the sub octave to taste.
Another fan of the OC5.
I find it to be versatile, have excellent tracking, works well on guitar and bass, and the octave tones are really pleasing. I don’t care for the tones found in other digital octaves. To my ears their too sterile and have little character. Both the poly and mono modes of the OC5, while different, sound good.
I find it to be versatile, have excellent tracking, works well on guitar and bass, and the octave tones are really pleasing. I don’t care for the tones found in other digital octaves. To my ears their too sterile and have little character. Both the poly and mono modes of the OC5, while different, sound good.
Freekmagnet
Commercial User
I have an old OC-2 that’s been in my possession for years. I like it’s glitchy-fat funkiness. However, it doesn’t seem to like my active basses, so I have and EHX Octave Multiplexer that seems to work OK. The EHX is a good pedal. I like the OC-2 better.
I haven’t tried the MXR BOD nor the Aguilar Octamizer, but I’ve heard good things. I like the idea of being able to EQ the tones.
I wish I knew of an analog octave pedal with a built-in fuzz channel for the clean signal. It’s one of those things I’ve actually thought of building myself, but I don’t have time to make my own effects anymore.
I haven’t tried the MXR BOD nor the Aguilar Octamizer, but I’ve heard good things. I like the idea of being able to EQ the tones.
I wish I knew of an analog octave pedal with a built-in fuzz channel for the clean signal. It’s one of those things I’ve actually thought of building myself, but I don’t have time to make my own effects anymore.
The one I really want is the subblaster,but I like the T-16 as well...queequeg(<Queequeq - Subgenerator>) is really good too but has no tonal options, which I don't mind so much.
Tracking is good and I like the tone.
Tracking is good and I like the tone.
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I've tried a bunch of these things. For a while I used a TC Sub n Up - it was better then anything else I'd tried. Just recently got an OC5 - it's the closest thing yet to an octave that just works - where you can play normally, and it just adds in the octave. None of the octave pedals I've ever tried do that perfectly, but the OC5 comes very close.
I have tried a bunch, including the MXR BOD which I ran for years, and the EBS, which I traded for an OC-2.
My favorite is the IE Subterranea, but I also really like the Aguilar too, for more “traditional” octaver playing. I usually use the SubT with mostly octave down and sub, just a little clean and unison mixed in for tone purposes.
The Aggie has more or less relegated my OC-2 to recording work, where I can work around the volume drop more easily than I can live.
My favorite is the IE Subterranea, but I also really like the Aguilar too, for more “traditional” octaver playing. I usually use the SubT with mostly octave down and sub, just a little clean and unison mixed in for tone purposes.
The Aggie has more or less relegated my OC-2 to recording work, where I can work around the volume drop more easily than I can live.
I was on the hunt for an octave pedal in the past month or so, also. Everything seems to point to Boss OC2 as the holy grail. I bought an OC2 and OC5; The OC5 seems to track far better; so it won real estate on my board. Keeping the OC2 for nostalgia.
The Aguilar also had my interest, but wasn't sure how well it would sit in a mix.
Honestly, there are so many options and flavors, I may start the hunt again.
The Aguilar also had my interest, but wasn't sure how well it would sit in a mix.
Honestly, there are so many options and flavors, I may start the hunt again.
