Simple On-Board Octave Down Circuit

[Andy Brown]

I'm looking for a VERY simple circuit I can install in a control compartment. The function is very basic and it would be controlled using a mini-toggle. In the off position, the signal would bypass the circuit, in the on position, the signal would be dropped down one octave (frequency divide by 2).

Anyone out there know of something really small?

The object is to get notes played above the twelfth fret to sound as if they were played in normal position... or as close to it as possible.

 

[Swimming Bird]

Hm, can't say I'm aware of small or simple octave down circuits. Also, octave dividers like you're mentioning (as opposed to pitch-tracking tone generators) tend to not be the most natural sounding tones. I think your best bet might be to find a pedal you like, remove the switching mechanism and cram it into your bass.

Take this with the huge grain of salt that I haven't tried this or built an octaver kit, just played with enough pedals and GASed for the kits that i have an opinion.

 

[Phagor]

Both analog and digital octavers are not simple circuits. Analog octavers have a number of discrete logic chips and opamps that take up space. Digital octavers have a preprogrammed microprocessor.

Your best bet might be to use the insides of a small format digital octaver like the Mooer Pure Octave and put it in the bass. But I'd urge you to try it in pedal form first to make sure you like it.

 

[Andy Brown]

Yeah, I'm also thinking the pedal route would be the better way to go. Thanks for the input.

 

[Rockin Mike]

I got a Mooer Pitch Box with the thought of doing this but it didn't sound natural at all.
EHX Pitch Fork was recommended by a lot of folks and it did sound pretty good but I had a defective unit (wouldn't work on battery power) so back it went.

I'll probably try another Pitch Fork after the holidays.

[Edit: I had called it a "Pitch Factor", but it's Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork. Pitch Factor is a different, and very cool, pedal from Eventide]

 

[Swimming Bird]

Love my pitchfactor. Octave up would be easy enough to install.

Might be able to stick a low end heavy square wave fuzz and toss a simple tone circuit on it it to get a faux octave down.

 

[kennyZ]

Would one need to have an extra battery to power such installed device?

 

[Andy Brown]

Would one need to have an extra battery to power such installed device?

Yes, a 9V at minimum.