The OC-2 dilemma, again

[Just Wrong]

I think Spencer should just ditch the sub switch on the Mkiii but I’m sure a lot of people love that addition. Plenty of options out there anyways.

For me, the sub switch was the sole reason I considered the Octabvre.

Does it sound better than the others on its own? Maybe, but a $150+ better than the second most expensive option? You can get two octave pedals for the price of a single Octabvre! How about in a mix? Doubt anyone could tell the difference between any of them (OC-2, OC-5, Octabvre, Broughton, MXR).

What else does it have going for it? Built quality? I'm sure the Broughton is as well-built, and people are still using 50-year-old MXR and Boss pedals. Also, let's not forget the fiasco with the print on the first batch MKIIIs and how long it took him to address it.

But the sub switch would've been nice. Then again, having to bend over to change one knob isn't the end of the world. I just wish more pedals had one.

 

[Just Wrong]

The switches being too close together is very much an issue. It's also a bit more mid-focused than many other OC-2 type circuits.

If you're interested in the Octabvre for its function, try out the COG Effects T-47. Instead of a sub switch, you get an A/B with two complete channels of dry, octaver, and tone/filter. It doesn't sound exactly like an OC-2, but it's a high quality sound and the A/B thing is far more useful than the sub switch.



I have one of these, and comparing it to my MIJ OC-2, it is virtually identical in tone. -2 oct is not missed. The extra volume and headroom is nice.

Do you know how COG releases work? I looked at COG before, even sent them a few emails, but I never got a replied. This was before he started doing them again. Thanks.

 

[sunbeast]

Thanks. I’ll look into that mod. Def would love more headroom.

Any tonal changes?

No tonal changes from the removing of voices. The three volume pots on an OC-2 create a simple resistance mixer, cutting any of the three paths raises the volume of the remaining one(s). If you are someone who only solos the -1 octave you can also cut the path to the clean pot for even more boost. Also- instead of desoldering the actual potentiometers from the board, I'd recommend instead just lifting one leg of the resistor (or removing the entire resistor if you prefer) that comes off of the potentiometer you want to disable- desoldering a resistor is even easier than a pot leg and easier to pull out or put back in and will have the same effect. Finding the right resistor is easy as the potentiometers and three corresponding resistors are all on their own little circuit board.

 

[jdjk7]

Do you know how COG releases work? I looked at COG before, even sent them a few emails, but I never got a replied. This was before he started doing them again. Thanks.

No idea. I got mine secondhand. There is a COG thread on this forum that would probably give you heads-up when batches are coming.

 

[mouthmw]

For me, the sub switch was the sole reason I considered the Octabvre.

Does it sound better than the others on its own? Maybe, but a $150+ better than the second most expensive option? You can get two octave pedals for the price of a single Octabvre! How about in a mix? Doubt anyone could tell the difference between any of them (OC-2, OC-5, Octabvre, Broughton, MXR).

Sub switch is super useful for those who want to solo the sub and also have the option to have a dry+sub tone. No doubt.

I love the tone of the MkIII, it was more mid forward and worked nicely in the mix, but it wasn't quite as pillowy and dubbish as the OG OC2. It's a more aggressive tone. I actually prefer the Subsonic tone now to be honest. Both worked really well in live mix for me, where differences aren't as pronounced obviously, but that also depends on the type of music you play. I definitely appreciate the superior tracking of Subsonic though. MkIII tracked really well, but Subsonic tracking is chef's kiss.

 

[Billyears IV]

+1 for the C4.

To have all the extra options in one pedal is a no brainier. Why seek THE One and ONLY sound?
I've built a great range of sub synthy presets, clean to dirty and still enjoy tweaking filters, envelopes, distortion, stacking voicing, etc to discover more.

In a mix, I wouldn't be able to distinguish C4 from other octave pedals.

Plus the C4 can import/operate all presets from the Spectrum.

 

[WashburnBasser]

I have a OC-2, Subsonic, Spectrum, and have owned an OC-5. My preference would be for the Subsonic if you want analog, and the Spectrum for digital.

 

[ole Jason]

The OC-5 works for me. It sounds exactly like the OC-2 if you're doing the OC-2 thing, especially in the context of a full band mix.

 

[WashburnBasser]

The video has unmistakable differences in tone. The basic character of the effect is the same, as presented. If I had $300+ cash for a "collectable" OC-2 Octaver and felt the itch I'd probably scratch it!

(I've had one (1) 3Leaf Mini, was probably not a solid example having an early Reverb used experience. I wanted it, but this one was crappy. Oh well...)

Never crossed paths with a Broughton, but every utility device I've ever had was crazy good!

I think that on any given day of the week in the best bang for the buck and everything is a trade off...I would probably grab the MXR VBO (the small blue one with the mid boost?) It sounds good and less glitchy in general and cost effective.

But, being 2025 and "latency" hand ringing not playing into a not too expensive, flexible effect with monster options...If keeping it simple @ $219 and fly with a Spectrum Intelligent Filter. Its nice!
View attachment 7130294
I'm doing a pimp job on mine for +$41.00 with a purple Barefoot V1 mini switch cap and these...
View attachment 7130297
I know it will sound even better then...

Where did you find those knobs?

 

[Just Wrong]

Just wanted to chime in to say I've received the Subsonic. The tracking on that thing is beyond what I thought was capable of an analog octave pedal. Even the open B and E strings, along with the first frets, is somewhat usable if played staccato (they do start to warble after a few seconds, but that's expected, of course). Very happy with my purchase! Thanks everyone!

 

[Si-bob]

Just wanted to chime in to say I've received the Subsonic. The tracking on that thing is beyond what I thought was capable of an analog octave pedal. Even the open B and E strings, along with the first frets, is somewhat usable if played staccato (they do start to warble after a few seconds, but that's expected, of course). Very happy with my purchase! Thanks everyone!

Just for clarity, Broughton advertise that it has the original OC2 tracking. FWIW, I can easily get my OC2 tracking down to a low F#, it’s all about bass setup with analogue octaves, give it a rattley, low action that chokes out, it won’t track. Give it full and clean notes, it’ll track perfectly well.

Si

 

[sloppy_phil]

Give it full and clean notes, it’ll track perfectly well.

This is the key right here, more than setup. It's all about technique; plucking the note cleanly, and keeping it sustained cleanly as well. I've never understood the "OC-2 glitch" thing people complain about. I've used a ton of octave pedals down the years (MXR- VBO, BOD, PBO, OC-2, OC-3, OC-5, Octamizer, Sub Blaster, Subterranea, Subsonic, Octabvre plus more), and they all track pretty much the same, since they are almost all fully analogue circuits. The OC-5 does a surprisingly good job mimicking analog tracking, in fairness, while the PBO had a hair of the digital latency I've come to expect. But the rest all respond very similarly IMHO. OC-2 remains on my Nano/essentials/fly out board, and it's as great as ever!

Feeding it a signal with tone/trebles rolled down, as well as one that favours a neck/front pickup, is also going to greatly improve your tracking, in addition to your playing technique.

 

[meisi]

newb to oc2 and clones but loving thr subsonic into some grit.

out of thr box and without messing with settings it plays well with my cirrus.

anyone have tricks for better tracking from a guitar? Looking to pull off some Jerry Garcia inspired runs. Doesn’t seem to like my low output too much when first in line.

 

[Stevorebob]

OC-5 has performed well for me. I picked it up for the upper-octave tricks it does (for a song that was later dropped), but I found the OC-2 thing it cops to be pretty great.

 

[Just Wrong]

Just for clarity, Broughton advertise that it has the original OC2 tracking. FWIW, I can easily get my OC2 tracking down to a low F#, it’s all about bass setup with analogue octaves, give it a rattley, low action that chokes out, it won’t track. Give it full and clean notes, it’ll track perfectly well.

Si

You’re right. It is advertised as having the same tracking -- I missed that part. That said, I've had two OC-2s and one tracked noticeably better than the other (they were the same -- black label made in Taiwan). But then again, as you say, it was with different basses with different setups. Also, it was the second one that tracked better, and I most likely knew better how to play with octave pedals then. So for all I know, they might've tracked the same.

 

[Si-bob]

You’re right. It is advertised as having the same tracking -- I missed that part. That said, I've had two OC-2s and one tracked noticeably better than the other (they were the same -- black label made in Taiwan). But then again, as you say, it was with different basses with different setups. Also, it was the second one that tracked better, and I most likely knew better how to play with octave pedals then. So for all I know, they might've tracked the same.

Yeah, it would have been the variables you mention rather than the pedals themselves, the OC2 tone circuit never changed.

Si

 

[stambroker]

You’re right. It is advertised as having the same tracking -- I missed that part. That said, I've had two OC-2s and one tracked noticeably better than the other (they were the same -- black label made in Taiwan). But then again, as you say, it was with different basses with different setups. Also, it was the second one that tracked better, and I most likely knew better how to play with octave pedals then. So for all I know, they might've tracked the same.

Glad you're digging the subsonic as much as I did! FWIW, my subsonic has dramatically better tracking than any of the three OC-2's I've owned. I am just a massive fan. I'd kill for a freak version of the subsonic that had the octabvre sub switch on it.

 

[Just Wrong]

Glad you're digging the subsonic as much as I did! FWIW, my subsonic has dramatically better tracking than any of the three OC-2's I've owned. I am just a massive fan. I'd kill for a freak version of the subsonic that had the octabvre sub switch on it.

I would've loved a sub switch as well, but I prefer the Aguilar Octomizer to the OC-2 when it comes to octave + clean. So, with the money I saved by grabbing a Subsonic over the Octabvre, I got an Octomizer as well. Win-win, IME.

 

[Kristian Hansen]

Glad you're digging the subsonic as much as I did! FWIW, my subsonic has dramatically better tracking than any of the three OC-2's I've owned. I am just a massive fan. I'd kill for a freak version of the subsonic that had the octabvre sub switch on it.

I just purchased a second hand Subsonic that I'm looking very much forward to receiving! Did you get a chance to compare running it on 9 and 18 volts?