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What octave pedal to get?

meathead69

meathead69

Nov 3, 2014
33
9
31
#1
I got an EBS Octabass for christmas. I sounds really good, but the tracking is really not what I hoped for. I dont have any compressors or nothing like that, but the tracking is just awful for the bottom of the E and A string. I use an Active 4 string Warwick Rockbass. Would another bass pedal be better for tracking the lowest notes? I have looked at the micro POG, but i'm not sure since it's not true bypass, and i kinda need that for it to fit into my pedalboard.
 
#2
You can mod most any pedal to be true bypass just by getting a new foot switch.

That being said, I've got and have had a couple of octaves. Currently rocking the POG2 and that thing has decently fast, really accurate tracking and a whole slew of tones. Not necessarily my favorite tones, but the octave downs really sound almost subterranean to me. It does some cool ass swells and organ sounds too. I also have the octave multiplexer on my board and that has some awesome dirty synth octave sounds and it tracks good enough. Oc2 sounds great, but never worked for me needs as the tracking was less than optimal for bass.
 
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#3
OC-2 sounds great but I was never too happy with the tracking. Of course, this might vary from one certain pedal to another.

I had EBS Octobass and didn't really like it.

My current favorite is Madbean LowRider. Amazing tracking for an analog pedal and fantastic fuzzy octave up option that allows for some awesome dirty synth tones. It's true bypass too. Seriously took care of my octave pedal gas.
 
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#4
coughingskunk said:
You can mod most any pedal to be true bypass just by getting a new foot switch.

That being said, I've got and have had a couple of octaves. Currently rocking the POG2 and that thing has decently fast, really accurate tracking and a whole slew of tones. Not necessarily my favorite tones, but the octave downs really sound almost subterranean to me. It does some cool ass swells and organ sounds too. I also have the octave multiplexer on my board and that has some awesome dirty synth octave sounds and it tracks good enough. Oc2 sounds great, but never worked for me needs as the tracking was less than optimal for bass.
Click to expand...
Damn, should have known about this before, I've just ignored tons of pedals because they weren't true bypass. I'll definetely check atleast the POG2 out. But what about the POG micro? The POG2 looks a little bit too big and complex...
 
#5
mouthmw said:
OC-2 sounds great but I was never too happy with the tracking. Of course, this might vary from one certain pedal to another.

I had EBS Octobass and didn't really like it.

My current favorite is Madbean LowRider. Amazing tracking for an analog pedal and fantastic fuzzy octave up option that allows for some awesome dirty synth tones. It's true bypass too. Seriously took care of my octave pedal gas.
Click to expand...
I've tried the OC-2, but it's not my cup of tea either. I'll definetely check try too check out the madbean, but none of my local shops seem too have it.
 
#6
meathead69 said:
But what about the POG micro? The POG2 looks a little bit too big and complex...
Click to expand...

No idea on the micro, but I've seen some cool demos with it.

The POG2 is big, but so are most the pedals on my board so meh. TONS and TONS of sounds are available through the POG2. Full blend control over the -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2 octaves. The +2 sounds crazy to my ears. Plus is has adjustable swell, detune, low pass filter PLUS an auto Q filter.

I really dig the sound of the octave multiplexer and can *almost* cop the same sound from the POG2 by adjusting the low pass.
 
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#10
999Brent said:
How about the 3Leaf Octabvre?
Click to expand...

The OP said he didn't like the OC-2, so that rules out half of the Octabvres tone sweep. The other side of it is loosely based around a Mutron Octave Divider, which is very different, and may indeed work. I didn't find the Octabvre to track as well as my MXR BOD, but I did like the tone more. I stuck with the BOD and sold the Octabvre, but it was a difficult decision.
 
#12
meathead69 said:
I got an EBS Octabass for christmas. I sounds really good, but the tracking is really not what I hoped for. I dont have any compressors or nothing like that, but the tracking is just awful for the bottom of the E and A string. I use an Active 4 string Warwick Rockbass. Would another bass pedal be better for tracking the lowest notes?
Click to expand...

Most octave pedals are going to struggle with anything below an A. How much lower you can go without tracking or glitching (or if you can even get that low) can often be drastically affected by the hotness of the signal you are putting into it. That's why a lot of folks will say playing technique has a huge role in getting the best tracking. An active bass may make this especially true.
 
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#14
I love my MXR Bass Octave Deluxe. It's got two different sounds plus the dry signal that you can blend, it's simple to use, and it tracks really well down to G on my E string. It also has a mid boost that helps it track better or at least cut through the mix. It's a great piece of gear.
 
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#16
Good tracking on the lower part of the E string is a tall order no matter what pedal you get. I've never used one that tracked as well down there as I would have liked. The two I've liked best are...

DigiTech bass whammy v2 (but that's not quite what you're after)

Hotone Octa. It might surprise you.
 
#20
coughingskunk said:
No idea on the micro, but I've seen some cool demos with it.

The POG2 is big, but so are most the pedals on my board so meh. TONS and TONS of sounds are available through the POG2. Full blend control over the -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2 octaves. The +2 sounds crazy to my ears. Plus is has adjustable swell, detune, low pass filter PLUS an auto Q filter.

I really dig the sound of the octave multiplexer and can *almost* cop the same sound from the POG2 by adjusting the low pass.
Click to expand...

Pog 2 here as well, +1 to everything. :bassist:
 

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