octave pedals - who likes what?

[Highlander]

That's simple enough to replicate if you had the diagram - all basic components...

[Freuds_Cat]

for 26 quid. why bother?

[jumbodbassman]

I haven't tried these but came across this unit on fleabay yesterday. Figured it was worth a mention here.

Ampeg Scrambler Fuzz + Octave Clone

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ampeg-Scrambler-Fuzz-Octave-Clone-/250661395039?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item3a5c955a5f#ht_542wt_1139

I have an original ampeg scrambler.  Very guitar based.. Octave is higher not lower.  Jim McCarty  on 3 Cactus albums.   

[jumbodbassman]

here is a great example of what this thing does with a guitar.  the solos are recorded with this thing

[Tuco B]

boss OC-2 all the way for me.. nothing nails that fat synthy sound like this badboy!
digital octavers have the polyphony & glitchless tracking but they just sound sterile to me (although the microPOG does sound reasonable with phase or chorus after it, the slight latency it has annoyed me to the point of selling it at a loss)
if you want to spend a few more $$$ the foxrox octron / octron 2 are a VERY good pedal which offer both octave down & up.. i still prefer the OC-2 though 

heres a good youtube video , comparing 3 popular octavers for bass , (listen how fat and synthy the OC-2 sounds.. mouthwatering  )   :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFfCTxyq6Uo&p=2B03A7CDDE9602E2&playnext=1&index=13


in terms of tracking : i never play anything lower than D (5th fret A string) when using octave down, just gets too muddy (unless you have a massive wall of 18" cabs lol)

[gearHed289]

Hmm, I think I like the EBS the best as far as that video goes. Thanks for posting!

[jumbodbassman]

hands down the EBS sounds the best....

also  try the aphex aural exciter.   

[Pilgrim]

I like the POG the least - the others sound more similar.  I also find myself liking the EBS.  Almost makes me wish I had a use for one - but I don't.

[Tuco B]

Hmm, I think I like the EBS the best as far as that video goes. Thanks for posting!

no probs , hope its of some help 

[chromium]

That EBS sounds nice!  Very natural and punchy...

There are times when the synthetic sounding ones (like that Scrambler) can serve a purpose, though.  I did the melody on this with the Maestro W-2, which has that buzzy squarewave sound 1-2 octaves down.  Its a couple tracks of Alembic Distillate (played in the high register) -> Masestro -> Sola Sound wah:

     

Its ok in that context, but maybe not so great with a funky bassline    Just depends how you're planning to use it.  The POG would be good for stuff like this, since it has that synthetic sound.



Oh and thanks for that Cactus clip up there.  I know what I'm listening to later! 

[Basvarken]

The settings of the OC2 are far too extreme in that clip. You see this very often when people demonstrate (or try) an effect, they always dial it up to "are you nuts?"

I always have the first octave somewhere on 6 or 7 (on a 0 to 10 scale)
and the second octave no further than 3 (on a 0 to 10 scale)

You get a nice organic sound with a bit of a drive to it.

[Tuco B]

The settings of the OC2 are far too extreme in that clip. You see this very often when people demonstrate (or try) an effect, they always dial it up to "are you nuts?"

I always have the first octave somewhere on 6 or 7 (on a 0 to 10 scale)
and the second octave no further than 3 (on a 0 to 10 scale)

You get a nice organic sound with a bit of a drive to it.

the exact same settings that i use 
i just vary the direct level between 12 o clock (for a nice funky sound) or zero (when i need things more synthy)

[Basvarken]

Did you ever try the OC3?
It tracks better.
But sounds more sterile.
If you want more drive with the OC3 you have to sacrifice one octave and switch it to overdrive...

[Tuco B]

Did you ever try the OC3?
It tracks better.
But sounds more sterile.
If you want more drive with the OC3 you have to sacrifice one octave and switch it to overdrive...

nah ive never tried one... 
im uncontaminated by the digital world 

[Basvarken]

I had to when my OC2 died...

Still have the OC2 but should have it resurrected