Top 5 | Bass Octave Pedals | Demo | Thomann

In this one we're giving the top 5 bass octave pedals a go with Russell from our web team. Subbass goodness in this one: From digital to analog: Turn on your subwoofers!

Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Introduction

0:28 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Talking
1:10 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Playing without Midpush
2:03 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Playing with Midpush
2:35 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Playing Growl Voice
2:47 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Playing Girth Voice
3:04 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Playing with Dryblend
3:11 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Tracking on the E-String
3:24 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Different Approaches

3:50 EHX Nano POG | Talking
4:25 Tracking between Analog and Digital pedals
5:27 EHX Nano POG | Playing polyphonic
5:51 EHX Nano POG | Playing Octave Up

6:26 BOSS Super Octave OC-3 | Talking
7:06 BOSS OC-3 | Playing Drive only on Octave
7:24 BOSS OC-3 | Playing Drive on both signals
7:55 BOSS OC-3 | Playing 2 octaves down
8:18 BOSS OC-3 | Tracking
9:59 BOSS OC-3 | Playing Poly and Mono modes polyphonic

10:24 EBS Octabass | Talking
10:45 EBS Octabass | Playing on "High" Mode
11:20 EBS Octabass | Playing on "Mid" Mode
11:51 EBS Octabass | Playing on "Low" Mode
12:23 EBS Octabass | Tracking

12:43 Aguilar Octamizer | Talking
12:55 Aguilar Octamizer | Playing everything 12 o'clock
13:12 Aguilar Octamizer | Playing Filter down, tone up
13:25 Aguilar Octamizer | Playing Filter up, tone down
13:48 Aguilar Octamizer | Tracking

14:07 Conclusion

Visit our blogs:

[treed]

The MXR sounded the best to my ears. Thanks for the review!

[maximilianoherrera.]

grooving... BASS SOLO!... back to groove... BACK TO SOLOING! you can clearly see the excitement

[saemikneu]

9:00 I never heard someone play minus 2 octaves that low. Normally you play on the higher strings and get a descent deep sound to it. Using -2 octaves on the E string sounds too muddy.

[andrealmeida]

You guys should pay attention for gain levels for each pedal. Octamizer, for example, is distorting all the way and people who don't know this pedal may find it muddy, which is not.

It's just mud playing below the lowest A with octave pedals, I've never heard anyone do that and make it sound good. Mostly I hear it in demos like these. Unlike others in the comments I do not question your ability as a bass-player, just what relevance it has in a musical setting

[WarrenPostma]

this dude is the best. give him a raise!

[andrewk]

Big fan of the Octabass after watching this. Thanks for the comparison!

[shiraga]

The EBS pedal sounds most “musical” to me, with volume on.

[garyt]

Octave on bass sounds so good, but it's a beast you need to tame. I find the Poly mode on the OC-3 is the most user friendly, as it doesn't glitch that easy.

[olivierjacquet]

5:57 that's something only a bass player shouts out

[jdjk]

Russell: "It's pretty unlikely that you'd want to play this 100% wet..."
Me: That's... why I'm here.

[busterrabbit]

In my experience Octavers need to be used very carefully and sparingly; either to get a 4 string down to the low B of a 5 string, or very subtly to add a little more weight/depth an octave lower to fatten your sound slightly (I believe Ashdown amps have their subharmonic generator which adds an octave lower). However trying to hammer out octaves below A on the E string just ends up with mud; your amp or cab is unlikely to cope and the tracking of almost all pedals goes out the window at high BPMs, when you most need accurate tracking. As shown in this demonstration all most pedals do is make your bass and rig sound shit.

[transformationgeneration]

I like this guy; he's funny w/o being too obnoxious...and, he keeps working while being funny.

[Compendium_of_tom]

You guys produce the best bass videos, always so in depth

[btgrant]

I was kind of half listening to this while doing some work. Your energy makes it very hard to do a half listen and I can’t wait to watch and give this the attention it clearly deserves!

[TheSteelDialga]

I wish this guy was in every gear video I've watched. Super entertaining while still being informative.

[matthewmcguigan]

Best use of bass octave: POG2: Autobass transform and roll out... Bass player suddenly becomes pipe organist and drones super gigantic sounding two note chords.

[patrickdehertogh]

thanks, think I am sold on the mxr, think i can handle it. the boss seems too crazy with cable options, the negative reviews on the mxr are mostly on tracking. i am no victor Wooten I'm a thumper so thanks for your down to earth attitude and ability to explain so I can make a better decision

[robertf]

I personally think the Polyphonic on the OC-3 is the best one. It doesn't affect the signal on the high notes and the effect kicks in on the lower frequencies which is nice. I just got this pedal but I won't be putting it on my board.

[craigdamage]

Here is how to get maximum tracking with an octave pedal: Jazz bass strung with flatwound strings, bridge p/u all the way up and neck p/u down. Pluck close to the bridge and if you plan on playing the lowest notes on the E string you must mix in more dry signal and come a little down on the octave effect. I actually play a Jazz bass that is de-tuned to D standard and even the open D sounds fairly acceptable to me.