Although I still keep my 1986 Boss OC-2 in the studio for recording (and nostalgia) purposes, it isnt robust enough for live use and has a habit of falling apart on gigs. My pick of the litter is the AguilarOctamizer. Typically, bass players have the following stresses a) pedalboard space, b) functionality (simplicity vs. tweak heaven), c) style-specific sounds, and d) budget. He now works as a music journalist/writer, plays fingerstyle acoustic, and is working on his debut album as a singer-songwriter. There is no rocket science involved here. The Sub n Up brings a bazooka to a gunfight. Making you a better bass player in every issue, our state-of-the-art team of educators will guide you every step of the way.
Any idea if there " "Hey Steve - you need to contact Dave Friesema " "Thank you for this post, very helpful since as I" "Bought it yesterday, got it for 264 CAD (169). I am glad you enjoyed the read. Analog octavers demand the right playing technique, pickup height, and various other factors that can alter the equation. Bass players may be skeptical after the disappointment that was the OC-3. He is a seasoned session player who has toured with bands across India using all available means of transportation. 
The Markbass MB Octaver Rawaddsbeefy bottom-endandextra funkinessto your sound, still keeping aclearandperfectly tunedsound. And a rather more elegant and refined function on the -2 OCT Range control. Even though it comes packed with slightly more technology than its predecessors it is in most ways easier to operate than its immediate OC-3 predecessor, while we do though bid farewell to that ones pretty cool Drive Mode - but make up for that in numerous other ingenious ways. /Encoding /MacRomanEncoding And for those who still loved the analog warmth of the original Monophonic OC-2 - the OC-5 delivers the very best digital replica take on that - where the engineers were really able to put the manufacturing delays to good use - and really hone the authenticity of the VINTAGE mode. Although each unit is capable of producing multiple tones, this octave pedal comparison focuses on the 1-octave down 100% wet signal sound that the OC-2 excels at: Tone is in the ear of the beholder, and every viewer will have their opinion on which octave pedal sounds best.
The Growl knob is the mid-range, slightly edgy octave-below controls, while the Girth knob is for a smoother octave-below. Boss's Other Non-OverDrive and Non-High-Gain Drive and Distortion Pedals! Vinny, a bass player from India, is equally adept at yoga, fingerstyle guitar, and sipping tea.
Follow this product to see new listings in your Feed! No battery operation though, as is the norm with compact pedals. It just made total sense to release this into the mainline range at the more affordable price - which will be 129/139 and equivalent and available at most dealers fairly imminently. In 2020, the forums were buzzing with news about the OC-5. You can blend the original signal of your bass with the octave using the two control knobs.
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From organ plump to warbly chime and subsonic growl, the OC-5 is musically endearing to operate. All rights reserved. My only niggle here really is the unclear/missing LEVEL control for -2 OCT in Poly Mode. Set it. It also features a toggle switch, a red status LED, and a true bypass footswitch.
You must be registered and logged in to comment, "Hey B - I will ask Vitalii and let you know!". >> Secondly, its kinda meh with polyphonic octave and classic synth sounds. In fact for many bass players the OC-2 is their first and most essential choice - and several leading bass players own a number of these and spares! /Type /Font "I'm bummed that I missed this! Theres an input and output jack, an on/off footswitch, blue status LED, and two knobs. Seven years since his death and half a century since his band Yes released their masterpiece, Close To The Edge, the influence of Chris Squire is felt as keenly as ever. /Name /F0 Lets keep going! The following is a guide to the notation symbols and terminology used in Bass Player magazine. In fact, many players swear that the glitchy and imperfect nature of the OC-2 is the very reason that they love it so much. Aguilar Octamizer Analog Bass Octave Pedal. In my quest for the leader of the pack, I tested every pedal that showed promise. To cut a long story short, you effectively have an envelope filter, synth, and one of the most versatile octavers rolled into one modestly sized pedal. Subscriptions include the latest regular issue and new issues released during your subscription. The TIM mode ranges from subtle to OC-2-mania with a lot of fatness in the in-between settings. 6 0 obj This video gives an overview of 5 different analogue octave pedals to see if anything comes close to the classic sound of the OC-2. You get a no-frills pedal with a skillful circuit and a good octave below tone. It can be paired with their flagship Tone Print Technology and mobile app. But the real magic (IMO) is in using the clean channel and tilt-EQ as an always on preamp. It has an edge with clean shimmer and lightning-fast tracking, but it does lack the depth/warmth of analog pedals. Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned, {"modules":["unloadOptimization","bandwidthDetection"],"unloadOptimization":{"browsers":{"Firefox":true,"Chrome":true}},"bandwidthDetection":{"url":"https://ir.ebaystatic.com/cr/v/c1/thirtysevens.jpg","maxViews":4,"imgSize":37,"expiry":300000,"timeout":250}}.
It is adual-voiceoctave pedal that allows you wide options for tone shaping while offeringanalog sound andtrue bypass. Despite him only seen having one of these in the rack, it is likely he has more than one copy of the pedal for backup purposes. Other than that it's a breeze to use really. We salute it.
The tilt EQ (Clean Tone) cuts the high and low frequencies simultaneously. /Subtype /Type1 Ever since the Boss OC-2 was released, other manufacturers have been trying to steal its crown. Markbass keeps it simple with the RAW Octaver pedal. /Resources 8 0 R /Width 3424 Dont expect the Octamizer to sound like an OC-2 or any other octave pedal on the market. << You can do all manner of clever textural things - like thickening up your core tone - or fattening lead-lines and solos - but I typically use other methods and tools for those tasks. Add it in the next step. For more rabid sonics, crank the octave for massive sounds all the way to funk synth territory. It goes a step beyond thanks to the poly mode to whet your tone with synth-like textures. This page was last modified on 9 January 2021, at 15:11. << The Sub n Up Octaver features four knobs: one for dry blend, and three for the octaves (one up and two down). Thanks, Jerome. 1. Sign up to the Boss UK monthly newsletter and look forward to the latest gear news, artist-related features, how-to guides and much more in your inbox. /Name /Im0 The four knobs control Octave Level (wet signal volume), Clean Level, Octave Filter (tone color via LPF), and Clean Tone (tilt EQ). Thank you so much for your article, I really appreciate it! * Note that many guitarists prefer using the 'Bass' input here for a more boomy sub. Required fields are marked *, Bassist, Guitarist, Songwriter, Teetotaller. The Octabvre mkII is HUGE both in terms of size and price. Also by using the RANGE function of the 4th Knob you can do those kind of cool walking basslines - where you only apply the effect to the lower / lowest strings and allow the rest to pass through unaffected. This channel provides information of the BOSS's best quality electronic musical instruments. From polyphony to complex chords, you can find usable sounds with knob-tweaking. Gone also is the slightly inherent complexity of the Dual-Multi-Mode control of the OC-3 - and instead we have a Waza Craft style : Vintage (OC-2) / Poly - Mode slider switch. It had that clever 'Range' function for octave effect cut-off, alongside Monophonic OC-2 Mode and a Drive Mode - which added gain / distortion to both direct and affected signals. Boss OC-2 The King Of The Octavers? /MediaBox [ 0 0 616.32 794.88 ] It's just a matter of selecting witch switch modes you prefer - Guitar/Bass and Vintage/Poly and then how you apply each of the 4 knobs - Direct signal plus 2 possible sub-octaves and 1 upper-octave. I have used the Octamizer with a Custom Shop P-bass (with rounds and flats). Boss OC-2 OC2 Vintage Octave Guitar Pedal, Boss OC-2 Octave (Black Label) 1987 Vintage Made In Japan, Boss OC-2 Octave With Original Box Black Label 1996 Vintage Octaver Guitar Effect Pedal ACA GJ30151, Used Boss Octave OC-2 Circa 1980's 1990's Japan-Taiwan, Boss OC-2 Octave Vintage Black Label MIJ 1987 Brown, 1991 Boss OC-2 Octave Vintage Effects Pedal. No switchable low cut, FX-Loop or expression pedal, or other battery operation either. We went through those famous doors and asked Rolling Stones mixer John Barrett and Jerry Barnes of Chic for the low-down, Never give up the hunt for the perfect tone, says Gustaf bassist Tine Hill. Fortunately, thats all you need to add meaty, low-end oomph to your tone. The great Steve Lawson brings us a new approach to learning bass at intermediate level. The power requirements are not odd either. I started in Vintage (OC-2) Monophonic mode - trying out each of the dials in sequence - and kind of ended up with a sort of classic bass-player setting with Direct at 12 o'c, +1 OCT fully dialled back along with -2 OCT and -1 Oct of course maxed out. Introduced in the early 1980s, the Boss OC-2 is still widely touted to be the best analogue octave out there; famous players like Pino Palladino, Tim Lefebvre, Juan Alderete, Jonathan Davis and Janek Gwizdala have all helped to maintain the popularity of this pedal long after it was discontinued and replaced by the more refined and much less enjoyable OC-3. Spirit Lawsuit: Theft Or Fair Play? All 19 Types of Guitar Pedals (And What They Do). Joanna Smith has some advice for you, Weve all heard of the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, home to a vast catalogue of essential recordings but whats it like to plug in a bass and record there?
Stomp it. Is there nothing this guy cant do? /BaseFont /Helvetica This is clearly for the pitch-shifter enthusiast rather than bass players who want a set-and-forget pedal. Of course, gear snobs will still crave the bragging rights of an OC-2. As factory production slowed right down, engineers had a little more leeway to further refine and calibrate all those controls and functions to the very best levels that they could be. The pedal was made in Japan and Taiwan, with the Japanese pedal regarded as being the best. While if you dial it down it starts to limit the octave effect down to just the lower strings, and in LOWEST setting - simply the lowest note on the lowest string. TheGrowl and Girthcontrols are where most of the action is in this pedal. Some bassists even use the OC-2 as a sub synth pedal, as it's tracking and sound capabilities, when having one octave below fully engaged with no dry signal mixed in, are able to produce a great-sounding triangle soundwave. Its nowhere as synthy as the MB Octaver. In playing through the OC-5 I have it as the second pedal in my chain - per the above visual - and immediately after my KeyzTone EXchanger pickup enhancer. Consider Source Audio C4 if you want less chasing and more versatility. Lastly, it has a learning curve and you run the risk of getting lost in the infinite possibilities, but to many this is not really a downside. W henYes bassist Chris Squire died aged 67, News and views from the bass world, collated by BP's team of newshounds, Nirvana veteran Krist Novoselic is back with a new supergroup, 3rd Secret, THE BANGLES, DIFFERENT LIGHT (COLUMBIA, 1986). Octave pedals are imps. It can do everything you expect from a sub-octave pedal. No Need for 5-Strings if Youre Good Enough., Double Bass Technique on the Electric Bass. The Sub n Up lands somewhere between an EHX POG and SA C4. You cant hear the octave but the tone sounds deep and clean (thickening agent!). The OC-5 has the typical BOSS metal enclosure with controls for Level (direct signal volume), +1 OCT level, -1 OCT level, and -2OCT/RANGE tied to the mode switch. Side note: I do have a Moog Minitaur that I was trying to trigger from my bass guitar but that seems to be almost impossible as even with a Roland midi pickup, the midi plugs are of different type and I hear that tracking would be bad. The tracking is great and you can tweak it on the fly easily. Nor is it dirty or fat. The Boss OC-2 Octave is an infamous octaver pedal produced and sold by Boss Corporation (not to be confused with the fashion company or the cigarette brand), a pedal manufacturer and division of Roland Corporation, between 1982 and 2003 before being discontinued and replaced with an Boss OC-3. The OC-5 can handle all the bread and butter octave functions. There are obvious Waza Craft overtones here - and for a period this was under consideration as a Waza-style project, yet that would have entailed pure analog Made-in-Japan construction with much higher costs - and actually less accurate tracking and more inconsistent octave playback for the more advanced functions. Dan Veall is a session and stage bass player, educator and gear expert and is here to answer your questions. The OC-3 then came along in 2003 and was the first octave pedal to feature Polyphony. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. This is something that is particularly handy to Jazz musicians and singer-songwriter types who are often fairly unaccompanied onstage. A number of bassists in particular tend to use a compressor first to get a more even tone for more accurate tracking - but the tracking is so good in this new version, I'm no longer sure it's entirely necessary - and besides I quite like to try and force the tracking to glitch out every now and again - which is actually quite tough to achieve on this new pedal because of its superior tracking. Tell us, Mr. Squire. The MB Octaver RAW is our pick of the minis. In essence the OC-2 was another feather in the cap of the pioneering 'Series 2' Boss pedals which remain the most legendary and sought-after group / selection to this day - and the OC-2 is very much as significant part of that class of originals.