I enjoy your videos so much sir :) I was holding my breath and biting on my finger nails when you were going down the notes to see how far down the pedal would track without glitching XD
@PennybagDarrell - Well, the bass I played in the demo (Lakland 55-02) has an active circuit in it, so that's what it sounds like. Every individual bass will react differently with this pedal. It's not just the pickups, it's the way the note vibrates.
@MrStefano02 - Yes I have used the OC2, it has a slightly different tone than the MXR. I like the midrange, and blend features on the MXR, so that's what I'm using now.
Wonderful review, Ed! I really love the details about the Mid switch & trimpot gain. Can you also comment on what are the highest notes it tracks before glitching?
@BassGuitarMag Hey Ed, got my MXR today, I love it, thanks to your review I could order it knowing what I get exactly, and that's what I got :) Using the Octaver with Fuzz and Envelope is insane synth sound. Thank you Ed!
That particular note (7th fret G) is notoriously dead on many basses. Ever hear of the Fender "dead spot"? That's where it lands, between 5-7th fret on the G. As you noted, it works better on the 12th fret D. That's the acoustic resonance of the wood, not the pedal. Every bass reacts differently with the pedal. So the key is to find the sweet zones on your bass and avoid the dead spots. I have the same issue with certain basses. You might try compressing before the pedal too - the MXR Bass Comp!
Thanks for the demo, Ed. What do you think of the Boss Super Octave (OC-3) compared to the MXR Bass Octave? I know a couple of players who really like the old Boss OC-2 (now discontinued). Thanks!
@plchung - Well, every octave pedal has it's limit to how low they will track. Some are better than others. But your bass and amp have something to do with it too. I think much lower than G on the 3rd fret E string is a waste of effort. And, the human ear has it's limitations too. So, yeah - play up higher and beef it out underneath usually works best.
I'm currently torn between the MXR Bass octave, the EHX Pog or even the EHX Bass synth, I'm thinking about combining it with my Agent00Funk and the EHX Big Muff to create insane sounds.
@MetalKidDanny - Well, the MXR does a great job, and it's pretty small. The EHX Synth is cool, does a lot more, but the MXR is dedicated to doing one thing - really well.
@CountRammerhymen - Nah, it's probably just your bass. Every neck has it's own resonant frequencies, and that can create a little glitch in certain registers. Try it with a different bass, you'll no doubt find it has the same issues, but on different notes.
@BassGuitarMag Thanks for the quick answer, I have another question, I'm really looking to cover up the Daft Punk sound which is actually a synthesizer like in Robot Rock (the lead part) would you think the Bass Microsynth can do such a thing? and how does it track? Sorry for the insane amount of question, I'm just very interested.
Absolutely beautiful fretless playing - both your notes choices and playing *with* the Effect makes for fantastic lines! If you recall, can you post your settings on the opening piece in the video? (to :45) I can see the Mids was engaged, but what about the Mid-Frequency switch, the amount of boost, and the Dry/Growl/Girth ratios? I've got my personal settings "found" (850hZ & 8db of Boost, Growl at 2:00, Girth at 10:00 & Dry and 1:00) but it's always fun to try out other player's choices. :-)
This is a great pedal, but I feel like the Aguilar can give you a lower note that sounds closer to your actual bass tone. Just depends what sound you like more.
Well, another bass might be able to go lower... I personally can't hear that low anyway. And on the 5, you can get a huge sound above the 5th fret on the B string with the pedal.
I just got one of these. The tracking on mine is not so great. Might I have a defective one? For example, the D that is 7th fret G-string always glitches out. However, that same D on the D string (12th fret) or A string (17th fret) doesn't glitch. Also seems to glitch out whenever I play multiple notes at once (polyphonic). It glitches out a lot when I'm doing like a root - octave disco/dance type bass line. I love the sound of it... but am struggling with the tracking. Compressor before?
excellent review, Im using the oc-3 but i am not to happy with it, because it cut the octaves when you play a large note, your review shows that with the mxr this doesnt happens. Im going to change my oc3 for this unit! cheeers
At about 1:56 you say that with all the knobs at 12:00 you keep pretty much the same gain level as the bypassed sound. There is a small drop in dry level with the control as 12:00 but do the other octaves make up for this?
@MetalKidDanny You're looking for a Digitech Bass Synth Wah, that's the pedal that Daft Punk actually used for the sounds on that whole album. Of course, Robot Rock was sampled, but every other song featured the Bass Synth Wah.
@mikeymacaque - It's not a signature lick, even if I do play it all the time! lol. But, it's basically just a blues lick, right out of the blues scale - 1 b3 4 #4 5 b7 8.
hey wassup guys. any of you dudes know how to get the bass sound from songs like "the rain" by oran juice jones or "party in the city" by starbound? ive been searching but i cant seem to find the effects used. i'm either looking in the wrong places or just ignant, help!
@miamigroove - Well, it played as high as the F on this bass. But glitching is also a result of the harmonics and fundamental of this individual bass too, so YMMV.
I currently have a Micro POG (and am lusting for the POG 2 but can't justify the purchase) and I can tell you that the Micro POG's tracking is absolutely DEAD-ON, whether lower-or-higher octave. Lower on a fretless gives you Tony Levin's classic "Sledgehammer" tone, while the octave above with a touch of Overdrive and Chorus gets you the "Jeremy" tone, and tracks so well the B-string is usable for a "Virtual 10-string". The POG/POG 2's price is much higher, but far more useful overall IMO.
With more "dry" dialed in you can get it to track lower. I play de-tuned Fender Ps and Js in D standard (D-G-C-F) and on my Jazz bass with the bridge p/u all the way up it actually sounds OK on the low D string. Yeah. A bit of warble but it sounds really cool. Sounds like a broken organ. Cool. Oh....and btw, I have found that Octave pedals absolutely LOVE flatwound strings. Tracks even better on flats.
Hi Ed.. a question on using octave pedal - is it usually used when playing high pitch notes to add an extra effect to beef up the tone? When I play low pitch notes with this pedal it creates the octave that just sounds "too low"..
I personally like it better than the Boss. I think it tracks better, and the midrange boost really helps you hear the effect better - in my experience.
that intro ditty has the same sound as the accoustic basses that mike inez and the other guy used in alice in chains...mostly in their mtv unplugged gig. I like that sound, but I tought it was exlusive to electro-accoustic basses!?
Thats a Lakland 55-02 - great bass! You can pick up a Lakland 55-02 skyline model for a fraction of the price of a US built model...and its basically just as good!
@EddieG1888 I'm not sure, at all, they've used keyboards and Moogs, if you have any valid proof for that I'd like to see that please, regarding Robot Rock I know it was sampled :P
There's something called on demand on comcast, a cable provider. You can watch shows and movies from their library, someone said he saw videos of you "on demand"
@BassGuitarMag Always a valid method in getting a proper bass tone. ;-) I could also make the dirty joke regarding "knobs", but we're professions here!
"Rex is not really my dog." Why don't you send it back to its real owner ! DOGNAPPER ! Excellent review by the way. I was looking for an octave pedal for a gig 5 days from now. Pretty sure this will be the one.
I don't know who "you people" refers to, but I have no idea about getting these videos "on demand". They are all right here on UA-cam 24 hours a day for free, is that not on demand enough?
@eoinfennessy The tracking of the MXR (And also the EHX POG's and multiplexer) are better. The EBS pedals are very good, but in case of octave affaires, I preffer MXR and EHX. Ed, I love you! Thanks for your vids and excuse my english...
I decided to check out octave pedals for bass to hear what they are all about. I thought octave pedals would let you bring your E string down, on a four string bass without that garblely sound. I hate that sound. Sounds like it's trying to make two notes play at the same time. I don't know who would want that, in all honesty.
I love all of the MXR's line up, BUT! they have one huge negative thing about them - Clicky switches!!! At least for me, there is a charge built up or what have you, but when I engage / disengage the pedal, it makes a loud pop, out of my 4x10 : ( ... had to replace their awesome micro flanger with other brand's : (
You can easily find someone to replace the switch for you with a noiseless one. It's a very inexpensive procedure. Shame brands don't put them in to start with, but you do have the option!
![Nick's Pedalboard [The Lowdown]](/img/n.gif)
Always like Ed's reviews - clear and calm. I've just bought one of these MXRs and it's a great pedal.
finally a real musician explaining about gear on youtube... cheers mate!
Perfect review. Way better than others I've seen. Coverd every aspect of the pedal I was curious about.. Thanks.
Thanks Ed, this has helped in my search for a new octave pedal! :-)
A very informative demo. So many just say, "Hey look what happens when I turn this knob!" I appreciate your expertise.
thanks Ed, for this really detailed and useful review. I may go for this
I bought this pedal about 3 years ago, based on this video..... I love it.... thanks Ed... :)
I enjoy your videos so much sir :) I was holding my breath and biting on my finger nails when you were going down the notes to see how far down the pedal would track without glitching XD
You just sold me this pedal... thanks for the great review!
Thanks for the review I was just thinking of one of these.
@scarred2112 - Thanks, but this was so long ago... I can't remember that stuff. I just turned the knobs until it sounded right.
Very nicely done demo, very useful.
@PennybagDarrell - Well, the bass I played in the demo (Lakland 55-02) has an active circuit in it, so that's what it sounds like. Every individual bass will react differently with this pedal. It's not just the pickups, it's the way the note vibrates.
@MrStefano02 - Yes I have used the OC2, it has a slightly different tone than the MXR. I like the midrange, and blend features on the MXR, so that's what I'm using now.
I just picked up their envelope filter and love it....I might have to pick this one up as well
Wonderful review, Ed! I really love the details about the Mid switch & trimpot gain.
Can you also comment on what are the highest notes it tracks before glitching?
@Dkbass0 - I don't hear any noise when switching it on. Any octave pedal will glitch if you have open A and D ringing together.
I love that pedal- i havent used the octave effect before but after this vid i'm going to buy mysealf one of these
I have a Digitech Bass whammy sounds really good but a small tracking issue sometimes. they say the new whammy pedals have solved this .
Thanks for a very helpful review! :)
@BassGuitarMag Hey Ed, got my MXR today, I love it, thanks to your review I could order it knowing what I get exactly, and that's what I got :)
Using the Octaver with Fuzz and Envelope is insane synth sound.
Thank you Ed!
@MetalKidDanny - I don't know the tune you refer to, but the Micro synth does track well. If you haven't already seen it, check out my demo.
@Dkbass0 - I'd probably go for this one. The EBS is also pretty good... but I like the MXR better personally.
Great demo!
Can you really notice a difference in sound when sweeping the girth and growl knobs? It was hard to tell any difference in sound for me.
The EH Micro POG works all right for playing chords, it tracks really good too.
That particular note (7th fret G) is notoriously dead on many basses. Ever hear of the Fender "dead spot"? That's where it lands, between 5-7th fret on the G. As you noted, it works better on the 12th fret D. That's the acoustic resonance of the wood, not the pedal. Every bass reacts differently with the pedal. So the key is to find the sweet zones on your bass and avoid the dead spots. I have the same issue with certain basses. You might try compressing before the pedal too - the MXR Bass Comp!
@giggs102 - Yes, I do. I prefer it to the OC-3. Another good one is the EBS OctaBass.
Thank you, ive been wondering what kind of octaver to get
It tracks so good. How on Earth does it provide octave under open E string that is so clean ?
Your a funny funny guy. I'm watching reviews of instruments I never intend to buy just for the comedy show. Keep up the great work dude.
some really sick licks
sounds really nice
Thanks for the demo, Ed. What do you think of the Boss Super Octave (OC-3) compared to the MXR Bass Octave? I know a couple of players who really like the old Boss OC-2 (now discontinued). Thanks!
@plchung - Well, every octave pedal has it's limit to how low they will track. Some are better than others. But your bass and amp have something to do with it too. I think much lower than G on the 3rd fret E string is a waste of effort. And, the human ear has it's limitations too. So, yeah - play up higher and beef it out underneath usually works best.
I'm currently torn between the MXR Bass octave, the EHX Pog or even the EHX Bass synth, I'm thinking about combining it with my Agent00Funk and the EHX Big Muff to create insane sounds.
@MetalKidDanny - Well, the MXR does a great job, and it's pretty small. The EHX Synth is cool, does a lot more, but the MXR is dedicated to doing one thing - really well.
Really cool, thank you!
@tehgaff08 - I have yet to find an octave pedal that can deal with more than one note at a time. It ain't pretty.
@CountRammerhymen - Nah, it's probably just your bass. Every neck has it's own resonant frequencies, and that can create a little glitch in certain registers. Try it with a different bass, you'll no doubt find it has the same issues, but on different notes.
Good Demo. Thanks.
@BassGuitarMag Thanks for the quick answer, I have another question, I'm really looking to cover up the Daft Punk sound which is actually a synthesizer like in Robot Rock (the lead part) would you think the Bass Microsynth can do such a thing? and how does it track?
Sorry for the insane amount of question, I'm just very interested.
Absolutely beautiful fretless playing - both your notes choices and playing *with* the Effect makes for fantastic lines! If you recall, can you post your settings on the opening piece in the video? (to :45) I can see the Mids was engaged, but what about the Mid-Frequency switch, the amount of boost, and the Dry/Growl/Girth ratios? I've got my personal settings "found" (850hZ & 8db of Boost, Growl at 2:00, Girth at 10:00 & Dry and 1:00) but it's always fun to try out other player's choices. :-)
Very very good demo.
This is a great pedal, but I feel like the Aguilar can give you a lower note that sounds closer to your actual bass tone. Just depends what sound you like more.
Well, another bass might be able to go lower... I personally can't hear that low anyway. And on the 5, you can get a huge sound above the 5th fret on the B string with the pedal.
I just got one of these. The tracking on mine is not so great. Might I have a defective one? For example, the D that is 7th fret G-string always glitches out. However, that same D on the D string (12th fret) or A string (17th fret) doesn't glitch. Also seems to glitch out whenever I play multiple notes at once (polyphonic). It glitches out a lot when I'm doing like a root - octave disco/dance type bass line. I love the sound of it... but am struggling with the tracking. Compressor before?
excellent review, Im using the oc-3 but i am not to happy with it, because it cut the octaves when you play a large note, your review shows that with the mxr this doesnt happens. Im going to change my oc3 for this unit!
cheeers
Yeah, they have a different eq, the girth is a little wider bottom, the growl a little more midrangey.
I plan on picking one of these this friday, is it worth the buy??
@ninzan What was the outcome? Did you video it?
These are the stock Lakland stainless steel strings that came on the bass.
does this mean that the mxr bass octave pedal is NOT polyphonic? i like to use chords and i was wondering if the mxr could accommodate that. thanks!
At 7:38 the low G sounds more like a G#. It tracked well until A. I'm just being a pitch nerd. Cool pedal.
You are a nerd, it was in tune.
you are excused sir. this pedal sounds nice. I've been using the regular mxr octaver, but i like the growl and mid boost tones in this one.
Hi Ed, do you prefer the mid boost at 400 or 850 ?
do you recommend this? or do you think there are better octave pedals? like say the boss oc-3
@punkunion2 - It works on guitar too.
At about 1:56 you say that with all the knobs at 12:00 you keep pretty much the same gain level as the bypassed sound. There is a small drop in dry level with the control as 12:00 but do the other octaves make up for this?
MXR M288 or Aguilar Octamizer? (if you couldn't A/B them in a store)
this thing is going to sound awesome on fretless. I'm going to ask you a stupid question now, are octave pedals the same as chorus pedals?
For any octave to work at it's optimum level is play anything past the 10th fret and below the 10th think only D and G string.
@MetalKidDanny You're looking for a Digitech Bass Synth Wah, that's the pedal that Daft Punk actually used for the sounds on that whole album. Of course, Robot Rock was sampled, but every other song featured the Bass Synth Wah.
Hi! Ypu can play chords with this pedal? Or only one by one notes? Thanks
@mikeymacaque - It's not a signature lick, even if I do play it all the time! lol. But, it's basically just a blues lick, right out of the blues scale - 1 b3 4 #4 5 b7 8.
you think this would sound good with a El Grande Bass Fuzz?
that's a nice octave pedal - wish I got it instead of the Boss OC-3
hey wassup guys. any of you dudes know how to get the bass sound from songs like "the rain" by oran juice jones or "party in the city" by starbound? ive been searching but i cant seem to find the effects used. i'm either looking in the wrong places or just ignant, help!
@miamigroove - Well, it played as high as the F on this bass. But glitching is also a result of the harmonics and fundamental of this individual bass too, so YMMV.
I'd love to know for how much can I get one of these awesome peddals!! If you can tell me I'd be really greatfull!!
I currently have a Micro POG (and am lusting for the POG 2 but can't justify the purchase) and I can tell you that the Micro POG's tracking is absolutely DEAD-ON, whether lower-or-higher octave. Lower on a fretless gives you Tony Levin's classic "Sledgehammer" tone, while the octave above with a touch of Overdrive and Chorus gets you the "Jeremy" tone, and tracks so well the B-string is usable for a "Virtual 10-string". The POG/POG 2's price is much higher, but far more useful overall IMO.
Rex is not really my dog xD
PS: Ed, have you tried EHX' like the Micro POG or the Multiplexer? Any thoughts on them?
Is this MXR box quiet? Some effects boxes produce some unwanted noise - hiss, hum ....
With more "dry" dialed in you can get it to track lower. I play de-tuned Fender Ps and Js in D standard (D-G-C-F) and on my Jazz bass with the bridge p/u all the way up it actually sounds OK on the low D string. Yeah. A bit of warble but it sounds really cool. Sounds like a broken organ. Cool. Oh....and btw, I have found that Octave pedals absolutely LOVE flatwound strings. Tracks even better on flats.
Flatwounds producing less overtones, that is indeed expected.
Thanks for the info ! :)
how do i get to his videos on demand
where on demand is here?
I've found that compressing after works better, if you haven't tried that yet.
@JosephGallagher - No haven't tried them.
Hi Ed.. a question on using octave pedal - is it usually used when playing high pitch notes to add an extra effect to beef up the tone?
When I play low pitch notes with this pedal it creates the octave that just sounds "too low"..
good review my friend
Listening at 6:30 all knobs at 12:00 with the boost at 850 isn't too far away from the tone at the beginning
I personally like it better than the Boss. I think it tracks better, and the midrange boost really helps you hear the effect better - in my experience.
that intro ditty has the same sound as the accoustic basses that mike inez and the other guy used in alice in chains...mostly in their mtv unplugged gig. I like that sound, but I tought it was exlusive to electro-accoustic basses!?
Thats a Lakland 55-02 - great bass!
You can pick up a Lakland 55-02 skyline model for a fraction of the price of a US built model...and its basically just as good!
@EddieG1888 I'm not sure, at all, they've used keyboards and Moogs, if you have any valid proof for that I'd like to see that please, regarding Robot Rock I know it was sampled :P
@umtaramta - You're welcome.
@eoinfennessy - Me personally? Yes.
That intro was spooky
There's something called on demand on comcast, a cable provider. You can watch shows and movies from their library, someone said he saw videos of you "on demand"
@bassistxx it all blends.
"It tracks like my ol hound dog, Rex." I laughed way too hard at that
@BassGuitarMag Always a valid method in getting a proper bass tone. ;-) I could also make the dirty joke regarding "knobs", but we're professions here!
"Rex is not really my dog."
Why don't you send it back to its real owner ! DOGNAPPER !
Excellent review by the way. I was looking for an octave pedal for a gig 5 days from now. Pretty sure this will be the one.
@200909will - Emphasis on "pretty much the same".
I don't know who "you people" refers to, but I have no idea about getting these videos "on demand". They are all right here on UA-cam 24 hours a day for free, is that not on demand enough?
Type in MXR Bass Octave Deluxe in Google... and look for the price. You can do it!
@eoinfennessy The tracking of the MXR (And also the EHX POG's and multiplexer) are better.
The EBS pedals are very good, but in case of octave affaires, I preffer MXR and EHX.
Ed, I love you! Thanks for your vids and excuse my english...
@BassGuitarMag Electro Harmonix POG/Micro POG. The only pedals so far that can track with multiple notes.
"Well excuse me. I must be going!" *cue funk music*
I wish I had an outtro like that in real life.
I decided to check out octave pedals for bass to hear what they are all about. I thought octave pedals would let you bring your E string down, on a four string bass without that garblely sound. I hate that sound. Sounds like it's trying to make two notes play at the same time. I don't know who would want that, in all honesty.
I love all of the MXR's line up, BUT! they have one huge negative thing about them - Clicky switches!!! At least for me, there is a charge built up or what have you, but when I engage / disengage the pedal, it makes a loud pop, out of my 4x10 : ( ... had to replace their awesome micro flanger with other brand's : (
You can easily find someone to replace the switch for you with a noiseless one. It's a very inexpensive procedure. Shame brands don't put them in to start with, but you do have the option!
..."like my old hound dog Rex". HAHAHA!!!! I like that....!.....great explanation, Ed, thanks!