Need Help: Deciding on an Octaver

[John]

I realise it's neither cool or trendy, but would the Behringer US600 (Boss PS5 knockoff) be any good?

It's good for altered pitches but the footswitch is dog dick. There's a too-long momentary silence when you switch on and off. I use a Boss effects loop pedal (PSM-5) to select my US600 which solves the problem, but it means having two pedge just for one effect. Also if you want that analog Octave robot sound, it doesn't do that.

[ChetMagongalo]

I've played all of those but the MXR, normal POG, and Pitch Bay, I'll give some thoughts on the ones you mentioned

Micro Pog- Great tracking, clean, kind of organ like, for the price it's the best if you plan to pair it with pedals. the dry out seems awesome, but I never got to try it, slightly more organy than the Pog 2 I felt

Pog 2- Amazing tracking, tracked three note bass chords :O, the extra options are cool but I never used them too much. I found this pedal to have too many options, it's also slightly expensive. definitely cool tho. not very organy

Organizer- Honestly I did not like this pedal. the slight delay really pissed me off tracking is good though. I found it impossible to use for straight ahead playing. don't buy this if you're not into organ sounds

Octron- Analog, easily the fattest and best sounding octave down. the tracking is also damn good! don't be told otherwise! it is less forgiving for sloppy playing though, all the ones above are better if you're a lazy picker hehe. the octave up is kinda dirty, but it sounds nice. I only sold it because I play chords a lot. it will NOT do chords clean at all. so if you're gonna be playing chords i'd skip it.

Boss PS-5 - I've only played the PS5 but the whammy does the shitty tracking thing a lot better and has more options. haven't played the other series. sounds nothing like an organ.

From your description I would try an Octron. Using a separate rig will get you very far, smart idea on your part!

[Jero]

Too many great replies (thanks!) to get each one so I'll try this...I'll compile what I know &/or what you guys have said into a little list.

Octron - Analog, and tracking is great with single notes. +/1 1 octave. More organic sounding.
MicroPog - Tracks very well. +/- 1 octave. Stereo out. Might be a little more chimey/organ'ish than pog2.
Pog2 - Tracks very well. +/- 2 octaves. Lots of options/extras. A bit pricey.
Pitch Bay - Good tracking. +/- 1 octave w/semitones. Has the added distortion...But also has that damn warble
Octave Multiplexer - Good bottom end and filters. Stereo out. Cheap. Monophonic. Doesn't work in the Super Ego loop.
PS-5/6 - Good to great tracking. Stereo. Crazy octave options plus more. Doesn't sound like an organ.
BOD & Octamizer - Nice sounding analog octave down w/ filters with pretty good tracking. Octamizer is not pedal board friendly.

Bass Whammy might be an option but there aren't really any good demos.
Expression Factory has a ton of awesome options plus the whammy thing. Already been off and on interested, & there's one locally with the foot switch for $90.

Others mentioned are great, but for this, will be too synthy or fuzzy. I prefer to dirty them up with other stuff. I should note that I have owned several of the others before (second voice, oc2, ahs, whammy, pearl oc07, etc)

Oh yea, I might be ok with getting 2. Like one analog down, and one digi up/down or something. Now I'm trying to decide exactly how I'd route this stuff . Suppose it will take some trial.

[goroth]

Get a decent splitter with a transformer in it. I played a couple of gigs without a bassist and got massive ground loops when using an LS-2 and a regular DI box to split the signal. But it was only a temporary thing so I didn't want to invest in anything good.

[Jero]

Royal Blood and DZ Deathrays are both bands that do as you describe. Pretty sure the bassist for Royal Blood uses two POG2s and DZ uses a Micro POG (I'm assuming for the 'bass' sound) and a POG2. I prefer the sound of analog octaves generally, but you can't beat digital for not being picky and tracking well.

Thanks for the recommendation. Really digging DZ!

Get a decent splitter with a transformer in it. I played a couple of gigs without a bassist and got massive ground loops when using an LS-2 and a regular DI box to split the signal. But it was only a temporary thing so I didn't want to invest in anything good.

I've got a splitter I made a few years ago I was planning on using. We'll see if I need to upgrade when the time comes. Thanks for the heads up!

[MightyMiloQuinn]

Just to throw in a lesser known octaver that could potentially be a contender: the Taurus Dexter. They have a newer, smaller, less expensive version coming out late summer.

[gila_crisis]

if you want here there's a video a did a while ago comparing the Micro POG and the Pitch Bay

http://youtu.be/KN1YHuI-efs

maybe this can help you decide on these. I like and enjoy both pedals!

[BoatRich]

I would go with the Octron or POG2 and a bass VI instead of a normal guitar or bass. Then also use a two amp set up and as much volume as possible.

[neonblack]

I would go with the Octron or POG2 and a bass VI instead of a normal guitar or bass. Then also use a two amp set up and as much volume as possible.

This sounds like fun.

[BoatRich]

I would go with the Octron or POG2 and a bass VI instead of a normal guitar or bass. Then also use a two amp set up and as much volume as possible.

This sounds like fun.

It's a thought/project I've been working on for a while. It's gonna be like noise punk in a two piece format

[ThurberMingus]

In my current (rather new) 2-piece band I use a Whammy 5 for standard sub octaves and a v1 POG for additional down and up hugeness. If I had to pick one for ease of use and flexibility it would be the Whammy (switching into the octave up while playing noodly riffs is awesome), but the POG sounds bigger. I also use a Blue Box but I would only recommend that if you hate your drummer!

[Jero]

Thanks guys. Yea, at this point I'm pretty set on getting the Pog2 & Octron. I have been considering the Bass VI option, but getting another guitar isn't really in the cards right now.

Why on earth would EHX not put a stereo option on the 2, but the micro gets one?

Edit: Oh yea! I've had both whammy and blue box before. Whammy's are cool but too much real estate and too few options I liked. The Blue Box is one of those pedals I think everyone should own at least once.

[ChetMagongalo]

Why on earth would EHX not put a stereo option on the 2, but the micro gets one?

right? so annoying

[BoatRich]

Thanks guys. Yea, at this point I'm pretty set on getting the Pog2 & Octron. I have been considering the Bass VI option, but getting another guitar isn't really in the cards right now.

Why on earth would EHX not put a stereo option on the 2, but the micro gets one?

Edit: Oh yea! I've had both whammy and blue box before. Whammy's are cool but too much real estate and too few options I liked. The Blue Box is one of those pedals I think everyone should own at least once.

The new Squier is like $350 so cheaper or around the same price as most of the pedals in this thread!! That said, I'm completely in the same boat.

[Fuzz_Pi]

Bass Whammy might be an option but there aren't really any good demos.

. This comes to mind, up there with the worst demos I've ever seen. Burst out laughing at the first bit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnBivW-2uas