The Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal is the world's first compact pedal with true polyphonic octave effects! With Polyphonic Octave mode, drive mode with distortion, and the original OC-2 mode, this is the most versatile octave stompbox ever.
World's first compact pedal with true polyphonic octave effects
Separate inputs for both guitar and bass
Drive mode adds distortion to octave notes for a fatter, more aggressive tone
Includes the original OC-2 mode, capable of producing notes one and 2 octaves down
Poly Octave effect adjustable to play within a specific note range
Tracks clean on low notes
The easiest way to go deep in polyphonic style. Order today.
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I purchased this pedal to run create the low end for my trio. I quickly realized that I could easily damage my guitar amp if I kept this thing going all the time. With a little experimentation I realized that if I run the Direct Out to my guitar amp and the Output to my bass rig, I have the ultimate weapon. I originally started as a bass player so I love that low end, but with it backed note for note with rockin' guitar it sounds sick.Try it!
Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal
.I use this with my Tele through an AC-15 and a TNT-130 simultaneously using the Direct/Mono outputs on Poly Mode. I started to use this setup when I realised that the lower octave was bound to destroy my lovely AC-15's speaker.
I play in a trio and with this we actually don't need a bass player. The OC-3 is the bass player.
One thing you realize when you isolate the actual effect (using only mono out on poly mode wich is the "wet" output) is that the pedal's interpretation of the notes is not at all spot on and the sound itself is sort of useless unless you mix it with the direct out. It doesn't really detune, but it seems to reinforce the octave with some sort of overtone, sounds like a fifth or third at times. This is ok, except when playing chords that do not include these overtones (which might make it sound a bit weird), although generally the OC-3 behaves decently even considering it's characteristic quirkiness - it is quirky.
The volume of the octave is not proportional across the scale, churning out massively powerful bass on a drop-D for instance while other notes may have lower volumes. I suppose this has a lot to do with your gear and how it reacts to the pedal so really, really try it before you get it.
I am actually thinking about getting an ABY to use before the OC-3 so that I can route the full signal to both amps instead of splitting it on the OC-3. It sounds much better when mixed with the direct out through a bass amp.
The thing about this pedal is that you have to learn to play it.
You'll soon realise that single notes are much clearer and more powerful than chords unless you "edit" the chords to make the pedal sing. You can do this by simplifying chords and by avoiding close proximity harmonization. Consider that if you go up an octave on any specific note the pedal will try to octave it, so you can use this in your favour.
It does sound much more digital than it's predecessor the OC-2 which has a much more natural sound to it but also less features... I like the drive although I hardly ever use it and the "classic" two octave configuration is... meh... worse than the OC-2.
So yeah, great little tool if you are willing to forgive it's shortcomings and learn to be it's friend. If you can, it will reward you with durability, good tone when you know how to get it and a massively punchy low end that turns a guitar into a bazooka.
Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal
.I used to run a quartet, but with the OC-3 we are down to a trio. I play heavy on the E and A strings so with the pedal I didn't need a bass man anymore. I run the RC-2 loop and the octave with a jazz piano and a cajon percussionist. Real fat sounds and a tight groove. That's just one way to run it.
Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal
.The Boss OC-3 Super Octave is a fantastic guitar pedal for creating unique/different/interesting lead tones. I personally like mine set Level 04:00, Oct Level 1 03:00, Oct Level 2 (dimed) full on, and mode set to Drive. This works with my Gibson Les Paul Standard to achieve that Led Zepplin/Jimmy Page "Fool in the Rain" solo tone. If you are looking for a different sound this is a good choice. The OC-3 is capable of so much more too. Boss pedals really are the best. I have been playing guitar for over 34 years and have been through tons of gear. Boss pedals sound great, are reliable, and are easy to replace especially if you travel as every music store carries them. Please remember this is just my opinion as sound is very subjective.
Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal
.Well, I got this pedal thinking that I would be able to use it with my bass to cut through the mix when it was my 30 seconds to solo for the night. I thought it would create an octave above the pitch. The octave, for bass at least, was real muddy and sounded to be a bit out of tune. It created a little bit of a wave in the sound. Some of the notes, like the midrange notes, sounded alright. It is not very responsive for fast playing, but for a pulsing bass line that is very slow, it sounds great. Not really what I was expecting so I sent it back... but this might be what you are looking for.
Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal
.This pedal is certainly a powerful sound tool. I use it on my bass guitar, and on it's own the OC-3 has given me some really cool sounds. My only problems with it is that when I go to play with my band, I rarely run into a real occasion where I can use it and have it still sit in the mix well without muddying everything up, and that the distortion setting is almost useless (cannot get a good sound out of it). I have done some noise rock experiments with some friends, and this pedal really helped in those situations. But in a normal "rock & roll," or even metal, if I use this pedal at all, it's only VERY subtly. If you're wanting to buy this to make your bass "fatter, rounder, etc.," I'd hold off on this purchase. Otherwise, it's a fun pedal that I continue to experiment with constantly.
Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal
.I am in the Rock Duo Mojave Heat Bomb. I was looking for a good octave pedal to simulate a bass guitar. Well I found it! the Boss OC-3 is one of the best octave pedals I have ever used. I simply run my guitar through an A/B switch and run two amps, the sound is superb! Anyhow I recommend this pedal to anyone looking for that solid bass tone out of your guitar!
Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal
.Let me preface by saying that this is not a pedal for everyone. The OC-3 is not something that you can step on and leave on for the entire gig...just not designed for that. If you think about it, no pedal is. There is no "magic tone box".For me, the OC-3 is a dynamite addition to my pedal board and my performing rig. I particularly like the poly setting and the space that the octave lines create. You need to spend a little time WORKING with the pedal to learn the limits of each setting; the payoff will be a unique little "something" that adds extra texture to your sound.
Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal
.If you want an octave pedal just for the hell of having one and you don't really care if its good.. this is alright (but still not worth the money)If you actually want a useful octave pedal just but the electro harmonix pog. The sound on this pedal goes in and out on lower notes and really high notes. Pretty much useless even if you play more than one string at a time... yeah. also the second octave down is useless and sounds like total garbage.If you're just planning on using it for some single string stuff (thats not on really low notes) it'll do fine. But that is IT.
Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal
.As a Bass player I was initially not convinced I would ever need an Octave pedal. Dear sweet Jeebus, I was so wrong.
Crank the DIRECT amount to 100%; Oct 1 to about 60%; and Oct 2 to 20% and FEEL THE GROUND SHAKE. I keep this pedal active for nearly my entire live set at this point.
CONS: It is rather limited, at least on Bass. The DRIVE function is pretty weak. The POLY function is really only for Guitar. Stick to the OCT 2 setting and ignore the rest.
Also, it's a pretty digital sounding effect all around. If you're looking for a more analog tone, keep shopping. If you're looking to sound like a TECHNO DEMON from DIGI-Hell, look no further.
Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal
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