Acoustic Guitarists Need This Pedal | BOSS OC-5

► TAB: tinyurl.com/dawestab
► Fingerstyle Mastercourse: tinyurl.com/usbmastercourse
► Pre-order GALACTIC ACID: www.mikedawes.com/collections...
► BECOME A PATRON for related exclusive content and lessons: / mikedawes
► TAB book sale: tinyurl.com/y6hc5zuc
► SUBSCRIBE for more music & tuition
► $20 off a Tonewood Amp: tonewoodamp.refr.cc/mikedawes
Hi I'm Mike Dawes, solo fingerstyle guitarist, session musician with Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues and more. I have done some things and have some awards that you can Google but as a Brit this all sounds a bit self congratulatory doesn't it? I've spent the past 8 years touring the planet and I'm excited to share some gear insights now that I have time off the road!
DISCLAIMER: I will only promote the use of a product I actually use. This is on my pedalboard.
------------------//MUSIC\\-------------------------
Bandcamp: mikedawes.bandcamp.com
NEW ALBUM: tinyurl.com/dawesalbum
Website: mikedawes.com
Spotify: tinyurl.com/ydx99wpc
Apple Music: tinyurl.com/ybhmcpwd
------------------//LESSONS/TAB/MERCH\\-------------------------
tinyurl.com/dawestab
mikedawes.com
------------------//WEEKLY PODCAST\\-------------------------
mikedaweshasapodcast.com
------------------//SOCIALS\\-------------------------
mikedawes.com
/ mikedawes
/ mike_dawes
/ mikedawesofficial
/ mikedawesmusic
Tik Tok is the worst.
► Tip Jar: paypal.me/mikedawesmusic

[@mikedawesofficial]

► Pre-order GALACTIC ACID on CD and LIMITED collectors edition 180gm Splatter Vinyl: www.mikedawes.com/collections/galactic-acid

[@yh-bs7ju]

I am a Japanese speaker, and, in Japanese, the number 4 is sometimes avoided when it is pronounced as "shi", the same pronunciation as the Japanese word for death. However, in 1991, BOSS began to sell a parametric equalizer called PQ-4, which is now discontinued. The number 9 is also sometimes avoided when it is pronounced as "ku", the same pronunciation as the Japanese word for pain. But I don’t know if there is any version 9.0 for any BOSS effect pedal at all. I don't know if those cultural factors are the reason why BOSS rarely produces pedals with number 4 and 9, either. Many people may use so-called "9V" batteries for BOSS pedals, though. 😁 I wonder if BOSS office in Japan will give any answer to such questions, if you dare to ask them.

[@richardhumanstageperforman3386]

Just happen to see this clip last night, mmm nice, I just thought I would mention my 24 year old ZOOM 505 pedal already could do the octave thing WAY back then?

[@JeffKinglive]

This is really interesting, thanks. Reminds me of the American car, the Chevy Nova. It was not selling well in Latin America, they didn’t know why until they realized in Spanish “No va” means “no go” lol True story (I think)

[@johnellis5820]

My guess is 2+3 =5 since it contains functions of both

[@freddylopez7536]

Your playing is over the top thank you for sharing all your wisdom and talent.

[@MrHeliosoul]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom sir! Genuinely appreciate your thorough explanation of why you like this pedal and how you use it on your own pedalboard. Like you Mike, I am am acoustic guitarist at heart and I'm always on the lookout for for new inspiring sounds and tones that I can add to my sonic palette. Happy New Year by the way! Cheers!

[@NiklasMeads]

Amazing video Mike! Love your insight into the effects side of things!

[@Michlandir]

Awesome demo! Love it

[@nuclearhotel2172]

So excited to watch this review. Thank you very much.

[@johnlagreca6288]

Nice, thank you for the video. Love the little "Greeney" sounding riff at 6:25. Cool pedal, I like it, I am sold.

[@charlarge3555]

Love your playing! It was wonderful to meet you two years ago at Bergen Performing Arts Center in New Jersey.🙏🏻

[@GreenhamGuitar]

Wow... first pedal I ever bought was an OC3. Its limitations shaped the way I played, and I've become such a different musician because of it! Hopefully the OC5 will allow me to go above and beyond (when it arrives on South African shores). Thank you so much for this video!

[@oskarthomas1512]

Great review and beautiful playing!!! Thankyou 🙏

[@jamesriameigmp]

Thanks a ton Mike 💎.. earlier i usually use only the super chorus and the acoustic preamp .. after watching this i felt i have to get one for myself soon

[@sirnatanielson]

Crazy. I bought an OC-3 many years ago. Never really knew what to do with it or how to utilize it. Just dabbled with it. Never thought about using it with acoustic. I play live, mostly acoustic, albeit as rhythm not so much fingerstyle. I think I'm gonna try utilizing it and learn how to program it like you have with different strings. I play a lot of hammer on notes with chords and I'm curious what that could do now. Glad i stumbled across this!

[@jasonv5790]

Funny thing about any pedals is that you never really need it until you know what it does. I was a happy fingerstyle player yesterday, but today my sound is incomplete without this damn pedal!

[@colauty2598]

So so true Jason.. Nice one lol

[@keithclark486]

How long have you had the damn pedal and how long did you play without the damn pedal before you got to the damn pedal?

[@facundogallomusic9642]

Thanks for sharing your work and your knowledge with us! Maybe someday I will meet you Mike. Love from Argentina!

[@sirvicemanone]

Mike you are amazing. I wonder why this video never made it to my feed for 2 years. Now I'm feeling the last 2 years have been a complete waste of time without having this little gem. And it's a good thing they are free to all acoustic players due to the good people at Boss .... Ohh darn perhaps not.... 9nce again kudos to you Mike you are spearheading great new directions in acoustic guitar and are an inspiration to me !

[@thepennydrops.]

I’ve just got one of these after watching your demo. Great pedal! A little tricky to dial in but when it’s right it certainly help make a huge sound. I’ll be gigging with it for the first time this weekend. Hopefully it’ll be dialled in with no funny sounding surprises!

[@Roosville1]

Guy who says NICE, Michael Rosen poet, broadcaster and children’s author he contracted Covid-19 a year ago and spent 48 days in intensive care, near death, now recovering. Nice pedal too.

[@MegaTechnoteacher]

Nice

[@SONGSTICKS]

You could sell just about any pedal with the quality of your playing! That demo has most certainly inspired me and of course... Now I want an OC-5 !

[@travelman158]

Your Amazing Mike. Love you music.

[@BlairOutLoud]

Great video.. I love the Boss OC-3, and I recently started using the PS-6 on my electric board... This makes me want to experiment with using in on the acoustic board. I’m very interested in the OC-5 for sure now..

[@billmurrey2682]

you are a true guitar genius!....and sales man...im gonna go get the oc 5. thank you

[@patrickryanjams]

Dude, I just wanna say thanks for kicking this video off with what the pedal actually sounds like instead of some rambling monologue 💪

[@johnborys7918]

Great video! thanks for posting!

[@keithyoung4290]

A very interesting post - thank you Mike

[@Friu887]

Just got mine love it

[@Earthstein]

Thank you Mike!

[@billa6348]

Thanks! Based on this excellent review, I located and purchased what I believed to have been the last OC 5 pedal domestically available (As of this writing Boss has a huge backlog on this pedal). The "range" feature performs exactly as Mike said it would, even when not processed through his God-like artistry! It adds an adjustable, realistic, background quality to the bass that I didn't know I couldn't live without until I heard it. I also use a Helix Line 6 LT processor with acoustic impulse responses to help modulate the tone. That isn't at all necessary, but it can be done if one wants to tweak the bass response in the lower range. The OC5 replaced my SubNup and is much better suited for acoustic guitar applications. Thanks to Mike's rec., however, put your order in and be prepared to wait a while. IT IS WORTH THE WAIT!!! Thanks, Mike!

[@1Aquadon]

Thanks Mike!!!!

[@F1carsguitar]

You are the man of the acoustic, man!

[@SteveBaerThatsMe]

I could listen to you play all day long. Wonderful. The OC-5 is a wicked pedal.

[@Raymond-rr5iv]

What a great review !!☆!! I'm glad to find it .... I'll probably buy one. I've been looking for something like that !! Thanks !!♡!!

[@guitanimus4275]

Its a nice pedal!!, the poliphonic mode was a dream for finguerstyle guitar players...

[@merchantaudioproductions]

I saw you live here in clearwater, FL. good show!

[@rnunoi65]

Thanks for your review, it really helps to know what you can do with this devise before buying , to me that is the real value specially when is an honest perspective. Amazing playing skills as well, very enjoyable!

[@ogmakefirefiregood]

Boss has been a friend to guitarist for decades. Thanks Boss!

[@justinhart8744]

That’s some mighty fine a pickin and a tickin! Ty for this video I just bought this for my bass and I have an acoustic electric guitar so I feel extra glad about my purchase…

[@Sunsour5]

God bless u brother.....

[@ReinisJaunais]

Thanks, this helped a lot!

[@briancoyne6700]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@chrisannablemusic]

Great info! Thanks Mike! "Nice!" 👍🏻

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Michael Hedges blew my mind. This pedal is made for attempting that stuff. Amazing picking sir🤙🤙

[@brucedelaney9606]

I use this pedal also on my acoustic Board. The Boss OC3 is so great. Mike Dawes is beyond great. If he says I should go check out the OC five I will. Thank you so much for such a great thorough review.

[@MrSF247]

He had another video, I believe, where after having some time with the OC-5, he was a bit disappointed with it it being an upgraded model of the OC-3 and has since reverted back to his OC-3. I'll have to check to confirm I'm recalling that correctly.

[@jamesdana1273]

Love the Altoids tin

[@joshualavoie8774]

Just ordered mine 👊

[@blackthorn234]

Best intro ever...nice.

[@brianohehir9515]

Cheers appreciate the info

[@RAMPAGE36542]

Liked for the intro

[@geobozz]

Hi Mike. Your OC5 demo is excellent! It was both informative and practical. Would you consider doing a demo for the Mel9 pedal? Thank you!

[@SgtM0le]

The OC-5 sounds closer to the OC-2 sound than the OC-3 did. I'm definitely getting one for if my OC-2 ever gives up

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Electric player myself, nice skills dude.

[@moparky43]

Wish I could play like you. You make it look so easy and effortless. I took lessons back in the day but gave it up 🤦‍♂️ maybe since I'm much older and don't play sports anymore I should try again

[@gordon5004]

I'm a senior citizen who plays fingerprinting but just barely. Keep trying. It's fun.

[@EltonGoslettGuitar]

Boss always skips the number four on their pedals, and yes, it's considered an unlucky number (like 13 in the west). In Japanese the number four is a homonym for the word death.

[@ianlarrimore8]

Haha--that's great! I never noticed that on BOSS pedals, but it's definitely true about Japanese culture (Chinese, too, actually). An unsolicited anecdote from my personal experience to illustrate: my wife had to have surgery while we were living in Japan, and her post-operative room should have ended in the number 4 (the room before it ended in a 3), but instead it ended in 5. And yet (as if to further drive home the cultural distance) her surgery was performed on the 13th of the month, which was a Friday. You can't make this stuff up. (Well, you could, but...well, why?) I wasn't in the best spirits (worried about the surgery), but couldn't help but enjoy the irony.

[@JulienMARY]

No floor 4, 14, 24 in China. x6 and x8 are more expensive also. Phone numbers prices depend on the number of 6 and 8 you have in them : [phone] is a damn expensive number. And you can actually call the owner right now to ask how much he paid for it, whereas nobody will answer to 134 4444 4444, or it will be an interesting character maybe. Cultural stuffs ... nerver stop to amaze me.

[@sotirzvanidjubre4109]

So death it self is ok but number 4 is not?

[@Bryt25]

So no '4u' sales in Japan!

[@VincVEVO]

Sweet review! Helpd. Thanks. ;)

[@coki1696]

THANKS SHAGGYY

[@cesarvalerio4292]

Great stuff greetings from Brasil

[@ariakiss]

Just picked up an OC-3. Going to play with it for a while before i think about switching to OC-5

[@gunkanjima3408]

I’ve noticed so many acoustic players have this pedal, including you. Maybe I’ll give it a try

[@thegreatpatsy]

That was a beautiful rendition of teen spirit!

[@letssee9]

best most 'out there" i've heard. total surPRIZE! i was just shopping acoustic effects. teen spirit FINGERSTYLE? wow, i'd say "who even thinks to do that"? i guess we have the answer already. lol

[@thomasmccabe8050]

Always enjoy a video that has numerous sightings of Michael Rosen

[@p_mouse8676]

I know this video is now over a year old, but I would like to share another option that really made another big difference for me. What I did, is to split the piezo pickup in two. Or in other words, I got two piezo pickups placed underneath the saddle. One that is used for the lower two strings (string 5 and 6, or E and A in standard tuning), the other pickup for the rest of the strings. This gives a much better and cleaner control/sound when being used with the octave pedal as well as other effects. For example, it gives the possibility to play bass notes when being high up on the neck, something that the BOSS pedal can't do because of the range (low pass) setting. It also gives the option to disable the doubling of just the bass notes. In some arrangements that really gives the impression of two different instruments. In my case I even run the bass signal though an IR pedal. I am still a little in doubt to split the strings to 3 x 3, but I very rarely play bass notes on the 4th string. Anyway, those were just some ideas. Always love your playing as well as your videos! :)

[@gammaraygem]

This is what I was looking for. Trying to find an octaver I came to this review. Subbed. At first glance the perfect octaver for me.Then I read your comment here. Do you just cut the piezo strip ?Do you use two amps? I want to do this on a resonator guitar, but I am not sure if the resonator sound still is prevalent when going through an octaver. A long time ago, I did a similar thing with an electric guitar, (strat) I just placed one normal single coil pick up so it would "cover" only 3 lower strings and ran it through an octaver and a second amp.

[@p_mouse8676]

@@gammaraygem I think you can cut most piezo transducers. But I would test it. I placed two different ones under the saddle. But maybe try it first with some cheap ones? In my case I don't use an amp, actually now I am using a DAW with a couple of VST's. There are some really good plugins these days, much better than a BOSS octaver. I think I would also go for an IR loader for a resonator. I personally find those piezo things sounding absolutely horrendous. I don't know what kind of style you're playing on a resonator?

[@gammaraygem]

@@p_mouse8676 Thank you for the comment. The resonator I use for delta blues and bluesrock picking, with a steady bass going. Looking to fatten the sound though. The piezo + octaver would go through an acoustic amp, with a behringer ac preamp pedal, that handles the piezo sound okay-ish. A lace humbucker for the gain sound, through the second amp...but that loses the resonator sound in high gain settings. I am not into DAW at the moment. I lost all my gear (managed to save my Lowden and 2 dogs) in a fire a couple of years ago, and re building . I like the hands on aspect of the two amps etc.

[@tomwardmusician]

Hey! Awesome comment! I was about the install another LR baggs transducer under my strings and separate them 3/3 basically for the same reason as you on a classical guitar. Because the three bass strings are a different material I wanted to control both sets of three separately. Can you see many advantages with just the E & A? Also did you ever use the TC sub’n’up mini on just the two bass strings? If you did was the sound as good as the boss? Basically I don’t change the settings at all when performing but like to fill out the bass and make it extra warm. Cheers

[@tomwardmusician]

Also you can try adding two Savares lowers octave same tension strings on the two bass strings.

[@kukufbvkbdvdvd]

NICE!

[@MoonRocksInc]

Thanks for this video...I wouldn't have thought to try it with my acoustic. I love the pedal (thanks Scott Lucas)...now I know how to use it, I only play acoustic live. Guess its coming off Craigslist.

[@Gele_Rodrigo]

Thanks for the video Mike. One question: I usually play by hitting the snare "drum drum" style, how would this pedal react if I have it activated to play the bass, with this type of percussion?

[@christiansan3637]

Nice!

[@mcranzsprings1085]

Nice 👍 thank you. Instant subscriber here.

[@PressuredSpeechBand]

Never go wrong with a Boss pedal!

[@arithehurricane]

Can you please show us more of how you use this and demo some more sounds? Thanks Mike

[@MARGARSIL]

Nice! 😊

[@user-lb8do4ew6k]

Thats my #1

[@ianlarrimore8]

Thanks for making this video--specifically it answered my question as to how many different brands have the polyphonic parameter setting, which is what I'm after. Also, is the mic you're using in the video an Aston Spirit? I have an Aston Origin, which I'm really loving. Thoughts on using Aston mics in the studio? Have you tried the Aston Starlight for stereo recording?...

[@krishnasori4876]

NICE

[@ekbilli5074]

Bought the same pedal yesterday 😭😘

[@mikedawesofficial]

Goooood *Palpatine voice*

[@tomwardmusician]

One of my only 4 pedals as a classical guitarist. Great video :)

[@DavidTrevors]

What are the other ones?

[@tomwardmusician]

@@DavidTrevors boss eq, digitech polara (lexicon reverb) and digitech obscura delay.

[@cpcnw]

I think a lot of guitarists have had a lot of gear too Mike!

[@simonverkerk8392]

Mike your sound and playing are fantastic,what reverb unit do you use? It sounds so crisp.

[@gitpickergeorge9]

Hello, Mike. Thank you for taking time to go through this. I have only known about you for the past 2-3 years; really appreciate your efforts in the field of acoustic guitar! One question if you don't mind... so are you saying that you can program the OC-5 to only play the bass runs from the 5th. and 6th. strings without affecting the 1st. through 4th. strings? If I understood you correctly, where (in your video) do you explain how to get that sound ? Thanks so much! George

[@dasczwo]

Super, review, the first i found that explains the oc3 for acoustic as i have been using it for years too. Got the 0c-5. Two Gripes: 1 Latency in the Lowest Mode makes it almost unusuable except slow material. 2: Make a switch to Output +1 Octave to the dry out! Usually i have effects only on the dry signal, the -1octave Bass channel is completeley dry. Íd prefer the +1 with the effects. Otherwise solid job as always boss. Waiting for the oc-7!

[@louierubio]

I wonder if a compression pedal before the OC-5 could help with the latency?

[@turinreza]

head a distortion pedal with no distortion effect will remove latency

[@fiacmar]

Nice.

[@marctestarossa]

1:36 the absolute perfect timing, when you say "percussion" is brilliant, planned or not

[@LOFIGSD]

TC Electronic Sub n Up can add 1 or 2 down and 1 up, and polyphonic tracks very well, but doesnt do the frequency thing you mention, not an issue for me, as I only use it for adding Bass to loops, much cheaper than the Boss, good to know all the options, your skills are awesome Mike.

[@turinreza]

they are almost the same price on amazon

[@stephenlennartz3466]

You are correct, Mike. Traditionally, the number 4 IS unlucky in Japan because it is sometimes pronounced 'shi,' which is the word for death. Sometimes levels or rooms with 4 don't exist in hospitals or hotels... much like the number 13 in the U.S. Too much info.? 😂 Thank you for your awesome-as-always demo!!! 😎🎸👍

[@kinapai]

Great video :-)

[@ZehNettoOficial]

COOL!

[@DominikFriedrich]

Mike definitely has my type of humour :D

[@robertlannin2288]

im gettin one

[@sebcamm4604]

I thought it was OC5 because it was the OC2 + OC3. In that it includes the vintage analogue as well as modern digital :D

[@Chickenjuggle]

Nice

[@andrewmars4630]

As a fan of CKY, the OC-2 pedal makes me happy :D

[@brettwiley2199]

I was just loookin for a fellow Alliance member haha...baddabing

[@thomasmartinscott]

It looks like they are headed toward creating my dream pedal: While I'm playing on any of the 6 strings, it fixes lunch.

[@danr5105]

"She" has a name you know.

[@killerspyder1]

Was that smells like teen spirit in the first example?

[@Deadnature]

Sounds like it

[@juliusway]

Yeah would like to get that tab

[@savoirfaire8979]

Of course it is.

[@tonybarber420]

Why else would he name that example polyVANA smh

[@GROENAASMusic]

Smells like it 😂

[@anthonyrexhouse5858]

Love your playing and your videos. Question: How did you get that Deep Purple organ sound?

[@SpartanLaserCanon]

6:25 That sounds like some Opeth stuff.

[@mikedawesofficial]

Good spot ;)

[@joeluisjr9965]

You just solved all of my fucking problems in life.

[@stevenhunt4114]

Hi Mike, Great video! Quick question: On your previous demos of the OC3, you have recommended using a dummy jack in the direct out (if not actually using the direct out as a signal routing to anything else), to avoid any 'doubling' which was an issue made known to you by Nick Benjamin. Can you please tell me if you still consider this to be necessary with the OC5? Thanks!

[@BellsCuriosityShop]

I had a Pearl Octaver years ago. I regret selling it. Hadn't tried it on bass (I gig as a bassist and hadn't realised how many players use it). I actually used it more so as a distortion unit because of the way it wasn't polyphonic and rather chaotic sounding when playing chords. I bought a mini Evo pedal as I was told it was basically the same as the Pearl and it sounds just as good, just not something I'd use anymore.

[@christophernoia5197]

I have an old oc2 that I love, but I really want the oc5 now. Also, the mxr tremolo that just came out looks awesome!

[@weeally46]

nice!

[@geew-fr9th]

ANYTHING M D has to say about guitar playing is worth listening to. Anything!

[@U2kheim]

Nice Opeth reference 8)

[@marioj.-thebassicsofplayin5207]

Us bass players need the OC-5 Octave pedal.