Top 5 | Bass Octave Pedals | Demo | Thomann

In this one we're giving the top 5 bass octave pedals a go with Russell from our web team. Subbass goodness in this one: From digital to analog: Turn on your subwoofers!
Gear in this video: tho.mn/069yn
We exclusively use Triad-Orbit stands for our videos: tho.mn/triad
Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Introduction
0:28 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Talking
1:10 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Playing without Midpush
2:03 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Playing with Midpush
2:35 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Playing Growl Voice
2:47 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Playing Girth Voice
3:04 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Playing with Dryblend
3:11 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Tracking on the E-String
3:24 MXR Bass Octave Deluxe | Different Approaches
3:50 EHX Nano POG | Talking
4:25 Tracking between Analog and Digital pedals
5:27 EHX Nano POG | Playing polyphonic
5:51 EHX Nano POG | Playing Octave Up
6:26 BOSS Super Octave OC-3 | Talking
7:06 BOSS OC-3 | Playing Drive only on Octave
7:24 BOSS OC-3 | Playing Drive on both signals
7:55 BOSS OC-3 | Playing 2 octaves down
8:18 BOSS OC-3 | Tracking
9:59 BOSS OC-3 | Playing Poly and Mono modes polyphonic
10:24 EBS Octabass | Talking
10:45 EBS Octabass | Playing on "High" Mode
11:20 EBS Octabass | Playing on "Mid" Mode
11:51 EBS Octabass | Playing on "Low" Mode
12:23 EBS Octabass | Tracking
12:43 Aguilar Octamizer | Talking
12:55 Aguilar Octamizer | Playing everything 12 o'clock
13:12 Aguilar Octamizer | Playing Filter down, tone up
13:25 Aguilar Octamizer | Playing Filter up, tone down
13:48 Aguilar Octamizer | Tracking
14:07 Conclusion
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[@maximilianoherrera.6662]

grooving... BASS SOLO!... back to groove... BACK TO SOLOING! you can clearly see the excitement

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

He enjoys every single minute of playing :) //Philipp

[@olivierjacquet]

So true!

[@Petanifer]

Another Maximiliano in the wild! Nice dude that's my name as well

[@treed873]

The MXR sounded the best to my ears. Thanks for the review!

[@Wakkawakkawakkawah]

Woah!? What about the boss oc5. That was my favorite in this live setting. Id definitely think about using the analog mxr for recording though!!!

[@andrewk1946]

Big fan of the Octabass after watching this. Thanks for the comparison!

[@andrealmeida8095]

You guys should pay attention for gain levels for each pedal. Octamizer, for example, is distorting all the way and people who don't know this pedal may find it muddy, which is not.

[@WarrenPostma]

this dude is the best. give him a raise!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Next time I see him, I will lift him above my head for all to see. //Andy

[@sallen6949]

groove... SOLO!!!! Love it :D

[@olivierjacquet]

5:57 that's something only a bass player shouts out

[@patbassman8251]

No only an idiot would shout that out

[@Mitya1895]

@@patbassman8251 Don't be such a fun sponge

[@alvinwe8396]

@@patbassman8251 This comment was sponsored by guitar gang

[@gary999t]

Octave on bass sounds so good, but it's a beast you need to tame. I find the Poly mode on the OC-3 is the most user friendly, as it doesn't glitch that easy.

[@bertg5294]

bull and shit. no one wants all that low, it just makes amess of the whole song. on stage it is useless.

[@gary999t]

@@bertg5294 I think you are trolling. Some synths go even lower. And as for EDM, well how low can you go.

[@bertg5294]

@@gary999t still useless in a mix. all mud.

[@bertg5294]

@@davidpearson6346 Extra low mud makes you creative??

[@danlavergne8110]

@@bertg5294 babes disagree on dancefloors & in bedrooms every night; they are sub freqs and my name is mud. Tone shaping yes but to dismiss suboctaves as all mud i disagree

[@shiraga0516]

The EBS pedal sounds most “musical” to me, with volume on.

[@gagslovedotcom]

It will also double the lowest note of triads!

[@tomsumner7746]

You guys produce the best bass videos, always so in depth

[@saemikneu]

9:00 I never heard someone play minus 2 octaves that low. Normally you play on the higher strings and get a descent deep sound to it. Using -2 octaves on the E string sounds too muddy.

[@0008890]

It's just mud playing below the lowest A with octave pedals, I've never heard anyone do that and make it sound good. Mostly I hear it in demos like these. Unlike others in the comments I do not question your ability as a bass-player, just what relevance it has in a musical setting

[@coleemmersonhallman5329]

Adds body to your sound and keeps the low going when you play higher on the neck

[@0008890]

My point being what musical relevance it has playing below the low A with an octaver, NOT what the octave pedal is suposed to do

[@craigdamage]

I played bass in a three piece rock band (gtr-bass-drms) and the guitarist played in "D-standard" so I de tuned my bass a whole step low to meet him. D-G-C-F. I was able to get an Octave pedal to track as low as an open D on my Jazz bass. FIRST mix in more dry signal. No way you can track "fast" with the effect on full effect saturation. SECOND Octave pedals absolutely love basses with flatwound strings. You get way better tracking with flatwounds. THIRD use a bass with single coil pickups like a Jazz bass. Turn up the bridge p/u and pick or finger pluck as far back toward the bridge as you can.

[@ImOutsideTheBox]

the lowest note you can do is Eb0; thats one octave down+semitone from normal bass tuning, its 20hz and no one can hear below that. To get it to sound good is all about what your amp and cab can do, and of course if your octaver can track properly.

[@thumbthump]

I don't like an octave pedal below 3rd fret C on A string. Muddy down there.

[@transformationgeneration]

I like this guy; he's funny w/o being too obnoxious...and, he keeps working while being funny.

[@btgrant]

I was kind of half listening to this while doing some work. Your energy makes it very hard to do a half listen and I can’t wait to watch and give this the attention it clearly deserves!

[@patrickdehertogh2080]

thanks, think I am sold on the mxr, think i can handle it. the boss seems too crazy with cable options, the negative reviews on the mxr are mostly on tracking. i am no victor Wooten I'm a thumper so thanks for your down to earth attitude and ability to explain so I can make a better decision

[@ikestoddard2458]

Excellent and useful! Thank you!

[@thegamingguy1]

i fucking love this channel.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks a lot :) //Philipp

[@matthewmcguigan4293]

Best use of bass octave: POG2: Autobass transform and roll out... Bass player suddenly becomes pipe organist and drones super gigantic sounding two note chords.

[@jdjk7]

Russell: "It's pretty unlikely that you'd want to play this 100% wet..." Me: That's... why I'm here.

[@bertg5294]

I, not me.

[@jdjk7]

@@bertg5294 Uh... no. "Me: That's why I'm here." is not a grammatical sentence that calls for "I". Using "I" would not be any more correct than using "me". There is no verb or object to refer to "I".

[@jdjk7]

@@bertg5294 But really, I don't see the point for grammatical prescriptivism on a comment from four months ago on a music gear demo video...

[@bertg5294]

I say, not me say, idiot. you must be a yank..

[@jdjk7]

@@bertg5294 *"It is correct to say 'I say', not 'me say', idiot." *You *A full stop is one '.' dot and an ellipsis is three '...' dots. Two dots '..' means nothing. Believe it or not, I know what point you are ham-fistedly trying to make. I countered with why an argument for why that rule doesn't apply in this particular situation, which you conveniently ignored. "I say, not me say" implies a grammatical sentence structure that was not present in my initial comment. Thus, that rule may as well not apply, because both "I" and "me" are incorrect in that context. I suggest you leave correcting grammar to those who actually study it. If you won't, then I can't and won't help you.

[@robertf1309]

I personally think the Polyphonic on the OC-3 is the best one. It doesn't affect the signal on the high notes and the effect kicks in on the lower frequencies which is nice. I just got this pedal but I won't be putting it on my board.

[@georgwassner9427]

Liked the EBS best.

[@IBeOutHere]

Thanks Shia LaBeouf!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Don't let your bass dreams be dreams...Yesterday you said tomorrow So just do it Make yourbass dreams come true Just do it!!! //Andy

[@hellocousteau6771]

haha, dafuq!

[@adhammp6885]

nice

[@thagirion9761]

You’re an asshole. He can’t help how he looks.

[@drink_water.]

Thomann's Guitars & Basses 😂😂

[@RedEYEDSaza]

It’s hysteria by muse that you couldn’t remember the exact lick

[@TheSteelDialga]

I wish this guy was in every gear video I've watched. Super entertaining while still being informative.

[@groovybasslines]

Be carefull not to hide the setup from the camera with your head ! Nice vid bro' 👍👍

[@1okanaganguy]

Excellent piece. Thanks

[@busterrabbit]

In my experience Octavers need to be used very carefully and sparingly; either to get a 4 string down to the low B of a 5 string, or very subtly to add a little more weight/depth an octave lower to fatten your sound slightly (I believe Ashdown amps have their subharmonic generator which adds an octave lower). However trying to hammer out octaves below A on the E string just ends up with mud; your amp or cab is unlikely to cope and the tracking of almost all pedals goes out the window at high BPMs, when you most need accurate tracking. As shown in this demonstration all most pedals do is make your bass and rig sound shit.

[@mharclerode]

Amazing- your bass sounds better with NONE of these pedals on...;)

[@bravojeark]

Normie

[@TotinosOtherBoy]

Normie (2)

[@skiddzie9291]

fuck off nerd

[@valeriooriente2578]

Normie (3)

[@Dom-lu5dg]

Normie (4)

[@craigdamage]

Here is how to get maximum tracking with an octave pedal: Jazz bass strung with flatwound strings, bridge p/u all the way up and neck p/u down. Pluck close to the bridge and if you plan on playing the lowest notes on the E string you must mix in more dry signal and come a little down on the octave effect. I actually play a Jazz bass that is de-tuned to D standard and even the open D sounds fairly acceptable to me.

[@narddevos]

TOP, this helps me! thanks!!

[@grizelda4526]

First time watching one of your posts and I already think you’re awesome

[@tjf6346]

very helpful, thank you

[@lloydster7362]

Great video! I was thinking of adding an Octave pedal but none seem to fit my style.

[@bunsenb]

5:43 sold 😂

[@NathanHassall]

you would be a cool guy to have a pint with! Im subscribing! Ocata bass sounds decent and so does octamizer

[@javiceres]

A bit of fat seems the nicest setting generally along with all out synth sounds ^_^

[@mindbodylightsound10]

I don't know why you think sub octave sounds good on the lowest notes on the E-string so much.

[@iamthemoneyj]

Some people just want to watch the world burn

[@FlamesAt1000ft]

Great video!!..nice details!!..so cool of you to take the time out to deliver a fine upload!!...(years ago I see)..on these Bass Pedals!!..(you should’ve gotten some royalties payments for the promo you brought to the respective companies!!..❗️📣$$$due to him executives!!) BTW,..sure would like to know more about that Bass used in the video!! Maker etc;...🙏🏾pls!...such a kick ass tone!!..(but that headstock design...nah!...could’ve considered & represented the body shape better don’t cha think??..🤔🎶🎸) 🎸✨Something brand iconic trendy! Guess I could’ve commented years ago huh?..had I known...😒

[@sodk5015]

7:30 - hysteria - muse

[@Cutibass]

Which is the best one?...

[@ducas8937]

Man I want that bass

[@sforrester6481]

I love the way

[@MaxFreist]

"ENGAGE!"

[@bigkeezo]

Interesting 🤔

[@blankvrs]

What's the bass he's playing? Look awesome!

[@landonp4726]

What does the range switch do on the octabass?

[@Jr12BASS]

Really would appreciate if someone could tell me how to do what he did in min 5:28 to 5:42 . Really enjoyed this video. Congrats well laid 👏.

[@JGHR777]

That is an interesting bass. What is it?

[@Glumpff]

Human Base "Roxy B4" they are simply wonderful ! www.thomann.de/de/human_base_roxy_b4_opn.htm?ref=search_prv_9

[@edirleydiasdeandrade3975]

Muito bom parabéns bom dia

[@DevTICoders]

Is there any pedal like that, but to play the fifth instead octave?

[@Killerabee]

Please make a review for that bass 🙏

[@glennkubik3774]

I run my Bass thru a Boss OC-5 “Octave up” to a guitar amp , but i still get the Direct bass sound mixed in and sounds “synthy”. What is the best pedal for true “zero dry”?

[@rael6168]

Bradley Cooper you're great!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Haha, that was good! :-) //Kris

[@IgorIshikawaGuitar]

hi, i think you didn't get oc-3 poly mode... but was i nice demonstration of the others pedals

[@eriksoer]

Ik play bass in a rockband with one guitarist. I do not groove like you do, but bang the bass with a plectrum ZZ top style (I know he play with fingers) I am looking for a pedal that gives the extra punch whe the guitar is playing solo. What do you recomend? I have a booster, Ampeg scrambler and chorus in my rack

[@jarushin]

using the boss oc-3 in poly mode with a 7-string guitar (with direct out to guitar amp and output to a bass amp) i noticed a huge volume difference between 7th string and the other string. anyone else noticed this? so far i have resorted to a compressor after the output to keep level same between strings.

[@Awalters75]

jarushin i

[@subliminallabs]

Number One Thing I want to know about bass octave pedals - HOW DOES IT TRACK THE LOW E-A RANGE!?

[@meemo4556]

Well if it's digital, it just figures out what note that is, and uses math to go down an octave.

[@ssusbuss309]

Anyone know how to get the most clarity out of perhaps an F0-E0?

[@cocoiz3549]

Little late lol but find a pedal with great tracking and get a subwoofer

[@vasvaribela]

As I see only one pedal can present one octave high notes. Is it true?

[@billyboy5084]

3:39 - You would "definitely" use that live on a set "for sure"? I'm sure the audience with love it man ;)

[@RitchieRosson]

Billy Boy 😂

[@kristdelgado]

Hello Thomann Music: you should make demos with Strymon pedals (namely Ola Chorus, Orbit Flanger). Greetings from Chile.

[@savanaviolenta]

No TC Sub N Up with w ton of sound sculpting possibilities,ooh Thomann!?

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Those are just the five octavers our customers are interested in most. Of course there are lots of other nice pedals out there, maybe in another vid ;)

[@No-mart]

I bought the Sub n Up sold it in about 5 minutes. Sounds like shit just digital and soulless

[@thedevleon]

What bass are you playing on?

[@fredparker3384]

What is tracking? Focused on it a lot.....

[@bryanleigh6497]

Hey, another Russell demo! The stack developer no less. Always latency between Russell's brain, his fingers and the bass

[@alexchen5811]

Are you Rob’s Schneider’a relative?

[@punman5392]

Is the Digitech Bass Whammy (the new one) any good as an octave pedal?

[@ashraffaridharis5570]

Ooof the way he butchered the hysteria bassline killed me

[@Petanifer]

Every lick was a variation of the actual song I thought it was pretty funny the way he "paraphrased" songs. Loved it

[@ashraffaridharis5570]

Ahhh so it was all a ploy to avoid being demonetised eh?

[@gearzdesign]

Would the pog octave (the groove.,.... SOLO!!!....groove... part) work well with a fuzz/distortion (e.g. royal blood)?

[@tom_sundog]

yes, though you would want to try using two amps for the full effect

[@wah3094]

???? You sick!!!!

[@Joseph-bk3hb]

Oh hey!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hey Joseph! //Andy

[@-processdrone-]

in summary; bass octavers have a lot development required yet before they really do what they say they do. Don't get me wrong it was fun, but every pedal went "oof" in a different way.

[@szrnkabela]

Please remake it with Julia

[@pat8437]

What bass is this?

[@Will-cu8vd]

The Aguilar Octamizer sounds SO much better on a passive bass. Don't be fooled by this.

[@xRemmy700x]

the3-dkiller1 what did you buy?

[@stateofblitz]

Is there a pedal that just lets you play the higher octave?

[@cmvb]

Boss PS6 EHX pitch fork POG I think... TC brainwaves??

[@johnnyboi0h347]

Russell Snyder is... A carrot! Rated PG13.

[@noahhaug3493]

Sub n up beats them all.

[@radplanet7488]

Can you use it for both guitar and bass?

[@hegemonycricket2182]

Yes. The POG out of this group would be great for that. I use an MXR Sub Octave Bass Fuzz on my guitar board...i got it for my bass board but i ended up liking it better for guitar. 🤷 There are tons of octave effects out there, best thing to do is experiment to find what you like.

[@Kav2990]

Are there any effects where you can play your bass, and it sounds like you have a rhythm guitar playing along? Especially with distortion. No idea what this would be called or if it exists. Thanks.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hey Kav. You could use a pitch shifter like a Sub N Up or and mix in some of the original signal. There are probably better ways though... hmm... KRIS!!! //Andy

[@MarcusMarchesoni]

Check the akai one

[@stevetate4863]

Check out Royal blood , and their setup

[@McCartneyTELEPHONE]

Fishman Fission Powerchord ;)

[@GalenWillettMusic]

As some KZbinrs have demonstrated, you can use a Micro POG or Nano POG. You can run the dry output (your regular sound) to your bass amp and the wet output (one octave higher) through distortion and into a guitar amp. Another way to do this is to use a line splitter pedal and have different effects on your guitar and bass channels. Here's one well-done demo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmqUn2tpesmmqKc

[@chihichien1003]

am I the only one who think he looks like bradley cooper?

[@AleksP1987]

I have ehx pog and TC sub n up , later one sounds the same to ehx but costs 3 times cheaper and more versatile. Wtf , ehx?

[@lueysixty-six7300]

I slap No! I thought you were a guitar channel! 🖐️😝🖖

[@1968joseph1]

I usually only like octave pedals when playing on the second octave. Most of the time, the suboctave, even in this video, sound artificial and rough.

[@joelvarughese1239]

what was the first bass solo you played at 2:07

[@beeftheheat]

beginning of a chili peppers song-maybe Can't Stop?

[@mark_vs___]

Who the hell cares what the pedals purpose is. Just do what sounds good to you. You could lay down some major grooves live with this and the crowd would be lovvvvving it

[@madladmagyar4823]

Didn’t know Eddie Vedder played bass.

[@DrKeremKoseoglu]

With all due respect; octave (down) pedals stop sounding good below the 7th fret, IMHO. That's like a low B on a 5-strings anyway. Playing below that, you lose clarity & tracking, making the pedals sound worse than they actually are.

[@RitchieRosson]

Are there any other octave pedals than the POG that have both a high and low octave?

[@richardkelley4231]

Excuse me sir that's only 3 pedals what happen sir are you high

[@thewowsages]

that stevie wonder bassline is played on a 5 string btw

[@learnmusic488]

Nate Watts played a 5 string? In 1976?!! Is that a fact?

[@AndreasR86]

That's a peculiar bass. Is it custom?

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

No it's a Human Base Roxy - check the link in the description anytime you need to find out about gear used in our vids :) tho.mn/069yn //Philipp

[@bumbledoctor]

Nice demo, what was the Stevie wonder song he played with the Mxr pedal?

[@Scott42]

I Wish

[@bumbledoctor]

scottfenner42 thanks, been in my head for ages and couldn't think of the name!

[@jacobcarberry3339]

Believe it's Boogie on Reggae Woman

[@ArneeMoncabelou]

U react like memes hehe. Nice vid btw.

[@thomasjackson4702]

Good video, but I have active basses and none of the octave pedals work well, they sound distorted unless I switch to passive mode. Do you have a recommendation on how to get the pedals to work with active basses? Called MXR tech support and they were no help, said the signal was to 'hot' for the effects section of the pedal. Help...

[@JosiahSoren]

put a compressor first in your chain, even out your dynamics and brings your gain down

[@gary999t]

Ian Allison does quite a good demo on this. Titled "WHY DOES MY OCTAVE PEDAL SOUND LIKE $H!T?"

[@robsmith685]

There are so much better octavers out there. Foxrox Octron for example or Iron Ether's. Top 5 ufff..

[@Scott.guitar]

what bass is that

[@TinManSixtySix]

A bass player with a trebly voice...

[@torothomassen9581]

Geddy Lee... do I need say more? 😂

[@perrysar5954]

Is he playing bass? just asking

[@KaltOhm]

What ever happened to this dude? Completely disappeared from the tube…