Getting the best out of octave pedals

[Rick05]

Hi,

I have been working on building a pedal board and have been using an Fender Jaguar -> Aguilar octamizer -> big muff -> VT Sansamp -> practise amp (full board below), but have been having problems with getting the best out of the octamizer.

I am finding it really hard to get rid of tracking problems when using the octave pedal with sustained notes and playing two or more strings at the same time makes the signal break up and the octave pedal struggle with holding the chords.

If anyone could help with this problem, whether it is altering my playing style or recommended settings on the pedals I would really appreciate it, I really want to get the best out of the pedal,

Thanks,

Rick

[0175westwood29]

Long and multiple notes will be a problem for a lot of octaves, especially analogue ones.

might be worth looking into a polyphonic digital pedal something like the new bass whammy or the Pogs from Ehx if you really need those long notes but even they might struggle as the sustain of the note dies.

Andy

[ProfFrink]

Yes, analog octaves can't do polyphony so more than one string/note is a no starter (unless you're specifically looking for the glitches which you obviously don't).

Long notes also tend to "warble" or just fade away on my octamizer as well. If you want much better tracking, get a digital octave (some will also give you polyphony). I have the Mooer Tender Octaver for that (and it also has an octave up). The way I see this - If I want good tracking, I use the Mooer. If I want the octave to sound good - I use the Octamizer. Alas there is no way to win them all with this one...

[uncle psychosis]

Running a compressor before the octave may help, particularly with the sustained notes. Unfortunately, though, analog octavers tend not to be able to handle polyphony so the chords may have to go.

[ratman]

I saw this TC BH250 review the other day. Around 1.50 he puts in an octave toneprint which tracks down to the low B, and it tracks chords too. I haven't used this octaver myself so I can't comment on it further but having picked up a Corona chorus recently I can say the tone print thing is great and very tweakable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WFrPr_40d8

Edited February 23, 2016 by ratman

[Rick05]

Thanks so much for the advice guys, that really helps.

The Mooer octave looks a nice option, and keeping the aguilar for a nice octave tone and changing my technique a bit.

[Jazzjames]

I find my octamizer tracks great with my precision, as it has a full deep sound, which makes it easier for the pedal to track.

If you're playing more on the back pickup this could mean that the pedal is having trouble 'understanding' what note you're playing.

[rmorris]

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1456222657' post='2986692']
Running a compressor before the octave may help, particularly with the sustained notes. Unfortunately, though, analog octavers tend not to be able to handle polyphony so the chords may have to go.
[/quote]

Along these lines I was wondering if anyone here runs through a noise gate before going into an octaver ?