Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal 

Comments about 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.

Comments about 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.

Comments about Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal:

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!

Comments about Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal:

I don't know what the issue people are having with tone and tracking is, perhaps different guitars give different results. All I know is, my Reverend guitar sounded great on all settings. Of course, care in blending makes a huge difference. If you just push the effected sound way out front, it will sound more artificial, but if you want the original sound blended with an octave, this works wonderfully. Full triad chords are a teensy bit shaky, but power fifths are no problem. The distortion option seems unnecessary, as a decent amp will have that part covered. It's a hugely useful addition to a power trio, as the guitar can break into single notes or double stops without losing too much body. Love it myself, I think some problems might come from unrealistic expectations.

Comments about Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal:

i use this pedal while playing CKY because thats how they get their tone. This pedal does exactly what its meant to do, add a lower octave to every note played which can give a very cool sound if used correctly.

Comments about 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.

Comments about Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal:

I upgraded from the OC-2 to this to add Howie Day-type bass lines to my loops. I thought the poly function would track better, which it does. However, since the poly function is designed to add bass notes while you play chords, even with the range set at max, the higher the bass note is, the lower volume it comes out (just going from a G to a D, there's a big drop-off). Your low E's will be booming and your C's will be just noticeable.Thing is, poly mode isn't even that great for playing chords, because the range either has to be too small to pick up all the notes in your song or it will pick up too many in a barre chord and try to play them all at once. That aside, the original OC-2 mode is there, which I've never been a fan of; the tracking always causes notes to jump in and out. I can't see the sub-octave being anything more than a toy unless you're really big into weird experimentation stuff. The drive function is fun and cool and offers a unique tone, but again, so unwieldy I think it would only lend itself to odd experimentation.It's a quality unit that's well-built, but I can't really recommend it for somebody who's trying to do anything like what I'm trying to do.

Comments about Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal:

The OC-3 is a difficult little pedal to describe. It doesn't quite do what I wanted it to do and takes a little experimentation before it makes a sound that's quite natural (not digitized) sounding.In the wrong hands, this pedal can make horrible noises. The 2 octave down setting makes your guitar sound almost like an organ. The drive setting is inferior to putting a fuzz or distortion pedal in front of it. Use either and you forfeit the polyphonic feature. The thing goes haywire when you even let two notes ring simultaneously on either setting.Still, in the right configuration, it adds a lot to both my clean and dirty tones. There's really no way to describe it. It just adds a certain intangible SOMETHING. And in a world where everyone plays guitar, it's nice to think there's a way to find your own signature tone.Unless you're going for some radical sound, the OC-2 is best applied as a subtle note on a sound you sculpt with your main effects (for me they're reverb, tremolo, slap back echo, fuzz - in different combinations). Should be the fourth or fifth pedal you buy, not the first or second.

Comments about Boss OC-3 SUPER Octave Pedal:

This little stomp box really delivers. Like most effect pedals it does have it's limitations but if you read the manual it honestly tells you how to get the best results. Personally I find the best sounds in the mid to higher ranges. The octives it delivers are so low using the low registers on the bass gets muddy. Stay in the middle above the A on the G string and solo your heart out. One more thing, it's built to take all the abuse a dark stage can give it, another great Boss product.

Comments about 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!