BOSS Oc-5 Octave Guitar And Bass Effect Pedal with Vintage And Poly Modes Plus 5-Year Warranty

Product Information

BOSS' OC-5 also boasts an updated version of the smart 'Poly' mode that first featured on the OC-3 Super Octave pedal. This allows you to play full chords with breathtaking octave effects! Later on, as Shoulder Pads started to become uncomfortable, BOSS released the OC-3, which featured a Polyphonic Octave option. This enabled users to play more than one note at the same time whilst using the effect; this created almost Organ sounds. It's quite an incredible and inspiring sound. However, all this romanticising about the old octave pedals sets the tone for the NEW OC-5 Octave Pedal from BOSS, which makes this one different and unique from the previous generations. In the Poly Mode things become slightly more complex with the 4th : -2 OCT / RANGE knob where you can now play full polyphonic octave chords with the knob fully CW. While if you dial it down it starts to limit the octave effect down to just the lower strings, and in LOWEST setting - simply the lowest note on the lowest string. This setting is particularly good for playing walking bassllines on the lowest string while upper strings get passed through unaffected so that if you strike a chord - the lowest note will be octaved as such, while the rest will ring out as normal. This is something that is particularly handy to Jazz musicians and singer-songwriter types who are often fairly unaccompanied onstage. In comparison to my TC Electronic Sub 'N Up I actually prefer the slightly more organic sound of the Boss - particularly on the Vintage OC-2 Mode - and the RANGE element in Poly Mode is a real feather in Boss's cap too. Expected battery life under continuous use: Approx. 7 hours (These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.)

Another noteworthy update for the OC-5 is the new octave-up feature, which can be engaged for both the 'Vintage' and 'Poly' modes. Bring in this sweet effect by turning the dedicated '+1 OCT' knob. You can even use the octave-up sound on its own, which is perfect for achieving 12-string-esquesounds. Alternatively, you could blend this with the '-1 OCT' and '-2 OCT' sub-octave effects for fat organ-like tones! Guitar/Bass Switch & Direct Out If you start light as above as your base point…ratger than cranking things early—which WILL sound like poo…you will begin to see the potential here. Some of us find that old-school octave-pedal glitchiness endearing, but with Boss’ new OC-5 you don’t have to take sides. The octave down on the OC5 in poly mode is so weak, it's barely even useable for what I do. (I like to run the effect out to a bass amp for low notes and run the direct out to my guitar amp to split the signals.) In contrast, the poly mode in OC3 is MUCH louder and sounds great through my bass amp when I split the outputs. Set to Vintage mode, the OC-5 can play a vital role for adding a subterranean layer of bottom end or bellowing growl to basslines, and guitarists will find it an indispensable tool for providing massive rumble to power chords.Another cool OC-5 enhancement is the new octave-up effect, which is available in both Vintage and Poly modes. Simply twist the dedicated +1 OCT knob to bring in the desired effect level. Use the octave-up effect on its own for faux 12-string sounds and unique solo tones, or blend it with the octave-down effects for extended chord voicings and super-fat leads. Of course Use the Output Out from the OC-5 to feed into the rest of your setup/amp or oedal effects if hard to hear, exaggerate bass volume by turning up the "-OctLevel" knob until you barely do hear it. The compressor pedal is a brilliant tool to enhance a guitar tone. Learn to get the most from this dynamic pedalboard mainstay. Read more… Pedal Partners: Combining Phaser with Other Effects

The BOSS OC-5 Octave Pedal is now available from Merchant City Music, the longest-established guitar specialist in Glasgow. We ship fast and secure to the UK, Europe and worldwide. BOSS OC-5 Octave Compact Pedal Controls: Pedal switch, GUITAR/BASS switch, VINTAGE/POLY switch, DIRECT LEVEL knob, +1OCT knob, -1OCT knob, -2OCT/RANGE knob RANGE (POLY) = Range / Cut-Off and Extension of Output Notes - CCW only Lower / Lowest note/s and strings, CW expands to higher strings and notes So what’s new on the OC-5? For a start, it complements its suboctave range with a +1 octave-up control, available either on its own or in conjunction with the suboctaves. These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use. Accessories Leaflet ("USING THE UNIT SAFELY,""IMPORTANT NOTES," and "Information")Phaser is a naturally versatile modulation effect. From overdrive to reverb, it can enhance, expand, and excite a guitar tone. Read more… Pedal Partners: Combining Octave with Other Effects

There's an art to assembling a pedalboard. Learn to perfect your effects signal chain and capture the tone you've been seeking. Read more… I wasn't 100% clear on how the LEVEL of the -2 OCT was being impacted in Poly Mode with the dial set to LOWEST Setting. I think if there is a further iteration of this pedal I would make the last knob dual concentric - with LEVEL on the upper portion and RANGE on the lower. Other than that it's a breeze to use really. It's just a matter of selecting witch switch modes you prefer - Guitar/Bass and Vintage/Poly and then how you apply each of the 4 knobs - Direct signal plus 2 possible sub-octaves and 1 upper-octave. The Boss OC-5 Octave Pedal builds on BOSS’s outstanding reputation for building world-beating Octave Pedals, cemented by the original OC-2 from the ‘80s. This latest OC-5 version includes the best of the original in its Vintage Mode, while adding a new Poly Mode for chord playing. A Mode Switch optimises performance for either guitar or bass, and a Direct Out allows for wet/dry setups. OCT RANGE = Smart 'POLY' setting first introduced in the OC-3 but somewhat significantly honed here - lets you variably control which strings / notes are targeted - so that in the 'LOWEST' setting only the very Lowest note on the lowest string triggers a Sub-Octave while the other notes of your chord pass through as unaffected. As you dial up the Range you include further Strings and Higher Notes in your Sub-Octave trigger. In Vintage Mode this knob simply controls the LEVEL of the -2 OCT.So… I suggest this basic starting point…if, like me, you seek to add a bit of base or low end to your solitary guitar playing.