Boss OC-2 Octave

Easy as bending down and turning 3 knobs. The manual basically gives a few suggested settings, nothing you couldn't figure out on your own. If you really want it, http://bossus.com has all their manuals in downloadable pdf formats. And this is the Taiwan version, not the OC-2 "OCTAVER" as it was called when it was produced in Japan.

Here's my setup. US HWY 1 Fender Strat, OC-2, BOSS FBM-1 (fender bassman amp modeler), DOD FX55B Supra Distortion, BOSS RC-2 looper, Marshall MG100HDFX. This pedal sounds good when used properly. First off, it sounds better with a little distortion after it, preferably with a low boost, which the supra does exceptionally well. Also, if you play on the lower notes, the OC-2 doesn't track very well and you get a jarbled sound, like a broken synth. ALSO, you can't play chords - only one note at a time. This does not have the polyphonic function like the OC-3, or similar type pedals. This is an analog pedal, therefore it has it's limitations. So, if used properly, as in single note leads higher up near the 12th fret, this little beast can do the job quite well, adding up to two octaves down to the notes played. Despite the great sounds when used properly, I give it a lower rating because it's such a picky pedal. Half the neck sounds good through it, the other half sounds like trash.

This pedal is very reliable. I wouldn't worry about a backup. As most people know, Boss pedals are very durable.

Can't say I know, but that their website does have some helpful info, such as downloadable manuals and such.

Overall I'd say this is a great little pedal, but it's not for everyone. A skilled guitarist will find ways to use this pedal to thicken up his sound and create unique leads, but in the hands of a novice guitarist it would probably just end up getting as a bass guitar emulator or an "experimental" effect. Honestly, sometimes I actually do use it to add a bass loop on the BOSS RC-2 when I'm jamming, but it's good for much more.

Boss oc-2 Octaver

You have to mess round' wit this thing to get your sound and levels right. When u got it yo got it! its not the easiest pedal to use on my board but was well worth changing the chain around a bit to make this pedal fit, I use it after my compressor for guitar and no compressor for bass and yes it does work well with bass to no need for a seperate bass input....

Well I wont say my chain of effects hahaa but i will say use it after a decent 'vintage' compressor. May not comply with toppy effects units. I use dist and overdrive after this pedal took me a while to set all three but sounds excellent!

Depends on the gig...

Get your hands on the original Octaver i've heard they are better than the Octave's dont kno wether thats true try before you buy to see if u like the effect.

Easy and simple - 3 knobs; Direct Level, Oct 1 (1 octave down), Oct 2 (2 octaves down)

My rig is currently:

Parker P42 > Boss OC-2 > Blackstar HT-DistX > Boss PH-3 > Boss RE-20 Space Echo > Laney LX65R Amp.

The OC-2 is only ever noisy if you hit more than one note - this isn't polyphonic so if people ***** and moan about the warble, get a damn polyphonic octave instead.

It's very analogue sounding compared to its successor, the OC-3. An absolute dream. Thick, heavy and dirty.

I managed to nail the CKY/Deron Miller guitar tone within seconds with my set up.

It's a Boss, that says it all.

Not had to deal with Boss Customer Service yet, and this OC-2 is used.

This pedal is not ever leaving my rig. It thickens up by tone and sound so much, and is incredibly experimental and heavy sound. I play metal, grunge, hard rock, alternative and occasional blues, and this pedal seems to do a good job in all areas. Essential, and in my opinion much better and more reliable than the OC-3.

Very easy, provided you understand what this pedal is for - it is NOT for chords, or getting Hendrixian Octavia-like sounds.
And provided you realise that the best effect is obtained by using your neck pickup.
Plus, if you are a sloppy player you will get a sloppy effect.

Ignore any negative review.
The OC-2 is a fantastic pedal which does one thing very well indeed, and that one thing is creating a smooth, synth-like tone 1 +/- 2 octaves below the note you are playing.
You can make your guitar sound like an analog synth (especially with the use of compression and fuzz before the OC-2...even better...add some envelope filter or phasing as well - madness!), or really thicken up single-note lines (yes, even you shredders).
I've used one other octaver pedal (the 'legendary' Pearl one that also does 1 octave up) and I found the Boss to be far more responsive and reliable.
If you play with confidence, using the right settings, there is no glitching and neglible delay between the fundamental and the effected note.

Insert cliche Boss Vs Armageddon joke here.

It's not for everyone (just read the other reviews) but those of you who, like me, like a bit of octave craziness will find it is a wonderful pedal.

it was seeking a bit, but when i found out that the best way was putting the octave after distortion, it was pretty easy.

just a few knobs to handle everything.

GREAT!!! spices up some of my solo's when i need it to be dirty, to be spacy.
meatens up the chord-work, as well clean and distorted, just be sure not to turn the lowest octave all the way up.
i use it in this chain: Gibson flying v's - splitter - korg dt-10 - crybaby - phase 90 - ds-1 - oc-2 - pocketpod(with looper) - visual sound h2o - fender bassman.

doesn't really mather if you use it with or without any other fx.

never had to deal with boss, since my ds-1 is dated from far back in the eighties.(really great too)

don't know

pop, rock, funk, instrumental

it goes with anything i play. i've read a thread hear on the first page, you shouldn't use it all the time, and i agree to that

This pedal is a little bit confusing but after reading the book u can work it out.

Sounds terrible. Cant handle chords at all. Sucks all the tone out of your guitar. Havent found one thing which i can use it for.

Really well built. wont ever break.

Havent dealt with them

I play Metal/Rock stuff like Iron Maiden, Metallia, Bullet for my Valentine, etc etc.

Total Waste of money. Do not buy u will regret it especially if your into shredding solos progresive riffs etc.

This pedal is going on ebay.

The knobs are simple. Direct signal, 1 Octave Down, 2 Octave Down. Reason I am giving it a 7 is because you have to learn how to play differently in order for this pedal to sound right. For example you CANNOT play chords with it. You must get used to how it reacts to your playing before you can get a decent sound out of it. Also, this effect NEEDS to be in the front of your chain, or maybe only after a wah/volume.

Epi Les Paul > Crybaby > Boss OC-2 > Boss DS-1 > Green Russian Big Muff Pi > Hardwire DL8 > Fender Hot Rod Deville 410

It does a decent job. 2 octaves down is basically useless unless you are playing way up on the fretboard or exclusively on the high E string. I generally have it set with direct signal on full, octave 1 at about 2 o' clock, and Octave 2 completely off. Also, something to note is that there is NO delay between what you play and the signal coming out. The Whammy and Boss PS-5 both have that problem and it drove me crazy. Also this sounds less digital than the PS-5, and offers more control over octave levels than the whammy's octave feature.

It is also important to state that the octave signals are Square waves, so they do sound like a synth. I personally prefer it. If you want a bass sound, get a bass. This pedal will not replace a bass player for you. It is an effect used to fatten up single note runs.

Bought it used off of ebay, never had a problem with it.

It is a pretty decent octave. Remember that this pedal is not designed to sound like a bass, it is an effect, and should be used as such.

Easy to use, one knob for one octave down and one for two octaves down volym plus one for regular volym. Press to switch it on of off. The manaul wont be needed.

I have used it with tubeamp and, mainly, alot of distortion. The effect gives a very synthised feeling, it doesnt sound like a guitar one or two octaves lower, rather a synth one or two octaves lower. Its pretty cool of course but the effects it put on the sound makes it very limited, and if you dont like the flavor (or rather alteration) it gives to your sound then its total crap.

Typical boss, have had no problem so far.

No idea.

In my opinion as a octaver this pedal is not that good, because of the sound alteration. I think it has a cool sound but i get the feeling that this pedal is very limited. I havent found that much practical use of it and wouldnt buy it again.

Simple three controls. Spend a little while playing with the settings and you're there.

I play various guitars and styles - Pink Floyd, Nirvana, Robert Johnson, GN'R, Metallica, Muse, Rage Against The Machine, Hendrix, Therapy? The Who... At home I use a Vox AD30VT. The OC2 achieves exactly what I need it to. If I wanted perfection I would use an EHX HOG or record the part, apply an effect in an editing suite and then sample it.
My chain varies but at the moment is a Boss TU2 > Boss DS2 > Dunlop Wah > ProCo Rat > Boss OC 2 > EHX Big Muff Pi > Boss DD3 > MXR Phase 90 > Danelectro FAB Chorus > amp. Never had any problems.

Does sound better going through the FX loop of my Marshall JVH for live stuff.

It is not a device for making a guitar into a bass. There are enough cheap basses of a reasonable quality these day - go and get one if that's the sound you want - you are clearly playing the wrong instrument.

It's Boss. I have used a variety of Boss products for the 16 years I have been playing and never had any trouble. I currently own 14 Boss pedals (compact ones) and they all work fine.

Never had to use them. Info on their products is easy to find online.

I play rock, punk and blues mainly although weird $**t is known to creep in there and the OC2 is a great addition to my set-up. Don't over use it, it's a pedal for flavouring the vibe not for defining the tone.
If it were stolen I'd get another. It is typical Boss simplicity and there is very little to hate. I wish it were slightly better at tracking, but very few octave pedals are and that is one of the idiosyncracies that endear it more to me.
It has inspired me to simplify some riffs that sounded a little weak before and also helps to get the bassist to understand what I am trying to convey!

Current pedalboard setup:

Boss TU-2 => Budda Wah => Visual Sounds RT66 => Vintage RAT => Visual Sounds H2O on a Furman board with conditioned power.

I use nothing but George L's on my pedalboard.

Tried every setting possible, tweeked the knobs for almost 2 hours.
The OC-2 is Tone-sucking POS. Huge volume jump when kicked on. HATES the other pedals, doesn't matter if they are in front or after it in the chain.

It's criminal to mess up the tone of a Dr. Z Maz 38 (and this amp LOVES my other pedals) with this hunk 'O junk.

Not heavy enough to use for a paperweight or doorstop, so in the "unused FX" bin it goes.