Electro-Harmonix Octave Multiplexor

It's about as easy as it can get - if you can't get the sound you want, spend more time with the 3 dials. Keep the switch down for guitar. Simple.

As you probably know, when you stick this on you get a really awesome old-school-70s-ock-style tracked sound, like a bass and guitar doing a run in unison. I'm the guitarist/singer in a 2-piece rock band, so I bought this primarily to fatten my sound for solos and riffing. The only other octave I've ever used was on my Ashdown ABM EVOII-500 bass rig when I used to play bass. My current setup is Tokai ES-120-> Boss TU-2-> EHX Octave Multiplexer-> Homemade Ibanez TS808 clone-> George Dennis Wah-> Line 6 PodXT-> Morley ABY Line Selector-> Amps.

I very rarely play clean, my setup varies from crunchy overdrive to full-on distortion... so first off I'd like to say that contrary to what others have said, I find this pedal works excellently when combined with distortion. Warm, fat and punchy, cuts through really well. Of course, it needs to be the first or second (after a tuner) pedal in your chain, not after the distortion... cos there's no way it's going to track properly otherwise. That's common sense though.

I love the deep analogue sound that this pedal delivers. Took me all of about 5 minutes to dial in a sound I liked, and since then it's not changed position - I found what I wanted, and I haven't thought about swapping this or trying a different pedal because it does exactly what I require.

Contrary to the instructions, I've found that whilst full chords might get far too muddy it's actually possible to get it to track power chords with good reliability on the right settings - it really fattens them up!

No EXH pedal I've owned has broken as yet... yes, it's in a metal case, but I'm not sure 'sturdy' is the right word. I try to treat my gear with care, so I doubt it's gonig to break any time soon. I don't know why so many people bother saying 'with our without a backup' for pedals - how much money do you guys have??? If it broke I'd buy another, but I don't have the money (or space!) to have 2 of every pedal lying around!

No idea, never dealt with them.

It's a tool for a job, and I really needed it in my 2-piece to add bottom end in the appropriate places. If you're looking for a 'wacky' effect to play with and don't already have a use for it in mind, don't buy it - get something else.

It's perfect for me, but maybe not everyone's cup of tea... if you have a bassist, it's going to stomp all over their sonic turf and not really add much to your sound.

Like al lot of EH-Effects, it takes a while to figure out what to do with the knobs. Relax, sit down and try for a while ans everything will be alright. The manual is quite useless though.

I don't get how you can say that this thing is worse than another octaver, let alone the oc-2. I guess for those people it was to difficult to configure the OM, or the OM just fits perfectly in my setup. TRY IT A BIT! There is every sound in this pedal you could ever want. Soft warm tones, sweet synthlike tones and of course edgy tones that just rock with distortion. You have to run it in line first or only second to a compressor. If you use a compressor, the tracking will get even better as it is anyway. You have to play accurately. If you can't play accurately, don't buy a tracking effect.

Seems sturdy, got it for 3 years now and it never let me down. Eats batteries quite fast, and the effect sounds like sh*t with a dying battery. Use of an adaptor is strongly recommended.

I play mostly Alternative Rock and Noiserock, the OM fits like a glove to my style. I own so many other stuff that I don't want to write it down: I spend every cent on guitars, amps and pedals, so go figure.
If it would be stolen, I would be sad and cry for about a week. I have a strong emotional relation to my gear. Then I'd buy a new one and give it a hearty welcome.
There is one major prob with the pedal: The shitty old-fashioned EH-Adaptor. Man, I am afraid like hell I'm gonna break this lousy jack someday live on stage...

It's very easy to use.

Yes, you will lose your overall level and that can't be fixed. That is bad, bad, bad... And the octave sound itself is too soft, it does not have the edge like Boss OC-2 (which rocks with distortion). I was really very disappointed. There were so many great reviews of this product and it was all for nothing. I think I will try the Danelectro Chilli Dog, because I am not totally satisfied with Boss OC-2 either. You can not really believe what people tell about their gear. May be they have not tried other gear of same type.

I have not got a clue. I have heard Electro Harmonix products have problems with reliability.

I suggest you try other octave pedals before you buy this one. Did not work for my playing.

I found that this particular pedal stole a lot of tone from the guitar when turned on. You can add bass and high tone but it gets to be too much, there doesnt seem to be an easy medium. The model that came with it was horrible, and doesnt explain much.

I am currently using this with my Fender Jazz Precision Artist series, through a Mesa/Boogie 1516b, powered by a SVT4-Pro. There is minimal noise with the unit. As i stated above, there is some tone loss ,but the basic function of this unit does its job. The only thing I wish was that you could go an octave above as well.

So far so good. Its a BIG pedal so beware adding it to your board.
I would definitly use it on a gig without a backup. But I only use it for like one song, because its only really usefull on notes above the 12th fret.

N/A

OVerall it does it's job. It just lacks tone and customization.

!!!THIS REVIEW IS ABOUT THE RE-ISSUE!!!

Well, getting a decent sound out of this product is as easy as can be. Only three knobs and a switch, and when you keep that little switch DOWN for guitar, it shouldn?t be a problem to dial in something good-sounding within some seconds. And, it?s also pretty obvious what those knobs are doing. Just check the text below ?em and you?ll know.

The Manual is a sheet of paper. Nothing really important on it, really. Only that the knob should be DOWN for guitar or it could (and most definetely will) sound kinda crappy.

I use this with either a vintage Framus or a vintage Jedson, some other effects, all into a Fender Twin. Not thru the FX loop. Here?s how:

Guitar > Octaver > Overdrive > Distortion > EHX Polychorus > Delay > Amp

Be sure to put this unit FIRST in line or it will struggle octaving the signal processed.

It?s NOT noisy at all. The effects it does mostly sound great, but as said before, it?s for single note playing. You can experiment fiddle around, but I?d recommend it to the "average" user for single notes.


I can go C.O.C. with this, also some bluesy stuff sounds great, Deep Purple-esque as well, and also imitate the sound of a well-known guitarist who keps his FX a secret, so I?m not gonna write down his name now.


Those who know who I?m talking about, should know it just by intuition.

Something has been following you...

Sometimes I wonder whether from heavy usage (I use this with an AC adaptor, not a battrey) during raw, small club, energy-laden liveshows, the cable of the AC Adaptor may get loose and my signal, therefore, muted when this device is on.

Other than that, I don?t even think of questioning it?s reliability. Should last long.

no experiences yet.

I play diferent styles:

blues, rock, "grunge", psychedelic stuff, drone, old-school metal (not the middle-age vampire based metal), experimental stuff, "stoner", heavy rock and this device fits pretty well to all those directions.
I?ve been playing for about 9 years now and own several guitars, my favorite being a vintage Framus and a vintage Jedson, some other effects, a Twin Amp.
If this were stolen, I?d buy another one. Definetely.
I just love how it sounds. I never tried other Octaver pedals, fell in love with that one at first sight/listen. I guess others are DIGITAL and therefore sound kinda flat or not vintage enough, probably better for Nu-Metal. Ugh! Not my choice.
I wish it had a LED and a high octave as well, but that?s just me dreaming. I should try the polyphonic octaver though, but I guess it?s never gonna be as simple as the "OCTAVE MULTIPLEXOR".

When I got it, I immediately went from "Grunge" to old-school stoned DeepPurple-esque riffing. It?s FUN! It also helped me write some GREAT songs since I bough it and still helps me getting creative.

Wooohooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

:-)

this is a review for the 70s octave multiplexer, not for the reissue.

Easy of use: peace of cake, very easy:.

5 knobs (SENS, FUZZ, SUB-HARMONIC, BLEND, TONE ) and a very cool bass switch.

you have then a DIRECT OUT, INPUT, OUTPUT and the ON OFF SWITCH with LED INDICATOR.

LIKE MOST EH PEDALS, JUST TWIN THE KNOBS TILL YOU GET THE SOUND YOU LIKE

OH BABY BABY BABY!!!, HEALL YEAH!!! THIS THING SPITS FIRE!!
one of the best octaves out there.
Try to get an old vintage multiplexer.
I tell you, it will blow your head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHO CARES IF SOMETIMES ITS KINDA NOISY OR IF IT COLORS YOUR GUITAR TONE, I MEAN, THATS HOW EH VINTAGE PEDALS ARE,THIS STUFF KINDA SCREAM AND SPEAK FOR ITSELF. IF YOU WANNA CHANGE THE TONE THING YOU CAN MAKE SOME MODIFICATIONS TO MAKE IT WORK AS YOU WANT :)
I mean, its never a problem

LIKE MOST EH VINTAGE STUFF THIS THING IS BUILT LIKE A TANK. IT WILL LAST FOR YEARS. JUST COMPARE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REISSUE WITH A VINTAGE EH PEDAL AND YOU WILL FEEL SORRY FOR THE FIRST ONE. I MEAN, THATS WHY THIS THINGS ARE STILL WORKING, THEY WERE WELL MADE!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

ONE MORE THING, BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE KNOBS!!!!! A PLEASURE TO TWIN THEM

NEVER NEEDED IT

IF YOU ARE LUCKY AND FIND ONE OF THESE AND AT A REASONABLE PRICE, WELL, DONT THINK ABOUT IT ANYMORE, BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JUST BUY IT :P !!!!!!!!!!

100% GUARANTEED

First off, this is a review of the ORIGINAL Octave Multiplexer from the '70s, not the reissue that sells for $79. Fairly easy to adjust for different uses. Works great on both bass and guitar, plus keyboards rock too.

I have used pretty much every octave pedal out there, and all of them seem to have a problem tracking notes below C on the A string of a Bass. Even the so called Bass Octave pedals just dont do it. The newer reissue Octave Multiplexers even have a problem with tracking to some degree and just don't sound as beefy and thick. But my original pedal from '75 does an amazing job tracking, even all the way down to open E on the bass. Just amazing. This pedal also sounds unbelievably Fat and Deep when on Bass mode (the newer pedals have a Sub switch on top, whereas the original has a Bass switch on the connector panel). My favorite mode is Bass mode, it is just so meaty and thick. The octave sound does not sound thin and synthy like most other pedals do, it is very warm and surrounding. The pedal has knobs for High filter, Blend, and Bass filter. These controls really allow you to shape the tone of the octave sound and blend it perfectly to your taste. If you can find one of the originals for under $500 you will be very lucky indeed, these are really great boxes and are worth the $$ if you can find one.

Still working after 30 years!!!

I play bass and guitar and keyboards. This box is used in all my setups. I play Rock, and Fusion. I would be very depressed if I lost this pedal.

Its easy to use. There are high, low filters, a blend control. And a sub switch which tends to create a distortion type sound.
Its easy to use.
I give it a 9 because the manual isnt much in explaining just what each control does. Just the function of it.

I had tried the boss oc2 and can only compare it to that. The boss oc2 has a deeper bass sound because it drops 2 octaves were as the multiplexer is one octave. However I prefer the deeper bass sound. I prefer more the growling roar with the sub mode. And more clarity that comes with the multiplexer. As well as the better filtering charactoristics of it in general. If you notice the "wet fart" noise that sometimes happens with these type of octavias when another string is touched or when the note starts to fade and the frequancy changes it starts to re ocatate which creates that noise. This one needs less touch with muting strings and making sure scale runs dont have to be lightning fast so the note doesnt have enough time to fade in allowing this type of noise.
The original Mu Tron Octave Divider is THE BEST no dought about it. However there most certain to be beat to hell, and sound like shit after twenty years time. As well as there extrodinary cost. There just not worth it. This in my opinion is the second best choice.

Theres nothing to break comletely on it. Unless you use the wrong power adapter. Or some real wierd occurance happens like spilling something on it! All the capacitors are polystyrene so they dont break. However they do sound different over time. I think you could improve the sound quality of any effect by using better caps. Because the companies that make electronic instrumentational devices have to keep cost down. So they use the best capacitor at the cheapest price. So there is always a comprimise as to the best capacitor to be used compared to the best cost effective one. Playing chords or allowing it to make the "wet fart" noise will cause the quality of the filtration system of this effect to damper in sensativity in my opinion.

They come with a one year warrenty. I dont think anyone should have a problem with getting one repaired thats broke. But im sure its not an overnight thing. If you dont have patience then I dont think youd be happy :0 P

I like the look of it. Polished aluminum chassis is hot! As well as the ease of maintanece under the chassis as for repair. The way the circuitry is laid out as well as labeled. I like the security of the chassis as for keeping dust out of the components. Especially the potentiometers and the knops for keeping dust out of the pots. And the pots as well are very firm and sturdy when it comes to using them. The switches are top notch. And especially the jacks when you plug in they really clamp down well on the plug assuring a good connection. So for design I give it a 10!
As for sound quality the only problem I have would be seeing it be used to drop 2 octaves instead of just one. However I am pleased with it very much.
Im a stickler when it comes to audio gear so in all reality mainstream opinion if I give it an 8 its most likely a 10 as for the majority opinion.

Pretty easy to use, but you need to sit down and try the knobs to see what they do. The high and bass filters are affecting the way the "octave down" note sounds like and how it reacts to the notes you are playing. The blend knob lets you blend your original tone with the octave down one. The SUB switch is to be engaged for specific use... it works only at one position with the bass.

Overall, it's easy to get the sound you are looking for with that unit.

I use this with a bass. I mostly use Fender Jazz basses (both fretted and fretless), but I also use a G&L and an Ibanez. I use an Ampeg SVT amp. The Octave Multiplexer sounds just great and doesn't seem to ad noise to the chain. I get real nice funky sounds with that unit paired with a Bassballs ! The octave sound is phat and synth like... other units (Boss, EBS, etc.) sounded thin compared to the EHX. The tracking could be better but the caracter and fatness of the tone produced by that pedal makes it up for that minor flaw.

Metal, very solid contruction... I haven't had that pedal for long but I'm sure it'll last !

Didn't need it yet.

I play many style of music, it fits well ! Great with both fretted and fretless instruments. I just loved that unit after hearing the first note I made using it ! Did I mention it's very cheap ?

Before buying an octaver pedal, every musician should try that one !

Fairly simple to use. There are filter knobs for both the regular tone and the octave tone, plus a handy blend knob to balance the two tones out to your taste. Also, there is a small "sub" switch that affects how much "punch" the octave sound has.

I really like the way this unit sounds. Some complain of the bad tracking, but the only thing I could think when I first played through it was that it sounded like a non-fuzzed MXR Blue Box (check the reviews on that, it totally rocks). The tracking is more than a bit flighty, and it's monophonic, but therin lies the beauty. On the Blue Box, you can hit two strings and listen to the unit erradically hop back and forth, trying to decide which note to octave, creating a very Atari-esque (the console, not the band) sound. The case is the same with the Octave Multiplexor, but the tones are very clear and distinct. Based on my previous experience (or rather, love affair) with the MXR Blue Box, I loved this pedal for what it was.

However, as a general octave pedal, you might want to consider Boss's OC-3. Supposedly, it's true polyphonic, and might suit the needs of those seeking a more versatile octaver. However, for those who think they could make a "defect" into an ambient and effective tool for making music, look no further. Add some quirk to your sound!!

I've never had any problems with EH. I've heard of some reliability issues with EH, but I've never had any.

Never dealt with them... That's gotta say something.

Overall, a good sounding pedal. It's different, and it has its quirks, but don't sell it short and equate "unusual" to "unusable". This thing will give you some head-turning power for sure, if nothing more than a simple "what's that weird sound?"

At any rate, check this pedal out. Give it a chance. And try to find an MXR Blue Box too. The best thing I could liken this pedal to is a Blue Box all cleaned up and in a tuxedo. Do yourself a favor and check them both out, they're both tops.