In this article, we’re going to be talking about the top 6 best octave Pedals that you can get for your guitar rig in 2023.
The octave effect may not be the most frequently used weapon in the arsenal of a typical guitar player, but it is definitely one of those must-have effects on your pedalboard. Whether it’s about subtle chords or powerful solo parts, this effect makes everything much peppier.
Therefore, we present to you some of the best octave pedals you can find on the market these days. The list includes both affordable and hi-end options but before with start with the list, let’s say a few words about this unique guitar effect.
What Is An Octave Pedal?
Octave pedals have been around for decades. As you may presume, a guitarist that popularized this effect was Jimi Hendrix. Since then, we have heard so many legendary guitar sounds that include this amazing effect. The thing with this effect is pretty simple. A typical octave pedal takes the original signal and halves or doubles it, or does the both. As a result, the sound that comes from this effect is a mix of the original tone and tone that is higher or lower by an octave, or both.
An octave effect is similar to a few more effects that are commonly used by guitar players. Those would be harmonizer and pitch shifter. While the octave mixes the original signal with the one that is moved by a full octave, a harmonizer is a little bit more advanced and allows you to choose the interval you want. Both effects make you feel like there are two or more guitars playing in the background.
On the other side, the pitch shifter changes the actual signal that you are making with your guitar and it is usually controlled by an expression pedal. That’s something you can hear from players like Tom Morello, Steve Vai and others. The most common trick you can do with this effect is a so-called “dive bomb”.
Best Octave Pedals
Boss OC-3 Octave Pedal
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No matter pedal effect, Boss engineers will design it to be versatile and functional. The OC-3 is a perfect example, as it delivers much more than you would usually expect from an octave pedal. This model represents a significant upgrade over the legendary OC-2 model and although it has been around for years, it is still one of the best units of this type on the market.
The first thing we should mention is that this pedal offers three modes – Poly Octave, OC-2 and Drive. Things with the OC-2 mode are pretty clear, as it emulates the legendary pedal, while the other two are a bit of an upgrade that makes this pedal far more versatile. As its name says, the Drive mode adds distortion to your sound and works as an excellent device for lead tones. On the other side, the Poly Octave is an adjustable mode that allows you to play within the note range you set.
The beauty of Boss pedals is that they are always packed into the same-sized, pretty compact package. Once again, you may count on a four-knob layout. The first two knobs are typical level knobs, one for the original signal and one for the octave. The third knob is particularly interesting, as it controls different parameters depending on the mode you select. Finally, the fourth knob is a mode selector. Also, separate Ins and Outs for guitar and bass guitars make this pedal highly usable for both instruments.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
This is a perfect unit for someone who looks for a pedal that is a little bit more than just an octave effect. This is one of the most versatile units on the market. Also, this is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a stage workhorse, as Boss’s legendary durability and reliability are an integral part of this product.
Electro Harmonix Micro Pog
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The original Pog unit had only one drawback – it was too big for an average pedalboard. Therefore, designers from the legendary company decided to make a downsized version, which packs all the legendary features in a smaller package. The new unit will impress you with tonal characteristics, as well as with the compact and sturdy housing.
Just like the original unit, the Electro Harmonix Micro Pog offers a lot of options when it comes to octave effects. The pedal can provide you with loads of unique sounds, so your axe can quickly become a 12-string guitar or organ. Despite there are just three knobs, the pedal offers a pretty wide range of tonal flexibility, so you may count on all kinds of tones with this unit.
Speaking of the knobs, the Octave Up engages the higher octave. As you may presume, the Sub Octave knob lets you dial great bass notes. Finally, the Dry knob allows you to dial in the amount of effect you want. As we already mentioned, the housing is pretty compact, while the construction seems it can last for ages. Another nice feature you will like is a couple of outs – Dry and Effect.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
The Electro Harmonix Micro Pog is designed for guitar players who know what they want from an octave pedal. Those who are looking for the authentic Pog sound will love this pedal and also appreciate the compact package. Sill, a high price tag makes it reserved mostly for professionals.
Digitech Whammy 5th Gen
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Those who are familiar with the legendary unit from Digitech know very well that it’s a little bit unfair to compare this unit with the rest of the pedals on the list. Simply, this is much more than a simple octave pedal, as it comes with all kinds of effects packed in a single housing. Of course, the core is a whammy bar, which is something that revolutionized the pedal world two decades ago.
The newest version comes with all the legendary features, but also comes with a couple of brand-new tracks. Some of the things we should mention are chordal pitch shifting and classic single note bends. The overall layout is still pretty much the same, so you can easily pick one of the numerous modes that are divided into two groups of effects, Harmony and Whammy.
Among all kinds of different effects, you can find several octave modes, on both sides of modes. The pedal by itself comes in a familiar housing, and it is solid as a rock. Also, you may count on a true bypass. Once again, the modes are selected via one selector knob, which is the most polarizing feature of this pedal. Some players like it, others don’t find it so convenient.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
If your expectations from an octave pedal go far beyond typical modes and features, this is a great pedal to pick. It comes with a full bag of tricks and it is a perfect choice for all those who are obsessed with all kinds of whammy escapades.
TC Electronic Sub ’N’ Up
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It may look simple, but the TC Electronic Sub ’N’ Up is a pretty serious unit. Under the typical TC Electronic pedal layout, you will find loads and loads of options when it comes to the octave effect. The first thing we should mention is that there is a small toggle switch in the middle, which lets you choose between three modes. One of them is a classic octave, while the other one is a modern polyphonic octave mode. Between these two, you will find the company’s well-known Tone Print mode, which allows you to get signature artist tones, add modulation effects to your octaver and make your signature sound, and many more things.
When it comes to controls, there are four typical knobs on the panel. One of them is a typical Dry knob, while Up knob is next to it and allows you to engage higher pitches. The second row consists of Sub and Sub 2 knobs, both reserved for lower octaves, so the range of tones you can actually get from this unit is really impressive.
The pedal by itself is designed pretty well. It is compact and will fit any pedalboard. The housing seems solid as a rock and feels it can serve you for a very long time. Of course, you may count on a true bypass.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
This is a quintessential octave pedal, which has everything you would expect from an effect of this type. Therefore, we are pretty sure that everyone who uses the octave effect a lot will like it, whether he/she plans to use that extra Tone Print mode or not. A highly recommended product.
Ammoon Precise Polyphonic Octave
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If you’re finding this manufacturer unfamiliar, that’s okay, because we are talking about a new name in the business. Moreover, this is not just a new kid on the block, but also a company that is focused on making affordable products, designed for guitar players with a tight budget. Therefore, we are pretty sure that many of you will find this pedal pretty interesting.
The pedal is designed in a pretty minimalist fashion. The housing is pretty compact, with dimensions and design that are typical for all pedals from this manufacturer. The controls are pretty basic as well. There are just three knobs, with octave-typical controls, such as Dry, Up and Sub. Another thing good to know is that the pedal features true bypass.
In terms of the sound, this is a polyphonic octave pedal. The design is pretty straightforward and there is no such thing as mode selector. Still, the amount of sounds you can get is pretty decent, whether you want to accentuate higher or lower octave.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
It’s not hard to conclude that this pedal is designed for those with a thin wallet. Of course, beginners are the first group that comes to mind and they definitely won’t be disappointed, as well as those more experienced who prefer straightforward layouts. Given the price tag, the overall quality seems pretty good.
TC Electronic Brainwaves
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If you are familiar with the differences between octave, pitch shifter and harmonizer pedals, you know that these three effects are actually quite related. That’s why TC Electronic has decided to pack them all in a single housing. Moreover, there are actually four pedals packed into this unit, as the fourth model adds a little bit of chorus effect as well.
In this case, octaves are the thing that interests us most and we can say that things are working perfectly well. The harmonizer works great as well, while the pitch shifter is particularly interesting, as the footswitch is pressure-sensitive, so you can count on all those dive bombs and other tricks that come with this effect. Finally, you may count on doubling/chorus effects, which open a whole new sound dimension.
In terms of controls, you can find four knobs and a couple of toggle switches and although things may look pretty confusing at the first look, we are sure you will get used to this pedal pretty quickly. Among additional features, we should mention stereo inputs and outputs, as well as a choice between true or buffered bypass. Finally, there is the company’s well-known Tone Print mode.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
This pedal is perfect for those who are looking for something that doesn’t stick to common boundaries. It covers an extremely wide range of tones and seems like a perfect “toy” for those who want to play with octave, pitch shifting and harmonize effects. Of course, this is much more than a toy, a pretty serious unit that offers an amazing amount of features for the money.
Our Number One Choice
Simply said, the OC-3 is an ultimate stage machine. Boss always manages to pack a lot of amazing features into a single housing and make its use a piece of cake. This pedal is no exception and it includes all the essentials when it comes to octave effects. The Distortion mode makes the pedal even more spectacular, while the bulletproof housing is something we’ve all used from this manufacturer.
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For all those who aren’t tight on a budget, the Electro Harmonix Micro Pog is an obvious choice. The legendary pedal comes in a more compact and simpler layout, but the legendary tone is still here. These days, there are many pedals that look more versatile on paper but in reality, nothing beats the original Pog design, whether it comes to sound quality and variety of tone nuances.
Buy On AmazonBest Value For Money
Reasonably priced, the TC Electronic Sub ’N’ Up offers an impressively wide range of octave tones. Whether it’s about a classic mono octave or modern polyphonic mode, this pedal really shines, thanks to controls that offer a lot of tweaking options. To make things even better, there is the third mode, the company’s famous Tone Print mode, which allows you to spice up the tone through software tweaks, or even to upload various custom artists presets. An amazing value for the money!
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That concludes this full buyers guide on the Octave pedals for guitarists. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions regarding the products you have seen in this article. Check out our other buyers guide for reverb pedals and overdrive pedals.
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Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API