Accessories: Owner's Manual, Leaflet ("USING THE UNIT SAFELY,""IMPORTANT NOTES," and "Information"), Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61 or 6LF22) Some of us find that old-school octave-pedal glitchiness endearing, but with Boss’ new OC-5 you don’t have to take sides. BUT… Keep in mind that your modulation settings, chorus, and distortion could requure even lighter settings on the added bass. 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.

For a start, we don't have to worry about losing any of the classic features. The OC5 includes our Monophonic (Vintage Mode) octave and our Polyphonic Octave Mode. We're also now treated to two excellent new modes. The first option is to have a 1+ octave up, which is super useful to have within this pedal. This can add clarity and definition when combined with the -1 and -2 octaves. All the octaves can be used on their own, mixed in together however you wish. The pedal even gives you the option to send a direct signal to another amp so you can have a Wet/Dry set up. 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. AC adaptor (PSA series: sold separately) Current Draw 60 mA Expected battery life under continuous use Alkaline: Approx. 5 hours 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.My Ibanez inexpensive solid body works well on all strings, but the EAD strings sound best. I suppose you could use the pedal and this style of guitar to fake a bass tone. I've seen it done well by the Bartron Tyler band.

Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61) Options (sold separately) AC adaptor: PSA series Size and Weight Width 73 mm These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use. Accessories Leaflet ("USING THE UNIT SAFELY,""IMPORTANT NOTES," and "Information") For ME… -The key to discovering this octave pedal's strength requires some restraint. I think a lot of people have come to expect the "middle" settings are a safe place to start with many things…and I'd wager that those who complain of terrible results with the OC-5 are very often misunderstanding how to really start with it.

Customer Added Media

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. Expected battery life under continuous use: Approx. 7 hours (These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.)

At the other end of the spectrum, the -2 octave was perfect in Vintage mode for adding meat to lines played high on the fretboard, shadowing the notes and adding dimension that helped them sound more substantial. And for those who still loved the analog warmth of the original Monophonic OC-2 - the OC-5 delivers the very best digital replica take on that - where the engineers were really able to put the manufacturing delays to good use - and really hone the authenticity of the VINTAGE mode.

General

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! Blending all three octave voices in Poly mode can fetch super-plump organ textures and synth-like impressions as well. In most cases I find them useless, but the OC-5 could benefit from an included illustration of sample settings for guitarists new to the pedal, but this is a minor fuss for me. 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.

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.

Fuzz can be one of the most exciting pedals on a guitarist's board. Here are some powerful recipes for combining it with other effects. Read more… Pedal Partners: Combining Distortion with Other Effects 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. Controls: Pedal switch, GUITAR/BASS switch, VINTAGE/POLY switch, DIRECT LEVEL knob, +1OCT knob, -1OCT knob, -2OCT/RANGE knob