BOSS OC-3 Super Octave
This pedal has been around a long time. When looking for an inexpensive, bare bones octave pedal, many look here. Sadly, in our experience, this pedal might not be good enough to consider, even on a budget. Although it is not the worst octave box we have seen, its tonal realities as well as its questionable live application make this pedal one to stay away from.
External Control: None
Cost: $
HornFX Review
Interface: 3/5
This pedal is quite simple. The controls are mostly self explanatory and its three options are simple to switch to. This pedal’s color scheme makes it much more readable than other boss pedals
Versatility: 1/5
There is not much else you can do with this pedal besides adding one or two octaves below and some optional drive to the signal. The lack of the octave up makes this far less desirable than other octave pedals on the market.
Tonal reproduction: 1/5
The lower octave settings are far too muddy to replicate lower registered instruments and sound almost synthy. This is the case in both inputs.
Tracking speed: 4/5
The tracking speed is above average.
Complexity: Simple
Live application: 2/5
This is actually a fairly difficult pedal to use live. When the optional setting knob is changed, the rest of the pedal must be recalibrated for the pedal to sound even slightly good. This makes live use tenuous and frustrating.
Product Information
THE WORLD’S FIRST POLYPHONIC OCTAVE PEDAL.
The BOSS OC-3 Super Octave gives guitarists high-quality octave effects with a single stomp. Three modes are provided, including a new Polyphonic Octave mode, a Drive mode with distortion, and the original OC-2 mode. The versatile OC-3 also has separate inputs for both guitar and bass.
World’s first compact pedal with true Polyphonic Octave effects
New Drive mode adds distortion to octave notes for a fatter, more aggressive tone
Includes the original OC-2 mode, capable of producing notes one and two octaves down
Poly Octave effect adjustable to play within a specific note range
Bass input for adapting octave sound to bass guitars
BOSS five-year limited warranty
All-New Octave Effects
The OC-3 picks up where the best-selling OC-2 left off, giving guitarists two brand new octave effects. Using the Polyphonic Octave mode, octaves can now be added when playing chords-a first in a compact pedal. More aggressive sounds can be had using the new Drive mode, which adds a touch of distortion to the octave sounds.
If You Loved the OC-2...
Don't worry. BOSS knows how much guitarists depend on the original OC-2 sound. That's why the OC-3 includes that classic “dual octave” effect, but with even better stability. This gives you the ability to blend up to three individual sounds: the original note, a note one octave below and one that's two octaves below.
Nominal Input Level: -20 dBu
Input Impedance: 1 M ohms
Nominal Output Level: -20 dBu
Output Impedance: 1 k ohms
Recommended Load Impedance: 10 k ohms or greater
Residual Noise: -96 dBu (IHF-A, Typ.) * All knobs at center position
Controls: Pedal switch, DIRECT LEVEL knob, OCT1 LEVEL knob, CONTROL knob, MODE knob
Connectors: GUITAR IN jack, BASS IN jack, OUTPUT (MONO) jack, DIRECT OUT jack, AC adaptor jack (DC 9 V)
Power Supply: DC 9 V: Dry battery (9 V type), AC Adaptor (PSA-series: optional)
Current Draw: 50 mA (DC 9 V)
Accessories:Owner's Manual, Dry battery (9 V type) S-006P/9 V (6F22/9 V)
Product information from the BOSS website.