Boss OC-3 Super Octave

Boss pedals are a staple in the industry, and it’s a testament to their popularity and quality that they have often remained unchanged over the decades. Some Boss pedals do get revised, or additional variations of the pedal are added to the market. The OC-3 Super Octave is one of those and is, somewhat unsurprisingly, a successor to the OC-2 Octave, which is no longer available.

Boss OC-3 Vs OC-2

While the OC-2 added dual octaves below the original note, the OC-3 is more versatile. The newer pedal offers the same functionality as its predecessor, but also adds a Drive mode that includes distortion as well as Polyphonic Octave mode. Both pedals are popular among guitar and bass players alike, but the older OC-2 has now been discontinued by Boss.

Other than the additional modes you get with the OC-3, the newer pedal is digital whereas the OC-2 was/is an analog pedal. Some would still prefer the analog sound and simple operation over the digital pedal’s tracking and added features. But judging from user comments and reviews, there’s no question that the Boss OC-3 Super Octave has a strong following as well.

Another key difference between digital and analog pedals, in general, is that the latter (like the OC-2) does pitch effects in monophonic mode. So it is only suitable for monophonic riffs and solos, but not chords. The OC-3, on the other hand, will track polyphonically and therefore has more in common with other modern digital octavers like the Electro-Harmonix POG2 or the TC Sub’n Up.

Boss OC-3 Super Octave Key Features

• For bass and/or guitar, using separate inputs for correct tracking.
• The original OC-2 mode is included in the OC-3, meaning that the pedal can replicate your notes one and two octaves down and blend these signals.
• A Drive mode adds a distortion effect similar to Boss overdrive pedals.
• Polyphonic Octave mode, meaning that you can add octaves to chord. A cutoff adjustment can be used to free up the upper frequencies for normal chords while applying the octave effect to lower frequencies.
• Five-year warranty.
• Uses 9V battery or 9V power supply.

Manufacturer’s product page

Demo(s) from the Web