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Boss OC-5 Polyphonic Guitar/Bass Octave Pedal

Polyphonic Guitar/Bass Octave Pedal with Mono/Poly Modes, -2/-1/+1 Octave Controls, and Dry Direct Output
$157.99

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The Ultimate All-in-one Octave Pedal

Octave pedals of the past 10 years have presented guitar and bass players with a tough decision: Are you searching for that classic OC-2–style octave effect — the sound most of us guitar and bass players associate with the octave pedal — to add weight to your leads and walking lines? Or do you want modern tracking and polyphonic capabilities to help flesh out chords in a solo setting? Well, with the BOSS OC-5 Octave pedal, now you don't have to choose. Whether it's thunderous mono sub-bass or strum-enriching root enhancement you're after, the OC-5 has you covered. The OC-5 sports an all-new tracking engine based on some of BOSS's top-tier effects floordboards. The result is one of the smoothest, lowest-latency octave effects you'll ever experience. In addition to the classic -1 and -2 octave controls, the OC-5 gives you a +1 octave dial for achieving faux 12-string textures and screaming classic lead lines. A dedicated instrument switch tailors the OC-5's tracking for either electric/acoustic guitar or bass, while a parallel Direct Out dry path preserves your input signal for running into a dedicated amp or PA. If you've been waiting for the next evolution of the BOSS Octave sound, the OC-5 is where it's at.

Vintage mode: the classic BOSS octave effect

Ever since its 1982 debut, BOSS's OC-2 octave effect has left an indelible mark on the guitar and bass market. The great news is that the BOSS OC-5 delivers the classic OC-2 mono sound in a big way, and better than ever thanks to its improved tracking engine. Dedicated controls for your dry tone and each of the two octaves down help achieve synth-like sub-bass and tight octave lead crawls without any fuss.

Poly mode: give your bassist the night off

The BOSS OC-5 picks up where the OC-3 left off, with a smart polyphonic sub tracker that's able to flesh out power chords, open chords, and barre chords with bass-like root notes. It's the last piece of the puzzle for the solo acoustic performer. The OC-5 gives you a Range knob to help restrict octaves to exactly where you want them.

Octave-up effect (either mode)

A new +1 Oct control on your BOSS OC-5 Octave pedal unlocks 12-string textures and classic fuzz solo tones. Best of all, this control can be used with either Vintage or Polyphonic mode's -1 Oct and -2 Oct controls for a thick, impenetrable tone.

Flawless tracking

The BOSS OC-5 Octave pedal's brand-new tracking engine promises low latency, high expression, and zero dropped notes. And whether you're running it in mono or poly modes, this means better performance across the board, even for vintage octave enthusiasts.

Guitar/Bass switch

A dedicated switch on the side of your OC-5 lets you tailor this octaver's tracking response for guitar or bass. So for the price of one pedal, you're effectively getting two powerful octave effects that you can transplant onto any live pedal rig.

Isolated direct output

Whether you're running a wet/dry amp rig or you want to send a clean bass signal to front of house, the BOSS OC-5 has you covered. Its Direct Out retains all the character of your dry instrument tone, which means endless possibilities onstage or in the studio.

Battery or wall powered

With a modest 55-milliamp current draw, the BOSS OC-5 is able to give you around seven hours of run time off a single 9-volt battery. This makes it a great option for players who love the sound of alkaline or carbon-zinc. For modern pedalboards, a standard center-negative wall supply works just fine. Searching for the ultimate does-it-all guitar/bass octave pedal? Sweetwater recommends giving the BOSS OC-5 Octave a spin.

BOSS OC-5 Octave Pedal Features:

  • The ultimate does-it-all octave pedal effect
  • Instrument switch — optimizes the OC-5 for guitar or bass
  • Vintage setting — a spot-on re-creation of the classic BOSS OC-2 mono octaver
  • Poly setting — adds bass notes to power chords and open chords, which can be reined in using the Range control
  • Octave-up control unlocks 12-string textures and classic rock screaming leads
  • Direct Out runs a parallel dry signal to a stage amp or front of house
  • Enhanced tracking engine produces ultra-low-latency note tracking
  • 55-milliamp draw —can be powered by a 9-volt or standard pedal power supply
  • Quality buffered bypass adds reach to your cable runs

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Tech Specs

  • Pedal Type: Guitar/Bass Octave
  • Effects: Octave-up, Octave-down, Poly Chord Mode, Vintage Mode
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (main out), 1 x 1/4" (direct out)
  • Bypass Switching: Buffered
  • Power Source: 9V DC power supply required (sold separately)
  • Power Usage: 55mA
  • Batteries: 1 x 9V
  • Height: 2.32"
  • Width: 2.87"
  • Depth: 5.07"
  • Weight: 0.97 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: OC-5

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Boss OC5

It's peachy keen!
Music background: Started in middle school stage band and been playing continuously until Covid hit.
Rated 4/5

Yes it works...

Yes, it works, but not perfectly. I'm using it on three style guitars: Guild Dreadnaught, Ibanez solidbody with humbuckers, and Loar archtop with floating humbucker. The 'up octave' throws in some really odd overtones that go in and out in volume. That feature doesnt work well on anything, including my basses. The "octave down" feature works fine on the low strings of all guitars, but just adds mud to my bass. The latency for the 'down octave' isn't an issue on this new model pedal. Earlier ones were problematic.

The best results I've had are with my Guild dreadnaught and a Fishman Rare Earth pickup, which I turn at a slant to get just the EAD strings. I run that signal out to a bass amp. The piezo pickup remains clean and goes to a guitar amp. For this application, give it five stars. See my video.

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.

The pedal does not do well with my Loar mini floating humbucker. Possibly because of low pick up output.

In summary, try each setting separately. I found the best results came from having the 'split knob' almost off. The 'up octave' off. The 'down octave' at medium. The other knobs at low setting. Less is more with this pedal.
Music background: Weekend jazz player. 40 gigs a year
Rated 5/5

The Real Deal

After trying a couple of other octave devices and talking with my service person Aston, I decided to go with the OC-5.

I'm basically wanting to cover the Wes Montgomery octave licks on my guitar and this pedal allows me to custom tailor the effect.

Well worth the price.
Rated 5/5

Roland OC 5 Bass Pedal

I'm very pleased with this bass pedal on all fronts, the newest generation OC 5 gives you two formulas' to dial in. You have the taste of the original OC 2 vintage octave flavor combined with the new state of the art poly octave sound. I selected the OC 5 after seeing Guy Pratt talk about the vintage OC 2 octave pedal, his influences of Pino Palladino and other bassists that helped characterize his style performing with Pink Floyd, David Gilmore, Saucer Full of Secrets and his successful recording career with Madonna, Michael Jackson to mention a few. Of course I ordered through Sweetwater my go - to. I had an issue with the first pedal not working correctly so the Sweetwater staff replaced it quickly. I received the replacement pedal that works perfectly in less than three days, the staff was very accommodating and went out of their way to resolve the issue, the business is amazing. A big shout out to Sweetwater staff, Grant and Hector for their excellent customer service, I appreciate all that you did for me, couldn't be happier!
Rated 5/5

Best of both worlds!

I used to have the OC2, and I got used to its limitations. The fact that they improved it AND kept the old quirks is genius. Worth every penny.
Music background: Professional Audio Engineer, getting back into bass after a decade away…
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