Boss OC-5 Polyphonic Guitar/Bass Octave Pedal

The BOSS OC-5 Octave is a versatile guitar and bass effects pedal that adds notes one or two octaves below your original sound, or one octave above it. It can make a guitar sound fuller, create bass-like low notes, and produce synth-like tones. Unlike a pedal designed primarily to change your instrument's tuning, the OC-5 layers octave sounds with your original signal.

Main features

• Poly mode: Adds octave notes to chords as well as individual notes. You can play regular guitar chords with a lower, bass-like note underneath.
• Vintage mode: Recreates the classic sound of the BOSS OC-2 octave pedal, with a warm, slightly synth-like character. It is designed for playing single notes.
• Octave up (+1): Adds a note one octave above the original, useful for bright lead tones and simulated 12-string guitar sounds.
• Two octave-down controls: Blend notes one octave and two octaves below your original pitch for anything from subtle fullness to deep, heavy tones.
• Range control: In Poly mode, limits which notes receive the octave effect. At the Lowest setting, it targets only the lowest note of a chord.
• Guitar/Bass switch: Optimizes the tracking for the instrument you're playing.
• Direct Out: Sends the unaffected signal through a separate output, allowing you to route the dry and effected sounds to different amplifiers or mixer channels.

What does it sound like?

The OC-5 can produce several distinct sounds depending on how you set it up:

• Thick rhythm guitar: Adds a lower octave to power chords for a heavier, fuller sound.
• Bass-like guitar: Adds low notes to your playing, which can be especially useful for solo performers.
• Vintage synth bass: Combines the lower octaves with the original signal in Vintage mode for a classic electronic-style tone.
• Bright lead guitar: Adds the upper octave for sharper, more cutting solos.
• Sub-bass effects: Blends the original note with one or two octaves below for deep, powerful sounds.