Photo of Boss OC-2 Octaver and more gear in a pedalboard, bass, and signal chain

Boss OC-2 Octaver

^# 5

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$133.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (104)

3 Critic Reviews

11 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Boss OC-5 Octave

$133.75 - $164.99

5.0 (15)

Find out who is using Boss OC-2

14 community setups

82 wishlisted

309 saved

Page last updated Jul 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 7, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (58)

$133.00 54 available Used

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Average Price: $133

Standard/Professional

$100

$301+

Price Tier

In the Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals category, Boss OC-2 Octaver is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unleash the depths of your creativity with the Boss OC-2 Octaver, a remarkable pedal that takes your instrument's signal and plunges it down by one or two octaves. This analog octave pedal is ideal for musicians looking to explore the lower registers or attain an analog synth sound by cranking up the Octave 1 knob. It's time to dive deep and discover what the Boss OC-2 Octaver can add to your musical palette.

Key Features:

Analog octave pedal capable of lowering instrument's signal by one or two octaves
Octave 1 knob can be cranked up to mimic analog synth sound
Excellent quality and durability associated with Boss products

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	OC-2 Octave (Black Label)
Finish	Brown
Year	1984 - 1997
Made In	Japan, Taiwan
Categories	Octave and Pitch-Shifting Pedals
Pedal Format	Standard

FAQs

What type of power supply does the Boss OC-2 Octaver require?: The Boss OC-2 Octaver requires a 9V DC power supply. It can be powered by a standard Boss PSA adapter or a 9V battery.
Can the Boss OC-2 Octaver be used with a bass guitar?: Yes, the Boss OC-2 Octaver is popular among bass players for its ability to add depth and richness by generating lower octave tones.
How does the Boss OC-2 Octaver track notes?: The Boss OC-2 Octaver is known for its decent tracking capabilities, especially on single notes. However, it may struggle with complex chords or very low frequencies.
What is the main difference between the Boss OC-2 and newer octave pedals?: The Boss OC-2 is an analog pedal known for its warm, vintage sound, while newer octave pedals often use digital processing for more precise tracking and additional features.
How should I position the Boss OC-2 Octaver in my pedal chain?: For optimal performance, place the Boss OC-2 Octaver early in your signal chain, ideally right after your guitar or tuner, to ensure it receives a clean signal for better tracking.

Videos

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shnobel

Vintage Boss Octave OC-2 Made in Japa

shnobel

BOSS OC-2 Octave Pedal Demo - Guitar

TheJRGuitars

Vintage Boss Octave OC-2 vs Digitech Whammy WH1

shnobel

Boss OC-2 vs MXR Vintage Bass Octave M280

Simon Poulton

OCT-OFF - which Octave Pedal is better?? Boss OC-2 vs TC Electronic Nether

TheSuperFunAwesomeHappyTimePedalShow

Boss Oc-2 Octave vs Oc-2 Octaver

Andy Bassist

Boss Octave Pedals Through The Years (OC-2, OC-3, OC-5)

Middle Aged Gear Junkie

2 Octaves Don't Scare Me! OC-2 on Bass

Burning Hand Sounds

Roland Boss OC2 compare Octaver Japan OC-2 VS Octave OC-2 Taiwan

Bassboi's Garage

Boss OC-2 Octave

Pedal of the Day

Reviews

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PROS

Old school analog sound that's noticeably different
Versatile: great for fat notes, gritty dry/oct splits, and synth-like transformations
Durable build quality and effective buffer
Unique, charm-filled noise machine capability
Enhances fuzz solos and lo-fi sounds effectively
Compatible with both guitar and bass
Excellent for both recording and live situations

CONS

Poor tracking on bass, requires much adjustment
Prone to distortion and tone instability
Can produce unpleasant sounds with dry signal fully down
Some find it finicky and quirky compared to newer models
Design may not suit those looking for modern tracking capabilities

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss OC-2 Octaver.

Setup and maintenance

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Achieving optimal tracking requires using the neck pickup, rolling off tone, and playing above the 12th fret with a soft attack.
Source

Comparisons

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The Boss OC-2 is noted for its monophonic capabilities, contrasting with the EHX POG, which offers polyphonic features.
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The MXR Poly Blue offers both analog and digital modes with independent controls for +1,+2,-1,-2 octaves, featuring modulation options like phaser and Leslie effects.
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The FoxRox Octron provides slightly better tracking than the OC-2, but lacks the unique "mojo" that some users attribute to the OC-2's sound.
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Digital pedals like the Mooer MPS1, which use algorithms for tone generation, offer better tracking for low frequencies than the analog OC-2.
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User experience

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Owners note better performance on bass than guitar, emphasizing the need for clean playing technique to avoid pitch wavering.
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Some users find the Boss OC-5's digital latency requires adjusting playing style, contrasting with the more immediate response of analog octavers.
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Users appreciate the OC-2 for its "glitchy robot" sound when using only the Octave 1 knob, with no dry signal or Octave 2.
Source

Features and functionality

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The OC-2 is praised for its analog design, transforming the signal through a unique lowpass and flip-flop-clock process for octave generation.
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The MXR Poly Blue includes a fuzz switch that can be adjusted, providing versatility in sound without overcrowding a pedalboard.
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The OC-2 struggles to track notes below A1, making it unsuitable for producing sub-octave tones lower than 21Hz.
Source

Use cases and applications

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Ideal for use with a clean signal into the OC-2 followed by distortion, and pairing with an envelope follower for enhanced sound.
Source
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The Boss OC-5 delivers a huge sound by tracking only the root of chords, making it suitable for both guitar and bass applications.
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The OC-2 is recommended for use as a synth effect, with the Direct Level knob between 9 and 6 o'clock and Octave 1 at 100%.
Source

Critic Reviews

Rex and the Bass: Memory Lane: BOSS OC-2 Octave Pedal Review

rexbass.com

The Boss OC-2 Octave Pedal is a vintage gem that offers simplicity and value. While it won't perfectly track chords and can be imperfect with single notes, this is part of its charm, delivering a thick, organic tone. It's praised for its ease of use, sturdy build, and ability to transform sounds, especially when paired with other effects like a phaser. Though replaced by the OC-3, the OC-2 is lauded for its straightforward functionality and affordability, holding its value well in the used market. A solid choice for musicians seeking a reliable octave pedal without breaking the bank.

positive

Full Review

OC-2 Octave Review | Boss | Guitar Effects | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Boss OC-2 Octaver shines with its simplicity and robust build, making it a reliable choice for musicians seeking a straightforward octave pedal. Its three control knobs offer intuitive sound manipulation, appealing to a range of styles from cKy-esque to Clutch. However, while users appreciate its ease of use and reliability, the sound might not satisfy those seeking more modern features or versatility found in newer models. Overall, it’s a solid choice for those valuing classic octave sounds without the bells and whistles.

neutral

Full Review

Boss OC-2 Octaver review on pedal-of-the-day.com

pedal-of-the-day.com

The Boss OC-2 Octaver is hailed as a classic, earning praise for its ability to deliver both 1 and 2 octaves down from the clean signal. Its versatility shines through with controls for each octave and direct level, allowing for rich, synth-like tones. The review highlights the Made in Japan versions as superior in build quality compared to the Taiwanese models. While newer models like the OC-3 exist, they're deemed inferior. The OC-2's enduring reputation makes it a staple for guitarists and bassists seeking a reliable octaver.

positive

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 11 Reviews and 104 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

jimmarchi1

41029

over 8 years ago

swing low sweet chariot

the gold standard of o80soctave down pedals but that's more for the build quality and buffer then the actual circuit which is quirky and finnicky.... it makes heinous low noises in case you need that sort of thing. I'm sure its been bettered for tracking and soundquality but the old designs have charm as noise machines. not as dun as an octave multiplexer and not as good at tracking as the arion, but it has a place. Want to really frustrate it? put a synthesizer into it! Prepare for silliness. Reminds me of an mxr blue box that's not fuzzy, just synthy and velcroey....

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Alternative rock

rfmbass

383

about 5 years ago

THE octaver

Nothing beats this beast, put an OD or FUZZ in front of it and own the show!

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Rock Blues Funk / Soul

jobelewis

215

about 9 years ago

Has a particular job, should be used for purpose.

Creates very synth like octave sounds, relatively functional. Having the dry signal fully down causes octave signals to sound very unpleasant due to pedal design.