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Average Price: $95
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$100
$301+
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Description
Introducing the Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer, your one-stop solution for limitless sub-octave potential. Whether you're a solo artist seeking a richer sound or an experimental musician pushing sonic boundaries, this compact pedal is ready to amplify your artistic expression. Unleash your creativity with its monophonic signal-dropping feature, capable of generating deep bass sounds from nearly any instrument. Its revamped design in a smaller, more efficient enclosure, also known as the XO version, makes it an ideal companion for musicians on the go.
Key Features:
- Offers a wide range of sub-octave possibilities
- Ideal for solo artists and experimental musicians
- Ability to drop any monophonic signal an octave
- Can create bass sounds from virtually any instrument
- Smaller, more recent XO version for enhanced portability
Product specs
| Brand | Electro-Harmonix |
| Model | Octave Multiplexer Analog Sub-Octave Generator (XO) |
| Finish | Silver / Black |
| Year | 2007 - 2021 |
| Categories | Octave and Pitch-Shifting Pedals |
FAQs
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Does the Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer work well with both guitar and bass?
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Yes, the Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer is designed to work effectively with both guitar and bass, providing rich sub-octave tones that enhance the depth and fullness of your sound.
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What power supply does the Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer require?
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The Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer requires a standard 9V DC power supply, which is common for many guitar pedals, or it can be powered by a 9V battery.
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How does the Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer differ from other octave pedals?
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The XO Octave Multiplexer offers unique analog sub-octave generation, allowing users to blend sub-octave tones with their original signal and customize the sound using its filter controls for more versatile tonal shaping.
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Can the Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer be used for live performances?
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Yes, the Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer is well-suited for live performances, offering reliable tracking and robust construction, making it a great choice for musicians looking to add dynamic octave effects on stage.
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What are the main controls on the Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer?
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The Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer features controls for Blend, Sub, and Filter, allowing users to adjust the mix of the octave effect, the intensity of the sub-octave, and the tonal characteristics of the output.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Electro Harmonix Octave Multiplexer
Reviews
PROS
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Lush old-school analog octaver with nuanced filter controls
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Excels after a fuzz pedal for an amazing sound
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Offers High and Bass Filter settings for precise sound shaping
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Fun to play with, capable of producing bass on a guitar
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More organic sounding compared to digital pedals
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Unique "grungy broken speaker sound" achievable
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Can produce special effects with velcroey bass and clanging high harmonics
CONS
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Poorly tracks dropped D string and some other notes
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Prone to odd sound artifacts due to analog design
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Clangy, unnatural timbre not suitable for all musical styles
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Described as a "tonesucker" by some, affecting tone quality negatively
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Not ideal for playing chords; produces odd wahing effects
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer.
Features and functionality
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The pedal suffers from a volume drop when blend is set between 40-60%, impacting the ability to achieve a balanced octave/dry mix.
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The absence of a high octave limits versatility, especially for bass applications.
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The low/high filters allow for diverse sound shaping, but a volume control would enhance usability by managing significant cuts or boosts.
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Successfully operates in a chain powered by a standard 500mA/9VDC supply with no noise issues, highlighting its reliability.
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Use cases and applications
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It performs well when used above the 12th fret on guitar, but tends to sound muddy below this range.
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The pedal excels with baritone guitars, 8-string guitars, and bass, providing a unique analog sound that pairs well with fuzz for doom metal tones.
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Ideal for saxophones, horns, or monosynths when aiming for a bass synthy effect, particularly effective with fuzz pedals.
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Owners find it effective for styles ranging from psych rock and blues to surf music and dreamy soundscapes.
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Comparisons
User experience
4.0 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 55 Ratings
41026
a classic that's maybe not as great as the mutron octave divider
to me the mutron octave circuit is the gold standard of 70s analog octave effect... that said the EHX multiplexer tracks poorly and has a relally clangy unantrul timber that's great as more of a splatty and ring moddy special effect sometimes. I'd still like to have a mutron but they're pricey thanks to neil young. I ave an old one of these and like many of my ehx pedals I don't like using them much because of the boxes and switches. this is another tonesucker too... but when recording its got a certain sumthin' sumthin'. for something analog but more hifi ona budget try an arion octave from the 80s . The plastic case is no flimsier than the old EHX sheet metal boxes and the arion sounds really good, tracks great... but as a psycho-grade special effect the multiplexer is super fun. Velcroey bass and claging high harmonics galore are in there when you get the high filter and blend setup right with the sub engaged. Too polite? try playing some doublestops instead of single note runs. The pog is comparatively polite. More useful? probably. But not to me.
268
A really fun piece of kit
This is a really fun pedal to use. I use it sometimes to play bass on my guitar. It is an analog pedal though, so expect some odd sound artifacts from time to time but that's what makes it fun to play. Listen to Neil Young's 'Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)'... This is the pedal he uses to get that 'grungy broken speaker sound'.
393
best way to add bass
got this to replace a Boss Octave pedal, this is so much more organic, with filters on either end of the effect
2036
one small complaint
of course this is not made for chords but sustained notes do produce a odd wahing like waffling off sound
Artist usage
Add artist
Josh Homme uses the Electro-Harmonix Octave Multiplexer Pedal in his guitar gear setup for the Queens of the Stone Age.
He used or at least had an Octave Multiplexer in the studio during the recording sessions for Tales from the Punchbowl and Pork Soda.
In a gear rundown video by Custom Boards Finland, Mikko Lindström is shown using the Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer to enhance his distorted guitar sound.
The EH Octave Multiplexer is one of the few stock pedals in my collection. It sounds great with fuzz and phase for mean single note solos and such. I used to have the big box version but now I have more room for fuzzes!
Bassist Thomas Warmsley's pedalboard includes the Electro-Harmonix Octave Multiplexer pedal. This photo was taken at a Temples show at the Parish in Austin, TX in Oct 2014.
In this special issue of Guitar Player magazine Mukai's pedals are listed on pages 80 and 81
On the deerhunter blog a picture of three of josh's bass effects are shown used in the recording of cryptograms.
In this photo, which shows Satomi's 2008 pedalboard (full album here), one of the pedals that can be seen on Satomi's board is EHX Octave Multiplexer.
Album Usage
The Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Electro-Harmonix XO Octave Multiplexer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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