Boss OC-2 vs SA Spectrum

Winton

Winton

Nov 21, 2017
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Tokyo, Japan
yuichituba.wixsite.com
#1
I bought the Source Audio Spectrum mainly as an envelope filter plus a few little extras. But I didn't realize how good it is even as an octave pedal! It even does that OC2-ish -1 octave-only sound. I've been ignoring my OC2 because of it. Do any of you use this (or the Source Audio C4) as an octave pedal? I'm wondering if you guys have A-B-ed them.

IMG_6080 copy.jpg
 
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#3
It got me wondering so I went ahead and made a comparison video :smug:
I tried to adjust the levels as close to each other as possible. For some reason my OC2 "Octaver" has very high output so the first part is to show why I have the levels set to 3 o'clock.


I'm using my Squier Classic Vibe 60s precision bass with Thomastik flatwounds......with tort pickguard of course ;):roflmao:
 
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#6
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#8
For my board, I went the C4 route instead. Yes my C4 kicked off every other filter and octaver off my board. I've had numerous OC-2's, MXR BOD and BEF's on my board. I also have an EQ2 on my board that has a dedicated expression pedal attached to it. As well as using it as my EQ, it's also serves as a Wah, volume swell and foot controlled low pass filter (think Xerograph) depending on which of the easy to access 8 pre-sets I select. So while my C4 does most of my filter and octave (and synth) duties, some of the filter swells are carried by my EQ2.
I sometimes hanker for a Spectrum, but I'm not sure I actually need one! Maybe I'm just being seduced by the oh so funky purple graphics! Have you seen it with after market gold knobs?
 
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#9
As I'm not luging gear about much anymore gear competitions are not that important. My OC2 is out and getting used again after being boxed for several years along with many others that had been relegated by multi effects. FWIW my OC2 had been supplanted by the Digitech BSW years before ever getting the C4.
 
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#10
I have a C4, and the more I play with the presets and settings, the more I am finding that synth bass just isn't my thing. With that said, it still occupies a solid space on my board just for the OC-2 preset from ProtonLenny. I'm going to keep playing with it, but I don't even worry about the midi capability anymore with how well it does the octave, I am completely happy even if that's all it ever does for me.
 
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#11
WhoopingHonky said:
I have a C4, and the more I play with the presets and settings, the more I am finding that synth bass just isn't my thing. With that said, it still occupies a solid space on my board just for the OC-2 preset from ProtonLenny. I'm going to keep playing with it, but I don't even worry about the midi capability anymore with how well it does the octave, I am completely happy even if that's all it ever does for me.
Click to expand...
You've got some of the best filters in there too. Everything that's in the Spectrum....it's all in the C4 too.
 
#12
i just recently jumped into the C4 abyss, and it has some excellent octaver presets. i have not yet gone into the editing software, as i'm pretty satisfied with most of the presets so far.

however, i still have my MXR vintage bass octave (mini) on the board while i get more comfortable with the C4.

funny side note, i've recently gotten the "itch" for a new pedal, and every time i find one that looks interesting, my next thought is, "huh, i wonder if i could find something similar with the C4?" and often, i do.
 
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#14
GMC said:
For my board, I went the C4 route instead. Yes my C4 kicked off every other filter and octaver off my board. I've had numerous OC-2's, MXR BOD and BEF's on my board. I also have an EQ2 on my board that has a dedicated expression pedal attached to it. As well as using it as my EQ, it's also serves as a Wah, volume swell and foot controlled low pass filter (think Xerograph) depending on which of the easy to access 8 pre-sets I select. So while my C4 does most of my filter and octave (and synth) duties, some of the filter swells are carried by my EQ2.
I sometimes hanker for a Spectrum, but I'm not sure I actually need one! Maybe I'm just being seduced by the oh so funky purple graphics! Have you seen it with after market gold knobs?
Click to expand...
Yeah man, I like the funky sexy purple graphics but if you have the C4, that's like an entire pedal board in one pedal! I haven't seen the after market gold knobs! I may have to hunt for some in stores...
 
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#15
Les Fret said:
Yes the Spectrum comes close to the OC-2. I have both. But somehow I still keep my OC-2. Can you share your OC-2 preset in the cloud? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Sure! The octaves is called Spectrum Octave DOWN and the -1 Octave is called Lefebvre synthy bass OC-2.

Here's my list that I have saved on my Neuro Desktop software. From 001 to 006 is stored in the pedal.
Screen Shot 2021-08-06 at 12.46.47.png
 
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#17
Winton said:
Sure! The octaves is called Spectrum Octave DOWN and the -1 Octave is called Lefebvre synthy bass OC-2.

Here's my list that I have saved on my Neuro Desktop software. From 001 to 006 is stored in the pedal.
View attachment 4359155
Click to expand...

Now I think about it that is actually my preset that I posted on the Cloud (my cloud name is bodde). The Phaser only preset is also mine. Totally forgot about the Lefebvre preset. :)
 
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