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BOSS OC-5 OCTAVE - The New Standard In Octave Pedalsplay button

BOSS OC-5 OCTAVE - The New Standard In Octave Pedals

BOSS OC-5 Octave - Sound Example for Electric Guitarplay button

BOSS OC-5 Octave - Sound Example for Electric Guitar

BOSS

collapse expand iconDescription

The BOSS OC-5 octave pedal continues BOSS's long line of innovative octave pedals. The OC-5 provides guitarists and bassists with a powerful set of octave effects for inspiring new sounds. With adjustable octave level and drive parameters, players can dial in everything from a subtle octave layer to a dramatic synth-like effect. The OC-5's advanced polyphonic tracking ensures clean, natural-sounding octaves for chords and complex parts.

Flexible Octave Sounds

The OC-5 offers octave-up, octave-down and drive effects. Octave level and drive knobs provide control over the effect intensity and tone character. At minimum settings, the OC-5 produces a subtle octave layer. At maximum, it delivers a bold synthetic sound. The drive knob adjusts the distortion character, allowing everything from a clean tone to a snarling, saturated growl. With the range of sounds possible, the OC-5 is ideal for adding depth to rhythm parts, fattening up leads or crafting unique synth pads and bass lines.

Advanced Polyphonic Tracking

The OC-5 uses BOSS's latest octave engine and tracking technology, providing fast, accurate octave tracking for complex chords, arpeggios and bass lines. Single notes, full chords and melodic lines maintain their natural tone and musicality with the added octave effect. Players can freely experiment with octave sounds without the fear of strange artifacts or glitchy-sounding octaves. The OC-5's advanced tracking also minimizes latency, resulting in a tight, cohesive sound overall.

Compact, Roadworthy Design

Like all BOSS compact pedals, the OC-5 octave pedal is built to last, with a durable cast metal chassis and footswitches. Its small size makes it easy to fit into any pedalboard setup. An optional PSA power supply (sold separately) provides a stable power source for consistent performance in any environment. With roadworthy construction and stage-ready sounds, the OC-5 is ideal for any guitarist's live rig.

BOSS OC-5 Octave Effects Pedal Black
BOSS OC-5 Octave Effects Pedal Black
BOSS OC-5 Octave Effects Pedal Black

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • An industry-standard octave pedal, updated with enhanced features
  • Newly developed tracking technology provides more accurate response and natural feel with no latency
  • Vintage mode faithfully reproduces the mono sound of the original OC-2
  • Poly mode for chord playing; Range knob sets the note range where the effect is applied
  • Lowest Range setting in Poly mode applies the octave effect to only the lowest note in a chord
  • New octave-up effect, available on its own or blended with octave-down effects
  • Mode switch optimizes the tracking engine for guitar or bass
  • Direct out for wet/dry setups
  • BOSS five-year warranty

collapse expand iconSpecs

  • Input Impedance: 600 kohm
  • Output Impedance: 3 kohm
  • Nominal Input Level: +6 dBV
  • Bypass: True bypass
  • Tone control (@ full CCW): -20dB @ 3kHz
  • Power Requirements: 9 VDC
  • Current Draw: 18.5 mA
  • Throughput Gain: Up to +50dB @ 1kHz

collapse expand iconWarranty

Boss pedals - 5 year parts warranty
90 day labor warranty.
1 year warranty - Multitracks, Jamstations, etc.
Check with manufacturer for specific product warranty.

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.44

25 Reviews

92%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Great octave pedal.

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Brings back the OG with some new features.

Okay so a lot to speak on here. For one, I owned an OC2 many years ago and it rocked. I sold it without much regret but loved that sound. I've been using the OC3 for many years and, truth be told, love that, have one on several boards, and think it does a great job. Then the OC5 was released. I originally pre-ordered it but returned it (shouldn't have) and had a hard time getting another one with the supply chain challenges. Once I finally got the OC5 I took it to my rehearsal space with a friend so that we could ACTUALLY test it out. It rocks. Does what it says: the best of the OC2 analog octave, though with the "poly" function that really has changed the game. Also I was skeptical of the upper octave though I dig it - adds a nice upper top that sounds kind of "nasty" in a way the distortion of the OC3 may have turned some people off. Being how hard it was to get it I'll keep it LOL but, for real, this is going to be a great studio effect and may make it on the bass board. Great job Boss and GC.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Very Limited Usefulness

First of all, throw out the Vintage mode because in my mind, it is not usable in any musical way. Some guys love it because it is "quirky in a good way." Sorry, but "quirky" doesn't cut it. Poly mode using the -1 OCT function with range maxxed out as a "synth bass" has a useful place on some pieces that use single note intervals. As a colleague put it, "it sounds wicked in a good way." I do use the -1 OCT on a shred fusion piece but must limit my playing to ONLY single notes, and MAYBE some dyads. Also, it sounds terrible if sent to the guitar amp blended with the guitar signal - you can either set up the amp for guitar or bass, not both. But if I set up two amps and route "DIRECT" to my Katana guitar amp, and "OUTPUT" to my cello (bass) amp, it does suit it's purpose. Having said that, the bass sound it does produce is very distorted, but this is fixable by very careful amp set up. The bass sound also decays must faster than the guitar signal, leaving any sustained notes hanging out alone. The complexity of setup means live performance with this box is difficult. It's cool in my home studio, as it's only an issue of "stereo" set up, and having two amps and enough cables. Bottom line for me is that you will spend a lot of time playing with this box to get useful sounds, but it can be done.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Performances16
  2. Home Studio15
  3. Professional Recording9
  4. Amateur Recording8
  5. Outdoor Events / Games8
Cons
  1. Poor Sound Quality3
  2. Difficult To Use1
  3. Limited Selection Of Effects1
  4. Takes Time to Explore1
  5. None1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced18
  2. Professional Musician6
Pros
  1. Excellent Sound Quality18
  2. Responsive15
  3. Compact14
  4. Versatile10
  5. Good Selection Of Effects9

Reviewed by 25 customers

  • Very Musical, bit of a Learning Curve

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda month ago

    byJoel

    fromOrange County, CA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Admittedly I haven't explored octave effects outside of octa-fuzz pedals and I wanted to expand my board to sound heavier combining lower octaves with my fuzz pedals. This thing tracks great, sounds fantastic, just took longer than expected to get the sound in my head out. When compared to the Slash Octave/Fuzz pedal, it is more complex, but I really like the outcome. Would buy again. Tracking really blew me away. So good.

  • I would buy this again #Sweepstakes

    3

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda month ago

    byRusty

    fromLillian Alabama

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I bought this pedal to use in my aray of pedals on my pedal board but the OC-5 did not turn out to help my sound that much, if I were using it on a lead rig it would be perfect, but not on my acoustic set up. Thanks anyway I bought this pedal to use in my aray of pedals on my pedal board but the OC-5 did not turn out to help my sound that much, if I were using it on a lead rig it would be perfect, but not on my acoustic set up. Thanks anyway

  • Expand your bass sound

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted4 months ago

    byScott

    fromSan Clemente CA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Really offers some great options for a thick bass sound.

  • If you want more bass tones with your acoustic cool pedal

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted7 months ago

    byMatt

    fromNew York

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I use it to enhance the bass tones with my acoustic guitar. I saw a YouTube with Mike Dawes he uses it, he's a great player. I had an older C2 but the C5 can do a better job isolating lower frequency strings.

  • I love it

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted8 months ago

    byMelvin

    fromDetroit, Mi

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    It is an excellent way to beef up your sound.

  • Perfect for me!

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted9 months ago

    byLInda

    fromSt. Louis, MO

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I needed something to drop the octave on my acoustic guitar during performances.

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitteda year ago

    asked byAnthony

    fromOak Park Mi

    Does The Boss OC-5 loop?

    Does The Boss OC-5 loop?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No, it doesn't.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byDoc

    fromCarlsbad, Ca

    Will this work well with acoustic guitar that has a K and K pickup?

    Will this work well with acoustic guitar that has a K and K pickup?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The BOSS OC-5 will "work" with K&K pups. Are you sure you want this for an acoustic guitar?

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byRon

    fromUtah

    Will this pedal be able to tune my guitar up and down steps?

    Will this pedal be able to tune my guitar up and down steps?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    It doesn't 'tune. It generates an octave above or below the input signal.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byTom

    fromScarsdale NY

    Will this work well for a violin (with little violin mic fixed near bridge ) to play an "acoustic" bass line 2 oct lower? Will it cleanly process the miked violin sound.?

    Will this work well for a violin (with little violin mic fixed near bridge ) to play an "acoustic" bass line 2 oct lower? Will it cleanly process the miked violin sound.?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    It may but not well. You need something digital....................DigiTech Whammy Pitch-Shifting Guitar Effects Pedal. I don't recommend analog pitch shifting.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byPeterg

    fromPosen, Illinois

    Trying to reduce the gear I need to take to shows. Could this pedal replicate a 12 string bass guitar using a bass? Understood any pedal will not replicate an actual 12 string bass.

    Trying to reduce the gear I need to take to shows. Could this pedal replicate a 12 string bass guitar using a bass? Understood any pedal will not replicate an actual 12 string bass.

    Open Reply - Thomas
    I've never played any of these that work well for a bass. I would say no.

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byNica

    fromnew york city NY

    If my item doesn't come while I'm living at my current address(because the item is back ordered), can I change the at my new address; I will be moving in the summer.

    If my item doesn't come while I'm living at my current address(because the item is back ordered), can I change the at my new address; I will be moving in the summer.

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Yes you may change your address before shipment

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byMocoto

    fromDanbury Ct

    comes with the power supply?

    comes with the power supply?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Unfortunately, no. Please give us a call to help you find something – 877-687-5403

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byMac

    fromnear the 46th Parallel

    When will this pedal become available for purchase?

    When will this pedal become available for purchase?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Please give us a call for product availability 877-687-5403