Polyphonic Octave Generator POG 2

[Bottom End]

I was hit by a GAS attack when I walked into a local music store. There was an Electro-Harmonix Polyphonic Octave Generator (POG-2) for sale. I'd seen Ed Friedland's positive comments about it, so I was intrigued.

Though I really didn't need it, I'd been considering either this pedal or the EH Bass Synth pedal, but hadn't seen any in the stores in my area. I tried it out with an Ibanez ATK bass. It really puts out an incredible sound! 10 sliders offer a dry signal mix, 1 and 2 octaves up and down, and how much of each, so 4 octaves added to the dry signal means you can really fill up the space, almost as though you are playing an 8 or 12 string bass, and it tracks almost perfectly, even on the low strings.

 

That's very useful since I occasionally play with only a guitarist and vocalist. The dry signal bass isn't diminished in any way running thru the pedal, and it's true-bypass.

 

Another slider allows for adjustment of attack, and I tried it with a fretless and got some interesting sounds mixing the dry signal and the octaves, a longer attack that encourages slow tempos and glisses.

 

There's a Low Pass Filter slider, and and a detune slider, and you can program in 10 presets. An additional Dry FX allows you to tweak the sound as well.

 

I need to try some fuzz or distortion with this to see just how much of a bass synth sound I can get, but I like the sound and options as they are. Now I need to try out some melodic lines in order to take advantage of everything this pedal can do.

 

The pedal offers a lot of options and subtle changes, and since I got it at 25% off, I don't feel quite so bad about spending the money. The more you buy, the more you save, right?

 

If you get a chance, check this pedal out, it really sounds good, it would sound even better if I knew what I was doing.

[JBFLA]

I've had my Micro-POG for years now and I get to use it on every gig. It just works!

 

Afraid to try the POG-2... I have a weakness for "better mousetraps".

[Russkull]

Thanks for the review - very interesting, as I've wondered how versatile those things really are.

 

Does the detune affect the whole signal or just the octave output?

 

Anyway congrats on the new pedal!

[Raven]

Kewl... I've been thinking about getting one of those for a long time, and your review is most helpful. The price tag on them makes me cringe a little, because I'm a cheapskate, and almost every piece of gear I have, I got used... but if it works that well, it may well be worth it, especially considering the price for a 12-string custom bass ... Thanks.

[Tom Capasso]

I have started playing with a duo - the guitar player doesn't prefer playing solos, and doesn't like the emptiness on the few songs we tried it. He likes to hand them to me. Two songs I'm doing this on are Doctor My Eyes and Can't Buy Me Love.

 

I wanted to get a pedal to go UP an octave. After some research, I found there are few options. The POG is one. I tried it on a visit to PedalGeek.com (they have a showroom on Long Island).

 

I had heard this mini POG (not the "big" version that Bottom End tested) when a guitarist had used it. It tracked very good for bass and had a minimum of synth-sound in the upper active. The small only has 3 controls - volume for octave-down, "natural" signal, and octave-up. The controls worked smoothly and I had fun playing.

 

I plan to go back and pick one up this week.

I tried the E-H Bass Micro Synth, but it sounded too "synthy" and was harder to get what I wanted (which is a reasonably clean up-octave).

 

Tom

[Russkull]

I wanted to get a pedal to go UP an octave. After some research, I found there are few options.

Tom, I'm guessing you ran across the Fishman Fission Bass in your research? If not, that might be another option for you.

[jeremy c]

That pedal costs $300.

You could buy an 8 string bass (tuned in octaves) for $500.

 

That's what I did when I realized how horrible my harmonizer pedal sounded up an octave. I sold that pedal and put the money toward my 8 string.

 

That bass sounds awesome.

[Tom Capasso]

Jeremy - I only need it for a few songs, and I'm not sure I want to swap instruments. and I may want more "up" when I need it.

 

Russ - I had not come across that, but remembered a review when I saw it - thanks! I'll try it out. The extra harmony notes don't seem useful to me, but some of the other stuff might be.

 

One thing about the POG is that it has octave down which might be useful for me in this and other bands.

 

Tom

[Bottom End]

Thanks!

 

It seems that the "Detune" only affects the octave signal. The dry signal is affected by the "Attack" and the "LP Filter" sliders.

 

This pedal is really versatile, you notice a change in sound at every increment of the sliders.

 

Depending on what position you plan to play in, you'll probably want to change your mix of dry and octave signal. I generally use 30-50% dry so far.

 

You can record 8 presets, and switch between them with a separate button, so you could set up both rhythm and solo settings.

 

I'm leaning towards settings that make up for where I'm not playing, high for low and vice versa. It's best not to flatline boost everything equally, you get a better sound by being selective in what you emaphasize.

 

I'd love to have separate 15" and 10" cabinets to get a better idea of the sound, the low end at -2 octaves tracks all the way down but might little practice amp makes it muddy.

 

I think the + octaves a re very clean. With a +1 and +2 octave setting it puts out some beautiful church organ like highs.

 

It responds well to double stops and chords as well, now I really need to learn them.

 

The "Attack" slider really allows you to hold a note and build the volume, it seems to sustain nearly forever. With minimal attack that same sustain makes glisses sound really incredible.

 

I'm really enjoying exploring this pedal, I'm not sure that I'd use it for every song, but with its prest options, I could I could see its usefulness for for a variety of supporting roles.

 

I still need to run this through a distortion or fuzz to see how it goes, but I feel better about purchasing this pedal every time I play through it.

 

 

[Steve Force]

I have owned a POG2 for a couple of years and it is one of few truly versatile octave pedals that work with various instruments, including the electric bass.

[Tom Capasso]

I took the plunge last week and bought the Micro POG (the one with just 3 controls) at PedalGeek.com (I visited the shop in person).

 

I messed with it a bit at home and found settings that seemed to work for specific songs that needed the up-octave in parts. I liked it - it's a bit "synthy" but not too much so.

 

I used it on a number of songs when I went out Friday with my new duo. I confess I stepped on it in a few places that didn't work, so I'll have to restrain my enthusiasm/trials. For the songs I had planned, it worked well (I recorded the gig, so I can say that...).

 

Now I'm contemplating a micro pedal board, but not sure if I'm ready/need that just yet.

 

Russ - I tried a few GCs but the Fission wasn't in stock (and PedalGeek didn't have it.

 

Bottom End - glad you are happy with your unit!

 

Tom