octave-down

Octave-down is a pitch effect that generates tones one or more octaves below the played note, used in pedals ranging from dedicated octave units to fuzzes and multi-effects¹². It often serves as a thick, weighty sub foundation that can make a single guitar feel like it includes a bass player, though on chords some circuits stutter and generate new textures³. Octave-down appears in fuzz designs⁴⁵, can be blended with octave-up effects for extended chord voicings and super-fat leads⁶, and may be shaped from deep subbass to an edgy, synth-like tone⁷. Some pedals offer one- or two-octave-down sub tones selectable by internal switch⁸.