The Beetronics OctaHive Neon Drops is a fuzz pedal with a high pitch octave, part of the maker's Custom Series of special editions. Beetronics describes it as "super high gain fuzz with a well pronounced high pitch octave," and says the circuit was based on the 1970s Tycobrahe Octavia, an octave fuzz known for that screaming upper octave, while also covering more modern sounds1.
The Neon Drops is listed as sold out on Beetronics' site. The OctaHive circuit has been released in other versions, including the OctaHive and the OctaHive Musashi.
What it does to your sound
The OctaHive sits in the high octave fuzz family, the same territory as the fuzz pedals built around an octave-up signal. Beetronics describes two distinct modes. With the octave engaged, the maker says "things can get really nasty, splashy and gated. It's great for high gain leads, specially when played above the 12th fret." With a little less HONEY, Beetronics says you can get that "purple haze" tone, a reference players will read as the classic octave fuzz lead sound1.
At low gain settings, Beetronics says the pedal can produce "ring modulator" overtones, which the maker suggests is great for textures1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| PRE | Gain control, balanced against HONEY for a variety of sounds1 |
| HONEY | Balanced against PRE; lower HONEY with the octave on gets the "purple haze" tone1 |
| Octave toggle switch | Turns the octave off, producing a warmer and thicker fuzz tone1 |
Beetronics states that "the balance between PRE and Honey is the key to achieve a variety of sounds," so the two knobs work as a pair rather than as independent gain and volume stages1.
Octave on or off
The toggle switch is the pedal's other main voice control. Beetronics says the octave can be turned off by the toggle switch, "turning it into a warmer and thicker fuzz pedal." With the octave off, the maker calls it "a whole different pedal, producing a warmer and thicker fuzz tone, making it more versatile an[d]" chord friendly1. That gives the OctaHive two usable personalities: the aggressive gated octave sound for leads, and a conventional thick fuzz for chords and rhythm work.
Power and size
The OctaHive Neon Drops requires a 9VDC power supply with a center negative connector, and Beetronics notes that it does not include one, so plan on using a supply you already own1.
| Dimension | Size |
|---|---|
| Pedal size (including knobs, switches and etc) | 5.5" x 4" x 2.75"1 |
| Enclosure size | 5.5" x 3.25" x 2"1 |
| Pedal weight | 1 lbs / 0.5 kilos1 |
| Package size | 6.75" x 5.25" x 3.25"1 |
| Package weight | 1 lbs 8 oz / 0.75 kilos1 |
Price and availability
Beetronics lists the OctaHive Neon Drops at a regular price of £216.00 GBP, with the pedal shown as sold out as of the maker's product page1. The price is given in British pounds as listed by the maker.
Questions
Does the OctaHive Neon Drops come with a power supply?
No. Beetronics notes on the product page that the pedal does not include a power supply. It requires a 9VDC supply with a center negative connector, the same standard used by most pedalboard power bricks, so a spare output on an existing supply will usually do the job.
What is the Tycobrahe Octavia?
The Tycobrahe Octavia is a fuzz pedal from the 1970s known for producing a high pitch octave above the played note. According to Beetronics, the OctaHive was based on that circuit and can produce both classic and modern sounds.
Can you turn the octave off on the OctaHive Neon Drops?
Yes. A toggle switch turns the octave off, and Beetronics says that with the octave off it becomes a whole different pedal, producing a warmer and thicker fuzz tone that is more versatile and chord friendly.
How big is the OctaHive Neon Drops?
Beetronics lists the pedal size as 5.5 x 4 x 2.75 inches including knobs and switches, with a pedal weight of 1 lbs (0.5 kilos). The shipping package measures 6.75 x 5.25 x 3.25 inches and weighs 1 lbs 8 oz (0.75 kilos).
What is the Beetronics Custom Series?
The Neon Drops is part of Beetronics' Custom Series, the name the maker gives to special editions of its pedals. The OctaHive circuit has appeared in a number of these versions, including the OctaHive Musashi and OctaHive Warm Gold.
Sources (1)
- Octahive, Beetronics
