The EMMA Electronic OKTO-NØJS is an analog pedal that puts two effects in one enclosure: the Okto, a fast-tracking octave-down, and the Nøjs, an octave-infused fuzz. Both sides of the circuit are 100% analog, and each section is blendable, so a player can use the octave alone, the fuzz alone, or the two together12. EMMA describes the Okto as "super-accurate" and fast-tracking, and says it can follow a bass guitar all the way down to the open E string1.
For a player shopping in the octave and fuzz category, the appeal is the combination: a clean sub-octave on one side and a square-wave fuzz that can push into analog synth territory on the other. Premier Guitar's reviewer summed it up as a "quick and precise octaver effect, versatile fuzz, with truly unique tones to be explored"3.
An octave and a fuzz in one analog pedal
The Okto-Nøjs is laid out as two independent halves. The Okto side is an octave-down effect with separate level controls for the dry and octave signals, so the sub-octave can be mixed in as much or as little as wanted3. The Nøjs side is what the maker calls an octave-fuzz: a fuzz circuit whose Nøjs control "blends in a square wave sub-harmonic that can be thick & meaty or edgy & aggressive depending on the setting of the Color control"1.
Pedal of the Day found the two halves cover a wide spread of ground, with the Nøjs ranging "from smooth overdrive territory to heavy fuzz"6. Premier Guitar's reviewer went further with the sub-octave engaged, describing tones "from huge and spacey analog synth tones to sticky, distortion-drenched low end with unique ancillary noise and overtones"3.
"It spits and sputters sizzling, synthy octa-fuzz tones left and right, all while running it through an earthshakingly deep analog octaver for unprecedented levels of bass brutality."
The pedal works for both guitar and bass. Pedal of the Day reported that it "works deliciously on both guitar and bass, the low end is beefed up significantly, and works wonders all across the fretboard"6.
Bass tracking
Octave-down pedals often lose their footing on low notes, which is why the Okto's tracking range matters. EMMA says the Okto "can track accurately down to the open-E string of a Bass Guitar, and even lower with minor note wobble"1. Premier Guitar tested that claim directly:
"Emma Electronic claims the octave effect can track down to a low E on a bass (many octavers can not), and it does!"
MusicRadar's launch coverage made the same point, calling the Okto side suitable for mid- and low-range players because it tracks right down to a low open E on a bass5. That makes the pedal a genuine option for bass pedalboards, not just guitar.
The Okto and Nøjs controls
Each section has its own control set, and the two can be blended against each other5.
| Control | Section | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Dry level | Okto | Sets the level of the untouched signal3 |
| Octave level | Okto | Sets the level of the octave-down signal3 |
| Tone | Okto | Shapes the octave, from round, fat subs to the hollow, nasally honk of a vintage Boss OC-27 |
| Gain | Nøjs | Governs the fuzz section's gain3 |
| Tone | Nøjs | Governs the fuzz section's tone3 |
| Level | Nøjs | Governs the fuzz section's output level5 |
| Nøjs | Nøjs | Blends in a square wave sub-harmonic1 |
| Color | Nøjs | Flavors the sub-octave, from thick and meaty to edgy and aggressive13 |
The Okto's Tone control earned specific praise in Guitar Interactive's coverage, which noted it "can go from round, fat subs to the hollow, nasally honk of a vintage Boss OC-2"7, a useful reference point for players who know the older Boss octave pedals. On the fuzz side, Premier Guitar's reviewer dialed in demo settings with "color at 3 o'clock, nois at 2 o'clock"3, and found that engaging and flavoring the Nøjs circuit's sub-octave through the Nøjs and color dials is where the pedal's more unusual sounds live3.
The first new EMMA pedal in nearly 10 years
The Okto-Nøjs arrived after a long quiet stretch from its maker. EMMA Electronic, a Danish company that had been building effects since around 2000835, had not introduced a new pedal in almost a decade. MusicRadar announced it in November 2016 as the company's first new pedal in nearly 10 years, available from 15 December at $2495. Premier Guitar's review repeated the point: "It's been almost 10 years since Emma Electronic has introduced a new effects pedal"3.
The launch price in December 2016 was $2495, but by the May 2017 US release through distributor Godlyke the street price was $2292, and Premier Guitar still listed $229 street in its review3. The maker's product page also shows £199.00 GBP1.
The pedal is handmade in Denmark using high-quality components, per EMMA's own product page4, and is distributed by Godlyke Distributing in the US48. EMMA later followed the Okto-Nøjs with the ND-1 Navigator delay pedal9, so the Okto-Nøjs marked the end of the drought rather than a one-off return.
What reviewers said
Published reviews were positive across the board:
- Premier Guitar called it a "quick and precise octaver effect, versatile fuzz, with truly unique tones to be explored," and confirmed the bass tracking claim3.
- Pedal of the Day found it "works well on both guitar and bass, with the low end beefed up significantly across the fretboard," and concluded "this pedal is in a class of its own"6.
- Guitar Interactive highlighted the Okto Tone control's range from fat subs to vintage OC-2-style honk7.
The enclosure itself got a mention in Premier Guitar's review, which described the "psychedelic-octopus-adorned pedal"3, a fitting look for a pedal whose name plays on the octopus and the octave.
Videos
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Questions
Is the EMMA Okto-Nøjs analog or digital?
It is fully analog. Both sides of the circuit, the Okto octave section and the Nøjs fuzz section, are 100% analog, according to the maker and confirmed in press coverage. There is no digital processing anywhere in the signal path.
Does the Okto-Nøjs have true bypass?
Yes. The pedal uses true bypass switching, and the maker also fits high-quality buffers in the circuit. Pedal of the Day's review noted the true bypass alongside the all-analog design as contributing to sound quality.
Can the Okto-Nøjs octave track a bass guitar?
Yes. EMMA says the Okto section can track accurately down to the open E string of a bass, and even a little lower with minor note wobble. Premier Guitar's reviewer tested this claim and confirmed it, noting many octavers cannot track that low.
How much does the EMMA Okto-Nøjs cost in the US?
At launch in December 2016 it sold for $249. By May 2017 the street price was $229, and Premier Guitar still listed it at $229 street in its review. The maker's product page also shows a UK price of £199.00 GBP.
Where is the EMMA Okto-Nøjs made?
It is handmade in Denmark using high-quality components, per the maker's own product page. EMMA Electronic is a Danish company, and the pedal is distributed in the US by Godlyke Distributing.
What does the color dial do on the Okto-Nøjs?
The color dial flavors the sub-octave inside the Nøjs fuzz circuit. The maker describes the Nøjs control as blending in a square wave sub-harmonic that can be thick and meaty or edgy and aggressive depending on where the color control is set.
Sources (9)
- OKTO-NØJS Analog Octave, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Godlyke releases EMMA Okto-Nøjs Octave/Fuzz/Synth pedal, MusicPlayers.com, 2017-05-12
- Quick Hit: Emma Electronic Okto-Nøjs Review, Premier Guitar, 2017-04-10
- Okto-Nøjs, emma electronic, 2017-04-11
- Emma Electronic unveils first pedal in nearly 10 years, the ON-1 Okto-Nøjs, MusicRadar, 2016-11-25
- Emma Electronic ON-1 Okto-Nøjs Octaver Fuzz, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2017-09-29
- Godlyke Releases EMMA Okto-Nøjs Octave/Fuzz/Synth Pedal, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2017-05-17
- EMMA ELECTRONIC, Godlyke Distributing, Inc. (godlyke.com)
- Emma Electronic Unveils ND-1 Navigator Delay Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2018-11-21
