The Emma Electronic Okto-Nøjs is an analog octave and fuzz pedal built as two pedals in one: an Okto section that delivers an octave down, and a Nøjs section that is a harmonic distortion generator capable of spitting, swelling and synth-like fuzz tones that respond to playing dynamics1. Reviewers found the Okto section super-accurate and fast-tracking, two key ingredients that a lot of past octave pedals missed2.
The Okto side is the part that sets the pedal apart from most octave boxes. Emma Electronic claims the octave effect can track down to a low E on a bass, and Premier Guitar's reviewer confirmed that it does, noting that many octavers cannot3. Pedal of the Day called the octave section super-accurate and fast-tracking, two key ingredients that a lot of past octave pedals missed2.
An analog octaver and fuzz in one pedal
The Okto-Nøjs, also released as the ON-1, is an analog octave/fuzz/synth pedal from Emma Electronic, combining an octave down (the Okto) with an octave fuzz (the Nøjs) in a single unit412. Reviewers described a quick and precise octaver effect and a versatile fuzz, with truly unique tones to be explored3.
The two halves do different jobs:
- Okto (octave down): a super-accurate, fast-tracking octave-down circuit with separate level controls for the dry and octave signals13
- Nøjs (octave fuzz): a super-versatile octave-infused fuzz that Pedal of the Day described as a harmonic distortion generator, capable of spitting, swelling and even synth-like fuzz tones that respond to playing dynamics2
Premier Guitar's review summed up the pedal as a quick and precise octaver effect with a versatile fuzz, and found truly unique tones to be explored3.
"Quick and precise octaver effect, versatile fuzz, with truly unique tones to be explored."
The controls
The two sections have their own control sets, and each section is blendable, so you can use one side alone or mix them together5.
| Control | Section | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Gain | Nøjs | Dials in the amount of dirt, from smooth overdrive territory onward2 |
| Tone | Nøjs | Shapes the fuzz voicing32 |
| Level | Nøjs | Sets the fuzz section's output level3 |
| Nøjs | Nøjs | Blends in a square wave sub-harmonic, working with the Color control for thick and heavy or edgy and aggressive tones2 |
| Color | Nøjs | Works with the Nøjs control to shape the fuzz character2 |
| Okto | Okto | Adjusts the amount of octave you want present2 |
| Tone | Okto | Tames the highs and lows as you see fit2 |
| Dry | Okto | Blends your main signal with the effect2 |
The maker says the Gain, Tone and Level controls on the Nøjs fuzz section yield everything from smooth overdrive to squelchy foldback distortion with a blossoming note filtering1. Pedal of the Day suggested starting in smooth overdrive territory and slowly adjusting the Gain and Tone knobs to dial in your perfect amount of dirt2.
Using it on bass and guitar
The Okto section's tracking range is what makes the pedal practical for bass players. The maker states the Okto channel can track accurately down to the open E string of a bass guitar4, and MusicRadar noted this makes it suitable for mid- and low-range players5. Premier Guitar's reviewer tested the claim and confirmed it3.
Pedal of the Day's verdict on this point:
"Killer on bass for emphasizing those low frequencies, and great on guitar for adding some beefy, chunky tonal boost."
Videos
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Pedals and Effects
Godlyke Inc.
Questions
Is the Emma Okto-Nøjs true bypass?
Yes. The maker lists true bypass switching along with high-quality buffers for the best sound quality possible, and Pedal of the Day's review also describes the pedal as true bypass. Both sections of the circuit are analog, so nothing in the signal path is digitized.
Is the Okto-Nøjs fully analog?
Yes. Emma Electronic states that both sides of the circuit are 100% analog, covering the Okto octave section and the Nøjs fuzz section alike. Press coverage from MusicRadar and MusicPlayers.com described the pedal the same way when it was announced and released.
Does the Okto-Nøjs work on bass?
Yes. The maker claims the octave effect can track down to a low E on a bass, and Premier Guitar's reviewer confirmed that it does. Pedal of the Day called it killer on bass for emphasizing low frequencies, and it works on guitar too for a beefy, chunky tonal boost.
Can the octaver and fuzz sections be used separately?
Yes. The Okto-Nøjs is two pedals in one, an Okto octave-down section and a Nøjs octave-fuzz section, and each section is blendable. That means you can lean on one side alone or mix the dry signal, octave signal and fuzz together with their own level controls.
Sources (5)
- OKTO-NØJS Analog Octave, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Emma Electronic ON-1 Okto-Nøjs Octaver Fuzz, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2017-09-29
- Quick Hit: Emma Electronic Okto-Nøjs Review, Premier Guitar, 2017-04-10
- Godlyke releases EMMA Okto-Nøjs Octave/Fuzz/Synth pedal, MusicPlayers.com, 2017-05-12
- Emma Electronic unveils first pedal in nearly 10 years, the ON-1 Okto-Nøjs, MusicRadar, 2016-11-25
