Detail 01
Bass-specific octave circuit
Tracking is tuned for low fundamentals, which is where general-purpose octave pedals usually stumble and glitch.
Product detailSKU #1274228081893
MXRM288 Bass Octave Deluxe Effects Pedal - Blue Sparkle
bluespopfunk rockalternativereggae
1/4
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Bass octave pedal from MXR. For bassists who want synth-style low end or a doubled octave in a mix without losing the original note.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Funk and rock bassists adding synth-like weight under a line
- Players covering keyboard bass parts live
- Adding a defined octave-up layer to a fingerstyle groove
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Guitarists — the tracking is voiced for bass frequencies
- Chord playing, since octave circuits track single notes
- Players on a tight budget who only need one effect occasionally
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Octave, not pitch shift
Fixed intervals above and below your note. No interval selection, no harmony — just doubling.
Detail 03
Deluxe version of the M288 line
The larger-featured take on MXR's bass octave, priced accordingly against simpler single-knob octave boxes.
Detail 04
Standard MXR enclosure
Compact steel box that fits a normal pedalboard row without hogging space next to a tuner and preamp.
Detail 05
Analog octave-down behavior
Analog low octaves track fastest on clean, single notes near the twelfth fret and get unstable on low, dead strings.
Detail 06
Blue sparkle finish
Cosmetic only. Easy to spot on a dark stage floor, which matters more than it sounds.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Power supply not included — budget for a standard 9V pedal supply or battery
- 02Octave tracking depends on clean technique; muddy or buzzing notes confuse it
- 03Place it early in the chain, before dirt, for the most stable tracking
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Does it track the low B on a 5-string?
Low B is the hardest note for any octave pedal. Expect it to work best above the low E range; test your own bass before committing to a part.
02Can I use it on guitar?
It is built and voiced for bass. Guitar signals sit above its intended range, so tracking and tone will not be what the pedal is designed to deliver.
03Will it work on chords?
No. Octave circuits track one note at a time. Double stops and chords produce unstable, garbled output.
04Does it need a special power supply?
It runs on standard 9V pedal power. Use an isolated supply output if you are running it alongside digital pedals to avoid noise.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Blue
