MusicRadar Verdict
From sleazy riffing to pseudo organ and 12-string sounds and beyond, the Micro POG has it all
Pros
- +
It's compact and tonally stable, even at ultra-low pitches
Cons
- -
The price may seem slightly high in the context of the rest of the range, but it's certainly cheaper than its larger sibling
MusicRadar's got your back
This version of the now classic Polyphonic Octave Generator forgoes an octet of fiddly sliders of the original in favour of three simple pots.
EHX's Rick Stevenson provides some background: "The Micro POG, just like the original POG and HOG, is digital; it could not be done any other way. The tracking is tighter and quicker than on the original POG although it doesn't have the second octave up, which no one seems to miss, or the detune. On a personal note, I prefer the sound because the tracking is just right."
In use
Offering an octave below and above a given note, all three sounds can be balanced with the responsive controls. There's a single input and two outs that allow you to split the dry and wet signals.
This is a very musical octaver with almost none of that irritating waggle on lower notes and chords. It does take a bit of time to get used to, but the Micro POG can, at different turns, transform your electric into a 12-string, a passable bass or even a church organ.
In fact, adding obscene amounts of drive to the latter setting would make Jon Lord quake in his wellies at the helm of his legendary Hammond, while for a speedy sketch demo when your bass isn't to hand, the sub octave with the dry signal removed is more than capable of stepping in.
With an electric bass, the POG is a weapon of aural destruction and is great fun to boot.
This is a very musical tool indeed, and octave pedals are powerful additions to any pedalboard that shouldn't be viewed as merely niche effects.
Check out this cool YouTube clip to hear the Micro POG in action, or alternatively listen to this audio clip:
MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...
- GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
- TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
- STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.
“A commanding new effects pedal that merges aggressive octave fuzz with earth-shaking analogue synth tones”: Third Man Hardware joins forces with Eventide for the Knife Drop – featuring Jack White’s presets, it’s designed for “sonic chaos”
Ticketmaster clamps down on unauthorised resales of Oasis tickets as 50,000 for next year’s tour are cancelled
“The drummer broke his snare-drum skin, the bass was in a different tuning, Gilmour’s guitar wasn’t working properly…”: Bryan Ferry remembers Slave To Love’s chaotic live debut