Review
Upgrading the classic version with a tone control circuit and modifications that were included on Jimis version, Roger Mayer moves out in front of the pedal race that he himself started with the Vision Octavia.
Not just another take on Jimis Octave pedal this is a modern day version of that very pedal by the original designer himself, Roger Mayer.
Bringing Rogers classic effects to date has been a project he has worked on for awhile now. Guitarists today have different wants and needs and Roger is addressing these with the Vision series of pedals. Not sure if a line buffer or a Hard Bypass will work best for you in your specific rig? Roger thought of this also and the Vision Octavia includes 3 outputs, 2 for a buffered line drive that can actually strengthen a signal with long cables and a hard bypass output that knocks it out of the chain when not in use. Having the options is a great feature as changing things around like we all do can warrant different buffering needs. The Vision series sits in a pedalboard a lot cleaner than the original "rocket" style does<it is still a current option for the purists out there>. The top mounted jacks, LED, AC power jack and no screw battery changes with the handy slide panel all compliment the pedal. The original classic "Purple Haze" lead tone lives here in spades and with the updates delivers it to the modern guitarist. Kudos to Roger for staying with the times and not pumping out the same effects with the same features year after year as many other builders have.
The tone control adds a great option not seen in other Octaves before. From rig to rig any pedal for that matter can sometimes be great or not good at all. Without any tone options on the pedal itself you must rely on studio magic< as Roger and Jimi did with the Octavia> or try another pedal. This tone control sitting between the Octave and gain stages of the Vision Octavia opens it up to sound great with a wide range of different guitar and amp combinations.
Running the pedal thru a few different guitars and amps the classic Hendrix tone is there in full upper octave force. Having that added tone control is a great feature to have. The best upper octave madness is still best done by rolling off the tone knob on your guitar, using your neck strat pickup, and playing above the 12th fret. Bringing the Vision Octavia to current day specs with great new features exclusive to him, Roger Mayer has done it all over again and makes you wonder what he will come up with next. Oh that's right, the Mission Controller, wait until you see this one. Roger is absolutely not one to rest on his laurels as other have that have been in the business less than half the time Roger has.
As with other pedals the Vision Octavia should be experimented with in your chain placement much like Roger and Jimi did. I don't believe any pedal can be the source of a jaw dropping tone. However with just the right combination and in the correct order it can be magic. Sometimes I think players are looking for that magic pedal that will make them sound like Jimi. There is more to it than that. Jimis tone came from a lot of experimentation, a few cranked Marshalls, lots of talent and help from the designer and builder of the Vision Octavia, Roger Mayer. This pedal can be a great piece in your tone search puzzle.
There's no "Haze" here the Vision Octavia is a clear winner. A modern day classic indeed.
