Lovers of octave fuzzes (of the up or down categories) should take a serious look at the Keeley Octa PSI Transfigurating Fuzz. Thanks to its incredible flexibility, this Muff-style device is a true do-it-all not just for of octave fuzzes, but also pitch-shifting ones, providing several modes of octave up, octave down, and octave up-and-down fuzz voicings – including 2 octave down and other intervals, via the Pitch rotary knob!
The pedal is clearly organized in two sections: the pitch-shifter’s controls are marked in red, while the fuzz’s ones are in white, footswitches included.
Speaking of footswitches, the Octave one can work in both latching and momentary mode (when held).
Things on the fuzz side of the fuzz are rather straightforward, with knobs for Fuzz, Level and Tone and a 3-way voice switch delivering different bass responses with Punch and Scoop options and the massive Psi mode.
The fuzz is of the analog, thick-sounding transistor variety, and can also produce distortion tones, and pressing and holding both Octave and Fuzz will allow you to reverse the routing of the two effects. The very useful Blend knob lets you fine-tune how the two effects interact with each other.
On the other hand, the pitch shifting side is a lot more complex, and a lot useful info about it can be found on the bottom of the pedal:
Most of the complexity is related to the Pitch knob, which can deliver a variety of intervals and even a detuned chorus effect. The 3-way Up/Dual/Down switch acts as a multiplier, so that all-in-all you get a total of 24 different pitch combinations.
A pitch shifter wouldn’t be nearly as fun without a pitch ramping feature, which in the Octa Psi can be activated customized by adjusting its speed by holding Octave down and adjusting Blend.
New Yorkers will be able to try this pedal at our upcoming Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo – hope to see you there!
