Rocket FX Series - Octavia by Roger Mayer

The Rocket FX Series - Octavia by Roger Mayer is a renowned octave fuzz pedal with a rich history and unique features. Originally designed in early 1967, it has been used on iconic tracks such as "Purple Haze" and "Fire" by Jimi Hendrix. The pedal produces a sound that is an octave higher than the note being played, achieved through electronic mirror imaging techniques that are program-sensitive and responsive to the player's feedforward inputs. The electronic circuitry is analog in design and faithfully captures the subtleties and harmonic overtones from the guitar, resulting in a unique yet human-like quality.

The Octavia is an analog circuit with the properties of a frequency doubler, envelope generator, and amplitude modulator, complemented by additional frequency shaping filter circuits. The effect produced can range from subtle to wild, depending on the settings used, and is responsive to the player's attack. When used with a clean tone and specific pickup and tone control settings, it can produce distinctive ring-modulated overtones. When combined with a fuzz unit, it creates an upper octave double, as demonstrated in the solo to "Purple Haze."

Jimi Hendrix typically placed the Octavia after a fuzz and wah unit, allowing it to react to the combined effects of both. The pedal's sound is influenced by the amount of signal driving it, making experimentation crucial for achieving desired results.

The Octavia model in the Rocket FX Series features a grey color, volume and drive controls, and operates on a 9V adaptor or battery power supply. The pedal's design and functionality make it a versatile tool for guitarists seeking to explore unique octave fuzz tones with a rich history and a wide range of sonic possibilities.