Build Quality:4.9 out of 5 stars
Hardware:4.8 out of 5 stars
Electronics:4.8 out of 5 stars
Sound:4.8 out of 5 stars
Value:4.9 out of 5 stars
Average:4.8 out of 5 stars

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Pros:

  • Space-saving design
  • Durable
  • 12 string sound
  • Adjustable volume

Cons:

  • Not for every type of sound
  • Some notes might be artificial

I am sure many of you know why the products from Electro-Harmonix are so popular. We can go down the hackneyed path and mention quality or sound, but things are not that boring with this brand. Among other effects, they have pioneered in creation of polyphonic octave effects. Before the production of POG (Polyphonic Octave Generator) the market was scarce in the units that would be able to track multiple notes, not to mention the chords.

This newly manufactured device was not perfect either, but it was a huge step forward into the polyphonic octave stompboxes. It provided the players with the ability to utilize the effect with more sophisticated pieces, which was an exciting innovation back then. It stands to reason that it caught on among renowned musicians really quickly and has been admired ever since.

Original POG is discontinued now and the brand has released several updates, but today we are going to talk about Nano POG. This baby is a shrunken version of the full-size older sibling, yet it has more refined features and offers the same (if not better) performance. If you are interested in its features, controls and sound and want to find out if it is worth the shot, then stay with me and let’s find everything out together!

Features

The features of Electro-Harmonix Nano POG are not as all-encompassing compared to its siblings, yet a lot has been fitted into such a small body. You will come across all the essentials here and have the ability to create refined sounds. After all, we do not need some ethereal bells and whistles in every single unit – sometimes it is the simplicity and quality that are the ingredients of wonderful music. Nano POG allows you to produce octave up or sub-octave effect, regardless of the instrument you are playing.

This means that you can stick to your beloved guitar or take your bass and start jamming however you like. This baby is, of course, polyphonic and has excellent tracking. You can go on and play your chords without worrying about weird responses or mispronounced sounds. In addition, this fella can be utilized as a signal booster, enabling you to forget the effect and enhance the volume of your original tone. But you have one more option – if you somehow get sick of the octave, you can always employ Dry Out output and pass your signal in its dry state.

Nano POG, regardless of its tiny body, can be powered with a single 9V battery or an adapter, turning this fella into a convenient beast. Let’s not forget the build quality of this pedal – this thing is durable as hell! I am sure this will not be surprising since it is characteristic of Electro-Harmonix. The design is really different from the original POG – the nano version is featured in red and white colors. This baby will brighten up even the most lackluster pedalboard, whether you like it or not! On the whole, Nano POG is a powerful beast: do not let its size fool you into thinking that it is not!

Controls

The control layout is definitely fool-proof as it has only the essentials. The functions of each knob are expressed through labels that do not even need explaining. But I will still bore you with details and go down that road. After all, there is no such thing as too much information, am I right? By determining the duties of each knob, you will have a clear picture of the capabilities of Nano POG. So let’s see what we have here.

The first one on the panel is Sub Octave. This little fella lets you modify the volume of the octave down sounds. It does so by splitting the frequency in two and messing around with the level of the affected signal. Then we have Octave Up, which is also a volume control, but this time we are dealing with the sounds that are an octave higher than the original. The last pot we have here is Dry, which makes it possible to change the level of your original signal. This way the qualities of your instrument can always be accentuated so that your performance shines through the mix. Lastly, we have a footswitch that activates the circuitry and lets you start jamming with a single tap.

Nano POG Sound

Though Nano POG does not give you the ability to equalize your sound meticulously or tweak other properties in depth, the available voicing is refined in a manner that will not need any modifications. The sound of it is wonderful as it is, which makes your whole job a lot easier. Regardless of the instrument, you choose to play, this fella will deliver rich and saturated results.

Its sub octaves sound fantastic – you can now go low without worrying about anything getting muddied. The octave ups might not be as clear and organic compared to the sub-octave, but they are still quite defined and deep. The most important sonic feature is probably Nano POG’s ability to track stunningly whatever you choose to feed into it. It can even recognize distorted sounds, which is a bit surprising for such a small pedal.

However, this compact baby has shocking polyphonic capabilities that will be extremely useful for live performances. Whether you are into octave ups or downs, this fella will know what to do. After all, it gives you the choice and you can decide for yourself, what works the best for different scenarios.

Conclusion

In summary, Electro-Harmonix Nano POG is one of the most distinctive members of the octave family. Its size will not induce too much hope, but all your suspicions will fade away as soon as you plug it in and emit the first notes. This baby has wonderful tracking, as well as great build quality and a sonic footprint that will stay in your ears for good. If you are looking for something that does not require too much effort, yet still delivers awe-inspiring results, than Nano POG might be the one. Good luck! 

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