JHS Pedals Unveils the “Double Dragon”: The Ultimate Lo-Fi Analog Octave Pedal

For years, JHS has dominated the overdrive and fuzz markets, but a true sub-octave pedal remained noticeably absent from their lineup. Now, after waiting to get the circuit exactly right, they’ve introduced the Double Dragon. Built on the shoulders of 40- to 50-year-old analog octave divider technology, this pedal pays homage to legendary circuits like the Boss OC-2, MXR Blue Box, and Electro-Harmonix Micro-Synth.

If you are looking for clinical, DSP-driven accuracy, look elsewhere. The Double Dragon is delightfully pre-precision.

“It’s not trying to replicate you perfectly — it’s trying to play along with you. It’s alive!”

The Sound: Thick Subs and Gritty Highs

The Double Dragon is a completely analog, monophonic octave-down and up effect.

• The Foundation (Octave-Down): The lower octave delivers that thick, weighty analog behavior that made vintage octave circuits famous. Play a single-note run, and you instantly have a riff machine that tracks smoothly. Play a complex chord, and the circuit begins to stutter, jump, and fight itself, generating entirely new, glitchy textures.

• The Bonus (Octave-Up): Engage the secondary footswitch to unleash an octave-up distortion that sits beautifully between an Octavia and a Superfuzz. It is gritty, highly usable, and features a mid-range sting designed to slice through a dense band mix.

Who Is the Double Dragon For?

This pedal is tailor-made for riff lovers who want to sound larger-than-life. When you kick it on, your guitar immediately fills the sonic space that normally requires a bassist.

• Guitarists: Perfect for fans of the synchronized guitar-and-bass weight found in Led Zeppelin, or the massive garage-rock tones of The White Stripes, Jimi Hendrix, Royal Blood, and Muse.

• Bassists: Low-end players will find massive utility here, easily capturing the legendary vintage OC-2 synth-bass vibe.

• Creative Explorers: Anyone who wants a pedal that acts as a true collaborator rather than just a predictable tool.

Dialing It In: Controls & Pairings

The Double Dragon features an intuitive control layout designed for maximum tweakability:

• VOLUME: Controls the master output level with plenty of extra boost on tap. Pro-Tip: Turn the octaves off and the dry mix fully on, and the Double Dragon functions as an incredible always-on preamp.

• DRY: Mixes your clean signal into the octave effects. JHS suggests starting with this maxed out. Rolling it all the way down leaves you fully wet for authentic, glitchy vintage synth textures.

• OCT−: Controls the volume of the lower sub-octave mix.

• OCT+: Controls the upper octave distortion level.

• Dual Footswitches: The left switch serves as the master ON/OFF, while the right switch engages the OCT+ circuit exclusively. (Note: The main effect must be active for the OCT+ to function. To use the octave-up completely solo, simply turn the OCT− knob down.)

When it comes to pedalboard placement, the Double Dragon plays very nicely with others. Running a mid-heavy overdrive (like a Tube Screamer) after it will smooth out and focus the sound, while running a fuzz after it will result in beautiful chaos. Pair it with a pitch vibrato for lush, synth-like warbles.

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the Double Dragon analog or digital?

The Double Dragon is 100% analog. It relies on old-school octave divider technology to create its tones, which means you get rich, warm, and occasionally glitchy sounds rather than clean, digital processing.

Can I use the Octave-Up and Octave-Down independently?

Yes and no. The master bypass (left switch) must be ON for the pedal to work. The right switch engages the Octave-Up. If you want to hear only the Octave-Up, simply engage both switches and roll the “OCT−” knob all the way down.

Does it track well on chords?

Because it is an analog monophonic octave pedal, it is designed to track single notes perfectly. If you play chords, the pedal will intentionally glitch, jump, and “freak out.” Many players use this exact quirk creatively to get weird, lo-fi synthesizer textures!

Does it work on a bass guitar?

Absolutely. Bass players will love the sub-octave side for capturing fat, vintage 80s synth-bass tones (similar to a vintage Boss OC-2).

Our Thoughts

With the Double Dragon Lo-Fi Octave Device, JHS Pedals has successfully distilled decades of quirky analog synth history into a rugged, pedalboard-friendly enclosure. At $179/£179.99, it offers incredible value by doubling as a sub-octave, an octave-fuzz, and even a standalone preamp. The MXR Blue Box is already one of my favorite stompboxes in my collection, so this pedal really appeals to my tastes.

If you’re tired of clinical precision and want an effect that adds real character, weight, and grit to your playing, the Double Dragon is ready to breathe some fire into your rig.