Best Alternatives to the EHX Micro POG
Polyphonic octave generator producing simultaneous sub-octave (one octave down) and overtone (one octave up) voices alongside the dry signal — the foundation of The Edge's guitar-as-orchestra approach on U2 tracks including "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." John Paul Jones used an octave effect to layer bass-like sub-octave under guitar lines, and Jack White uses octave-up for his single-guitar-that-sounds-like-two-instruments approach. Polyphonic tracking means chords work without glitching, making the Micro POG usable for rhythm playing rather than single notes only.
BudgetUnder £150
Monophonic analog octave-down at a fraction of the Micro POG price — the BO300 only tracks single notes (not chords) and only produces one octave down (not the Micro POG's simultaneous sub and overtone voices). It is the budget option for bass-line doubling on single notes; for chord octave work or the 12-string effect that requires both sub and overtone voices simultaneously, the BO300 cannot replicate the Micro POG's output.
Build a rig with this →Polyphonic octave with sub and overtone voices at £20 less than the Micro POG — the most direct budget alternative, covering the same chord-tracking sub and overtone octave territory with TonePrint capability for artist-designed octave voicings. The Sub'N'Up's tracking is slightly different from the Micro POG's; most players find them comparable in polyphonic response, with the TC offering more flexibility via TonePrint at a marginal price saving.
Build a rig with this →Mid-Range£150–£500
Expanded Polyphonic Octave Generator with two-octave-down, one-octave-down, one-octave-up, and two-octave-up voices plus an envelope filter — the natural upgrade from the Micro POG for players who want more tonal range from their octave effect. The POG2 can produce the Micro POG's exact sound (sub + overtone blend) and extend it further with additional octave layers; for players who use the Micro POG heavily and want more creative range, the POG2 is the direct step up.
Build a rig with this →Polyphonic pitch shifter that transposes by semitones rather than octaves — a different use case from the Micro POG's fixed sub/overtone voicing, functioning more like a pitch capo that shifts the whole signal up or down rather than adding simultaneous voices. The Pitch Fork is useful for key changes and harmonising; the Micro POG is for the layered octave voice effect. Both are EHX polyphonic pitch devices at adjacent prices, but they serve fundamentally different tonal purposes.
Build a rig with this →Premium£500+
The Harmonic Octave Generator — the professional-level expansion of the POG concept with eleven harmonic voices (every half-octave from two octaves down to four octaves up), expression pedal control for sweeping through harmonic content, and MIDI capability for programmed voice changes. Where the Micro POG produces a fixed two-voice octave effect, the HOG2 is a full harmonic synthesis engine that can produce organ-like, synth-like, and orchestral textures. The premium destination for players who use the Micro POG as a creative instrument rather than a simple octave doubler.
Build a rig with this →You Might Also Consider
Gear with similar tonal characteristics based on gain profile, sound traits, and genre fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best budget alternative to the EHX Micro POG?
The Behringer BO300 Octave (£29) is the top budget alternative with a 64% tone similarity. Monophonic analog octave-down at a fraction of the Micro POG price — the BO300 only tracks single notes (not chords) and only produces one octave down (not the Micro POG's simultaneous sub and overtone voices). It is the budget option for bass-line doubling on single notes; for chord octave work or the 12-string effect that requires both sub and overtone voices simultaneously, the BO300 cannot replicate the Micro POG's output.
Is there a cheaper alternative that sounds similar to the EHX Micro POG?
Yes — the alternatives above are sorted by tone similarity score. Budget options under £100 are available for most octave gear. The similarity score tells you how close each one gets.
What does the tone similarity score mean?
The similarity score (0–100) rates how closely an alternative matches the original's tonal character, gain level, frequency response, and genre suitability. 90+ is near-identical. 70–89 is very close with minor differences. 60–69 is a good substitute with some character change.
What is the premium alternative to the EHX Micro POG?
The EHX HOG2 (£549) is the top premium alternative. The Harmonic Octave Generator — the professional-level expansion of the POG concept with eleven harmonic voices (every half-octave from two octaves down to four octaves up), expression pedal control for sweeping through harmonic content, and MIDI capability for programmed voice changes. Where the Micro POG produces a fixed two-voice octave effect, the HOG2 is a full harmonic synthesis engine that can produce organ-like, synth-like, and orchestral textures. The premium destination for players who use the Micro POG as a creative instrument rather than a simple octave doubler.