I put this question under the theory head because it would be my theory that this is So.
Some of the stuff I might be interested in learning to play are in dropped A. Not only that but dropped tunings. If you have a octave pedals and use standard tuning would say a one octave drop become dropped D. In my mind and if a octave pedals drop the octave then this would be so. If it is how come I’ve never heard anyone say I use a octave pedal to do this. And the dropped A. I only play 4 strings so dont the guy with the A tunings what size 130 to 140 ?
This dropped A guy only plays 3 basses what’s he doing changing strings for every video? That’s why I ask this. Anyone with any insight into this? This is what a octave pedals does? Yes No?
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Tuning down an octave would still be tuned E, but one octave lower.
D is one step below E (2 frets below).
So to get to D, you have to tune down 1 step. Can be done via a pedal.
But: In Drop D, only the E string is tuned down 1 step lower, all the other strings stay the same. so standard tuning is EADG, Drop D is DADG.
So it doesn’t work with a pedal. Other Drop tunings like Drop A work like Drop D: Drop the E string to D, and then go from there with all strings to your Drop tuning. So Drop A would be: 1 step down from E to get in Drop tuning, then 2 and a half from there to A. The other strings go down 2 and a half. So you get AEAD. Tuned to A standard tuning it would be ADGC.
You can use a pedal to detune if all strings in the tuning are equally detuned (so for example to ADGC). But depending on how far you go and what pedal you are using, it might sound quite bad. That’s why many people prefer to really tune the strings to whatever tuning they want to play (within limits, for tuning down you probably need thicker strings, especially if you want to go down to A, which is 3 and a half step below E).
Drop A on a five string is like Drop D for a 4 string: tune the lowest string (B) down one step: you have Drop A.
For practice, I use a Bass Whammy to play some Paradise Lost songs that are played with the bass tuned to C, which is 2 steps lower than standard tuning. Sounds good enough, but not perfect.
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Octave pedals have their own distinct sound for example this is is a famous octave pedal and compressor song.
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Seven Nation Army is a great use of an octave pedal. No bass was used, just a guitar with an octave pedal. Gives the idea of the sound
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Thanks @Wombat-metal
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I just want to point out that the actual effect you want here is a pitch shifter, not an octaver. Octavers are usually synthesizers that synthesize a suboctave or superoctave tone; they usually do not shift your input tone per se.
Pitch shifters shift the input tone higher or lower.
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Now that you made me think about it. You right and octave is 2 over 2 down so you still get the same as you started with. A little bit of musical knowledge like anything else is dangerous. So probably need to get more basses the phase shifter sounds interesting. Or get drop tuners.
I guess that answers my question why I don’t here anything about my theory.
Thanks all for your knowledge
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Yes, always yes 
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To be anal, I’d argue that all octavers are pitch-shifters but not all pitch shifters are octavers. Can’t help myself…
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Then your best option might be a 4 string with BEAD strings
then all you do is drop the B string to A and you are in drop A (AEAD)
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I bought my Octave pedal for the OP’s reason. I think the better way is to buy an A/B pedal like this one (gives you more options) Amazon.com
Keep one bass at STD tuning and one at your alternate tuning Drop D, BEAD, 1/2 step whatever.
Right now I have one in STD and one 1/2 step down. Then when we do a drop D song I quickly make that swap on my tuner with the standard guitar.
I’d be curious to see if that drop pedal could do a 1/2 step. But honestly it’s like $200 and for +$50 you could just get another half decent bass.
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