Also known as tube toms, are deep, small diameter (typically 6 inch), single-head tom-toms. Octobans were originally grouped in melodically-tuned sets of eight, hence the name.

Complete and half sets of octobans are commonly mounted in clusters of four, in a square pattern. Mounts for four drums in a straight line, dual mounts for two drums, and individual mounts are all also reasonably common. In a drum kit, octobans are most commonly placed to the left of a right-handed drummer, above the hi-hats.