The Octaves option controls how many octaves the arpeggiator will run through. If you are currently using either the “Keys” or “Hold” option, this will play your selected note(s) and then the same note(s) up to 4 octaves higher (including the octaves in-between if set to 3 or 4). If you have a custom arpeggio programmed, the arpeggiator will play through the entire sequence before switching the octave range.