View other reviews for this product:
Published on 03/29/09 at 12:53
Many opinions have been posted on this pedal. I will try to provide some new rather than repeat what has already been said ...
Short story: when Roland decided to go into effect for guitar and bass, he created Boss: the name seemed to them more marketable to the guitar and especially Roland, already present in the world of keyboards, did not want him there is confusion in the minds between their effects for keyboards and guitar effects. Since the subsidiary has its way and has built a catalog of the most beautiful effects, and one of the most comprehensive. Some pedals have become real references as EC-1, OD-1, DS-1, Metal Zone and other tremolo, delay, reverb, ...
on the other hand, if an area in which Boss has never really imposed is that the wah pedal. Besides its catalog offers only one wah pedal, as opposed to the multiple versions of his other pedals (see the list of existing distortions Boss !!!).
Let us see if the pedal is at the other products of the brand.
Features:
- Digital Technology COSM
- 5 modeling wah: Vox CryBaby, Morley Bad Horsie, bass and a Boss version of "advanced"
- Modeling of a Uni-Vibe, a model of humanization, modeling a "double resonance" type synth
- 3 + 1 memory memory "custom"
- 8 + 1 distortion modeling noise-gate
- Infrared motion sensor to the pedal
- Adjustable pedal rocker hardness
- 3 selectors: type wah, frequency range, drive the distortion
- Input / output device
- 2 electronic switches under the tip and tail (wah activation, memory selection and bypass)
- Powered by 6 batteries or AC 9V (transformer not included)
So on paper, the possibilities of the pedal are impressive. Also the idea of integrating a distortion / boost is sound: the association wah / distortion greatly expands the sound of the wah. Others uses are: Fender with Fuzz / Wah Wah Zvex with / SHO, Dunlop Wah + with Boost ...
The pedal is built with metal case seriously and non-slip pad. As usual with Boss, all is made to last.
UTILIZATION
Here it gets complicated!
A manual is included, thankfully. on the other hand, it is in English, unfortunately.
No manual, can not use the pedal. Many functions are hidden.
For simplicity, see the pluses and minuses:
- And +:
- 3 memories (wah + distortion) which can simply walk
- Wah type, frequency range of the wah and distortion of the drive accessible from the front,
- Electronic and infrared detector switches = no unwanted noise
- 3 for simple storage memory (not for "custom")
- The -:
- Laborer laborious to change distortion / noise gate / volume of the distortion
- Laborer laborious to remember the effect "custom"
- Distortion effects common to all (except 3 memories + pedal "custom")
- Power supply almost mandatory (not supplied)
In short, this is not a multi-effects! 3 selectors would have been more welcome: the volume of the distortion, noise gate, distortion of choice.
The use can quickly be tedious if you do not just what this pedal is: one with a disto wah-wah/univibe/humaniser to expand its sound. Admit that it's already a lot!
On this point of this pedal deserves even a small 5 / 10. 3 selectors are missing and would be a model of simplicity. For a pedal if "old" in the catalog Boss is inexplicable.
SOUND QUALITY
The pedal makes up the sounds. Yes, it's digital. Some will always find it a bit "cold". It all depends on what is before and after!
For my part, passionate wah, I find the result very satisfactory. But I have a nice collection: Dunlop Cry Baby, Dunlop Dimebag Darrell, Fender Fuzz / Wah, Vox V847 and V848, Zvex Wah Probe and Ooh-Wah II Source Audio Hot Hand Wah, wah all with the pad of Glebe.
The modeling Univibe, double resonance (synth) and Humanizing are also performed. Add the bass wah ... what more?
The breath of distortion? Yes, of course. This is the distos! But the noise gate, efficient, well adjusted eliminates the hum.
The volume of the distortion? It is adjustable. So no worries either on that side.
Of course, the volume of the distortion and noise gate are easily accessible. But the settings are done in conjunction with the selection of the distortion, so no real problem.
Do not forget the 3 + memories memory "custom" concerning the effect type and the type of distortion / volume / noise gate. This allows for continuous four sounds underfoot.
OVERALL OPINION
The advantages of this pedal are the number and quality of the proposed effects, the technology used and the combination of distortion with noise gate. Difficult to make more versatile.
Add memory and a 3 foot "custom": what more?
Well in fact, some distortion / noise-gate more accessible: missing three selectors for the choice of the distortion, the volume of the distortion and the threshold of noise-gate. In addition the storage of the pedal "custom" could be more simple.
Excellent pedal, unfortunately difficult to exploit. Boss has accustomed us to better!
Short story: when Roland decided to go into effect for guitar and bass, he created Boss: the name seemed to them more marketable to the guitar and especially Roland, already present in the world of keyboards, did not want him there is confusion in the minds between their effects for keyboards and guitar effects. Since the subsidiary has its way and has built a catalog of the most beautiful effects, and one of the most comprehensive. Some pedals have become real references as EC-1, OD-1, DS-1, Metal Zone and other tremolo, delay, reverb, ...
on the other hand, if an area in which Boss has never really imposed is that the wah pedal. Besides its catalog offers only one wah pedal, as opposed to the multiple versions of his other pedals (see the list of existing distortions Boss !!!).
Let us see if the pedal is at the other products of the brand.
Features:
- Digital Technology COSM
- 5 modeling wah: Vox CryBaby, Morley Bad Horsie, bass and a Boss version of "advanced"
- Modeling of a Uni-Vibe, a model of humanization, modeling a "double resonance" type synth
- 3 + 1 memory memory "custom"
- 8 + 1 distortion modeling noise-gate
- Infrared motion sensor to the pedal
- Adjustable pedal rocker hardness
- 3 selectors: type wah, frequency range, drive the distortion
- Input / output device
- 2 electronic switches under the tip and tail (wah activation, memory selection and bypass)
- Powered by 6 batteries or AC 9V (transformer not included)
So on paper, the possibilities of the pedal are impressive. Also the idea of integrating a distortion / boost is sound: the association wah / distortion greatly expands the sound of the wah. Others uses are: Fender with Fuzz / Wah Wah Zvex with / SHO, Dunlop Wah + with Boost ...
The pedal is built with metal case seriously and non-slip pad. As usual with Boss, all is made to last.
UTILIZATION
Here it gets complicated!
A manual is included, thankfully. on the other hand, it is in English, unfortunately.
No manual, can not use the pedal. Many functions are hidden.
For simplicity, see the pluses and minuses:
- And +:
- 3 memories (wah + distortion) which can simply walk
- Wah type, frequency range of the wah and distortion of the drive accessible from the front,
- Electronic and infrared detector switches = no unwanted noise
- 3 for simple storage memory (not for "custom")
- The -:
- Laborer laborious to change distortion / noise gate / volume of the distortion
- Laborer laborious to remember the effect "custom"
- Distortion effects common to all (except 3 memories + pedal "custom")
- Power supply almost mandatory (not supplied)
In short, this is not a multi-effects! 3 selectors would have been more welcome: the volume of the distortion, noise gate, distortion of choice.
The use can quickly be tedious if you do not just what this pedal is: one with a disto wah-wah/univibe/humaniser to expand its sound. Admit that it's already a lot!
On this point of this pedal deserves even a small 5 / 10. 3 selectors are missing and would be a model of simplicity. For a pedal if "old" in the catalog Boss is inexplicable.
SOUND QUALITY
The pedal makes up the sounds. Yes, it's digital. Some will always find it a bit "cold". It all depends on what is before and after!
For my part, passionate wah, I find the result very satisfactory. But I have a nice collection: Dunlop Cry Baby, Dunlop Dimebag Darrell, Fender Fuzz / Wah, Vox V847 and V848, Zvex Wah Probe and Ooh-Wah II Source Audio Hot Hand Wah, wah all with the pad of Glebe.
The modeling Univibe, double resonance (synth) and Humanizing are also performed. Add the bass wah ... what more?
The breath of distortion? Yes, of course. This is the distos! But the noise gate, efficient, well adjusted eliminates the hum.
The volume of the distortion? It is adjustable. So no worries either on that side.
Of course, the volume of the distortion and noise gate are easily accessible. But the settings are done in conjunction with the selection of the distortion, so no real problem.
Do not forget the 3 + memories memory "custom" concerning the effect type and the type of distortion / volume / noise gate. This allows for continuous four sounds underfoot.
OVERALL OPINION
The advantages of this pedal are the number and quality of the proposed effects, the technology used and the combination of distortion with noise gate. Difficult to make more versatile.
Add memory and a 3 foot "custom": what more?
Well in fact, some distortion / noise-gate more accessible: missing three selectors for the choice of the distortion, the volume of the distortion and the threshold of noise-gate. In addition the storage of the pedal "custom" could be more simple.
Excellent pedal, unfortunately difficult to exploit. Boss has accustomed us to better!