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Boss Effects Pedal Guide
The history of Boss effects
In the world of effects pedals, there are few companies that can look back on as long and successful a history as the Japanese effects device manufacturer Boss. Boss was founded in 1974 as a brand of the parent company Roland , which first became known through the CE-1 chorus Ensemble , which combined all the important functions of the Roland Jazz chorus amplifier in a compact effects pedal. In 1977, series production of effect pedals for guitar and bass began , which were characterized by their robustness and became famous for their colorful enclosure . Boss effects are still present on most pedalboards today and are very popular among guitarists.
In this guides , we'll tell you how you can put together your own pedalboard with Boss effects. We will introduce you to the individual types of effects such as distortion, time-based effects, modulation effects and useful helpers and their effects on the sound and tell you which effects are particularly popular with guitarists.
The different types of effects
In the world of Boss pedals there are numerous different types of effects that can be classified into different categories. For better understanding, we have sorted our range into the following categories:
By clicking on the respective catagory you will get further information about the individual types of effects and the associated Boss pedals.
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Technical and optical special features
enclosure
The most striking special features of the Boss pedals is certainly the enclosure. Boss compact pedals all feature the same sturdy metal enclosure , making the effects virtually indestructible. This enclosure is so compact that even the most important pedals can fit on small pedalboards.
Boss pedals have always been known for their bright colors and are therefore easy to distinguish from one another. With a few exceptions, such as pedals that are closely related to one another, all Boss compact pedals have different colors . Most guitarists who have been using Boss pedals for a long time are of course familiar with the bright orange of a DS-1 or the bright sky blue of the CS-2.
Buffered bypass
From a technical point of view, the main thing to note is that almost all compact pedals from Boss have a buffered bypass . This buffer ensures that the highs are preserved in a long signal chain by converting the high-impedance signal into a low-impedance one. This gives you the opportunity to build a very long effects chain without serious signal loss , but it also means that you have a lot to consider when planning your pedalboard. You can find out whether your Boss pedal has a buffered bypass on the respective product detail page.
Standard vs Waza Craft
The pedals from the Waza Craft series are based on the standard floor pedals from Boss and are higher quality versions of their role models . In Japan, "Waza" is the term for art and engineering, and these pedals bear the Waza symbol to represent the top level of Boss design and craftsmanship . The Waza Craft series is final tuned by Boss in Japan and offers exceptional sound and response thanks to carefully selected analog components , sophisticated circuitry and meticulous attention to detail.
The Waza pedals are significantly more expensive than the standard pedals, which do their job just as reliably. In terms of sound, the Waza pedals differ from the originals, but only trained ears will notice the difference. You should consider beforehand whether you need the features of the Waza version or whether a standard Boss pedal is sufficient for your purposes.
The right order
Is there even THE right order?
Of course, there is no one correct order within an effects chain, so experimenting with the arrangement of the different Boss pedals is of course essential. However, there are a few important tips you should keep in mind to ensure that your setup works sound-wise.
Where do I place useful helpers?
If you want to use a Boss bottom tuner, such as the TU-3, instead of a clip-on tuner, it is important to place it right at the beginning of the effects chain, as the addressed buffer has a strong influence on the signal within the effects chain This also has a negative impact on the accuracy of a floor tuner if it is placed in the middle of the effects chain. If you use a wah wah like the AW-3, it goes directly behind the tuner.
The position for the other useful helpers depends on the function of the respective pedal and what you want to achieve with the effect . For example, an equalizer can be used at the beginning, after the distortion or at the end of an effects chain. A noise gate is usually used after the distortions.
All useful helpers from Boss:
![Boss NS-1X [EMBARGO 14.09.2023] 1](https://www.session.de/media/dd/53/2e/1694524202/boss-ns-1x-embargo-14-09-2023-01.jpg?ts=1694524202 "Boss NS-1X [EMBARGO 14.09.2023] 1")
position of the distorters
Next are the distortions, boosters and compressors. A booster or compressor can be inserted into the effects chain both before and after the distortion, depending on your personal taste. If there is a booster or compressor in front of the distortion, it provides more gain, i.e. stronger distortion. If the boost is placed behind the overdrive section, it only makes the entire signal louder, although you can also add your own personal touch to the overall sound.
The distortions can be integrated into the effects chain in any order. Often, sorting is done upwards according to the degree of distortion, as this makes it easier to combine the different distortions with each other. For example, a distortion pedal can be easily “fired up” with an overdrive .
All Boss distortions, boosters and compressors:
Place modulation pedals correctly
Then the effects chain continues with the modulation pedals. This type of effect includes, for example, Phaser, Flanger, Uni-Vibe and chorus . By player the original signal with a time delay, these effects create cancellations in the sound that make up their respective sound . The modulation effects also include the tremolo, which affects the dynamics of the output signal. There is no particular, particularly recommended order among the individual modulation effects. Experimentation is required here.
All Boss modulation pedals:
Last but not least: delay and reverb
Last are the time-based effects. These include, among other things, delay and reverb (echo and reverb). Both effects add depth to your sound and create the impression of a larger space in which you and your guitar are. They should be added at the end of the effects chain, otherwise the expressive reverb tails and echoes can be cut off by distortion or noise gates. If you want to use a looper , it goes at the very end of the effects chain, where it perfectly captures the overall sound of your setup.
All delays and reverbs from Boss:
The right power supply
So that your sound is not negatively affected or your pedals are not properly powered, you should invest in a suitable power supply . Boss pedals require a 9 Volt DC mains adapter with a negative pole on the inside. Alternatively, you can power a Boss pedal with a battery (9 Volt block), but you should unplug all cable after playing, as the battery will discharge as soon as a cable is connected. You can find out how much power consumption your Boss pedal consumes on the respective product detail page.
power supply for effects devices:
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