Brand

Boss

BOSS began in Osaka in 1973 as MEG Electronics, a company dedicated to effects. Its first BOSS-branded effect was the CE-1 Chorus Ensemble in 1976; the OD-1, SP-1 and PH-1 launched the compact-effects series in 1977. The JustPedals catalogue includes familiar overdrives and distortions such as the OD-3, SD-1, BD-2, DS-1 and MT-2 Metal Zone, as well as utility items such as the PCS-20A cable. BOSS now spans compact pedals, multi-effects, loopers, tuners and controllers. Manufacturing origin should be checked by model rather than inferred from the brand’s Japanese history.

Category

Synth Pedals

A synth pedal analyses an instrument signal and uses it to control generated oscillators, filters and envelopes. Unlike ordinary distortion, the output may replace the original waveform with a distinctly electronic voice. Tracking mode, pitch range, envelope response, filter movement, polyphony and dry blend determine how accurately the synthesis follows playing dynamics and whether the result behaves as bass, lead, pad or texture.

Tags

Analogue

The signal is shaped by continuously varying electronic circuitry rather than being converted into a digital effect algorithm. Component choice, operating voltage and circuit tolerances influence headroom, noise, clipping texture and the small variations in response between designs.

Bass

Voiced or equipped to retain low-frequency fundamentals and the higher headroom of a bass signal. Clean blends, crossovers and bass-specific filter ranges can preserve weight and articulation while the effected portion adds harmonics, movement or ambience.