Boss ME-70 Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal

Much-maligned due to years of sacrificing quality of tone for sheer quantity of sounds, the multi-effects box has its fair share of haters. Cheap sounds, impractical layouts, limited usability, and headache-inducing menu systems are but a few of the reasons for this. However, with the Boss ME-70, the world's largest pedal manufacturer set out to squash these negative connotations with a useful, usable, utilitarian unit.

A Professional All-in-One With All the Fun
The ME-70 combines amp modeling and multi-effects processing into a single, pedalboard style layout. Turning effects on and off is as simple as stepping on their respective footswitches, and the amp models can be completely taken out of the signal chain by turning the Type knob to off-- a boon for those of us looking for a bunch of quality effects to feed into an amp we already love. The COSM technology (the Boss/Roland sound engine) in this model is taken straight from the much more expensive Boss GT-10, their flagship effects box, meaning you can count on getting the best sounds Boss has to offer.

The biggest problem with many multi-effects units is their labyrinthine menu navigation systems, with folder upon sub-folder of navigation, twiddling, and time wasted on spinning knobs rather than focusing your inspiration into the creation of song. The WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) nature of this unit gets you out of that rut, giving you tactile, immediate control over your sound. Further, this model features the celebrated EZ Tone function, which gets you up and running right out of the box with artist-designed-and-tested tone.

Effective Effects

-Preamp - This is your section of amp models, with dedicated equalization and volume/gain stages.

-Compression/FX - Here you can adjust compression, or instead use some of the Boss special effects like their lauded Slow Gear. Online auction sites have the original Slow Gear going for the price of this unit alone (if you can even find one.)

-Overdrive/Distortion - A selection of grit boxes, all derived from actual Boss pedals.

-Modulation - A comprehensive selection of mods, also including a smart Harmonizer.

-Delay - Boss delays never disappoint, and this is no exception.

-Reverb - A single knob lets you go from Room to Hall and everywhere in between.

-Pedal FX - Volume, Wah, Whammy-type effects, and even delay level can be controlled with this sweep.

Stage Ready, at the Ready
The clear, bold LED screen is perfect for dark stages, allowing you to see which preset you're currently centered on. If the 4 switches and expression pedal don't offer enough control, hook up the Boss FS5U and you can now switch your preamp or reverb on and off. The unit is battery-powered, or compatible with the standard Boss-style 9v adapter, the PSA120S.

For under $300 you are getting thousands of dollars worth of Boss effects in a sturdy, well-designed, thoughtfully laid-out all-inclusive package. Boss got this one right.

A multi-effects unit that's as easy as a stompbox -- that's the beauty of the new ME-70. The friendly, knob-laden design makes tone creation a snap, but with a powerful COSM(R) AMP section derived from the GT-10, the ME-70 takes the "EZ effects" concept to new heights.

Features
Dedicated knobs for each parameter for fast, friendly operation

New COSM Preamp section derived from GT-10 and Legend series

EZ TONE for quick, easy editing

Four footswitches and Expression pedal

PHRASE LOOP function in DELAY section, with 38 seconds of recording time

Battery or AC (optional PSA-120s) operation

Technical Info

AD Conversion: 24-bit + AF method*
DA Conversion: 24-bit
Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz
Patch: 36 (User) + 36 (Preset)
Effect Type: COMP/FX (Compressor/Effect): COMP, T.WAH UP, T.WAH DOWN, SLOW GEAR, DEFRETTER, Single>Hum, Hum>Single, SOLO

OD/DS (Overdrive/Distortion): BOOST, NATURAL, OD-1, BLUES, DIST, CLASSIC, MODERN, METAL, CORE, FUZZ

MODULATION: CHORUS, PHASER, FLANGER, ROTARY, UNI-V, TREMOLO, VIBRATO, HARMONIST, OCTAVE, DELAY

DELAY: 1-99 ms, 100-990 ms, 1000-6000 ms, ANALOG, MODULATE, REVERSE, CHO + DELAY, MOMENTARY, TAP, PHRASE LOOP

PREAMP: OFF, EQ, CLEAN, COMBO, TWEED, STACK, LEAD STK, R-FIER

NS (Noise Suppressor)

REVERB: ROOM, HALL

PEDAL FX (Pedal Effect): WAH, VOICE, +1 OCTAVE, -1 OCTAVE, MOD RATE
Nominal Input Level

GUITAR INPUT: -10 dBu

AUX IN: -18 dBu

Input Impedance:
- GUITAR INPUT: 1M ohm
- AUX IN: 22k ohms

Nominal Output Level: -10 dBu

Output Impedance: 2k ohms

Display: 7 segments, 2 digits LED

Power Supply:
- DC 9 V Dry Batteries (R6/LR6(AA) type) x 6
- AC Adaptor (BOSS PSA series: sold separately)

Current Draw: 130 mA

Expected battery life under continuous use:
- Alkaline: 12 hours
- Carbon: 3.5 hours

* These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.

Accessories Included: Owner's Manual, Dry Batteries (Alkaline: LR6 (AA) type) x 6, Roland Service (Information Sheet)

Options:
- AC Adaptor: BOSS PSA series
- Foot Switch: BOSS FS-5U, FS-6

Width:
- 384 mm
- 15-1/8 inches

Depth:
- 229 mm
- 9-1/16 inches

Height:
- 74 mm
- 2-15/16 inches

Weight:
- 3.5 kg
- 7 lbs. 12 oz.

Maximum height ... 100 mm/3-15/16 inches

Weight includes batteries.

*AF method (Adaptive Focus method) is a proprietary method from Roland
*The specifications are subject to change without notice.

More effects than you can shake a stick at, all in a simple stomp-box package. In addition to COSM amp models and effects, it has a preamp selection borrowed from the Boss GT-10 series. The controls are all knob based so no futzing around looking at an LED screen. Basically, it is an array of stompboxes on one pedalboard--including a 38-second phrase looper, wah, octave up/down, delay, and more.