Boss SL-20 Slicer Audio Pattern Processor Pedal

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Turn your instrument into a percussive, groove-making machine with this pedal. It features 50 slice patterns onboard with adjustable attack and duration.

Inject a shot of high-octane fuel into your music with the Boss SL20 Slicer. Instantly transform a guitar, bass, keyboard, or vocal into a pulsating groove instrument. Choose from 50 onboard Slice patterns or experiment with the SL20's innovative Harmonic Slicer feature, which generates percussive melodies, Loop Record, and unique 3D Panning.

Features
Instant groove and percussive-melody generator

50 Slice patterns onboard, with adjustable attack and duration, including Harmonic Slice

Tap Tempo via onboard pedal switch; internal and MIDI sync

Sound characteristics such as attack, duration, effect level, and direct level are controllable via external Expression pedal (sold separately)

Variety of output modes, including the unique 3D Panning for spacious sliced FX

Groove and Melody Maker
The SL20 transforms your music into percussive "chopped" grooves. Fifty rhythmic patterns are onboard, with adjustable note attack and duration, plus amazing Harmonic Slice effects. Create high-energy patterns onstage in real-time, or use the SL20 as a songwriting and recording tool. Play the sliced sounds in realtime while capturing them with Loop Record.

Flexible Control
An internal tap-tempo feature is included, as well as the ability to sync to external MIDI clock. Sound characteristics of the SL20 such as attack, duration, effect level, and direct level can be controlled by the onboard knobs or from an external Expression pedal.

Universal FX
The SL20 is an addictive effect that inspires read more creativity. It's great for guitarists, but it's equally useful for other instrumentalists as well. Plug in a bass, keyboard, iPod(R), or any other instrument or music-playback device. DJs and dance-music artists will also love the SL20 as a rhythmic-performance tool. read less

Nominal Input Level: -20 dBu

Input Impedance: 1 Mohm

Nominal Output Level: -20 dBu

Output Impedance: 1 kohm

Recommended Load Impedance: 10 kohms or greater

Tempo: Quarter note 30 to 250 bpm

Maximum recording time: 40 sec.

Controls: START/STOP, REC, PLAY pedal, TAP pedal, EFFECT LEVEL knob, DIRECT LEVEL knob, BANK knob, PATTERN knob, ATTACK knob, DUTY knob, TEMPO knob, OUTPUT MODE button, PEDAL MODE button

Indicator: MONO, FIXED, RANDOM, PING-PONG, AUTO, 3D PANNNER, 3D CROSS, LATCH, MOMENTARY, TEMPO, START/STOP, REC, PLAY, TAP, POWER

Connectors: INPUT jacks R/MONO, L (1/4 inch phone type), OUTPUT jacks R/MONO, L (1/4 inch phone type), EXP PEDAL jack (1/4 inch TRS phone type), MIDI IN connector, AC adaptor jack

Power Supply: DC 9 V, Dry battery LR6/R6 (AA) type x 6/AC Adaptor (PSA-series: optional) *1

Current Draw: 110 mA

Accessories: Owner's Manual, Leaflets ("USING THE UNIT SAFELY," "IMPORTANT NOTES," and "Information"), Dry battery (R6 (AA) type (carbon) x 6) *2

Options: AC adaptor (PSA-series), Expression pedal (Roland EV-5, FV500L)

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 323-890-3700

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. (5 ratings)
Submitted July 13, 2009 by Jason

"Fun but limited."

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Written by one of our gear experts!
Overall, it's not a bad unit. It does what is claims to do, but I found it limited musically. Maybe if I'd had a chance to use it with an expression pedal I might have been more impressed, but probably not. In the end it was fun to play with, but I'm not sure it would contribute much to my music overall.

Sound
The sound quality on the unit itself is good. I wish it had an option to switch impedance levels - the device is obviously designed with low impedance keyboards in mind as well as high impedance guitars, but the inputs are all high impedance (and therefor the sound is a little distorted when using a low impedance source).

Features
The features on this unit are lacking. I would have to recommend purchasing the recommended expression pedal to go with it, to control attack or "duty" (release). That would make the unit much more musical, but even still you can't manipulate those options on looped tracks. There are a good number of preset arpeggio patterns, but if I was to use an arpeggiator I would want to be able to make my own. I realize this a bit much to ask of this unit, but it is still a feature I would like which this unit lacks.

Ease of Use
Very easy and straightforward to use.

Quality
Built like a tank, like all Boss pedals.

Value
I feel that the price of the physical components is justified, but in terms read more of practicality it isn't worth the cost.

The Wow Factor
It's a sexy unit. The black and green colors look sleek, and the tempo LED is effective and looks cool. Definitely stands out on a pedal board.

Musical Background:
Film Composer

Musical Style:
Electronic, Classical
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