Boss ME-70: A Brief Review

By R. S. Rasnick

For years I have used a Boss ME-50 as a supplemental multi-effects pedalboard to my main effects system. I have a huge pedalboard that contains just about every effect I could possibly want, but therein lies the problem. For quick gigs, practices, or other occasions where I need to be mobile, a 50 pound pedalboard can be quite a hassle. The ME-50 has been a godsend in saving me both time and trouble. Just when I though it couldn't get any better, Boss introduced the ME-70. Suffice it to say, it's gotten better...a lot better.

For starters, the ME-70 just plain looks better. Don't get me wrong. I don't judge a pedalboard based on its color, but the black ME-70 just looks a lot more professional than the baby-blue ME-50. In the looks department, the ME-70 is just sharper.

Of course, looks don't affect the sound, so what's different under the hood? Well, that's where the ME-70 really sets itself apart from its predecessor. In a relatively small package you've got what amounts to 40 different Boss effects pedals. Yep, these are the same classic Boss sounds that we've come to rely upon for so many years. All of your favorites are here - the distortions, overdrives, delays, choruses - from both the ME-50 and your old Boss pedals. It's amazing what the ME-70 packs under the hood. It's a virtual history of Boss effects pedals!

But the ME-70 has a few tricks of its own. I used to avoid multi-effects boards with built-in preamps because I never used the preamp section. Then, one day I had a gig where my amp died, and I had to go direct from my pedalboard into the P.A. Ugh! It sounded horrible. Fortunately, the ME-70 has a built-in COSM preamp that it easily bypassed if you don't need the preamp sound, but if you're ever in a situation where you need to go direct, the ME-70 could be a lifesaver. It could even be the only item you take for some gigs.

Another welcome addition to the Boss ME-7o is the onboard looper. Boss makes great looping pedals, and if you've ever used a Boss Loop Station, you'll recognize the same Boss quality here as well. The looper gives you up to 38 seconds of loop time, which is exceptional for a non-dedicated looper.

One of my favorite effects is compression, and that was always a shortcoming of the ME-50. The compressor didn't have its own pedal, and the controls were pretty meager. Fortunately, the engineers at Boss saw fit to add a dedicated compressor section to the ME-70. Smart thinking.

Of course, all the great things about the ME-50 are still here. There's adjustable reverb and noise suppression as well as the rocker pedal where you can get wah, volume, and pitch-shifting effects control.

So, if you're looking for a world-class multi-effects pedal that won't break the bank, you should definitely check out the Boss ME-70, a worthy successor to the ME-50. - 29968

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