Boss ME-70

Revision as of 05:19, 31 May 2009

Boss ME-70

An Overview of the Boss ME-70 - Please see the full size image to see all the controls.

What it is, and is not.

The ME-70 is the latest multi-effects stomp box for guitar. It shares the layout and appearance of it's predecessor, the ME-50, and it would be logical to assume this is an "ME-50 plus 20," but that's not what it is. This is a similar but very different unit. I'm guessing Boss won't discontinue the ME-50, but rather lower it's price.

The ME-70 can be thought of as a reorganized and updated version of the ME-50. It has all the same standard features like tap tempo, tuner, etc. so I won't go into those things, or operation in general. This is meant to point out some things that might be helpful for a potential user.

Major Changes:

1.Four foot switches instead of three.

The 70/50 have their major effects group in modules similar to an analog synth. The new ME-70 has four of these groups and corresponding foot switch for each. In manual mode these foot switches turn individual effects on and off, like four separate stomp boxes, one each for Compression/FX, Overdrive/Distortion, Modulation, and Delay. In Memory mode, the foot switches select 4 different patches per bank, and there are 9 banks, so 36 saved patches. Unlike the ME-50, there is a separate memory area for User and "Factory" patches. The idea here is to use the factory patches as starting points for a sound you like, and then save it as a user patch without losing the original. When you disengage memory mode, you return to whatever settings you were using in manual mode, so you can think of it as having 5 patches in total available without having to switch banks (4 + manual).

The 70 is not bigger than the 50, it is the same size, so the 4 "modules" and their foot switches are now smaller and fitting into the space where there was 3 larger foot switches before. This can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. The good thing is it's easier to hit 2 switches at once, which is required to switch manual/memory mode, tuner/bypass on/off, and bank select up/down. The bad thing is it's easy to hit 2 switches at once, and do something unintended while performing!

2. Reorganized tone selections.

The 50 would appear to have more tone options in the OD/DS, in fact I think 22 in total. However, the ME-70 now splits some of those tone options off to the new Preamp section, which makes sense since some of the OD/DS choices on the ME-50 were amp-specific distortions. Oddly, the ME-70 no longer references specific name-brand pedals as the ME-50 did (DS-1, OD-2, BD-2, Muff, Screamer, Rat, Guv'nor, (fuzz)face.) Instead they only reference their own OD-1 pedal, and the other types are generically named.

The Preamp section now feature distinct models of some desireable amps, namely a Vox combo, Fender Bassman, 70's Marshalls, and Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, in addition to a standard Clean channel. Each of these models can be equalized using the control knobs, of you can use no model and use the equalizer only.

So splitting the amp simulations from the distortion types actually allows much greater control over your sound.

3. E-Z Tone.

This is a one button shortcut to Boss's idea of some "ideal" sounds for each effect type. This feature is very misunderstood as to how it works. In brief, when in Manual Mode, you press the E-Z Tone button and then any effect of the 4 sections (comp,od/ds,mod,delay) plus the Preamp are assigned preset values for a good sound to start with. Since this unit is really digital with analog knobs, often the control positions don't match what is actually being played. With the E-Z Tone engaged, you can change all the knobs however you want, but if you want to see what the value was that was assigned by the factory as their chosen E-Z Tone for that effect, you can hold down the Edit/Exit button while moving the control knobs and the setting will be displayed, unless you have already moved the knobs. If you want to change the settings you can do so and either save as a patch, save it as the new E-Z Tone for that effect, or not save it at all. As clear as mud and just about as useful, probably for most users.

4. Delay section from Heaven, with Phrase Looper.

The Delay module has been greatly improved in both sound and function. It now features up to 6 seconds of delay, in the typical selection ranges. It now has a Momentary setting for the delay effect which can be used in conjunction with a secondary delay provided in the Modulation section. So you can be playing along with your typical delay setting, and do some special delay effect by pressing and holding the pedal.

Also new and wonderful is a 38 second Phrase Loop function with unlimited overdubbing, so you can layer to your heart's content, at least up to the 38 second limit.

5. Foot Pedal FX changes.

You can now modify the Modulation Rate or the Delay Level with the foot pedal, as well as the standard volume and wah functions. It also has +1 and -1 octave settings, and a voice box effect. Missing from the ME-50 is the Ring Modulator, which no one should care about.

6. What else is MIA?

Acoustic Sim tone setting, "name brand" OD/DS setting names, ring modulator, stereo chorus settings, and 2 of the previous 4 types of reverb (it now has only Room and Hall).

7. What else is new?

Comp/FX module now includes an emulation of the Boss Slow Gear pedal.

Recording Out/Headphone Out now features a full amp simulation for recording directly. The sound quality is superb. However,be aware that having anything plugged into the Recording/Phones jack will apply the amp simulation to both that jack AND the regular (direct to your own amp) jacks. Just something to be aware of.

Overall lower noise and better quality sound.

And finally..

I've saved the best surprise for last... Changing patches in memory mode now happens instantly. In the ME-50 there was often a noticeable lag which made it a show stopper when playing live, for some people.

I found it very easy to dial in some very nice tones right away, not even using the factory presets. I think overall this unit is a big improvement, perhaps at the expense of some convenience in choosing a sound based on other pedal names.

I'll be interested in hearing the opinions of some of our other Tone-Masters about how the sound stacks up, especially that Mesa/Boogie setting. Wow! It's loud.