From Boss, seasoned makers of quality musical instruments and accessories comes a series of multi-effects pedals designed to give the performing guitarist great, quality sound and multi-effects.
These multi-effects pedals are more than stomp-boxes, and, unlike their predecessors which used transistors and resistors in producing music, they produce vintage sounds through the use of digital components.
The ME series was designed for players with a lower budget and is simple to operate without compromising sound quality.
The GT Series is generally more expensive, sophisticated, and designed for experienced and advanced players. Boss has revolutionized its products by introducing Composite Object Sound Modelling (COSM) into their design.
COSM is the combination of various digital modeling technologies (such as Variable Guitar Modelling, Human Restructuring Modeling, and others) developed by Boss and Rowland.
Through COSM, guitar sounds are altered resulting in realistic, high-quality sounds in real time.
Here, we compare three of BOSS multi-effect pedals: Boss ME70 vs ME80 vs GT100.
As always, we help you make an informed decision about which of these products to choose as we take a close look at their similarities and contrast their differences.
Comparison Table: Boss ME 70 vs ME 80 vs GT 100
Last update on 2024-04-18 at 17:44 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Similarities: Boss ME 70 vs ME 80 vs GT 100
There are several similarities between two or all the three products in design and features.
We now highlight these features:
- Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM): All three models employ COSM sound technology enabling them to produce good quality sounds and effects
- AD Conversion: They all have 24-bit AD conversion plus AF method
- DA Conversion: 24-bit across all three models
- Sampling frequency is 44.1 kHz
- Foot Pedals/Switches: The ME80 and the GT100 each have 8 foot pedals
- Expression Pedal: All models have an expression pedal
- Display: The ME70 and ME80 has the same type of display, i.e., 7 segments, 2 digits LED
- Power Supply: Batteries or AC supply can power both the ME70 and ME80
- Guitar input impedance: All have 1M ohms
- Connectors: ¼” phone input, stereo mini aux, ¼” L/MONO, R output, and DC IN ports is common to all three models.
- Nominal AUX IN level: For ME80 and GT100 is -20 dBu
- Nominal Guitar Input: This is -10 dBu for all three models
- Patch: ME70 and ME80 each has 36 users and 36 presets
- USB Port: The ME80 and GT100 each has a USB port for connecting to a computer or other compatible digital device
The Differences between Boss ME 70 vs ME 80 vs GT 100
Patch: The GT100 has 200 users and 200 preset compared to the ME70 and ME80 that each has 30 users and 30 presets.
Display: The GT100 has a different display from the other two models. It has two 132 x 64 dots, backlit, graphics LCD. The other two each has a seven segment, two digits LED
Current Draw: All three has varying current draw: ME70 – 130 mA; ME80 – 200 mA; and GT100 – 600 mA
Foot Pedals/Switches: Compared to the other two models that have 8 foot pedals each, the ME70 only has four.
Power Supply: The GT is powered only by AC supply. AC or battery supply can power the other two models
Battery Life: The ME70 and ME70 can run on alkaline batteries for twelve hours and seven hours respectively. On carbon batteries, they can run for 3½ hours and two hours respectively.
Battery types: The ME70 runs on six 9 V batteries, be it R6/LR6 or AA types. The ME80 can run on six AA/LR6 alkaline batteries or six carbon-zinc batteries.
AUX IN Impedance: For the ME70, 22k ohms; the ME80, 27k ohm; and for the GT100, 47k ohms.
Connectors: The GT100 has more connectors than the other two models. It has the following additional connectors – ¼” SEND and RETURN Ext Loop jacks, ¼” amp control jack, ¼” SUB CTL/SUB EXT jack, and ¼” MIDI IN and MIDI OUT jacks
FOOT SW: Only the ME70 has a FOOT SW jack
Guitar Input Impedance: The GT100 has a return impedance of 100k ohms
Nominal AUX IN level: On the ME80 and GT100, this is -20 dBu but -18 dBu on the ME70
Nominal Guitar Input Level: The GT100 has return level of -10 dBu
BOSS ME-70 Review
BOSS ME70 is a portable, easy-to-operate multi-effects pedal designed to produce fantastic quality tones and sounds.
With more than 40 effects, this floor-based unit has specialized front knobs to dial in features and effects. The knobs are organized into simple sections for effective identification and use.
This pedal comes with a Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM) amp which it inherits from the GT10 and gives it dynamic EX effects.
Each effect can be quickly recalled using the type’s knob. With the EX tone function, the effects can be edited or even overwritten with other sounds.
The Boss ME70 has eight different effects’ groups, namely Preamp, Comp/FX, OD/DS, MOD, Delay, Reverb, Pedal FX, and Noise Suppressor.
The pedal unit can be operated in manual or memory mode.
The Preamp section can function as a 6-type amp (R-fier, lead stk, stack, tweed, combo, clean) or as a 4-band equalizer (low, low-mid, high-mid, high).
On the other hand, you could connect your guitar amp to the pedal unit, turn off the Preamp, and use it purely for effects.
In the manual mode, the effects operate as stomp boxes with the foot switches also acting as on or off switch for each effect.
Such results can then be saved in memory for future use. The pedal has 36 editable users, and 36 factory presets.
You can purchase effects and load into the user presets. In the memory mode, the footswitches serve as switches for banks and patches.
There are a number of connectors on the ME70: a stereo mini AUX IN jack, a stereo mini rec out/phone jack, a ¼” guitar input jack, ¼” L/MONO, R Gt. Amp output jack, a DC IN jack, and a Foot SW jack for an optional foot pedal.
The pedal can be powered by six 9V dry R6/LR6 (AA) batteries or by 9V DC adaptor.
The unit does not come with a power adaptor. It also does not have a USB port and cannot connect to a computer or external digital device.
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Last update on 2024-04-18 at 17:44 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose Boss ME-70?
The Boss ME70 is suited to individuals that require an affordable pedal with a good number of multi-effects and features. Guitar beginners might also find this pedal useful for rehearsals and performances. It is portable and rugged for traveling performers.
BOSS ME-80 Review
The Boss ME80 is a multi-effects pedal that can be used either as a stompbox or as a multi-FX unit.
It comes with eight pedals (Bank amp, Comp, Bank EQ, OD/DS, CTL-Rev, MOD, Memory, and delay) and an expression pedal. The effects in the unit coincide with the pedals.
The ME80 has eight different effects’ groups, namely Preamp, Comp/FX, OD/DS, MOD, Delay, Reverb, Pedal FX, and EQ/FX2.
The pedal can be operated in manual or memory mode. Each group has a light to indicate when in use.
It too can function as a 6-type amp or as a 4-band equalizer and can also be used for effects when a guitar amp is connected to it.
The ME80 has all the same connection ports as the ME70 but, also, it has a USB port for connecting to a computer or MIDI device.
You can also connect to the web through Boss Tone Central and download gig-ready effects to your pedal.
You can download Boss Tone Studio, a desktop software, that allows you to tweak effects and save them to your pedal through the USB port.
There are 36 user and 36 preset memory slots on the ME80. It can be powered by six AA alkaline or carbon-zinc batteries or by AC adaptor.
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Last update on 2024-04-18 at 17:44 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose Boss ME-80?
Beginning guitarists, traveling performers, music bands would find the ME80 a functional addition to their list of musical equipment. It can be used on-the-go without much setting and configuration.
BOSS GT-100 Review
The Boss GT100 is the updated version of the Boss GT10. It comes with the next-generation COSM amp allowing it to offer impressive sonic abilities.
Its versatile and user-friendly processor can handle a variety of hard distortions and soft nuances.
The COSM can imitate vintage amp tones, clone classic amp, and also give you the freedom to create unlimited sounds of your imagination.
The GT100 has two LCDs that give you instant access to its features and power. It has no menus to navigate through.
Instead, eight knobs provide access and control to its features.
The upgraded EZ tone feature and the OD/DS features allow full customization of the device’s amps, patches, overdrive, and distortions.
The A/B Channel divider enables you to assign different amps and effects to each channel. You can mix amps and effects or switch them using the footswitch.
Signals can be separated by frequency and dynamics, with each channel having its own amps settings and amp effects.
Heavier tones can be assigned to the lower notes while mild and smooth tones are assigned to the mid-high pitches.
The ACCEL pedal adds a new dimension of expression to the GT100.
You can control effects such as Twist, laser beam, S-Bend, warp, ring modulation, and feedbacker as well as control several parameters at the same time.
The pedal gives you the ability to create weird sounds and strange noises. The Phrase Loop pedal functions as the “Record/Play/Overdub” pedal.
You can edit GT100 patches from your computer through the USB port.
When connected to the internet, you can access the Boss Tone Central website and download free performance-ready patches to the GT100.
You can also download the free Boss Tone Studio on Windows or Mac for editing and organizing sounds.
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Boss GT-100 Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal | Check Price |
Last update on 2024-04-18 at 17:44 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Who Should Buy Boss GT-100?
The GT100 is a sophisticated multi-effects pedal for the more experienced and advanced performing artists.
Conclusion
Boss multi-effects pedals are renowned for their unique design and technology as attested to in these three multi-effects pedals.
Each comes with COSM technology, giving each vintage, impressive sound.
Also, each features an ample suite of effects and features that is sufficient for the beginner guitarist to the advanced and professional artist.
References:
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Up-Guitar-Pedals
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Guitar-Pedal