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BOSS has announced the GX-1B, a new ultra-portable multi-effects processor designed specifically for bass players who want premium sound quality and deep functionality in a compact format. Drawing on BOSS’s long-standing expertise in bass amplification and effects, the GX-1B combines modern processing power with a streamlined, gig-ready design. At the core of the GX-1B is BOSS’s AIRD (Augmented Impulse Response Dynamics) technology, delivering authentic valve-style amp tone and feel optimized for bass. The unit features 16 bass amplifier types and over 130 BOSS effects, covering everything from foundational clean tones to drive, modulation, ambience, and more experimental textures. Despite its small footprint, the GX-1B allows for serious signal-chain flexibility. Players can run up to eight simultaneous effect blocks, in addition to a dedicated volume pedal and noise suppression, making it possible to build complex, professional-grade patches without compromise. The unit ships with 99 ready-to-play presets, alongside 99 user memory slots for custom sounds. Operation is designed to be fast and intuitive. A full-color display and category-based controls simplify navigation, while the Gear Suite function allows players to quickly configure amp and effect combinations with the press of a button. Three onboard footswitches and an expression pedal with toe switch are fully assignable, offering hands-free control in live situations. Audio quality is a clear priority, with 24-bit AD conversion, 32-bit DA conversion, 32-bit floating-point processing, and a 48 kHz sample rate ensuring clarity and headroom across all playing styles. The GX-1B also supports WAV cabinet IR loading, giving players additional flexibility when shaping their output for stage or studio use. Connectivity is another strong point. Built-in Bluetooth® allows wireless playback from a mobile device for practice or jamming, while USB-C® audio and MIDI support enables direct recording and playback with computers and mobile devices. The GX-1B integrates with BOSS Tone Studio on macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, providing deep editing tools, practice features, and access to the BOSS Tone Exchange for sharing and downloading Livesets. For expanded control, the GX-1B includes a jack for up to two external footswitches or an additional expression pedal and supports wireless control via the FS-1-WL footswitch and EV-1-WL wireless expression pedal. Power options are equally flexible, with support for three AA batteries, AC adapter, or USB bus power, making the GX-1B suitable for everything from desktop practice to fly dates. Its compact, lightweight design allows it to fit easily into a gig bag or instrument case pocket. With the GX-1B, BOSS continues to refine its bass-specific digital platform, offering a highly portable solution that doesn’t sacrifice tone, control, or professional features. BassGearReviews.com will be following up with hands-on testing and a full review once the GX-1B becomes available.

A New Chapter in Pitch Control Boss has officially announced two new entries in its effects lineup: the XS-100 Poly Shifter and the XS-1 Poly Shifter, bringing advanced pitch-shifting capabilities to both flagship and compact pedal formats. Designed for both guitar and bass, these pedals aim to push real-time pitch control deeper — with more range, more flexibility, and cleaner tracking with fewer artifacts. XS-100 Poly Shifter — The Flagship Workhorse The XS-100 offers an impressive ±4-octave range, giving players a massive eight-octave span to explore. It includes a built-in expression pedal for smooth sweeping control, with the ability to set independent pitch-change speeds for upward and downward movements. This allows for effects that can resemble revving engines or controlled glides. A toe switch at the end of the pedal travel enables momentary pitch jumps, and players can assign different rise and fall times for creative results. Two onboard footswitches give quick access to semitone jumps or other functions across the full range, and the pedal holds 30 memory slots for storing favorite setups. Additional customization includes reassignable switches, compatibility with external footswitches or expression pedals, MIDI integration, and a secondary output for parallel routing. Most importantly, Boss claims the XS-100 runs on a newly developed DSP platform designed to suppress artifacts and preserve clarity, even with complex chords and wide-interval shifts. For bassists, this could mean clean tracking across the low end, smooth sub-octaves, and expressive sweeps without losing punch or definition. XS-1 Poly Shifter — Compact Power The XS-1 brings a simpler approach in a smaller form factor. It offers up to ±7 semitones of shifting in semitone mode, or a full ±3 octaves in octave mode. Controls are pared down to two knobs — one for balancing the dry and shifted signal, and one for selecting the shift interval. A detune mode is included for chorus-like doubling effects. Despite its compact size, the XS-1 supports external footswitches and expression pedals, letting players add flexibility and pitch-bending control. Like the XS-100, it benefits from the same new pitch-tracking algorithms aimed at delivering clean, artifact-free performance. Pricing and Availability The XS-100 will retail at $349.99, while the XS-1 will come in at $199.99. Both are scheduled to begin shipping in October 2025. Conclusion With these two new pedals, Boss is making a strong statement in the world of pitch-shifting. The XS-100 is designed for players who want maximum control and versatility, while the XS-1 delivers the essentials in a compact, straightforward package. For bassists and guitarists alike, both pedals open the door to new creative possibilities, from subtle harmonies to dramatic pitch sweeps. Whether you need a full-featured pitch workstation or a streamlined solution for retuning and layering, the XS series looks set to become an exciting new option on the market. Want to See More Boss Products? Check out our other reviews of standout pedals from the Boss lineup:

A Bass Players First Look Boss has just unveiled the PX-1 Plugout FX—a compact, multi-effect stompbox housing 16 classic Boss tones in a single deliverably flexible pedal platform. It hits stores in September 2025, priced at around $249.99 USD (approx. £229). Check the Price at Amazon –> Design & Interface The PX-1 retains the iconic Boss compact pedal chassis but adds a modern twist: three blue rotary knobs, a clear LCD for real-time parameter feedback, and a “Swap” function that lets you toggle between two effects. Connectivity includes stereo I/O, tap-tempo, TRS-MIDI, USB-C, and Bluetooth MIDI, allowing both flexible control and easy effect loading via the BOSS Effect Loader app. Quick Specs You Can’t Miss Highlights Tailored for Bassists As a bass player, you’re after depth, clarity, and low-end integrity. Here’s what stands out: OC-2 OctaveAn analog-favorite among bassists, the OC-2 delivers rich sub-octave textures and synth-like low foundations, ideal for thickening your tone or carving a unique sonic niche. CS-1 Compression SustainerBoss’s first optical compressor offers a warm, smooth sustain with a slower attack—perfect for mellowing slap, evening dynamics, or holding long, rounded low notes. SP-1 SpectrumThis rare EQ-centric pedal boosts a selectable frequency band, letting you bring forward your bass’s presence or add focal coloration—a subtle but powerful tone-shaping tool. DD-2 Digital DelayThe vintage 12-bit delay adds a gritty, analog-styled echo texture—beautiful for spaced-out bass lines or ambient fills without muddying the low end. Final Take for Bass Players The Boss PX-1 Plugout FX is an inspiring nod to Boss’s legacy, repackaged for modern versatility. For bassists, the standout effects are OC-2, CS-1, SP-1, DD-2, and DF-2—each sculpting or expanding your low-end character in creative yet thoughtful ways. At $249.99, this pedal is a cost-effective gateway to a wide palette of tones, with future expansion baked in via Model Passes. Its compact footprint, intuitive controls, and rich DSP modeling make it a compelling footboard staple—for practice, studio, or stage. Ready to expand your bass tone? Get the Boss PX-1 Plugout FX!!! Want to See More Boss Products? Check out our other reviews of standout pedals from the Boss lineup:

Compact Rotary Speaker Effects with Vintage Tone and Modern Control BOSS has announced the release of the RT-2 Rotary Sound Machine, a new compact effects pedal designed to deliver authentic rotary speaker tones in a streamlined format. While not built specifically for bass, the RT-2 offers rich tonal flexibility and control options that may appeal to adventurous bass players looking to add movement and harmonic texture to their sound. At the heart of the RT-2 is BOSS’s advanced rotary speaker modeling, offering three distinct modes: The RT-2 includes a Drive control inspired by the tube amplification stages of traditional rotary cabinets. This knob adds variable saturation to the signal, from subtle warmth to full-bodied grit. A rear-panel switch lets users assign the Drive knob to instead control the balance between treble and bass rotors, offering additional tonal shaping. Settings are automatically saved and recalled with power-up. A Fast/Slow control adjusts the rotor speed on the fly, and a Rise/Fall Time switch fine-tunes how quickly the virtual rotors transition between speeds—great for creating dramatic swells or subtle fades. The RT-2 also features a virtual rotor display, with LED indicators showing the independent speeds of the treble and bass rotors. The pedal supports four different footswitch modes, allowing users to configure how the RT-2 behaves in live situations—whether toggling bypass, speed changes, or a brake function. For expanded control, the RT-2 also supports external footswitches or expression pedals, assignable to functions like speed or braking. Connectivity includes mono and stereo I/O, with two output modes: standard stereo or independent wet/dry outputs, useful for players routing their clean signal separately from the rotary effect. Though designed with general instrument use in mind, the RT-2’s tonal flexibility, modulation depth, and expanded control options make it a versatile tool for bassists looking to explore rotary textures within their own rigs. The RT-2 is available now and comes with the standard BOSS five-year warranty.

Roland releases the BOSS Effects Pedals Plug-In Roland has unveiled the BOSS Effects Pedals Plug-In, bringing the iconic sound of BOSS compact pedals to digital audio workstations (DAWs) for the first time. Available exclusively through the Roland Cloud Ultimate membership, this plug-in suite offers musicians and producers a new way to access the legendary tones that have shaped music for decades. Since their debut in 1977, BOSS compact pedals have been a staple on pedalboards worldwide, known for their durability and distinctive sound. The new plug-in faithfully recreates eight of these classic effects, allowing users to integrate them seamlessly into their digital workflows. Included Pedals: Each effect is modeled with precision, capturing the nuances that made the original hardware beloved by musicians across genres. Features Tailored for Modern Production The BOSS Effects Pedals Plug-In is designed with both authenticity and flexibility in mind: Accessing the Plug-In To use the BOSS Effects Pedals Plug-In, users must subscribe to the Roland Cloud Ultimate membership, which offers a 30-day free trial. This subscription not only provides access to the BOSS plug-ins but also to a vast library of Roland’s virtual instruments and effects. Looking Ahead Roland has indicated plans to expand the plug-in’s library, potentially bringing more of their extensive catalog of over 140 BOSS pedals into the digital realm. This move signals a commitment to preserving and evolving the legacy of BOSS effects for future generations of music creators. For more information and to start your free trial, visit the Roland Cloud website.

BOSS SDE-3 Dual Digital Delay: A Modern Take on a Vintage Classic BOSS has just unveiled the SDE-3 Dual Digital Delay, a compact stompbox that brings the beloved sound of the legendary Roland SDE-3000 rack unit into the modern age. With a design that appeals to tone purists and experimentalists alike, the SDE-3 is more than just a nostalgic nod—it’s a powerful, stereo-capable delay tool fit for today’s versatile musicians. At the heart of the SDE-3 is a faithful recreation of the SDE-3000’s rich and detailed digital delay character. While the original unit was a staple of ’80s racks, the SDE-3 translates its sonic identity into a pedalboard-friendly format. Musicians can now access those sought-after clean, precise repeats without the hassle of bulky gear. The standout feature of the SDE-3 is its dual delay engine. This allows players to stack two separate delay lines and fine-tune them with the Offset knob. Whether you’re going for subtle stereo widening, ambient textures, or rhythmic interplay, the SDE-3 delivers in spades. Want dotted eighths in one channel and quarter notes in the other? No problem. You can achieve everything from tight slapbacks to sprawling soundscapes. Additionally, the pedal features multiple output routing options, including true stereo operation, ensuring it integrates seamlessly into any modern rig. The flexible layout is ideal for both guitarists and bassists, with clear definition and warmth that never muddies the low end. The BOSS SDE-3 is perfect for players who crave high-fidelity delay with a vintage soul. Whether you’re chasing The Edge-style patterns or laying down cinematic ambient washes, this pedal brings creative delay manipulation to your feet. Stay tuned for availability and pricing, but from early looks, the BOSS SDE-3 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases in the delay world this year.