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Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System

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Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System

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$475.00 to $527.99 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (28)

4 Reviews

Find out who is using Boss ES-5

9 community setups

11 wishlisted

62 saved

Page last updated Jul 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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Price

4.5 (8)

$527.99

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5.0 (3)

$527.99

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4.5 (84)

$527.99 New

$475.19 Used (Like New)

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5.0 (25)

$498.93 18 available New

$270.00 11 available Used

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4.0 (3)

$527.99

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5.0 (1)

$527.99

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$527.99

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4.8 (22)

$475.00

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Average Price: $490

High-end/Boutique

$60

$176+

Price Tier

In the Switch Effects Pedals category, Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Introducing the Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System, a game-changing device that revolutionizes your guitar pedalboard experience. Compact yet highly versatile, it offers a multitude of practical and essential functionalities to enhance your musical expression.

This impactful device puts you in complete control of your pedalboard, with five loops for crafting intricate effect chains. You can activate these loops as needed to create various pedal combinations and instantly switch sounds without the need to physically press individual pedals. Your guitar tone remains pristine as it only travels through the needed effect for each sound.

Beyond its core functionality, the ES-5 boasts powerful routing flexibility, real-time control options and MIDI capability, all in a space-saving design. One of its standout features is its innovative routing flexibility, allowing you to rearrange the order of your stompbox effects chain. This gives you pro-level access to a wide array of effect combinations and the freedom to cultivate unique sounds.

The ES-5 also pays particular attention to sound quality. Its carefully designed analog circuit ensures your tone stays pure and free of noise. The input and output buffers can be turned on and off independently, catering to any rig setup.

Key Features:

Programmable switching system with five loops
Analog circuit design to protect pure tone
Unprecedented routing flexibility for changing the routing order and creating a parallel effect chain
External control parameters, such as delay time, can be saved for each patch
Buffers can be turned on/off individually for the input and output, and stored in each patch
Highly reliable footswitches with switch-noise mute capability
Backlit LCD display for detailed information at a glance
200 patch memories for actively gigging musicians
Completely customizable pedal function assignments

Owner's manual

Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System User Manual

Product specs

Number of Footswitch Buttons	5
Inputs	1 x 1/4" (instrument), 1 x 1/4" (tuner)
Outputs	1 x 1/4" (main out)
Effects Loop	5 x Effects Loops
MIDI I/O	In, Out/Thru
Other I/O	2 x 1/4" TRS (external control), 1 x 1/4" TRS (expression/control)
Height	2.68"
Width	13.31"
Depth	3.87"
Weight	2.87 lbs.

FAQs

How many effects loops does the Boss ES-5 offer?: The Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System provides five effects loops, allowing you to connect and manage multiple pedals on your pedalboard with ease.
Can the Boss ES-5 store and recall different patches?: Yes, the Boss ES-5 can store and recall up to 200 patches, organized into groups, banks, and numbers for easy access during performances.
Is the Boss ES-5 compatible with MIDI devices?: The Boss ES-5 features MIDI In and Out/Thru connectivity, enabling integration with other MIDI-capable devices for expanded control and versatility.
What are the dimensions of the Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System?: The Boss ES-5 measures 13.31 inches in width, 3.87 inches in depth, and 2.68 inches in height, making it a compact yet powerful addition to your pedalboard.
Does the Boss ES-5 allow for external control connections?: Yes, the Boss ES-5 includes two 1/4" TRS external control jacks and one 1/4" TRS expression/control jack for additional control options.

Videos

Add video

Sweetwater

BOSS ES-8 Effects Switching System Review by Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Introducing the Roland ES-5 Switching System - How to Create & Modify a Patch - A Guide

GUITARGUITAR

Boss ES-5 Effects Pedal Switching System (New 2016)

Sound Affects

ES-5 Quick Start Chapter 1: Connecting Your Equipment

BOSSchannel

Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System (ES5) | Better Music

Better Music

How I Control my Pedals and Amp (Using the Boss ES-5, Midi and the 4 Cable Method)

Wrashchild

How I Use It (ep 5): Boss ES-5

J Cruz Project | Guitar Content Creator

Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System / True Bypass Looper with MIDI Control

StompboxTV

Reviews

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PROS

Versatile with immense switching options for effects and amp channels
Allows changing effect order and running effects in parallel without physically moving pedals
Fast and quiet switching, no popping or delay
Comprehensive MIDI functionality for expanded control
User-friendly, even for those with little technical background
Encourages creativity by enabling new sound combinations
Compact and less expensive compared to professional touring rigs
High build quality and reliable operation
Presets are saved even after the unit is turned off
Onboard screen offers easy preference adjustments without a computer

CONS

Some users find the buffer quality to be average
Learning curve and initial setup can be time-consuming
Limited to 5 loops, which may not be enough for larger setups
Manual mode switching could be more intuitive for live use
Lack of software for easier programming and management
CTL outputs have inverted states, causing confusion
Cannot update firmware to correct potential issues

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System.

Features and functionality

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The ES-5 allows rearranging pedal order, useful for switching delay and modulation order in patches.
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Users can program the mute switch for alternative functions like global tap tempo, enhancing rig flexibility.
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Users appreciate the convenience of MIDI preset recall on the Iridium, noting it eliminates the need for additional boost or overdrive pedals.
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The ES-8 allows routing specific loops to individual outputs, enabling amp switching configurations with wet/dry setups or more complex multi-amp systems.
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Utilizing a loop for output to an amp can be achieved with the ES-8 or ES-5, though effective routing often depends on user knowledge.
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Mods and upgrades

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An external MIDI splitter box is recommended for controlling multiple MIDI pedals without chaining issues.
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Use cases and applications

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Some users replace the EP Booster with MIDI control to toggle the Golden Boy boost, freeing up a loop for other uses.
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The ES-5 can be effectively used to create an ampless pedalboard setup, integrating seamlessly with Strymon Iridium for versatile amp modeling.
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The ES-5's ability to control non-MIDI pedals through its control outputs can activate favorite presets on devices like the Strymon Flint, despite a noted delay.
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With the ES-8, users can implement a stereo setup by splitting the signal path and routing wet effects separately, enhancing complex rig configurations.
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An A/B switch with a remote jack can be integrated with the ES-8 to manage multi-amp setups, providing versatile output control.
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Setup and maintenance

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The ES-5 has built-in buffers, which some users find sufficient, making external buffers potentially redundant.
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Software and compatibility

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The ES-5's programming can be cumbersome; a guide is available to assist with setup and utilization.
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User experience

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A user successfully employs a Boss EV-30 expression pedal for controlling parameters on other MIDI pedals.
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Comparisons

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Running delay and reverb before the Iridium is described as akin to using them in front of a dirty amp, leading to distorted delay trails.
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The Gigrig G3 offers built-in parallel and wet/dry routing, potentially meeting diverse routing needs better than the ES-8, though lacks direct OC-3 control.
Source

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 28 Ratings

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parhelia_0000

10745

over 7 years ago

Simply the BEST switching system EVER!

Let's face it, we all love the lush, natural, and purely organic tones of the analog pedals and tube amps. At the same time, we all hate having to tap dance our way through multitudes of pedals just to change the sounds in an instant. Back in the old days, if you wanted a switching system you would've had to spend quite a fortune to get a rackmount switching system with a MIDI foot controller just to get by, and it was inconvenient for many people.

Enter the Boss ES-5, the BEST switching system for convenient, simple, easy-to-use setup. Not only does it come with 5 loops to work with, it also comes with external controls for switching amp channels or controlling tap tempos with other devices. The loops are programmable as well - you can interchange the order of the loops for convenience, and you can also program parallel loops as well. Very amazing stuff. I'd also like to note that the designers at Boss Corporation took it one step further and added in the spillover function as well. WOW! That means I can switch patches AND still allow my delay/reverb trails to decay naturally! This is the perfect solution!

The biggest selling point of the ES-5 is the screen on the unit - it's very user-friendly. Need to adjust preferences on the run? No need to hook it up to a computer! The onboard interface is a no-nonsense system that even a bass player would be able to understand.

Oh, and did I mention that this unit has MIDI functionalities as well? Very easy to control my Boss DD-500 with this. Adios tap-dancing, FOREVER!!!

Final verdict: If you're using 5 or less effect pedals and you need something that can give you a perfect solution for live convenience with analog rigs, take a serious look at the Boss ES-5. I did, and I haven't even looked back since.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Progressive rock Progressive metal

rickmeister4

166

over 9 years ago

I can't Imagine my pedal board without an ES-5 ever again

The Boss ES-5 is the solution to all my pedal board problems; I use all 5 loops (all boss pedals except my wah) and even have a tuner as a mute switch at the output of the ES-5 to add versatility, I do this because you can assign the none numbered switches on the ES-5 unit to do 'Momentary' hold switches for effects like my Boss Flanger and Tap Tempo directly from the ES-5 (no external tap tempo required). I haven't even scratched the surface of this unit but you are only restricted by your imagination. Seriously if you want all pedal loops on with one switch you gold, or if you want to change the loop structure and add parallel loops you can do that too! This thing even has Midi, which I can tell will be useful to me down the line. People with stereo rigs however might wanna look at the Boss ES-8 as the ES-5 is all mono loops (I use my Boss DD-7 with A input A output only). I can no longer imagine my live board without an ES-5. :)

rainydayloops

366

over 9 years ago

Fabulous!

I don't think I can say enough about this! It is a very dynamic, intuitive piece of gear! It does exactly what Boss says it does, and very well. The build quality is solid. I love that you can move pedals around virtually (in analog) and also place them in parallel. WOW!!!

Roles:

Guitarist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Hip Hop