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Average Price: $148

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$150

$601+

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Description

Experience the versatility and power of an entire effects pedal collection condensed into a single, compact unit with the Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal. Designed with the practical musician in mind, this pedal promises an extensive range of tones and effects while maintaining the intuitive, easy-to-use interface Boss is known for. Whether you're exploring the 22 distinct distortion types, experimenting with the 11 modulation options, or tapping into the 6 unique expression pedal effects, the Boss ME-50 is an all-encompassing solution for the creative guitarist. Unleash your tonal imagination without the hassle of managing a sprawling pedal collection.

Key Features:

  • Comprehensive multi-effects unit offering a wide spectrum of tones
  • 10 EQ presets for quick and easy sound shaping
  • 22 types of distortion for various tonal colors
  • 11 modulation effects for sonic exploration
  • 11 delay options for depth and dimension
  • 6 expression pedal effects including wah and ring mod
  • Intuitive knob-based controls, familiar to Boss users.

Product specs

Brand Boss
Model ME-50
Finish Blue
Year 2000s
Made In Taiwan
Categories Multi-Effects Pedals and Processors

FAQs

What effects are included in the Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal?

The Boss ME-50 includes 11 types of distortion, 11 modulation effects, and 11 delay options, along with reverb and an expression pedal for real-time control.

Does the Boss ME-50 require a power supply, and what type is needed?

The Boss ME-50 can be powered by a 9V DC power supply or six AA batteries for portability.

How does the expression pedal on the Boss ME-50 enhance performance?

The expression pedal on the Boss ME-50 allows for dynamic control of various effects, such as volume swells, wah, or modulation depth, providing expressive versatility during live performances.

Is the Boss ME-50 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Boss ME-50 is designed for live use with its intuitive knob-based interface and sturdy construction, making it easy to tweak settings on the fly.

Can the Boss ME-50 be used with other pedals in a signal chain?

Yes, the Boss ME-50 can be integrated into a pedalboard setup, allowing you to combine its multi-effects capabilities with other individual pedals.

Roland Benelux

Roland Benelux

Boss ME-50 Multiple Effects Processor

Video thumbnail for Boss ME-50 Multiple Effects Processor by Roland Benelux

Boss ME-50 Multiple Effects Processor

Roland Benelux

Roland Benelux

Video thumbnail for Boss ME-50 Multi effects pedal review +1 important point by Gearfacts

Boss ME-50 Multi effects pedal review +1 important point

Gearfacts

Gearfacts

Video thumbnail for DEMO || BOSS ME-50 by Arrkum Studios™

DEMO || BOSS ME-50

Arrkum Studios™

Arrkum Studios™

Video thumbnail for Boss guitar multi effects me-50 pedal demo and review #Bossme50 #multieffects #guitar by The Guitar Generation

Boss guitar multi effects me-50 pedal demo and review #Bossme50 #multieffects #guitar

The Guitar Generation

The Guitar Generation

Video thumbnail for Is The BOSS ME-50 Still Relevant in 2022 by Stocksbridge Guitar Tech

Is The BOSS ME-50 Still Relevant in 2022

Stocksbridge Guitar Tech

Stocksbridge Guitar Tech

Video thumbnail for Are Guitar Multi-FX Pedals Worth It in 2019? by Consordini

Are Guitar Multi-FX Pedals Worth It in 2019?

Consordini

Consordini

Video thumbnail for BOSS ME 50 - My favorite settings by Robert McClellan

BOSS ME 50 - My favorite settings

Robert McClellan

Robert McClellan

Video thumbnail for BOSS ME-50 Guitar Multieffects Pedal Factory Preset Demo by Guitar Gear Spot

BOSS ME-50 Guitar Multieffects Pedal Factory Preset Demo

Guitar Gear Spot

Guitar Gear Spot

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile, suitable for various music genres and techniques

  • Durable, withstands rough use and potential damage

  • User-friendly interface, easy to navigate for beginners and pros

  • Good value for money, offers wide range of effects

  • Vintage sounds appeal to those preferring classic tones

  • Direct input, mono, stereo, and MIDI ports increase connectivity options

  • Allows for manual setup without the need to save presets

  • Over 30 save spots, catering to extensive customization needs

  • Distinct bass and treble controls on overdrives and distortions

CONS

  • Latency issues when switching between patches or modes

  • Cannot initiate distortion and chorus simultaneously

  • Feedback and imperfect octave effects noted

  • Memory/tuner mode switching can be problematic live

  • Some effects sound similar, limiting tonal diversity

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal.

User experience

  • Many users have praised the ME-50 for its longevity, with some owning it for nearly two decades without issues.

    Source
  • Owners have noted that the overdrive and drive effects sound suboptimal through an amp at high volumes, suggesting alternative drive pedals for live performances.

    Source
  • Users highlight the pedal's durability, noting it can withstand heavy use over many years without performance issues.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The ME-50 is often used in a DI setup to quickly record fleeting musical ideas, serving as a practical tool for on-the-fly creativity.

    Source
  • The ME-50 is known for its reliable modulation and delay effects, while the drive section is deemed average but workable for beginners.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some owners prefer the ME-50 over newer models like the ME-80 and ME-90 for its superior chorus and delay effects.

    Source
  • The ME-50's rotary effect is appreciated for its authentic sound, even by those who own real rotary units.

    Source
  • The ME-50 is often preferred over newer Line 6 models for guitar tonal quality, even when compared to the Helix.

    Source
  • Unlike newer digital models like the Line 6 HX or POD, the ME-50 offers a foot pedal for wahs and volume swells at a lower price point.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The resonance and voice settings on the expression pedal enable unique analog synth-like sounds, which are uncommon in other multi-effects units.

    Source
  • Users note that the ME-50 allows programming different settings on the same effect, providing versatility during performances or practice.

    Source
  • The ME-50 is praised for its intuitive knob-based interface, making it easy for beginners to use without a screen or complex menus.

    Source
  • The octave + and - settings on the expression pedal function like a simple whammy, creating fun, dynamic effects.

    Source
  • The reverse delay effect is highly praised for its sound quality and ease of use.

    Source
  • The modulated reverb adds depth and spatial quality, especially when combined with ambient volume swells.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The lack of an on/off button for reverb in manual mode is highlighted as a limitation, requiring extra steps to manage reverb settings.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • At approximately $125, it remains an affordable entry-level option, despite lacking the unique sound profiles of more expensive models.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 15 Reviews and 71 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
mikky_whalan

Best Multi effects for beginners to pros

I got to say this thing has been a workhorse all over the Groundwater country music festival at Broadbeach last year. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with this thing. So damn easy to use, can’t pull a bad tone from it and can be found fairly cheap. (I honestly think I have gotten more compliments on my tone with this $150 pedal than I have with my $1.4k pedalboard that I’ve spent years building lol.) Only downside is that the expression pedal is made of plastic (but has obviously lasted years of use). Overall, I’m very happy with this thing and will be using this for the rest of my life for when I need a small pedalboard setup.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

I usually keep it fairly consistent with a basic mild Comp, Fairly heavy gain on the Drive section (BD-2 if using hiwatt, OD-2 if using a Peavey classic 30), moderate Chorus Delay and a medium Hall reverb setup.

willgullis

Extremely versatile and vibrant sounding board

I love me a good multi FX and this one certainly is no exception has an absurd amount of boss pedals on it, with a full sized pedal which can be assigned many uses and 3 separate pedals for controlling distortion delay and mod, picked mine up for 40 quid of gumtree and have not regretted my purchase once perfect for guitar and also bass

Preferred Settings + Usage:

The flanger on guitar and bass is so thick and a solid sound, as well as the big muff and metal distortions being my go to

From Gear Setup
sunflies

Great, but not quite grown-up enough

As a series of individual stomp boxes with some overall tone shaping and whammy effects, this is a great unit. However, if you use it as a true multi-effects rig with banks and patches, there is a disappointing level of latency when switching between patches, which is exaggerated further when switching between manual / stomp box mode and multi-mode. My one has been through the wars, with support bands spilling nasty liquids all over it, and dropping it from great heights... It was badly damaged and out of action for years until someone recently managed to repair it. I was amazed that it came back to life at all, so kudos to BOSS for that. I'm now removing this from my rig, along with Line 6 Spider Valve 212 amp effects and a Line 6 M13, in favour of a BOSS GT-100 to "do it all" and simplify switching processes and reduce set-up times.

izzir1

all right there

dials and stomp boxes for your pleasure. this pedal board has all the capabilities of direct in, mono, stereo, and midi ports. i dont use it to its full potential ..usually use the stomp box distortion for a sustain boost but i try not to rely on it. also for a digital board the peramiters of the expression pedal and wah really add a nice flavor. very user friendly. my favorite thing about this pedal is the fact that you can set it and leave it... you dont have to save pre sets (although there is a memory bank)

tomhood

yeah man

its a fine multi effects board, but you cant iniciate the distortion and chorus at the same time, which is really annoying.

So you can't take to a gig.

iain_norman

Easy to use multi effects

Great range of good sounding effects with proper knobs and dials to play around with - fantastic value for anyone starting out with guitar effects - had this for years and it till works and looks as if it's brand new. Using it more for home practice recently as I find it's a bit easy to switch in and out of memory / tuner mode in a live situation - but it's convenient to get out and use in a hurry

ravensgate5

BOSS build quality wins again.

Awesome box of magic tricks. Great value for money. Could drop a house on it and it would still carry on as normal. BOSS rarely fail to deliver. Had this thing for over ten years and I'm still finding new sounds from it. Great piece of kit.

scottabrownwv

An excellent multi-effect system for the price...if you want a wide variety of effects but have a narrow budget this unit is for you!!!

From a raunchy fat Les Paul through a Marshall...a Chick'n Pick'n Telecaster...to a smooth acoustic all from one processor. Along with some other random noisemakers...lol

N

Multi-effects processor

Its an older version of the series, but I prefer this model because of the vintage sounds and user-friendly setups.

tyler_kearney

Good Multi effects pedal

It's a solid pedal, though the octave up and down effects aren't perfect octaves, and there's a bit more feedback than I'd like, but I'm just nitpicking there.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Stu Mackenzie uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Stu Mackenzie

Singer, Guitarist

King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard

...
Verified via YouTube

Stu runs his mic through this pedal to get various effects, you can see him putting a pitch shift on in the video @19:20

See how Matthew Followill uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Matthew Followill

Guitarist

Kings of Leon

...
Verified via YouTube

At 4:52 his guitar tech Nacho (cool name) shows it off. Although he probably doesn't use it anymore as this video is over a decade old.

Edit : He still uses it, as seen on his new pedal board here https://xacttone.com/info/photo-gallery/matt-followill/

See how Andrew Huang uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Andrew Huang

Singer, Guitarist

First Of October

...
Verified via YouTube

Visible at 0:38 of this older video

See how Mike Campbell uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Mike Campbell

Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

...
Verified via reverb.com

Listed for sale on Reverb.com on July 21, 2021.

This Boss ME-50 is owned by Mike Campbell

The unit is a bit dusty but overall it is in really great shape cosmetically. This unit functions as intended. Power supply included.

All items in The Official Mike Campbell Reverb Shop ship fully insured with delivery confirmation and a signed and embossed Certificate Of Authenticity from Mike.

See how Jared Followill uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Jared Followill

Bassist

Kings of Leon

...
Verified via YouTube

At 0:46 their guitar tech is shown demonstrating the Boss ME-50 for the beginning riff of Closer.

See how Blaster Silonga uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Blaster Silonga

Singer, Guitarist

IV of Spades

...
Verified via YouTube

During the 2017- May 2018 gigs of IV OF SPADES, Blaster uses a BOSS ME-50 multifx. It is seen on their early Wish 107.5 Performances.

See how Nai Palm uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Nai Palm

Guitarist, Singer

Hiatus Kaiyote

...
Verified via Flickr

In this 2013 photo of Palm, she can be seen setting up her Boss ME-50.

See how Gareth Liddiard uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Gareth Liddiard

Singer, Guitarist

Tropical Fuck Storm

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in bottom right of frame

See how Sonny Fodera uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Sonny Fodera

Music Producer

...
Verified via Traxsource

In this interview Sonny lists all the equipment he uses to produce music, including a "Boss ME-50 guitar effects pedal"

See how Bill Nelson uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Bill Nelson

Guitarist, Music Producer

Bill Nelson’s Red Noise

...
Verified via Billnelson

Bill lists several effects units. "I still have and use my Line 6 Pod II but also have a Line 6 Pod HD500, a Digitech Valve FX, a Zoom 2030S, a Boss ME-50, a Korg Toneworks AX-10 A and a Fractal Audio AXE FX II XL guitar processor, plus several stand alone analogue pedals."

See how Isaiah Ikey Owens uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Isaiah Ikey Owens

Keyboardist, Music Producer

The Mars Volta

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this January 15, 2014 Instagram post.

See how Coco Santos uses Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Coco Santos

Guitarist

Clubz

...
Verified via YouTube

In his entire set, the pedal can be seen

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss ME-50 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

Show yours
E

elliott_cave

Gear IQ 75

joaoribeiro

joaoribeiro

Gear IQ 573

shea_patterson

shea_patterson

Gear IQ 162

willgullis

willgullis

Gear IQ 371

aerozach12

aerozach12

Gear IQ 139

drix_garchitorena

drix_garchitorena

Gear IQ 150

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