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Average Price: $127

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$100

$301+

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Description

Unleash the power of dual functionality with the Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay pedal, an exquisite blend of vintage charm and modern capabilities. A rare gem from the late '80s and early '90s, this pedal combines individual pitch-shifting and delay features in a unique harmony. Whether you're chasing the nostalgia of classic tones or crafting your distinct sound, the PS-2 is your reliable partner. With six different modes and adjustable controls, you manage the balance between each effect and your original signal, shaping your musical journey with precision and creativity.

Key Features:

  • Dual functionality pedal offering individual pitch shifting and delay capabilities
  • Comes with six distinct modes: 125ms delay, 500ms delay, 2 second delay, manual pitch shift, up an octave, and down an octave
  • Adjustable knobs for controlling the balance and feedback in your effects
  • Vintage model manufactured in the late '80s and early '90s
  • Allows a high level of customization for crafting unique sounds
  • Ideal for both classic tones and modern soundscapes

Product specs

Brand Boss
Model PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay (Blue Label)
Finish Blue
Year 1987 - 1992
Made In Japan
Categories Delay Pedals, Octave and Pitch-Shifting Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What are the main functions of the Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay?

The Boss PS-2 combines pitch shifting and digital delay effects in one pedal, allowing you to shift pitches and create echo effects. It offers multiple delay modes and the ability to shift pitches up or down, making it versatile for various musical applications.

How does the pitch shifting feature of the Boss PS-2 work?

The pitch shifting feature of the Boss PS-2 allows you to adjust the pitch of your input signal, creating harmonies or detuned effects. You can shift pitches in semitone increments to achieve the desired sound.

Can the Boss PS-2 be used for both guitar and bass?

Yes, the Boss PS-2 is suitable for use with both guitar and bass. Its pitch shifting and delay effects can enhance the sound of either instrument, offering creative possibilities for musicians.

What power supply does the Boss PS-2 require?

The Boss PS-2 requires a 9V DC power supply, commonly used with many standard guitar pedals. It can also run on a 9V battery for portable use.

Is the Boss PS-2 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Boss PS-2 is designed for live use, offering reliable performance and easy control over pitch shifting and delay effects. Its sturdy construction and intuitive interface make it a popular choice for gigging musicians.

Pepe Music

Pepe Music

BOSS PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter / Delay Demo

Video thumbnail for BOSS PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter / Delay Demo by Pepe Music

BOSS PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter / Delay Demo

Pepe Music

Pepe Music

Video thumbnail for Slowdive & The Boss PS-2 Pitch Shifter/Delay by pedal partners

Slowdive & The Boss PS-2 Pitch Shifter/Delay

pedal partners

pedal partners

Video thumbnail for BOSS PS 2 Digital Pitch Shifter / Delay (1980's) by intheblues

BOSS PS 2 Digital Pitch Shifter / Delay (1980's)

intheblues

intheblues

Video thumbnail for Boss PS-2 (as used by Slowdive, Stars of The Lid & Mono) ~ in depth demo by pedal partners

Boss PS-2 (as used by Slowdive, Stars of The Lid & Mono) ~ in depth demo

pedal partners

pedal partners

Video thumbnail for Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter / Delay by Pedal of the Day

Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter / Delay

Pedal of the Day

Pedal of the Day

Video thumbnail for BOSS PS-2 DIGITAL PITCH SHIFTER/DELAY by KRAZEEIZATION

BOSS PS-2 DIGITAL PITCH SHIFTER/DELAY

KRAZEEIZATION

KRAZEEIZATION

Video thumbnail for BOSS PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter Delay 1990 Vintage Made in Japan F/S Tested by Honpo Nori-chan

BOSS PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter Delay 1990 Vintage Made in Japan F/S Tested

Honpo Nori-chan

Honpo Nori-chan

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique effect on repeats, offering cold and tinny textures

  • Offers a lot of texture and sound sculpting options

  • Versatile with manual mode for experimental sounds

  • Quiet operation, does not raise noise-floor in signal chain

  • Suitable for use with keyboards, particularly effective with piano and Rhodes

  • Capable of producing chorus-like tones and beautiful low-fi sounds

  • Delay settings allow for controlled oscillation and delay loops

  • Features an interesting octaver for shimmer type sounds

CONS

  • May require servicing or repairs due to age

  • Bypassed tone might introduce low level distortion

  • Not all musicians may appreciate the colder, tinnier repeats

  • Delay degradation quicker compared to newer models

  • Some users find it challenging to use

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay.

Features and functionality

  • The PS-2's delay has a unique metallic drone effect at shorter delay times, resembling a sitar, particularly with guitar use.

    Source
  • The pedal has a noticeable lag when adjusting delay time, leading to a cascading drone effect with time-stretched and detuned repeats.

    Source
  • Octave up shifts are bright and metallic, offering a shimmer reverb-like sensation, unlike modern pitch shifters.

    Source
  • The PS-2 is described as having a quirky yet usable character, offering a unique lo-fi digital delay with a degradation of repeats, reminiscent of analog delays but without interference in playing.

    Source
  • Serial number 845800 is a key identifier for PS-2 units without high-frequency noise, offering a cleaner sound compared to earlier models.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Early PS-2 units suffer from high-frequency noise, which can be modified by changing three capacitors.

    Source
  • To verify if a pre-845800 PS-2 has been modded, it's advisable to inspect for resoldering or compare capacitors against modified units.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The PS-2's delays are lo-fi and high-pass, differing significantly from the DD-3, which is described as more straightforward and less interesting.

    Source
  • The PS-3 is recommended over the PS-2 for those seeking a chirpy shimmer effect, as used by the band Cave In, indicating distinct tonal differences between these models.

    Source
  • A user highlighted that PS-2 models from December '89 still exhibit the noisy oscillation, contrary to claims that November '87 models onward were fixed.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The PS-2 excels in creating lo-fi sounds with octave down settings, especially when used with heavy gain.

    Source
  • Users have successfully paired the PS-2 with a Tube Screamer to achieve Slowdive-like tones, highlighting its compatibility with other effects for shoegaze-style music.

    Source
  • Owners report achieving a "Cocaine Slapback" sound, a term associated with the JHS Maxon Fireblade pedals, showcasing the PS-2's versatility in replicating iconic effects.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners suggest being cautious with spending; it's worth buying if the specific sound it offers is desired, especially if found at a deal.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • A user modified a spare wah pedal to serve as an expression pedal for the PS-2, demonstrating potential for customization to expand control options.

    Source

User experience

  • Long-term ownership has led some to desire multiple units, with one user regretting not purchasing an additional PS-2 over their 25-year experience, underscoring its lasting appeal.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 22 Ratings

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stoney_point

One of the Most Important Pedals Created

This pedal is iconic for a number of reasons whether it be iconic lineage and usage by Slowdive or use in a number of modern tracks. I wonder truly how many people this pedal has inspired due to its unique and quirky sounds.

robert_jamora

blast off!

I've had a dramatic bout with this monster and because of her age. I tried to study, and lean on towards learning the bits and pieces and the basics of fixing the first pitch shifter available in the market. The main mistake of using this pedal is that it has a trim pot inside that you need to adjust. All in all, this was a challenging pedal to use, but it is a rewarding experience.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Protip: max out both the settings of the trim pots inside the circuit and put this thing in front of your signal chain.

From Gear Setup
darrell_qualls

Weird "Glitchy as hell" octave pedal with Delay capabilities

This beautiful, nasty "octave" pedal can do octave down, up and straight glitched out detune kind of signals to pair with your original tone. Jump on Youtube and check out some videos, there is no good way to explain this wacked out pedal with words.

yanionguitars

A Gift

I got the Boss PS-2 from my friend that has his uncle gave it to him. One thing is interesting for sure that it has a some kind of octaver that can be used for some shimmer type sounds with use of other pedals.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Denver Dalley uses Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay

Denver Dalley

Guitarist

Desaparecidos

...
Verified via YouTube

Boss PS-2 at 0:15

See how Brian McBride uses Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay

Brian McBride

Guitarist, Music Producer

Stars of the Lid

...
Verified

In this GuitarGeek rig diagram, made by Adam Cooper, Brian's rig includes a Boss PS-2.

See how Ella Feingold uses Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay

Ella Feingold

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

In the third photo of Ella Feingold's Instagram post, the Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay is clearly visible. This image was posted by Ella on September 29, 2025, with the caption: "Thank you @manecolabs.uy for this generous gift."

See how Julian Swales uses Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay

Julian Swales

Guitarist

Kitchens of Distinction

...
Verified via Extendplay

The XTDP website features a brief interview/quote from Julian wherein he reveals some of the gear used during KoD's heyday. Among his pedals, he lists a PS-2.

See how Andy Cairns uses Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay

Andy Cairns

Singer, Guitarist

Therapy?

...
Verified via Photo

Therapy official instagram posted that Andy Cairns uses Boss PS-2.

See how Simeon Coxe uses Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay

Simeon Coxe

Singer, Keyboardist

Silver Apples

...
Verified via YouTube

Can be seen on top of Simeon's oscillators, around the 1:01 mark, to the right of the Line 6.

See how Fumio Kosakai uses Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay

Fumio Kosakai

Guitarist, Composer

Hijokaidan

...
Verified via Twitter

In this gear photo, you can see the Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay pedal on the table used by Fumio Kosakai.

See how Warren Defever uses Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay

Warren Defever

Guitarist, Keyboardist

His Name Is Alive

...
Verified via Photo

Warren Defever is shown preparing for a tour with the Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay, as seen in an Instagram post by xoxowar.

A

Adam Cooper

Guitarist

Alison’s Halo

...
Verified via Photo

The pedal is listed in the Guitar Geek diagram of Adam Cooper's 1992 board. Guitar Geek was originally Adam's project, these diagrams are now hosted at Guitar.com. It must be the PS-2 because the PS-3 wasn't released until 1993 by Boss.

C

Catherine Cooper

Singer, Guitarist

Alison’s Halo

...
Verified via Photo

The pedal is listed in the Guitar Geek diagram of Catherine Cooper's 1992 rig. These diagrams are now hosted at Guitar.com. It must be the PS-2 because Boss did not release the PS-3 until 1993.

See how Leo Abrahams uses Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay

Leo Abrahams

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Pulp

...
Verified via Photo

In a photo from Leo Abrahams' pedalboard, the Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay is prominently featured, highlighting its role in his setup.

See how Gary Lucas uses Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay

Gary Lucas

Guitarist, Music Producer

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

Mentioned in this September 1990 Guitar Player interview and listed in this June 13, 2016 Premier Guitar interview.

Guitar Player, September 1990, "Gary Lucas' Gods and Monsters" by Mark Dery

Lucas remains true to Beefheart's aesthetic. Backed by Gods and Monsters – country yodeler Julia Heyward, bassists Paul Now and Jared Nickerson, and alternate drummers Tony "Thunder" Smith and Tony Lewis – he rattles off strings of notes like a turret gunner spitting shells. He runs his sunburst '63 Fender Strat and red '65 Gibson Firebird (both strung with light-gauge D'Addario rock strings) through a maze-like signal chain: "My pedals sit on a percussion stand," he explains. "I go through a [Dunlop] Cry Baby wah into a T.C. Electronic Sustainer/Equalizer, a Boss Digital Metallizer, a Boss Flanger, another equalizer, which I use as gain-stage control, and then into a noise suppressor, a DeArmond volume pedal, a Whirlwind box – an effects loop with a gain stage – and then into a Boss Pitch-Shifter/Delay, a Boss Chorus, and then into another Pitch Shifter – which I manually manipulate – and then into a DigiTech 8-second delay, an Electro-Harmonix 16-second delay, an Alesis Midiverb, and a second Electro-Harmonix delay. At that point, I split the signal, running the direct sound into a Gallien-Krueger 250 ML and the effects into a Roland JC-120."

Premier Guitar, "Gary Lucas: Sincerely Strange" by Ted Drozdowski (June 13, 2016)

Effects

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  • Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer
  • Boss volume pedal
  • Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifters (2)
  • Boss TR-2 Tremolo
  • TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb
  • Electro-Harmonix 16 Second Digital Delays (2)
  • MXR M102 Dyna Comps (2)

Album Usage

The Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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