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Average Price: $420
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$601+
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Description
Introduce an extra dimension to your music with the Boss SL-20 Slicer, a multi-effects pedal designed to morph your signal into a suite of pulsating grooves and rhythmic patterns. This unit is more than just a pedal, it's a creative tool that inspires experimental play and innovative songwriting. With its unique Harmonic Slice feature and immersive 3D panning, the SL-20 is not just about adding effects, it's about crafting a sonic landscape that moves with the rhythm of your performance.
Key Features: - Multi-effects unit with 50 onboard rhythmic patterns - Unique Harmonic Slice feature - 3D panning for immersive soundscapes - Loop playback capabilities for song-writing and experimental play
Product specs
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | SL-20 Slicer |
| Finish | Green |
| Year | 2008 - 2025 |
| Made In | Taiwan |
FAQs
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What does the Boss SL-20 Slicer pedal do?
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The Boss SL-20 Slicer creates unique sliced sound effects by rhythmically chopping your signal into percussive patterns. It's designed to add dynamic and rhythmic textures to your guitar or keyboard performances.
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Can the Boss SL-20 Slicer be used with instruments other than guitar?
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Yes, the Boss SL-20 Slicer can be used with keyboards, bass guitars, and other electronic instruments, making it versatile for various musical setups.
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Does the Boss SL-20 Slicer require a specific power supply?
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The Boss SL-20 Slicer requires a standard 9V DC power supply, commonly used with most Boss pedals, or it can be powered by a 9V battery.
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How many slice patterns does the Boss SL-20 Slicer offer?
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The Boss SL-20 Slicer offers 50 different slice patterns, allowing for a wide range of rhythmic possibilities and creative soundscapes.
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Can the Boss SL-20 Slicer sync to external MIDI devices?
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Yes, the Boss SL-20 Slicer can sync to external MIDI devices, enabling precise tempo synchronization with other gear in your setup.
Videos
BOSSchannel
BOSS SL-20 Slicer [BOSS Sound Check]
Reviews
PROS
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Offers unique rhythmic patterns for innovative soundscapes
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Versatile across guitars, bass, and synths, enhancing a wide range of instruments
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Intuitive interface with immediate usability and a variety of modes
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Features like tap tempo and memory banks for precise rhythm control
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Stereo input and output for complex audio setups
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Innovative design praised for its originality in effects
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Encourages experimental play, acting as an instrument/tool
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Preset rhythm patterns allow for easy integration with a full band
CONS
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Discontinued, making it harder to find/purchase
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Can be too esoteric or niche for some, limiting its utility
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss SL-20 Slicer.
Features and functionality
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The SL-20 Slicer offers six stereo modes, finely-adjustable attack and duty, and no-hassle MIDI clock, providing a wide range of rhythmic options.
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The SL-20 Slicer includes a unique "dummy plug" trick to enable stereo output, creating a tremolo effect on top of the Slicer effect for added depth.
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The SL-20's Autopan effect includes a 3-D effect in some algorithms, moving sound left-right and front-back, offering a unique stereo experience when used mono.
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The SL-20's onboard looper is highlighted for its accessibility, adding to the pedal's appeal compared to the MD series.
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Comparisons
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The SL-20 features a 5-pin MIDI port and up to 40-second loop recording, which some users prefer over the SL-2 for its synth compatibility.
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The MD-200 has a slicer feature but lacks the full 11 variations of the SL-2, making the latter more appealing for dedicated slicing effects.
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Some users find the SL-20's integrated dry/wet blend feature useful, potentially eliminating the need for a separate loop switcher when blending effects.
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Compared to the MD-200/MD-500, the SL-20 is preferred for its dedicated slicer effect without additional modulation features, simplifying its use for slicing tasks.
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Use cases and applications
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Owners have used the SL-2 to add unexpected movement to ambient music, highlighting its versatility in creating dynamic soundscapes.
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Owners successfully use the SL-20's stereo and Autopan features to create complex, semi-random pulse effects, enhancing dynamic soundscapes in live looping and electronic projects.
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Users enjoy the SL-20 for creating choppy tremolo effects synced to a pattern, particularly with "harmonic" pattern banks, enhancing experimental play.
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The pedal is favored for drone music by setting a short gate on synth pads, allowing creative manipulation of dry and effect levels.
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Software and compatibility
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A community-made web editor, sl2-patch-editor.xyz, enhances the SL-2's usability by simplifying pattern adjustments and integration with other gear.
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User experience
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Some users find the SL-2 difficult to operate due to its compact design, but MIDI clocking significantly improves synchronization with other equipment.
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An expression pedal can be paired with the SL-20 to explore additional dimensions in sound manipulation, enhancing the pedal's versatility.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 6 Reviews and 33 Ratings
41029
I got this for electrnic music but tis fun on guitar too
this thing is insane when screwing with it on synths and samplers. its just whack. I enver thought I would like it on guitar but it has its moments as a guitar effect too. I haven't explored all tis options in any way but I really like the SL-20. Sound quality is really solid for a boss effect. Buffer's not too offensive to my ear. Sounds good and it does a million varieties of whacked out shit to your music. like a lot of EQD stuff its uses are pretty esoteric and for all but the most experimental noise-band people it will be a bad investment unless they're doing a lot of studio work or home recording where crazy, rhythmic gimmick effects are needed.
591
This should be your introduction to "different" pedals.
The Boss Slicer is awesome. If you're into things like Muse or 30 Seconds to Mars, when you start messing with this, you will INSTANTLY be hearing where they got some of their tricks... it's all thanks to this thing. In a way, it almost turns your guitar into a sequencer. Using this with a synth-inspired pedal, like the DigiTech Synth Wah, will take you to some very spacey places.
579
I this pedal. It not for everyone.
This pedal makes the guitar sound synthetic. The effect can "chop" notes and chords with different attack and modulate the notes. This isn't just a tremolo effect with an auto wah. It can make a guitar sound like an arpeggiated keyboard.
243
Not for everyone...
...but definitely for me!!! It's a weird beast, and you can't use it on everything...I do want to though! I find it to be more of an instrument or a tool than an effect...if that means anything...anywhere...this pedal doesn't do William Burroughs but it kind of sounds like it does...if that means anything...anywhere...footfalls on a wet sidewalk, but the exclamation is all wrong. Pete zipped up.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this post to Johnny's Instagram page, the SL-20 can be seen in the upper-left corner of the image.
Noel Gallagher uses this pedal at least from 2015. It was featured in Premier Guitar's list of pedal he uses.
Some sources, however, say he used this pedal before 2015. This pedal could have been used in 2007. as this source cites.
http://the-noise-room.webs.com/
In this site, there is also a photo which is thought to be from 2007 Brits, possibly showing his pedalboard, where SL-20 is seen somewhere in the top left corner.
"And then the newest one would be the Slicer, which I picked up last year, right before we started doing the band, and I got that at, I think, Noisebug in Pomona in California, they always have a lot of great pedals, and [it] sort of goes further into like, the things that I was trying to do with the tremolo pedals, you know, but it has these cool harmonic things that happen in it that just don't happen, you know, with tremolos and, again, it's real versatile, and especially the fact that you can tap tempo the whole damn thing, so you can just sort of be changing it up all the time, so it's pretty cool" – Omar Rodríguez-López on the Boss SL-20 Slicer Twin Pedal, 0:55
En este video (minuto 10:49) podemos ver a Gustavo utilizando el SL-20 Slicer para crear texturas sonoras en la canción "Deja Vú".
Visible in Stompbox: 100 Pedals of the World's Greatest Guitarists, as can be seen in the quick browse video at 0:08.
17:13 Lissack always wondered how Johnny Marr got his tone for "How Soon Is Now?". He also explained in the rig rundown that he is using this pedal in conjunction with Line 6 M5 multi-effects pedal to create "Virtue" sound. He uses the tremolo setting on this pedal for the song.
At 17:19 of this "Rig Rundown" with Premier Guitar, Steve talks about the SL-20 saying "the other effects in that signal chain is this slicer, which is locked midi clock - which we have a Pro Tools rig out on the road with us. So, our drummer is on in ears, and he plays to a click. So I'm locked, no matter what tempo he's at, I can do slicing and stutter effects - live in time with my drummer which is really cool."
Album Usage
The Boss SL-20 Slicer has been featured on the following albums:
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 SL-20 Slicer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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Add recommendation1 alternative for Boss SL-20 Slicer, curated by the Equipboard community.
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The Boss Sl-2 is a reissue of the Sl-20 but in a smaller box
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