Pricing and availability

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Guitar Center
4.5 (3)
$274.99
Amazon
4.6 (121)
$259.00 $234.00 $25.00 · All time low
Reverb
5.0 (14)
$245.54 New
$157.84 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (3)
$274.99
Thomann
4.2 (40)
$205.00 $203.00 $2.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£190.00

Average Price: $241

Standard/Professional

$150

$601+

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Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Boss VO-1 Vocoder". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the Boss VO-1 Vocoder, a revolutionary pedal designed to bring the boundless expressive range of the human voice to guitarists and bassists. This game-changing stompbox allows you to vocalize into a connected mic, transforming your tone with electronic voices, classic talk box sounds, and an array of fresh tones perfect for modern music styles.

The VO-1 Vocoder is powered by Boss's renowned guitar synth technology and offers an easy-to-use setup. Plug in your instrument and microphone, tweak the knobs, and you're ready to introduce the world to new dimensions of sound. The VO-1 applies the complex formant characteristics of your voice to your tone in real time, and you don't even have to be able to sing in tune.

This versatile pedal features four modes - Vintage, Advanced, Talk Box, and Choir - each offering a unique sonic experience. The Vintage mode gives you classic synthesized voice sounds, while the Advanced mode leverages Boss's latest technology to translate speech and vocalizations to your instrument with unprecedented clarity. Talk Box mode recreates the sought-after "talking lead guitar" tones without a traditional talk box setup, and Choir mode produces rich vocal textures from a direct input, no mic needed.

Key Features:

  • Innovative stompbox powered by Boss's guitar synth technology.
  • Transforms your tone with electronic voices, classic talk box sounds, and fresh tones.
  • Applies the complex formant characteristics of your voice to your tone in real time.
  • Four modes (Vintage, Advanced, Talk Box, Choir) for a versatile sonic experience.
  • Works with guitar, bass, or any instrument with a 1/4-inch output.
  • Features an effect loop for integrating with external effects.
  • Mixes vocoder and straight tones together with a Blend knob.

Owner's manual

Boss VO-1 Vocoder User Manual

Product specs

Pedal Type Vocoder
Inputs 1 x 1/4", 1 x XLR
Outputs 1 x 1/4" (out)
Other I/O 2 x 1/4" (effects loop)
Power Source 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Batteries Optional 9V battery
Height 2.3"
Width 2.8"
Depth 5.1"

FAQs

Can the Boss VO-1 Vocoder be used with both guitar and microphone inputs?

Yes, the Boss VO-1 Vocoder has a 1/4" input for guitars and an XLR input for microphones, allowing you to blend vocal and instrumental sounds.

What power options are available for the Boss VO-1 Vocoder?

The Boss VO-1 Vocoder can be powered by a 9V DC power supply (sold separately) or an optional 9V battery for added convenience.

Does the Boss VO-1 Vocoder have an effects loop?

Yes, the Boss VO-1 Vocoder features a 2 x 1/4" effects loop, which allows for additional signal processing flexibility.

Is the Boss VO-1 Vocoder suitable for live performances?

The Boss VO-1 Vocoder is designed for live performance use, offering intuitive controls and robust construction to withstand gigging conditions.

How does the Boss VO-1 Vocoder differ from traditional vocoders?

The Boss VO-1 Vocoder integrates seamlessly with guitar setups, providing unique vocal effects directly from your guitar, unlike traditional vocoders that typically require keyboard input.

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Boss VO-1 Vocoder

Video thumbnail for Boss VO-1 Vocoder by ProGuitarShopDemos

Boss VO-1 Vocoder

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for BOSS VO-1 Vocoder Sounds and Settings by BOSSchannel

BOSS VO-1 Vocoder Sounds and Settings

BOSSchannel

BOSSchannel

Video thumbnail for Boss VO-1 Vocoder Effects Pedal Demo (NEW 2016) by Sound Affects

Boss VO-1 Vocoder Effects Pedal Demo (NEW 2016)

Sound Affects

Sound Affects

Video thumbnail for BOSS VO-1 Vocoder | Guitar Pedal | Vintage King by Vintage King

BOSS VO-1 Vocoder | Guitar Pedal | Vintage King

Vintage King

Vintage King

Video thumbnail for Vocoder VO-1 Boss - Daft Punk 🤖 by Guitar Gear

Vocoder VO-1 Boss - Daft Punk 🤖

Guitar Gear

Guitar Gear

Video thumbnail for Boss VO-1 Vocoder by Kosmic Sound

Boss VO-1 Vocoder

Kosmic Sound

Kosmic Sound

Video thumbnail for Boss VO-1 Vocoder Pedal Demo, with Keyboards & Guitar by Dan Baker

Boss VO-1 Vocoder Pedal Demo, with Keyboards & Guitar

Dan Baker

Dan Baker

Video thumbnail for So... the BOSS VO-1 Vocoder is very cool. by Mark Johnston

So... the BOSS VO-1 Vocoder is very cool.

Mark Johnston

Mark Johnston

Video thumbnail for Boss VO-1 Vocoder | A Talk Box Without The Tube, Plus A Whole Lot More! by Robert Jackson

Boss VO-1 Vocoder | A Talk Box Without The Tube, Plus A Whole Lot More!

Robert Jackson

Robert Jackson

Video thumbnail for Boss VO-1 Vocoder Pedal Review by Toro Cheng by ToroCheng34

Boss VO-1 Vocoder Pedal Review by Toro Cheng

ToroCheng34

ToroCheng34

Reviews

PROS

  • Real talk box sound without needing a tube

  • Offers multiple effects: 2 vocoder sounds and a choir-like sound

  • Blends well with guitar and bass

  • Small footprint fits easily on pedalboards

  • Can produce a wide range of voice effects

  • Choir mode adds a nice variety

  • Learning curve is manageable, becomes fun quickly

  • Produces distinct Daft Punk and Bon Iver-like sounds

  • Insertion loop for creative sound experiments

CONS

  • Harder to use as a talk box compared to traditional models

  • No way to bypass effects for dry microphone use

  • Lacks an XLR thru, complicating onstage vocal mic use

  • Vocal volume can be too soft even when blended

  • Not very 'plug and play'; may require additional setup

  • Sensitivity knob's effectiveness on stage unclear

  • Battery life may be short, external power recommended

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss VO-1 Vocoder.

Use cases and applications

  • The Boss VO-1 is effectively used with a Boss OC-3 octave shifter in Poly Mode, creating a symphonic sound by doubling the dry signal one octave lower.

    Source
  • Users experiment with placing fuzz pedals before the VO-1 to avoid buffer effects, allowing for clean vocoder vocals and dirty tones simultaneously.

    Source
  • The VO-1 tracks well but can unintentionally trigger from amp noise in small practice spaces, suggesting the need for careful stage arrangements.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Vocoder's Choir effect is utilized for orchestration, particularly in songs with horn sections, enhancing the overall sound with orchestral tones.

    Source
  • It's suggested that the VO-1 doesn't pair well with gain, prompting experimentation with different signal chain setups for optimal sound.

    Source
  • A noise gate before the VO-1 can prevent unwanted activation from room noise, though it may limit vocal dynamics.

    Source
  • The Optogate sensor is suggested as a professional solution to mute the mic unless someone is within a set distance, useful for noisy environments.

    Source
  • Running pedals in the loop of the VO-1 ensures effects only modify the guitar signal, leaving the vocoder unaffected.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The VO-1's effect loop can be used to blend clean vocoder vocals with a gain section, offering versatility in tonal exploration.

    Source
  • The RE20 dynamic microphone is considered for its minimal proximity effect, offering close-up use without impacting sound, similar to Thom Yorke's setup.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Using a mic splitter allows one mic to feed both the vocoder and the front-of-house system, isolating effects from the main vocal signal.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 13 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
strachowyj

Very good

Easy to use, good talk box sounds, handles Livin on a prayer well. Use small amount of amp gain and max out the pedal settings. Then, for verses and solos turn off the Boss and use additional distortion or overdrive pedal. I use my biyang mad driver maxed out in normal or bright mode to nail all the pinch harmonics. You can also try to use overdrive pedal along with Boss - just be sure not to make it too messy! Voila!

Roles:
Genres:
tom_christopher

An actual vocoder for your guitar!

I wanna preface this by saying: this is not for everyone! I can see this catering to a fairly small audience of vocoder enthusiasts that also wanna play guitar rather than a keyboard to make those beautiful electronic vocal sounds happen. If this sounds like you, you should try it out. I use the talkbox mode for single-note daft punky kind of stuff and the advanced setting for chords that make it sound legitimately like Bon Iver's "715 - CREEKS" or Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek". I found that those sounds sound the best with both tone and colour turned down to 9 o'clock.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ed O'Brien uses Boss VO-1 Vocoder

Ed O'Brien

Guitarist, Singer

Radiohead

...
Verified via Photo

He uses VO-1 since 2016, seen in the bottom right corner of his pedalboard.

See how Andrew Huang uses Boss VO-1 Vocoder

Andrew Huang

Singer, Guitarist

First Of October

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen at 5:50, Huang can be seen using his Ibanez Talman and an unknown microphone in conjuction with the Boss VO-1, a gift to him from Rob Scallon.

See how samuraiguitarist uses Boss VO-1 Vocoder

samuraiguitarist

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

Appears in his video where he shows each of his gears

See how Cornelius uses Boss VO-1 Vocoder

Cornelius

Singer, Guitarist

Yellow Magic Orchestra

...
Verified via Photo
See how Steve Onotera uses Boss VO-1 Vocoder

Steve Onotera

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Shown up close at 0:49.

See how Nobukata Kawai uses Boss VO-1 Vocoder

Nobukata Kawai

Guitarist

Envy

...
Verified via reddit

Seen using a VO-1 here

See how Jeff Gorman uses Boss VO-1 Vocoder

Jeff Gorman

Singer, Guitarist

Illiterate Light

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by Jeff Gorman on November 1, 2024, the Boss VO-1 Vocoder is visible among the effects used during the recording of Illiterate Light's album 'Arches.' The post was made by Jeff Gorman (@jeffsgorman) and includes the caption: "Released a new @illiteratelight album today called ‘Arches’ • will share more in the coming weeks. For now I’ll just let the music speak ✌🏼".

See how Camila Grey uses Boss VO-1 Vocoder

Camila Grey

Singer, Guitarist

Summer Moon

...
Verified via Photo

On December 19, 2018, Camila Grey posted a photo on Instagram showing her collection of pedals, where the Boss VO-1 Vocoder is clearly visible on the left, positioned underneath the Echo Dream 2.

Album Usage

The Boss VO-1 Vocoder 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 VO-1 Vocoder, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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