Boss ME-90 Multi-Fx

[Moe45673]

But my understanding is that currently you can't tell where the knob location is when you recall a patch. You can set it to only change once you've moved the knob past the current location, but without a visual indicator you have to rely upon your memory and your ears if you're looking for minor adjustments. Hopefully they add (or it exists and it's just not been mentioned anywhere) a flash on the display or something to indicate when you've hit the saved parameter position on the knob.

If it's anything like the ME-80, it'll be quite clear. When you twist a knob on the unit (eg in manual mode), the digital display shows the numerical value of the knob. If you want to change a value in a preset, just move the knob until the display starts reacting.

Unrelatedly, there is an ability in Boss Tone Studio to swap out the last model in most of the FX with one of a few other choices. Here's the amps (from parameter guide)

 

[JiveTurkey]

So what's the issue with the IR loading?

It processes the IRs funky. So many to be fairs to this convo as well, though. AKA it's not viewed as a bug by Boss, IR loading is abysmal so why would you waste 3 hours loading 4 IRs when stock cabs are so good blahblahblah

 

[aerial7]

I don't know why those rotaries with LED indicators haven't really caught on. Do they just take too much space, cost too much or are they unreliable?

The most prominent product using them is the Kemper, but the only pedal I know that uses them is the Mooer Preamp Live. Fractal AX8 had them, but they bungled it by not also using those same knobs as fx parameter adjustments.

I get not having them on something like the ME-90 since it would make it probably a 600+ euro product instead of a 350 euro one.

Looks like the Zoom G11 might also use them....not sure....

If there's a reason why rotaries with LEDs aren't more commonly used, maybe touch-sensitive knobs would be a good compromise? I.e., touch the knob, the display updates to the current value. Would probably become second nature very quickly. I'm not a hardware engineer, so I don't know if there are cost or reliability issues with capacitive tech or whatever it's called...but it seems like the UX could be simple and easy-to-use...

According to the ME-90 manual, you can see the current value of any knob by holding down the edit button and turning the knob until it corresponds to the value. That's klunky -- I like my design a lot better.

 

[dronerstone]

Looks like the Zoom G11 might also use them....not sure....

If there's a reason why rotaries with LEDs aren't more commonly used, maybe touch-sensitive knobs would be a good compromise? I.e., touch the knob, the display updates to the current value. Would probably become second nature very quickly. I'm not a hardware engineer, so I don't know if there are cost or reliability issues with capacitive tech or whatever it's called...but it seems like the UX could be simple and easy-to-use...

According to the ME-90 manual, you can see the current value of any knob by holding down the edit button and turning the knob until it corresponds to the value. That's klunky -- I like my design a lot better.

I love the touch-sensitive sliders on my cheap Midi keyboard.

 

[BrownNote71]

It's already there. Read the manual

Got it. Requires both hands, that’s not gonna be fun live while bending down and holding the guitar.

 

[JCW308]

Got it. Requires both hands, that’s not gonna be fun live while bending down and holding the guitar.

Hopefully some demos will prove us all wrong on this one!

 

[headcrash]

Seems Boss forgot to build some amp channel switching relays into the ME-90, like in the GX-100. With a FX loop and 4CM capability you won't be able to run int properly with channel switching amps. They even forgot a MIDI out jack for the amps with MIDI Input.

I use a GX-100, which to me at the moment is the least compromise on the market between price, features and operability.
TBH, I use it like a simple FX device for some delay, modulation, or the occasional reverb. And as amp channel switcher. I don't even use 4CM (less cables, less hassle), have not even touched the amp and cab sims. I try to get used to the added hiss when activating higher gain channles of my tube amps.

I'd love to have something like a hybrid of the tc Plethora X5, with haptic knobs like in the Plethora, or Boss ME-like. And where YOU as a user can decide, which device you want in which "pedal slot".
Add MIDI and/or channel switching, and a hard bypass AFTER a lowest noise discrete buffer.
A master touch screen like in the GX-100 would be really helpful. At least an expression pedal input to realize a Wah.
They could even make it kinda scalable, with for example add paid access to a second layer of five FX slots. Then of course the knob-sets would have to be toggled between layer A and B, for direct access.

With this, old farts like me would be able to use some basic FX in front of an amp, would not experience much more hiss, get the amp switched.

Now, what's this got to do with the new ME-90? Almost nothing. Sorry for that .... :-)

 

[Baba]

Seems Boss forgot to build some amp channel switching relays into the ME-90, like in the GX-100. With a FX loop and 4CM capability you won't be able to run int properly with channel switching amps. They even forgot a MIDI out jack for the amps with MIDI Input.

They didn't "forget" these things, they designed this unit to not have them, just like their predecessors. This is just an updated product in the ME series, which hasn't had amp channel switching and midi. Hell, the ME-70/80 didn't even have effects loops.

What everyone needs to understand, and seems to forget, is, they, like most other mfgs have good/better/best products. If one doesn't fit your needs, there is another one that does. If that is the case, it doesn't mean the "lesser" product is a failure, it just means it's for a different player.

I'm not sure how/why so many players forget that, when a new product is introduced.

 

[V|J]

I don't know why those rotaries with LED indicators haven't really caught on. Do they just take too much space, cost too much or are they unreliable?

The most prominent product using them is the Kemper, but the only pedal I know that uses them is the Mooer Preamp Live. Fractal AX8 had them, but they bungled it by not also using those same knobs as fx parameter adjustments.

I get not having them on something like the ME-90 since it would make it probably a 600+ euro product instead of a 350 euro one.

I guess there is a way, as pointed out, to have the knobs reflect the current value but it seems a little cumbersome for live use.

Just in the manual mode, with the knobs and latest tech, it’s still an appealing unit for me though.

 

[headcrash]

They didn't "forget" these things, they designed this unit to not have them, just like their predecessors. This is just an updated product in the ME series, which hasn't had amp channel switching and midi. Hell, the ME-70/80 didn't even have effects loops.

What everyone needs to understand, and seems to forget, is, they, like most other mfgs have good/better/best products. If one doesn't fit your needs, there is another one that does. If that is the case, it doesn't mean the "lesser" product is a failure, it just means it's for a different player.

I'm not sure how/why so many players forget that, when a new product is introduced.

Baba, I am well aware of the things you mention. Should've typed quotation marks when typing "forgot"

Apart from that, why not adding new features to an existing line of products?
I know that neither Boss, nor tc, nor any other manufacturer will build a device, which would exactly fit my needs. It's just, that I wished for features, I cannot find in one deivice right now. Also this may separate one device or manufacturer from another.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Biggest problem with Boss is the defacto thought for other mfgs is "oh I'll just buy the fully featured product instead of the lower tier". They leave out current table stakes items or force the end user to pretend it's 2006 all over again with their flagship stuff. So you are doomed no matter what you do unless you just give in to their restrictive methods/ways of thinking.

 

[Moe45673]

I have a Nux Cerberus that I am very impressed with, but I'll probably sell it for an ME-90 (purely due to the amp simulation capabilities to go direct). I do wonder if it solves the issue I had with the 80, where I could get a great clean sound with the crunch amp and a great dirty sound by cranking the Blues od into the crunch, but couldn't normalize the volumes of the two. To be fair, this is a problem with traditional rigs as well.

 

[JCW308]

I have a Nux Cerberus that I am very impressed with, but I'll probably sell it for an ME-90 (purely due to the amp simulation capabilities to go direct). I do wonder if it solves the issue I had with the 80, where I could get a great clean sound with the crunch amp and a great dirty sound by cranking the Blues od into the crunch, but couldn't normalize the volumes of the two. To be fair, this is a problem with traditional rigs as well.

If the ME-90 hits the shelves before the Trident, Nux is in big trouble.

 

[Moe45673]

Got it. Requires both hands, that’s not gonna be fun live while bending down and holding the guitar.

Actually, that's just to see the value of the knob. (In other words, say for some reason you want the knobs to all point to where a preset's values are. You'd manually do this for each knob).

To edit the values, I think you can just turn the knobs. But (this is written in the manual) if you want to save the edits, you first press (not hold, but press) the edit button and then turn the desired knobs where you want them to go.

To be frank, with my ME-80, I never used the presets, only used manual mode. I became so familiar with it that it really was like my old pedalboard; I just knew how to twist knobs to get what I wanted, or reasonably close.

A fun trick I used (since I wasn't a huge fan of the "boost") was I used the EQ in FX2 as a mid-humped solo boost. It worked well. With the 90, I doubt I'll need such a workaround (although I can still do it if I want a post-gain volume boost)

 

[JCW308]

If the ME-90 hits the shelves before the Trident, Nux is in big trouble.

I just ordered one in stock at Sam Ash. Will keep you posted.

 

[the-trooper]

Update, yes, it can do a proper 4CM with an amp.
I like the approach, automatically puts effects where it makes more sense for 95% of players and is done with it. No messing, no fiddling, it is what it is (@Sascha Franck this is not the unit for you )

 

[Bob Zaod]

Update, yes, it can do a proper 4CM with an amp.
I like the approach, automatically puts effects where it makes more sense for 95% of players and is done with it. No messing, no fiddling, it is what it is (@Sascha Franck this is not the unit for you )

This vid sealed it for me. Just pre-ordered.

 

[dronerstone]

Update, yes, it can do a proper 4CM with an amp.
I like the approach, automatically puts effects where it makes more sense for 95% of players and is done with it. No messing, no fiddling, it is what it is (@Sascha Franck this is not the unit for you )

Definitely don't need to buy this anytime soon, but it looks like it'd make a decent no-frills backup device, together with one of the cheap little power amps out there.
Easy to transport also.

 

[ragingplatypi]

It’s also the pedal I want to get for my kids when they’re ready. This would have been so cool to have when I was a teenager.

 

[Moe45673]

Leon, great video. My question is kinda dumb - is there a way to have the selectable slot set to something other than the default in manual mode?