Boss ME-90 Multi-Fx

[Sascha Franck]

(@Sascha Franck this is not the unit for you )

I know. So?

But then, I might in fact be interested. Dimensions float my boat for a suitcase compatible unit (something I actually seem to need more often...), runs on batteries (which could be a great option here and there) and it's pretty cheap.

 

[Deleted member 472]

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 unit is a ridiculous value! I am a huge proponent of WYSIWYG devices because I despise menu diving but I was surprised to see that it has the flexibility of software editing. Killer little unit for sure.

 

[the swede]

Cool… missed this completely. Always liked the ME-80 for its simplicity. This seems like a great no frills option and with the great X amps…

But i bugs me they didn’t included a more advanced reverb section comparable to the quite nice delay section that’s there.

 

[rd2rk]

This is exactly what I want (ordered, SW will be shipping "Sometime this month" ).
When I need the bells and whistles I have a Helix.
This is what I'll bring to jams, parties and dive bar gigs!

 

[Jarick]

Jeez, guys. How did I know TGF wouldn't like the ME-90? It's clearly not for the GX-100 or POD Go customer.

I totally get the WYSIWYG and no display thing. BOSS sold tons of ME-80s and they'll sell tons of these; all those extra features for only $50 more than the ME-80 is really impressive.

I seriously considered the ME90 and then realized my Katana probably has all the same effects but I love the dedicated knobs.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I totally get the WYSIWYG and no display thing

Unfortunatly it's not anymore WYSIWYG than any other programmable unit (unless you keep it in manual mode). WYSIWYG on a programmable unit would at least require individual parameter readouts. Such as on endless encoders with LED rings or similar.
Fwiw, ZOOM devices are a lot more WYSIWYG - but this one isn't exactly.
Even tons of knobs are making no sense in case you a) can't see the saved value and b) would stil run into parameter jumps (or had to perform "catch over" actions).

 

[the swede]

Aside from my exaggerated reverb needs, I’m feeling quite impressed with what I’ve seen about the ME-90, especially considering its price/content ratio. For example, an UA amp sim pedal or an Iridium cost about the same roughly. The content value seems amazing.

My head can’t help trying to compare the ME90 to the Pod Go. To me at a glance the limitations seems less with the ME90 but not quite as feature packed as the Pod Go. Devils are in the details though… small stuff like a built in freeze/hold, that seems to spill over from preset to preset (unsure) and the same goes for the phrase looper. Also how they placed strategic delay options so while you’re occupying the delay block with phrase loop, there’s still delay effects available to use.
These things alone always gets me in headache mode trying to solve them with products not intended or capable to do it or contemplating getting the high end product just because of those few reasons.

Well… I’ll have to give it a think or two… could easily get by as a home player with the ME-90.

 

[dronerstone]

Without googling - is the expression pedal capable of auto on/off at this point?

As crazy as it sounds, this is a deal-breaker for me.

EDIT: the marketing copies mention "expression pedal with toe switch", but that doesn't imply it can't do switchless as well, or am I expecting too much here?

 

[V|J]

I seriously considered the ME90 and then realized my Katana probably has all the same effects but I love the dedicated knobs.

Does the Katana have the same amp modeling as the X crunch and other ‘X’ amps?

In the same vein, does the Catalyst have the same amp modeling tech as the Helix?

 

[Moe45673]

Does the Katana have the same amp modeling as the X crunch and other ‘X’ amps?

In the same vein, does the Catalyst have the same amp modeling tech as the Helix?

In videogaming terms:

Katana's amps are Unreal Engine 4 (maybe 4.1). X-Amps are UE5.

Helix is UE5, Catalyst is UE5, but Catalyst has its own original amps designed specially for it.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Does the Katana have the same amp modeling as the X crunch and other ‘X’ amps?

In the same vein, does the Catalyst have the same amp modeling tech as the Helix?

No

 

[Lysander]

Does the Katana have the same amp modeling as the X crunch and other ‘X’ amps?

No. The Katana is, at its core, a GT-100 with a power section attached to it.

In the same vein, does the Catalyst have the same amp modeling tech as the Helix?

Yes.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Unfortunatly it's not anymore WYSIWYG than any other programmable unit (unless you keep it in manual mode). WYSIWYG on a programmable unit would at least require individual parameter readouts. Such as on endless encoders with LED rings or similar.
Fwiw, ZOOM devices are a lot more WYSIWYG - but this one isn't exactly.
Even tons of knobs are making no sense in case you a) can't see the saved value and b) would stil run into parameter jumps (or had to perform "catch over" actions).

No. Semantics aside, no product designer on the planet is going to think a product with per-encoder LED rings or scribble strips is more WYSIWYG than a simple digital delay pedal with non-volatile memory.

 

[Bob Zaod]

One of the things that perplex me about this unit is that the Poly Pitch is superior to GX-100 and IIRC the GTK. Not complaining at all just odd if you ask me. BTW I am starting to feel like I wont get mine before November... My preferred distributor zzsounds wont even ballpark when they are getting them in. Whatever happened to having stuff in the pipeline BEFORE launch?

 

[hippietim]

Jeez, guys. How did I know TGF wouldn't like the ME-90? It's clearly not for the GX-100 or POD Go customer.

I totally get the WYSIWYG and no display thing. BOSS sold tons of ME-80s and they'll sell tons of these; all those extra features for only $50 more than the ME-80 is really impressive.

This thing is a ridiculously good value and probably the best first-time modeling purchase you could make. Usability, form factor, can be battery powered, Boss durability, great effects, and so on.

 

[V|J]

In videogaming terms:

Katana's amps are Unreal Engine 4 (maybe 4.1). X-Amps are UE5.

Helix is UE5, Catalyst is UE5, but Catalyst has its own original amps designed specially for it.

In similar terms, I guess I’m a noob w.r.t gear :/

 

[the swede]

This thing is a ridiculously good value and probably the best first-time modeling purchase you could make. Usability, form factor, can be battery powered, Boss durability, great effects, and so on.

I think its a great option for anyone. First timer will get going easily, old timer will know what to expect before even touching it irl and there is no surprises.

I know Di said it’s not the same customer, and I fully understand that, but inevitable it will be compared against a gx100 or Pod Go at some point by someone. I already done that several times in my head. And it’s interesting to think about. Pod Go has a wealth, a huge amount of great content that’s insane for the price (in a good way). It’s basically up to the user to handle that in the best way they see fit. A huge library, but you don’t really access it all. You select the most important things within the limits (can be a good thing or bad depending on the user) which is a small portion of what’s avaliable.

ME90, while not having a huge amount of content, allows you to fully use what’s in there. It has more limits than a Pod Go and at the same time it doesn’t.

Yeah I know, there’s nothing really fantastic here, but it’s a damn clever thing to do. Let the user use everything that’s available.

 

[Lysander]

I know Di said it’s not the same customer, and I fully understand that, but inevitable it will be compared against a gx100 or Pod Go at some point by someone. I already done that several times in my head.

I think the main plus for the ME-90 over a Pod Go is the price; it's undercutting it by $150.

At $350 (US) i don't think there's a lot of gear out there matching the ME-90 for value, to be honest.

 

[JCW308]

ME-90 can use just about any 9v power supply too (another benefit over POD GO)!

 

[Moe45673]

I said it elsewhere: The ME-50/70/80/90 design theory seemed to be "Let's create a quickstart cheatsheet for a modelling device, except you can play it too"