Boss PX-1 Plugout FX

[Sascha Franck]

Boss modeled digital drives are easily the worst of the bunch.

Their natural OD is an exception IMO. The Blues Driver, while not sounding like the original, is ok-ish as well. For all the rest, I agree.
But then, the SD-1 sounded pretty fine to my ears (but as said, I'm not even in the ballpark of being an SD-1 connaisseur).

 

[mbenigni]

Ah, thanks - had an eye on that already. But then, I would really only need two switches, one for tap tempo, the other to cycle through patches (or serve as bypass, in that case I'd use the onboard switch for cycling). Anyhow, I was reading the MIDI implementation chart back then and it seemed as if tap tempo wasn't possible via MIDI. Can you confirm (in case you've tried)?

The MIDI Captain guy did a 2-switch version:

And even a one switch version that might meet your needs:

 

[paisleywookiee]

"Sweet. Boss has released a new pedal and the threads on page 4. It must have been a few days ago and I clearly just missed the thread" - I thought to myself.

Ah no it was this morning and I grossly underestimated you lot.

Never underestimate genuine excitement shot, followed by a vitriol chaser.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Their natural OD is an exception IMO. The Blues Driver, while not sounding like the original, is ok-ish as well. For all the rest, I agree.
But then, the SD-1 sounded pretty fine to my ears (but as said, I'm not even in the ballpark of being an SD-1 connaisseur).

It's the usual Boss sidestep the conversation by making up originals and pretend like people go into modeling to use things that don't exist in the analog world. I know we kinda disagree on this approach but I feel like it is an inherent laziness on Boss' part and an excuse they roll out.

 

[Jarick]

I'm out on micro transactions.

 

[paisleywookiee]

The MIDI Captain guy did a 2-switch version:

View attachment 51069

And even a one switch version that might meet your needs:

View attachment 51070

This is the most valuable thing to come out of this thread. I didn't know these existed, and am now thinking of ways I'd use these lovely little boxes.

 

[Sascha Franck]

The MIDI Captain guy did a 2-switch version:

Thanks! Now I only need to find that MIDI implementation chart again, to see whether I missed the tap tempo information (that'd be kinda crucial for me).

 

[Los-D]

Ah, thanks - had an eye on that already. But then, I would really only need two switches, one for tap tempo, the other to cycle through patches (or serve as bypass, in that case I'd use the onboard switch for cycling). Anyhow, I was reading the MIDI implementation chart back then and it seemed as if tap tempo wasn't possible via MIDI. Can you confirm (in case you've tried)?

I haven’t tried actually, I do recall it was a simple implementation with only PC controls.

 

[laxu]

It's the usual Boss sidestep the conversation by making up originals and pretend like people go into modeling to use things that don't exist in the analog world. I know we kinda disagree on this approach but I feel like it is an inherent laziness on Boss' part and an excuse they roll out.

I agree that if they can't get their own staple fx to sound like the real pedals, that's a miss.

But I do applaud that they haven't gone for the same "Here's the same pile of amps the competitors have" approach but leaned in on their originals - whether it's because they can't do the real amps justice or not.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I agree that if they can't get their own staple fx to sound like the real pedals, that's a miss.

But I do applaud that they haven't gone for the same "Here's the same pile of amps the competitors have" approach but leaned in on their originals - whether it's because they can't do the real amps justice or not.

It's one thing if FAS or L6 does it because they generally have those classic bases covered in a modern manner. Boss does not.

 

[mbenigni]

This is the most valuable thing to come out of this thread. I didn't know these existed, and am now thinking of ways I'd use these lovely little boxes.

"Free delivery tomorrow..."

 

[JiveTurkey]

"Free delivery tomorrow..."

View attachment 51078

My Amazon credit line is out the roof because of this fact

 

[synthpenguin]

I think 9.99 per additional effect is maybe reasonable in a vacuum or in the context of addons for music apps (apps that themselves are much cheaper), but less reasonable in a market where all of their competitors either offer way more effects at launch or have a history of adding more for free.

And coming from synths where their plugout concept comes from, I don't really trust Roland / Boss support for a product like this, or that the addon model will stay the same.

That said, if you're fine with the price and are happy with the built-in effects, it seems well-made and sounds good. Hopefully this approach doesn't become a trend for Boss though.

 

[iaresee]

Lots of people have reported noise with the HX one


Lots of others had no such issue myself included

Yup

I found it unusable. The person I sold it to says it works great for them. So….

 

[BROCKSTAR]

This won't do well. It'll be forgotten quickly.

And good luck on them updating it... If it's like any other digital thing they put out then maybe expect one bug fix and that's all until they make a new device all together in 2 years.

 

[holoholo]

I'd get a Zoom multistomp over this any day. If I'm running pedals I wouldn't use the digital drives either way.

 

[synthpenguin]

So, speaking of alternatives, I know how the Helix / HX effects are, but how do the Zoom and TC effects compare? I feel like if I was going for something like this, I'd go for the TC Plethora X1 because what I've heard of the toneprint effects is pretty nice, and feedback seems fine with the usual TC caveats, but I've never actually used one of those pedals. And what I've heard of the Zoom Multistomp effects always felt a little more hit-or-miss in comparison.

 

[EOengineer]

View attachment 51053

Sorry Boss. You're not Eventide.

Gross. No thanks.

Also - why is Boss’ MIDI always hot trash? I love me some 80/90s boss gear, but aside from my re-202 I’m disgusted by just about every boss product I see anymore. I feel like they’ve really lost the thread in terms of modern processing.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

Some info I found from a user over in a facebook group

I’ve spoken directly with Boss to clear up the facts, as there were mix messages in various publications.

- No subscription is linked to this pedal in any way (Thankfully).
- The pedal is loaded with 8 effects, a further 8 are available for free.
- The algorithms are each designed from classic boss pedals by the boss team in Japan, bespoke for this pedal
- Further algorithms are coming next year, and will cost around $10 each
- The PX-1’s target audience are Boss pedal fans who want a taste of rare pedals without paying $500+ per pedal

 

[synthpenguin]

- The algorithms are each designed from classic boss pedals by the boss team in Japan, bespoke for this pedal

Huh, interesting. I figured they were the same as the Roland Cloud Boss effects they started releasing a bit ago ( https://www.roland.com/global/products/rc_boss_effects_pedals/ ). Well, it'll be interesting to see a comparison between these and those (as well as the older emulations on Boss multifx units).

EDIT: yeah, seems they are the same. So I guess they just mean that they originally designed these with the PX-1 in mind, even if they ended up launching in software first.