This multi-effector, like the previous ME series, is user-friendly even for compact effector users. It has inherited features from higher-end models like the AIRD preamp, significantly improving sound quality. While it doesn't allow for intricate sound creation like the GX-100, it is simple and easy to understand, and the ME-90 alone can cover basic sound creation.
With a lower budget than assembling various effectors from scratch, you can use nearly 100 types of effectors. It's recommended for those trying out multi-effectors for the first time or veteran guitarists who find recent multi-effector operations troublesome.
Pros
Easy to Operate
AIRD Preamp from the Top Model GT-1000
60 Types of Effects
External Effect Connection Possible with Send/Return Loop
Operable with AA Batteries or Adapter
Editable and Addable Tones with Dedicated App
8 Foot-switches for Preferred Tone Switching Mode
Headphone Available for Home Practice
Optimal Sound for Any Amp
Cons
Small and Inconvenient Display
Detailed Sound Creation Not Possible
Bluetooth Connection Requires Separate Adapter
If you’re someone who finds multi-effects difficult to operate, wants to use basic effects without getting too complicated, or wants to assemble an effect board but doesn’t have a large budget, this article is for you. Yosh (@Yosh_Guitar), a ex-music store clerk in Japan, provides a thorough explanation of the BOSS ME-90 multi-effects, which was released in July 2023.
This multi-effects, like the previous ME series, is user-friendly even for effects pedals users. It has inherited features from higher-end models like the AIRD preamp, significantly improving sound quality. While it doesn’t allow for intricate sound creation like the GX-100, it is simple and easy to understand, and the ME-90 alone can cover basic sound creation.
With a lower budget than assembling various pedal effects from scratch, you can use nearly 100 types of effects. It’s recommended for those trying out multi-effects for the first time or veteran guitarists who find recent multi-effects operations troublesome.
Like the previous ME series, this multi-effects allows you to create sounds with the same operability as pedal effects. There are many knobs, which might be overwhelming, but each effect has its own knob, so you can operate it without complicated button operations. The layout is like a combination of multiple pedal-effects.
AIRD Preamp from the Top Model GT-1000
Equipped with a professional-quality AIRD preamp introduced in BOSS’s top multi-effects model, the GT-1000. It features 11 types of amps, from clean to high-gain distortion, making it versatile for all genres.
Note: [RECTI STACK] can be replaced with the dedicated app.
Preamp Name
Description
NATURAL
Natural clean
X-CRUNCH
Crunch using MDP technology
X-HI GAIN
High gain using MDP technology
MAXIMUM
High gain mod of vintage Marshall
JUGGERNAUT
High gain for large metal stacks
X-MODDED
Modern high gain using MDP technology
TWIN COMBO
Fender Twin Reverb modeling
TWEED COMBO
Fender Bassman modeling
DIAMOND
VOX AC30 modeling
BRIT STACK
Marshall 1959 modeling
RECTI STACK
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier modeling
*TRANSPARENT
Flat amp ideal for acoustic guitar
*BOUTIQUE
Crunch of a combo amp sensitive to nuances
*SUPREME
Crunch of a stack amp sensitive to nuances
*JC-120
Roland JC-120 modeling
*DELUXE COMBO
Fender Deluxe Reverb modeling
The entries marked with an asterisk (*) can be replaced with [RECTI STACK] using the dedicated app.
60 Types of Effects
Standard effects are built-in and there should be sufficient for your needs. It also includes modern effects like shimmer delay and a looper that can record up to 38 seconds.
Below is a list of effects. The * can be replaced with a dedicated application.
COMP/FX1
Effect Name
Description
COMP
Compressor
T.WAH UP
Auto Wah affecting high frequency band
SLOW GEAR
Effect mimicking volume pedal technique
DEFRETTER
Effect mimicking fretless guitar
OCTAVE
Octaver
HUMANIZER
Vocoder-like effect
FEEDBACKER
Feedback-like effect while pedal is pressed
AC SIM
Changes electric guitar sound to acoustic
SOLO
Sound ideal for solo performance
TUNE DOWN
Down tuning
S-BEND
Changes pitch up and down while pedal is pressed
*D-COMP
Modeling of MXR Dyna Comp
*RING MOD
Ring Modulator
*POLY OCTAVE
Octaver capable of handling chords
*T.WAH DOWN
Auto Wah affecting low frequency band
*Single > Hum
Changes single coil sound to humbucker-like
*Hum > Single
Changes humbucker sound to single coil-like
OD/DS (Overdrive/Distortion)
Effect Name
Description
BOOST
Booster
OVERDRIVE
BOSS SD-1 Modeling
T-SCREAM
Ibanez TS-808 Modeling
CENTA OD
KLON CENTAUR Modeling
BLUES OD
BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver Modeling
DISTORTION
BOSS DS-1 Modeling
TURBO DS
BOSS DS-2 Modeling
RAT DS
Proco RAT Modeling
METAL DS
BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone Modeling
CORE
BOSS ML-2 Metal Core Modeling
MUFF FUZZ
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Modeling
*CLEAN BOOST
Clean Booster
*TREBLE BOOST
Treble Booster
*OD-1
BOSS OD-1 Modeling
*TURBO OD
BOSS OD-2 Modeling
*GUV DS
Marshall Guv ‘Nor
*’60S FUZZ
Fuzz Face
*OCT FUZZ
Octave Fuzz
MOD (Modulation)
Effect Name
Description
PHASER
Phaser
FLANGER
Flanger
TREMOLO
Tremolo
CHORUS
Chorus
VIBRATO
Vibrato
PITCH SHIFT
Pitch Shifter
HARMONIST
Reproduces a harmony like a twin guitar when a single tone is played
ROTARY
Rotary Speaker-like Effect
UNI-V
Uni-Vibe Modeling
DELAY
Delay
OVERTONE
Adds new overtones using MDP technology
*SCRIPT PHASER
MXR Phase 90 Modeling
*STEREO CHORUS
Stereo Chorus
*CE-1 CHORUS
BOSS CE-1 Modeling
*AUTO WAH
Auto Wah
DELAY
Effect Name
Description
STANDARD
Delay with delay time from 10 to 800 msec
ANALOG
Mild analog-like delay
TAPE
Fluctuating tape echo-like delay
WARM
Warm delay
MODULATE
Delay with added fluctuation
REVERSE
Reverse playback delay
TEMPO
Delay that corresponds to tap tempo
TAPE ECHO
Delay that changes reverb with picking strength using MDP technology
SHIMMER
Delay mixed with pitch-changed sound
PHRASE LOOP
Looper up to 38 seconds
+ REVERB
Delay combined with reverb
*CHO+DELAY
Delay combined with chorus
*WARP
Creates a fantastical sound while the pedal is pressed
*TWIST
Creates a rotating sensation while the pedal is pressed
*GLITCH
Becomes a machine gun-like delay sound while the pedal is pressed
NS(Noise Supressor)
EQ/FX2
Effect Name
Description
PHASER
Phaser
TREM/PAN
Tremolo
BOOST
Booster
DELAY
Delay
CHORUS
Chorus
EQ
3-band Equalizer
*FLANGER
Flanger
*VIBRATO
Vibrato
*PITCH SHIFT
Pitch Shifter
*HARMONIST
Reproduces a harmony like a twin guitar when a single tone is played
*ROTARY
Rotary Speaker-like Effect
*UNI-V
Uni-Vibe Modeling
*OVERTONE
Adds new overtones using MDP technology
REVERB
Effect Name
Description
ROOM
Room Reverb
HALL
Hall Reverb
SPRING
Spring Reverb
PEDAL FX
Effect Name
Description
WAH
Wah
VOICE
Vocoder-like
+1 OCT
Whammy (+1 Octave)
+2 OCT
Whammy (+2 Octave)
-1 OCT
Whammy (-1 Octave)
-2 OCT
Whammy (-2 Octave)
FREEZE
Sustains the guitar sound when the pedal is pressed
OSC DELAY
Can cause oscillation state of delay
OD/DS
Controls DRIVE when using OD/DS
MOD RATE
Controls RATE when using MOD
DELAY LEVEL
Controls delay level when using DELAY
External Effect Connection Possible with Send/Return Loop
Although you can use a wide range of effects with just the main unit, many people want to use their favorite distortion pedal. The ME-90 has a send/return terminal, so you can apply external effects before the preamp, which is ideal for distortion pedals, or after the preamp, which is ideal for delay pedals.
Operable with AA Batteries or Adapter
In addition to the adapter, it can also be powered by batteries, which is useful in situation without power, for noise countermeasures. You can also quickly ready to play. It operates for about 6.5 hours with four alkaline AA batteries.
Editable and Addable Tones with Dedicated App
You can edit and add tones by connecting to a PC or mobile device. You can also download tone patches created by professional musicians. If you connect to a PC, it also functions as a USB audio interface. You can also add up to three external IR data.
8 Foot-switches for Preferred Tone Switching Mode
There are as many as 8 foot-switches. You can choose from MEMORY mode, which switches the content of effects at once with the created patch, and MANUAL mode, which turns each effector ON/OFF as if you lined up compact effectors. The LED next to the switch represents the color corresponding to each effect, making it visually easy to understand.
Headphone Available for Home Practice
There is a headphone terminal on the back of the unit, which can be used for home practice. It also comes with IR, so you can enjoy real-guitar tones even with headphones.
Optimal Sound for Any Amp
You can switch to the best sound for connecting to a guitar amp and line output with a switch on the back. Furthermore, if you set the following when connecting to a guitar amp, it will adjust to the best sound for the amp you are using. It reduces the negative sound changes that occur depending on the amp you use, so you can smoothly create sounds even when using the AIRD amp.
Display
Description
1: TUBE COMBO 212 INPUT
Optimal when connecting to the input of a 12-inch 2-tube combo amp
2: TUBE COMBO 212 RETURN
Optimal when connecting to the return of a 12-inch 2-tube combo amp
3: TUBE COMBO 112 INPUT
Optimal when connecting to the input of a 12-inch 1-tube combo amp
4: TUBE COMBO 112 RETURN
Optimal when connecting to the return of a 12-inch 1-tube combo amp
5: TUBE STACK 412 INPUT
Optimal when connecting to the input of a 12-inch 4-tube stack amp
6: TUBE STACK 412 RETURN
Optimal when connecting to the return of a 12-inch 4-tube stack amp
7: JC-120 INPUT
Optimal when connecting to the input of a ROLAND JC-120
8: JC-120 RETURN
Optimal when connecting to the return of a ROLAND JC-120
9: KATANA-100/212 INPUT
Optimal when connecting to the input of a BOSS KATANA-100/212
10: KATANA-100/212 RETURN
Optimal when connecting to the return of a BOSS KATANA-100/212
11: KATANA-100 INPUT
Optimal when connecting to the input of a BOSS KATANA-100
12: KATANA-100 RETURN
Optimal when connecting to the return of a BOSS KATANA-100
Cons
Small and Inconvenient Display
Detailed Sound Creation Not Possible
Bluetooth Connection Requires Separate Adapter
Small and Inconvenient Display
The display is almost just for displaying numbers. It has a tuner function, but it may be harder to see than a regular tuner. Also, when you switch patches, you won’t immediately know the parameters of each effect.
Detailed Sound Creation Not Possible
While intuitive operation is possible, the number of knobs is limited, so there are few effect parameters. Also, the order of effect connections is fixed and cannot be changed. There is no problem for basic sound creation, so if this point bothers advanced users, a higher grade one would be better.
Bluetooth Connection Requires Separate Adapter
In addition to the main unit, you can create sounds with a mobile device app, but a separate adapter is required to connect via Bluetooth. This is an option to keep costs down.
Evolution from the Old Model ME-80
ME-90ME-80
Specification
ME-90
ME-80
Release Date
July 2023
January 2014
Sampling Frequency, AD/DA Conversion
48kHz, 24-bit
44.1kHz, 24-bit
Preamp
AIRD: 11 types
COSM: 9 types
Effect Types
97 types
62 types
LED Color
Yes
No
Send/Return Terminal
Yes
No
AUX IN Terminal
No
Yes
Battery Operation
4 AA batteries: about 6.5 hours
6 AA batteries: about 7 hours
Size
443 x 220 x 67 mm
447 x 231 x 70 mm
Weight
2.9kg
3.6kg
Let’s compare the specifications with the previous model, ME-80. I compared mainly different specifications. It can be said that it is a legitimate evolution. In terms of sound quality, it can be said that it has improved due to the sampling frequency and the adoption of the algorithm (AIRD) of the higher-end model.
The inside is a digital effects, so there are probably few people who think that the sound of the old model with low resolution is better. Also, the variety of effects has increased. The visibility has also improved with the addition of color to the foot-switch and LED of the effect part.
An external effects can be added with the added send/return terminal, but the external sound input AUX IN has been abolished. The weight has also been reduced, making it more convenient to carry around.
Comparison of ME-90 and GX-100
ME-90GX-100
Specification
ME-90
GX-100
Release Date
July 2023
March 2022
Market Price
$350
$600
Sampling Frequency, AD/DA Conversion
48kHz, 24-bit
48kHz, 24-bit
Preamp
AIRD: 11 types
AIRD: 23 types
Effect Types
97 types
154 types
Maximum Simultaneous Effects
10
18
Display
2-digit LED
Color Graphic LCD (480×272 dots) with Touch Screen
Number of Footswitches
8
8
Send/Return Terminal
Yes
Yes
Battery Operation
4 AAA batteries: about 6.5 hours
Not available
Size
443 x 220 x 67 mm
460 x 193 x 73 mm
Weight
2.9kg
3.5kg
Let’s also compare the differences with BOSS’s other middle-class multi-effects, GX-100. The GX-100, which is about $250 higher, is overwhelming in terms of the richness of amps and effects, the number of various parameters, and the freedom of simultaneous use of effects, in terms of meticulous and professional sound making.
In terms of operation, in addition to the usual multi-effects buttons and knobs, it also allows for operation using a touch display. For guitarists who care about sound quality and want to create sounds unique to multi-effects, the GX-100 is recommended.
On the other hand, the ME-90 is suitable for light users who are sufficient with simple operation and basic use of combining effect-pedals, common to the series. It can be said that it has the highest sound quality in the series. It’s easy to handle even for users who are not interested in multi-effects, and it’s a unit that people who are considering creating an pedal board from scratch should consider.
Even if you try to create an pedal board for $350, if you also include a power supply and patch cables, the cost will be:
Power supply: $100-200
One pedal : $100-200
One patch cable: $10-20
So in reality, you can only buy about three pedals. The ME-90 is recommended for people who don’t know which effects they need or which effects they like, and who can’t understand the operation of other multi-effects.
ME-90 is recommended for
People who want to use only one multi-effects, but prefer easy-to-understand operation.
People who don’t use elaborate effect pedals.
People who are wondering if they should build an pedal board from scratch.
