Boss ES-8 Effects Switching System

Buy Now: goo.gl/fphY1u
Today we're having a go at the Boss ES-8 switching system. The ES-8 is the end-all be-all pedalboard switching solution, providing you with a fully-loaded battle station for all your pedals. With up to eight loops on a single ES-8, you can run your entire board into the ES-8 and then rearrange each loop in any way you can imagine. The ES-8's latest firmware update now supports the linking of two ES-8s for up to 16 synchronized loops, the routing of multiple effects loops, as well as a rich editor. The ES-8's Editor gives you visual control over patches, MIDI settings and expression control options, as well as patch management and backup capabilities. By inserting each of your pedals into the ES-8's loops, you're entering them into the ES-8's unparalleled control set. With one or more ES-8s locked and loaded, you can rearrange your pedal order on the fly, as well as assign simultaneous loops to one footswitch, completely eliminating the need for pedalboard tapdancing. The ES-8 also gives you the ability to combine any number of pedals in parallel as opposed to series routing. This feature is essential for dirt maniacs who desire the articulation and note separation of standard dirt boxes that are lost when stacking multiple dirt boxes in series. When you've found a patch you like, you can save it to one of 800 preset slots and name each one to recall them with ease. The ES-8 also offers control jacks for amp footswitches, as well as two expression control jacks, a tuner out, a special volume pedal loop and full MIDI functionality including timed MIDI patch settings, so no level of control is off the table. Throughout all the routing, the signal path is 100 percent analog with switchable buffers to preserve your tone beyond all doubts. And just like all Boss products, the ES-8 is built into a stout enclosure that will survive a lifetime of abuse on stage.

[@fray3dendsofsanity]

For those who think this is overpriced...Remember, it's also a full fledged midi controller, master tap tempo built in, you can route your amp channel switching through it, you can run loops in parallel, you can run your expression pedal through it, you can change the order of all your pedals, it has switchable buffers on every loop, and it's half the price of the Gigrig, which is the only loop switcher that tops this one. It has 800 presets!!!! And you can change all of the things I listed for EVERY single one of them. This is a VERY good value for all the things you get if you actually plan to use most of the advanced features I just mentioned. I'm looking to grab one used and save $100-150. I've seen them sell used for as little as 500. REALLY not that bad at all

[@kierenmoore3236]

By running loops in parallel, do you mean you can run stereo pedals in stereo ... if you do, does that effectively halve your number of patches (I suppose it would have to ...) ... ?

[@gregs6424]

I would agree but it sounds like there is a cut off in the sounds when switching patches :(

[@Irisplove]

Bonus points to Andy for playing Always Crashing In The Same Car!

[@ZigbertD]

"Always Crashing in the Same Car". In another video for the Catalinbread Bicycle delay you did "Speed of Life". You sir have achieved ultmate badass status.

[@rattymaxreilly5147]

I've been trying to find some tablature or tutorial on how to play "Always Crashing in the Same Car", and I can't believe of all the places, I found something I could play off of right here! I'm so stoked! Thank you tremendously for unintentionally playing that riff!

[@TylerRay777]

Delay cross-over is genius.

[@robb4340]

Awesome, this is what I need for all my Boss pedals.

[@hhscadets0925]

"This looks cool. I wonder how much it is." *Looks up price* "I think I'll just stick to tap-dancing."

[@CaptainKirk007]

Mike Lowrey stimulus check got me covered bud. 2020 is a mofo nice one ain’t it?

[@SupergladPolaris666]

cool stuff!

[@daveandrew7014]

Thanks for the Video Andy! With all pedals off, how does it preserve the dry signal compared to the GigRig G2 which you have on your board? They claim that their non relay system is better in that department. Thanks Andy!

[@AidenBradley95]

Link two of them. Have a board that controls you. Welcome to the future.

[@wladyslaweysymontt563]

Hello! Is it possible to modify effects real time after changing preset? In other words to use presets and live control?

[@seanmagee4776]

Can this pedal let you run pedals in the fx loop and the others at the front end?

[@slickcross]

YES! Please read the manual.

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

can you put two boxes in series ? IF SO how can you sync ?

[@Folkstone57]

Is this device an all analogue signal path ?

[@dhonda-cj2ix]

Anyone know the music at 1:17?

[@indigofruit59]

If it could power all pedals that would be even better. Otherwise it's not really "fully loaded" is it?

[@ericbelopolsky3851]

am i getting this straight ... no usb? would someone explain the logic of not charging an extra $50-75 for usb? this is a serious question, not sarcasm. i mean, even if not for usb audio, this means ... knowing very little about midi ... that the midi ports have to be used EITHER for the editing software (if there is any) or a midi pedalboard, but not both (i assume).

[@fabriciochamaborges]

pedrone penta inspiration

[@ethanviglione]

Can you send your signal through the same pedal twice? For example stack one overdrive pedal with itself to double the gain?

[@jnh73]

Ethan Viglione Nope. Though that would be a cool feature.

[@fray3dendsofsanity]

I think that's how you get feedback loops. Pretty sure that creates impedance issues too... Most likely you would not like the results of that

[@ethanviglione]

Yea that's true! It would create a feedback loop. Hmm would be cool if it worked though!

[@FLdb-wj4wc]

I don't understand how it controls pedals i want in my fx loop. I have 4 pedals in my amps fx loop and 5 pedals straight into amp

[@NicolaCoinMel]

the preamp stage of your amp is put into a loop on its own (called volume loop) so you choose which pedals goes first and which pedals goes after (fx loop).

[@vincentvansantfoort6162]

Can you use an external midiswitcher like : www.thomann.de/gb/tech_21_midi_mouse.htm?ref=prod_rel_293887_4 to switch from preset to preset. When I'm singing I'm not able to look down at which pedal I need to hit so this would be an nice combo for me

[@slickcross]

dude...this does it all. To to the Boss website and watch other vids. you dont need that midi switch. The es8 does midi switching as well.

[@michaeltaylors2456]

Always crashing the same car .... Andy you devil awesome. This is a open ended budget conscious Bradshaw system ?

[@lovecraftmusic8717]

fuck, really cool unit!...if only I knew how to wire & connect it to the pedals...

[@TheKeithbruce]

do we have to druge through your playing to find out about a switching system ?

[@cry0fth3carr0ts]

can I switch pedals into and out of my amps fx loop?

[@Raisingfear102]

Yep. It actually treats your fx loop like another pedal, letting you place it anywhere you want for each patch.

[@Raisingfear102]

I dont understand what you're saying. Using the 4 cable method allows you to move the volume/fx loop anywhere you want from first to last, and any pedal combination/order in between

[@Raisingfear102]

I know it's the 4CM. If the volume loop is moved to after the 5th loop, how are loops 6,7, and 8 not inside the loop?

[@Raisingfear102]

What you described is the same exact thing as using the volume loop, you just replaced it with loop 1.

[@Raisingfear102]

George Kollaros so what do you do with your es-8?

[@SpikeCalhoon]

I may buy this just for the trails, curious how it'll fair in a stereo setup as well as if it can handle non-Boss pedals. I've been looking for a switcher that can take an overdrive pedal and a 18v distortion pedal going to separate amps. Any suggestions Andy?

[@paulhawksworth1586]

Join the ES8 users group on facebook. Everything you need to know is on there. The new firmware allows you to have two separate signal paths including any combination of pedals, in any order, into two separate amps. Non Boss pedals not an issue at all.

[@thesphericalguy9018]

How does it adress ground loops and phase issues?

[@grubstarstar]

I might just sit and learn how to play all your demo videos. I'd be a much better guitarist 😆

[@HenryJackification]

Always Crashing In The Same Car, nice!

[@flynn_22]

Is it only useable for boss

[@killercortez2904]

nope, you can use any pedal on any of the loops, and if any of them have midi functionality you can control them via the ES-8 for preset/patch changes. Very cool unit, highly recommend it if you are a pedal addict :)

[@g-woonk]

3:59 it cuts the sound when you change patches.... :(

[@gregs6424]

:( Is there a setting to fix this? If not, is there another product that lets the sound carry over?

[@gregs6424]

Just found this setting to correct this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baGUaKysjdGIhaM

[@gearoidwalsh8606]

funny thing about this setup - the old Boss ME-5 covers most of this. at least in terms of those pedals (except for the octave). yeah, I know it's not the same level of programmability.

[@TheBoondoggler]

I LOVE the old ME-5! Stupidly sold mine years ago. I have rack gear, tons of stompboxes, but for some reason the ME-5 has a special place in my heart. The tones on it were to my ears some of the best Boss ever made. Gonna do an eBay search now =)

[@gearoidwalsh8606]

they go for stupid prices sometimes. most people don't know what circuits are in those, and they'd be willing to pay almost as much for the individual stomp in some cases (as the whole ME-5 unit). good luck, hope you find one. mine is coming back from the repair shop soon.

[@jbognap]

The ME-5 was my first MFX unit. It had the effects I needed and IT WAS PROGRAMABLE - that was a big deal at the time. I believe Prince used one.

[@hawg427]

Carl Martin makes a few nice effects switching boards around $425.00

[@daniwest1370]

Boss S-8 vs Gigrig G2?

[@slickcross]

es8 for sure.

[@z101dc1]

How do use this with 15 pedals?

[@ProGuitarShopDemos]

It's designed for 8, so you'd have to place multiple pedals in each loop to make 15 work. Think about designating certain loops for your modulation or dirt pedals, for example. Best, Andy

[@z101dc1]

@@ProGuitarShopDemos ah i see. thanks for answering.

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

oh great; listen; and you can sync 2; in series; So great ! Why don't other switcher makers realize you need to have order control ?

[@jordandelacruz1866]

Now I can't decide between Gigrig( though pricey)- Quartermaster or this! All within a few hundred bucks from each other!

[@shehranazim4784]

Take a look at the BYOC Super8. Also has 8 loops, is programmable with presets, and takes up like a quarter the space of this. Doesn't have midi or amp switching but is less than $300 built and delivered

[@jordandelacruz1866]

Shehran Azim Thanks for heads up pal! Appreciate it!

[@koban4egg]

I'm looking at Musicom Lab efx mkv. Seems like it provides all the same features (except analog expression pedals routing), but smaller and cheaper.

[@vicenteb531]

@@koban4egg Hi, that Musicom Lab Efx Mkv allows to switch loops on the fly just like the Boss ES-8? Cheers

[@koban4egg]

@@vicenteb531 Hi, I'm not sure what do you mean by "on the fly"? Could you describe how does it work with Boss?

[@surfrby8876]

How does this compare to TC Electronics nova system? This is pretty cool but seems like you might need to be an engineer to use it, I'm just getting too old and cranky😡

[@jnh73]

Different animals. The Nova system has built-in effects, and you create presets of those effects. With this Boss unit, you hook up your effects pedals to the switcher, and it allows you to make presets using your stomp boxes.

[@surfrby8876]

thanks Jack , got it👍

[@lauraandrews8319]

I know what you mean, I ordered an Eventide H9 pedal and sent it right back, I didn't have time to take a class to learn how to use it. I just went back to my TC Flashback, easy and sounds great.

[@maximilianodanielperez5473]

in argentina it`s exist, his name is : the big foot, By jake amps.

[@tomimartin6406]

When people look at the price and decide to identify the song instead. Lol

[@Samesama]

It's a very nice tool but the sound cut between changes is totally unacceptable

[@slickcross]

you can change that in the settings man.

[@JesusArmasOficial]

It seems as a very interesting tool to use onstage. The price is too high, but for all what this baby can do for us, it may be well paid, who knows...

[@andiirejino1210]

I will take this over the gigrig

[@vicssoera_baia3813]

boss overdrives always njembrett..flood..fuzzy..bad

[@PilferMusic]

3:28 I'm always crashing... the same car

[@JamieK_89]

I've just seen the price...omg

[@jnh73]

A bunch of loops, MIDI control, patches and a truckload of other features? If big multi-switchers are your thing, this is actually cost-competitive and meant to undercut GigRig. That said, it is most definitely complete overkill for me.

[@JimijaymesProductions]

It can do so many things other switchers (outside fully midi controlled way more expsnive devices) can't do, pretty much gives your pedalbaord the flexability of routing that something like an AXEFX has and it also can control exp and such of some devices. Definately the top of its class.

[@vanessajazp6341]

No doubt about that cost!! Had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

[@thesphericalguy9018]

What? For what you get that's cheap. Look at Girig, RJM Mastermind PBC or other equivalent product and you'll see what I mean

[@adakhochalai]

Jamie Keen try this then!! JOYO PXL8 Programable Pedal Controller Switching Grouping System 8 Loop Channel True Bypass s.aliexpress.com/fYnym6FJ (from AliExpress Android)

[@karlengels4956]

kurt

[@billphillipstube]

Cool device, but the midi functionality needs work.

[@slickcross]

Proguitarshop, you guys are late to the game. lol the es-8 is a monster! it does more than enough. im controlling 2 amps (blackstar ht-60 and the bugera v22) and my pedals.

[@LedWolf7]

wow, 700$ no

[@flynn_22]

Hate boss phase shifter such an ugly sound

[@atalayo3o0o]

OMG! Boss pedals really sound awful! But I may consider having ES8.

[@amosandrecantini3453]

After buying the switching system (more than 800 bucks) you won't have money neither to buy a DS1 for months...

[@bogeypicker1]

All these fancy features and they forgot a dedicated FX send and return... Come on! )-:

[@jacopocom]

you must be kidding, aren't you?

[@cmath8577]

They didn't forget. Theres a 9th loop that you can bypass in a preset and is assignable to any point in the chain but not accessible via foot switch (in pedal mode) You could use for a utility pedal like volume pedal or comp or noise reduction...etc. Have it always "on" and dedicate it to whatever function you want.