Boss ES-8 Four Cable Connection Guide

[@lxo-band]

Does anyone know how to set up the es 8 for an stereo rig?

[@darionbuck4614]

5 cable method. Youre only using one amo fx loops otherwise you get ground and phase issues

[@JohnNeureuther]

how is the es8 wired for a stereo rig that includes 2 amps?

[@acoustikink3042]

This small tutorial is the one that helped me the most. Thanks so much!!

[@jacobpittman1996]

You are the Boss ES-8 lifeline!!

[@nickschillace3172]

So I've got a Temple Audio board where everything routes to the side. If I set up my 4 outputs to IN, OUT, SEND, REC correctly, because it's through the ES-8, If I just use the IN/OUT with my Fender Twin, the ES-8 will know there's no FX loop and run all the pedals in front? And if I use the FX loop outputs to my Orange head, again, ES-8 will register that? I hope that makes sense. Also, I saw that I can control my Amp overdrive through the CTRL 1/2 on the back of ES-8, so if I do that, I can create patches where the amp drive engages on and off too, right? Sorry for any dumb questions in here but as others said, you're the ES-8 lifeline. Boss should hire and compensate you!

[@ManBunMetalHead]

The ES-8 won't automatically know, but depending on how you wire it, you could just turn off the Volume loop if you connect one of the outputs on the ES-8 to the input of your Fender Twin. Or leave the Volume Loop on if you connect the Vol Send of the ES-8 to the input of the Twin.

[@ManBunMetalHead]

And yes, you can engage the OD with CTRL 1/2

[@nickschillace3172]

@@ManBunMetalHead You're the man! I appreciate you and all of your videos.

[@johndeschain2156]

Just setting up my ES8 and your videos have been great so far. Thank you.

[@RR-mu4ou]

Hello. I was wondering if it’s possible to use two amps with the es8 with the 4 cable method with stereo effects. For example use the effects loop in one amp to run reverb and delay in loops 7 & 8 and have the es8 s outputs go to two different amps, but still have the ping ping delay effect? I understand you Would have to have to put the volume loop before loop 7 and it would be only for clean settings as the delay would be before the preamp of the second amp and probably wouldn’t sound right. Thanks

[@jase1978]

When I click on the V the volume of the channel goes way down. Any suggestions?

[@michaelgueble6789]

Look at this, i have the same problem: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnm6Z2VmgtF3b68 I have write with the roland customer service. Here is his answer to this problem: "But you need to boost the volume on the amp. When you're using the 4-cable methode, the whole gain-staging is different compared to the in & out setup. Check also if activating the buffer at input can help you boosting the signal a bit also." But to me, the volume drop is so massive, it can't be normal.

[@gigiblues82]

Hi! Any recommendation on how to set up the es-8 for wet/dry ?

[@sterlingtallman3732]

So helpful!! Thanks man. Does anyone know what is happening to your signal on presets where you are not using the FX loop on your amp with this connection method? For example: just an OD to the front. Is your signal still running through the FX loop?

[@lukeadamek106]

Is it possible to run the four cable method to one amp, then also just use the second output for another amp? Thanks

[@jondavis8545]

When you are moving the volume loop, does that mean all the effects after it are in the effects loop at that point?

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Correct

[@nickhall_music]

@@ManBunMetalHead Bro.... THIS was the massive question coming off watching this video 500 times

[@keithowensmusic37]

I'm so glad you have this video- I just bought the ES-8 and I'm wanting some pedals in the front, and some in the amp fx loop- also I'm using the JP2C as well. Lastly, I have done Spartan Races all over the place as well. LOL. Curious though, where would my noise gate go?

[@theaudiocooker1444]

Is the volume send to the amp buffered? I'm guessing not but would like to know for sure?

[@bretttrommler756]

I'm in a toss up between the Boss ES-8 and the EHX Super Switcher. The ES-8 is a little smaller so it wouldn't take up quite as much room on my pedal board, but the Super Switcher is a bit less expensive. I'm thinking they both have similar features; 8 loops, two of them stereo, fully programmable, MIDI in and out, control pedal ports, 8 actual control switches instead of four. Maybe you can shed some light on why I might need to go with the ES-8.

[@razorlight1100]

Followed your tutorial. I am using a fender deluxe reverb amp 65 combined with a powerstation 100 attenuator. When my amp goes past volume level 5 I now get a lot of noise ( the long beeeeeeep). Any ideas what I may have done wrong here? Below noise 5 it works perfectly but I cant dial up the volume as I did before the 4 cable method.

[@metalskinn460]

Is the ground lift necessary? I'd like to do this with my Boss ES-5 but utlilizing one of my ES-5 loops, but I don't believe there is a ground lift option on the switcher?

[@michaelmccaslin3312]

Hello and great videos as usual!! Everything I have learned about the ES-8 has been via your videos. SUPER HELPFUL!!! Have a question. I have a ISP GString Decimator and the ES-8. How would you recommend I place and connect the noise suppressor if the amp effects send/return are tied into the volume ports on the ES-8 using the four cable method?

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Try this wiring: Guitar -> Decimator Guitar In Decimator Guitar Out -> ES-8 In ES-8 Vol Send -> Amp In Amp FX Send -> Decimator DEC In Decimator DEC Out -> ES-8 Vol Return ES-8 Out -> Amp FX Return

[@juandiaz7650]

@@ManBunMetalHead can you do a video for the ns8 using 4 cables 😅

[@indigo539832]

Hi I have a question how I connect a Boss EQ-200 if I want to use it in parallel the distortion pedals in Chanel A of the eq 200 and the B Chanel without distortion but in the ES-8? Please can you help me:)

[@MultiStratoman]

Hi! Are there any switch on the market that will do the same as the discontiued 'Radial Twinline'? I'm busting my head against the wall trying to figure out how I can connect the send/return via 4 cable method on my pedalboard with the Boss ES-8 to the send/return with two amps. The 'Radial Twinline' second hand are no where to be found on the internet. I've search for it everywhere.

[@tammazzu85]

Do you know if exist a method to ground lift a generic loop if my loop switcher don't have a volume loop?

[@JJDon5150]

Is this also possible with the ES-5? I'm thinking of getting that one since its a slightly smaller footprint.

[@ManBunMetalHead]

Technically yes. You would have to use one of your 5 loops for the amp FX loop. However, you wouldn't have the option of disconnecting the ground, which you would only need if you had a ground loop.

[@constantinoquevedoguerrero3261]

Hello, First of all thank you very much for the video. It is always a privilage to get access to this kind of content. Do you know if if possible to totally avoid or bypass the pream section of the Amp using the ES8 4 cable method? I’m telling this because I would like to use the Line6 Helix Stomp pream simulations. I’m going crazy…no idea how to connect the Helix Stomp to the ES8 not lossing the capabilities ( pream, cabbinets) Thanks for your help!!! And congratulation for your channel

[@ManBunMetalHead]

This should be absolutely possible, I've done this with my GT1000. There are a few ways to do this. If you have your ES-8 setup with your amp with the 4 cable method, you can simply turn off your V loop in the ES-8. Now anything going from the output of the ES-8 will go directly into the FX return on your amp therefore bypassing the amp preamp. Just be careful with your volume output though. Start low on the Helix while you try it out. Good luck.

[@constantinoquevedoguerrero3261]

@@ManBunMetalHead Thank you very much for your help. Is amazing the level of knowledge you have with the ES8. FYI, there is no too many info regarding this topic on internet. Lot of people are lost with this. Could be great a video about this! It would be the only one talking about how to bypass the preamp section with the boss 4CM configuration and use pream simulation of a multiefect.. Thanks again!! Regards from Spain

[@ManBunMetalHead]

@@constantinoquevedoguerrero3261 that's a great suggestion. I quickly mentioned doing exactly this in a recent video and had a similar suggestion. I'll have to put it on the video list. Thanks!

[@constantinoquevedoguerrero3261]

@@ManBunMetalHead thanks to you for your ES8. Is a privilege getting access to that info.

[@alejandroserna3137]

Great video man, I have a question I hope you can help me, can you have an OD in front of the amp with reverb and delay in the effects loop, but also activate a distortion preamp pedal connected to the power amp instead of in front of the amp and also the same delay and reverb after that preamp? The two would be different presets

[@fitzwilliamcobra]

So, I have a gate that uses the four cable method. Would I still be able to use it in this fashion as well as using the boss this way too? My head hurts 😂.

[@lanceraustin]

I use a single channel amp with an attenuator, which gives me the fx loop that my amp doesn't have. So- there is no separating my amp's pre and power amp sections. I believe this will require a different fx loop/ES8 connection than the one you've shown... but I still don't know how to do it.

[@jonatanbergmusician]

Hi man! Thanks for all your es-8 videos. great help. So, I have a problem with my ES-8. I have all 8 loops filled, 5 infront of amp and 3 in the fx loop. When I engage one of the pedals infront of the amp the gain decreases a lot. Those in the fx loop works great. I've tried to check the cables for bad connection, if I've plugged everything right and so on. It's wierd that I do get sound, just that the in-signal is drastically weaker. Any ideas on what it could be? Cheers /Jonatan

[@IvanHerenchakJones]

Howdy bud, My volume loop seems to be bypassed somehow. I tried an actual volume pedal in that loop and at 0% volume it came through unchanged. Any idea why?

[@atomheart411]

In the middle of rewiring in 4 cable method and the volume loop is killing the volume. If I put it before my DD200 the output is really low. If I move it after, the volume is normal.I've been trying everything I can think of and it really seems like it's the volume loop. No volume pedal.

[@Jorge00Santos]

Hello, thank you for your videos. A question: I follow your instructions and the amp is changing the channels as supposed but the sound is always clean even when the amp shows the distortion channel engage! Can you help please? Thank you so much.

[@ManBunMetalHead]

What amp are you using?

[@Jorge00Santos]

@@ManBunMetalHead mark V

[@Jorge00Santos]

My comment was about amp channel using the boss ES-8 using the TRS cable. Not about the 4 cable method (sorry for asking this question in this video by mistake) can you help? Thank you.

[@ManBunMetalHead]

@@Jorge00Santos I don't use the Mark V but the other guitarist in my band does and he controls his with an ES-8. Looking at the rear panel, I assume you'd need to connect a TRS cable to the ES-8 and use a splitter to control channels 2 and 3. Is that what you're currently using?

[@Jorge00Santos]

@@ManBunMetalHead yes, I am using that. The odd thing is the cable from the Send volume - to the amp input does not do anything… if I disconnect that cable I still have sound with effects!!! (With no input Jack on the amp input. So that cable is not doing nothing) The issue is with or without that send volume connections my amp only plays clean even when the dirty channel on the amp is correctly engage. I already try using the guitar only with the amp to check the valves and is working fine. I am doing something wrong…I have the trs cable from the ctl1/2 to the back of my amp to the Chanel 2 and 3. And the 4 cable method using 2 cables from out/1L and other from the ent volume to the back of my amp to the send and return. I am completely lost why the amp is not playing distortion nether from channel 2 crunch or channel 3 distortion… only clean even with the channel 2 or 3 engage.

[@calebo29536]

What if your amp doesn't have an fx loop? would you just put the guitar through es-8 Input, then Es-8 output in the front of the amp?

[@lukenevills4969]

What is the purpose of the ground lift on the ES8

[@ManBunMetalHead]

It's typically used to reduce hum when connecting the ES-8 to an amp with the 4 cable method.

[@StompboxMods]

I’m considering using my own buffer at the output of my ES-8. I’m using the 4 cable method since I have a few effects in my amp’s effects loop. I believe there’s a few ways to wire in the buffer pedal? My amp has a buffered effects loop so there’s no need to add additional buffering to the effects loop. I was curious what would be your recommendation for placing the buffer so it only buffers end of the output section of the es-8 Thanks man! Great videos they’ve been so helpful! 🤘🤘

[@mrdeer5585]

You are a life saver

[@kaytrell]

Hey Man, does this ES-8 method work on ES-5?

[@ManBunMetalHead]

I believe it can, but you'd have to use one of the 5 loops. I don't think it has an additional FX loop

[@kaytrell]

@@ManBunMetalHead Thank you Man for your reply, very kind of you! I'll try as soon as I get my hands on one ;)

[@antonylinteau3408]

Hey! You have a new subscriber! How would you connect the es8 to the hxstomp?

[@ManBunMetalHead]

If you need the stereo functionality, you'd probably want to put it in loop 8. Otherwise, you could connect it via mono to any loop.

[@lunartidesmusic]

Hi there Man Bun metal, So I followed your guide and it's working. (Using an Orange Rockerverb MK3) - However, I'm trying to set up my patch, to have one clean channel and one crunch channel. I have the proper TRS cable connected to the EXT CTRL option, but it seems to always pick the dirty channel when the Volume loop is engaged, when it's not engaged it does sound clean, but very dark and I have no control over the clean channel controls on the amp. Have you ever run into this issue? Thanks.

[@dalodeper]

With the orange rockerverb mkiii you use just regular tip sleeve for channel change or reverb change. The regular footswitch for the RV3 just takes two guitar cables, one for each function. So on the es8 you have to use ctl 1/2 for your channel change and ctl 3/4 for your reverb. Just regular TS on each.

[@dominicgibson9529]

I've been thinking about this lately, and, this maybe obvious, but isn't the ES8 a 4CM anyway? I mean, the guitar goes in to the ES8, everything is ni a loop, and then you scroll to put the Vol segment in the chain so as to have pre- effects, and post- effects...isn't that 4CM in a nutshell?

[@redcomn]

I’m using 4cm with Boss ir2 and ms3 now

[@juanclaub]

First of all Man Bun Metal Head, thanks for the great video. As you mentioned in your video, the manual feels a little short to explain how to make the 4CM setup work. I just purchased an ES-8 and after setting up my rig the first thing I noticed was a MASSIVE drop in volume on my signal. The previous configuration was a normal switchless 4CM setup: Guitar -> Wah -> Distortion Pedals -> Amp Input -> FX Send -> Modulation pedals -> FX Return I'm using a Marshall DSL40, which is way too loud for playing at home, and I had always used the volume at around 1-2 out of 10 After the ES-8 I have to move it up to 5-6 to achieve the similar output. I have manipulated the output buffers on the ES-8, checked all cables, done all sorts of test, and tried every recommendation found online to no avail. Have you (or any of your readers) experienced this? Why am I having so much volume drop on my signal? I understand the ES-8 setup adds a lot more cabling, impedance, and moving parts, but the amount of drop I'm experiencing is too much IMO.

[@michaelgueble6789]

Look at this, i have the same problem: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnm6Z2VmgtF3b68 I have write with the roland customer service. Here is his answer to this problem: "But you need to boost the volume on the amp. When you're using the 4-cable methode, the whole gain-staging is different compared to the in & out setup. Check also if activating the buffer at input can help you boosting the signal a bit also." But to me, the volume drop is so massive, it can't be normal.

[@juanclaub]

​@@michaelgueble6789 I ended up using output #2 and that "fixed" my problem. In my case, looks like there is something wrong with Output #1 circuits causing the drop. Unfortunately, my ES-8 is a used unit and can't really go back to the seller about it at this point 👎👎 Now, after watching your video, that is the correct behavior from the unit. If you have it wired using the 4CM, you are required turn on your Volume loop. If you turn it off, you are basically cutting off the connection between your guitar and the Pre-Amp and going straight to the FX Return, missing out on all your amps gain, channel volume, and EQ. At that point, you are only able to use the master volume (if your amp has one), presence, etc. I think you could confirm this by increasing the channel's volume and seeing no effect on the amp's output.

[@manwaichu4735]

Thanks so much !

[@StuUreta]

This is the explanation i was looking for! I will try it soon. I gotta buy more cable though hehe

[@berkayguner]

Exactly wired as explained, but as soon as I activate V loop there is no sound at all (not a volume drop, literally nada, nil, zip). Any suggestions? I hate to be checking 100th time but also hoping problem to be as simple as a bad patch cable on one of these 3 slots 😑. EDIT: IT WAS BAD PATCH CABLE ON VOL LOOP 🤦🏻‍♂️. GUYS DON'T USE EFFING SOLDERLESS CABLE KITS AND SAVE YOURSELF A HUUUGE TROUBLE. I COULD HAVE SPENT THE SAME TIME SAVING MY PEACE OF MIND AND I COULD HAVE SOLDERED PATCH CABLES.

[@urosmiletic7454]

RnR!