Boss Offers ME-50B Multi-FX for Bassists
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ME-50B
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Rear Panel
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January 15, 2004BOSS used the Winter NAMM show to announce the ME-50B Bass Multiple Effects. Designed in the tradition of BOSS' popular ME-50 for guitar, the new ME-50B puts powerful multi-effects for bass in a floor-based processor with stompbox simplicity. Aside from COSM Compressor/Limiter and Drive effects, the ME-50 introduces entirely new effects like Sound Hold, Kick Drum and more--all with easy knob and pedal control.
Because the fundamentals of good bass tone are compression and EQ, the ME-50B features two dedicated sections for these essential effects. The Compressor/Limiter uses advanced COSM modeling--including a "Natural" compression setting that retains the nuances of your playing--to give bassists tight, punchy tone. Simply select the compressor "Type" and adjust the Sustain/Threshold knob as desired. The Master section includes a 3-band EQ with a sweepable mid for precise tonal shaping.
The ME-50B includes a variety of unique tone-shaping effects just for bass. These include a handy "Octave Up" effect, which adds a note one octave above the original while retaining the natural bass sound--complete with adjustable drive on the octave-shifted note--plus favorites like Slow Gear, T-Wah and a Defretter effect for instant fretless sounds. Using the Tone effect preset, bassists can get quick tonal variations with preset EQs like "Bottom Boost" and "Mid Shape."
Switch on the ME-50B's Drive effects--which include settings like "Muff Fuzz," "Bass Driver," "Natural" and "Metal"--and bassists can get a range of overdriven/distorted sounds. A new "Hi Band" effect creates a distorted sound on the high frequencies while keeping the lower frequencies intact--perfect for creating complex tones while retaining the player's original dynamics. There are also four synth bass sounds.
Other effects including a Sound On Sound function for building loops, plus a Kick Drum function, which allows players to tap in their own kick drum and create loops over the beat. If that's not enough, there's also the Sound Hold function, which lets players endlessly sustain a low note while playing over it.
Connections to the ME-50B include a 1/4-inch Guitar input, stereo 1/4-inch Line outputs, a stereo Headphones jack, Auxiliary input and Footswitch input.
MSRP: $345 For more information, visit their web site at www.bossus.com. | 
