Boss ME-90 First Impressions

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Tonray's Ghost
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Posts: 1893
Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 7:14 am

Ok...had a bit of time after breakfast to cable everything up and give it a quick run through.

First off I tried connecting to the Effects Retun so I could test out the preamps. The Jazz chorus has both stereo inputs and stereo effects loop so the only upside/downside is using tfe FX Return shuts off the JC22 front panel controls and allows you to use the Amp/Cab modeling but both still allow for stereo effects.

1) Using FX Loop Power Amp In Return : Preamps nothing to wtrite home about probably because when using the recommended LINE output setting it uses some CAB/IR combo that did not sound good thru the JC22. When switching to Guitar Amp output which turns off the CAB/IR, the models are just OK nothing to get your shorts up in a knot about.

2) Using the Front Amp Stereo Inputs : This effectively limits your ability to use the AMP/CAB modeling (you can but then you are putting pre-amp model over amp pre-amp and it gets hairy. Can sound good but not worth it, especially when you have a full suite of OD/Distortion pedals at your disposal anyway, Boss SD, Blues Driver, Tube Screamer, Klon clone, Clean Boost, etc. These, in conjunction with the JC22 fornt panel controls and preeamp...so a reallly good job ! So plug into the front the way to go for this amp. I have read that the power amp input of the KItana is optimized for plugging this thing into and also that a good FRFR makes fabulous sense with this unit for what it's worth.

3) Effects: All I can say is wow...enough effects (pedal emulations) to keep you noodling for years on end. The best part os the stereo effects going into this amp are out of this world...especially the delays...WOWZA. There are so many things to try...I'm thrilled with the vareity and quality of the effects.


That's alll for today...but for @sabasgr68 the Feedbacker Effect is out of this world man ! Definitely something you would love.

OK...a better review/video perhaps in a few weeks...I'm coming up on my annual Immigration office visit and just preparing the documents is vert stressful and time consuming, so that is my job for the next few weeks. Let's see what nonsense requirements (not on the books) they can throw at me this year....:{
Tonray's Ghost
Reactions:
Posts: 1893
Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 7:14 am

Ok...some further testing. Love this thing for sure !

Went back to plugging in thru the stereo effects loop Return. With a dedicated EQ section/pedal, EQs on the Amp model, EQs on the Overdrives and Boost, there is nothing missed by disabling the front panel controls on the amp. Everything works great so far, probably the easiest multi-effects unit to use by far in my experience. Created some basic patches based upon the Twin Combo model (Deluxe ?...ha ha ha) and easy to navigate without any computer interaction needed. But next step I will connect up to laptop as I understand there are some additional effects and settings that only can be accessed via the software and I want to get the USB audio interface working too.

Perhaps I left out initiallly but there is also a looper built in...quite easy to use and functional enough for practice.

If you are looking for an all in one unit, and like me don't really gel with endless menu diving and 47 different reverbs and ODs to choose from, this is a great get up and running quickly unit which sounds pretty good. I understand from many online posts that the predeccessor the ME-80 is a very popular unit for the working musician, the worship music guys in church, the wedding band guys, etc etc. Easy to setup and easy to carry...and can run on batteries also !
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