Conference napalm::guitar

    
    
    They're selling for around $350 here...
    
    
    

    I'm thinking about getting something like this at the moment and I'm
    trying to weigh up this model vs. the new BE5 8 prog model vs. the Zoom
    and perhaps the Korg A5 or Ibanez PU thing !
    
    I've read the comments about the Zoom and the Korg in this notes file
    but I'd havn't found the Ibanez and Boss BE5 prog pedal boards
    discussed. I'm used to the stomp boxes but I'm willing to consider
    rack/amp-top alternatives - any advise ? anyone tried the Ibanez/Boss ?
    
    Gordon.

    
    I picked mine up about 10 days ago. I havn't been able to put down the
    guit since. This is one great effects box. It was a toss up between
    the SE-50 and the Zoom. The Zoom seemed to be limited when it came down
    to versitility. I wanted MIDI capabilities and the voices to be foot
    switchable for playing live. I also got some pretty cool voices with the
    SE-50. They blow the standard ones out of the water. BTW, the box has
    128 voices. 28 seperate algorithms that are the basis for all the
    sounds, plus 100 user writable voices. It is also a full stereo unit
    with quite a few parameters available to exploit this feature.
    If anyone wants more info, sent me Email. I'll be happy to send out
    more info or voice parameter settings for anyone else has with one.
    
    mIkEy Z.
    

	4 questions about the SE-50:

	1  The Roland writeup says it has 19 basic effects (the article
	   mentioned that unlike some manufacturers who list their individual
	   reverbs as separate effects, Roland groups them as one).
	   What are these 19 effects?

	2  What is the max # of effects you can use in a patch?

	3  Does the distortion effect have a decent range (i.e. "dirty" to
	   "outrageous metal" ?)

	4  Any recent prices (and sources)?

	Tnx,

	/ravi

    	I've got one. There is actually 28 different effect algorithms.
    From memory some are: 	
    				several reverb types
    				Stereo reverbs
    			        Multi tap delay (2)
                                Pitch shifters (2)  
    				Rotary            	
                               	vocorder
    				Keyboard effects chain (2)
                         	Guitar effects chain
                    		Vocal effects chain
    
    	These algorithms cannot be combined but each is extremely
    effective...makes you want two or three of these things. The dist in
    the guitar effects chain has four modes overdrive, overdrive+turbo,
    distortion, distortion+ turbo. The turbo being an upper mid boost. To
    my ears it's pretty good.
    
    FJE

    
I just traded my DSP-128 for an SE-50 and (sorry Coop I know how you
love the DSP's) can say I'm wicked impressed with this new toy. I spent
about 4 hours A/B ing the SE-50, Quadroverb, and the new Multiverb Alpha
and I can honestly say (IMO) this was the best sounding box of the three.
It's 24 bit 20-20k processor sounded far more open then either of the
competitive boxes. The Parameters are easy to access and edit, and  offer a 
far greater level of control than any other in the $400 - $500  price range.

Let me tell you a little about it.....

Flexibility:
------------

OK it does offer 19 different effects (not counting the 6 different reverbs)
in 28 different algorithms . The algorithms can't be chained together.
However 3 of them offer a fairly good variety of the effects. For example...

	Algorithm called "Guitar 1" offers

	Compressor
	OD/Distortion 
	3 band Parametric EQ
	Noise Suppressor
	Chorus
	Delay
	Reverb
	and Line Driver

Now this seems a little like overkill but you can easily edit the patch to 
eliminate any of these effects from the chain. When you do this these effects 
are eliminated not set with a "0 Effect Level" All the effects are fully 
editable however fewer parameters for each effect are present due to memory
restrictions. Each effect in the chain has a "MIX level" parameter and there 
is a programmable master effects level that controls the total effects mix As 
well as a Master Level to control patch volume (A problem with the SGE's from
what I've been reading). 

Midi and Real Time:
-------------------

You have realtime access to 1 parameter per patch with an Expression pedal. This
must be programmed into the patch. A very easy process. Of course it offers 
complete Midi functionality including mapping. and for those w/out a midi pedal 
you can set ranges for standard up down clicking with your favorite 20$ pedal.


Cool Things:
------------

The unit has a 2 channel mixer built in. Really neet for some things. The
2 channel mixer offers Reverb, Delay, and Chorus fro both channels besides 
the mixer capabilities. I'm sure I'll find some use for this.

One of the real neat features of this unit is that it is a true stereo 
processor. What I mean by that is there are certain patches that will process
the left and right inputs separately. You can add reverb to the left channel 
and delay to the right channel, or different reverbs for each channel ect... 
This has some interesting possibilities for recording. 

Editing titles, copying patches, and programming are a snap. You don't need to 
spend more than 3 min. with the book to figure out all you need to know to get
started.

Now for the most important thing  

Effect Quality:
--------------

I've always loved BOSS effects and Roland the one of the finest names in 
processing equipment. It's only natural that they would put out a quality
piece of machinery. And I think they succeeded with this one !

The Line driver is very usable ! I test ran it through my 4 Track last
night and it was very very close to a miked speaker sound. There are 2 varieties
of line drivers offered. One simulates a large tube amp....the other a smaller
amp. I liked the first one considerably more. Very realistic. I'll be doing
the majority of my recording direct form now on. 

The Reverb effects are excellent. The 20-20k makes a huuuuuuge difference in
sound quality. You'd expect any company that was going to put out an expensive 
effects unit better have descent reverb and this is no exception. Even the 
salesman (who actually wanted me to buy the Quad.Verb because he owned one)
admitted after listening to both that the reverb of the SE-50 was superior 
to that of the Quad. It sounded much more open, didn't seem to squish the
signal, and rang sweetly after the note was struck. And of course you are 
offered the variety...Plate, Reverse, Gated, Hall, Room, and Stereo just
to make it interesting.

The Flange, and Phase are fantastic. Very controllable and just perfect if
you have to play "Ain't Talking About Love", or Fly High Again". I've been
searching for an effects unit that can actually do a good Flange and Phase.
And this one does it to a tee. I'm Psyched about these.

The Chorus...sweet and shimmering. Capable of doing a sweet chorus, a quick 
vibrato or even a descent flange. I like it better than the chorus on my
ADA and I love that analog chorus. 

The Pitch shift was very usable. It comes in 2 Varieties...5 time or Stereo. 
It is fine tunable +/- 100 and has a 4 octave range (up or down up to 2 octave)
and is capable of up to 5 pitch shifts at a time. Of course delay time between 
each shift is also programmable.

Overall:
--------

There is alot more to this unit than I've covered here. There are some
stunning effects such as a Vocorder, Rotary Speaker, and Ambiance that I
havn't even tried yet. I love this unit and I would recommend it to anyone
looking to upgrade or just purchase a new unit. It is definitely a quality 
piece of equipment.  

    Time to get a Roland credit card? 

    I forgot to ask...
    
    Are you using this in your amp's effects loop?  You mentioned something
    about the SGE in your review.  SGE owners in here and on Usenet say it
    is more flexible between the guitar and amp.  Do you have to do this
    with the SE50, like when you introduce distortion?
    
    Thanks,
    Mike

    RE: EFFECTS LOOP.......
    
    I don't use the effects loop of my ADA. Here's my setup....
    
                  Out Left
                 --------->   <----->    <------> \
    Guitar -----> ADA MP1      SE-50     MosValve   Stereo 4 x 12"
                 --------->   <----->    <------> /
                 Out Right
    
    I use the SE50 strictly for effects. I get all my gain from the ADA so
    I don't use the distortion on the unit at all. I suppose if you needed
    distortion you could front end your amp with the SE50. It does have
    a line/instrument switch. But I don't want to lose the true stereo
    effect by running it mono in the effects loop or front ending the 
    ADA with it. 
    
    I can say that I have added Overdrive with the unit configured as
    above. The distortion in the unit is fairly controllable as are all
    the other effects. I really don't believe this box was designed to be
    a preamp, or to really provide distortion because there is only
    1 algorithm that uses distortion. This happens to be the same algorithm
    that uses the line driver, so I tend to believe this was added for
    recording guitar directly. It does serve this function very
    effectively. 
     	
    
     I think the strengths of this unit are;
    
    	1) The extremely high quality of non reverb effects
    	   As stated in my previous note, the effects are superb. I
    	   especially love the Flange and Phase Shifting effects. The
    	   Pitch shifter is one of the finest available in a multieffect
    	   unit. 	
	2) The ease of creating, editing, and changing patches. This
    	   includes the extremely friendly user interface.
    	3) The variety of effects, 19 not including various types of
    	   reverb. Also something which is kind of neet....The reverbs,
    	   and modulation effects..(Phase,flange,chorus ect) have a MODE
    	   parameter which changes the "Character" of the effect. Some have
    	   Up to 4 modes. Basically it's like having 4 different flangers
    	   (for example) on the ground at the same time. The all perform
    	   the same function however the all have intrinsically unique
    	   sounds.
    
    I probably wouldn't buy this unit if your looking for a glorified
    distortion box with built in effects. I think this box was designed for
    serious signal processing and recording, not as a preamp. I think your
    a little far away to pop down to Northboro Mass. for a test drive but
    to really appreciate it you've got to spend some time playing
    with it. If you do decide to get one I can guarantee you you won't be
    dissapointed. 
    
    Ah the quest lives on.....
    
    Brian

Thats my boy...

:)

    
    Coop.....I've never had the pleasure of meeting you but I know deep
    down in my heart we're "Midi Rack Puke Soul Bros." If I could just
    convince you that the "Perfect Connection" is a MosValve/ADA rig ....
    
    
    8^)) X Whatever_it_takes_to_make_you_smile
    

    Re: user friendliness
    
    That's usually relative.  You're not a VAX Macro heavyweight are you? ;-)
    
    Mike

    Me a Macro Heavyweight....Ha ha ha ha ha 8^),
    
    Nope, I'm a former System Manager turned Marketeer. Unlike the DSP's 
    where you could only move 1 direction through programming and all
    parameters are in 2 character abbreviations (actually codes written by
    Nazi bad guy's i do believe) the SE-50 is a joy to program.
    
    First, You can move through parameters in either forward or reverse
    	   direction. Really cool if you want to go back and readjust your
    	   EQ settings without exiting the patch and having to start over.
    	   That includes if you want to get rid of an effect in an
    	   algorithm chain. One of the really neet things is if you get rid
    	   of it and then want it back when you call the effect back it
    	   will be at the same setting it was when you eliminated it. And
    	   when you eliminate an effect all it's related parameters
    	   dissapear from the algorithm chain so you don't have to fuss
    	   with them. COOL or what.  
    
    	   You can exit and save a patch your editing any time by hitting a
    	   single button. You don't have to run through all the parameters.
           If you don't like what you've created no harm, just exit without
    	   saving it. No harm to the original patch.
    
    	   All the Parameter labels are clearly written out. 
    		ex. LowPass Filter = Thru
    		    Hi Frequency   = +5 db
    		    Master Volume  = 100
    		    Reverb Decay   = 325ms
    	   You know what parameter your changing without having to look at
    	   a diagram or use your decoding ring. Given you know what the
    	   parameters do programming becomes a snap.	
    	
     
    
    Of Course all the utility functions,Title Changes, Midi Assignments,
    ect... are equally as east to use and change.
    
    Hope I helped to better define what I mean by user Friendly.
    
    Brian

    I think Vax Macro is pretty damn friendly myself...

RE: .14

Dweeb alert !

Eeeesh.
jc

    Hey Brian, cut it out.  I don't even like digital signal
    processors, and you're making me drool.  Doesn't it do anything
    wrong, like clash with your drapes or something :-?
    
    /rick

    I remember when the first Digitech rack units came out, people in here
    complained of the interface.  Greg (who was still at the CSC at the
    time) said he didn't mind it.  Coop chimed in with something like "No
    wonder, you work with VAX Macro!" ;-)  
    
    The way I see it, I write enough code at work.  I don't need it when
    I'm supposed to be having fun ;-)

    That's why you don't need all this techie junk.  Plug the cord right
    into your amp and wail!
    
    gh (who does exactly that)

    
    RE: Techie Junk....... 
    
    I love Marshalls as much as the next guy but they just don't have all 
    those lights and buttons thay make me smile. Not to mention, they don't 
    do a mean phase shift unless they're blowing up. That's alot more 
    expensive than buying a multi effects unit.  ;^)
    
    Re: Mikey....
    
    My Biggest gripe withe the Digitech was the difficulty understanding
    the programming. Without a book I could never remember what all those
    Rl, fP, lr, c, C, dt, ABC, FU ect..... stood for. It became a game of
    set the paramerter all the way up, then all the way down and then find
    a spot in the middle I like. A real pain in the ass with so many
    parameters. Also the parameters had weird intervals...
    	Delay time...... .05ms. .24ms, .37ms .54ms .....
    Common ...not much room for experimentation.  I didn't mind writing the
    code I just wish I knew the Language. 
    
    But on the other hand....(another plug for the Boss) the boss is pretty
    much plug in and play. Simplest toy I've ever had to program, and with
    a 24 bit processor plenty of parameter flexibility. 
    
    
    RE: Rick.......
    
    You don't like Signal Processors..... Are you a communist ;^) Ok well
    let me ask you this, Do you like to make recordings in the privacy of
    your own home without getting balled out by your wife who is watching
    TV ?  Do you like to add some slight ambiance to these recordings with
    perhaps a minute pluthera of effects ? Would you like to be able to do
    this without having to be a IS consultant to learn how to program the 
    effects device ?  Well Rick....this is the toy for you . 
    
    Drawbacks.....Hmmmmm, well....It is only half rack so it looks like
    someone knocked out a tooth in your rack.....(But the display window is
    really cool, it displays the Patch Name and number as well as the
    algorithm name used to create the patch). Ok there is about a 1/4
    second pause between the multi effect patches when changing settings, 
    but no pause between single effect patches when you switch. Other than
    that I havn't found any flaws yet. Nothing thay would make me  say...
    "Geeze....they should have done .........". I had a whole list of these
    with my DSP.
    
    You should try one. Keep in mind I'm in marketing so I'm suppose to
    make people want things they don't really need. But I really think this
    is a high quality super versitile toy for the money.
    
    By the way....we don't have drapes, I spent the money for the drapes on
    the SE-50. No clash there 8^)
    
    Brian

    Oh ya......Anyone who would like to test drive it in the privacy of
    my own home is welcome to come down. I live in Northboro Mass. Drop 
    me a line and let me know. 
    
    Brian

	Brian, I agree that the DSP was a pain in the ass (to me).  
	I did the same tricks with max-ing out all the params and
	backing off them.  It was easy to get lost and lose track
	of what sound you were looking for because it would all get
	blurred after (literally) an hour of romancing one or two
	effects.  If it wasn't for the "water tank" reverb I'd have
	sold it off earlier than I did.  If they could bottle that
	reverb in a pedal effect, I'd buy one.  Also, the flange 
	was anemic on the DSP (128+).  

    DejaVu all over again.

    Pat's clearly had enough of the effects units already!  He's even
    speaking with a delay now...
    
    8^)

    Somehow, the idea of being able to mix & match whatever effects you wish 
    is more appealing.  I guess that's why ART's stuff is popular.
    
    I take it the SE-50 can't do this because of the 28 algorithms.  
    
    Mike

   RE: Flange on DSP....
    
    	I think anemic is kind. I had a deep slow sweep set and I couldn't
    	hear anything. I classify that as NON-existent 8^p. The reverse reverb
    	was the balls though. I loved that setting.
    
    RE: Mix and Match
    
    With the SE-50 you can pretty much mix and match whatever effect you
    want..... Let me show you.....
    
    
    Mixed Algorithms......
    
    	1.  Vocorder + Noise supressor + Chorus
    	2.  EQ + Delay + Chorus + REVERB
    	3.  Phaser + EQ + Chorus + REVERB
        4.  EQ + Phaser + Noise Supressor + Delay + Chorus + Pan + Reverb
        5.  Compressor + Distortion + EQ + Noise Supressor + Delay + Chorus
    	    +  Reverb + Line Driver
	6.  Limiter + Enhancer + Noise Supressor + Delay + Chorus + Reverb
    
    So with the exception of .....
    
    	Ambiance (Which really doesn't need any Aux. effects) and
        Pitch shift ( Here I'll admit a little reverb would be nice, but
    		      with the delayed shifts is really not necessary.)
    	
        almost all the effects can be chained together.
    
    
    Also let me restate, you can easily loose any of these effects in the 
    algorithms that you don't want without having to set levels to "0"
    edit times...ect....
    
    Brian
    
    PS ... This weekend I played with the Pitch Shift and I git the coolest 
    	   12 string sound. When I use my EMG single and roll off the tone
           it sounds almost  exactly like a 12 string guitar. what did I
    	   do.... 
    
	    Pitch 1 =  No Change from Input
    	    Pitch 2 =  Up One Octave from Input, Very Little delay, 80% mix
            Pitch 3 =  Down one octave from Input, No Delay,  50% mix
    
    	    Now My Nu-Nose song sounds almost perfect ;^)

     Now that I have my first....I, I ggggget these  crazy  thoughts....
    
    Two, or three of these you could really have some fun...and then you
    add... Oh No...is this how it starts? Do I have GTS?
    
    FJE

Article: 14958
From: [email protected] (Ed Mahon)
Newsgroups: rec.music.synth,rec.music.makers
Subject: Boss SE-50: Was: Looking for Rock Guitar Sounds
Date: 21 Oct 91 13:33:14 GMT
Organization: Mitel. Kanata (Ontario). Canada.
 
There is no way to make an effects configuration which doesn't exist
as a preset, or reorder the preset effect chains.  These are two
limitations which were not entirely obvious when I first bought mine.
Another improvement which could be made is an EQ of more than 3 bands.
Personally a 7-band would allow you to get a lot more out of some of
the effects.  I find some of the effects can't be "shaped" enough, but
additional EQing can overcome this.  Otherwise, it works fine as a
stand-alone processor.
 
There are some good guitar sounds already programed, however.  My
personal favourite is 'Lead 2'.  It works very well for rythm and
lead.  I've created 2 sounds from this preset, and the rythm sound is
deadly!  I use it for home recording, and when done with stereo
tracks (with slight sound modification) the result is a big, fat,
hairy, warm sound.
 
Another suggestion I can make is for the 'Tube Stack' chain.  It does
sound a bit messy as the factory sound, but if you play with the
overdrive option of the distortion effect, EQ the bottom and mids out
a bit, and tune down the input signal strength, you can get a nice
rythm sound.  I've done this with additional EQing, and I'm getting
a full-bodied, reasonably crunchy sound.  Combined with a Marshall,
it's almost as good as sex (almost...).
 
The 'Metal Flange' effect has to be toned down to be usable.  The
flanger effect is much too much too much.  Somebody at Boss had a
hard night before setting that one up.
 
All in all, I think it's a great little toy.  Another SE-50 is my
next investment.
 
Hope this helps...
 
      _________  _ /| /\ |\                 ___________________________________
     / _______/ / / |  / | \    /\         /                                  /
    / /        / /| | -- |  \  /  \       / Rock `n' roll is a vicious game. /|
   / ----/    / /_| |    | \ \/ /\ \     /__________________________________/ /
  / /        / /  | |    | |\__/  \ \    |__________________________________|/
 / /________/ /   |_|    |_|       \ \   /##//###/##//###/##//###/##//###/#//
/____________/  Edward A. A. Mahon  \_\ ===================================/

RE .20
>  algorithm name used to create the patch). Ok there is about a 1/4
>  second pause between the multi effect patches when changing settings, 
>  but no pause between single effect patches when you switch. Other than

When this 1/4 second pause is ocurring, does your signal get muted, become
dry, or stay the same until the new patch kicks in??  The reason I'm asking
is because (believe it or not) my Yamaha SPX90 would mute the signal between
program changes.  It used to annoy me like crazy - especially when I was 
playing by myself and I had to change settings.

Also, I'm guessing from the size that it has an outboard power supply??

Thanks..  /marc

	> When this 1/4 second pause is ocurring, does your signal get
	> muted, become dry, or stay the same until the new patch kicks
	> in??

	It's muted.

	> Also, I'm guessing from the size that it has an outboard power
	> supply??

	Yes and no.  The power cord has an inline 110-12 transformer, but
	the diodes, caps and voltage stabilizer are inside the box.

	/ravi

    Do the effects in this box resemble the sounds from their pedals at
    all?
    
    Mike

Article 18665 of rec.music.makers:
Path: shodha.enet.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!news.crl.dec.com!deccrl!decwrl!mips!sdd.hp.com!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!nntp-server.caltech.edu!julius
From: [email protected] (julius yang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers
Subject: Re: SE-50 Boss
    
[email protected] (Stefane Fermigier) writes:

>I am very much interested in purchasing a (guitar/bass/vocals...) multi-effect
>processor. last time I visited my favourite effect devices shop (``La Pedale''
>in Pigalle),they recommended to me the SE-50 boss, because it was cheap (ahum!)
>and recent. But I would like to have the opinion of someone who has *really* 
>used it.  

>what I am most interested in is not only the quality of reverb/delay,
>but also of compression/distortion... (I'am playing Heavy-Metal, you know...)

Well, a friend recently lended me his unit, and I've been going nuts with it.
Being previously effectless, I thought it was a wonderful bit o' machinery.
After a few weeks, I've come to some definite conclusions. (I can't speak about
price, naturally.)

The interface stinks.  To change variables takes quite a while and is truly
annoying.  There are only two buttons to change among 128 different effects,
and so to find an effect you spend a lot of time scanning.  To change the
parameters of the effects, you do the same thing.  Boring.

The distortion is pretty good, since I crank my Marshall practice amp up to
10 and overlay the SE-50 distortion on that.  Incredible sustain, twitchy
harmonics.  The only thing is, it's a little too thick to sound good.  Even
turning down to 9 or so doesn't quite do it for me.  (I realize I'm not going
to get a professional sound with only one half-rackmount, but what the hell.)

There are about six different interesting reverbs, but if you use them you
cannot use the SE-50 distortion as well.  There are 'lead guitar' sounds which
combine chorus, distortion, reverb, delay, compression, and overdrive, but
the reverbs and delay there are just standard times.  No gates, no fancy
gimmicks, as far as I can tell.  The reverbs are really nice though.

The compression I haven't played with as much, and I haven't heard pro
compression units to compare, but I'd say it's adequate.  Not great.  You're
not going to get James Mankey's (Concrete Blonde) sound, certainly, but
it tightens up the signal for sure.

I'd give the unit about a 6 out of 10, without considering price.  Wish I
could compare with other rackmounts though.
-- 
=============================================================================
              julius yang |. .| "I'm dressed as a homicidal maniac--they look
[email protected] | _ |  just like everyone else."
[email protected]   |   |        --Wednesday Addams

    
    
    This guy cranks max distortion on both the SE-50 and his Marshall?????
    
    There's so much gain in the SE-50 on the lead patches that you can
    leave the guitar in the case and still get raging feedback!
    

    "It's the sustain, can you hear it?"
    "No."
    "Well you could if I were playing it."

"...Don't even look at it..."

    Is anyone using this little guy in the effects loop of their amp?
    
    Thanks,
    Mike

    
    Do you mean Nigel?
    
    ;-)
    
    guy

    I donno, is he short?

    
    the real question is:  how does he sound? ;-)
    
    guy

    Ya know,.. having just acquired the Marshall DR,.. I wandered over to
    my good buddie Kevin McDonnough's office to see if he had any
    literature on the thing,..
    
    He did
    
    One of the ads in one of the Marshall rags has a picture of Nigel
    musing over the fact that the volume goes to 20 (,.. .thats nine
    more!...). So I laughed,.. and then I'm reading Buck's saga,.. and now
    I'm thinking about this Nigel pseudo-guitar-dood appearing in the
    lterature,.. and well,.. I'm sitting here sort of scratching my head
    wondering...
    
    What someone said about the quality of the marketting hype remaining
    the same regardless of the quality of the actual product is satrting to
    sink in painfully. 
    
    I mean if that aint good high quality hype marketting,.. then I don't
    know what is ! If I had known that Nigel did advertisements for
    Marshall, I might have had second thoughts about Marshall...
    
    Oh well,. too late now
    
    								/Bill
    

    Also, Bill's Marshall only goes to "10", not "20" ?!?!?

from the back of a recent Martin catalog:

   "Sure my Martin's got well balanced tone. But more
    important to me, it's loud.  I love loudness, it's an 11."
					  - Nigel Tufnel

Jim

    >What someone said about the quality of the marketting hype remaining
    >the same regardless of the quality of the actual product is satrting to
    >sink in painfully. 
    
    Only the hype's gotten *better*!  Check out a Guitar Player from, say,
    1982, then one from 1977 then one from 1972.  The ads have gotten
    *incredibly* sophisticated and hype-heavy.  I remember when Peavey had
    this "no endorsements" policy.  Certainly not anymore!  
    
    How about these great endorsements over the years:
    
    Eric Clapton for Ovation acoustic guitars!
    
    Tony Rice for Ovation acoustic guitars!!!
    
    Bob Dylan for the Fender Jazz Bass!!!!!!
    
    Jeff Beck for Plush amplifiers!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    What they say:
    
    "Marshall Valvestate gets the real valve sound!"
    "We use military-grade components!"
    "This unit is specially designed for modern bass playing styles!"
    "Creamy overdrive and endless sustain!"
    "Custom wound pickups for fatter tone!"
    "Sensibly thought-out controls!"
    "Punchy bass and soaring treble!"
    
    What they mean:
    
    "With only one tube in the thing, we can build these cheaper than all
    tube amps".
    "It'll work at least as well as the M-1 tank".
    "We set the tone controls to act an octave lower".
    "BZZZRT..brap..."
    "We asked Larry DiMarzio to paint the bobbins a different color."
    "A volume knob."
    "BZZZRT..brap..."
    
    						Brian

    I'm going to be renting one of these for an upcoming gig (May 17th -
    Glendale Ampitheatre).  I'll be sure to post my impressions.
    
    BTW - Renting sure is expensive.  I could buy one outright for the
    price of renting a few weeks.
    
    Mike

One of the many previous notes stated that only the 
guitar multi algorithm had distortion in it.  That's not
quite true,  the rotary alogithm has 'drive' as the first
effect which can be turned up to give distortion.

Didn't Jimi H use a RotoVibe, in which case this 
algorithm is probably there to emulate his sound; 
distortion and a 'leslie' type effect.

tp

Article 9242 of alt.guitar:
Newsgroups: alt.guitar
Path: nntpd2.cxo.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!news.crl.dec.com!deccrl!caen!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!mac174.acns.nwu.edu!user
From: [email protected] (Jater & Co.)
Subject: Re: FOR SALE:  BOSS SE-50 Stereo Effects Processor
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 1992 14:51:23 GMT
Lines: 27

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Joseph M
Goodwin) wrote:
> 
> well, I'm looking at the Musician's Friend catalog, and it says $550 list, 
> sale price $460, so the price is not all that bad.  I seriously doubt you boughtone for $275 new, that's half list, and it's rare that other stores ever sell
> lower than mail order.  If you did get it at that price, give me the store name!


okay, if you don't believe me, call them yourself.

i got the SE-50 for $275 from THOROUGHBRED MUSIC, in Tampa, Florida.  i
spoke with Bill Gillespie -- a man who i've bought almost all my equipment
from. (i'm going to post more on this later.)

Thoroughbred's number is (800) 800-4654.  bill's extension is x. 125.

go to it, kids.


mlb

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* [email protected] +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
m l bailey                           || Zorg: "I don't see the connection
flagrant poseur                      ||        between demolition and 
northwestern university              ||        writing."
high above the kitchen               || Betty: "I'm not surprised."
Cokie Roberts for Prez in '92!!!     ||

    Boss is coming out with an SE-70.  Upgrades from the SE-50 include:
    
    - 45 preset algorithms
    - 48kHz sampling rate, 100 programmable memory locations
    - discrete stereo inputs
    - realtime param control
    - built-in tuner
    -    "     metronome
    - headphone jack
    - 34 effects, up to 16 at a time, series and parallel:
       vocal canceller, vocoder, rotary, 20 tap delay, 12 way pitch
       shifter, distortion feedbacker, de-esser, slow gear (auto vol swell),
       analog distortion, backwards pitch shifter, multiband chorus,
       ducking delay, riff sampler, Hum canceller, plus speaker emulators for 
       guitar, bass, and all the SE-50 effects.

    Re: .48
    
    16 at a time?  Why bother?  I wonder what the riff sampler in
    combination with the de-esser and the vocal canceller sounds like...
    
    ?????????
    
    							Brian

    
    
        My guitar player just picked up an SE-70 and a Marshall 9010.
      The SE-70 is  a *great* box. Seems a little pricey at about $650.
    It actually has several patches that sound like a monophonic synth
    with portamento, but with a serious tracking delay. I guess the delay
    is from the Se-70 having to figure out what note you're playing and
    translate it to the on-board oscillators.
      Great effects though..and it's *really* quiet. 
    
    When he's not playing...
    
    
    Rich Coccoli
    
      

    I've been trying to get a good slightly distorted sound out of my
    SE-50.  I figured that the least amount of distortion is going to be on
    the Overdrive Turbo Off option, but if I use that all the high
    frequencies are totally lost, no amount of messing with the EQ gets
    them back.  I'll probably play around with the input level next but has
    anyone managed to get a good slightly distored sound ?  I play in a
    sixties band so want a clear sound with just a bit of overdrive on it.
    
    tmp

Has anyone found a dealer in the Boston area that carries the SE-50
or SE-70?

Geoff

    If there's anyone else left in here with an SE50 you may like to know
    that the first batch are now suffering from memory loss.  Mine
    exhibitied random losses of parameters and most noticeably the names of
    the patches were getting sporadic corruption.  
    
    A replacement 2032 battery from Tandy (Radio Shack) fixed the problem
    (as confirmed by the man at Roland) but beware all the patches are
    lost, good job I wrote down the important ones :-)
    
    tmp