Boss MS-3 Multi Effects And Loop Switcher

Description

The MS-3 from Boss is a multi-effects switcher designed for electric guitar and bass. It combines the features of a multi-effects pedal (allowing you to turn entire effect chains on and off with a single footswitch press) with 112 built-in effects, such as distortion, chorus, flanger, delay, reverb, and more. With the MS-3, you can use up to six of the MS-3's 112 internal effects simultaneously and combine them with three of your favorite pedals. If you use two amplifiers, the MS-3 can switch the signal between the two amplifiers or send the signal to both amplifiers in stereo.

If you use a dual-amp setup on stage, the pedal lets you choose between your amplifiers or run them in stereo. The MS-3 is also equipped with MIDI OUT, so you can send tempo and CC to compatible devices.

The MS-3 has three separate loops, each with its own send/return. It also features TRS control I/O, allowing you to integrate multiple control and expression pedals if you need expanded control over the MS-3's built-in effects.

The Boss MS-3 has two different operating modes: Memory and Manual. Memory allows you to use the four footswitches on the MS-3 to choose between patches and banks, while Manual allows you to turn different loops on and off.

To complement the three external loops, the MS-3 is equipped with 112 effects organized into six groups: FX1, FX2, Mod1, Mod2, Delay, and Reverb. FX1 and FX2 contain many different effects, including overdrives, distortions, compressors, pitch shifters, and much more. Mod1 and Mod2 offer traditional Boss chorus and vibrato effects, as well as tremolo, flanger, phaser, and more. All effects are suitable for guitar, but there is also a wide selection of effects optimized for bass.

The MS-3's sturdy footswitches give you excellent control over your sound. When you set the MS-3 to Memory mode, the footswitches allow you to choose between patches and banks. And when you switch to Manual mode, you can turn loops and effects on/off and even control multiple effect parameters while playing. Your settings in Manual mode can be saved in patches, allowing you to create dynamic setups for different songs.

The MS-3 allows you to connect external footswitches for tap tempo, effects on/off, and parameter control, as well as expression pedals for controlling volume, wah, pitch shift, and more. There is a Control-out for switching channels on your amplifier and controlling effects that support an external input. A 5-pin DIN MIDI-OUT allows you to send tempo and CC information to MIDI devices, whether or not they are connected to a loop. In addition, the MS-3's two jack outputs can be set to full stereo or selectable mono, providing great flexibility if you use two amplifiers.

Built-in USB gives you access to connect the MS-3 to a computer and to the MS-3 Editor/Librarian software that Boss has created for the MS-3. With the editor, you can edit effects, assign control parameters, set tempo, and more using its convenient graphical user interface. You can also back up your settings and restore individual patches, as well as organize patches into Live Sets for different purposes.

Questions and answers