Tone Report Weekly Issue 86 | Page 30

earth or for the common guitarist to purchase (off the rack), an effects switching system as advanced as the ES-8. So what is so special about the Boss ES-8 that has me comparing it to a spacecraft? In short, everything. In its simplest use, you can think of the ES-8 as a programmable switcher and router for up to nine effects. The first six loops on the ES-8 are mono—meaning one connection in and one connection out. Loop seven is mono in and stereo out. This connection is perfect for the first stereo pedal in your chain. I placed a stereo delay pedal in this loop. Loop eight is stereo in and stereo out. Here I switched between a stereo chorus pedal and a stereo reverb. After loop eight, you have a send and return for a volume pedal. After that comes your stereo outputs, and then finally there is a jack for connecting a tuner. These are the building blocks for the ES-8. With these 30 TONE TALK // connections made, you can use the buttons labeled 1-8 to switch your individual effects on and off. And you have the added convenience of a mute switch—perfect for silent tuning or preventing noise when switching between various guitars. ANY WAY YOU WANT IT The true beauty of the ES-8 is that it can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. I have no doubt that there will be numerous guitarists that use only the functionality outlined above. And you know what? They are still getting a bargain. You have a great analog-through tone, and a simple and elegant switching system with well-placed and great feeling switches. For guitarists willing to dig a little deeper, the ES-8 offers some pretty impressive switching and routing options with just a little further tweaking. The next logical step Unleashing the Power of the Boss ES-8