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Boss ME70 vs ME50
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rpjazzguitar
May 2, 2013, 2:50:39 PM5/2/13
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I upgraded to the ME70 a few months ago. So, here's a review.
EQ.
The ME50 had a rotary switch with a bunch of EQ presets, none of which I ever found useful. I just left the switch on OFF.
The ME70 has a preamp/EQ section. You can use the various preamp models OR you can use the EQ. If you go the EQ route, it's a 4 band. If you use a preamp, the same three knobs become Gain and three band.
The only time I've used it is in a situation where I could easily reach my amp for adjustment and I needed less bass. Mostly I leave it OFF.
Tuner.
The ME50 shuts off the output when you select Tuner. The ME70 does not, so you just go heel-down on the volume pedal. The main functional difference is that it's possible to forget that you're in the tuner mode (since you still can hear the guitar).
Distortion.
I never could fine a setting I liked on the ME50. The ME70 has some sounds I find more usable.
Compression.
More options on the ME70 -- I never use any. There is an envelope follower on the ME70 that might be useful.
Delay.
None of them were useful to me on either unit.
Chorus and other effects.
They removed the stereo chorus options from the ME50. I tried to find out why, but failed. My guess is that there was some detuning of the signal in the air of the room -- since the chorusing actually was designed to take place in the air of the room, not the electronics.
There are a few more harmonizer options, but the main one I use, octave doubling, was available on the ME50.
Parameters.
One thing that's nice is the ME50 gives you a digital readout of the parameter each time you rotate the know. This is helpful for reverb, for example. On the ME50 there were several reverbs on different parts of the arc from a single knob. Made it hard to adjust precisely. The ME70 allows precise adjustment.
Overall Sound.
With the exceptions noted, about the same.
Conclusion: If you were thinking about either one, and money was a problem, I'd suggest a used ME50. It does most of what the ME70 does, it is built like a tank (both are) and they aren't expensive.
EQ.
The ME50 had a rotary switch with a bunch of EQ presets, none of which I ever found useful. I just left the switch on OFF.
The ME70 has a preamp/EQ section. You can use the various preamp models OR you can use the EQ. If you go the EQ route, it's a 4 band. If you use a preamp, the same three knobs become Gain and three band.
The only time I've used it is in a situation where I could easily reach my amp for adjustment and I needed less bass. Mostly I leave it OFF.
Tuner.
The ME50 shuts off the output when you select Tuner. The ME70 does not, so you just go heel-down on the volume pedal. The main functional difference is that it's possible to forget that you're in the tuner mode (since you still can hear the guitar).
Distortion.
I never could fine a setting I liked on the ME50. The ME70 has some sounds I find more usable.
Compression.
More options on the ME70 -- I never use any. There is an envelope follower on the ME70 that might be useful.
Delay.
None of them were useful to me on either unit.
Chorus and other effects.
They removed the stereo chorus options from the ME50. I tried to find out why, but failed. My guess is that there was some detuning of the signal in the air of the room -- since the chorusing actually was designed to take place in the air of the room, not the electronics.
There are a few more harmonizer options, but the main one I use, octave doubling, was available on the ME50.
Parameters.
One thing that's nice is the ME50 gives you a digital readout of the parameter each time you rotate the know. This is helpful for reverb, for example. On the ME50 there were several reverbs on different parts of the arc from a single knob. Made it hard to adjust precisely. The ME70 allows precise adjustment.
Overall Sound.
With the exceptions noted, about the same.
Conclusion: If you were thinking about either one, and money was a problem, I'd suggest a used ME50. It does most of what the ME70 does, it is built like a tank (both are) and they aren't expensive.
Jonathan
May 2, 2013, 4:08:31 PM5/2/13
to
Nil
May 2, 2013, 4:08:31 PM5/2/13
to
On 02 May 2013, rpjazzguitar <rpjazz...@gmail.com> wrote in
rec.music.makers.guitar.jazz:
I've had an ME70 for a couple of years. I tried both it and the ME50
out and chose the -70 because it can work in preset mode, or as more-
or-less conventional pedalboard, with 4 separate effects you can switch
on and off at will. I also like that it can operate as an amp
modeler+effects, for plugging into a PA, or as a stompbox (minus the
amp simulator) for in front of an amp.
rec.music.makers.guitar.jazz:
out and chose the -70 because it can work in preset mode, or as more-
or-less conventional pedalboard, with 4 separate effects you can switch
on and off at will. I also like that it can operate as an amp
modeler+effects, for plugging into a PA, or as a stompbox (minus the
amp simulator) for in front of an amp.
rpjazzguitar
May 2, 2013, 6:26:17 PM5/2/13
to
I'm using it in front of an amp. I've tried it with a number of different amps, not that which amp made much difference (it doesn't make Amp X sound like Amp Y).
I haven't tried it in front of a PA. The ME50 had what they called speaker modeling in the PA output, but I couldn't hear much difference. The ME70 allows you to choose preamp models. I don't like them in front of an amp for my application (mostly playing clean), but maybe they'd warm up a PA. They aren't controlled by a footswitch on the box although I recall something about using a separate footswitch. It would be useful to be able to turn the preamp on with a footswitch, although not quite so useful that I'd want to deal with another box and wire.
I don't play thru a PA all that often. When I do, I mic a small amp. I use a Sennheiser 609 (I think). Drape the wire through the amp handle and let it dangle (it's a flat mic, not a round one, so that works). I understand it would be better to have it a few inches off the speaker, but it sounds fine anyway. What I like about that approach is that I can use my amp as a monitor.
I haven't tried it in front of a PA. The ME50 had what they called speaker modeling in the PA output, but I couldn't hear much difference. The ME70 allows you to choose preamp models. I don't like them in front of an amp for my application (mostly playing clean), but maybe they'd warm up a PA. They aren't controlled by a footswitch on the box although I recall something about using a separate footswitch. It would be useful to be able to turn the preamp on with a footswitch, although not quite so useful that I'd want to deal with another box and wire.
I don't play thru a PA all that often. When I do, I mic a small amp. I use a Sennheiser 609 (I think). Drape the wire through the amp handle and let it dangle (it's a flat mic, not a round one, so that works). I understand it would be better to have it a few inches off the speaker, but it sounds fine anyway. What I like about that approach is that I can use my amp as a monitor.
Nil
May 2, 2013, 7:18:30 PM5/2/13
to
> I haven't tried it in front of a PA. The ME50 had what they called
> speaker modeling in the PA output, but I couldn't hear much
> difference. The ME70 allows you to choose preamp models. I don't
> like them in front of an amp for my application (mostly playing
> clean), but maybe they'd warm up a PA.
They do, and pretty well for that kind of thing, IMO. Without the
> speaker modeling in the PA output, but I couldn't hear much
> difference. The ME70 allows you to choose preamp models. I don't
> like them in front of an amp for my application (mostly playing
> clean), but maybe they'd warm up a PA.
speaker/amp modeling, it sounds too sterile and hi-fi plugged direct
into the PA. With the modeling enabled, it's convincing enough. OTOH,
playing through an amp with the speaker/amp modeling turned on sounds
muddy/distant/processed to me. Which makes sense. As I recall, that's
one of the reasons I passed on the ME50, because that stuff couldn't be
defeated.
> They aren't controlled by a
> footswitch on the box although I recall something about using a
> separate footswitch.
couple banks of patches set up with particular effects + an amp sim,
then a couple other banks that are the same but minus the sims. That
way, I can get the same sound whether going into an amp or PA. It
wouldn't be useful to me to turn the amp sim off and on with a
footswitch - it's either on for the night or not.
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