New Boss Pedal - Plugout FX PX-1
Re: New Boss Pedal - Plugout FX PX-1
Thanks BearBoy ! I’ll look into that.
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laurie
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Re: New Boss Pedal - Plugout FX PX-1
To quote Bigtone in a previous post ... yes, it is "a pragmatic addition to the product line". And very likely a great thing for gigging guitarists.
I'm still not feeling it. It just sounds brittle and overprocessed in the A-B demos.
Plus, I'm waiting for the subscription fee ... "sorry, your credit card was declined, shame that PX-1 has stopped processing on January 1st". Not even into bypass, just bricked.
Maybe I'm just old and curmudgeonly <sigh>.
Re: New Boss Pedal - Plugout FX PX-1
Boss PX-1 Comparison Testing
To compare the sound of the original pedals to the new PX-1 digital versions.
A few things before I get into it:
- the sound of the original pedals will vary depending on their age/condition/amount of of use/abuse, etc. For example, the OD-1 I’ve used might not sound like another OD-1from the same period. I’ve shown the production date (from the s/n decoder) for each of the original pedals I used
- my findings are based on the setup I used throughout. I used a Roland JC-40 (in stereo), a 1960 Relic Fender Custom Shop Strat, a PRS Custom 22 and a 2005 Gibson LP Standard for the tests. No other pedals were used
- I have not explored every possible setting - just the ones that I use most frequently and my favourites
- I haven’t covered the extra features available on the PX-1 that the vintage pedals don’t have (there aren’t that many !)
- no science or precise measurement has gone into this - these are just my opinions and thoughts. I can’t defend my views here - it’s simply how I felt, on the day, when I plugged in and jammed
- only the original 16 PX-1 models are included
Here we go:
OD-1 OverDrive (Aug 1983). A/B Test - hard to split them, no significant differences in tone at all levels. The output level of the PX-1 is slightly higher.
SP-1 Spectrum (Oct 1981). A/B Test - hard to split them but there are subtle differences. The SP-1 seems richer/warmer and the effect is a touch more prominent. The differences are most noticeable with the ‘Balance’ control at max.
PH-1 Phaser (Sept 1980). A/B Test - you could split these and tell the difference. The PX-1 is a clearer and better defined but slightly sterile phase effect. The PH-1 sounds quieter and more subtle but warmer. It feels richer and more satisfying to play - more so at slower rates where the phase effect is more pronounced. I found the same thing when comparing an original PH-1 to the re-issue from the 40th Anniversary Box set.
SG-1 Slow Gear (June 1980). A/B Test - can’t split them - they sound the same. However, the PX-1 does respond to picking better than the SG-1, especially when the “Attack’ control is at zero for the shortest attack. This difference gets less pronounced as the picking attack is set at longer values. I got a much better response from the SG-1 if I dug in with the pick - almost into pinched harmonics territory! The PX-1 is much easier to use.
CS-1 Compression Sustainer (Sept 1980). A/B Test - no significant differences. The ‘bloom’ when the ‘Sustain’ control is at maximum is there with both of them. The PX-1 sounds marginally cleaner and slightly louder. The CS-1 is a touch warmer and the compression is smoother.
TW-1 Touch Wah (July 1978). A/B Test - clear differences. The PX-1 is much brighter. It’s a better defined wah effect and very sensitive to picking. The TW-1 delivers a quieter and warmer effect but it is less sensitive to picking.
SD-1 Super OverDrive (May 1985). A/B Test - there is a clear difference. The PX-1 is a crisper and brighter drive. The SD-1 is a softer, warmer sound and feels more responsive to various playing styles.
DS-1 Distortion (March 1980). A/B Test - virtually no difference. The PX-1 is marginally crisper. Both the DS-1 and the PX-1 respond really well to digging in with the pick. I liked the PX-1 a lot so I pulled out a couple more MIJ SS DS-1s to double check: there was also little difference in them compared to the PX-1.
CE-2 Chorus (Dec 1980). A/B Test - can’t tell the difference. This one is 100% bang on !
BF-2 Flanger (March 1981). A/B Test - very close but, the modulation/vibrato in the effect is more pronounced/obvious with the PX-1, especially with the ‘Depth’ control at max. Quite pleasing though. There are clear differences with the ‘Res’ control maxed out - again, seems to be a greater emphasis in the modulation. The BF-2 pedal delivers a simpler older style flanger effect.
PN-2 Tremolo/Pan (July 1990). A/B Test - no difference in the tone. There are very slight variances in the rate/speed between the two pedals at various settings that’s most noticeable at high/fast rate settings. The stereo sound is identical from both pedals.
OC-2 Octave (Aug 1982). A/B Test - no clear differences. Very accurate.
PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay (Oct 1990). A/B Test - some differences and I thought the PS-2 simply sounded better and more organic. These two were the most difficult to accurately compare.
The delays: the PS-2 has a strange slow attack at the 125ms setting that the PX-1 does not have. At longer delay times the PS-2 delay repeats have some very slight background noise (not problematic) - the PX-1 is crystal clean.
I found it tricky to set pitch shifts at specific intervals (5ths, 3rds, etc), to match up on both pedals. (I did read the PX-1 manual but I still struggled!). I don’t understand the ‘cents’ increments the PX-1 uses. It was much easier to dial in precise shifts with the PS-2 controls.
VB-2 Vibrato (Oct 1982). A/B Test - perfect - no difference.
DD-2 Digital Delay (Dec 1985). A/B Test - very close at all settings but some differences. There is a slight volume drop on the DD-2. The PX-1 has a little more top end presence across all the delays. The biggest variance is in the stereo sound - the DD-2 has a much greater stereo spread and depth compared to the PX-1.
DF-2 Super Distortion Feedbacker (Dec 1984). A/B Test - very close. The DF-2 distortion is slightly warmer and beefier. The feedback overtone sounds from both pedals are identical.
That’s it !
To compare the sound of the original pedals to the new PX-1 digital versions.
A few things before I get into it:
- the sound of the original pedals will vary depending on their age/condition/amount of of use/abuse, etc. For example, the OD-1 I’ve used might not sound like another OD-1from the same period. I’ve shown the production date (from the s/n decoder) for each of the original pedals I used
- my findings are based on the setup I used throughout. I used a Roland JC-40 (in stereo), a 1960 Relic Fender Custom Shop Strat, a PRS Custom 22 and a 2005 Gibson LP Standard for the tests. No other pedals were used
- I have not explored every possible setting - just the ones that I use most frequently and my favourites
- I haven’t covered the extra features available on the PX-1 that the vintage pedals don’t have (there aren’t that many !)
- no science or precise measurement has gone into this - these are just my opinions and thoughts. I can’t defend my views here - it’s simply how I felt, on the day, when I plugged in and jammed
- only the original 16 PX-1 models are included
Here we go:
OD-1 OverDrive (Aug 1983). A/B Test - hard to split them, no significant differences in tone at all levels. The output level of the PX-1 is slightly higher.
SP-1 Spectrum (Oct 1981). A/B Test - hard to split them but there are subtle differences. The SP-1 seems richer/warmer and the effect is a touch more prominent. The differences are most noticeable with the ‘Balance’ control at max.
PH-1 Phaser (Sept 1980). A/B Test - you could split these and tell the difference. The PX-1 is a clearer and better defined but slightly sterile phase effect. The PH-1 sounds quieter and more subtle but warmer. It feels richer and more satisfying to play - more so at slower rates where the phase effect is more pronounced. I found the same thing when comparing an original PH-1 to the re-issue from the 40th Anniversary Box set.
SG-1 Slow Gear (June 1980). A/B Test - can’t split them - they sound the same. However, the PX-1 does respond to picking better than the SG-1, especially when the “Attack’ control is at zero for the shortest attack. This difference gets less pronounced as the picking attack is set at longer values. I got a much better response from the SG-1 if I dug in with the pick - almost into pinched harmonics territory! The PX-1 is much easier to use.
CS-1 Compression Sustainer (Sept 1980). A/B Test - no significant differences. The ‘bloom’ when the ‘Sustain’ control is at maximum is there with both of them. The PX-1 sounds marginally cleaner and slightly louder. The CS-1 is a touch warmer and the compression is smoother.
TW-1 Touch Wah (July 1978). A/B Test - clear differences. The PX-1 is much brighter. It’s a better defined wah effect and very sensitive to picking. The TW-1 delivers a quieter and warmer effect but it is less sensitive to picking.
SD-1 Super OverDrive (May 1985). A/B Test - there is a clear difference. The PX-1 is a crisper and brighter drive. The SD-1 is a softer, warmer sound and feels more responsive to various playing styles.
DS-1 Distortion (March 1980). A/B Test - virtually no difference. The PX-1 is marginally crisper. Both the DS-1 and the PX-1 respond really well to digging in with the pick. I liked the PX-1 a lot so I pulled out a couple more MIJ SS DS-1s to double check: there was also little difference in them compared to the PX-1.
CE-2 Chorus (Dec 1980). A/B Test - can’t tell the difference. This one is 100% bang on !
BF-2 Flanger (March 1981). A/B Test - very close but, the modulation/vibrato in the effect is more pronounced/obvious with the PX-1, especially with the ‘Depth’ control at max. Quite pleasing though. There are clear differences with the ‘Res’ control maxed out - again, seems to be a greater emphasis in the modulation. The BF-2 pedal delivers a simpler older style flanger effect.
PN-2 Tremolo/Pan (July 1990). A/B Test - no difference in the tone. There are very slight variances in the rate/speed between the two pedals at various settings that’s most noticeable at high/fast rate settings. The stereo sound is identical from both pedals.
OC-2 Octave (Aug 1982). A/B Test - no clear differences. Very accurate.
PS-2 Digital Pitch Shifter/Delay (Oct 1990). A/B Test - some differences and I thought the PS-2 simply sounded better and more organic. These two were the most difficult to accurately compare.
The delays: the PS-2 has a strange slow attack at the 125ms setting that the PX-1 does not have. At longer delay times the PS-2 delay repeats have some very slight background noise (not problematic) - the PX-1 is crystal clean.
I found it tricky to set pitch shifts at specific intervals (5ths, 3rds, etc), to match up on both pedals. (I did read the PX-1 manual but I still struggled!). I don’t understand the ‘cents’ increments the PX-1 uses. It was much easier to dial in precise shifts with the PS-2 controls.
VB-2 Vibrato (Oct 1982). A/B Test - perfect - no difference.
DD-2 Digital Delay (Dec 1985). A/B Test - very close at all settings but some differences. There is a slight volume drop on the DD-2. The PX-1 has a little more top end presence across all the delays. The biggest variance is in the stereo sound - the DD-2 has a much greater stereo spread and depth compared to the PX-1.
DF-2 Super Distortion Feedbacker (Dec 1984). A/B Test - very close. The DF-2 distortion is slightly warmer and beefier. The feedback overtone sounds from both pedals are identical.
That’s it !
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laurie
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Re: New Boss Pedal - Plugout FX PX-1
This is ... awesome.
Simply couldn't ask for anything more!
Simply couldn't ask for anything more!
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Pepe
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Re: New Boss Pedal - Plugout FX PX-1
I agree, that's great information! 
Your TW-1 might suffer from old electrolytic capacitors. The Ibanez UE 300 B that I recapped for a Belgian lately and also one of my Dist Wah modules for the KORG PME pedalboard had the same issue. Almost no sensitivity, even in maxed position and with the trimpots tweaked, also the highest frequencies couldn't be reached anymore. Once I replaced all the elctrolytic capacitors, the units worked properly again with much better picking dynamics and fresh sound.
It could be that the BOSS people used recapped pedals as a reference. This might very well be how these pedals used to sound when they were new.
Your TW-1 might suffer from old electrolytic capacitors. The Ibanez UE 300 B that I recapped for a Belgian lately and also one of my Dist Wah modules for the KORG PME pedalboard had the same issue. Almost no sensitivity, even in maxed position and with the trimpots tweaked, also the highest frequencies couldn't be reached anymore. Once I replaced all the elctrolytic capacitors, the units worked properly again with much better picking dynamics and fresh sound.
It could be that the BOSS people used recapped pedals as a reference. This might very well be how these pedals used to sound when they were new.
Re: New Boss Pedal - Plugout FX PX-1
I think you are right Pepe and I wouldn’t be surprised if the SG-1 is suffering the same thing.Pepe wrote: ↑Mon Feb 09, 2026 2:41 pmI agree, that's great information!
Your TW-1 might suffer from old electrolytic capacitors. The Ibanez UE 300 B that I recapped for a Belgian lately and also one of my Dist Wah modules for the KORG PME pedalboard had the same issue. Almost no sensitivity, even in maxed position and with the trimpots tweaked, also the highest frequencies couldn't be reached anymore. Once I replaced all the elctrolytic capacitors, the units worked properly again with much better picking dynamics and fresh sound.
It could be that the BOSS people used recapped pedals as a reference. This might very well be how these pedals used to sound when they were new.
Re: New Boss Pedal - Plugout FX PX-1
That's a great comparison. Thanks for doing that!
Re: New Boss Pedal - Plugout FX PX-1
Thanks Doc for taking the time to make and write up such a detailed comparison.
I know this pedal has had something of a mixed reaction but, for me, it looks like a great way of getting the sounds of a number of rare (and therefore expensive...) pedals that realistically I am very unlikely to buy otherwise.
It would also make a nice addition to my "sofa BCB-30X" so I could have a variety of different pedals to play with of an evening
I know this pedal has had something of a mixed reaction but, for me, it looks like a great way of getting the sounds of a number of rare (and therefore expensive...) pedals that realistically I am very unlikely to buy otherwise.
It would also make a nice addition to my "sofa BCB-30X" so I could have a variety of different pedals to play with of an evening