Gear Hunter

ME-8B BOSS BASS GUITAR MULTI-EFFECT

Description

The ME-8B is a multi effect box specially made for basses. It's a floor unit, which is an advantage for live use. During a concert, however, you cannot change any of the parameters with your feet. There are seven big foot pedals, and with those you can either select patches or, if the unit is set to "manual", turn the individual effects on and off.
Although the outer case is made of plastic, it seems to be very tough and durable. The dimensions are ( w/h/d ) 422mm/55mm/206mm which is 16-5/8"/8-1/8"/2-3/16" and the weight is 2.2 kg / 4 lbs 14 oz. It has a 3-digit digital display which really is enough. Programming isn't difficult once you learn how.

There are 64 patches, but you can only save 32. The rest are factory presets. The 64 patches are divided in 4 groups ( 16 in every group ). The group button is very small, meaning that you cannot change the group with your foot during a song. Every group is now divided in four banks. The bank can be selected with your foot. The four patches in one bank can be selected with each their pedal. Some people find that it's a rather strange way to select patches, but I feel that it's a fine way since you can select every patch with maximum 5 stomps.