Boss Modulation MD-500…

The Boss Modulation MD-500 Effects Pedal is a modulation pedal like no other that I have seen. If you need a modulation device that does it all, then I suggest taking a serious look.

The MD-500 projects Studio-level sound with first-in-class 32-bit AD/DA, 32-bit floating point processing, and 96 kHz sampling rate. This is unique to BOSS 500 series pedals and GT-1000. These are the first marketed products with 32 BIT. Alone there are twelve different modes of modulation including chorus, flanger, phaser, classic-vibe, vibrato, tremolo, dimension, ring mod, rotary, filter, slicer, and overtone.

Throughout this review, I will be going over each mode, doing my best to describe what each one sounds like, while at the same time, trying not to bore you with what each mode can do.

If you are like me, you get a new effects pedal and want to dive right into it, skimping over the manual and just seeing what it can and will do.

Each mode has a lot of different variables to choose from. The first one is rate/value. Rate/value is going to control the rate or speed of an effect, the Depth control is going to adjust the amount of depth of the effect. E.Level will adjust the volume of the effect, and the Param1 and Param 2 controls will adjust specific parameters for each effect. Each mode has several adjustments for each of them. Some of the parameter types are a combination of two different modes, for example, the Classic-Vibe mode is a combination of the Chorus and Vibrato modes. The Boss Modulation MD-500 goes on from there have low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters, was effect, slow rate, fast rate, rise and fall time, changing note values, and the list goes on, including A/B Simul mode for using two patches at once, with your choice of series/parallel connection and mixed or split A/B output.

With the Boss Modulation MD-500 having twelve modes and 28 modulation types, all with deep editing parameters, there is going to be quite a few if not all of these that will be of great use.

Of course, the first effect I looked at was chorus; just from the default setting, it was warm and lush sounding, just like it should be. Adjusting the note rate slowed the effect down, or sped it up depending on what I chose. As you adjust the controls, the LED screen gives a clear display of what parameter you are adjusting. You also have the ability to edit each mode/effect and save them by doing an edit and exit, which are clearly displayed under Write on the Boss Modulation MD-500. This gives you further ability to make your own modulation creations and save them. For example, you can change the type on the chorus to CE-1 Chorus, CE-1 Vibrato, or a TRI-CHO. There is a TAP/CTRL toggle switch that you can also use to adjust the rate/value. The faster or slower you tap on it, the faster or slower the rate goes. Especially great for live situation, so you can lock that rate in with the tempo of the song. Editing the Boss Modulation MD-500 is fairly straight forward and simple for each of the modes and also for making your own patches. Going through all the patches, it was hard to pick a favorite.

Other features include being able to connect an external effect and also connect external pedals for extra control or expression pedals that are available separately. The MD-500 also has mid send/ receive connections for syncing with your DAW and USB-MIDI for connecting to the MD-500 Editor/Librarian or a DAW. With this, you can do patch changes, sync the tempo clock, and change the patch data. It also has Selectable buffered-bypass or true-bypass operation and Runs on four AA-size batteries or a PSA-series AC adapter.

More on the Boss Modulation MD-500 Effects Pedal:

The Boss Modulation MD-500 is a one size fits all device for all modulations types snd gives you a wide breadth of control over all the patches for each of the different modes for an endless variety of cool options.

Check out the Boss Modulation MD-500 online or at a music retailer near you!