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Once it comes to multi-effect pedals, Boss offers guitarists two of the best models on the market: GT-100 and ME-80. From the features to the functions, all aspects of the Boss pedals receive favorable reviews from the community. As a result, many people find it difficult to decide the winner in Boss GT-100 vs. ME-80 by themselves. Read to the end if you also struggle to determine the ideal pedal for your audio setup and need all the help you can get.
Insights Into The Boss Pedals
GT-100 | ME-80 | |
Impedance | 1 M ohm (guitar); 47 k ohms (Aux In) | 1 M ohm (guitar); 27 k ohms (Aux In) |
Display | 2 backlit LCD screens | 2-digit LED segment screen |
Power | Adaptor (included) | Batteries (AA) or adaptor (not included) |
Draw | 600 mA | 200 mA |
Memory | 400 (200 presets, 200 users) | 72 (36 presets, 36 users) |
Number of Knobs | 9 | 30 |
Number of Pedals | 9 | 5 |
Simultaneous Effects | 15 | 8 |
Amp Connection | Direct or Four-Cable Method | Direct |
Signal Paths | Dual | Single |
Amp Models | 25 | 9 |
Order of Effects | Flexible | Fixed |
Rec Out | ¼” Phone Jack | Stereo Mini |
MIDI Connectors | Yes | No |
Ext Loop | Yes | No |
Head-To-Head Reviews
Design
Optimized for music producers and recording sessions, GT-100 features a professional design that is both modern and sleek. In most of the cases, the design of GT-100 allows straightforward control over the numerous effects and parameters available. Aside from that, GT-100 contains fewer knobs than ME-80 which is beneficial for novices. Even if you don’t know much about effect pedals, you should still be able to get used to GT-100 before long.
About ME-80, since it is built for stage performance, it possesses a compact design that is pedalboard-friendly. Moreover, the rugged build and lightweight construction make ME-80 highly portable. Needless to say, ME-80 is well-liked by guitarists who frequently perform live or need a no-nonsense tool. While the presence of multiple knobs may cause some issues for inexperienced guitarists in the beginning, it’s not impossible to master them.
Display Screen
In addition to the big screens, GT-100 also carries two versatile and top-notch backlit LCDs. By taking advantage of the screens, you can acquire a wide range of information while using the pedal such as configuration, customization, active features, etc. On the other hand, the display screen of ME-80 is a bit outdated and only displays a limited amount of details. Consequently, in terms of display screen, many guitarists believe GT-100 to be the model that comes out on top in Boss GT-100 vs. ME-80.
Performance
GT-100
GT-100 was the pioneering platform that introduced COSM to Boss’s line of products. As the first model to adopt this amp setup, GT-100 fully leverages the potential of COSM technology. That makes it exceptionally well-suited for constructing new patches, crafting unique sounds, and achieving remarkable results effortlessly. Once it comes to recreating vintage sounds and harmonizing effects, GT-100 was unmatched in its time and still proves competitive nowadays.
Noteworthily, GT-100 brings a wealth of new effects, amp models, and simulations. One prime example is the acoustic guitar simulator that enables users to experiment with various settings and achieve captivating results. Also, GT-100 ensures that users have ample space for sonic explorations: 200 presets and 200 slots for customizations. As GT-100 supports USB connectivity, users may explore new possibilities by connecting the unit to their computers for experimentation.
Another thing that permits GT-100 to stand out is its channel divider. As the name suggests, the channel divider lets users have two distinct amps, settings, and effects modules. Additionally, users get to switch between these channels through one of the footswitches as they see fit.
ME-80
For your information, Boss ME-80 utilizes Boss’s COSM technology as well so it’s capable of delivering diverse preamp settings tailored to different music genres. If you have ME-80, you will be able to achieve particular genre sounds and create unique combinations with relative ease. Besides that, ME-80 is famous for flexibility since it allows users to manually adjust effects and instantly recall memorized settings via integrated footswitch. Last but not least, ME-80 supports battery-powered as well as adapter-powered operation, a big plus for traveling bands.
Conclusion
Assuming that you know what must be done, Boss GT-100 and ME-80 should give a good account of themselves for most of the time. As you shop for a pedal, you should consider your preferences, style and your ability to operate equipment.
- GT-100 boasts advanced sound processing and editing capabilities so is suitable for experienced players and those who seek a broad range of sound possibilities
- ME-80 offers practicality, portability, and an extensive range of tones for musicians seeking simplicity without compromising on sound quality.
Hi music fan! I am Jeff. Hope that you enjoy some stuff I shared here in my personal blog.
About myself, Currently I am in charging as Artist Manager/Music Supervisor at 72 Music Management. I did managed album to Grammy Award in 2017 with 7 Nominations from 2014-2020 and had the opportunities to work with : A.J. Croce, Blind Boys of Alabama, Bobby Rush, Dom Flemons, Dustbowl Revival, Sarah Grace
Governor of the Memphis Chapter of The Recording Academy is one of a award that I am lucky to achieved.