ME-20 Review

Boss expands its famous ME series multi-effects family with the ME-20, a powerful multi-effects unit optimized for live performance.

Ease of Use:	9.2
Sound:	8.6
Reliability:	9.8
Impression:	8.6
Overall rating:	9.1
Users rating:	7.4
Comments:	62

overall: 9.5

Featured review by: crywolf383, on december 24, 2007

Price paid: $ 200

Purchased from: Daddys Junky Music

Ease of Use: Out of the box this thing has got 30 preset settings. They are worth taking a listen to a found a few that I like. For making your own effects it couldn't be easier. You press the button to edit either your OD/DS, mod, delay, or the EQ then you start turning the knobs. The effect setting is instantly changed. Once you make some sounds you like you can then save them to memory mode with the press of a few buttons. I generally leave the basic distortion and effects I like on the real time setings then when I want specific sounds I save them to memory mode. // 10

Sound: My setup is a Ibanez ARC-100 played through a Fender FM 212R and it sounds great with this pedal. You get the same sound as if you were playing with the Boss stomp boxes. You get 6 different OD/DS. Overdrive, blues, distortion, metal, fuzz, and compressor. 5 mods. Chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, and rotary. Then 3 delays. A 0-99ms delay, a 100-700ms delay, and reverb. Then you have the expression pedal which can be used as a wah wah pedal or a volume pedal. It defaults to volume but you can save it in memory mode so it defaults to wah. Each effect sounds like the Boss stompbox for the same purpose. It is a very nice sounding pedal. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I must say this thing is built like a tank. I stomp it hard everytime and it hasn't given out on me. It is made of all metal and can take what you throw at it. The expression pedal is built the same way. I would gig this thing no problem without even thinking of getting a backup. // 10

Impression: I play classic rock, hard rock, metal, grunge and this pedal covers all the above and more. I have been playing for a few years and used to have a bunch of stompboxes. I was sick of dancing on the pedals so I got this which has them all in one compact unit. If it was stolen I would hunt down whoever took it and if I had too buy it again in a heartbeat. The best feature is how easy it is to use. You don't have to be a rock scientist to get the sound you are looking for. It may not have the same amount of features of some of the more expensive multi-effects pedals but it beats them all in ease to you and destroys the other pedals in the same price range. If you are looking for a easy to use cheap pedal that has great sound and features the Boss ME-20 is for you. // 9

overall: 9.8

Reviewed by: cukd7x-a2-, on december 26, 2007

Purchased from: Music Machine

Ease of Use: Honestly, the most confusing part of the pedal is which part of the main foot-Switch is the front. I have had it for a few hours, and I have mastered it. I'm not very tech savvy, and It only took a quick skim throughout the diagrams and tables to figure out how to work all the effects and memory banks. Finding a good sound really depends on what you like, but if it is rock and roll, you can make it happen! // 10

Sound: This pedal set has a vast majority of styles you can replicate. If you aren't very creative, the friendly people at Boss have mad presets for you to use. The effects are very strong and distinct, and can be tooled to match anything. Your amp is not involved at all with the sound, so you can play it on any amp. There are some recommendations for your amp's treble, middle, and bass settings. The effects overall are amazing! The only problem, is that the feedback is way to overpowering and loud with a high level of Drive on the OSD/Solo channel. The volume can either be adjusted by the Wah/volume pedal or your amp. I recommend that you start out with the volume pedal on max, along with the master volume knob, then adjust your amp volume. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This pedal is extremely tough! You could smash your guitar on the pedal, and it will survive (the pedal). I can't say much for the guitar, except that I hope it can withstand a few crushing blows to a full metal box. I would use this, and only this at a show mainly because it is pure metal, and it has easy access to each setting, and can easily be adjusted by yourself while on stage, all thanks given to the memory banks. If it really came down to it, beat off raging fans with this, it will work much better than anything else taht you could carry with one hand. // 10

Impression: I play a wide variety of music from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Arch Enemy, and I have found a perfect match for that and everything in between. I have been playing seriously for 2 1/2 years, and have a Fender Frontman 25R amp, and an Epiphone Les Paul Standard. If this was stolen, I wouldn't be able to buy another one because I would kill myself. But, if I resisted the urge, I would definitely purchase another one. I just love the fact that it has such a variety of sounds and neat things to do with it. I played scales up and down the freeboard for about 30 to 45 minutes playing scales, only because the delay kept my attention. I looked at the ME-30 and ME-50, but those were a little bit too complex for me. I would sacrifice a few effects for the ability o use my pedal upon opening it. I believe that for an affordable guitar pedal, this is he way to go. // 10

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: The^Unforgiven, on may 15, 2009

Price paid: € 170

Purchased from: Local music store

Ease of Use: The ME-20 does not really demand expansive knowledge on quantum physics to get good sounds out of it. The same four knobs are used to set all the various parameters regardless of whether you want to edit your OD, Modulation effect, delay/reverb or EQ. You just choose what you want to edit by pushing a button, and the functions attached to each knob change. There's also a 'easy editing' -function, that lets you combine preset ODs, Effects, Delays and EQs into a single patch. Being simple in the matter of editing your sounds, it's still good to read the manual through, as editing and going through presets is not as obvious. The manual is informative and has some good tips in it. It's also very clear, so it won't confuse players Who aren't used to dealing with multi-fx units. There's also a list of all the default presets, which kind of settings they use and what they are best suited for, which I thought of as a nice plus.

Even though the same knobs have multiple functions, which naturally makes it a bit trickier to deal with than with knobs that have just one function, I won't rate it down, because having only a few knobs saves space and gives the pedal an overall neat expression. // 9

Sound: I play the unit with an Ibanez XPT700 and a 90's japanese Jackson Performer, through either a Fender FM 212R or a Peavey ValveKing 212. I always run the unit through input 1 on the amps instead of effects loop. Always sounds great. I was searching for a pedal that could do good metal distortion and nice delay and got what I wanted. Being a digital pedal, the sounds do sound less organic than with tube- or ss-powered equipment, but that's to be expected. And as far as the tech on this piece goes, I think the COSM -models sound a lot better than your average digital modeling.

Not really noisy, either. Naturally, everything squeals with enough gain and output volume, but this thing has an inbuilt noise reduction unit in it that does a nice job in cleaning the sound and repelling unwanted buzzing and squealing. It won't work any miracles, though. Too much gain and output is too much, regardless of equipment.

I play a lot of metal, so the "Metal" -setting is pretty much my favorite. I can easily achieve heavy sounds that sound like Children Of Bodom, Arch Enemy, Lamb Of God etc. Backing the gain off a bit and scooping the mids gives you an 80's trash sound in no time. I also play a lot of blues, and the "Blues" and "Overdrive" -modes handle that well. I've been getting some pretty good SRV and Hendrix sounds by those modes.

The EQ on this thing is quite responsive and tweaking it will give you a lot of different options. Instead of one midrange knob on the eq, this thing has two, one for lower midrange and one for upper midrange. An excellent feature that provides a lot of different voicing options, thus making the pedal capable of handling a lot of different genres.

Not all sounds are all that impressive, though. Namely, the "Fuzz"-mode of the OD setting leaves something to be missing. The Fuzz is just a bit too thin on pretty much any setting. The "tremolo" effect could be better too, and the "rotary" effect can't seem to be achieved very well at all. The "reverb" -mode of the dealy setting could be deeper and wetter, as it really can't create real atmosphere as it is. Also, the fact that you can't use delay and reverb at the same time slightly takes away the points in my view. // 8

Reliability & Durability: Well, it's a Boss, so I bet it would easily survive a nuclear strike or two. It's in a sturdy & Solid Metal casing, the knobs don't seem wobbly and the switches & expression pedal seem like they'll last. I'd be able to gig with this without getting worried. // 10

Impression: As said before, metal and blues are my game, and this unit serves me well. I've been playing for about 5 years or so, and I've had many distortion pedals before this: a Boss MT-2, a DigiTech Death Metal, a DOD Death Metal (it IS a different pedal than the DigiTech), a DigiTech Metal Master. This pedal beats all of those by 100-0. I've also had experience with modeling amps, and the delay and chorus at least are better than in most of which I have tried - The Vox Valvetronix -series is pretty much on par with the ME-20 on that aspect.

I really like the distortion and the delay, and the fact that it's capable of doing various eq voicings to suit many genres and styles. I's simple to use and changing the patches is easy, so it would be ideal for Live playing. It might not be the greatest unit of this kind out there, but at 170eur (~$200) it's a pretty sweet deal, as $200 would only fetch you 2 Boss pedal. Many of the modes in this unit sound at least as good as single Boss pedals. I'd especially recommend it for metal/rock players, or anyone looking for a quality multi-fx unit for Live playing. // 8

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: ThatGuy177, on december 28, 2007

Price paid: $ 200

Purchased from: Sticks and Strings

Ease of Use: This is a really easy to use pedal. It's a little confusing at first, but after a half hour using it is no problem. Creating patches is simple. The manual explains everything on how to use it. Switching between wah and volume on the expression is the only real hard thing. But it becomes easier with practice (you switch it by pushing on the pedal). // 9

Sound: I use the Boss ME-20 with my LTD JH-200 guitar and my Crate amp. The effects on it are rotary, flanger, phaser tremelo, compressor, chorus, reverb, and delay. There are six different distortions (including the compressor, which really isn't a distortion) but some of them sound like the have to much treble, But this can be easily fixed by adjusting the E.Q. There is also a Solo mode which boosts increases the tone and boosts the volume so guitar solos sound great. // 9

Reliability & Durability: The ME-20 is really tough and it doesen't break easily. I know people Who haves dropped theirs and it still works. The expression pedal is really durable. This pedal is probobly the best when it comes to Live performances. It's really simple to switch between patches. It also has a built in tuner which is perfect when switching between tunings Live. // 10

Impression: I play many different styles of music and the ME-20 works with all of them. It has really good blues, rock, and metal tones. If I lost it, I'd would immidiently re-buy it. Before I bought it, I tried out the Line 6 Floor POD, and the ME-20 surpassed it in every way. I wish it had something like the Boss OC-3 built into it. // 9

overall: 8

Reviewed by: Bebbo, on november 19, 2008

Purchased from: Local Music Store

Ease of Use: This is multieffect pedal is known for it's ease of use, and it really is simple. If you just can read the short instructions once, you'll get it all right with the first try. And even if you just try it out, it won't take you long to master it. You can edit the sounds in the patches whenever you like, if you just you the WRITE button right. Also there are 30 sounds ready, but I think that they aren't at least too good. Some people have asked about the wah, you can turn it on by pressing the main pedal down hard a moment. // 8

Sound: I use my ESP mh-50 and my very old radio amplifier from the 80's with this pedal. The speakers are from 70's so they might disturb the sound a bit but it's still very nice. The effects are good, but I'd like to have more of them in this pedal (shifter, octaver, better wah... ). The Metal driver is pretty poor in my opinion but I don't even use it very much. Delays are reverb are great. I play mainly Guns n roses, Pantera, Kingston Wall, RHCP, Jimi Hendrix, Zeppelin and other a bit "older" stuff, and I can dig the sounds for those well from this pedal. // 8

Reliability & Durability: I haven't really threw it anywhere but I have heard that it can take a punch, so I do depend on ME-20. It also looks like a tough rock. Anything doesn't make any strange noises of stuff like that. But I still wouldn't go out in the rain with it in any case. // 9

Impression: I play mainly rock, funk, blues and a bit of metal and this device suits me well. I would have added some more features (like different acoustic sounds) into it but have remember that it is still only a 200 € pedal. Also there could be more Switch-pedals on it. // 7

Comments

[fretsonfire74]

this looks sweet. i would get it, im looking for a multi effects, but im getting a tele, so i think its gona be this and a tubescreamer.

[Under_Score247]

i got the ME-50..

[bassmasterak]

i got the me-20 for bass and it is the best pedal i have ever used, i was happy to see it got its proper recognision cuz i havnt seen anyone cover it since i got mine...its great i highly recomend to anyone who doesnt have one to get one

[Edde]

This looks good as a cheaper version of the me50, with a few less effects etc but retaining most of the 50's essentials (chorus, delay, multiple distortions)

[Phe4rTheGod]

i personally like the zoom pedal...ive used it quite alot and that little thing rocks...

[Dave Gilmour]

I have a 50 as well, I think they're fantastic for the amount you pay. Obviously singular pedals sound better, but this conserves money, time and space. There's just so much jammed into this pedal.

[Wiland]

i gotz the me 50 as well good pedal for a good price, but theres this one zoom pedal my friend has thats a lot cheaper and in my opinion the best multi effects pedal for like under 200 bucks! but the me 50 still better but costs alot more...

[jamstation]

i like the concept of a "rock scientist"..

but yeah.. boss multi FX pedals... goes without sayin.. they're good

[kk1603]

I have a ME-50 also. I think it is the best. Everything you need for live. Easy to use is the most important feature. No programming if you do not need to. Programming if you do. The only thing missing is the Speaker simulation if you want to run directly into a Mixer.

[aeon20k]

i have the me-8
i want to upgrade damnit

i suck at setting up the me-8
but this looks a little easier seeing as it has KNOBS
intead of the stupid -50/50 crap

[turbonegro111]

whats the difference between the me-20 n the me-50? i'm considering getting one so someone help please

[cukd7x-a2-]

50 i a whole lot more effects and a more complex set up, and i believe it has something to do with memory settings

[ApihBlind]

Get the predecessor ME-33 instead of this.The ME-33 have a RING,WAH-WAH,VOLUME and bunch other stuff.It Also come with tuner.Or the GT-8 if ya have the moolah

[RockerNo.21]

Under_Score247 wrote:

i got the ME-50..

So did I. The ME-50 has a few more effects to choose from. It looks better as well.

[♥ß☼ßãO♥ (Chris)]

what is the price at guitar world?

[E V H 5150]

I personally thinks it's better to just save up $100 more and go for the ME-50. You're getting 30 more effects for $100, which includes 4 reverb types, unique delays (volume-swell delay, stereo panning delay, the HOLD feature, tap-tempo), more mod effects (Panning, 2 stereo choruses, harmonizer, Uni-Vibe) more expression options (Resonance, Voice, Ring Mod, Octave + and Octave .

If you're looking for basic effects, this might be more suitable if you want a multi-effects unit to save space and money. But if you're really serious about effects, and shaping your tone, you might want to look into getting an ME-50 instead. If you have the money, you'll be looking at a GT-8.

[E V H 5150]

That is octave down, not octave smiley...

[in*limbo]

i might be getting one next month for round about £115. I had a test of it in store and some of the pre-sets are awesome. its a must id say.

[pEdAl2]

It'd be a whole lot better if it had an FX loop for the 4 connection method. I was looking into getting one until I found that out. Considering it's supposed to be for live playing with an amp that is a pretty big oversight.

[ThatGuy177]

I just got one of these for christmas, it's one of the easiest and best sounding guitar pedals ever.

[Squiz999]

Does this pedal have a tuner wit it i'm thinking of buying the ME 20 cause i've only been playing a year and i don't want spend over 1500 with all my gear

[frusciante_50]

whoever said that they like their zoom more, fair enough, price wise, but you cant claim that the sound on the zoom is better, because it just isnt

[crywolf383]

for those of u that were wonderin the whole refence 2 a rock scientist was a joke i saw s show were tera reids said it and i thought it was funny lol

[tru_harmony]

i just got mine two weeks ago and i use it with my telecaster, perfect combination

[Andy Jarvis]

I bought mine yesterday,switching the Wah on/of is bloody hard work.

[sean_man]

considering gettings this, is it good for the price range???

[sid-x]

sean_man wrote:

considering gettings this, is it good for the price range???

Its a good price for the range but as andy jarvis said the wah is very irritating to turn on
but i seroiusly suggest it because it is bloody brilliant sounding !! and easy to use

[guitarfreak222]

Fucking hell how do u turn on the wah wah pedal!!!!!

[guitarfreak222]

what the hell do u mean by pushing the pedal?????

[Gorgutz]

You turn on the wah pedal by FIRMLY keeping the pedal held down forward (with your toes) for a few seconds.

[onzki]

Hi guys.. im planning to buy multi effects.. my choices: this boss ME-20, Digitech RP350 or Zoom G2.1u? which do you think has better EFFECTS & SOUND QUALITY? thanks!

[Abidee]

onzki wrote:

Hi guys.. im planning to buy multi effects.. my choices: this boss ME-20, Digitech RP350 or Zoom G2.1u? which do you think has better EFFECTS & SOUND QUALITY? thanks!

Yeah, same question here. Any suggestions please?

[triple0rypto]

i just bought a Digitech RP250, and i personally do not like digitech at all. the effects sound too processed and computerized.

im looking to return the digitech and buy either this or the ME-50. my friend has the ME-50 and it is awesome.

[guitarfreak222]

Gorgutz wrote:

You turn on the wah pedal by FIRMLY keeping the pedal held down forward (with your toes) for a few seconds.

thanks so much man

[Logan_B]

Does this thing hAVE A LOOP STATION? LIKE THE GT 10?

[Logan_B]

Im looking at this or the DigiTech RP 350...whats better?

[k2pblcnme]

I had a rp250 and found a lot of the setting too digital. While the DigiTechs in this range have some extras like delay on the expression pedal, it doesnt sound that great (the octave on the Boss me 50 is sweet, I dunno if the 20 has it.) but if you don't care about the octave setting, I'd go for this boss. I've found boss's always sound better

[k2pblcnme]

I agree completely with triple0rypto

[deckerbastard69]

i love my ME-20
its better than whipping out the little pedals i have laying around here and have the hassle to hook everything up

meh they didnt sell ME-50s down where i live

[Pablo-man]

I've got a question? Can you switch between OD and distortion with the pedal or do you have to mess with the knobs?

[GeeGar]

Defintly considering getting this. Though it may have to go on my Christam list.

[ME-262-ME-kc]

ok quick question. I got the line six Spider 3 15. its a 8 inch single speaker with distortion, crunch, and clean. would this or the ME-50 sound better? By the way, i just started playen like about 4 months ago

[Xilvermaine]

What should i buy: the ME-20 or the compact effect pedals sperately???

[holycow]

ME-262-ME-kc wrote:

ok quick question. I got the line six Spider 3 15. its a 8 inch single speaker with distortion, crunch, and clean. would this or the ME-50 sound better? By the way, i just started playen like about 4 months ago

none, because ur amp already have many effects, pedals wont sound good and also ur amp is crap...

[holycow]

Xilvermaine wrote:

What should i buy: the ME-20 or the compact effect pedals sperately???

get the me-20 if u need a lot of effects but if money is not a problem get compact effects pedals seperatly, they sound much better

[Shadow_player]

I GOT THE ME-50 FOR FREE

[mike2892]

is the me 20 better than the zoom g2 1u ???

[(LOVE OF GOD)]

I love this pedal bit buzzy on a Peavey Bandit 112 but nothing a vox or clean amp cant fix olny problem with it I have is that theirs like no artist patches u can find for the pedal any Idea's where to find some?

[GeeGar]

I got this for Christmas, and have been reading the manual, but i seriously am having trouble working it out. Agh. I;ve been trying tog et a nice metal-solo sound but i just can not get to grips with it. It looks simple but i am just not a very techincal person. Hmm. Sounds fab though.

[PoloSG68]

Can you use two pedals on at the same time?
(E.g, the "Mod" pedal, and the "Delay" pedal on at the same time?)

[Ilovedelirious?]

Does anyone know how this sounds through a Les Paul Standard?

[elmozzz]

Is the distortion good on this? i want to use a lot for heavy stuff like BFMV avenged sevenfold and stuff like that
cheers

[sam 3000]

i got these pedals theykick ass

[Rhys.J]

Hey, i got this pedal but I cant get my wah to work. The instructions manual said to firmly press the front end of the expression pedal but doesn't work

Got any ideas why not?

[Mr-Zakk]

I got a me-20, Iv had it for a few months now and its amazing. Its so easy to use. The wah is the only let down because its so hard to activate!!

[gautam_lp]

sean_man wrote:

considering gettings this, is it good for the price range???

It is but i advise that you go for the Zoom G2.1u which is better, and lighter on the pocket!

[gautam_lp]

mike2892 wrote:

is the me 20 better than the zoom g2 1u ???

No.

[Portugeezer31]

can anyone recommend a good cheap amp to go with this pedal

[fenderfanaticus]

i got a line 6 floor pod puls and im not completely satisfied with it.. im thinking about returning it and get this one instead.. help anyone? is it worth it? its the same price anyway...

[Metal Chief]

This pedal is so good!

[The^Unforgiven]

Portugeezer31 wrote:

can anyone recommend a good cheap amp to go with this pedal

I used to run this through a Fender Fm 212r and it sounded absolutely fantastic, and it's a very cheap amp, so I'd recommend it.

[DanielNielsen]

Is it possible to plug it directly in the pa or a mixer? And how does it sound?