How I ranked them: FUZZ & BASS 1st: BBX-1 10.0 2nd: FZ-2 9.0 3rd: FZ-5 8.0 DISTORTION 1st: FBM-1 & FDR-1 10.0 (x2) 2nd: DS-2 & FB-2 9.0 (x2) 3rd: DF-2 8.0 HEAVY DISTORTION 1st: ST-2 2nd: ML-2 3rd: HM-3 Overdrive 1st: actually 10/10 (x5!!) 2nd: SD-2 & ODX-1 9.5 (x2) 3rd: BD-2 & OD-1 The first place is shared by OD-3, SD-1w, DN-2, and the BD-2s in both Waza & Keeley mod forms. Big Surprise? Boss is apparently a measure better at overdrives than they are distortions, and the Taiwan DS-1 bested the Japanese model. The Fender pedals actually win the distortion category w/the Bassman sounding better, but the DR has more utility with built in reverb and trim. The two most modern heavy distortions swept, but the XT-2 revealed to have a good deal of range. Finally in fuzzes… the Power Driver is a decent muff, but there are better alternatives. the FZ-2 is the most hectic, but also the most useful. I don’t want to like the FZ-5 but it’s actually decent here in this roundup. The Bass BB-X1 still remained supreme. As wild as the Dyna Drive earning a perfect score!
Thanks for the timestamps! When I made the video, this was the complete compact drive/ distortion lineup. Since the making of the video, several new pedals have been released. But hopefully, it remains somewhat useful, haha.
BD2WAZA AND SD1WAZA WERE IN THE DEMO.!!!! one that was missing was FZ 1W WAZA FUZZ in the last couple of days I got BD 2W BLUES DRIVER WAZA AND FUZZ FZ1W WAZA
Fucking amazing video. Thank you so much for actually looping, and not playing generic, horrible shred. The true way to demo each pedal is play some nice, punchy, beefy chords and a little arpeggios or whatever. Fucking fantastic. I would love to see more videos like this
Thanks for posting. This is what I referenced multiple times to put together my current pedalboard: FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz FZ-5 Fuzz DN-2 Dyna Drive BD-2 Blues Driver OD-1X Overdrive OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion OD-3 Overdrive SD-1 Super Overdrive SD-2 Dual Overdrive JB-2 Angry Driver Overdrive DF-2 Super Feedbacker/Distortion FB-2 Feedbacker/Booster PW-2 Power Driver DA-2 Adaptive Distortion DS-1 Distortion DS-1X Distortion XT-2 Xtortion MD-2 Mega Distortion DS-2 Turbo Distortion ML-2 Metal Core Distortion HM-2 Heavy Metal (MIT 1987) HM-2 Heavy Metal* (MIJ 1984/85/86) HM-3 Hyper Metal MZ-2 Digital Metalizer (STEREO) MT-2 Metal Zone ST-2 Power Stack (Marshall Stack Cab Sim) BC-2 Combo Drive (Vox AC30 Cab Sim) FDR-1 Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb FBM-1 Fender '59 Bassbreaker
I want to thank you for taking the time to do this video. You did everything I wish every pedal video did. You used the same riff for every pedal, the riff itself shows how the distortion would sound with chords, palm muting, arpeggios, single notes, and dead notes, (as opposed to people just shredding and not playing any rhythm parts when it's rhythm that you hear all the nuances of the distortion), you played the different pedals back to back without any distractions or long winded speech, you slowly moved each knob throughout all of their respective ranges and quickly showed different combinations, and you actually show each pedal at their highest gain. So many distortion pedal videos won't go past like 1 o' clock in any of their settings and it frustrates me. People want to hear the whole range of gain, not just hear it as a boost or in just one setting. I'm sure this took a lot of time, from setting up for each pedal to editing the video, and all of it is 100% appreciated. Seriously, this video is so satisfying just in the execution, let alone hearing all the differences of all the various pedals. Thank you. Also, the Xtortion pedal sounds like ass, its the only one I didn't like, lol
Thank you so much for saying so. It is impossible to please everyone, so I did my absolute best to show what these pedals can do, while adhering to my personal taste and style. I really appreciate the feedback.
Congratulations on your video. One of the best comparisons of boss pedals. I had several distortions of boss, today I use the ST-2 Power Stack, which in my opinion is one of the best distortion pedals.
Ultimate Raptor Of Greatness and Fertility i have the Dyna Drive, its sick. It can do basically anything the other drives can do, AND it sensitive to your picking. It cleans up REALLY well when you ease up on the picking strength, whichs is a shame that he didn't demonstrate that. He just showed off how dirty it can get compared to the others. Also, its a digital pedal. The powerstack is a shitty digital drive compared to the dyna drive.
Best video on youtube...."The boss pedal project" complilation? Best compilation on youtube. Thank you man, I'm a drummer and I'm just expanding my knowledge, but your guides are amazing, they fit my analitical mind in a perfect way
Been using Boss since 1985 and never checked out the Overdrive OD-3 until now. It cleans up great and the tone control is good. Guess I need one more pedal now. Good video!
I echo the other comments in that this is one of the best pedal demos I've seen on youtube. I really appreciate the way you did this. First of all, you tuned up. It's really distracting to see a demonstration performed with an out of tune guitar. Using a loop really helps to hear differences in the pedals. I'd also like to add that your playing is tight and what you played enhanced the demo because you played something with chunky chords, arpeggios, staccato chords and stops. Good Job!!
OD3 and BD2 are my favorites, but I think the BD2 edges out just a little more to me. love this video!! thanks for putting the time in to help all of us out
Absolutely true. BD-2 does it all!!! The rest is variation of BD-2. They are all the same. Ohh man wtf I didnt know that. Signal shape, characteristics are all the same. The only noticable difference is frequency and gain among them. Btw great shootout man. Thanks
This is a great, unbiased view on why each and every boss pedal sounds like. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Also, how much better would the power drive be if they would have called it the far muscle drive instead after the dials?!?
Fantastic comparison. Using a looper is such a logical comparison technique. I was already inclined towards the OD-3 and this doesn't change that though there are clear similarities between some of these pedals. To be awkward, I'm also considering the Fulltone OCD.
Wow ! The best comparison boss pedals vídeo ive ever seen!!!! Just love almost all of them , but OD1X, DS1X , power stack and OD3 are my favourites!! Thanks man!!!
This is very nice. I'd like to see a similar video with an overdriven tube amp. Most of these Boss pedals sound much better when they are boosting an already dirty amp.
thank you so much for making this! easily the best comparison video on youtube, i'm sure it's helped many people such as myself decide which one/s to get!
That 14 pin opamp OD-1 is awesome, I dont like to buy into the hype (I think Klons are well overated) but it definately is superior to most of the boss overdrive stuff. The BD-2 is great when it works and with the wrong rig not so much.
I'd love to hear what these would sound like direct in or through a clean solid state amp. Definitely wouldn't be great, but it wouldn't have that extra layer of Marshall goodness that's making most of these pedals sound so creamy.
They all sound so close to the same, it seems like if you just bought two or three of these you would have every tone boss has to offer. I have the bd-2 and the ds-1 and this video has convinced me that I don't need any more boss distortion pedals.
@@asimidrizovic7316 it depends on the amp and guitar you're using. I play through a Marshall lead 15 mini stack most of the time and if I put a bd2 in front of it with a guitar with some humbuckers it can get me pretty close to that tond but it's all about experimenting I suppose.
@@ARoseOnTheGrave1 Amp is Marshall DSL5c and guitar is Epiphone Les Paul Custom and i have nice distrortion Digitech SC2 but i burn her with power adapter who was 1.0A and now planing to buy some another to try
@@asimidrizovic7316 I think it will work out pretty well then. You could always test the pedals you're interested in at guitar center or something as well.
@@asimidrizovic7316 for the true ACDC sound go for the ORIGINAL DS-1 "long dash" (not shown in this vid due to being VERY hard to find these days). Put level and drive around 3pm and tone at about 10am and youre GOLD!
Esse é o melhor comparativo de distorções Boss. Sou apaixonado por pedais Boss, e já assisti esse vídeo várias vezes, e esse riff ficou simplesmente perfeito, deveria virar música. Parabéns!
I know this video is old but I'm new to guitar and effects thank you so much for the demo of these powerhouse effects, I just started collecting boss myself got the md2, xt2(bust out this when im mad),Pw2 which I didn't know it was rare and lastly power stack. But wow that SD2😮 I must have that and the hyper fuzz if ever goes down on price😂 anyways again good video and you keep rocking man 😎🎸👍
Excellent shootout. I was surprised how similar the "core" distortion sounded for all the pedals. I have an un-modded DF-2 MIJ that sounds much better than the one in the video. I think something was wrong with that one - it was weak, thin, and crackled. Mine sounds more like the DS-1 MIJ.
Here's what a good DF-2 should sound like on a guitar with Humbuckers: th-cam.com/video/EGD20mQa7O4/w-d-xo.html It sounds noticeably thinner on single coil pickups.
Awesome video! Any chance you can add youtube chapters or something to it, for ease of A/B-ing two pedals that strike my interest? I can't believe how good the OS-2 sounds
BOSS use to make this orange pedal tht was an OD pedal bit also a feedback pedal as well. And I had it growing up as a kid so it’s long gone. But I remember it being super kol bc it wld feedback on the note tht was being played - you just held down the kicks switch. I’ve looked & looked & tbh most people haven’t even heard of it - oh tht super distortion feedback is like to see more of tht bro. Thts what I’m talking about (minus then “super” part). Hell yeahZ....!!!
Wow, what a great resource. The only thing that might be a helpful addition would be to include a section demonstrating how well they interact with the guitar's volume pot as you turn it down.
I find something so uniquely ugly with the ODB-3. Karnivool bassist Jon Stockman has two on his board, and it sounds so rad. First time I hear it with a guitar, and I find this unique sound again! Can't wait until mine arrives. Thank you for a great video, extremely useful :) Cheers from France!
Nice! I am building an all Boss pedalboard for a top 40 cover band. I have the low gain OD covered with an SD-1. Can you suggest a good medium to high gain Boss pedal that can be used for Steve Lukather high gain lead tones? BTW I use a clean tube amp.
The MZ-2 is a hidden gem right between OD and distortion, not using the digital side. Using it in stereo is very good, a simple way to get a rich wide sound.
Great video man! I’ve always been a fan of Boss gain pedals, they sound great through the right guitar and amp. What a great collection you have there! Greetings from Nice
I have: Overdrive OD-1 "long dash, 14 pin" (MIJ), Distortion DS-1 "long dash" (MIJ), Xtortion XT-2, BD-2w (MIJ), Digital Metalizer MZ-2 (MIJ), Heavy Metal HM-2 (MIJ), Metal Zone MT-2w (MIJ), and Metal Core ML-2. They all have their uses but the OD-1 and DS-1 are my favorites and hold alot of sentimental value due to being the first ones I ever got back in 1980-81. PS - My entire pedal board is all Boss. I also have: Compression/Sustainer CS-2 (MIJ), Phaser PH-1r (MIJ), Delay DM-2 "3005 chip" (MIJ), Chorus CE-3 (MIJ), Flanger BF-2 (MIJ), and '63 Fender Reverb FRV-1. The amp I use is the Marshall DSL40 "dual master volume version". Guitars I have: 2005 Gibson LP Standard with 57 classic (neck)/498 (bridge), 2008 Ibanez Prestige RG2550z with Dimarzio Tone Zone (bridge), True Velvet (middle), Air Norton (neck).
Perfect Video but...Its Hysterical that you can pretty much make any yellow or Blue pedal sound like another just by turning some knobs, So much overlap between these I think Boss Is laughing at us
Boss drive pedals have a certain character to them. None sound like a tube amp breaking up to me and none of them have a "wow" factor. The only I've used is the Keeley modded Blues Driver and from listening to this demo, I'd have to say it's still the only one I like. Use it with the lower gain settings or check out the way Andy Timmons uses it. Very nice demo. Thanks.
I can't believe what I just watched. I have a few of my favorites, but I believe that any one that plays guitar probably does by this point, boss being what they are.
Great video. What specific humbucker are you using? The combination of that pickup and the amp is amazing. I own several of these pedals and they sound completely 100% different on my set up. I like yours better 😁
I am a big fan of Boss pedals and this video is just pure GOLD. Many many thanks to Cameron for creating it. I like the Power Stack a lot but I have a problem with all the digital pedals. They have a very distinct high end and seem to share some fizziness. They sound like part of the high frequencies have been filtered out, but in an unnatural way. I was thinking about the DS1X but I hear the same kind of high end ... :( I tried to use the Power Stack but in a band context it just disappears. I am now using a (highly modded) DS1 with an SD1 in front of it. It's not perfect but it sounds way more natural. Might try the OD3 since it can do classic metal as well (if boosted with another OD)
I have the DA-2, OD1-X and just ordered the Dyna Drive: WONDERFUL TONE SCULPTS...!!! strat neck pup-Mad Prof Simble cleanish-Dyna Drive=sensitive blues/jazz? : ) what seems to be very good with the Dyna is its well-balanced EQ: not much bass loss! : )
Full awesome!!! Todos os drives da Boss são fantásticos e lendários, porém o "Mega Distortion (MD-2), Metal Core (ML-2) e Power Stack (PW-2)" reinam supremos como distorção Hi-Gain. E o injustiçado "Overdrive / Distortion (OS-2)" é o mais versátil e bonito na minha opinião (Obs: Foi o meu primeiro pedal de drive e da Boss). E não posso deixar de fazer uma menção honrosa para o clássico atemporal "Heavy Metal (HM-2)". See ya!
Maybe it's because the amp was on 2, but the tones all sound basically the same. There isn't the variation of color that there should me from each pedal.
I know they ve been making pedals for 3 decades now but they ve made so many different models .. I couldnt keep track with all of them and their sound.
Still relevant today, most. @ prices everyone can afford. For some reason BOSS has been the Boss, for years, in the pedal real world. Had a few (all the Overdrives), still have some of them (MT-2, one of the most versatile 'Distortion/Overdrive ever!).
Amazing demo, it's hard to choose a fave but I preferred the Overdrives over the Distortions. The worst by far were the Xtortion & Adaptive Distortion. Keeping my eye out for a deal on the SD-2.
that's simply the best comparative demonstration of Boss dirt pedals could possibly be found anywhere on the internet. Very useful, thank you!
I so agree
How I ranked them:
FUZZ & BASS
1st: BBX-1 10.0
2nd: FZ-2 9.0
3rd: FZ-5 8.0
DISTORTION
1st: FBM-1 & FDR-1 10.0 (x2)
2nd: DS-2 & FB-2 9.0 (x2)
3rd: DF-2 8.0
HEAVY DISTORTION
1st: ST-2
2nd: ML-2
3rd: HM-3
Overdrive
1st: actually 10/10 (x5!!)
2nd: SD-2 & ODX-1 9.5 (x2)
3rd: BD-2 & OD-1
The first place is shared by OD-3, SD-1w, DN-2, and the BD-2s in both Waza & Keeley mod forms.
Big Surprise? Boss is apparently a measure better at overdrives than they are distortions, and the Taiwan DS-1 bested the Japanese model.
The Fender pedals actually win the distortion category w/the Bassman sounding better, but the DR has more utility with built in reverb and trim.
The two most modern heavy distortions swept, but the XT-2 revealed to have a good deal of range.
Finally in fuzzes… the Power Driver is a decent muff, but there are better alternatives. the FZ-2 is the most hectic, but also the most useful. I don’t want to like the FZ-5 but it’s actually decent here in this roundup. The Bass BB-X1 still remained supreme. As wild as the Dyna Drive earning a perfect score!
Agreed
Man. I just spent 50 minutes watching this twice and I'm still not bored. Only problem is now I want them ALL.
1 hour ago I bought SD-1 to feed my hunger for new pedals... And, yet I am watching this... 🤘🎸
Full Pedal List:
0:58 OD-1 OverDrive
2:13 OD-1X OverDrive
2:49 OD-2 Turbo OverDrive
3:26 OD-2R Turbo OverDrive
4:03 OD-3 OverDrive
4:40 SD-1 Super OverDrive
5:17 SD-1w Super OverDrive
5:54 SD-2 Dual OverDrive
6:32 DN-2 Dyna Drive
7:09 BD-2 Blues Driver
7:47 Modded BD-2
8:24 BD-2w Blues Driver
9:00 OS-2 OverDrive / Distortion
9:38 DS-1 Distortion (Jap)
10:14 DS-1 Distortion (Taiw)
10:51 DS-1X-Distortion
11:27 DA-2 Adaptive Distortion
12:05 DS-2 Turbo Distortion
12:41 DF-2 Super Distortion & Feedbacker
13:18 PD-1 Rocker Distortion
13:56 MD-2 Mega Distortion
14:33 XT-2 Xtortion
15:09 FB-2 Feedbacker / Booster
15:46 FDR-1 Fender '65 Deluxe Whatever
16:22 FBM-1 Fender '59 Bassman
17:01 BC-2 Combo Drive
17:37 ST-2 Power Stack
18:15 HM-2 Heavy Metal
18:52 HM-3 Hyper Metal
19:28 MT-2 Metal Zoan
20:06 MZ-2 Digital Metalizer
21:21 ML-2 Metal Core
21:57 PW-2 Power Driver
22:34 FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz
23:48 FZ-3 Fuzz
24:25 FZ-5 “Fuzz”
25:02 OBD-3 Bass OverDrive
25:39 BB-1X Bass Driver
Only missing afaik are limited editions, the twin pedals OD-20 and the new OD-200, the new Waza versions of HM-2, MT-2, SD-1 and BD-2, as well as the new JB-2 Angry Driver.
A pretty damn awesome compilation.
Thanks for the timestamps! When I made the video, this was the complete compact drive/ distortion lineup. Since the making of the video, several new pedals have been released. But hopefully, it remains somewhat useful, haha.
No problem! And it definitely was useful to me :P
BD2WAZA AND SD1WAZA WERE IN THE DEMO.!!!! one that was missing was FZ 1W WAZA FUZZ
in the last couple of days I got BD 2W BLUES DRIVER WAZA AND FUZZ FZ1W WAZA
Yes!!! Every pedal shootout should use a looped riff, why is this not the standard.
BOSS MUST HIRE YOU! EXCELLENT DEMOING NO TALKING!!! VERY OBJECTIVE
Thank you! 😊
Fucking amazing video. Thank you so much for actually looping, and not playing generic, horrible shred. The true way to demo each pedal is play some nice, punchy, beefy chords and a little arpeggios or whatever. Fucking fantastic. I would love to see more videos like this
Thanks!!!
And now that riff will forever be drilled into my mind....
James Graham heh heh. Mine too.
Thanks for posting.
This is what I referenced multiple times to put together my current pedalboard:
FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz
FZ-5 Fuzz
DN-2 Dyna Drive
BD-2 Blues Driver
OD-1X Overdrive
OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion
OD-3 Overdrive
SD-1 Super Overdrive
SD-2 Dual Overdrive
JB-2 Angry Driver Overdrive
DF-2 Super Feedbacker/Distortion
FB-2 Feedbacker/Booster
PW-2 Power Driver
DA-2 Adaptive Distortion
DS-1 Distortion
DS-1X Distortion
XT-2 Xtortion
MD-2 Mega Distortion
DS-2 Turbo Distortion
ML-2 Metal Core Distortion
HM-2 Heavy Metal (MIT 1987)
HM-2 Heavy Metal* (MIJ 1984/85/86)
HM-3 Hyper Metal
MZ-2 Digital Metalizer (STEREO)
MT-2 Metal Zone
ST-2 Power Stack (Marshall Stack Cab Sim)
BC-2 Combo Drive (Vox AC30 Cab Sim)
FDR-1 Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb
FBM-1 Fender '59 Bassbreaker
That's amazing. I'm really glad it helped you, that was my intention. And that's quite a board!
Putain que c'est bon! Pas de baratin, pas de branlette de shredder et toute la collection testé sur un pied d'égalité ! Merci mec!!
Something about the DS2 always sounded so good to me. Just has an extra little chewiness that I love. OD3 here is amazing too.
I want to thank you for taking the time to do this video. You did everything I wish every pedal video did. You used the same riff for every pedal, the riff itself shows how the distortion would sound with chords, palm muting, arpeggios, single notes, and dead notes, (as opposed to people just shredding and not playing any rhythm parts when it's rhythm that you hear all the nuances of the distortion), you played the different pedals back to back without any distractions or long winded speech, you slowly moved each knob throughout all of their respective ranges and quickly showed different combinations, and you actually show each pedal at their highest gain. So many distortion pedal videos won't go past like 1 o' clock in any of their settings and it frustrates me. People want to hear the whole range of gain, not just hear it as a boost or in just one setting. I'm sure this took a lot of time, from setting up for each pedal to editing the video, and all of it is 100% appreciated. Seriously, this video is so satisfying just in the execution, let alone hearing all the differences of all the various pedals. Thank you.
Also, the Xtortion pedal sounds like ass, its the only one I didn't like, lol
Thank you so much for saying so. It is impossible to please everyone, so I did my absolute best to show what these pedals can do, while adhering to my personal taste and style. I really appreciate the feedback.
literally the only thing i can find that compares boss drives in a meaningful way, thanks
Thanks man!
Man, this comparative review is the most complete l ever heard (and watched). Just imagine how many people you are helping out.
every pedal comparison should be like this. Less talk, more play. Thank you!
Congratulations on your video. One of the best comparisons of boss pedals. I had several distortions of boss, today I use the ST-2 Power Stack, which in my opinion is one of the best distortion pedals.
Best demo I ever seen. This is perfect. Most are just trying to showcase there talent or lack of it insted of the pedals.
Thanks man, means a lot to hear that!
This just proves how underrated the Power Stack and Dyna Drive are
Ultimate Raptor Of Greatness and Fertility i have the Dyna Drive, its sick.
It can do basically anything the other drives can do, AND it sensitive to your picking.
It cleans up REALLY well when you ease up on the picking strength, whichs is a shame that he didn't demonstrate that. He just showed off how dirty it can get compared to the others.
Also, its a digital pedal.
The powerstack is a shitty digital drive compared to the dyna drive.
I guess the Dyna Drive was based on the Peavey Accelerator Overdrive AOD-2
Funny that you say that as l have most of these pedals and this afternoon l just connected those 2 up with a tuner to see the comparison..
I like how the power stack sounds but it's too noisy for me
I picked up a Power Stack used for $19. Sounds awesome in front of the amp with a lil break up on it.
Best video on youtube...."The boss pedal project" complilation? Best compilation on youtube. Thank you man, I'm a drummer and I'm just expanding my knowledge, but your guides are amazing, they fit my analitical mind in a perfect way
Dude! Thanks so much!
Hands down best Overdrive comparison I've seen. Some great surprises in there. Dyna Drive, for sure. Great job, man. Thanks.
God the OD-3 sounds SOO GOOD
It's God like!
Shocked at how much I like the clean blend on the bass overdrives for guitar.
Been using Boss since 1985 and never checked out the Overdrive OD-3 until now. It cleans up great and the tone control is good. Guess I need one more pedal now. Good video!
Thanks!!! The OD-3 is so underrated.
I echo the other comments in that this is one of the best pedal demos I've seen on youtube. I really appreciate the way you did this. First of all, you tuned up. It's really distracting to see a demonstration performed with an out of tune guitar. Using a loop really helps to hear differences in the pedals. I'd also like to add that your playing is tight and what you played enhanced the demo because you played something with chunky chords, arpeggios, staccato chords and stops. Good Job!!
That Xtortion Pedal seemed like it has a lot of flexibility. This is the way to do a review! Thank you!
OD3 and BD2 are my favorites, but I think the BD2 edges out just a little more to me. love this video!! thanks for putting the time in to help all of us out
DS-1X was pretty good i love it
Damn. What a clear, simple, easy-to-understand tutorial. Thanks much for the upload!
Great vid. For my money it's hard to go past the OD-1s.
The stock BD-2 was a very nice surprise with that JCM.
Dude, the stock BD-2 is so good. It does it all!
Absolutely true. BD-2 does it all!!! The rest is variation of BD-2. They are all the same. Ohh man wtf I didnt know that. Signal shape, characteristics are all the same. The only noticable difference is frequency and gain among them. Btw great shootout man. Thanks
I love the tone of the BD2. It sounds so chunky, with a lot more bass than the SD1.
This is a great, unbiased view on why each and every boss pedal sounds like. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
Also, how much better would the power drive be if they would have called it the far muscle drive instead after the dials?!?
Finally someone using the Xtortion pedal, my first pedal ever.
Fantastic comparison. Using a looper is such a logical comparison technique. I was already inclined towards the OD-3 and this doesn't change that though there are clear similarities between some of these pedals. To be awkward, I'm also considering the Fulltone OCD.
Wow ! The best comparison boss pedals vídeo ive ever seen!!!!
Just love almost all of them , but OD1X, DS1X , power stack and OD3 are my favourites!!
Thanks man!!!
Outstanding video - how all pedal comparisons should be done.
Absolutely one of the best videos on the entire internet. Thank you!
Nice job. Boss should have paid you. Thanks for taking the time and care.
This is very nice. I'd like to see a similar video with an overdriven tube amp. Most of these Boss pedals sound much better when they are boosting an already dirty amp.
thank you so much for making this! easily the best comparison video on youtube, i'm sure it's helped many people such as myself decide which one/s to get!
01:36 OD-1 JRC
04:40 SD-1 Std
05:18 SD-1w
02:50 OD2 Std
03:27 OD2r
07:09 BD-2 Std
08:23 BD-2w
07:48 BD2k
10:13 DS-1 Std
19:28 MT-2
That 14 pin opamp OD-1 is awesome, I dont like to buy into the hype (I think Klons are well overated) but it definately is superior to most of the boss overdrive stuff. The BD-2 is great when it works and with the wrong rig not so much.
was looking for one that actually was this in-depth. Thank you so much 😭
That Marshall sounds nice with all of them!! ;)
Hey great demo.... and the winner...OD 1👍
Thank you, my man. That's the best pedal demo.
thank you for your video. we appreciate your hard work on this..
Thank you for watching!!!
I'd love to hear what these would sound like direct in or through a clean solid state amp. Definitely wouldn't be great, but it wouldn't have that extra layer of Marshall goodness that's making most of these pedals sound so creamy.
Love so many of these...the DS1 classic...the new adaptive distortion.
Super video. So much love and attention to details....
Gratitude 🙏🏻
Great demo !!! Just bought the OD-3 last week, sounds GREAT !!
Perfect demonstration. Thank you very much!
This is such an excellent video. Kudos for the work!
Thanks man! It was indeed a lot of work, haha.
They all sound so close to the same, it seems like if you just bought two or three of these you would have every tone boss has to offer. I have the bd-2 and the ds-1 and this video has convinced me that I don't need any more boss distortion pedals.
I have a BD2 but i planing to buy and the ds1..is it good combination for some Ac/Dc stuff
@@asimidrizovic7316 it depends on the amp and guitar you're using. I play through a Marshall lead 15 mini stack most of the time and if I put a bd2 in front of it with a guitar with some humbuckers it can get me pretty close to that tond but it's all about experimenting I suppose.
@@ARoseOnTheGrave1 Amp is Marshall DSL5c and guitar is Epiphone Les Paul Custom and i have nice distrortion Digitech SC2 but i burn her with power adapter who was 1.0A and now planing to buy some another to try
@@asimidrizovic7316 I think it will work out pretty well then. You could always test the pedals you're interested in at guitar center or something as well.
@@asimidrizovic7316 for the true ACDC sound go for the ORIGINAL DS-1 "long dash" (not shown in this vid due to being VERY hard to find these days). Put level and drive around 3pm and tone at about 10am and youre GOLD!
Esse é o melhor comparativo de distorções Boss. Sou apaixonado por pedais Boss, e já assisti esse vídeo várias vezes, e esse riff ficou simplesmente perfeito, deveria virar música. Parabéns!
Thanks for sharing! I was surprised by how well the OD-1X OverDrive and the DS-1X Distortion pedals sounded.
They didn't though.
I know this video is old but I'm new to guitar and effects thank you so much for the demo of these powerhouse effects, I just started collecting boss myself got the md2, xt2(bust out this when im mad),Pw2 which I didn't know it was rare and lastly power stack. But wow that SD2😮 I must have that and the hyper fuzz if ever goes down on price😂 anyways again good video and you keep rocking man 😎🎸👍
Sweet! Thanks for the kind words! I'm really happy it helped you. And most importantly, enjoy your guitar journey!
Thanks for the Demo I have a OD-2
That Metal Zone pedal is so dangerous , I'm sure its killed a few people
Excellent shootout. I was surprised how similar the "core" distortion sounded for all the pedals. I have an un-modded DF-2 MIJ that sounds much better than the one in the video. I think something was wrong with that one - it was weak, thin, and crackled. Mine sounds more like the DS-1 MIJ.
Thanks man! I sold the DF-2 a while back.
Here's what a good DF-2 should sound like on a guitar with Humbuckers:
th-cam.com/video/EGD20mQa7O4/w-d-xo.html
It sounds noticeably thinner on single coil pickups.
Awesome video! Any chance you can add youtube chapters or something to it, for ease of A/B-ing two pedals that strike my interest?
I can't believe how good the OS-2 sounds
Thanks! If I can figure out how to do that, I will, haha.
Thanks for the shootout! It's so cool to compare these pedals.
SD-2, OS-2 and OD-2 are all pleasant surprises
I love the Hyper Metal and Mega distortion. I can use the sound of the Power stack Metal Core and Heavy Metal.
BOSS use to make this orange pedal tht was an OD pedal bit also a feedback pedal as well. And I had it growing up as a kid so it’s long gone. But I remember it being super kol bc it wld feedback on the note tht was being played - you just held down the kicks switch. I’ve looked & looked & tbh most people haven’t even heard of it - oh tht super distortion feedback is like to see more of tht bro. Thts what I’m talking about (minus then “super” part). Hell yeahZ....!!!
Excellent demo. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Wow, what a great resource. The only thing that might be a helpful addition would be to include a section demonstrating how well they interact with the guitar's volume pot as you turn it down.
I find something so uniquely ugly with the ODB-3. Karnivool bassist Jon Stockman has two on his board, and it sounds so rad. First time I hear it with a guitar, and I find this unique sound again! Can't wait until mine arrives.
Thank you for a great video, extremely useful :)
Cheers from France!
That OD-3, oh sweet Lord 🔥🔥🔥
Nice! I am building an all Boss pedalboard for a top 40 cover band. I have the low gain OD covered with an SD-1. Can you suggest a good medium to high gain Boss pedal that can be used for Steve Lukather high gain lead tones? BTW I use a clean tube amp.
Sweet! I like the OD-3 for low to medium gain. For High gain, you might check out the Power Stack or the DS-1x or Adaptive Distortion.
The MZ-2 is a hidden gem right between OD and distortion, not using the digital side. Using it in stereo is very good, a simple way to get a rich wide sound.
Great video man! I’ve always been a fan of Boss gain pedals, they sound great through the right guitar and amp. What a great collection you have there! Greetings from Nice
Very Cool to demo them all, Great Comparisson.
Sd-1, OD-2 and OD-2R are the best Boss Over Drives ever. Really tube sounding.
OD3 THE BEST.-
Great Job! Awesome collection!
Thank you!
Thanks for putting this together
Absolutely!
I have: Overdrive OD-1 "long dash, 14 pin" (MIJ), Distortion DS-1 "long dash" (MIJ), Xtortion XT-2, BD-2w (MIJ), Digital Metalizer MZ-2 (MIJ), Heavy Metal HM-2 (MIJ), Metal Zone MT-2w (MIJ), and Metal Core ML-2. They all have their uses but the OD-1 and DS-1 are my favorites and hold alot of sentimental value due to being the first ones I ever got back in 1980-81. PS - My entire pedal board is all Boss. I also have: Compression/Sustainer CS-2 (MIJ), Phaser PH-1r (MIJ), Delay DM-2 "3005 chip" (MIJ), Chorus CE-3 (MIJ), Flanger BF-2 (MIJ), and '63 Fender Reverb FRV-1. The amp I use is the Marshall DSL40 "dual master volume version". Guitars I have: 2005 Gibson LP Standard with 57 classic (neck)/498 (bridge), 2008 Ibanez Prestige RG2550z with Dimarzio Tone Zone (bridge), True Velvet (middle), Air Norton (neck).
Sir Cameron I think u make good reviews. u deserve to have more subscribers
Thanks so much man!
Perfect Video but...Its Hysterical that you can pretty much make any yellow or Blue pedal sound like another just by turning some knobs, So much overlap between these I think Boss Is laughing at us
Good point!
Very interesting ! we can see how some pedals are really better than the others. combo drive, Power stack, and blues driver are my top3
I like how they dimed the HM-2 and then the magic happened.
Gotta have two from different years and sources, then stack 'em. I think that is how thunder is actually born.
Boss drive pedals have a certain character to them. None sound like a tube amp breaking up to me and none of them have a "wow" factor. The only I've used is the Keeley modded Blues Driver and from listening to this demo, I'd have to say it's still the only one I like. Use it with the lower gain settings or check out the way Andy Timmons uses it. Very nice demo. Thanks.
Sampling loop, include short mid and high lead licks not just rhythm so to compare also.. Thanks for the great effort...
I can't believe what I just watched. I have a few of my favorites, but I believe that any one that plays guitar probably does by this point, boss being what they are.
Great video. What specific humbucker are you using?
The combination of that pickup and the amp is amazing. I own several of these pedals and they sound completely 100% different on my set up. I like yours better 😁
Thanks man! I believe it was a Seymour Duncan Custom in the bridge. Great pickup!
Are you sure you are changing pedals?
I am a big fan of Boss pedals and this video is just pure GOLD. Many many thanks to Cameron for creating it. I like the Power Stack a lot but I have a problem with all the digital pedals. They have a very distinct high end and seem to share some fizziness. They sound like part of the high frequencies have been filtered out, but in an unnatural way. I was thinking about the DS1X but I hear the same kind of high end ... :(
I tried to use the Power Stack but in a band context it just disappears. I am now using a (highly modded) DS1 with an SD1 in front of it. It's not perfect but it sounds way more natural. Might try the OD3 since it can do classic metal as well (if boosted with another OD)
Thanks man! 😎😎😎
Love that riff
For whatever reason you chose not to turn the level up on the od3. That's still my favorite boss Overdrive.
Thank you so much for doing this! Excellent job!
DS-2 and Metal Core are my favorites and both are in my pedalboard.
Blues Driver (Keeley Modded) is the winner for me
I have the DA-2, OD1-X and just ordered the Dyna Drive: WONDERFUL TONE SCULPTS...!!! strat neck pup-Mad Prof Simble cleanish-Dyna Drive=sensitive blues/jazz? : ) what seems to be very good with the Dyna is its well-balanced EQ: not much bass loss! : )
oh and THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS BOSS VID: very informative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . luv, Kimmo : )
UPDATE: Ive got 2 OD-3s for Jazz, the OD-1X for slight drive, and the DA-2 for solo/lead drive....😆
Full awesome!!!
Todos os drives da Boss são fantásticos e lendários, porém o "Mega Distortion (MD-2), Metal Core (ML-2) e Power Stack (PW-2)" reinam supremos como distorção Hi-Gain. E o injustiçado "Overdrive / Distortion (OS-2)" é o mais versátil e bonito na minha opinião (Obs: Foi o meu primeiro pedal de drive e da Boss). E não posso deixar de fazer uma menção honrosa para o clássico atemporal "Heavy Metal (HM-2)".
See ya!
Maybe it's because the amp was on 2, but the tones all sound basically the same. There isn't the variation of color that there should me from each pedal.
I know they ve been making pedals for 3 decades now but they ve made so many different models .. I couldnt keep track with all of them and their sound.
Still relevant today, most. @ prices everyone can afford. For some reason BOSS has been the Boss, for years, in the pedal real world.
Had a few (all the Overdrives), still have some of them (MT-2, one of the most versatile 'Distortion/Overdrive ever!).
That old old old sd-1 got it right. Nice mode for a Marshall 800
Wow that Japanese ds1 has a much more colourful tone than the Taiwanese one imo. Massive difference
Amazing demo, it's hard to choose a fave but I preferred the Overdrives over the Distortions. The worst by far were the Xtortion & Adaptive Distortion. Keeping my eye out for a deal on the SD-2.
You should hear the adaptive disto in real with good settings. I love it. My best overdrive/disto actually.
@@MakivalaNo offence just my opinion mate, I always say there is no bad gear as there is always someone that can use it.
This was a fun ride! Thanks for it! I have and love my black label MIJ DS-1 and it sounds better than my Taiwan one.
I had the digital metalizer over 20 years ago, regret letting it go, I think you could get most of if not all them tones with only 3 or 4 pedals?