Super Sigma Drive & BOSS ME unit

[Blunote]

I spent some time today A-B comparing the CMATMODS Super Signa Drive against the TS-808 OD option on my BOSS Multi-effects 25.

 

The SSD is terrific. It's a true bypass pedal featuring both a gain and independent boost feature. It also sports a TMB tone stack. This allows the pedal to get out the way when I want to play straight through my amp with is a KBP810 Reverb Deluxe (Fender DR clone with a few mods). It allows me to kick an adjustable boost without gain. Or I use the gain stage and tone stack to create a wide variety of tones that can be independently boosted by the boost stage.

 

In addition, a toggle switch three different combinations of base starting points; The left most position has the most gain and compression, the middle has the least gain and is open, and the right has more gain and is also open. This provides a huge range of adjustment possibilities to find the combination of gain, TMB, and boost for your style of play. I'm still exploring all of that.

 

Like has been mentioned on another thread, it is an op-amp pedal based on the Ibanez TS-808. While I don't have an "real" 808, that effect is included with my BOSS ME-25. So, when I bought the KBP RD, I created a couple of patches containing only an OD driver and a little compression so the sound of amp would ring through. One patch used the TS-808 effect, and the other used a BOSS DS1.

 

As much as I enjoyed that set-up, folks encouraged me to get an honest to gosh quality pedal to put in front of it, rather than this "digital" thing. So, I did.

 

Comparing them back to back using various levels of gain through a clean channel on the RD at volume level 2, then 4 with the TMB in the 5 positions, I was struck by how similar the the ME-25 808 effect sounded to this highly regarded boutique pedal. If I had to say one was "ballsier" than the other, I'd give it to the Super Signa Drive. Even so, I'm not entirely sure a better trained ear would always agree in a blind live sample.

 

What I'm left thinking about is how faulty the common wisdom is that seems to disregard ME units. As of today, I'm wondering if these units are really digital, or if they have 4558 and other chips in them along with digital and non-digital circuitry depending on the effect used. I can't find any solid info that that is or isn't the case.

 

Like I said above: I really like the Signa Drive. It's just that it allowed me an opportunity to evaluate how good or bad features of my ME unit are. Considering one pedal costs as much as ME did, I'm really appreciating the value of the Multi-effects.

 

Here's a youtube link

[tulk1]

Thought all the BOSS multi-effects units used COSM based modeling.

[Blunote]

Whenever I've read the ME-25 description it always left me wondering if the effects were COSM modeled or whether only the amp models were digitally modeled. I've hiliited those references below.

 

It seemed plausible to think they could just include pedal electronics in the unit, or pcboard equivalents. Afterall some of the effects provided (i.e. DS1) are BOSS effects.

 

At any rate, the article on COSM you provided a link to was very informative and tends to support the idea that at least some the effects are digitally modeled in the ME-25. If the TS-808 is one of them, then I think they did a good job of it!

ME-25: Guitar Multiple Effects

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Powerhouse FX with Stompbox Simplicity

 

Features

The affordable new ME-25 is packed with powerful BOSS features to make you sound like a pro, yet it’s as fun and easy to use as a stompbox.

The built-in SOUND LIBRARY gives you instant access to dozens of classic and modern effects

. Simply choose a category, select a variation, and play. Customize your sound with simple twists of the Drive, Tone, and Volume knobs.

With COSM amp models onboard

, plus Super Stack and Phrase Loop, the ME-25 is a dream processor for upstart guitarists who want great sound and ease of use.

• Powerful COSM® amp models onboard, from classic to contemporary
  
  
• Super simple user-friendly interface
  
  
• SOUND LIBRARY provides extensive collection of ready-to-use tones; simply choose a category and select a variation
  
  
• Sounds can be instantly edited with the Drive, Tone, and Level knobs and Expression pedal
  
  
• SUPER STACK adds immensely heavy low-end and punch
  
  
• Phrase Loop function with 38 seconds of recording time
  
  
• Functions as a USB audio interface
  
  
• Built-in AUX input for jamming along with external music devices (MP3/CD players, etc.)
  
  
• Runs on six AA batteries or AC adaptor
  
  
• Includes Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 LE software and dozens of audio loops, rhythms and songs for jamming or practicing
  
  
• Free downloadable Librarian software
  
  

[Trouble]

It would be extremely expensive for them to use the circuit of given pedals in those units. Even the new Tube Screamers have gone to a substitute chip. The only one that I know of that uses the jrc4558 is the hand wired model, which retails for over 300, of course some of that cost is name recognition and hype.

[Blunote]

My original post started out as an evaluation of the CMATMODS pedal but turned in to a post about how good the ME effects are by direct comparison. A bit later I noticed the "Modeling vs. Tube Amps" discussion which which is focussed on the same issue. Had I read that discussion topic first, I'd have just added my original post to it.

 

One thing I will add in the Signa Drive's favor, is that I like that it's a true bypass pedal and allows me to get back to the unvarnished sound of my amp with one push of a button.