BRAND NEW: BOSS GX-10: Wallet Friendly Next-Gen Effects!
Published on 22 October 2024
There’s a new BOSS effects processor out! This is quite an exciting one, and not because it’s a flagship model. That would be the GT-1000, their high-end modeller which competes with the likes of the Line 6 Helix.
No indeed, this new device is a more affordable proposition, situated above their GT-1 (which is a pretty different proposition, really) and the GX-100, which is effectively the larger sibling of this brand new GX-10. BOSS are well known for bringing a tone of value and features to their units anyway, so I was expecting big things with this one. They also have a lot of skin in the game here - this is by no means their only affordable multi-FX unit - so in today’s brief look, I’ll check out what makes the GX-10 stand out in a flooded market.
Contents
What is the Difference Between the BOSS GX, GT and ME devices?
Lots of Features in a Portable, Affordable Package
AIRD Technology Fully Onboard
BOSS are always ones for acronyms when they deal with tech, and the GX-10 has AIRD onboard. AIRD - Augmented Impulse Response Dynamics - is basically BOSS’s way of saying ‘IR’, impulse responses. This is essential for sounds that feel and behave in a realistic fashion. I’d say that this is something of an expectation these days, but that doesn’t mean that every FX unit has them, nor to the high standard of BOSS’s AIRD tech.
And yes, there are 16 slots for uploading your own 3rd party IRs too, so this unit is future proof!
Full Colour Touchscreen
The GX-10 shares the same touchscreen as the GT-100. Large, full-colour and very intuitive, this is a very user-friendly way to navigate the fx blocks and features that make up each sound onboard. You can use up to 15 blocks (individual elements) to create your sound, selecting and editing straight on the screen. You still have four rotary controls for various parameters, so that ‘stompbox’ feel is preserved for those who need to reach out and grab a control knob!
Cool fact: you can actually ‘lock’ the touchscreen, so that you don’t accidentally touch it with your foot during a performance. Nice detail!
For Guitarists and Bassists
Yes, the BOSS GT-10 is fully compatible (and designed for) bass as well as guitar. For those who record, this is a great way of having a range of ready-to-go tones for your bass as well as guitar. If you play both instruments anyway, then this is a no-brainer for gigging, recording and practising.
It’s not an afterthought, either: there are amp models and IRs onboard that are expressly for use with the bass. Get the tones you actually want, without compromise.
What is the Difference Between the BOSS GX, GT and ME devices?
I mentioned earlier that BOSS do offer a wide range of multi-fx devices, and these are generally arranged into three families: the GX, GT and ME ranges. So, given that they are all offering amps sounds and effects via a floor unit, what differentiates them?
- GX: these are the most ‘now’ and up to date, and feature colour touch screens for their interface.
- GT: More complex levels of effects and amps editing for a more professional performance.
- ME: For players who like to use stompboxes, the ME range offers more of that type of experience.
Lots of Features in a Portable, Affordable Package
I haven’t even touched on things like the onboard looper, the MIDI functionality, the Manual mode (use it like stompboxes), the onboard expression pedal (with six wah types and loads more uses), stereo out and an effects loop. And USB C! It’s a veritable smorgasbord of tones and functions that are all useful to musicians, and more importantly, easy to use. This is not a device that requires a deep dive into the manual.
It’s portable enough to fit in a small bag and it’s solid enough to take on tour. It sounds excellent and is very affordable. What’s not to love? Try one at your local guitarguitar store today and realise just how great you can sound for such little outlay!
