For Immediate Release

Rebecca Eaddy
Marketing Communications Manager
Roland Corporation U.S.
(323) 890-3718
Rebecca.Eaddy@RolandUS.com

BOSS GIVES BASSISTS POWERFUL MULTI-FX WITH STOMPBOX SIMPLICITY

New ME-50B Puts COSM Effects and More In a Rugged, Floor-Based Processor

Anaheim, January 15, 2004—BOSS is proud to announce the ME-50B Bass Multiple Effects. Designed in the tradition of BOSS’ popular ME-50 for guitar, the new ME-50B puts powerful multi-effects for bass in a rugged, floor-based processor with stompbox simplicity. Aside from killer COSM® Compressor/Limiter and Drive effects, the ME-50 introduces entirely new effects like Sound Hold, Kick Drum and more—all with easy knob and pedal control. It’s a bass player’s dream come true.

Because the fundamentals of good bass tone are compression and EQ, the ME-50B features two dedicated sections for these essential effects. The Compressor/Limiter uses advanced COSM modeling—including a “Natural” compression setting that retains the nuances of your playing—to give bassists tight, punchy tone. Simply select the compressor “Type” and adjust the Sustain/Threshold knob as desired. The Master section includes a 3-band EQ with a sweepable mid for precise tonal shaping.

The ME-50B includes a variety of unique tone-shaping effects just for bass. These include a handy “Octave Up” effect, which adds a note one octave above the original while retaining the natural bass sound—complete with adjustable drive on the octave-shifted note—plus favorites like Slow Gear, T-Wah and a Defretter effect for instant fretless sounds. Using the Tone effect preset, bassists can get quick tonal variations with preset EQs like “Bottom Boost” and “Mid Shape.”

Switch on the ME-50B’s Drive effects—which include settings like “Muff Fuzz,” “Bass Driver,” “Natural” and “Metal”—and bassists can get a range of overdriven/distorted sounds. A new “Hi Band” effect creates a distorted sound on the high frequencies while keeping the lower frequencies intact—perfect for creating complex tones while retaining the player’s original dynamics. There are also four synth bass sounds with superb tracking and natural feel.

Other cool effects including a Sound On Sound function for building loops, plus a Kick Drum function, which allows players to tap in their own kick drum and create loops over the beat. If that’s not enough, there’s also the amazing Sound Hold function, which lets players endlessly sustain a low note while playing over it. With the ME-50B, bassists can take their playing to a whole new level.

Connections to the ME-50B include a 1/4-inch Guitar input, stereo 1/4-inch Line outputs, a stereo Headphones jack, Auxiliary input and Footswitch input.

BOSS products are manufactured and distributed by Roland Corporation. Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of electronic musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia products and music accessories. For more information, contact Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., P.O. Box 910921, Los Angeles, CA 90091-0921, (323) 890-3700 (x3718 for media use only), www.RolandUS.com, www.BossUS.com. All trademarks are property of their respective owners.