Pitch Without Limits: BOSS Introduces XS-100 and XS-1 Poly Shifters
BOSS has unveiled the XS-100 and XS-1 Poly Shifter, two cutting-edge pedals that bring a new level of creativity and precision to pitch-shifting effects for guitar, bass, and beyond. Powered by pioneering BOSS algorithms and a specially selected DSP platform, they deliver exceptionally natural performance across all styles, preserving clarity even on complex chords and sustained tones.
XS-100 Poly Shifter
The XS-100 is a full-featured pitch-shifting workstation designed to transform live performance and studio work alike. Its onboard pedal enables linear control across a massive eight-octave range, while independent pitch-change speeds for each direction open the door to unique textures—from smooth bends to motor-revving effects.
At the pedal’s end point, an integrated toe switch allows for momentary pitch jumps with adjustable range and rise/fall time. Two additional footswitches provide instant semitone retuning, covering the full eight-octave span.
Players can customize the XS-100’s range and response curves, reassign switches for alternate functions, and store up to 30 memories for quick recall. The unit also supports external footswitches and expression pedals, while MIDI I/O unlocks advanced control options. A secondary output offers flexible routing for more sophisticated setups.
XS-1 Poly Shifter
The XS-1 Poly Shifter takes the core of the XS-100 and streamlines it into BOSS’s iconic compact pedal format. Perfect for pedalboard integration, it enables fast drop tunings, capo-style transpositions, octave layering, and seamless retuning on the fly.
With a range of ± seven semitones and up to three octaves, the XS-1 is versatile enough for virtually any style. Its Balance knob lets players mix direct and effected signals for everything from full retuning to lush 12-string textures and parallel guitar/bass tones. A Detune mode adds rich doubling effects with pristine clarity.
The XS-1 also supports flexible control: the pedal switch can function in standard or momentary mode, while external footswitches or an expression pedal provide further options for dynamic pitch-bending and alternate tunings.
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