BOSS MD-200 Review: The Ultimate Compact Modulation Pedal

BOSS is known for not only their legendary drive pedals, but also being at the forefront of modulation effects innovation for decades. With MD-200 they decided put (almost) all of their effects into a single compact modulation pedal.

DISCLAIMER: This product was provided to me by BOSS, and I received compensation for creating the video. However, the company has no influence on the opinions I express in this review, nor do they get to preview the post/video before publication.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Sampling Frequency: 96 kHz
  • AD/DA Conversion: 32 bits
  • Processing: 32-bit floating point
  • Modes: 12 modes (CHORUS, CE-1 CHORUS, FLANGER, PHASER, VINTAGE PHASER, CLASSIC VIBE, VIBRATO, TREMOLO, ROTARY, AUTO WAH, SLICER, OVERTONE)
  • Memory: 127 + Manual
  • Buffered bypass
  • Controls: ON/OFF switch, MEMORY/TAP switch, MODE knob, RATE knob, DEPTH knob, E. LEVEL knob, PARAM 1 knob, PARAM 2 knob, PARAM 3 knob, TAP DIVISION button, MEMORY button
  • Display: 7 segments, 3 characters (LED)
  • Connectors: INPUT (A/MONO, B) jacks, OUTPUT (A/MONO, B) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type, CTL 1, 2/EXP jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type, MIDI (IN, OUT) jacks: Stereo miniature phone type, DC IN jack, USB port: USB micro B-type (program update only)
  • Power Supply: Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 3, AC adaptor (sold separately)
  • Current Draw: 225 mA

Options (sold separately):

  • AC adaptor: PSA-S series
  • Footswitch: FS-5U
  • Dual footswitch: FS-6, FS-7
  • Expression pedal: FV-500H, FV-500L, EV-30, Roland EV-5
  • MIDI/TRS connecting cable: BMIDI-5-35, BMIDI-1-35, BMIDI-2-35, BCC-1-3535, BCC-2-3535

SIZE AND WEIGHT:

  • Width: 101 mm (4 inches)
  • Depth: 138 mm (5-7/16 inches)
  • Height: 63 mm (2-1/2 inches)
  • Height (including rubber foot): 65 mm (2-9/16 inches)
  • Weight: 610 g

first impressions

As with all BOSS pedals, everything is packaged well and from the first time you hold the pedal you can tell, itโ€™s made to last. Every knob, footswitch, and input/output jack feels like it’s built to last a lifetime. The design of the pedal is very clean, which is something Iโ€™ve always loved about their products.

A quick glance at the pedal is enough to grasp the basic operation of the pedal.

On the back of the pedal, you’ll find stereo inputs and outputs, an additional control input for an expression pedal, and the power supply input. The left side of the pedal houses MIDI in and out ports along with a USB port.

How to operate the pedal

Adjacent to the display, three controlsโ€”Rate, Depth, and Effect Level (E.Level)โ€”are common to most of the effects on the unit. Below these knobs are three parameter controls that adjust different settings of the selected effect (Refer to the video or the chart below for specific parameter details).

Below the large rotary switch, you’ll find the Tap Division button, offering different tempo subdivisions. Four subdivisions in fourths and triplets are available for setting the tempo.

The pedal features 4 preset slots that allow you to save and recall the sounds you’ve created using the footswitch on the right. To save a preset on the MD-200, hold the Memory button until the display starts flashing. Click the Memory button again and select one of the four preset slots to save your preset. Hold the Memory button again to finalize the save.

Parameter chart for each effect

EFFECTParam 1Param 2Param 3

CHORUS
SWEETNESS
Higher values create a more enveloping sound.
LOW CUT FREQUENCY
Adjusts the tonal character of the low-frequency region.
HIGH CUT FREQUENCY
Adjusts the tonal character of the high-frequency region.

CE-1 CHORUS (CE1)
TYPE
Chorus sound of the CE-1 VIB: Vibrato sound of the CE-1
LOW LEVEL
Adjusts the tonal character of the low-frequency region.
HIGH LEVEL
Adjusts the tonal character of the high-frequency region.

FLANGER
RESONANCE
Adjusts the amount of resonance (feedback).
MANUAL
Adjusts the center frequency at which the effect is applied.
LOW CUT FREQUENCY
Cuts the frequency components below the specified frequency. With the FLT (flat) setting, the low cut filter is not applied.

PHASER
RESONANCE
Adjusts the amount of resonance (feedback).
MANUAL
Adjusts the center frequency at which the effect is applied.

LOW CUT FREQUENCY
Cuts the frequency components below the specified frequency. With the FLT (flat) setting, the low cut filter is not applied.

VINTAGE PHASER

TYPE
THRU: Only phaser sound.
CRUNCH: Distortion is added.

DRIVE
Adjusts the amount of distortion when CRUNCH is selected.

TONE
Adjusts the tonal character when CRUNCH is selected.

CLASSIC VIBE

TYPE
THRU:
Only phaser sound.
FUZZ: Distortion is added.

DRIVE
Adjusts the amount of distortion when FUZZ is selected.

TONE
Adjusts the tonal character when FUZZ is selected.

VIBRATO

TONE)
Higher values produce more complex modulation.
(DIRECT/EFFECT BALANCE) Adjusts the volume of the direct sound and the effect sound.
TONE
Adjusts the tonal character.

TREMOLO

TYPE
TREMOLO: Cyclically modulates the volume.
PAN: By alternately changing the volume of left and right, this produces the impression that the sound is moving between the left and right speakers when heard in stereo. (If you don’t use stereo output, this will not produce the intended effect.)

WAVEFORM
Selects the type of wave.

TONE
Adjusts the tonal character.high-
frequency region

ROTARY

SLOW SPEED
Adjusts the SLW rotation speed.

FAST SPEED
Adjusts the FST rotation speed.

ROTOR / HORN BALANCE Adjusts the balance between the horn and the rotor.

AUTO WAH

RESONANCE
Adjusts the depth of the wah effect in the region of the center frequency.

FREQUENCY
Specifies the center frequency of the wah effect.

FILTER TYPE
LPF: Low-pass filter. Only the low- frequency region is passed.
HPF: High-pass filter. Only the high-frequency region is passed. BPF: Band-pass filter. Only a specific frequency region is passed.

SLICER

PATTERN
Selects the pattern at which the sound is sliced.

ATTACK
Adjusts the attack volume of the slice pattern.

DUTY
Adjusts the length of sound for the slice pattern.

OVERTONE

LOWER LEVEL
Adjusts the overtone one octave below.

UNISON LEVEL
Adjusts the volume at which sound
that is slightly pitch-shifted is added to the direct sound.

UPPER LEVEL
Adjusts the overtone one octave above.

How to save a preset on MD-200

1. Push the Memory button and select one of the preset slots (1/2/3/4).

2. Dial in the sound you like

3. Hold the Memory button until the light next to it starts blinking.

4. Click the Memory button to scroll the preset slot you want to use (1-4)

5. Long-press the Memory again and your preset is saved.

Is BOSS MD-200 good and worth the money?

BOSS pedals are classics for a reason: they sound great, are really well built and even if you manage to break one, almost every music store has a replacement in stock. The MD-200 may not be as sexy as some newer companiesโ€™ pedals might be, but you can trust the effects on the BOSS to get the job done and sound good while doing it.

I’m not saying I love every single sound from this pedal, but if I were building a pedalboard for a tour, the MD-200 would likely have a place on it due to its size and the multitude of great tones it can provide.

If you’re interested in acquiring the BOSS MD-200 and suppor what I do, you can use the affiliate link below:

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