Boss has announced the first firmware update for its affordable GX-100 floor modeler since its release in 2022.
A slimmed-down version of its flagship GT-1000 multi-effects unit, which is pitched to rival amp modelers like Fender’s Tone Master Pro, the GX-100 has been given “a bevy of enhancements,” to bolster its offering amid fierce competition.
In total the update brings 10 new amps, seven new effects, and some important feature tweaks to GX-100 users, while also improving its partner desktop app.
Suitable for guitar and bass players alike, bassists may get a little more mileage out of the free update with six new amps brought to the table, marrying “vintage classics and modern favorites.”
The Studio Bass, Silver Tube, and Classic Blue amps are models of Markbass' Little Mark III head, a Fender Bassman 100 head, and the Acoustic 360 head, respectively.
The Solid Stack, Fat Tube, and Dark DRV, meanwhile, channel the magic of a Gallien-Krueger 800RB head, an Orange AD200B MKII head, and the Mmicrotubes B7K preamp by Darkglass.
For guitarists, Boss has extracted its “innovative MDP technology” found in its X Series of pedals and instilled them into three new digital amps. Standing for Multi-Dimensional Processing, Boss says the tech optimizes each element of a guitar's sound, including pitch, loudness, and timbre, to retain as much character as possible.
That fancy tech has given extra personality to the trio of new amps it's added to the GT-100, called the X-Ultra, X-Optima, and X-Titan. All high gain amps, seemingly catering more towards metal-inclined players, the Ultra boasts “an extended dynamic response that’s not possible with traditional analog designs.” The Optima is said to sit “perfectly in every mix,” while the Titan focuses on tight articulation in aggressive settings.
The new effects are all replications of classic Boss stompboxes. The SD-1 Super Overdrive and DS-1 Distortion have been added for players wanting a little more grit. There's also a sitar simulator (Sitar Sim), an Auto Wah, and a Feedbacker for generating natural harmonic feedback.
The Slicer and Humanizer effects are the most curious additions. The Slicer chops the instrument signal with different rhythmical patterns, which Boss says is ideal for distinctive tempo-synced backing, and the Humanizer adds vocal vowel sounds to the note attack.
Improvements to the unit itself equate to greater options for the onboard speaker cabinets, and a streamlined workflow. The GX-100 2.0 exhibits its new features via eight newly added presets.
Lastly, the Boss Tone Studio app for MacOS/Windows has also been updated. New features include the ability to download Livesets and share patches with other Boss modeler users.
The GX-100 offers 32 amplifier types with tube amp-like touch and response thanks to Boss' signature Augmented Impulse Response Dynamics (AIRD) wizardry, and over 170 Boss effects.
It comes with a send/return loop to partner it up with external pedals, and a control jack for remote channel switching if used in conjunction with an amp.
Says Boss: “The GX-100 Version 2.0 system program update brings a bevy of new features and enhancements that let you dial in exceptional tones in seconds.”
Head to Boss to learn more about the GX-100 and its update.
