BOSS ES-8 Tutorials - Intro and Overview 

This series is really necessary ... showing the options of this item by explaining them to someone who is obviously out of his element here is plain brilliant and most likely the best way to make it all clear. Taking Kiana in for that is probably the best way to get more subscribers lol

I’m appalled and hurt! A wonderful set of videos that are well thought out and will help thousands of musicians (even those who don’t have a Boss ES-8), 56K views, but only 700 likes? C’mon folks, share the love!

Great video, The BOSS ES-8 sounds super powerful and flexible. Good job on the addition of Kiana to the video. She obviously can be our voice in the video and ask questions for us. Both of y'all ROCK !!!

You have done such a service to us by documenting this switcher. Please leave it up forever! Thank you so much.

This is the most educational video on the es 8 I"ve found, by far. Thanks a ton

This is the best explanatory video that I've seen of any complex product anywhere. It answers questions before I'd even formed thought of them... and - as a male of the species - would probably be too embarrassed to ask if I walked in to my music store. Not only that... but if I were courageous enough to walk in to my music store to ask the questions, the likelihood is that no one would have been able to answer them. It's a great format that only my Germanic friends could get away with. Thanks both... and just to say, I was considering buying one, but now I've bought one as a result of this video.

Unlike a couple of other comments I think this is a good tutorial for people who know nothing about pedal switchers. Good job Henning.

For anyone thinking about buying a Boss ES8, you should consider the following: If you don't already have them, and want gas tight soldered connections, expect to add Square Plug connectors with a thin guage cable like the Mogami 2319 (which is industry standard but 47pf per foot capacitance which is a little high especially if you are off-boarding any effects of using a large number of pedals all at once) . You can use right angle connectors on the bottom row such as those from Switchcraft or Neutrik deepening on your board slot spacing, but not on top. The arrangement of the connectors on the back of this pedal make it almost impossible to hook it up easily without burning real estate or enduring the additional cost of new cables. Even if you use Switchcraft 350 short barrel 1/4" connectors on top you will be taking up a decent amount of pedal real estate behind the ES8. So you do need very small connectors and serious pro pedalboard builders will not usually use not solder connectors due to long term performance based on simple environmental corrosion and oxidation. You may not notice but if you could A/B the difference over time you'd be amazed. Final note is that pancake connectors other than the "square plug" or small 1/2 shell connectors are absolutely out. This consideration should be mentioned as you should budget $150-200 extra. You cannot use Square Plug connectors with standard cable so you will need a thinner cable like the Mogami mentioned earlier... a financial drawback. Side connections for expression pedals or switches could have created a lot more space in the back.

This thing can do anything. Except coffee, Boss remember to add coffee brewing feature next time.

A touch of genius to have someone that knows nothing about the topic and teach them. Kudos

This is the best demonstration of the Boss ES8 on the webs. Can’t wait to get through the series and hopefully get my rig working. Great video! Well done!

I think the way you use to explain us all this stuff is clear enough to reach a general idea of what these loopers do. Thanks so much, if not for your time (because I think you earn something by doing all this video, as "youtuber"), for the great passion you show!

Excellent video. Looking forward to the next entries. Doing this long form is really necessary for this type of product.

I am so thankful for your inclusion of the young lady who is helping to keep you discussing the features in its most basic terms! You have a unique appreciation for explaining the technical , complicated information one step at a time , I am not even a guitarist but I am seeing this switcher and trying to imagine having effects loops for my synthesizers effects processors . My older yamaha o1v mixer just does not have enough effects loops for all my processors to be -in use . My immediate concern would be,,,,,,," can this switcher have enough stereo returns and sends " ( because all synths effects are stereo pairs ) (left and right) , I think you are really smart and entertaining most of the other people on-line doing tutorials are really good at putting us to sleep and the info sharing,,,,,,,,,, NOT SO MUCH !!!!!! I enjoyed the namm coverage I really liked your enthusiasm when you met Tim Pierce and had Mr. Freidman do your camera work ,How crazy is that!!!!! I also want to comment on your playing style : very extensive, varied and exceptional !! You are doing a great service to all of us who are not such accomplished "GEARHEADS" but want to advance our skill sets ONE STEP AT A TIME !!!! Thanks Again

This was really eye opening. To be be honest I own 5 pedals, 4 of which are some type of distortion, but I might get one of these. I can see some serious possibilities with my amps, pods, synths, drum machines, recording software. I'm going to have to buy some more cables.

Thanks for doing these. Just got my ES-8 so the timing is perfect (I've got it mostly figured out after watching your original ES-8 videos but I look forward to nerding out over the these anyway).

love the video, the girl was awesome. You go Kiana!

I have an ES8 coming in a couple weeks. Can't wait for it. Although I am very familiar with programming midi and figuring these things out, I am looking forward to these videos! Keep um coming!

Du hast mich überzeugt.. hab eins gerade heute bekommen nach deiner Schulung 😉

This is the greatest video I've seen of someone teaching this kind of concepts to a newbie like me, I understood everything, Thanks - it will be great if you explain the timeline delay, the big sky and the mobi 😁 Thanks so much 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

the boss es 8 is actually really easy to program, and yes, I studied the manual first, the manual is not as useless as you said it was

🤔 she obviously makes you nervous 😬. Seriously bro great video, I purchased the es-8 after watching this, and I had no surprises at all. That’s a serious compliment btw. Thanks

Awesome series I can see this will be and and will be a great tutorial. As ever funny as heck too and very well enjoyed guys....

Now, this really is the best series regarding loopers I encountered. From all the loopers out there I seriously think about getting an ES-5 or ES-8. Not sure what is sufficient for me, as I would be content with ENGL Invader Amp switch (4 channels, plus hi gain boost option) and some pedals. I tend to have a basic rock / metal board while playing live. Keep it simple...

Awesome videos! - bought an es8, configured it with your help and love it! There is no way I would have figured it out in any depth without your videos, the manuals are brutal. Hope Boss listens to your feedback around simplification - a better menu system and mobile app would decrease the learning curve and improve the experience big time (boss should look at the eventide h9 mobile interface as an example of good UI). That said, there are so many awesome capabilities in this system that it outweighs any negatives. Thanks Boss and thank you!

This serie save my ass from headache. Thank you mister german guy

Amazing! So excited this series is finally underway :D

Brilliant! I got one of the ES-8's just before Christmas after seeing what you did with one in your previous videos Henning. So glad you're doing these tutorials - Like Kiana, I think I have a lot to learn! Oh - I hope you can include the SY-300 at some point - Boss, please send him one (if you haven't already) as I got one around the same time as the ES-8 and would really love to fully undertsand how they can interact. Thanks!

This is the greatest video ever. & Kiana🤣

@eytschpi42 you really should revisit this series with the new firmware and es-8 software editor. It's a life changer!

I have everything together to connect a Boss Sy-200 and a Nova system to loops via a Boss Es-5 and also via Midi..then there are 3-4 effects..Maybe I'll do two loops, each with 2 effects. . Yesterday I had to buy a power supply, midi cable and flat patch cable, now I have everything together and have been gathering concentrated expertise for a week. I NEVER do something with Midi ...but i have to find out otherwise i loose so much kapbilities of the Se-5

I want to see you doing the rest of this video series on a meadow with kittens!

Tenx by the way for all Your effort and time you put in to this

Hey man I have the es 5 and it kills. But I know what you mean about the complicatedness about this piece of gear. I only use it as a simple channel selecter with some analoge effects attached to it, nothing difficult. For me it works awesome, but I will do a review and explanation about how I use it and benefit From it. I absolutely love this thing. And I will explain why.

Does Kiana play guitar? Not that it matters she's personable and witty!

Now I want one!!, awesome video learning some nerdy things here!

And here goes the comment on the first Star Wars reference: "Interesting here it gets" is how I believe Yoda would say it. Good job bringing Kiana in. It's always nice to have two different people talking, makes it easier to listen for longer times. And apart from everything this girl has been praised for in the comments, I really have to say I like her voice. And of course her attitude (e.g. "you suck" :D)

man, it's like half of you have never seen a girl before.

We wanna hear Kiana scream/sing/yell/growl MEEETÄL!!! \m/

Awesome sauce...more Kiana !!!

She's so cute!

Cable lengths are LONGER with the Es8! They have to be - you're running a separate set of cables to each unit - this perforce uses more cable than a daisy chain! Other than that, great video.

awesome demo.... I have watched your all 8 parts demo... hope you could do the demo more about the midi function of es-8, like you did the one with joyo plx live

Thx for this great video. However I have read the manual and seen you demo and it is still unclear for me exactly how many separat parallel loops you may introduce ? As many as 6 or only one ???

Great video. I'm learning stuff!

Damn my TSL 60 has this Din cable for the footswitch. Should i have to make a handmade cable for that job ?

This was your best so far, thank you

super cool channel, good job guys . Rock on..

What an AMAZING video! Absolutely subscribed, thank you so much. Maybe you already mentionated in the video, but please let me know...I have an ENGL ironball, some pedals go in front and some to the effect loops. How can I use the ES-8 connection in order to send some pedals (or ES-8) loops to the front and some others to the ironball effects loop??? Please answer me!

Love the d50 intro 🤘🏽

she gives like negative fucks about any of this. this video reminds me of my girlfriend when they ask me questions

Would also love to know what the patch cables are. The connector seems to have the perfect size for pedal loopers.

Can you use channels 7 and 8 as standard mono loops if you want to ? Or does it HAVE to be stereo pedals. I need 8 loops for 8 pedals but don’t use stereo pedals. So I don’t want to buy it, if it means I can only use loops 1-6.

Sweet! always good video humor about gear man!

She got a nice vest though :D Eluveitie one of my favs haha. Anyway, nice video as usual, hoping to get one of these things one day, or a different kinda switcher

I keep waiting to see what happens with the zipper on the sweater hoodie thing.

Desperate here - using 4 cable method with Marshall JVM 410H. Verified cable connections twice and all cables working. Verified Vol Loop is activated. Can not get any sound when JVM FX Loop is turned to 100% wet. When dialed back, I get full volume from amp but can not hear any effect after the Vol Loop in the FX chain. Moving the Vol Loop after a given pedal then allows that effect to be heard. It is as if the Vol Loop is not activated, but it is. Anybody have any ideas?

Pretty good start on this pretty awesome Switcher. I'm wondering if it's as good as other switchers or better? Quality of signal is really what I'm concerned.

Hi. Maybe you can explain how to run a boss NS2 with the es8. There is no info anywhere. I normally run the NS2 using 4 cables. How do i incorporate it with the es8? If you can help with this I'm sure a lot of people will be pleased. Thanks.

first person to do a deep comparison of the Musicom Lab mkV and the Boss es8 is going to get all the views, its like the most asked for comparison iv seen yet no ones doing one haha

Damn, for the price, I would almost take this thing over a GigRig G2

I have a question about the two inputs. Is it correct to assume that in manual mode both inputs are active? ...or...Is there a way to switch inputs in manual mode? ...also can both inputs be chosen to be active in programming mode? Many thanks in advance!

Hey HP! Can I bypass the whole device with one step, or do I have to sacrifice a preset for my clean signal? By the way: great tutorial-series!

so the ES8 would be useless with the pinkflow pedal right? because its like 8 pedals in a single pedal... will it work?

I have a control question I can't figure out. I have a Fender red-knob twin, which has a 2-button footswitch to (1) change the channel and (2) turn reverb on an off. The footswitch uses a TS cable, not a TRS cable, so I think switching is handled through a logic circuit in the amp. Is there any way to use the ES-8 for switching? Thanks for your help. I love your videos.

EytschPi42 there is so much info packed into these videos that I find myself wishing there was an index with time signatures so I can jump to certain things. I find myself thinking about the ES-8 ( a couple weeks away from being in my hands and on my board) and how I'm going to use it then remember you discussed it in one of the longer videos in the series but have no idea where it was. At this particular moment I"m trying to figure out if I can add a Loop Expander into the volume send and return (assuming all of the pedals in the Expander are mono). I"m thinking about doing this for gain stacking pedals. I want to avoid giving up any of the 8 loops so I can use them for modulation pedals and be able to run them parallel. I'm gonna give the video another watch as I'm sure you're busy and I can't wait to know until you have an opportunity to answer. :)

Very educational video! Love it! But can you HELP me?!? I love my ES-8, but I have problem - Left output of my ES-8 is about 20db lower than the Right output. Cables are fine - checked that! But I can`t even out both output levels on the same level (I run my line outs directly into DAW). Any ideas what to do? ...I also tried to run loop8 in mono, and then it kinda evens out, but I can`t run loop8 return in stereo.

Would the ES-5 work to switch channels on a EVH 5150 III (100watt) amp ?

My brain exploded a little

What style of patch cable heads are best for fitting them in the bk of the es8?

Hi, great series of videos on the ES-8. is there a way to make a Atcham and route one particular loop to a different output? say if I wanted to send an OD edale to one amp and have another clean on the same patch. thanks

This video is just as cringe as it's helpful and well explained

If i have 9 pedals, how can i still use the extra pedal? For example, I want to have my compressor on at all times and first in the chain, so it doesnt really need to be connected to the ES-8. How can this be done?

Great review, thank you! If I want more stereo channels, is it possible to pair channels 1-2 for instance into another stereo pair? Thanks again!

Hey thanks for putting all the work into this. I've been struggling with my effects loop- I'm running a wet/dry setup, I have delays and vibe pedals in loops 5-8, I wanna put 5-8 only in the wet amp effects loop and have my drives and boosters in the inputs of both my wet and dry. I'm running all mono, FYI. Any help, I'd be super thankful! Cheers!

Hey man, great videos. Could you please clarify something for me? I would like to use it with a board that I will be running sometimes with a dirty amp or a Kemper (so, some pedals in the FX loop) and other times in front of a clean amp. My idea is to have a patchbay mounted on the side of the board with all the conections. My question is: I can wire everything up, with an out to the FX Loop, but occasionally program it so that I can use the board with a clean amp withou an FX Loop, running everything into the front? Not sure if I made myself clear. Thanks! Cheers from Brazil

I may be 7 years late to this party but the intro video did say that you would be showing us how to use midi to control other devices with the es-8?

21:25 That's the reason I watch your videos. I mean that is a great idea , putting your preamp in a loop.

Can i use a dual expression pedal for two different pedals; or one channel for total pedal volume control. the manual on the es-8 has two exp in; two outs plug 4 control. NOT CLEAR IF th cv outs and exp out is dedicated to what its plugged into ! Why not have expression inputs be assigned to the different pedals that support exp. pedals; but fed thru the es-8 rather than the exp input on each specific pedal. the exp pedal does different thinks to my pitchfork vs tremelo box, perhaps a volume control. But the ES-8 does not seem to have that now; only two exp out; vs being able to supply Qty-8; outputs if you had 8 pedals to support that. OK. next version of the ES--8A !!

Hey, I have just bought a ES-8 and was wondering if you can switch each pedal in manual mode with a different switch on the ES-8? E.g. Switching the pedal connected to send/return 1 with switch number 2 on the ES-8.

Yes, the device is pretty cool, I must have it, but do you think the price is fair? I find it expensive. What do you think about the prices for factory based (not boutique) products should be like ?

Dear Henning. Great video!!! I have a question: can I rename the banks with song titles? I'd like to have a bank for each song and with clicking banks up and down kind of scrolling through the songs. Or does the banks have no name but only the presets? If the latter is the case, does the display show the first preset name if I change the bank?

Does anyone know if there's a way to run a parallel chain to the main chain on the ES-8? I'm trying to use my volume pedal to control only the volume of my Freeze pedal loop rather than the volume of all the loop levels? I could chain the volume pedal and Freeze together in the same loop I suppose but that seems clunkier than a parallel chain. I don't a diagram in the ES-8 manual for what I'm trying to do. Thoughts?

with the 12 assign functions, can the ES-8 take expression pedal input and send that data out through MIDI as CC data to control effects in an AxeFX or other MIDI effects unit?

why call them loops. ? U are ordering the pedals for each preset. not a loop.

Hey! Entertaining as usual. I would like to know if this or any other switching pedal you have come across has two outputs and switches that can act like ABY so I can run two amps, either together or separately. Thanks!

How many midi devices is it capable of controlling independently? Per say, Mobius, Big Sky, and Timeline

First off, thank you for your in-depth reviews! Great stuff! I have a question that you might be exactly the expert to ask. You mentioned that you can assign the switches on the ES-8 to do pretty much anything. So my question is, can you assign one of the switches to become a momentary button that holds the trails infinitely for a delay pedal, only while holding down the switch? For example, I have an Eventide H9 pedal that I only use for delays in loop 6 of the ES8. I then want to program button/switch number 8 on the ES-8 so that when I hold my foot down on it, the delay trails in the H9 change to 100 percent feedback (infinite trails). Then when I release the button (switch 8 on ES-8), the delay trails return to the parameter they were initially programmed to in the H9’s bank. Is this possible? Thank you in advance for your help and rock on.

I think I prob need this ES-8!!!

But can you control pyrotechnics with the bank down switch?

I am considering this looper but I want something to work with my Carvin V3M which uses a FS44l footswitch. That footswitch changes this ---> Ch3-->Ch 1/2-->Reverb-->Boost all through a midi connector. I was considering the PXL Live or the PXL Pro and using the voodoo labs Control Switcher to convert from midi to 1/4 TSR. Question 1: Would the ES-8 do the job of the VL Control switcher so I don't have to buy it? Question 2: If I would still buy it, VL Control switcher, would you recommend the Joyo PXL pro and if so does that work well with a volume pedal? Please help me figure this out because my brain is about to explode. Thanks.

is there a way to control let's say a volume of a fuzz pedal via midi file? thanks!

Yay Kiana!

Kiana + ugly sweater = perfection

GREAT! Funny interesting, fucking funny, great, interesting, funny, great, interesting, funny!

I can think of a hundred people who could have set thru that whole explanation and not taken a damn thing out of it. she may be young and lack experience with all this...but her brain is fine.

hi I just wonder...can I create different patches from one single pedal but using different parameter? For example, the first patch is a distortion with lower gain and the second patch is with higher gain, and I use one single distortion pedal

How does this compare to the Moen GEC9? I just can not justify $700 for ONE pedal. THe GEC9 does just about everything this one can except midi & reordering pedals...and I do not need either. Any other reason this one is better?

Sag mal Henning, kann man eigentlich mit einem Looper auch dem Looper sagen, dass ich meinen Chorus lieber im Fx Loop haben will? Bisher sieht das für mich immer so aus, dass man alles vor dem Amp hat. Für mich gehört ein Delay in den Loop und nicht vor den Amp. Und super interessantes Video mit Kiana :-) "Jugend forscht" ;-) Beste Grüße Steffen

Hi, i´m new here. I have a question. I´m using two different amps( Peavey classic 60 vtx and a Vox ac15Hw1x) through the Boss es8 for the ultimate stereo sound when using modulations, when both amps are connected by the ES8, both amps start to humm, as if the´s a earth/ground issue, when i play them separately they sound fine. Each amp runs on a separate power supply which comes directly from the mains fuse box and I have even gone as far as to check the phase on both amps and es8 power supply. I´m running all my pedals through a t-rex fuel tank chameleon power supply, Boss MD500,RV500,OD200,CS3 and es8, could that be an issue?? Cheers