The Becos TS8-MS is a multi-voiced overdrive pedal with MIDI switching, made by Becos FX in Romania. Guitar.com reviewed it at £225, describing it as a "Screamer with MIDI switching capabilities", and noted its rugged black Hammond 1590B aluminum case with clearly printed white labeling.1
The controls and overdrive voices
The top panel carries gain, tone and level knobs, a 3-way mini-toggle for the overdrive voice, and an internal MIDI rotary control.1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Overdrive amount |
| Tone | Tone shaping |
| Level | Output level |
| 3-way mini-toggle | Selects overdrive voice: classic, asymmetric or custom |
| Internal MIDI rotary control | MIDI setup |
The mini-toggle offers a choice of three different overdrive voices: classic, asymmetric and custom.1
The custom voice ties into the pedal's most unusual feature: sockets for the clipping diodes. The circuit clips with silicon diodes, but Becos has provided sockets for customization and actively encourages experimentation with different germanium and/or silicon diodes, so the clipping character can be changed by the owner.1
MIDI, bypass and external switching
The TS8-MS is as much a switching device as an overdrive, which places it among MIDI pedals and switching pedals as well as overdrive pedals. Its features are1:
- MIDI switching, with a five-pin MIDI in/out socket
- Buffered or true bypass footswitch
- External switching, via a jack output
- MIDI in/out1
The pedal responds to MIDI program change and MIDI control change for all of its switching capabilities, both bypass and voice selection, and it works in MIDI receive and transmit mode, meaning it can also be used as a MIDI controller for other gear.1
Build and what reviewers said
The pedal comes in a rugged black Hammond 1590B aluminum case with clearly printed white labeling, and measures 120 x 61 x 31 mm.1
Guitar.com's November 2019 review of the Becos TS8-MS described it as a multi-voiced overdrive pedal with MIDI switching, made in Romania, housed in a rugged black Hammond 1590B aluminum case with clearly printed white labeling.1
Videos
BECOS FX
BECOS FX
Questions
Is the Becos TS8-MS true bypass?
The TS8-MS has a footswitch that can be set for either buffered or true bypass, so you can choose how the pedal behaves when it is off. That bypass switching is also under MIDI control: the pedal responds to MIDI program change and control change messages for all of its switching, including bypass, and it can send those messages too.
Can you swap the clipping diodes in the Becos TS8-MS?
Yes. The pedal clips with silicon diodes, but Becos has fitted sockets so the diodes can be changed, and the maker actively encourages experimenting with different germanium and/or silicon diodes. That is also the basis of the custom voice on the three-way toggle switch.
Where is the Becos TS8-MS made?
The TS8-MS is made in Romania. Becos FX is based in Constanta City, Romania, and the pedal is described as a multi-voiced overdrive with MIDI switching made there.
What size is the Becos TS8-MS?
The pedal measures 120 x 61 x 31 mm, in a black Hammond 1590B aluminium enclosure with white printed labelling.
Is the Becos TS8-MS an analog circuit?
Yes. At the heart of the pedal is an 808-style analog circuit with gain, tone and level controls. The MIDI switching sits around that analog core rather than replacing it.
Sources (1)
- Review: Becos TS8-MS Overdrive Midi Switcher, Guitar.com, 2019-11-07
