The Boss BE-5 is a multi-effect pedal from Boss's first generation of multi-effects, the idea being, as DIY Fever's reviewer put it, that "multi-effect pedals were basically just a couple of standard pedals jammed in the same box"1. It combines five sections in one enclosure: compressor, overdrive/distortion, noise suppressor, digital delay and chorus, with mono and stereo outputs1. The closely related Boss BE-5M is covered on its own page.
Signal chain and jacks
The signal chain runs from right to left through compressor, overdrive/distortion, noise suppressor, digital delay and chorus1. The jack panel reflects that layout:
- Input
- Tuner out
- FX loop send/receive jacks, positioned between the noise gate and the delay
- Mono and stereo out1
The power input takes a DC plug with the polarity negative on the inside pin1.
The five sections
Compressor and overdrive/distortion. The drive circuit is very close to the Boss OS-2, according to DIY Fever's reviewer, who compared the schematic1. On That Pedal Show, Mick and Dan were emphatic about this part of the related BE-5M: "That drive section is incredible."2
Noise suppressor. A stripped-down section with only a Threshold knob and no bypass switch; it can only be turned all the way down to effectively remove it from the chain1. The reviewer found "it does the job without killing tone too much", and that it still cuts some noise even turned down1.
Digital delay. Similar to the highly acclaimed early Boss DD-3, but with slightly longer maximum delay, up to one second of delay time1. The reviewer found the repeats very clean with no added noise, describing a clean and natural sound with some warmth1.
Chorus. Rate and depth controls without any tone shaping, just like the Boss CE-21. The reviewer called it "really nice sounding, simple chorus", ranging from subtle to lush deep chorus1.
Build and known issues
The enclosure is plastic, which the reviewer describes as tough despite calling it ugly, and the footswitches are plastic too1. Inside, a conductive plastic shell helps shield the circuit from noise1. The reviewer notes the circuit layout is not great, auto-routed with many jumpers, but not bad enough to cause any noise issues1.
The plastic switch actuators are the BE-5's known weak point: they wear and make poor contact with the board-mounted momentary switches, causing switching problems1. DIY Fever's reviewer fixed his by replacing the four miniature switches with similar rectangular 6x3.5mm SPST tactile switches with the same pinout and height, which fixed the issue1.
What reviewers said
DIY Fever's reviewer has a long relationship with the pedal: "I bought one new in the 1980s and have used it regularly ever since", more than 35 years of regular use1. His verdict across the sections is broadly positive on sound, with the chorus and delay singled out, and the noise suppressor judged effective for what it is1.
Owners and reviewers who have spent time with the BE-5 and BE-5M point to the individual effect sections. One long-term owner, Lee, who bought a BE-5 new in the 1980s and has used it regularly for over 35 years, described the chorus as "really nice sounding, simple chorus" and found the digital delay's repeats "very clean with no added noise"12. On the noise suppressor, the same reviewer said "it does the job without killing tone too much"1. Of the BE-5M, a reviewer wrote, "That drive section is incredible."2
For how Boss's modern multi-effects compare, see the multi-effects pedals type page, or current units such as the Boss GX-100 and Boss GT-1000.
Videos
CigarBGuitarefx
TheSuperFunAwesomeHappyTimePedalShow
Dan Leggatt
Questions
What order are the effects in on the Boss BE-5?
The signal chain runs from right to left through the compressor, then the overdrive/distortion, then the noise suppressor, then the digital delay, and finally the chorus. The jacks are arranged accordingly, with the FX loop send and receive jacks sitting between the noise gate and the delay sections.
Does the Boss BE-5 have an effects loop?
Yes. The BE-5 has FX loop send and receive jacks, positioned between the noise gate and the delay in the signal chain. The related BE-5M also has an insert loop that supports the four cable method, as That Pedal Show noted in their review.
Does the Boss BE-5 have a tuner output?
Yes. Alongside the main input, the BE-5 carries a tuner out jack, plus the FX loop send and receive jacks and both mono and stereo outputs.
Is the Boss BE-5 a stereo pedal?
It can be. The BE-5 offers both mono and stereo outputs, so it can feed a single amp or a stereo rig depending on how you hook it up.
Why do the footswitches on a Boss BE-5 stop working?
The plastic switch actuators wear out over time and stop making good contact with the small board-mounted momentary switches underneath. DIY Fever's reviewer fixed his by replacing the four miniature switches with similar rectangular 6x3.5mm SPST tactile switches with the same pinout and height, which cured the problem.
Is the Boss BE-5 enclosure plastic or metal?
Plastic. The reviewer describes it as tough plastic, and the inner shell is conductive plastic that helps shield the circuit from noise. The footswitches are plastic too, which is where the known switching problem comes from.
Sources (2)
- Reviews > Effects > Boss BE-5 : DIY Fever, DIY Fever (diy-fever.com)
- 1991 Boss BE-5M Multi-FX vs Modern Boutique Guitar Pedals, That Pedal Show (YouTube), 2026-08-21
