Boss SL-2 Slicer

The Boss SL-2 Slicer is a compact effect pedal that chops your sound into percussive rhythmic patterns, many of them processed with internal filters and effects. Boss describes it as a BOSS original that "chops your sound into unique percussive patterns," built on modern DSP that delivers single and dual Slicer paths with multiple internal effects¹. Where a tremolo pedal simply raises and lowers volume, the Slicer carves a signal into groove-shaped slices, closer to what a producer does when chopping a sample.

Boss positions it as an amplitude modulation effect aimed at players working in neo-psychedelic or dance-influenced genres, and says it works for guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, loop performers and DJs²³. It arrived in November 2022 as a compact reinvention of the earlier SL-20 Slicer, priced at $169.99 in the US at launch, with some outlets reporting $169 or $170⁴⁵⁶¹.

What it does: chopping your sound into rhythmic patterns

The Slicer takes whatever you feed it, guitar, bass, keys or a loop, and gates it into repeating rhythmic figures. Boss says the SL-2 lets you "instantly create compelling sonic grooves with single and dual Slicer paths processed with multiple internal effects," and that the Attack control shapes the edge of the waveform "for everything from hard-chopped slices to soft, fluttering movements"¹. At high attack you get hard, percussive chops; backed off, the slices soften into something closer to flutter.

The two inputs allow feeding the pedal either a stereo signal or two different audio sources for extra creative possibilities⁷. Delicious Audio called it "a generator of rhythmic patterns" and "the new little brother of one of the most creative pedals" in the Boss line⁷.

Effect types and patterns

The SL-2 carries 88 memory locations with pre-loaded patterns, organized as eight pattern types with 11 variations each¹. A single-function type knob selects the effect type⁸.

Premier Guitar's reviewer described the range as "options for a single signal-slicing path, dual signal-slicing paths, tremolo, a harmonic mode (pitch modulated rhythmic patterns), and an SFX mode (multiple effects on each pattern)"⁸.

Controls, tap tempo and output volume

The control set is compact: a tempo knob, a type knob, an Attack control for the waveform edge, and a Balance knob with +/-12 dB of output level adjustment for command of the direct/effect mix⁹.

• Tempo: set with the dedicated knob, or hold the pedal switch to engage tap tempo mode for hands-free control⁷⁴.
• Footswitch: controls bypass and tap tempo with the onboard pedal switch¹.
• External footswitch: plug one in to instantly tap in the tempo or engage the effect with momentary presses¹¹⁰.
• Expression pedal: connect one to control knob parameters or the overall level as you perform¹¹⁰.
• Output volume: hold the footswitch and turn the tempo knob; Premier Guitar found the range runs from -7 dB to "a very hot 20 dB"⁸.

Reviewers found that with such a wide range of capabilities, the Slicer is an inspiration machine that can refresh your playing⁸.

Stereo, MIDI and external control

For stereo rigs, the SL-2 offers seven stereo output modes¹:

Premier Guitar's reviewer found the two 3D settings "the most psychedelic, creating the illusion of a forward/backward kind of movement as sounds pan," and noted that the ping-pong setting "sometimes feels like multiple guitars"⁸.

The TRS MIDI input handles clock sync and CC control¹. You can sync the SL-2 to a drum machine, a DAW, or any other device that sends MIDI clock, and control expression, tempo and bypass functions via MIDI CC messages⁷. This makes it a natural fit for players already running MIDI pedals on their board.

From the SL-20 to a compact pedal

The SL-2 evolved from the SL-20 Slicer, a twin-pedal "Audio Pattern Processor" Boss announced at Musikmesse in March 2008¹¹⁰⁷. MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen reviewed the SL-20 as "a creative yet immensely practical tool for chopping up your audio into rhythmic patterns," designed to transform any played instrument or recorded track into a percussive chopped groove¹¹.

The SL-2 "offers expanded capabilities while shrinking the size to the pedalboard-friendly BOSS compact format," fitting the whole engine into a standard compact Boss enclosure¹¹². One trade-off: the SL-20 had full-sized MIDI In and Outs, which the SL-2 replaces with the TRS MIDI input³.

What reviewers said

Premier Guitar's review was positive on capability but candid about the learning curve: "It's not particularly intuitive, and it can feel hard to discern differences in some sounds," and the reviewer noted there is no comprehensive list of what effects or rhythms each setting features⁸. On sound, the same reviewer found that lead parts in single and dual settings with high tempo and lower attack "evoke a broken-Leslie kind of sound, especially in 3D modes," and that harmonic and tremolo types at slow to medium tempos "creates lots of ambient space"⁸.

Gearnews called it "a very creative effect that can be used by guitarists, bassists, keyboard players, loop performers and DJs, etc"³¹³. Pedal of the Day's review highlighted the 88 patterns, seven stereo output modes, MIDI clock sync and the +/-12 dB effect level control¹⁰¹.

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