Boss VE-1

The Boss VE-1 is a vocal effects pedal the maker calls the Vocal Echo: a box that adds echo and reverb to a singing voice, with an enhancer built in. Boss describes it as something that "greatly enhances any voice with spaciousness and sparkle, and it's really easy to use, even if you're a newcomer to" vocal effects¹. It sits in Boss's VE range of vocal pedals, alongside the Boss VE-2 Vocal Harmonist, Boss VE-20 Vocal Performer and Boss VE-500 Vocal Performer.

What it does

The VE-1 is built around vocal reverb and echo. Boss frames it plainly: "Studio-grade reverb is crucial for every vocalist"¹. The pedal combines echo and reverb with an enhancer, the part Boss credits with adding spaciousness and sparkle to a voice¹.

The presets are not a simple depth dial. Boss explains that "The seven built-in presets don't simply increase in depth or intensity as you step through them, they each contain" multiple reverbs adjusted per setting¹. In other words, each of the seven echo presets is its own combination of reverbs tuned to that setting, rather than one reverb getting bigger.

On top of the seven presets, the pedal holds "four different settings, including your current live setup with the VE-1"¹, so a player can keep a live configuration alongside the factory echo presets.

Design and support

Boss says the sounds were designed by "BOSS engineers" who "have used their decades of accumulated expertise in vocal reverb to design and meticulously craft these" effects, with input from top recording engineers from around the world¹.

For computer connection, Boss supplies a Windows driver, currently at Ver.1.0.2 for Windows 10/11². Boss also notes a caveat for USB setups: "VE-1 may not perform to its full specs when used with an added USB 2.0 interface card"³.

Videos

Click to load

Click to load

Click to load

Questions