Many guitarists are capitalizing on the fine assortment of sounds that contemporary modeling amps and digital effect pedals can provide. For those players who still seek traditional methods, and want to keep it simple, the Boss DS-1 distortion pedal is the way to go. The unit provides quality distortion and sustain; it’s easy to use and very affordable.
The DS-1 Stomp Box Provides Distortion and Sustain
The DS-1 pedal has been around for over twenty years and is still considered an essential piece of equipment for both guitar players and keyboardists alike. How does this component manage to remain vital? The answer is distortion and sustain.
Within the context of electric guitars, in its simplest definition, distortion is the alteration of sound. When guitar strings are plucked or picked the ensuing sound is carried through the guitar’s cable, out of the body of the instrument, by way of an electric signal. When routed into the Boss DS-1, noise is added, also known as processing, which alters the guitar signal before it gets into the amplifier. Technically speaking, this makes the DS-1 a “signal processor.”
Electric guitar distortion is highly desirable. Ground-breaking artists, including Jimi Hendrix, achieved legendary pop icon status because they were the first musicians that truly appreciated the distortion effect.
Sustain, when it comes to guitars, is the amount of time you can hear the sound of the strings after they’ve been picked or plucked; in other words, how long the notes linger before they no longer can be heard.
Most axe players crave sustain because it’s pleasurable to the ears. There are other products on the market that address nothing but sustain control; the DS-1 has achieved its celebrated status because of the distinctive characteristics it offers, sustain being just one of them.
Three Knobs Control the Sound
Tone, distortion, and level are the only creative controls on the unit. Turned clockwise, all three rotating knobs increase their effects.
According to the owner’s manual, the tone knob “controls the tone of the distortion sounds. Rotating the knob counterclockwise cuts higher frequencies, creating softer, warmer sounds.”
The distortion knob manages “the depth of distortion sounds and the length of sustained sounds.”
As for the level knob, it “adjusts the level of the effect sounds.”
Any DS-1 operator can mix and match the knob settings to produce a variety of sounds. For example, turn the tone knob counterclockwise all the way to the left, the distortion to 9 o’clock and the level to 12 o’clock in order to attain a warm sound.
Then, twist the tone knob up to 12 o’clock, the distortion to 5 o’clock while keeping the level at twelve and voilah! – British punk.
Note that when the unit was tested over and over, the knobs turned smoothly, in either direction, with no scratchy audio disturbance.
Connections are Simple
The DS-1 has an input and output that only accepts 1/4-inch cable ends. The input also activates the unit so it’s best to remove the cable from it when not in use. There’s also an input for an optional AC adaptor, 1/8-inch connection.
Once the cables are in place, step on the pedal’s black rubber foot grip and it’s off to different sonic sound scapes.
Product Dimensions are Small
The DS-1, 2-7/8 (W) x 5-1/8 (D) x 2-3/8 (H) inches, which converts to 73 (W) x 129 (D) x 59 (H) mm, is a sturdy metal assembly.
The Pros Far Outweigh the Cons
The only criticism is battery life. The unit takes a single 9-volt battery which only seems to last for a couple of hours. The recommended life for carbon batteries is supposed to be 90 hours but don’t count on it. The lone red indicator light near the top of the knobs started to fade after an hour and a half or so and the difference was heard in less volume. The problem is quickly remedied with the optional AC adapter.
For EU countries, this pedal complies with the requirements of European Directive 89/336/EEC.
If the unit is used for a lengthy live performance, keep a battery installed in the unit anyway, even with the AC adapter on, to avoid the pitfall of pulling the plug out during an important gig.
The Boss DS-1 Distortion effect, manufactured in Taiwan, is made by the Roland Corporation and sells for about $40 US.
Source
- DS-1 Distortion pedal owners manual, Copyright © 1994, Boss Corporation, Japan.
Paul Wolfle - Paul J. Wolfle, B.A., A R M, a freelance writer with a penchant for communicating ideas about popular culture and entertainment, ...
