Boss XS-1 Poly Shifter

After venturing in to see what the DigiTech Whammy II Harmonizer & Pitch Shifter had to offer last week, I was excited to see today’s pedal, and what it was capable of. Coming in a much smaller enclosure, and a quicker, more modern style, the Boss XS-1 Poly Shifter was the wonderful surprise I knew it would be. Bringing the world of pitch bending roaring into 2025, this baby blue gem defies space, time and logic, producing a myriad of tones you might not have thought about using before. This one is a wild ride, come along as we check it out…

The XS-1 delivers instant retuning in a convenient, compact footprint. Driven by advanced BOSS algorithms years in the making, this magical pedal transforms the overall pitch while maintaining your instrument’s true character. You get speedy tracking, crystal-clear response, and zero compromise in tone — whether shifting down, simulating a capo, or using extreme octave jumps for effect. With the XS-1, you can shift tunings on demand and retain great sound, feel, and response — without ever breaking the momentum of a show.

The XS-1 adapts to virtually any musical need. Thanks to the signature Boss compact interface, dialing in sounds is fast and intuitive. It’s easy to create evocative doubling effects with high-definition tone, taking your musical journey to places you haven’t been before. Connect an expression pedal to continuously change the effect settings for the expression pedal’s pushed-up (horizontal) position and for the pushed-down (slanted) position, transforming the XS-1 into a dynamic pitch-bending tool for dramatic, ear-turning shifts.

Class-leading pitch shifting quality realized with new BOSS algorithms

Instantly change the pitch of a guitar, bass, or other instrument

Clear response and natural feel that retains the fundamental sound character

Change pitch across +/- seven semitones or +/- three octaves

Balance knob adjusts the mix between the effect and direct sound

Detune function (+/- 20 cents) to create rich doubling effects

Selectable pedal switch modes for toggle or momentary operation

Connect external footswitches for quick access to up to three tuning setups, or use an expression pedal for linear pitch control

Small but powerful seems to be the name of the game with nearly every compact Boss pedal out there, and the XS-1 Poly Shifter is no different. Your instrument’s attack and tonal character are fully preserved, and even complex chords and sustained lead tones – typically a challenge for pitch shifters — are reproduced with stunning clarity. It’s always nice when a new Boss device lands on our doorstep – thanks as always to those guys for sending another astonishing pedal our way to check out. Be sure to visit their website for more info, shop Boss gear via our Affiliate Links below, and don’t forget to check out our demo video to see and hear the XS-1 in action – and Happy Early Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!!