Boss has lifted the curtain on two new pitch-shifting pedals designed to push expression into uncharted territory: the XS-100 Poly Shifter and its compact sibling, the XS-1 Poly Shifter. Both pedals promise unmatched clarity and polyphonic tracking across a massive range of applications, from instant drop tunings to fluid pitch bends, thanks to next-generation algorithms that preserve every nuance of your playing.
The XS-100 is a full-fledged pitch-shifting workstation. Its onboard pedal sweeps across four octaves up or down with linear control, while independent rise and fall speeds allow for “motor-revving” effects and nuanced bends.
A built-in toe switch introduces momentary pitch jumps with customizable range and timing, while dual footswitches enable instant retuning across eight octaves. With 30 onboard memories, MIDI I/O, and support for external footswitches or expression pedals, the XS-100 is a powerhouse for players who want total command of pitch on stage or in the studio.
The XS-1, meanwhile, distills that power into Boss’s iconic compact format. Offering +/- seven semitones and three octaves of range, it covers everything from alternate tunings to 12-string emulations, octave layering, and lush detuned doubling. Its Balance control blends wet and dry signals for creative textures, while flexible footswitch assignments and expression pedal compatibility add performance depth.
Both pedals deliver high-definition tone without the digital artifacts that have long plagued pitch shifters, tracking chords and sustained notes with natural feel and stunning clarity. Whether you’re chasing authentic alternate tunings, crafting synth-like textures, or exploring radical bends, the XS series opens the door to fresh tonal frontiers.
The Boss XS-100 and XS-1 will be available in October 2025 for $349.99 and $199.99. Get ’em here and keep up with all our Boss coverage right here!
