If you’ve ever walked into a music store and thought, “I want to change my tuning without swapping guitars,” or, “I wish I could play harmonies with myself,” you’re already thinking about pitch pedals. These clever effects don’t just shift notes up or down; they open doors to new sounds, styles, and creative possibilities. If you want to instantly drop-tune for heavier riffs, double your lines an octave up for shimmering textures, or dive into expressive harmony playing, you’ve come to the right place. Simply put: a pitch pedal can completely transform your playing.
Pitch Pedal Potential
BOSS has been pioneering pitch-based effects for decades, from the groundbreaking OC-2 Octave launched in 1982 to today’s cutting-edge XS series. Over the decades, BOSS pitch pedals have evolved from simple octave tools into class-leading workstations that retune your entire instrument in real time with stunning realism.
Right now, BOSS is leading the industry as we enter a new era in pitch shifting. There’s never been a better time to explore this exciting corner of the effects pedal world.
Your Creative Journey
Before choosing the right pedal, it helps to think about your goals. Are you:
• Aiming to thicken your sound or emulate bass tones?
• Looking to harmonize your solos?
• Chasing instant down tunings and capo effects?
• Ready to experiment and explore new sonic textures?
Once you know your goal, finding the right pedal becomes simple. Let’s look at what each BOSS pitch pedal offers and how it fits into your creative journey.
"Right now, BOSS is leading the industry as we enter a new era in pitch shifting."
Instant Retuning and Advanced Pitch Control:
The XS Series
The XS-1 and XS-100 Poly Shifters represent the latest generation of BOSS pitch innovation. Designed with state-of-the-art polyphonic algorithms, they capture every nuance of your playing—from light picking dynamics to full chords—with complete realism.
Imagine being able to switch from standard tuning to drop C with a single foot tap. Or instantly extend your range to that of a seven- or eight-string guitar—all without ever changing your instrument. That’s exactly what the XS series allows you to do.
"The XS-1 and XS-100 Poly Shifters represent the latest generation of BOSS pitch innovation."
Rapid Retuning, Flawless Sound: XS-1 Poly Shifter
The XS-1 provides effortless, natural-sounding pitch shifting that feels completely organic. It’s ideal for players who want to instantly retune (during or between songs) and explore drop tunings or capo effects without interrupting their performance.
Like the OC-5 Octave, the XS-1 can blend an additional octave to thicken riffs, and like the PS-6 Harmonist, it can harmonize and bend pitches. But its advanced polyphonic tracking and realistic string response make it stand apart. It’s perfect for those seeking accurate, lifelike retuning on the fly.
It’s helpful to think of the XS-1 as your live set problem-solver: one guitar, many tunings, and zero downtime.
"The XS-1 provides effortless, natural-sounding pitch shifting that feels completely organic."
Unrivaled Dynamic Pitch Expression: XS-100 Poly Shifter
The XS-100 builds on everything the XS-1 offers while pushing pitch effects further than ever before. It’s not just a bigger version. It’s a complete pitch-shifting workstation with deep customization and expressive control.
The XS-100 offers an enormous eight-octave range and lets you save presets for specific songs or tunings. The onboard expression pedal can be fully personalized for different techniques, and you can even fine-tune its response curve to match your playing style.
Picture moving smoothly from a deep baritone drop to an ethereal upper-octave shimmer mid-song, all within one preset. The XS-100 makes complex changes feel smooth and expressive. It gives you complete control over how pitch responds to your touch.
If your goal is total creative freedom, from detailed harmony programming to natural-sounding retuning and pitch sweeps, the XS-100 is the ultimate solution. It’s the flagship pitch pedal in the BOSS line-up and is the new industry standard.
"The XS-100 is a complete pitch-shifting workstation with deep customization and expressive control."
Premium Octave Power: OC-5 Octave
If you want to add weight, warmth, or synth-like depth to your tone, the OC-5 is the go-to choice. This pedal focuses purely on octaves. It’s a foundational pitch effect, but don’t underestimate its simplicity—it can dramatically expand your sound.
You can blend your clean tone with one and/or two octaves below, and/or an octave above, crafting anything from subtle low-end reinforcement to organ-like tones to huge sub-bass textures. For two-piece bands or solo musicians, the OC-5 can make a guitar sound like multiple performers.
The OC-5 carries the DNA of the legendary OC-2 from 1982, offering a “Vintage” mode that recreates its warm analog character and a modern “Poly” mode that easily tackles chords.
If you’re aiming to fill out your tone or create bold, synth-like effects without a learning curve or menu-diving, the OC-5 is your perfect first step into the world of pitch pedals.
"If you want to add weight, warmth, or synth-like depth to your tone, the OC-5 is the go-to choice."
Bend, Shift, and Riff in Harmony:
PS-6 Harmonist
Some players don’t just want to shift pitch. They want to play with harmony, textures, and sweeps, and that’s where the PS-6 comes in.
The PS-6 is designed for musicians who want to create harmonies, bends, and detuned effects in real time. You can set it to generate two- or three-part harmonies in any of the 12 keys, major or minor, transforming a single guitar line into a full, harmonized section.
Beyond harmonies, the PS-6 includes S-Bend mode for dramatic pitch sweeps, Pitch Shifter mode for interval shifts, and Detune mode for subtle chorus-style thickening.
Pair it with an optional expression pedal, such as the BOSS EV-30, FV-500H/L, and Roland EV-5, to perform head-turning glissandos, slides, and dive bombs in real time—all hands free.
If your goal is expressive lead work or adding creative movement to your playing, the PS-6 offers powerful tools in a compact, performance-friendly form.
"The PS-6 is designed for musicians who want to create harmonies, bends, and detuned effects in real time."
Choosing the Right Pedal for You
Now that you know what each pedal does, think back to your goals:
- Want rapid retuning or unrivalled pitch expression? Check out the XS-1 or XS-100.
- Want to thicken your tone and add bass-like depth? Discover the OC-5.
- Want harmonies, pitch shifting, and expressive effects? Explore the PS-6.
Each BOSS pitch pedal is built with decades of DSP expertise and designed to preserve your instrument’s natural tone while expanding its creative reach.
From simple octave doubling to advanced multi-voice harmonies and beyond, your choice depends not on technical skill, but on what inspires you most as a player.
Pitch pedals aren’t just about shifting notes. They’re about discovering new ways to play, compose, and perform. Whether exploring new tunings, layering melodies, or reinventing your live setup, BOSS gives you the tools to bring your ideas to life.
