Boss DS-1 Distortion
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Essential Information About the Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal
Essential Information About the Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal
- Iconic distortion with a sharp grain and musical sustain, a classic since 1978
- Versatile: from tight rock rhythms to aggressive solos, and very effective as a booster at low gain
- Expressive Tone control to sculpt the treble/bass balance without losing definition
- Respects the character of your guitar, pickups, and attack, with a sound that brightens when lowering the guitar volume
Manufacturer Information
Boss
https://www.roland.com
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Roland Central Europe N.V.
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A Foundational Distortion in the BOSS Range
Released in 1978, the DS-1 is the first BOSS distortion pedal and has established itself as a lasting reference on pedalboards. Its circuit marked a turning point: a tighter distortion, richer in harmonics and clearer at high gain than many effects of the era. The result: an immediately recognizable "DS-1 sound," associated with decades of hard rock, punk, and metal, while remaining relevant in modern productions.For Whom, Which Styles, and In What Contexts?
The Boss DS-1 is aimed both at beginners looking for a simple and effective first guitar effects pedal, and at experienced musicians wanting a classic distortion that's easy to integrate. It excels in rock, hard rock, punk, and metal, but also adds bite in blues-rock with moderate distortion settings. In the studio, it helps lay down guitars that "cut through" the mix; live, its straightforward response and clarity facilitate heavy rhythms and standout leads.Controls and Sound Approach: Simple but Highly Usable
With its three controls (Level, Tone, Distortion), the DS-1 goes straight to the point: Level adjusts output volume, Distortion controls gain from a slight boost to heavier saturation, and Tone acts as a true equalization tool. Turning it to the right increases brightness and tightens the bass; to the left, it thickens and softens the upper spectrum. This range of adjustment allows it to be used in front of an already crunchy amp, on a clean channel, or as a boost to push a vintage amp while retaining definition.Sound Character
The DS-1 offers a tight distortion, with a clear attack and pronounced presence, ideal for precise riffs and palm mutes that remain clear. Its dynamics respond well to playing variations: hitting harder thickens the sound, and lowering the guitar volume brightens the saturation without becoming muddy. Rather than flattening everything, it preserves the personality of the pickups and instrument, making it convincing across several guitars within the same set.Technical specifications
| Effects | Distortion | Type | sector |
| Format | Pedal | Use | electric guitar |
| EQ | Tone | Color | Orange |
| Nominal input level | -20 dBu | Options | series adapter |
| Input impedance | 470 ohms | Width | 73 mm |
| Nominal output level | -20 dBu | Depth | 129 mm |
| Output impedance | 1000 ohms | Height | 59 mm |
| Equivalent input noise level | -122 dBu (IHF-A, typical) | Weight | 400 g |
| Jacks | INPUT 6.35mm Jack, OUTPUT 6.35mm Jack, power adapter input (9 V DC) | Consumption | 4 mA (DC 9 V) |
| Power supply | DC 9 V (9 V battery type, adapter) | Required voltage | 9 V DC |
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Customer reviews
What customers say
Summarized and selected by AI from recent customer reviews
Professional-grade distortion pedal praised for versatility and solid construction. Customers said "excellent distortion, saturated sound without excess" and noted it's ideal for rock, punk, and metal. Settings are sensitive but allow wide sound variety. Some mention background noise at high volumes and difficulty with arpeggios.
Review highlights
- “Excellent distortion, saturated sound without excess.”
- “Versatile effects pedal, works with any guitar and amp for crunchy, heavy sound.”
- “Versatile pedal that respects amp settings while improving certain aspects.”
Based on 66 reviews
- 2 stars, 0 reviews
- 1 star, 0 reviews
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Superb pedal! Light and small enough to fit in a scratch bag
The superbly well packaged package nothing to say about the cleanliness and seriousness of Woodbrass. Of all the mail-order sites I've purchased from, this one exceeds them all at every level. But hey let's get back to the BOSS DS-1 pedal.
In a few words it's a lot of quality at a fairly low price! The adjustment buttons (dist, tone and level) are very easily adjustable. I was looking for a distortion pedal that had a fairly “clear” sound and now I am thrilled! The pedal is sold in excellent condition with English and French instructions. A battery is already included (icing on the cake).
A HUGE thank you to the entire WOODBRASS team who took great care of my order in record time.
Have a nice day!Automatically translated
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Excellent pedal that holds up well in the treble.
The sound is really powerful. But always a bit of background noise during solos, you don't have to turn everything on!
It is perfect for metal rhythms.
Instructions provided in English, but Woodbrass provided one in French. It contains diagrams for adjusting the pedal to obtain specific sounds.
At that price! Go for it!Automatically translated
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Excellent pedal that holds up well in the treble.
The sound is really powerful. But always a bit of background noise during solos, you don't have to turn everything on!
It is perfect for metal rhythms.
Instructions provided in English, but Woodbrass provided one in French. It contains diagrams for adjusting the pedal to obtain specific sounds.
At that price! Go for it!Automatically translated
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Excellent distortion pedal, versatile, precise, powerful... This pedal is a distortion pedal that covers a large part of styles ranging from blues-rock to rock-metal. Well suited for shred solos. She is the little sister of the Boss Megadistorsion.
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As soon as the pedal is activated we find the sound of a famous rock title, easy to use it offers a good range of pop, rock, punk and hard sounds
The boss case is sturdy and difficult to move the knobs involuntary
Very good quality/price ratioAutomatically translated
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Questions frequently asked
Is the Boss DS-1 suitable for rock and metal?
This pedal delivers a tight distortion with a sharp attack, suitable for rock, hard rock, punk, and metal riffs. Palm mutes remain clear even at high gain.
Can the DS-1 be used with a clean or crunchy amp?
It can be placed in front of a clean channel to achieve pronounced distortion or in front of a crunchy amp to enhance saturation. The Level control also allows it to be used as a boost.
What controls are available on this distortion pedal?
There are three controls: Level, Tone, and Distortion. Tone emphasizes brightness and tightens the lows when turned to the right, while turning it left softens the high end. Distortion adjusts the gain from a mild boost to a thicker saturation.
What power supply is required for the Boss DS-1 pedal?
The required power is 9 V DC, from a 9 V battery or an AC adapter. The indicated current consumption is 4 mA.
What are the connectors and dimensions of the DS-1?
The connections include a 6.35 mm jack input and output, as well as a 9 V DC adapter jack. The enclosure measures 73 × 129 × 59 mm and weighs 400 g.
