The New Boss SL-2 Slicer Pedal Is in a Class of Its Own

Making its debut in the 2008 Boss catalog, the SL-20 Slicer Audio Pattern Processor promised to “instantly transform a guitar, bass, keyboard, or vocal into a pulsating groove instrument.”

With 50 onboard Slice patterns, a 40-second loop function, 3D Panning and more, this Twin Pedal series stompbox was said to “inject a shot of high-octane fuel into your music,” though it was eventually dropped from production several years ago.

However, as is so often the case with discontinued products, the SL-20 subsequently picked up a bit of a cult following. Guitarists as well as keyboardists, loop performers, DJs and producers all wanted their own slice of the SL-20.

With prices of used SL-20s continuously on the rise (they’ve been going for upwards of $300 lately) and following innumerable requests from music makers for Boss to update this sought-after effect, the firm has finally responded with the new SL-2 Slicer.

Evolving directly from the larger SL-20 Twin Pedal, the SL-2 appears in Boss’s iconic compact pedal format and takes the distinctive Slicer sound forward with expanded capabilities.

DSP has come a long way since the ‘00s, and with a $169.99 price tag the upgraded SL-2 Slicer will no doubt be giving the old SL-20 a run for its money on the used market.

Chopping your signal into unique percussive patterns, Boss says the new pedalboard-friendly SL-2 Slicer delivers “rich, animated sounds using single and dual paths chained with multiple internal effects.”

Now with 88 patterns to choose from (comprising eight types and 11 variations) plus additional patterns via the BOSS Tone Studio app, the SL-2 offers an original style of effect that works equally as well in the studio as it does on stage.

Utilizing the SL-2 Slicer’s two outputs and seven output modes, guitar players can experiment with the stereo field using a variety of processing options.

Furthermore, with MIDI CC message and clock sync functions, tap tempo, momentary switching and multiple parameter expression control, the new Boss SL-2 takes the Slicer’s creative potential to a whole new level.

Visit Boss for more information.