Alex Bonanno 
Overview
The BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver is a popular overdrive pedal that simulates the sound of a tube amplifier. This pedal is known for its warm, natural, and responsive overdrive sound, and is often used to add a mild overdrive to a guitar's tone or to create a more aggressive, distorted tone. The BD-2 is also known for its versatility, as it can be used in a variety of musical genres, including pop, blues, rock, and country.
What is it? | Analog/Digital | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| Overdrive | Analog | Yes |
How does it sound?
Useful Links
Here is a summary of the controls and features found on the BOSS BD-2
Level: The Level control adjusts the overall output level of the pedal, allowing you to match the volume of the pedal to the rest of your rig.
Tone: The Tone control adjusts the frequency balance of the output, allowing you to tailor the pedal's sound to your guitar and amplifier.
Drive: The Drive control adjusts the amount of overdrive, allowing you to achieve a wide range of tones from mild overdrive to heavy distortion.
Footswitch: Activates and deactivates the effect.
Led: Indicates when the effect is active.
To use the CS-3, simply connect your instrument to the input jack, connect the output jack to your amplifier or other effects pedals, and adjust the level, tone, and drive controls to achieve the desired sound. Press the footswitch to activate the effect, and the LED will light up to indicate that the effect is active. Press the footswitch again to deactivate the effect.
How to use it
Using the BOSS BD-2 as a clean boost: This technique allows you to increase the volume of your guitar signal without adding any overdrive or distortion to your tone. This is great for for pushing your amplifier into overdrive for a natural tube distortion sound. It's also a great option for boosting your signal during solos or other parts of a song where you need to stand out in the mix. Here's how to use the BOSS BD-2 as a clean boost:
Drive: 0, Level: 12 o'clock, Tone: 12 o'clock. With these settings, you'll have a clean boost that adds some volume and clarity to your tone without adding any overdrive or distortion. The Level control is set to noon, which is a good starting point for matching the volume of the pedal to the rest of your rig. The Tone control is also set to noon, which provides a neutral tonal balance. You can adjust the Tone control to taste to get the sound that works best for your guitar and amplifier.
Remember that these settings are just a starting point, and you can adjust them to get the sound that works best for you. For example, you might want to increase the Level control for a louder boost, or decrease the Tone control for a darker tone. Experiment with different settings and see what works best for your playing style and musical genre.
To set the BOSS BD-2 for a more crunch sound, you'll want to adjust the Drive control to add some overdrive or distortion to your tone. Here's how you can set it up:
Start by setting the Level control to your desired volume level. Then turn the Drive control up to around 9 o'clock. This will add a mild overdrive to your tone that can give you a warm and crunchy sound. Adjust the Tone control to your liking.
If you want more crunch, turn the Drive control up further. You can experiment with different Drive settings to find the sweet spot that works best for your playing style and musical genre.
Remember that the BOSS BD-2 is a versatile pedal, and you can use it to achieve a wide range of overdrive and distortion sounds. The key is to experiment with different settings to find the sound that works best for you. Try using different Drive, Level, and Tone settings, and see how the pedal reacts with different guitars and amplifiers. With a little bit of tweaking, you should be able to get a great crunchy sound out of the BOSS BD-2.
To set the BOSS BD-2 for aggressive solos, you'll want to crank up the Drive control to get a high-gain distortion sound. Here's how you can set it up:
Start by setting the Level control to your desired volume level.
Turn the Drive control up to around 2 o'clock or higher. This will give you a high-gain distortion sound that's perfect for aggressive solos. The higher you set the Drive control, the more gain you'll get.
Adjust the Tone control to your liking. This control can be used to shape the tonal character of the distortion, and you can use it to make your tone brighter or darker. If you want a brighter and more cutting sound, turn the Tone control up. If you want a warmer and more rounded sound, turn the Tone control down.
To get an even more aggressive sound, you can try stacking the BOSS BD-2 with another overdrive or distortion pedal. For example, you could place the BOSS BD-2 before a heavier distortion pedal to get an even more aggressive sound. You can experiment with different pedal combinations and settings to find the sound that works best for your playing style and musical genre.
Remember that using high gain settings can introduce noise and feedback into your signal chain, so it's important to adjust your settings carefully. You can also experiment with different pickup settings and playing techniques to get the most out of the BOSS BD-2. With a little bit of practice and experimentation, you should be able to get a great aggressive distortion sound out of the BOSS BD-2.
Here are a few suggestions for where to place the BOSS BD-2 in your pedal chain
The placement of the BOSS BD-2 on your pedalboard can have an impact on your overall sound. Generally, it's a good idea to place the pedal early in your signal chain, before any modulation or time-based effects like delay or reverb. Here's a breakdown of some of the most common pedalboard layouts and where the BOSS BD-2 might fit in:
Simple setup: If you have a simple pedalboard setup with just a few pedals, you can place the BOSS BD-2 first in your signal chain. This will give you a crunch or distorted tone that you can use as a foundation for the rest of your sound. From there, you can add any additional pedals that you need, such as other overdrive, wah, or modulation effects.
Multiple overdrives: If you have multiple overdrive pedals, you can place the BOSS BD-2 first in the overdrive section of your pedalboard. This will allow you to use the pedal as a clean boost for your other overdrive pedals. You can also experiment with stacking different overdrive pedals to create unique and complex distortion sounds.
High gain setup: When it comes to placing the BOSS BD-2 on a pedalboard with a high gain setup, there are a few different options you can consider. One approach is to place the BD-2 after your distortion or high gain pedal. This can be an effective way to boost the signal and make the overall guitar sound louder. With this setup, you can use the Level knob to control the amount of boost and the Tone knob to shape the character of the boosted sound.
Another approach is to place the BD-2 before your distortion pedal. In this setup, the BD-2 can be used to push your high gain pedal harder, resulting in more saturation and sustain. This can be particularly useful if you need a little extra distortion for your solos.
Ultimately, the best placement for the BD-2 on a pedalboard will depend on your individual setup and preferences. It's always a good idea to experiment with different pedal orders and settings to find the sound that works best for you. You can consider the above examples as a general rule of thumb.
Guitarists who have used, or are using, the BOSS CS-3
The BOSS BD-2 has been a popular overdrive pedal among guitarists for many years. Here are a few examples of famous guitarists who have used the BD-2:
Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead is a well-known user of the BOSS BD-2. He has used the pedal extensively both in the studio and live, including on the albums "Kid A" and "Amnesiac."
John Mayer is another prominent guitarist who has used the BOSS BD-2 on his recordings and live performances. He has used it to achieve a warm and natural overdrive sound.
Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins has used the BD-2 to add some extra bite and sustain to his lead guitar parts. He's used the pedal on a number of the band's albums, including "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" and "Adore."
Eric Johnson is another guitarist who has used the BOSS BD-2 extensively. He has used it to achieve a warm and natural overdrive sound on his classic album "Ah Via Musicom."
David Gilmour of Pink Floyd has also been known to use the BOSS BD-2 on occasion. He's used the pedal to add some extra grit and sustain to his lead guitar parts on a number of the band's recordings.
Of course, these are just a few examples of the many guitarists who have used the BOSS BD-2 over the years. The pedal's versatile overdrive sound has made it a popular choice among players in a variety of genres, from rock and blues to country and beyond.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the BOSS BD-2 is a versatile overdrive pedal that has earned its place as a staple in the world of guitar effects. Its transparent and warm overdrive sound, coupled with intuitive controls and an affordable price point, has made it a go-to pedal for many guitarists. With the ability to act as both a standalone overdrive or as a clean boost to push other pedals or amps, the BD-2 can easily find its way onto any pedalboard. While it may not have the same iconic status as some other pedals, its widespread use among guitarists across many different genres is a testament to its quality and versatility. If you're looking for a reliable and great-sounding overdrive pedal that won't break the bank, the BOSS BD-2 is definitely worth considering.
You might find some of our other reviews about BOSS pedals helpful.
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