Boss SL-2 Slicer: What is it and how does it work?

The Boss SL-2 Slicer is actually a bit difficult to categorize. Technically, it's a tremolo pedal, but also incorporates the following qualities:

• Audio pattern processing (rhythm patterns)
• Modulation
• Pitch-shifting
• Filtering

I think an accurate description would be that it's a modulation/filter combination effect. Yet the most distinctive feature is the rhythm patterns it can generate. To me it sounds like a tremolo that's behaving like a drum machine.

What it sounds like

Boss's own demo is a good place to start.

You can hear that the SL-2 is "slicing" your sound into percussive patterns. There's also just a lot of sounds that are hard to categorize.

You'll even hear things that sound like an organ, and you can definitely get synth-like tones out of it. But the defining characteristic is the patterns and rhythms. It's honestly not like any other pedal, at least not in the Boss lineup, aside from its predecessor the Boss SL-20.

Read more: The Boss SL-20

The SL-2 is basically a small-form and condensed version of the original SL-20.

Who could make use of it

There's nothing traditional about the SL-2. It's modern through and through, and probably wouldn't even be called a tremolo pedal by anyone used to the more traditional tremolo sound.

This pedal is for someone looking to expand their electric guitar in a more modern direction, perhaps in new wave rock/metal, pop, or any applicable sub-genres.

Techno, electronic, dubstep, and similar musical styles - perhaps obviously - are also excellent fits.

Classic rock and blues need not apply.

What does it cost?

These tables have live pricing for the Boss SL-2 from popular vendors, including Sweetwater and Guitar Center. Note the pricing is subject to change, though the numbers you see here should be current.

Prices updated on Thu, March 30th, 2023.

Amazon Pricing

Pricing from Multiple Vendors

Price Alert (lowest price among vendors, Amazon excluded)

Price History (lowest price among vendors, Amazon excluded)

Other SL-2 features

Other notable features of the SL-2 include MIDI compatibility, stereo i/o, onboard tap tempo, and an expression pedal connection.

Read more: Guitar Pedals with MIDI Compatibility

We'd highly recommend using an expression pedal for this one, since it's so dependent on rhythmic patterns. You'll want to be able to set those on the fly, and holding the pedal down before being able to set a tempo is fine, but not ideal.

Buffered bypass (the Boss pedal norm) and a USB connection for interfacing with the Boss Tone Studio software are also included.

Conclusion

We love that the Boss SL-2 Slicer has expanded the capabilities of the tremolo effect persona. If it catches on, we'd expect to see similar pedals crop up from other brands. If you want to expand your sound, the SL-2 will do it in a hurry.

For fans of rhythmic patterns and styles, it's a good value that will give you your money's worth.

For questions about the SL-2 and/or comments, jump in via the comments section below and we'll help out as much as possible.

Thanks for hanging out with us.

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