Boss Launches New EX-4 Multi-Effects Pedal
The $329 unit offers 120 effects and 128 user presets with advanced signal path routing in a compact metal chassis.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
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Boss has launched the EX-4 Effects Expander, a new multi-effects pedal featuring 120 onboard effects. The unit, which is now available for purchase, provides users with 128 factory and 128 user presets housed within a metal chassis.
Why it matters
The EX-4 enters a crowded signal-processing market by offering a compact 800g hardware footprint that supports complex routing. Its release provides guitarists and sound engineers with a dedicated hardware interface for managing multi-stage effects chains.
The EX-4 features a 120-effect library and supports five signal paths in serial or parallel. Power demands are rated at 300mA at 9V, with connectivity including stereo I/O, MIDI, and USB-C.
The players
Boss
A division of Roland Corporation specializing in guitar effects pedals, synthesizers, and electronic musical gear for professional and hobbyist musicians.
The details
The device utilizes a 2.4-inch display paired with three encoders for parameter manipulation, allowing users to toggle through settings visually. Internally, the signal chain logic enables the configuration of five distinct paths, letting players blend effects in series or parallel. The hardware is enclosed in a metal chassis measuring 117x138x63mm, designed to accommodate standard pedalboard configurations.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: The review for the Boss EX-4 was published.
The Tech Race
The EX-4 represents a refinement of the compact multi-effects category, competing with established units from Line 6 and Strymon. It prioritizes a high preset count and versatile routing to challenge industry standards for pedalboard signal management.
The unit is available globally at a launch price of $329. It integrates into existing rigs via standard stereo I/O and MIDI, and requires a 300mA 9V power supply for operation.
The takeaway
The EX-4 signals a push by Boss toward deep, preset-heavy signal chains in a compact physical format. Users should watch for forthcoming firmware updates that may expand the current 120-effect library or increase preset capacity.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of digital signal processing hardware, visit Consumer Electronics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Guitarworld.
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Do you trust modern digital multi-effects pedals to be as reliable as traditional stompboxes?
