Boss SL-2 Slicer Pattern Processor Pedal

Boss SL-2 Slicer Audio Pattern Processor Pedal | No Limit Guitar Co, Idaho Falls

BOSS calls the SL-2 an "Audio Pattern Processor," but the truth is this little box defies categorization entirely. Packing the power of BOSS's original SL-20 into a much more pedalboard-friendly form factor — nearly half the size — the SL-2 chops, screws, and twists your signal into complex rhythms and percussive grooves across 11 distinctive rhythm patterns. Five slice types — Single, Dual, Tremolo, Harmonic, and SFX — range from classic choppy tremolo tones to wild IDM-style grooves and synth-like textures, with tempo set via knob or hands-free tap tempo. MIDI in, expression/control input, stereo I/O, and a dedicated BOSS Tone Studio app for downloadable slice patterns make the SL-2 a genuinely deep creative tool for guitarists who want to push their rhythm and texture into territory most pedals can't touch.

Product Overview

Slice is the SL-2's term for what is fundamentally rhythmic gating taken to genuinely extreme places — the closest familiar comparison is tremolo, but tremolo sounds almost quaint next to what the SL-2's slicer can do. Where tremolo simply pulses volume up and down in a regular pattern, the SL-2's slicer can chop a signal into intricate rhythmic subdivisions, apply harmonic modulation to those slices, introduce additional effects within specific slices, or run two independent slicers simultaneously — transforming a guitar signal into something that can sound like a rhythmic groove, an IDM-influenced glitch texture, or a synthesizer pattern, all generated from a guitar or bass signal in real time.

The five Type modes define the SL-2's creative range. Single mode runs one slicer for straightforward rhythmic gating across 11 selectable rhythm patterns. Dual mode runs two slicers operating simultaneously, layering rhythmic complexity. Tremolo is the SL-2's tamest setting — the closest the pedal gets to traditional tremolo character, useful for players who want classic choppy tones without venturing into the more experimental modes. Harmonic mode introduces wild modulation on top of the slicing pattern, adding significant rhythmic and harmonic complexity. SFX mode is the most unusual of the five — depending on the selected sub-mode, it introduces additional effects layered onto the sliced signal, opening up territory that goes well beyond anything resembling traditional tremolo or gating.

Balance and Attack controls shape the mix level and the sharpness of the slicing effect — Attack in particular determines whether transitions between "on" and "off" states feel sharp and percussive or softer and more gradual, fundamentally changing the character of the rhythmic pattern. The Duty control modifies the length of the slice pattern's "on" sound relative to its "off" portion, providing another dimension of rhythmic shaping. Tempo can be set via the dedicated knob or through the built-in tap tempo function — tapping the tempo directly to a song ensures the slicer's rhythmic pattern locks to the music being played rather than running at an unsynchronized rate.

The SL-2's connectivity reflects genuinely professional-level ambitions for a compact stompbox. MIDI in supports timing clocks, start/continue/stop messages, and control change messages — allowing the SL-2 to sync to external MIDI devices and DAWs, or to receive control changes that modify its parameters in real time. An expression pedal or remote footswitch can be connected for on-the-fly tempo and control adjustments during performance. The USB Mini-B port connects to BOSS's Tone Studio for SL-2 app, unlocking a substantial library of downloadable slice patterns beyond the 11 built into the pedal — meaning the SL-2's creative potential continues to expand well beyond what ships in the box. Stereo I/O enables ping-pong slicer effects, where slices alternate or move between left and right channels for genuinely wild spatial rhythmic textures.

Ideal For

• Experimental guitarists who want rhythmic gating and slicing effects that go far beyond traditional tremolo
• Players exploring IDM, glitch, electronic-influenced, and synth-like textures from a guitar or bass signal
• Musicians who want MIDI-synced rhythmic effects integrated with DAWs or other MIDI gear
• Performers who want stereo ping-pong slicer effects for dramatic spatial rhythm textures
• Players who want ongoing access to new slice patterns via the BOSS Tone Studio app rather than being limited to factory presets
• Guitarists in Idaho Falls looking for the modern, pedalboard-friendly successor to the legendary SL-20 in a form factor that actually fits on a board

Key Features

11 Rhythm Patterns Across Five Slice Types
Single, Dual, Tremolo, Harmonic, and SFX slice types provide 11 distinctive rhythm patterns covering everything from classic choppy tremolo tones to wild, harmonically complex, IDM-influenced grooves and synth-like effects.

Balance, Attack, and Duty Controls
Balance sets mix level, Attack determines the sharpness of slice transitions from percussive to soft, and Duty modifies the length of the slice pattern's "on" sound — three controls that together provide deep shaping of the slicer's rhythmic character.

Tap Tempo
Built-in tap tempo allows the slicer's rhythm to be synchronized directly to a song's tempo, ensuring the effect locks to the music rather than running at an arbitrary rate.

MIDI In for External Sync and Control
MIDI in supports timing clocks, start/continue/stop messages, and control change messages — enabling the SL-2 to sync with external MIDI devices and DAWs or receive real-time parameter control.

USB Connectivity with BOSS Tone Studio App
A USB Mini-B port connects to the dedicated BOSS Tone Studio for SL-2 app, unlocking a substantial library of downloadable slice patterns beyond the 11 built into the pedal — continuously expanding the SL-2's creative possibilities.

Stereo I/O for Ping-Pong Slicer Effects
True stereo input and output enable ping-pong slicer effects, where slices move and alternate between left and right channels for dramatic spatial rhythmic textures.

Compact Form Factor — Half the Size of the SL-20
The SL-2 packs the creative power of BOSS's legendary SL-20 — fondly remembered by experimental guitarists but notoriously large — into a standard BOSS pedal form factor nearly half the size, without compromising functionality.

External Footswitch Support
An external footswitch jack allows remote control of tap tempo and other momentary functions, expanding hands-free control during performance.

What's Included

• Boss SL-2 Slicer Audio Pattern Processor Pedal
• Free standard shipping

Note: 9V DC power supply, battery, expression pedal, and external footswitch sold separately.

Technical Specifications

Get Your Hands on This Slicer Pedal Today

The Boss SL-2 is available now at No Limit Guitar Co in Idaho Falls. Stop in to experience the 11 slice patterns and stereo ping-pong effects in person, or reach out online to order yours — a creative tool unlike anything else on your pedalboard.