This elegantly presented guitar multi-effects floor unit is designed to tolerate the rigours of touring — but is it any use in the recording studio? Paul White finds out.
这款优雅的吉他多效果地板单元旨在承受巡演的严酷考验——但它在录音室有什么用吗？保罗·怀特 （Paul White） 找到了答案。

The ME10 can be considered equivalent to nine effects pedals, pre-connected in the most logical order, and made fully programmable. The whole thing is built into a tough, mains-powered floor unit complete with foot switches, and any combination of effects and their settings can be stored as a program to be called up later by a couple of pedal presses or, for the more ambitious, externally via MIDI. Like Boss's traditional pedals, a combination of analogue and digital technology is used and each effect has the bare minimum of parameters, making setting up very easy. The analogue effects include overdrive/distortion and compressor, while the delay-based effects are all digital.
ME10 可以认为相当于 9 个效果踏板，以最合乎逻辑的顺序预先连接，并且完全可编程。整个东西内置在一个坚固的、由电源供电的地板单元中，配有脚踏开关，效果及其设置的任意组合都可以存储为一个程序，以便稍后通过几次踏板按下调用，或者对于更雄心勃勃的人来说，可以通过外部 MIDI 调用。与 Boss 的传统踏板一样，它使用了模拟和数字技术的组合，并且每个效果器都具有最少的参数，使设置变得非常容易。模拟效果包括过载/失真和压缩器，而基于延迟的效果都是数字的。

The range of effects, in the order in which they are connected is: Compressor, Distortion/Overdrive, Noise Suppressor, Equaliser (which can be controlled via a pedal for wah wah effects), Phaser, Flanger, Pitch Shifter, Delay, Stereo Chorus and Stereo Reverb. An effects send and return loop is located between the noise suppressor and the equaliser, the in/out status of which can be stored as part of a program, while the amp/speaker simulator comes at the end of the signal chain. The unit also includes a rather sophisticated tuner, which uses LEDs to indicate whether the note is sharp, flat or in tune. The note being played is also shown in the unit's display window.
效果器的范围（按它们连接的顺序）是：压缩器、失真/过载、噪声抑制器、均衡器（可以通过踏板控制哇音效果）、移相器、镶边器、音高转换器、延迟、立体声合唱和立体声混响。效果发送和接收返回回路位于噪声抑制器和均衡器之间，其输入/输出状态可以作为程序的一部分存储，而放大器/扬声器模拟器位于信号链的末端。该装置还包括一个相当复杂的调音器，它使用 LED 来指示音符是尖锐、平坦还是调准。正在播放的音符也会显示在装置的显示窗口中。

As you can see from the photograph and line drawing, the unit is logically set out, with six footswitches along the front and all the connections on the rear panel out of harm's way. The control surface makes extensive use of membrane switches behind a scratch-resistant, back-printed plastic panel, while data entry is performed by a spring-loaded data wheel at the right-hand side of the top panel.
从照片和线条图中可以看出，该装置的布局合乎逻辑，前面有六个脚踏开关，后面板上的所有连接都没有受到伤害。控制表面在防刮擦的背面印刷塑料面板后面广泛使用薄膜开关，而数据输入则由顶部面板右侧的弹簧加载数据轮执行。

Given that most guitar effects have an input socket and one or two output sockets, the provision of ten rear-panel jacks, (not including the phones mini-jack or the MIDI In and Out sockets), might seem somewhat overwhelming, but they're all there for a reason. There's a single guitar input jack followed by a pair of jacks to provide a stereo output, though a mono output can be obtained by using just the left socket of the pair. A further pair of jacks is dedicated to the effects send and return, while two more allow the connection of optional expression pedals, one to control level and the other to control various effects parameters in real time. A jack provides remote access to the tuner, and the two remaining jacks take optional footswitches, which activate the Bypass and Manual modes. Bypass is self-explanatory; Manual disables part of the programming system, allowing the six footswitches to be used to turn six of the effects on or off directly, as though they were separate effects pedals. The effects responding to the footswitches are: Compressor, Overdrive/Distortion, Equaliser, Flanger, Delay and Stereo Chorus.
鉴于大多数吉他效果器都有一个输入插孔和一个或两个输出插孔，因此提供 10 个后面板插孔（不包括耳机迷你插孔或 MIDI 输入和输出插孔）可能看起来有些让人不知所措，但它们都在那里是有原因的。有一个吉他输入插孔，后跟一对插孔以提供立体声输出，尽管可以使用一对的左侧插座来获得单声道输出。另外一对插孔专用于效果发送和返回，而另外两个插孔允许连接可选的表情踏板，一个用于控制电平，另一个用于实时控制各种效果参数。一个插孔提供对调谐器的远程访问，其余两个插孔带有可选的脚踏开关，可激活 Bypass 和 Manual 模式。旁路是不言自明的;【手动】禁用了编程系统的一部分，允许使用六个脚踏开关直接打开或关闭六个效果器，就像它们是单独的效果器踏板一样。响应脚踏开关的效果器是：Compressor、Overdrive/Distortion、Equaliser、Flanger、Delay 和 Stereo Chorus。

Patch Allocation  补丁分配

Normally, the ME10 would be used in its normal program mode, where up to 128 effects settings can be created and stored for future recall. The effects are arranged in four Groups of 32, with each group further subdivided into eight Banks, each containing four effects Patches. The desired group is selected by means of the group button on the front panel, then the data knob is used to step through the four possibilities, the current group number being displayed in the numeric LED display window. Any of the 32 patches within a group may then be selected using only the footswitches.
通常，ME10 将在其正常程序模式下使用，在该模式下，最多可以创建和存储 128 个效果设置以供将来调用。效果器被分为四个组，每组 32 个，每个组进一步细分为 8 个 SoundBank，每个 SoundBank 包含 4 个效果 Patch。通过前面板上的组按钮选择所需的组，然后使用数据旋钮逐步浏览四种可能性，当前组号显示在数字 LED 显示窗口中。然后，可以仅使用脚踏开关来选择组中 32 个 Patch 中的任何一个。

The two Bank footswitches are used to increment or decrement through the eight banks, (the bank number appearing in the display window with the patch number), and then the number switches are used to select an effect from that bank. The effect only changes when a number switch is operated, and the circuitry ensures that that any reverb or delay effects die away uninterrupted when a change is made. There is an optional way of switching, which causes the effects to change as soon as a bank or number switch is pressed, but unless the effects are stored in a convenient order for this style of access, I don't see it offering any tangible advantages. Likewise, if you really want the reverbs and delays to cut off as you change patches, there is a user-selectable option to allow this.
两个 Bank 脚踏开关用于在 8 个 SoundBank 之间进行递增或递减（显示窗口中的 Bank 编号与 Patch 编号一起），然后使用编号开关从该 SoundBank 中选择效果。效果仅在作数字开关时发生变化，并且电路确保任何混响或延迟效果在进行更改时都不会中断。有一种可选的切换方式，一旦按下库或数字开关，效果就会发生变化，但除非效果以方便的顺序存储以供这种访问方式使用，否则我认为它不会提供任何切实的优势。同样，如果你真的希望在更改 Patch 时切断混响和延迟，则有一个用户可选择的选项来允许这样做。

Creating a new patch is simply a matter of selecting an existing, unwanted patch and then changing it to something you like better. The new parameters are then stored in place of the old ones using the Write button. Patches may also be copied from one location to another. Each patch contains information as to which effects modules are on and which are off and the parameters of the selected effects. Also stored is the effects loop status (in or out), the speaker simulator status (on or off), master level and expression pedal settings — but not Bypass, as this would be pretty pointless. Interestingly, expression pedal 1 may also be used to change a selected parameter while in the edit mode, for the benefit of those with an aversion to the data dial. Expression pedal 2 functions as a volume control between the equaliser and phaser sections; this is prior to all the delay effects, so the reverbs and delays will decay naturally even if the pedal is turned down abruptly.
创建新补丁只是选择一个现有的、不需要的补丁，然后将其更改为你更喜欢的补丁。然后，使用 Write （写入） 按钮存储新参数来代替旧参数。也可以将补丁从一个位置复制到另一个位置。每个 Patch 都包含有关哪些效果模块打开和关闭以及所选效果的参数的信息。还存储了效果循环状态（输入或输出）、扬声器模拟器状态（打开或关闭）、主电平和表情踏板设置——但不包括 Bypass，因为这毫无意义。有趣的是，表情踏板 1 也可以用于在编辑模式下更改选定的参数，以方便那些不喜欢数据拨盘的人。表情踏板 2 用作均衡器和移相器部分之间的音量控制;这是在所有延迟效果之前，因此即使突然关闭踏板，混响和延迟也会自然衰减。

"To my mind, the chorus and flanger are amongst the best effects of their kind available — they really move, and literally sparkle with detail and depth."
“在我看来，合唱和镶边是同类效果中最好的效果之一——它们真的很动人，而且在细节和深度上闪耀着光芒。”

The Effects  效果

Looking at the top panel of the unit, it is easy to see how the effects and their parameters are arranged. Each effect is represented by a blue box, in which is the name of the effect and a status LED. The box also incorporates a membrane switch, and pressing it turns the effect on or off. Below each effect box is a a series of oval parameter boxes, the bottom one usually relating to the level of the effect. These are selected for editing one at a time, by pressing them; a status LED then lights to show they are active. The parameter value is shown in the display window and may be changed by using the data knob. This is certainly an easy system, as all the parameters are constantly on show, with no need to delve into a multilayered menu hierarchy.
查看该单元的顶部面板，很容易看出效果及其参数是如何排列的。每个效果都由一个蓝色框表示，其中是效果的名称和状态 LED。该盒子还包含一个薄膜开关，按下它会打开或关闭效果。每个效果框下方是一系列椭圆形参数框，底部的参数框通常与效果的级别相关。通过按它们，一次选择一个进行编辑;然后，状态 LED 亮起，表示它们处于活动状态。参数值显示在显示窗口中，可以使用数据旋钮进行更改。这当然是一个简单的系统，因为所有参数都不断显示，无需深入研究多层菜单层次结构。

First in line is the analogue compressor, which is useful in creating both clean sounds and — in conjunction with the overdrive section — dirty sounds. In addition to being able to set the degree of compression with the Sustain parameter, it is also possible to set the attack time to emphasise the start of notes by, in effect, slowing down the reaction time of the compressor. A tone control provides general treble boost or cut, while the Level parameter allows the user to balance the relative level between the effects. With the exception of the noise suppressor section and speaker simulator, all the effects have their own level controls.
首先是模拟压缩器，它可用于创建干净的声音和 - 与过载部分一起 - 脏的声音。除了能够使用 Sustain 参数设置压缩程度之外，还可以设置起音时间以强调音符的开始，实际上是通过减慢压缩器的反应时间。音调控制提供一般的高音增强或削减，而【Level】参数允许用户平衡效果之间的相对电平。除了 noise suppressor 部分和 speaker simulator 之外，所有效果器都有自己的电平控制。

Overdrive offers a choice of four types of distortion — rather like having four different types of distortion/overdrive pedals to choose from. The first two settings are fairly warm, while the second two are brighter and more aggressive. In all cases, the drive level can be varied to create differing degrees of distortion, and the Tone control offers a degree of variation over the brightness of the sound. Following the overdrive section is the Noise Suppressor, which functions as a slow-release noise gate suppressing all noise below a threshold set by the user. This should be set up to remove background hum and noise when the guitar is not being played, but the threshold should not be set so high as to cause wanted notes to be cut short.
Overdrive 提供了四种类型的失真选择——就像有四种不同类型的失真/过载踏板可供选择。前两个设置相当暖，而后两个设置更亮、更激进。在所有情况下，都可以改变驱动电平以创建不同程度的失真，而 Tone 参数则为声音的亮度提供了一定程度的变化。过载部分之后是 Noise Suppressor，它用作缓释噪声门限，抑制所有低于用户设置阈值的噪声。这应该设置为在不弹奏吉他时消除背景嗡嗡声和噪音，但阈值不应设置得太高，以免导致想要的音符被缩短。

The equaliser offers cut or boost in three bands with the mid frequency being variable over the range 200Hz to 2kHz. A further parameter button acts as a switch to allow the equaliser to be used as a wah wah under the control of expression pedal 1. The wah wah range and centre frequency can be set by the user.
均衡器提供三个频段的削减或增强，中频在 200Hz 至 2kHz 范围内可变。另一个参数按钮充当开关，允许均衡器在表情踏板 1 的控制下用作哇音。哇音范围和中心频率可由用户设置。

Moving on, the next section is the digital Phaser with adjustable rate, depth and feedback (Resonance); the adjacent Flanger section offers exactly the same parameters. The Pitch Shifter has a shift range of up to one octave in either direction, which can be set in semi-tone steps and/or fine tuned. A degree of pre-delay can be added, up to 100mS, and there is the option to add feedback to create shifts that spiral up or down. In place of a level control is a balance control that regulates the mix of treated and untreated sound. The degree of shift may be assigned to the expression pedal for tremolo arm type effects.
继续，下一部分是具有可调速率、深度和反馈（Resonance）的数字 Phaser;相邻的 Flanger 部分提供完全相同的参数。Pitch Shifter 在任一方向的移动范围最多为一个八度，可以设置为半音步长和/或微调。可以添加一定程度的预延迟，最高可达 100mS，并且可以选择添加反馈以创建螺旋式上升或下降的偏移。代替电平控制的是平衡控制，用于调节处理过和未处理的声音的混合。移动的程度可以分配给颤音臂类型效果的表情踏板。

The delay section is mono, offering delay times of up to 1.2S with feedback to create multiple, decaying echoes. A high-cut filter is included for mellowing the echo sounds (useful for tape-loop simulations), and a low-cut filter allows the bass to be rolled off for a thinner echo sound. It is possible to control the delay time from the expression pedal, but this sounds a little glitchy and is not recommended for serious use.
延迟部分是单声道的，提供高达 1.2S 的延迟时间，并带有反馈以创建多个衰减的回声。包括一个高切滤波器，用于使回声变得柔和（对于磁带循环模拟很有用），而低切滤波器允许将低音滚降以获得更薄的回声。可以通过表情踏板控制延迟时间，但这听起来有点毛刺，不建议认真使用。

No Roland or Boss product of this type would be complete without a chorus section — after all, Roland invented it — and I'm glad to say that the ME10 has a particularly good stereo chorus section. Aside from the usual depth and speed controls, there is provision to add treble boost or cut, and a pre-delay of up to 60mS may be used to create richer chorus sounds or doubling effects. Even the reverb is quite well specified for a unit of this type, with two halls, two rooms and two plate settings to choose from.
没有合唱部分，这种类型的 Roland 或 Boss 产品都是不完整的——毕竟是 Roland 发明的——我很高兴地说 ME10 有一个特别好的立体声合唱部分。除了通常的深度和速度控制外，还可以添加高音增强或削减，并且高达 60mS 的预延迟可用于创建更丰富的合唱声音或加倍效果。即使是混响对于这种类型的单元来说也相当指定，有两个大厅、两个房间和两个板设置可供选择。

"The ME10 can be considered equivalent to nine effects pedals, pre-connected in the most logical order — and made fully programmable."
“ME10 可以看作相当于 9 个效果踏板，以最合乎逻辑的顺序预先连接，并且完全可编程。”

The reverb decay time is variable over quite a large range, with the option of adding pre-delay of up to 150mS to create more spatial effects. Again, the sound may be brightened or darkened to simulate different reverberant environments, but there is no reverse setting, which I would have liked to have seen on a guitar unit. Finally comes the Guitar Amp Simulator, which enables the ME10 to be DI'd into a mixer by compensating for the speaker characteristics and amplifier voicing of a typical guitar combo. Without this facility, overdrive-type sounds tend to sound thin and fizzy when plugged directly into a mixer or hi-fi.
混响衰减时间在相当大的范围内是可变的，可以选择添加高达 150mS 的预延迟以创建更多空间效果。同样，声音可以变亮或变暗以模拟不同的混响环境，但没有我希望在吉他单元上看到的反向设置。最后是 Guitar Amp Simulator，它通过补偿典型吉他组合的扬声器特性和放大器音色，使 ME10 能够被 DI 到混音器中。如果没有这个功能，当直接插入混音器或 hi-fi 时，过载类型的声音听起来往往很单薄和嘶嘶作响。

The Sound  声音

There are no formal technical specifications for this unit, but it could be argued that these are irrelevant in the case of a guitar processor, as guitar amplifiers have a limited frequency response, diverse colourations and distortions, and tend to be noisy. This unit is not unduly noisy, being on a par with the individual Boss pedals, and indeed, the subjective quality of the effects is comparable with the existing stand-alone pedal range. All four overdrive modes are reminiscent of one Boss pedal or another, and though none offers a true valve amp simulation, all the classic metal and rock sounds are in there somewhere. The compressor is fine for adding sustain to the guitar sound, and by combining the effect of the compressor and its tone control with the overdrive section, it is possible to create a very wide range of musically useful overdrive sounds. I was also very pleased with the noise suppression system which, when properly set up, works very unobtrusively. Similarly, the EQ frequencies seem to have been well chosen for guitar applications.
该装置没有正式的技术规格，但可以说这些在吉他处理器的情况下是无关紧要的，因为吉他放大器的频率响应有限，着色和失真多样化，并且往往很嘈杂。这个单元并没有过度嘈杂，与单个 Boss 踏板相当，事实上，效果的主观质量与现有的独立踏板系列相当。所有四种过载模式都让人想起一个或另一个 Boss 踏板，虽然没有一个提供真正的电子管放大器模拟，但所有经典的金属和摇滚声音都在某个地方。压缩器非常适合为吉他声音添加延音，通过将压缩器的效果及其音调控制与过载部分相结合，可以创建出非常广泛的音乐上有用的过载声音。我对噪音抑制系统也非常满意，如果设置得当，它可以非常不引人注目地工作。同样，EQ 频率似乎也为吉他应用选择了很好的选择。

I couldn't fault the chorus or phaser sections but I'd have liked a stereo delay and also one or two reverse reverb settings. Otherwise, the reverb is surprisingly good and is infinitely better than the spring units generally built into guitar amps. Indeed, it would be quite good enough for general vocal or drum use and I suspect it is based on the design used in the excellent Boss reverb pedal. The only real weak area is the pitch shifter which, to be fair, is as good as most budget shifters. It tends to sound lumpy or glitchy when large amounts of shift are used; it's fine for detuning, but larger shifts are best disguised with distortion or by adding a lot of unshifted sound into the mix.
我挑不出合唱或移相器部分的毛病，但我想要一个立体声延迟和一个或两个反向混响设置。否则，混响出奇地好，并且比吉他放大器中通常内置的弹簧单元要好得多。事实上，对于一般的人声或鼓使用来说，它已经足够好了，我怀疑它是基于出色的 Boss 混响踏板中使用的设计。唯一真正的弱点是 pitch shifter，公平地说，它与大多数预算 shifter 一样好。当使用大量 shift 时，它听起来往往很结块或出现故障;它对于失谐来说很好，但较大的 shift 最好用失真或在混音中添加大量未移动的声音来掩盖。

The speaker simulator isn't as sophisticated as some of the dedicated units I've tried but it is certainly effective in making the sound DI'able. It needs a little help from the EQ, either in the unit or on the console, but it removes the fizz and beefs up the sound.
扬声器模拟器并不像我尝试过的一些专用装置那样复杂，但它肯定可以有效地使声音 DI'able。它需要 EQ 的一点帮助，无论是在设备中还是在控制台上，但它可以消除嘶嘶声并增强声音。

Impressions  印象

Foremost, this is a very practical piece of equipment, both in its construction and in its ease of use; in fact I'd go so far as to say this is the easiest multi-effects device to program that I have ever encountered.
最重要的是，这是一款非常实用的设备，无论是在构造还是易用性方面;事实上，我什至会说这是我遇到过的最容易编程的多效果设备。

The subjective sound quality is good in that most of the clean or dirty guitar sounds you hear on record can be emulated — anything from country and western to thrash metal. If the overdrive falls down anywhere, it's when recreating those in-between, raunchy, bluesy sounds — but with a little perseverance and the right combination of compression, overdrive and EQ, you can get pretty close. What's more, the speaker simulator provides an instantly usable sound straight into the mixer, while the noise suppressor keeps the hiss at bay without being in any way intrusive.
主观音质很好，因为你在录音中听到的大多数干净或肮脏的吉他声音都可以被模拟——从乡村和西部到鞭打金属。如果过载在任何地方下降，那是在重现那些介于两者之间的、不修边幅的、蓝调的声音时——但只要有一点毅力和压缩、过载和 EQ 的正确组合，你就可以非常接近。更重要的是，扬声器模拟器将即时可用的声音直接进入混音器，而噪音抑制器可以在不以任何方式打扰的情况下阻止嘶嘶声。

The facility to use an external pedal to control the pitch shift, delay time or wah wah is useful, but I feel a unit of this type really should have at least one pedal built in. The programmable effects loop is a good idea, and the ability to control an external device over MIDI certainly adds to the flexibility. It should, however, be kept in mind that the external effects loop is only mono.
使用外部踏板来控制音高移动、延迟时间或哇音的功能很有用，但我觉得这种类型的单元真的应该至少内置一个踏板。可编程效果循环是个好主意，通过 MIDI 控制外部设备的能力肯定会增加灵活性。但是，应该记住，外部效果 loop 只是单声道的。

"I'd go so far as to say that this is the easiest multi-effects device to program that I have ever encountered."
“我什至可以说，这是我遇到过的最容易编程的多效果设备。”

For me, the ME10 really excels in creating rich, three-dimensional phase, chorus and flange sounds. What's more, there's a separate effect for each function so you can have all three at once if you like. To my mind, these are amongst the best effects of their kind available — they really move, and literally sparkle with detail and depth. The only let-down is the inevitable lumpy pitch shifter, but I'm realistic enough to know that you just don't get a good pitch shifter for this kind of price.
对我来说，ME10 在创建丰富的 3D 相位、合唱和镶边声音方面非常出色。此外，每个函数都有一个单独的效果，因此您可以根据需要同时拥有所有三个功能。在我看来，这些是同类产品中最好的效果之一——它们真的很动人，而且在细节和深度上闪闪发光。唯一令人失望的是不可避免的块状变调器，但我足够现实地知道，以这种价格，你根本买不到一个好的变调器。

The effects presented in this unit are both accessible and versatile, and it is likely that most users will have no desire to add on extra processors or to use MIDI control. Even so, the facility is there, which could be useful for adding some degree of effects automation in the studio or for saving patches via SysEx dump. I'd have given my back legs for something like this in my more gig-intensive days, but nowadays, the ME10 faces some quite aggressive competition. Even in this light, I think the ME10's ease of use, combined with the high quality of the effects, especially the superb chorus and flanger, puts it near the front of the pack when it comes to guitar multi-effects floor units.
本单元中呈现的效果既易于访问又用途广泛，大多数用户可能不想添加额外的处理器或使用 MIDI 控制。即便如此，该工具仍然存在，这对于在工作室中添加某种程度的效果自动化或通过 SysEx 转储保存补丁可能很有用。在我更密集的演出日子里，我会为这样的事情付出代价，但如今，ME10 面临着一些相当激烈的竞争。即使从这个角度来看，我认为 ME10 的易用性，加上高质量的效果器，尤其是精湛的合唱和镶边，使其在吉他多效果地板单元方面接近领先地位。

Further Information  更多信息
Boss ME10 £599 including VAT.
Boss ME10 599 英镑，含增值税。

Roland UK Ltd, (Contact Details).
Roland UK Ltd，（联系方式）。