Boss TAE Core - Did Boss just release the perfect amp top box?

allen

A nice graphic comparison of front and rear panels of original vs core.

Here is my analysis of the pictures.

Front panel
Knobs:
Both have level for speaker out/line out/phones plus 10 rig selector.
Core: Air feel Original:Reverb
Reactive load settings
Core: 2 x load styles Original: Resonance and presence selectors
Original has toggles for fx loop/effects/soloeq/amp ctl - Core has none (but I suspect can be done via bluetooth midi footswitch)

Core now has phones socket on front panel, original has it on rear

Rear panel
Outs and ins:

FX loop:
Both have one, but original adds series/parallel selector and gnd lifts.

Foot control:
Original can use the GA-FC footswitch, core needs to use Boss bluetooth switches/expression

Amp control:
Original has it, Core doesn't

Midi:
Core 'in' only, Original in and out/thru.

Speaker outs:
Original: 2 - Core: 1

Amp input:
Core: 8 ohm only
Original: selectable
Both are max 100w

FOH outputs
Original: XLR left and right, plus a separate mono XLR
Core: XLR left and right only.

Power:
Original: mains IEC lead
Core: proprietary power supply

Phew!
As far as I can see nothing that is a show stopper for most people in terms of 'downgrades'

FarleyUK

Anyone else get one of these? I've got mine due for delivery today so will post thoughts and impressions once I've had a chance to play with it a bit.

allen

Great!

I am champing at the bit to get one - might wait for the 2nd hand ones to come up though. 

FarleyUK

So initial impressions are that it's a great bit of kit; I used it purely as a reactive load for a Marshall SV20H (and it had to be set to the 50w input mode on the TAE Core as the 10W peaked the input).

The interface of the editor is MUCH better than the original TAE. You can actually adjust the mic positions if you wish, or load in your IRs. Thankfully, the IR loader is now also included in the editor and is pretty quick.

The response seems good, it feels good to use as well. The device itself is a bit loud, but nothing you'll notice when using headphones or a cab.

Overall, I'm impressed; however, not really sure if it's worth having it over the Torpedo Captor X I have TBH.

Moe_Zambeek

When you say the device itself is loud, is that referring to fan noise? Presumably if it has a fan, it can’t be switched off?

tomajoha

Moe_Zambeek said:

When you say the device itself is loud, is that referring to fan noise? Presumably if it has a fan, it can’t be switched off?

In the full fat version, the fan automatically comes on when needed, not sure it can be turned off as its keeping the device safe?

FarleyUK

Moe_Zambeek said:

When you say the device itself is loud, is that referring to fan noise? Presumably if it has a fan, it can’t be switched off?

Yeah, the fan comes on when playing - just like the Captor X. It’s not too bad, but you’d notice it if you’re not wearing headphones or playing through a cab. 

guitarmanessex89

Getting closer and closer to the perfect all in one. At present I have a Fryette PS2 and no wish to change, but this is all progress. 

allen

tomajoha said:

Moe_Zambeek said:

When you say the device itself is loud, is that referring to fan noise? Presumably if it has a fan, it can’t be switched off?

In the full fat version, the fan automatically comes on when needed, not sure it can be turned off as its keeping the device safe?

Yes, the manual says that it comes on when needed in this version too

"A fan built into this unit operates when the internal temperature rises. Do not block the ventilation port for cooling on the side of this unit."

I'm guessing if you have a low watt amp or keep the master volume down on the amp it may not come on at all.

Zapple

FarleyUK said:

So initial impressions are that it's a great bit of kit; I used it purely as a reactive load for a Marshall SV20H (and it had to be set to the 50w input mode on the TAE Core as the 10W peaked the input).

The interface of the editor is MUCH better than the original TAE. You can actually adjust the mic positions if you wish, or load in your IRs. Thankfully, the IR loader is now also included in the editor and is pretty quick.

The response seems good, it feels good to use as well. The device itself is a bit loud, but nothing you'll notice when using headphones or a cab.

Overall, I'm impressed; however, not really sure if it's worth having it over the Torpedo Captor X I have TBH.

@FarleyUK - how's the TAE Core after a few days usage?

Jay100

I picked up one of these recently.

I’ve been running it with my JVM (also up for sale here ) for about a week or so and it’s a properly good bit of kit. 

The ‘attenuator’ actually sounds really good - little colouration or suck to my ears - and the knob I find let’s you get the sweet spot rather than using the stepper settings many have.

It’s handled the full 100w head with - still sensible - volume settings on channel and masters without breaking a sweat.

I really like the two impedance curve settings too - I find this a lot more user friendly that the multiple options I had on the original big boy TAE and there’s a distinct feel change between the combo and stack, especially with IRs. Hopefully less concerns about this one blowing output transformers too without the wide range of combos previously available on the original’s two dials.

Sounds good through headphones and monitors too with the inbuilt effects. You can only toggle them on/off with the app this time though as the foot switch isn’t supported. Most will have pedals and not use these anyway I think but good to have while your phone is on your lap too.

The software is a bit improvement over old BOSS stuff too.  But I am a UX Designer and fussy about apps! 

Happy to answer any questions…

Nerine

I see Two Notes are now pushing the new Reload II. 

Looks quite cool. Nice feature set. Power amplifier included, dual fx loops etc. 

Deets are on Two Notes website. 

FarleyUK

Zapple said:

FarleyUK said:

So initial impressions are that it's a great bit of kit; I used it purely as a reactive load for a Marshall SV20H (and it had to be set to the 50w input mode on the TAE Core as the 10W peaked the input).

The interface of the editor is MUCH better than the original TAE. You can actually adjust the mic positions if you wish, or load in your IRs. Thankfully, the IR loader is now also included in the editor and is pretty quick.

The response seems good, it feels good to use as well. The device itself is a bit loud, but nothing you'll notice when using headphones or a cab.

Overall, I'm impressed; however, not really sure if it's worth having it over the Torpedo Captor X I have TBH.

@FarleyUK - how's the TAE Core after a few days usage?

Apologies, have been recovering from surgery so not been able to play much!

I fired it up again yesterday; so far, just using it with a SV20H and SC20H. I have a couple of 100W amps I'll try it with at some point (JVM410HJS and AFD100).

I'm very impressed still though; it feels a lot easier to get things where you want them to be, and much quicker to do this compared to the full-fat TAE I had. The app is certainly MUCH better (let's face it - it couldn't be much worse). Not sure if it's objectively 'better' than my 2 Notes Captor X for my use case (headphone listening and load box for FoH / into Fractal Axe-FX 3), but it's a very good piece of kit.

Zapple

Cheers @FarleyUK, I hope you're on the mend!

It seems to tick a lot of boxes for me. Think I might take a punt on one when someone has stock... 

allen

I just took delivery of mine - couldn't hold off any longer.

Had 30 minutes with it so far.

Will do a video in the next few days, but here are a few random thoughts:

- heavier than I expected
- needed a firmware update out of the box which was quite a bit of a faff because it needs specific drivers etc to go on your computer before you can even update the firmware
- added the bluetooth adapter and it took quite a few attempts to get connected from the phone app. I'm pretty geeky so I don't 'think' it was user error
- I have only used it with my 20watt combo amp so far. I was just using it as an attenuator and to add some effects to the combo. Worked brilliantly (after another slight problem with bluetooth), editor worked smoothly. Volume control is absolutely smooth and easy to dial in. Effects sound pretty good to me (couple of quirks on editing them).
- App still looks like it was designed in 2006, but is actually much better to use than previous boss editors.

I'm now going to see if I can record audio to my ipad from it.

breadfan

@allen Excellent, I'm interested in this so I look forward to reading your thoughts on it!

allen

Not sure if this will work. Just did a recording on my ipad.

allen

I did an unboxing video. Currently working on a longer review.

allen

Okay, I finished up the review.

GazAus

allen said:

Okay, I finished up the review.

Great video Allen!

Question - you mentioned that a modeller can be powered via the FX loop of the TAE Core, does that apply to regular pedals as well (i.e.  tremolo pedal can be plugged into the loop, but you don't need to power the pedal from a seperate power supply ?)