Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander Core - I guess the official thread

soma1975

EDIT:

Hopefully lots of tips will be shared in here for people using the Core or the big box version of the Boss TAE

----------------------------------
Love the idea of all the direct recording gubbins but how does it fair for living room level attenuation and as a headphone interface?

Would it be the same as something like the Iron Man II Mini or does it feel/sound markedly different?

Cheers.

polybius

Can't speak to the Iron Man or living room level attenuation, but I'm using one with a Silver Jubilee and two Blackstars and it's been a game changer for me both for recording and silent practice. I keep fairly odd hours and play often at unsociable times, so being able to get a decent sound through headphones is a must for me.

The TAE replaced a Torpedo Captor X, which I never managed to get good sounds out of. The TAE's software is much nicer, as are the included Celestion IR's. All I did to get a good sound both for headphones (ATH-M50X) and recording is add a high cut around 4k to remove any fizziness from the top end.
The onboard reverbs and delays are really nice as well, so much so that I've removed the pedals I had in the jubilee's loop, although they weren't spectacular pedals anyway.
Then I just switch between rig 1 (verb + delay) for headphones and rig 2 (dry) for recording.

soma1975

Brilliant that's all I wanted to hear. Many thanks. 

allen

I love mine. 

https://youtu.be/KmDstnJS9hI?si=DUipcROyjyP4r4fv

soma1975

That might be the first gear review I've seen that makes use of a whiteboard. Respect!

tomajoha

I use the full fat one and its probably the best bit of kit ive bought in the last 10 years!

firepaulmusic

Just ordered one based on this thread...

soma1975

Nice. 

StefB

Andertons have a B stock example if of interest to anyone, probably just a customer return.

https://www.andertons.co.uk/b-stock-boss-waza-tube-amp-expander-core-003/

soma1975

Mine arrived yesterday.

As an attenuator it's definitely solid. Would probably like a couple more options but ultimately it's fine. 

Once I stuck a free IR of a 4x12 with Greenbacks the headphone sound with my Marshall SV20 was glorious.

Will test recording via USB-C today. 

soma1975

Ok no recording yet but been playing with it as anattenuator today and now it is dialled in it sounds ace. A fantastic purchase. 

fnpt

I have the SV20c with the Iron man mini and it works fantastic for me. Besides the recording capabilities of the Boss, are there any other advantage over the IM mini?

soma1975

fnpt said:

I have the SV20c with the Iron man mini and it works fantastic for me. Besides the recording capabilities of the Boss, are there any other advantage over the IM mini?

Finer tuning of the volume - My SV20c and Iron Man II Mini combo was always either just a smidge too quiet or just a smidge too loud. 

Headphone output with air/room ambience knob and effects. This was a huge deal for me. 

Better effects loop for the SV20c because now it is after the power amp where it gets most of its bestest drive. I don't use loops so not interested in this tbh.

30w of output if you need it for a gig

I'm in the honeymoon period but it feels a solid investment. 

allen

plus it has built in effects (comp/delay/verb)

plus it has a usb audio out so can record to direct to phone/ipad/computer

plus can send a signal with IR to FOH and simultaneously power your amp.

plus can be used as a power amp for a modeller into any cab

I have researched a load of these things and this one can really do absolutely everything!

Although if I was being really picky, it can't be used unpowered (which the fryette power station can)

Neilybob

Oooh following 

pt22

Honestly this thing would be perfect if it had a stereo FX loop. I guess they want to reserve that for the full fat unit, but anything with an FX loop in conjunction with a headphone output should be stereo. 

allen

One just popped up on reverb (no affiliation) and it's got the bluetooth add on.

https://reverb.com/uk/item/92838984-boss-tube-amp-expander-core-2025-black?utm_campaign=Feed-Email&utm_content=feed_listings&utm_medium=email&utm_source=braze&utm_term=Feed+Email

soma1975

pt22 said:

Honestly this thing would be perfect if it had a stereo FX loop. I guess they want to reserve that for the full fat unit, but anything with an FX loop in conjunction with a headphone output should be stereo. 

Not sure I will use the loop but for me would be nice to have a master presence or similar control to adjust as you raise or lower the master volume.  

allen

PSA:
A good deal on a B stock one at Andertons here

https://www.andertons.co.uk/b-stock-boss-waza-tube-amp-expander-core-002/

£424

soma1975

Worth it. Someone snap that up

pt22

Someone did. Good thing too, for my wallet.