BOSS GX-1 Ultra-Fast Hands-On Review!!

BOSS’s new multi-effects unit GX-1, which has been drawing a great deal of attention since its announcement. Equipped with excellent usability and high-quality sound that can meet the needs of everyone from beginners to advanced players, the renowned BOSS GT-1 has now become a standard among multi-effects processors. The newly announced GX-1 is the long-awaited successor to this model. Thanks to the cooperation of BOSS, I was given the opportunity to get our hands on an actual unit before its release, so I would like to bring you an early review! Thank you as always!

About the BOSS / GX-1

In terms of positioning, it is the successor to the GT-1, but as you might expect, it is also a sister model to the well-received GX-100 and GX-10. Taking this into account, to describe this unit in one phrase,

GX series sound & looks
＋
GT-1 operability & compactness

It feels like a multi-effects unit that balances these elements extremely well.
Let’s take a closer look right away!

Compact size similar to the GT-1

The unit’s size is almost identical to the GT-1, making it extremely compact. As mentioned earlier, it is also lightweight, so it easily fits into the pocket of a larger guitar case. That said, the spacing between the switches is not too tight, and the distance feels comfortable enough to operate the footswitches even while wearing shoes. (Since I didn’t have a GT-1 on hand, the size comparison here is with a DS-1.)

Input / Output Terminals

The input and output terminals are as follows.

• INPUT： Connect the instrument cable from your guitar.
• OUTPUT L/R： When outputting in mono with one cable, connect it to L. When outputting in stereo with two cables, connect cables to both L and R.
• PHONES： Allows connection of headphones or earphones.
• CTL2，3/EXP2： Connect additional footswitches or expression pedals.
• USB-C： A subtle but notable upgrade. The GT-1 uses USB-B, but the GX-1 uses USB-C. Like other GX series units, it allows you to connect a smartphone and send the guitar sound directly to the phone.

Battery Operation

Personally, one subtly important point of the GT-1 was that it can run on AA batteries. Many multi-effects units on the market do not support battery operation, which can make them difficult to use in locations with limited power availability. The GX-1 firmly carries over this feature of running on AA batteries, and it uses AA batteries on the back compartment of the unit. The power-on method is the same as the GT-1. By connecting either the PSA-100 power adapter or four AA batteries, and then plugging the guitar cable into the INPUT, the unit will power on.

Switches & Chassis

This is personally the most welcome upgrade from the GT-1. The footswitches and body texture now feature a solid, substantial look that follows the GX series design language.
The square footswitches of the GT-1 had the great advantage of being very easy to press, and the overall body design was also friendly and approachable. However, some people may not have liked the resin-like appearance. The author was one of them. This time, the design has been unified with the GX series! It is now equipped with the classic metal effect-pedal-style switches, and the until has taken on a metallic shine. Even so, the weight has not increased significantly compared to the “GT-1,” achieving an excellent balance between a solid appearance and usability.

Color Display

This is another point that has seen a major evolution from the GT-1. While it is not a touchscreen like the existing GX series, the pixel count has increased dramatically compared to the GT-1, and the display is now in full color!!
The effect designs shown on the screen follow the GX series style, and since the physical buttons correspond to colors, you can easily navigate from effect selection to the edit screen. The number of effects that can be lined up simultaneously is five, excluding the fixed expression pedal and noise gate. The cabinet simulator is included within the “AMP” section, allowing it to be freely combined with amp modeling. FX1, FX2, and FX3 can be freely assigned with selected effects.

Physical Buttons

One of the key features that makes sound creation on this unit easy is the physical buttons. The labeling and roles are basically unchanged from the GT-1, so anyone familiar with operating the GT-1 should be able to use it with ease. The GT-1 already had illuminated buttons for effects in use, but on the GX-1, each button now lights up in its respective color, making it instantly clear which effects are currently active. Moreover, for FX1, FX2, and FX3—where you can freely select effects—the buttons light up in the color corresponding to the selected effect (for example, yellow when selecting OD/DS, green when selecting EQ, and so on). The image shows a state where all effects are turned on.

Sound

The effects included follow the GX series. Since the GX series effects are based on the GT series, the lineup should look familiar to GT series users. The usability of X-Optima, which is also set as Patch 01, is excellent as expected.

New Feature: “Gear Suite”

Gear Suite is a new feature introduced with this GX-1. Instead of traditional patch-based presets, recommended settings are saved for each effect type such as OD/DS and AMP, and can be recalled individually. Users can select their preferred sound from these options and then further refine the settings to suit their taste. This significantly reduces the time spent choosing effects for each patch and shortens the process of dialing in the desired sound. In addition, you can switch between different effect or amp types while keeping the same parameter settings, making it easy to understand the differences and characteristics of each model.

Bluetooth

At last, Bluetooth connectivity is finally supported! You can wirelessly connect devices such as smartphones to play music through the GX-1, and by connecting from the app side, you can also create and edit sounds directly on your smartphone.

What do you think?

This unit feels like a very well-rounded unit that takes the best aspects of the GT-1 and the GX series while firmly adding new elements. As for the looks, the GT-1 design may have divided opinions depending on personal taste, but this has been transformed into a much more modern and stylish appearance. Everyone knows this is the most important factor when choosing gear.

Another key point is that the operability, which is crucial for a multi-effects unit, has been almost entirely inherited from the GT-1. If you have used the GT-1 before, you could probably operate this without even needing the manual. For those who want to learn how to use it in a club activity or circle, there are likely many people who have experience with the GT-1, so choosing this model should be a reassuring choice.

Overall, it feels like this could become a symbol of the next generation of multi-effects processors. The highly anticipated BOSS/GX-1 will start accepting orders on January 15, 2026, with a planned release date of January 24. Be sure to check it out!