November Sweetwater Giveaway: Boss AD-8 Acoustic Guitar Processor

[Neal Walter]

by Neal Walter

http://go.guitartricks.com/assets/news_images/ad8110609.jpg
Boss AD-8 Acoustic Guitar Processor


Take your ordinary acoustic guitar and make it sing like a Martin, Gibson or Guild with this feature-enhanced best friend to the acoustic guitarist.

Most acoustic guitar pickups don't reproduce a guitar's natural body resonance since a piezo-type pickup senses vibrations mostly from the guitar's bridge area, which makes an amplified acoustic guitar sound bright and lacking in richness.

Boss has addressed this problem with the AD-8 by using a high-quality condenser microphone with six of the worlds finest guitars in the studio to capture these oft-missed tones. This is the first time an acoustic simulator has taken into account all of the guitar by miking the guitar's neck and body to simulate warmth. The six guitars chosen for this task are the Martin D-28 and 000-28, Gibson J-45 and B-45, the Guild D-40 and a Jose Ramirez classical.

Not only has Boss miked the neck and body of the guitars but the AD-8 gives you a separate control for each. If you need a little more body resonance you can add it with the BODY knob, for a little more brightness you can do the same with the STRING ENHANCE knob. Turning the STRING ENHANCE knob clockwise will boost the pleasant overtones of the guitar strings. This effect works particularly well with fingerpicking performance styles.

The AD-8 has a 4-band EQ to give you more control over your guitar's sound, this is useful in matching the tone of the acoustic modeler to your guitar type. It's like having your very own mixer for your guitar. Also on board are a high-quality reverb effect that was designed specifically for acoustic guitar, a presence control and an onboard tuner based on BOSS' acclaimed TU-Series.

After you've dialed in your favorite sound you can save it to one of the 4 available banks, accessible with the foot control. On the back of the unit there are balanced XLR outputs for direct connection to a PA or your recording gear, a ground lift feature available to eliminate hum, two quarter inch outputs, a headphone jack and a dedicated Electric Guitar amp output. Also, the AD-8 performs the same function as a Direct Box so that makes one less tool you'll need to carry in your toolbox.

Pressing the left and center pedal at the same time and holding for two seconds activates the ANTI-FEEDBACK function which greatly reduces the amount of embarrassing feedback that seems inevitable with amplified acoustic guitars, especially in a club setting. The more control over your guitar, the better. Flexibility seems to be a common theme with this effect and the battery powered option is no exception. The AD-8 can be used with a magnetic pickup or a piezo pickup (most acoustic guitars have this one), however, the tone and effects of the AD-8 are optimized for the piezo type pickup.

I demoed this unit with a Guild Songbird and my favorite BODY TYPE setting was 2, which is the Martin 000-28 setting. I found the BODY control very helpful in warming up my guitar's sound since it's a thin acoustic, about the width of your average solid-body electric. The AD-8 enhanced the sound well without sounding processed.

This one can be yours courtesy of our friends at Sweetwater by subscribing to our monthly newsletter and reading the product review for the month. Sweetwater sponsors this giveaway and they are always a real pleasure to deal with. They give free shipping on all orders (even strings!) and have an outstanding staff of real musicians who can help you make the right purchase the first time.

Sweetwater provides the gear, we review it for the Guitar Tricks Newsletter, and we give it away to one lucky Guitar Tricks member. Just reply to this post to qualify to win, good luck!

Check out my demo (http://www.youtube.com/user/Guitartricks) on the Guitar Tricks Channel.

[Neal Walter]

November Sweetwater Gear Review Giveaway – Boss AD-8 Acoustic Guitar Processor

The November contest is again sponsored by our good friends at Sweetwater.com.

We are going to give the AD-8 away to a lucky newsletter reader on November 20th.

To register to win, just reply to this thread!

Please read the contest rules here:

http://www.guitartricks.com/giveaway.php

In order to win this prize, you must "enter" the contest by posting on this thread by midnight of November 19th, 2009.

[Neal Walter]

Special Message for Non-US Members

We deeply regret that we cannot ship contest prizes outside the U.S.

Customs, tariffs, and shipping prevent merchandise from being shipped reasonably between countries.

That is the reason why U.S. music stores cannot sell to musicians in other countries, even as close as Canada.

We originally intended this contest to be run by Ren in the U.K. but we found that just shipping him the gear was so problematic that it would cost more than the contest itself.

Please accept our apologies for making this a U.S. only contest.

[RickBlacker]

Count me in.

[Infinite-T]

Oh Yea! Count me in

[graham_miller]

sounds pretty cool!

[Dazoo]

Toss my name in the hat.

[compart1]

I'll give it a try..

[ChuckHarding]

I could definitely use a Boss AD-8 AGP! Thanks!

[Free Willy]

i want in!!!
give me the pedal... 3:)..lol

[JeffS65]

Did someone say free stuff? ...Actually sound pretty cool and I'd love using it.

[Dirty Bill]

Ok ,I'll try too.. :cool:

[kismanie]

hope i win, good luck everyone :D

[poweron12]

Count me in!

[tess247]

cool! I want it!

[MikeFaulkner]

Hi, Yes can i win one please

[KJmp32]

I could sure use one of these great giveaway count me in!

[julie4bama]

I want it. Enter me in the drawing.

[rshatcher]

Very,very nice. Sign me up!

[capn_bill1]

Count me in to win! (a nice Christmas present!)

[cannonind]

Sounds like something I'd love to have. Thanks for the chance.

[IndianJeff]

I could make use of a device like this

[bluesydude]

This is way too sweet!

[Lisa472]

Sounds Acoustically Yummy! - Sign me up Plz.

[Pete No-H]

I can dig it - please throw my name in the hat!

Pete No-H

[Ringvelski]

Count me in as well!

[ktradcliff]

Enter me please.

[JimboRat]

Register me to win. Thanks!

[Close Enough]

Count me in!

[Harrison Smith]

I'm a little skeptical but worth a try!!!!

[sikter]

I'd like to win one. :)

[Laquesis]

Please, count me in.
Thx!

Fernando

[Sojourner]

Cool. Sign me up. I've been looking for a good tool to use with my acoustic.

[cjdefran]

I don't play much acoustic, but I'll give it a try.

[LWAddict]

Of course, I'm in.

Looks like a great product.

[DonnaWee]

Please sign me up!

[captain-D]

I'd like to win. Add my name. David

[EKAnders]

I would love to have this thing.

[smeiste]

very nice... count me in

[mikecscweb]

Put me in!!

[guruofgentoo]

sign me up for this!

[lunaticky]

Hey!

Sounds like a great effect! Please enter me to win!! Thanks!

Jerry `Wildness' Wilson

[rfranklin]

Hope to see this in the mail.

[AK2112]

Count me in!

[reno1051]

Count me in!

[duolos]

I've used an earlier version of the pedal and would love to update my arsenal by adding this one

[klwhittenb]

Sign me up...looks like a great box...

[agbrox]

I'm in on this one!!! This would work great with my Ovation!!!

[scotrik]

I wanna win something. I got too many kids to buy it myself.

[sudburymike]

sign me up looks great

[mabbts]

I'd love to win this.

[Kvon8355]

Count me in. This sounds like a great addition to your equipment.

[dnweb]

Saaaa-weeet!

[dklepac]

Boss AD-8 Acoustic Guitar Processor-outstanding piece of equipment,
need to have one

[Sniper-Joe]

Count me in!!!

[danl0814]

Please enter me in the contest to win this great piece of gear!!!!

[keller_s]

Count me in please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mjmandich]

Mmm, that sounds good. I'll have that. *crosses fingers*

[Xiws]

Sounds wonderful. I'm not likely to have any of those wonderful models, so this might be as close as I come, and I'd get all six.

[all4him]

Thanks for the chance and for you lessons!

[lespauljr]

Count me in too.

[TPerkins92]

Gratzi, Danke, Gratzi, Thanks

[jazze4one]

very rich warm tone!

[NashvilleMike]

Count me in too.

[Drakkheim]

Ooh That would be an awesome belated birthday present for myself!

[old headbanger]

This is a no-brainer. Sure, I'm in.

[tleach1]

yessir - I'm in

[morganga]

Being new to the Guitar scene, I have still yet to learn about all the capabilities of these digital boxes. This looks pretty sweet, the ability to replicate some sounds of the more expensive Guitars. Put my name in the running!

Gary

[84v]

Count me in....

[rcsnydley]

Since I have only an acoustic guitar this would be a welcome addition.

[Ricktown]

Very cool, when do i get it?

[MBH]

I want it, I need it.
Please!

[hblues]

Do more and more acoustic work and this could be very useful--thanks

[azndn9]

Hi guys please enter me, I'd love to win!

[Daver70]

I've wanted one of these for a while.
dr

[myrrh]

This thing sounds pretty Cool. I want it !

[jktieman]

My dad and I hauled a truck load of these across Kansas in 1951. I've wanted one ever since.

[CBLA009]

This would be excellent. and at the price. this will be the only way i could own one. Guy

[Rynotows]

I'm in too !

[dgruenke]

Sign me up.

[criese]

I'm in :)

[MagisterLudi]

Sweet(water)!

[Kirokk]

Please through my name in the drawing. Thank you

[buddukes]

Count me in.

[dguntis]

a great tool to have

[Leoji]

Nice

Sign me up please

[rickturner]

Looks Like Another Great Deal From Sweetwater Thank Rick

[toneadd9]

i started out using boss pedals when i started playing a couple of decades ago, tried everything i could....not necc purchasing, tried here and there though....come to find out i am back to boss stuff for electric. now going further back to my acoustic roots, this would be a great addition.
thanx guys!

[gibriff55]

Wow, that is a fun new toy. I can't wait to win and try it out on
one of my old acoustic guitars. Thanks

[pbrannen]

Nice tone, could definitely put that to use.

[PCTakeDown]

I've been wanting one of these for a while now! I hope you guys pick me!

[mangoman1]

Have had mixed results with acoustic guitar processors/sweeteners. (Could be I needed some tips on how to maximize them.) This one looks very promising! Thanks.

[RuslikUA]

this is the best site ever.. I m going to buy membership here soon. this is a really good place. GuitarTricks.COM FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!

[rayk1]

Would love to make my brother envious by getting this.

[jlmiller35]

Sounds like a fine piece of equipment. WOuld love to get my hands on it.

Thanks for all the good work at Guitar Tricks. :cool:

[ksturgeon]

Count me in please.

[boywithleeches]

One day I'll win until then I'll Keep on loosing

[bluepepper]

I Am Replying to This Thread
I Am Replying to This Thread
I Am Replying to This Thread
I Am Replying to This Thread
I Am Replying to This Thread
Therefore, I shall win box of guitar awesomeness!

[AWP]

Count me in.

[mjberg1]

I need this, please enter me.

[bac]

Sounds almost too good to be true! Got to have it!

[Darksabre]

sounds like an interesting processor - definitely fun to play around with

[gpone]

This would be fun!

[cabmaker]

:) Sign me up ! Do you need my mailing address ?

Just make sure I get it before Christmas !!

Great review Neal...keep up the good work !

cabmaker~ Steve

[edgutier]

Sweet! I'm loving it!

[The_Drooge]

Now this is something that I know I'm gonna use. Put in for the drawing for this great piece of equipment.

[boogershome]

One more time. I'm in.

[KJRIL]

Sign Me Up

[Vic3D]

Please!!! I hope I finally win something lol!

[bonneville]

I'm in. Never met a Boss I didn't like

[GrizBiskit]

I'll take one!

[cadet32766]

Give me a shot at it.

[judynsteve]

Crazy demo on the acoustic guitar modeler. Any idea why Taylor guitars weren't included? No biggie having 6 choices is plenty.

I like your fun style. Keep it up.

Steve :cool:

[souldecision1]

Sounds like an awesome prize. Both my daughter and I could use that!

[grstewart]

or typing.

[Kanokofchill]

Yea, give me that.

Thanks

[40ishnewbie]

Add me to the drawing please!!!

Thanks,
Jay

[shadesofplenty]

I already have A-D-D, so how about an AD-8 to go along with it.

[woody11456]

The AD-8 would be a perfect fit, please count me in.

[scanner112000]

Count me in

[agreenleaf]

Please enter me in the contest!

[ex8888]

I'm In!!! Woot

[chriscrye]

and it's FREEEEEEEEE minus income tax, state tax, wellness tax, noice tax, breathing tax etc....

[snowbum007]

Count me in.
Kurt

[Aaronharmon]

In for the win!

[danpoet]

I like the Boss effects. I have an ME-20 for now, but this would be great!

[bigdog22]

Count me in as well.

[Keni]

Very cool sounding piece of gear. It sounds as tho it would quickly become a part of my performance arsenal...

Thanks for the great review and chance to own one...

Keni

[steverez]

Please count me in. I dig it!

[markwithers]

This sounds soooo sweet. I'm hanging up an extra big stocking just for this.

[yilano]

I would put that to good use!!!!

[songman38826]

Count me in.

[Shilther]

Sign me up!

[darkloud]

just wanna toss my hat in the ring for the boss giveaway

[dave stuart]

count me in

[wmhupp]

Hope I win it!

[gltoo]

Please sign me up!

[mikers422]

I would love to add this to my stage set!

[davekiser]

Awesome. Please sign me up.

[albertbowen]

In like Flynn!

[Jonnny]

I saw a Boss seminar at a music store close to here and this wss one of the products that they talked about.
I am not sure it was yet available at that time but it sounded real cool and based on their other products I would assume it is very cool.
I want one.

Boss AD-8 Acoustic Guitar Processor

[stratcat2758]

Don't forget me!

[JohnR242]

Now thats a great pedal for acoustic guitars. Hope to add that to my music gear.
Cheers!!

[SatelliteOrders]

Count me in

[zbumifu]

Looks like a useful item. Thanks for the demo.

[bearcycle]

I could use one of these in the Studio

[donnienix]

Great review. I've had my eye on one of these but can't spare the $$$$. :(

[panhandler1956]

I'd love to have one of these. Thanks for the opportunity.

[scrutin]

Sign me up

[jgcastellanoa]

Please sign me up...there must be a way to make my guitar sound good... :D

[AnCuth123]

SIGN ME UP, it would be wonderful being able to use this effect at a show. Thanks for the privilege.

[gdelitizia]

sign me up

[KCHG]

love it :P

[NightHawk71]

I'd love to win one of those!

[goodbob]

Looks like a good piece of gear.

[Jpluck]

Sounds sweet.

[Daddu Zenkho]

Uber Kewl...Love it

[rickwillingham]

Hey Neal!

Nice little demo you did. I wish you would have done more of the different sounds rather than just the Martin though....

[joe390]

Please enter me...thanks...

[devtrev]

I can't wait to plug in my Wasburn and try this out, ater I win of course.

[dkink52]

Oh yes I do!! :)

[pon00050]

Buena suerte!

[jakyllo]

Give me a chance. Thanks.

Jamie A. Kyllo

[Bluesric]

This would do a lotfor my acoustic sound

[lspence]

Count me in.

[Itsmesilly]

Im a HUGE acoustic fan...and this would be very cool!!!! Thanks!

[JanaKB]

Sweet! Would love to have the Boss AD-8 Acoustic Guitar Processor in my bag of tricks!

[koolbl]

I'm all for it!

[kreegerm]

Enter me to win. This thing is awesome.

[Mike51]

buy me a ticket and throw it in the hat.

thanks
Mike

[r4wr89]

sign me up :D thanks !

[sirmiken]

The box looks fun, count me in!

[Scott McCray]

Count me in! :D

[wheelerbandini]

Could not afford all those Guitars - I'm all in!

[hellroy]

Looks great! Good luck to everyone!

[teksmith]

add my name to the pot.

[hoo852963]

Nice little processor to boost the sound of a Thin Body acoustic like in Neal's demo. This would be so nice to expand the range of a thin body or cheaper guitar.

Thanks Again! Neal and Sweetwater!

[pdiddynj]

I'd like to have one. Thank you.

[RayBlue55]

Count me in on the drawing

[csharp57]

Please count me, too!

[hunter1801]

Don't think I signed up for this one yet, but I'm in!

[gshep]

Need help for my old 76 Guild Lawsuit Tak. Please, it won't even plug into a box.

[KariBear]

Sounds cool!

[krapweezl]

That is so nice. Count me in!

[flyfisher54]

Plug my Taylor NS-34 CE in and let's rock. Counting the day's.

[toad55]

That would make my John Lennon Ej106 E sound awesome. Love the guitar, hate the pick-up

[vtb55]

I'd certainly like to win this.

[diverdon69]

count me in

[dbridgie]

sign me up. I am all about acoustic guitar.

[dancingskeleton]

Pick Me!!!! PLEASE :)

[HiMileageJim]

Sounds amazing. Where do i send my shipping address?

Jim

[bg286]

Jah, danke

[spappy]

count me in!

[TonyTech]

Since all I play is acoustic guitar, solo, I need this little gem.

[apgher]

Hook me up!

[wef23]

Sounds great! Love to have it!

[Chris350]

What an excellent enhancement to my music abilities and effects - would love to have access to such a piece of equipment. Hope to win it and explore its possibilities and potential.

[hal_winstead]

will this make an old picker sound young again????

[woltersmtw]

sign me up

[Greg62]

Please count me in on this! Thanks.

[icantw8]

My old vintage Harmony isn't bad sounding now, but with one of these babies it could gain several thousand bucks worth of sound quality! :)

[willicd2007]

Sounds good sign me up it would be good to win it and start playing.

[1streverend]

This could definitely enhance the dinosaurs I have. I'll take one!

[wrockstar]

Sweet!!!!!!!!

[Ibanezst50]

I'm In!!!!

[dhawkins]

Looks pretty cool - I'm in.. :)

[trshev]

I guess this is how I enter the contest. If not, let me know. Thank You!!! :confused:

[Spartan_044]

Man, I never win anything really, but I hope my luck changes here!

[gjack316]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let me win!!! :)

[Psaltery]

Count me in, and santa Iv'e been very, very, uhhum.....good this year!

[Geoff.T.]

I need all the help I can get. Thankyou Sweetwater and Guitar Tricks.

[aglanmg]

Count me in.

[hackensaw]

cool processor!! I could sure use this one......

[Hieronymous]

That looks like a nice unit and I like that it's programmable so I can set up different sounds for different songs without having to reach for a dial on the gig. I have a 000 size guitar which AD-8 could "fill out" before going straight into the PA. Who needs an amp? Please put me in the draw for that baby!

[magicmasterson]

I definitely want to be in on this giveaway if possible

[Gospel daddy]

The AD-8 sounds amazing! All of those awesome sounds out of one box.

[s362lm]

Count me in on this one!

[quantumcougar]

I'd love to have that! Consider this my entry!

[20thCenturyDrifter]

OK, help me here. If you play a Martin D-28 through the AD-8, what do you get? A Martin D-56 maybe?

[petew1007]

Will the Boss AD-8 act as a Blues Driver along with other Drives
and Delay`s.............Looks like it could do alot`a things...........



Wal of the`RAPIDS` `CEDAR` that is

LATERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[GCEA Ken]

Excellent! Thank you for making this available.

[PeteCox]

Hey! Wudda loved this giveaway but alas I am over the pond in UK so no shipping! Tell you what - if I win it then put it up for auction with proceeds donated to charity.

Great site by the way....
Pete

[kpartsman]

Been wanting something like this and this looks like a good place to start

[sppiv]

Gotta win sometime

[vz58]

Nice piece of equipment. Count me in. :cool:

[krq9kh]

I can do alot with this.

[jniggel]

I'll take a free AD-8!

[jfab]

Definitely a nice addition to anyone's setup. Please count me in!

[slowpoker]

I'm ready to be a winner, count me in.

[glenn laponsey]

I hate it when somebody plugs in a acoustic and it sounds like my Paul.I dont think I stand alone on this.Send me one, PLEASE.

[Bearmgr]

Having been pounding away on my old Takamine for the past 5 years, it always seems a bit less "Full" to me when I jam with my cousin. ( a Martin D-28 owner ) While I know that this cheaper 'Tak' that I use is never going to have the exact sound of his, I would really like to try it through this pedal.

I was wondering if it had a feedback adjustment just in case you were amped through a Blackheart or an old Silvertone ( my latest buy and then my trusty, dusty go to amp for the last 42 years ) and it got to resonating up to a rumble. Can you roll the sound back a bit on this and still get it loud if needed? Just a ponderance. I used to have a sweet 'Tak' Acoustic-Electric that I played through my Peavey and it would just start to pick up a tiny bit of vibrations from idle strings and then it was all over but the jumping for the knobs! LOL ! Hard to do from a rolling chair!
Sounds and looks like a good thing here..and if Sweetwater has it, it's not a piece of junk :) !

[hdfatboy92]

please add me to the contest and thanks, sweetwater for another fine prize

[gatorgal]

Awesome! That would make my guitar sound great.

[shankin]

Sign me up!

[redcat13]

put me in!

[g_erdner]

I want to win this. I think my Alvarez 12 string would sound even better run through it.

[Gilbert54]

Thanks for offering the Boss AD 8. I'm looking forward to winning it!!!!!!!!

[hotriffdaddy]

Proceess my entry acoustically, please!

[jjtomlin]

sign me up.

[songman52]

I could definitely use that! Put my name in.

[equator]

Very nice unit.
Thanks GT and goog luck to everybody.

[jimdkc]

Just what I need! A bunch of knobs and switches to play with when I'm playing acoustic guitar, too! Count me in!

Jim

[akuralyronat]

Awesome! Sign me up

[iPlayCrazy]

Wowzer. That looks awesome. Please enter me!

[19]

sign me up

[aurorawilson]

Count me in!

[jdk4560]

Count me in for the November giveaway

[engineerdude]

Would love to have one. Would love to win one!!

[stantonpage]

I should like to be having one!

[wvredneck54]

sign me up