Still better than 90% of tremolos out there and considering the price it's hard to beat. But even if it weren't modestly priced, there's still a reason why it's used on so many professional boards. It just does the job reliably and beautifully so. It always sounds great in a live mix because it doesn't get drowned out like some trems can do to your signal. You get the pick attack on every note (unlike many trems where it's a crapshoot that you pick at the right time). You can actually feel the throb and not just hear it as a volume modulation. Nashville guys like it at the end of their chains to give their signal that buffer stage just before the amp and I've always found that to be its best spot on a board as well.
Couldn't agree more with everything you said. I have the MXR tremolo in addition to the TR-2, I always loved the old Dunlop trem but too big, so purchased the MXR. While the MXR is extremely flexible I find it a mixed bag. If you up the Depth on any of the 'green' trems you completely lose the pick attack - but on the 'red' trems it's fine. When I switch back to the TR-2 there is this 'comfy' feel to it - it reacts and feels right. Maybe not as flexible and multi-tremmed out as the MXR - but it has a certain mojo about it. Maybe it has to do with digital vs analogue - and by no means am I anti-digital.
@@TEST-sk8uz i agree with you regarding the mxr. love the concept but so much squandered potential. no real throb. also all the trem effects sounded like square waves. TR-2 > mxr multi-trem.
Just bought a TR-2. Compared it to the Fulltone Supa Trem the store had used and a JHS Tidewater. Liked the Boss the best. I own a '73 Vibrolux, a '70 Twin, a '64 Ampeg Gemini 1, and a '69 Silvertone 40XL. The $99 Boss sounds great even compared to these old amps with Tremolo.👍
Yeah, agreed. I like hearing trem on recordings and other musicians using, but I’ve bought a few “high end” terms, and never got THAT feel. I just bought a used TR-2 and am very happy with it. For one thing it seems more intuitive to me to get the amp trem sound I want. For another I think it has just the right amount of control features. Not ridiculously complex, not one size fits all. I prefer the wave setting just on the lower side of noon, and find it much easier than other trems I’ve had to dial in. I had given up on trems, but the other guitarist in my band had one and I was impressed so I picked up a used one. Am very happy with it.
I owned one of these pedals a long time ago. They are good, but not the best Tremolo out there. One cool thing is they are dead silent in terms of noise. I just wish they had a wider sweep on the modulation (or a volume control). Let me know what you think. ►Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/BXR001 ►Thomann - bit.ly/3cGbXGL ►Sky Music - alnk.to/7B9pTa7 (affiliate links)
Great pedal, great demo. This is probably the one tremolo pedal that i've seen the most on pedal boards. As much as i love Boss pedals and tremolo pedal i don't own a TR-2. I didn't think that a tremolo pedal was going to be for me and i bought the TC Electronic CHOKA Tremolo because it was cheaper, in case i don't end up using it much but it turned out to be one of my favorite modulation pedals. I've been very happy with it and didn't feel like i needed to upgrade it, i would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a tremolo pedal. I mainly use mine as a subtle effect or use it with fuzz to get a gated fuzz sound. Wild fuzz sounds and tremolo work great together. Btw Shane i didn't hear a volume drop here, it's probably "the chop" that makes you feel like there's a volume drop.
That chop is a similar thing on synths when the osc goos below zero in the sine. This on synths can be cured by ADSR in the envelope and retriggering the envelope on each new note played.
My favourite kind of tremolo is is noticeable but yet not overwhelming. Probably why I love the TR-2 and have one on my main large board and one on my stripped down mini board. Gives me subtle amp like tremolo all the way to REM Monster era wobble(Think Crush With Eyeliner, I Took Your Name).
Well...I was pleasantly surprised. 😎 I had assumed by the title here that decent was going to be generous & really it wasn't a good pedal. Perhaps, good but not amazing, is how I'd term it based on this review. For many trem users some subtlety is where it's at and this would have you covered rather tastefully. Another fine review, just a shame many of these reviews seem to be in a 'timed' format to meet RUclips algorithm preferences. Some ideally should be longer to give the viewer a bit more sound/info & not appear so rushed. Cheers. 🎸 🎸
I just don’t feel the volume modulation and seeming perceptive volume drop is a problem. That’s it’s design to reduce volume (amplitude) as a tremolo circuit in an amp would. I understand you can get pedals to boost baseline volume to offset this phenomenon, but then it’s not acting like an amp tremolo circuit? One of the reasons I like this Boss tremolo, is that speed can be set very low. Lower than the lowest speed on DRRI. In order for my DRRI to have the slow speed I want, I have to take the amp to a tech repair person, they will discharge the amp and put in pots or capacitors that have lower values. The only amp tech I trust moved far away and I’ve heard bad results and customer service nightmares from local amp repair companies. So I keep the Boss Tremolo. Plus I can use it with any amp.
I love that you explain where the battery goes in a Boss pedal lmao. Also, Boss fixed the volume drop issue a few years back. Shane might have an old one.
They're totally different effects: a "vibrato" changes the pitch of the note you play (up and/or down), whereas the "tremolo" changes the amplitude of the sound (volume).
I was going to pick up ones of theses but then a friend of mine who makes pedals as a hobby made me my very own custom boutique pedal, he even added a blend control which makes the effect mix very well in my tone. I wonder if they ever do a Waza version of this if they will add a blend control.
Prefer the tr2 to pretty much everything else . So did ALL the greats . Depth still effects the volume even though its been tweaked by Boss in recent times. Unless your playing TO MUCH tremolo (more than 2 songs per night) this pedal is perfect.
stock it's a decent pedal but there are lots of mods out there that if you're handy with a soldering iron can really make it much better.... I got the Fromel Supreme Mod Kit and it helps get the perceived volume drop when active and also gives a wider range for the speed and depth..... the catch is you can't use the kit on the modern models since Boss changed the construction from through board to surface mounted components.... so you'll need to get an older one if you want to mod it
I have been using a couple of PN-2s and a Schaller clone to shift the signals around amongst some of my amps. They don't have that middle knob, but now I know. 🤔
Well, unlike most, I prefer to use my Tr-2 before my overdrive, and not after. I prefer that sound, much like Zac Child’s does. Also, In this position, I honestly don’t hear any volume drop.
I picked up a Mr Black Mini tremolo and I’m totally infatuated with the harmonic trem, you can have either style or blend both. Harm is sort of uni vibe-y but more manageable.
Tremolo isn’t my go to effect nor would I use it outside of perhaps it already on my amp. This pedal is cool and gives a bit more control over the effect than say using the tremolo on your Fender amp. 🎸👍🏾
Sounds a lot more natural and vintage than most wave chopping junk out there for twice the price to me man.I think Ill grab one for the price, cant go wrong. I think running it before a compressor with a tad bit of verb it would blend very well old school.
Agreed, Robert. I started looking at trems a few months ago and started with the Boss. In my deeper dive research... I found the Flint. Expensive but man... it does so much more and sounds unbelievably cool. 😎🎸👍
@@stephenlennartz3466 I've been super, super happy with the Strymon Flint (version 1). It is pricey but two good pedals in one, and I'm just not a guy who needs elaborate $600 reverb units with 1,000 options, and certainly don't need boutique/modded tremolo effects to get the job done. The Strymon has a few simple but good options with each effect and sounds good.
Still better than 90% of tremolos out there and considering the price it's hard to beat. But even if it weren't modestly priced, there's still a reason why it's used on so many professional boards. It just does the job reliably and beautifully so. It always sounds great in a live mix because it doesn't get drowned out like some trems can do to your signal. You get the pick attack on every note (unlike many trems where it's a crapshoot that you pick at the right time). You can actually feel the throb and not just hear it as a volume modulation. Nashville guys like it at the end of their chains to give their signal that buffer stage just before the amp and I've always found that to be its best spot on a board as well.
But most pros get it modded with a volume pot. Still great though
Couldn't agree more with everything you said. I have the MXR tremolo in addition to the TR-2, I always loved the old Dunlop trem but too big, so purchased the MXR. While the MXR is extremely flexible I find it a mixed bag. If you up the Depth on any of the 'green' trems you completely lose the pick attack - but on the 'red' trems it's fine. When I switch back to the TR-2 there is this 'comfy' feel to it - it reacts and feels right. Maybe not as flexible and multi-tremmed out as the MXR - but it has a certain mojo about it. Maybe it has to do with digital vs analogue - and by no means am I anti-digital.
@@TEST-sk8uz i agree with you regarding the mxr. love the concept but so much squandered potential. no real throb. also all the trem effects sounded like square waves. TR-2 > mxr multi-trem.
Just bought a TR-2. Compared it to the Fulltone Supa Trem the store had used and a JHS Tidewater. Liked the Boss the best. I own a '73 Vibrolux, a '70 Twin, a '64 Ampeg Gemini 1, and a '69 Silvertone 40XL. The $99 Boss sounds great even compared to these old amps with Tremolo.👍
Yeah, agreed. I like hearing trem on recordings and other musicians using, but I’ve bought a few “high end” terms, and never got THAT feel. I just bought a used TR-2 and am very happy with it. For one thing it seems more intuitive to me to get the amp trem sound I want. For another I think it has just the right amount of control features. Not ridiculously complex, not one size fits all. I prefer the wave setting just on the lower side of noon, and find it much easier than other trems I’ve had to dial in. I had given up on trems, but the other guitarist in my band had one and I was impressed so I picked up a used one. Am very happy with it.
Tr-2 is my favorite tremolo pedal , great to see the love in the comments if not in the video, the people have spoken 😂😂
I owned one of these pedals a long time ago. They are good, but not the best Tremolo out there. One cool thing is they are dead silent in terms of noise. I just wish they had a wider sweep on the modulation (or a volume control). Let me know what you think.
►Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/BXR001
►Thomann - bit.ly/3cGbXGL
►Sky Music - alnk.to/7B9pTa7
(affiliate links)
Hi :) there is an internal trimpot to adjust the volume as far as i know
Great review. Liked the clear explanation. Thanks.
I've read there is a trim pot on the bottom of the board to increase the volume on these when engaged. It's a small Phillips head screw.
Great pedal, great demo. This is probably the one tremolo pedal that i've seen the most on pedal boards. As much as i love Boss pedals and tremolo pedal i don't own a TR-2. I didn't think that a tremolo pedal was going to be for me and i bought the TC Electronic CHOKA Tremolo because it was cheaper, in case i don't end up using it much but it turned out to be one of my favorite modulation pedals. I've been very happy with it and didn't feel like i needed to upgrade it, i would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a tremolo pedal. I mainly use mine as a subtle effect or use it with fuzz to get a gated fuzz sound. Wild fuzz sounds and tremolo work great together.
Btw Shane i didn't hear a volume drop here, it's probably "the chop" that makes you feel like there's a volume drop.
That chop is a similar thing on synths when the osc goos below zero in the sine. This on synths can be cured by ADSR in the envelope and retriggering the envelope on each new note played.
My favourite kind of tremolo is is noticeable but yet not overwhelming. Probably why I love the TR-2 and have one on my main large board and one on my stripped down mini board. Gives me subtle amp like tremolo all the way to REM Monster era wobble(Think Crush With Eyeliner, I Took Your Name).
I only use/collect Boss pedals (with the exception of pedals like wahs/Whammy), so I have a TR-2 and love it. I still want a Boss PN-2, as well.
Well...I was pleasantly surprised. 😎
I had assumed by the title here that decent was going to be generous & really it wasn't a good pedal.
Perhaps, good but not amazing, is how I'd term it based on this review. For many trem users some subtlety is where it's at and this would have you covered rather tastefully.
Another fine review, just a shame many of these reviews seem to be in a 'timed' format to meet RUclips algorithm preferences. Some ideally should be longer to give the viewer a bit more sound/info & not appear so rushed.
Cheers. 🎸 🎸
Thanks, Shane. I like the swamp rock intro track.
Very cool! Thanks for the upload. I still think I’m leaning walrus monument or jam harmonious monk for the versatility and harmonic trem.
I just don’t feel the volume modulation and seeming perceptive volume drop is a problem. That’s it’s design to reduce volume (amplitude) as a tremolo circuit in an amp would. I understand you can get pedals to boost baseline volume to offset this phenomenon, but then it’s not acting like an amp tremolo circuit?
One of the reasons I like this Boss tremolo, is that speed can be set very low. Lower than the lowest speed on DRRI. In order for my DRRI to have the slow speed I want, I have to take the amp to a tech repair person, they will discharge the amp and put in pots or capacitors that have lower values. The only amp tech I trust moved far away and I’ve heard bad results and customer service nightmares from local amp repair companies. So I keep the Boss Tremolo. Plus I can use it with any amp.
another great video, thanks Shane.
I've owned 3 tremolos. This one is BY FAR the smoothest one. It's butter.
I love that you explain where the battery goes in a Boss pedal lmao. Also, Boss fixed the volume drop issue a few years back. Shane might have an old one.
It's a current one. What I mean is the wave form goes under the volume rather than above and below like more thicker sounding tremolo pedals.
@@intheblues did you try adjusting the internal trim pot to increase volume above unity gain?
Just bought one myself 👍 great writing tool, I can sit for ages just playing with trem on
Hey Shane, that kiesel has a great tone and look! I dig that tremolo pedal, but a little goes a long way
It is amazingly dude dont lie.
If you get a chance, try out a BOSS PN-2. It has the tremolo plus a panning effect.
What,s the differences betvien boss TR 2 trimolo and boss vibrator waza craft pedel.
They're totally different effects: a "vibrato" changes the pitch of the note you play (up and/or down), whereas the "tremolo" changes the amplitude of the sound (volume).
MXR Tremolo or Boss Tremolo? That's the question?
I was going to pick up ones of theses but then a friend of mine who makes pedals as a hobby made me my very own custom boutique pedal, he even added a blend control which makes the effect mix very well in my tone. I wonder if they ever do a Waza version of this if they will add a blend control.
7:20 I was expecting you to play the intro of Guerilla Radio 😁
I enjoy the tremolo on my ‘65 Deluxe Reverb amp; however, I don’t use it that much. Thanks for the vid Shane!!!!
Prefer the tr2 to pretty much everything else . So did ALL the greats . Depth still effects the volume even though its been tweaked by Boss in recent times. Unless your playing TO MUCH tremolo (more than 2 songs per night) this pedal is perfect.
Boss should make a 'WAZA' craft version and sort out the problems you suggested Shane.
stock it's a decent pedal but there are lots of mods out there that if you're handy with a soldering iron can really make it much better.... I got the Fromel Supreme Mod Kit and it helps get the perceived volume drop when active and also gives a wider range for the speed and depth..... the catch is you can't use the kit on the modern models since Boss changed the construction from through board to surface mounted components.... so you'll need to get an older one if you want to mod it
I have been using a couple of PN-2s and a Schaller clone to shift the signals around amongst some of my amps. They don't have that middle knob, but now I know. 🤔
I love that you offer some critique. Too many videos are all positive. No gear is perfect.
I've used this pedal for over 20 years and it is built like a brick and does exactly what it supposed to do.
Well, unlike most, I prefer to use my Tr-2 before my overdrive, and not after. I prefer that sound, much like Zac Child’s does. Also, In this position, I honestly don’t hear any volume drop.
My Roland Blues Cube Artist Amp has me covered.
I picked up a Mr Black Mini tremolo and I’m totally infatuated with the harmonic trem, you can have either style or blend both. Harm is sort of uni vibe-y but more manageable.
I love tremelo 🙂 just curious… what did you replace the boss with? I’ve been eyeing the walrus monument for its harmonic mode
Nice revue Shane if you like télé style guitar truc a Godin Stadium ,i net you like IT
Get a Godin Stadium
I really enjoyed the review. Those “helicopter tones” can be kind of fun. Thank you, Shane
Shane... LoL... Your diggin the trem... I can tell by your smerk... great video.
It's ok!
Tremolo isn’t my go to effect nor would I use it outside of perhaps it already on my amp. This pedal is cool and gives a bit more control over the effect than say using the tremolo on your Fender amp. 🎸👍🏾
brand of that second guitar yuu playin…(light green one)
That's the Vola Vasti. I have a few recent videos of it :)
@@intheblues thanx guuy
Thanks Shane. The Kiesel strat with Johnny Hiland pickups sounds great.
The green guitar is so cool...Mikey Likey...haha
Sounds ok to me. BBE Tremor is another decent inexpensive tremolo pedal.
Am I the only one who literally gets sea sick listening to strong tremelo? I wont make it through the whole video.
The best Tremolo is the one on my Strat.
Yet it's technically called a "vibrato" as it changes the pitch of your note, whereas the "tremolo" changes the amplitude (volume).
Does what it says on the box!
Sounds a lot more natural and vintage than most wave chopping junk out there for twice the price to me man.I think Ill grab one for the price, cant go wrong. I think running it before a compressor with a tad bit of verb it would blend very well old school.
I think this pedal shines on electric piano.
Great Demo, Shane, but I am not a fan of this type of sound. Seems to shrill for my ears.
great player..regardless of pedals
It’s not a great pedal . I sold mine as I thought it sounded too artificial and glitchy
Those who can, do. Those who can't, have youtube channels.
Stop torturing us and post your review of the lefty Fender Ultra!
Monte Allums mod turn it into a beast!
Two words “Strymon Flint”. I tried at least 4 others before this and would have been better and cheaper to just get the Flint in the first place
Agreed, Robert. I started looking at trems a few months ago and started with the Boss. In my deeper dive research... I found the Flint. Expensive but man... it does so much more and sounds unbelievably cool. 😎🎸👍
@@stephenlennartz3466 I've been super, super happy with the Strymon Flint (version 1). It is pricey but two good pedals in one, and I'm just not a guy who needs elaborate $600 reverb units with 1,000 options, and certainly don't need boutique/modded tremolo effects to get the job done. The Strymon has a few simple but good options with each effect and sounds good.
There are better pedals out there
I posted yesterday but it was deleted
So be it