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BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah Pedal

BH #BOAW3 • MFR #AW-3
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BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah Pedal
Key Features
  • Dynamic/Auto-Wah Pedal
  • Inputs for Electric Guitar and Bass
  • Responds to Playing Dynamics
  • Sensitivity Control
Bring on the funk with the AW-3 Dynamic Wah Pedal from BOSS. By itself as a stompbox, the AW-3 functions like an auto-wah. Set the rate and let the funk begin. For easy tempo changes, the tap-tempo mode allows you to use the footswitch to tap out the desired tempo, and the AW-3 will follow. The AW-3 also functions dynamically, like an envelope filter, using the level of your guitar's signal to modulate the "position" of the wah. Funk and fusion players like guitarists Guthrie Govan and bassist Bootsy Collins have used this type of sound to great rhythmic effect. It was also an integral part of Jerry Garcia's signature guitar sound.
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BOSS AW-3 Overview

Bring on the funk with the AW-3 Dynamic Wah Pedal from BOSS. By itself as a stompbox, the AW-3 functions like an auto-wah. Set the rate and let the funk begin. For easy tempo changes, the tap-tempo mode allows you to use the footswitch to tap out the desired tempo, and the AW-3 will follow. The AW-3 also functions dynamically, like an envelope filter, using the level of your guitar's signal to modulate the "position" of the wah. Funk and fusion players like guitarists Guthrie Govan and bassist Bootsy Collins have used this type of sound to great rhythmic effect. It was also an integral part of Jerry Garcia's signature guitar sound.

Some players like the filtered sound of a cocked wah on their guitar tone. The dynamic wah can be set to a specific position along the wah's travel and will remain there when switched off. This precludes the trouble of selecting the correct position with a standard wah treadle every time you turn it on. Aside from the classic wah tones, the AW-3 also has a "Humanizer" mode which adds a simulated vocal "vowel" sound to your guitar's tone. The vowel changes as you pick. Also on the AW-3 is a separate input optimized for the frequencies produced by bass guitars.

Five Modes
Five modes - Up, Down, Sharp, Humanizer, and Tempo - allow you to use the wah sound in a variety of ways. Up mode provides a wah effect in which the filter shifts to higher frequencies. Down mode provides a wah effect in which the filter shifts to lower frequencies. Sharp mode provides a stronger wah effect with shifting of the filter to higher frequencies. Humanizer mode transforms the guitar's sound into the sound of a human voice, with vowel sounds that change as you pick. Tempo mode is used to set the auto-wah's tempo, in a range from 200 ms to 4 seconds.
EXP/CTL Input
An extra input can accept a separately available expression pedal like the Roland EV-5 or non-latching footswitch like the BOSS FS-5U. A non-latching footswitch can control the tap tempo of the pedal without having to enter the tap-tempo mode. An expression pedal can control the wah sounds and Humanizer effects of the AW-3 in the traditional "treadle" manner.
Classic BOSS Design
The AW-3 can run off of a single 9V battery or an optional external 9 VDC power supply. The electronics are encased in BOSS's iconic durable metal housing with a non-slip rubber base. The battery compartment can be easily accessed by unscrewing the thumbscrew at the front of the pedal. This pedal utilizes a buffered bypass for silent switching and driving long cable runs even while the pedal is disengaged.
UPC: 761294053041

BOSS AW-3 Specs

Inputs
1 x unbalanced 1/4" guitar TS
1 x unbalanced 1/4" bass TS
1 x EXP/CTL 1/4" optional expression pedal/footswitch control
Nominal Input Level
-20 dBu
Input Impedance
1 MOhm
Output
1 x unbalanced 1/4" instrument TS
Nominal Output Level
-20 dBu
Output Impedance
1 kOhm
Recommended Load Impedance
10 kOhms or greater
Residual Noise
Level: -92 dBu (IHF-A, Typ.)
Power Supply
9 VDC:
Dry battery, 9 V type (6F22/9 V))
Optional AC Adapter (PSA-Series, available separately)
Current Draw
50 mA @ 9 VDC
Dimensions
2.9 x 5.1 x 2.4" / 73 x 129 x 59 mm
Weight
15 oz / 420 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.2 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
5.906 x 3.701 x 2.598"

BOSS AW-3 Reviews

Boss can do better than this

By John
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2017-08-20

This unit is great for beginners, but professional musicians would appreciate having an output volume control.

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