Marshall Boss pedal setup

Marshall Boss pedal setup requires a specific approach. Guitarists are constantly searching for the best pedal order, optimal amp settings, and a tight, noise‑free sound. This guide walks you step by step through configuring a Marshall MG50FX and Boss pedals for maximum control, clarity, and power. You’ll learn how smart signal routing, effective gain structure, and strategic effect placement let you switch effortlessly between clean acoustic tones, tight metal rhythms, and sustain‑rich solos. With these practical tips, you’ll immediately improve your tone, minimize feedback, and get the most out of your entire signal chain.

In my personal setup, I use the following gear:

Marshall and Boss pedal setup

• Marshall MG50FX
• Boss Super Chorus CH‑1
• Boss Distortion DS‑1
• Boss Digital Delay DD‑6
• WahWah CryBaby GCB‑95
• Digitech Whammy 4
• Boss Noise Suppressor NS‑1X
• Boss Compressor Sustainer CS‑3

1. Correct pedal order (optimized for your Marshall Boss pedal setup)

A. In front of the amp (preamp)

Guitar
→ Wah (GCB‑95)
→ Whammy 4
→ Compressor (CS‑3)
→ Distortion (DS‑1)
→ Noise Suppressor NS‑1X (INPUT)
→ Amp INPUT

B. In the effects loop (post‑preamp) for Marshall Boss pedal setup

Amp SEND
→ Chorus (CH‑1)
→ Delay (DD‑6)
→ NS‑1X (RETURN)
→ Amp RETURN

Why this is optimal for your Marshall Boss pedal setup

• NS‑1X in X‑pattern: suppresses both pedal noise and amp noise.
• Wah → Whammy: best tracking and expression.
• Compressor before distortion: more sustain, less noise.
• DS‑1 before NS‑1X: the NS‑1X removes all noise from the Whammy + DS‑1.
• Chorus & Delay in the loop: time‑based effects belong here.

2. Recommended settings per pedal of Marshall Boss pedal setup

These are practical starting points you can fine‑tune later.

Wah (GCB‑95)

No settings, just first in the chain.

Whammy 4

• Mode: Classic
• For Fade to Black intro: +1 Octave
• For solos: +1 Octave momentary (optional)

Compressor (CS‑3)

Level: 12:00 Tone: 11:00 Attack: 2:00 Sustain: 10:00–11:00

Distortion (DS‑1)

• Tone: 11:00
• Level: 1:00
• Distortion: 9:00–10:00 Use the amp gain for real metal crunch.

Noise Suppressor NS‑1X

Mode: Reduction Threshold: 11:00 Decay: 12:00

Chorus (CH‑1)

• Effect Level: 10:00
• EQ: 12:00
• Rate: 9:00
• Depth: 1:00

Delay (DD‑6)

• Level: 20–25%
• Mode: 800ms or Analog
• Time: 380–420ms
• Feedback: 25–30%

3. MG50FX + PEDL‑90010: 4‑channel workflow

The footswitch gives you:

• Clean
• Crunch
• OD1
• OD2

This allows you to create four live presets.

Clean / Acoustic (Fade to Black intro)

• Channel: Clean
• Gain: 9:00
• Bass: 12:00
• Middle: 1:00
• Treble: 1:00
• Reverb: slight
• Chorus: ON Delay: OFF

Crunch Metal (Metallica rhythm)

Channel: Crunch

Gain: 1:00–2:00

Bass: 2:00

• Middle: 10:00 (Metallica scoop)
• Treble: 2:00
• Reverb: OFF
• DS‑1: ON
• NS‑1X: ON

OD1 Lead (Gilmour / Comfortably Numb)

• Channel: OD1
• Gain: 11:00
• Bass: 1:00
• Middle: 2:00 (Gilmour mids!)
• Treble: 12:00
• Reverb: Plate
• Delay: ON
• Chorus: optional Compressor: ON

OD2 High‑Gain Lead (Metallica solos)

• Channel: OD2
• Gain: 1:00
• Bass: 2:00
• Middle: 11:00
• Treble: 1:00
• Delay: ON
• Compressor: ON
• DS‑1: optional boost
• NS‑1X: ON

4. Minimal switching while playing in Marshall Boss pedal setup

Fade to Black

• Intro: Preset 1
• Heavy section: Preset 2 — no extra pedals needed.

Disposable Heroes

• Rhythm: Preset 2
• Solo: Preset 4

Comfortably Numb

Solo 2: Preset 3 + Delay + Compressor

Solo 1: Preset 3 + Chorus

Summary of Marshall Boss pedal setup

• Works perfectly at living‑room volume
• Best order: Wah → Whammy → Compressor → DS‑1 → NS‑1X → Amp → (Chorus → Delay → NS‑1X)
• Four presets on the MG50FX for clean, crunch, Gilmour, and Metallica
• Minimal pedal‑dancing
• Lots of sustain, minimal feedback

For more information on setting up Boss pedals, click here. If you have any questions about this blog post, feel free to contact me through the contact form.