XT-2

Boss XT-2 Xtortion distortion pedal. In an unusual turn of events for Boss (Boss usually only releases "sure thing" pedals), the XT-2 did not approach the production numbers of most other pedals of Boss' line. The XT-2 was in production from only 1996 to 1998 and the lack of demand, sources indicate only about 2000 were ever sold, caused Boss to discontinue this model of pedal. Because the controls are unconventional, the XT-2 can be a difficult pedal to get right and a player can quickly lose patience with it. It's pretty clear that this is likely due to a lack of adequate explanation by Boss.

As a result of its unusual operation, those who purchased the XT-2 were mostly unaware of how to use it. More often than not, players were disappointed by the outcome. We hope this wiki page helps dispel some confusion. When a player knows how to set up this pedal, it can sound pretty good.

It's our belief that this pedal would have sold quite a bit better had Boss provided a better explanation of the design, and the intended method of operation.

As described above, the Boss XT-2 Xtortion is no longer being made.

Thermionic Studios has one(1) Boss XT-2 Xtortion pedal available for rental.

Controls

Image from Bossarea.com

• Knob 1 - "Level": Controls the volume output level of your guitar signal.
• Knob 2 - "Contour": Post-distortion mids-frequency control. Fully counter-clockwise is mid-scoop; fully clockwise is mid-hump @ 900 Hz.
• Knob 3 - "Punch": Adjusts a pre-distortion mid-boost. Fully counter-clockwise is a slight treble boost. Fully clockwise is an extreme mid-boost.
• Knob 4 - "Dist": Controls distortion gain from moderate to extreme.
• Footswitch - "On/Off": Toggles the pedal on and off.

Bypass:Buffered

Like all Boss pedals, the XT-2 has a buffered bypass.

General Information

So we equate the operation of the XT-2 Xtortion as a distortion pedal plus the option of dialing in a fixed wah-wah sound that which can be set by the contour and punch controls. It might be easier to think of the Xtortion as a distortion pedal where the "Noon to 5AM" sides of the contour and punch controls are hooked into an MXR QZone pedal. The biggest clue as to it operating in such a manner is the "Fixed Wah" setting, shown on page 13 of the Owner's Manual.

If we look at the schematic, it seems like it would be a bit odd to describe the tone stack "like a fixed wah". The topology of the schematic doesn't follow the typical schematic for a wah-wah. The Rob Mods (Source link at bottom of this page) description is a great explanation. Basically there's a pre-distortion treble boost, and a post-distortion mids cut-and-boost. This can result in a cocked wah sound, but also allows for variations - mostly around the mids and highs, and even the possibility of a "scooped mids" type sound.

Because of the negative opinion many people have of this pedal, it is a candidate for the Bad Device Chain Challenge. As indicated above, we think this pedal can sound very very good, and would disagree with such a candidacy.

Pedal Manual

• Boss XT-2 Xtortion Owner's Manual

Phase Inversion: No

We don't see any electronic components aligned in this schematic that would inverse phase, so we currently declare this pedal as not inverting phase. Of course this will have to be put on an oscilliscope to verify real-world results.

Schematic ID	Electronic Part	Action	Phase State
Q2	C2458	Does not Invert	Original
Q1a	2SK118	Does not Invert	Original
IC2.2	M5218	Does not Invert	Original
IC2.1	M5218	Does not Invert	Original
IC1.2	M5218	Does not Invert	Original
IC1.1	M5218	Does not Invert	Original
IC3.1	M5218	Does not Invert	Original
IC3.2	M5218	Does not Invert	Original
Q11	C2458	Does not Invert	Original
Q4	2SK118	Does not Invert	Original
Q5	C2458	Does not Invert	Original

There is a second "Q3" connected to the emitter of the actual Q3. This second Q3 can be found on the right side of the schematic. This transistor should be "Q6" and all subsequent transistors (Q8 thru Q11) should be renumbered accordingly (Q7 to Q10). Also please note there is a second "Q1" that is used in the power rail, and also doesn't seem to be included in the component numbering on the schematic.

Finally, please also note that Q2 and Q5 (as labeled on the schematic) are buffer transistors, and that Q3 (and the other Q3), along with Q9 and Q10, are part of the silent switching apparatus that Boss always includes in their pedals and really isn't germane to the function of the XT-2. In other words, these portions of the XT-2 could be stripped away, and the pedal would still function. It is also the likely reason that none of the components found in the silent switching section of the schematic have any part specifications documented. These parts are not meaningful to the function of the actual effect.

Shout out to Rob Mods for transistor and IC parts numbers.

Schematic

Assumed Public Domain, unaware of any Copyright claims by Taber

Artists

We are currently unaware of any artists actively using the pedal now, or who have in the past.

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Additional Sources

1. http://www.bossarea.com/boss-xt-2-xtortion/
2. https://www.freeinfosociety.com/media.php?id=1561
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC6a8tdzzyU