Boss DB-90From real comments

Name: Boss DB-90
Rating: 2.8 (14 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment38%

PROS 38%

CONS 62%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a dependable, consistent practice metronome
You can use a MIDI foot pedal for hands-free song switching
You need decent audio output for in-ear monitor setups

What users love

Reliable and consistent performance0 mentions

Strongly positive

Hands-free MIDI pedal control0 mentions

Widely praised

Good audio output for in-ear monitoring0 mentions

Widely praised

Decent battery life for extended use0 mentions

Generally positive

Skip this if...

You need fast one-button song switching mid-set
You're bothered by the built-in mic picking up kit spill
You need built-in support for tempo/time-signature changes within a song

What users complain about

Unclear support for time signature/tempo changes within a song0 mentions

Generally negative

Confusing or unreliable memory/programming behavior0 mentions

Generally negative

Built-in mic causes unwanted interruptions0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Slow, multi-step song switching mid-set0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Inconsistent battery reliability in heavy use0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Mid

Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz

Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns

Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz

Articulate sound

Great with extended-range guitars

Strong overall tone quality

Price concerns

2Premium

Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay

Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings

Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay

Musical analog tone

Long-term reliability and board loyalty

Simple, intuitive controls

High price point

Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable

Distortion at high settings

3Premium

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive

Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive

Touch-sensitive dynamics

Long-term favorite / durability of appeal

Sweet, low-gain tone quality

High price versus clones

Deluxe loses some original character

Limited mid control

Best value

4Mid

MXR Super Badass Distortion

Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged

MXR Super Badass Distortion

Exceptional versatility

Natural, amp-like tone

Powerful 3-band EQ

Demo videos undersell the pedal

Noticeable noise floor

Volume drop when engaged

5Premium

Eventide Orville

Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you

Eventide Orville

Exceptional reverb quality

High-quality warm pitch shifting

Strong aspirational appeal

High price

Cheaper alternatives may suffice

Effect can feel like it plays for you

6Premium

Origin Effects Deluxe61

Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb

Origin Effects Deluxe61

Authentic amp-like tone

Excellent low-to-mid gain drive

Underrated favorite among owners

High price point

Limited gain-staging flexibility

No built-in reverb

7Premium

Roland TR-808

Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware

Roland TR-808

Iconic, powerful kick drum

Warmer, more alive analog character

Cultural and historical influence

Extremely high collector price

Analog noise and static requiring EQ

Reliability concerns of aging hardware

8Premium

Moog Subsequent 37

Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine

Moog Subsequent 37

Inspiring and addictive to play

Warm, fat analog tone

Strong DAW/VST editor integration

High price for what it offers

Limited versatility outside bass range

Needs effects/partner gear to shine

Wampler Tumnus V2

Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones

Wampler Tumnus V2

Klon Centaur-style tone

Convincing demo influenced purchase

Excellent clean boost

Not suited for metal tones

10Mid

Wampler Paisley Drive

Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions

Wampler Paisley Drive

Transparent tone

Versatile across genres

Works well across many guitar types

Two-channel routing complexity

Dry signal bleed-through

Inconsistent demo impressions

You are here

31Mid

Boss DB-90

Reliable and consistent performanceDecent battery life for extended useGood audio output for in-ear monitoringUnclear support for time signature/tempo changes within a songBuilt-in mic causes unwanted interruptionsConfusing or unreliable memory/programming behavior

Boss DB-90

Reliable and consistent performance

Decent battery life for extended use

Good audio output for in-ear monitoring

Unclear support for time signature/tempo changes within a song

Built-in mic causes unwanted interruptions

Confusing or unreliable memory/programming behavior

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Owners find the DB-90 dependable and well-built for regular practice use. Multiple users describe it as consistent and easy to use, with one long-term owner calling it the best metronome they've owned. It's used across contexts from solo practice to marching band percussion sections, and generally holds up under daily use, though battery reliability was inconsistent for at least one heavy-use band setting.

Live performance workflow is a mixed bag, especially for quick song transitions. A MIDI foot pedal input allows hands-free song switching during a set, which drummers like since sticks never leave their hands. However, others compare it unfavorably to competitors with simpler one-button song advance, noting the DB-90 requires multiple steps (stop, memory, turn knob, memory, start) that feel slow for back-to-back songs in worship settings.

The built-in microphone and programming/memory behavior confuse several users. Users ask repeatedly how to disable the built-in mic, since it picks up drum kit spill and interrupts or resets the device unintentionally. Others are confused about whether power must stay connected to retain programmed tempos, and whether battery removal erases saved settings, suggesting the memory-saving mechanism isn't clearly understood by users.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

check_circleReliable and consistent performance

2 mentions

Strongly positive

One long-term owner calls the DB-90 the best metronome they've ever used, and another user praises its consistency and ease of use compared to alternatives they've tried.

@paraflamdragonruff9487

I own this db90 and have used the tama in the past. I hate to say it cause im a boss fan, but the tama is better for a working drummer in live gig situation. I think ill have to buy it also. Man ive spent alot of bread on clicks over the years. Its worth it to have one that works well and is very consistent easy to use and has FULLY CHANGEABLE SOUNDS ON ANY BEAT! still looking for that tho.

smart_display

January 10, 2023

@garye4678

I've had a DB-90 for about a year now, it's the best Metronome I've ever owned.

smart_display

October 16, 2014

settings_input_componentHands-free MIDI pedal control

1 mentions

Widely praised

Plugging in a MIDI foot pedal lets drummers switch songs during a set without their sticks leaving their hands, using a single foot click during a song transition.

@josephgaribay

Plugging in any kind of midi pad foot pedal makes it so much easier to switch songs during a set list. It becomes a hands free process and the sticks never have to leave your hands. It's as easy as one foot click during the crash out of each song.

smart_display

February 18, 2015

volume_upGood audio output for in-ear monitoring

1 mentions

Widely praised

Users testing the metronome with in-ear monitor systems found the audio signal output power completely satisfactory for that use case.

@BeatIttv

We used an in-ear monitor system during individual testing and the audio signal output power from the metronome is completely satisfactory.

smart_displayTranslated from Polish

September 5, 2013

battery_fullDecent battery life for extended use

1 mentions

Generally positive

A marching band reported the DB-90 lasting about three weeks when used five hours per day, showing solid stamina for heavy daily practice schedules.

@vegavgf0369

Our marching band uses on the DB-90 and the percussion sections uses the older version the DB-88. I like the battery life though that works for three weeks when used for 5 hours per day, then it randomly stops on us

smart_display

August 5, 2017

helpUnclear support for time signature/tempo changes within a song

3 mentions

Generally negative

Several users ask whether the device can handle tempo changes or time signature changes mid-song, or program odd time signatures and bar counts, suggesting this functionality is unclear or limited.

@jeroenlammerts

It cannot change time signature right? So let say we have a song in 6/8.

smart_display

August 12, 2024

@jjohn1551

is it possible to program odd time signatures with this? and the amounts of bars and tempo changes within one song? and time signature changes also

smart_display

May 16, 2016

@KeithSudano

Can it be programmed to change tempos within a song after a particular set of measures? I want to map out songs and they are all progressive with at least one tempo change per song. I mean without touching the unit or any knobs while playing.

smart_display

December 27, 2012

memoryConfusing or unreliable memory/programming behavior

2 mentions

Generally negative

Some users report that pressing memory twice does nothing, and clicks need continuous power to retain saved BPMs, while others are unsure if removing the battery erases all programmed settings.

@royalkobra5976

Thanks for the tut, some things might need to be added: pressing memory twice does nothing and in order for your bpms to still be saved the next day, the click needs to have electricity the whole time

smart_display

February 1, 2025

@tomsgig-taxi5577

Sorry...\"The battery saves the programmed information to the device and without the battery every programming ist lost.\" Seriously?! So the battery works as a memory device like a USB-Stick?! Or how is this meant?\nProgramming the metronome with power cable connected but without battery inside wouldn't work?! Hopefully this is a wrong information or misunderstood. Otherwise it's the most gigantic conception mistake BOSS could have ever realised :)!\n\n\nHow if I have to change the battery one day? Is all programming lost?`\n\n\nThanks for answering.\nTom

smart_display

May 10, 2020

micBuilt-in mic causes unwanted interruptions

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

The onboard microphone picks up spill from drum kits and other noise, and multiple users ask how to turn it off since it can interrupt or reset the device when accidentally triggered.

@timcursaro6497

Can you turn off the inbuilt mic? I get so much spill from the kit through it. Not sure why it’s there.

smart_display

December 17, 2022

@nancynavarrette3615

How do I turn off the mic? It got turned on accidentally and now any noise interrupts and rests the device

smart_display

February 4, 2021

speedSlow, multi-step song switching mid-set

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

Users note the DB-90 requires several steps (stop, memory, turn knob, memory, start) to jump to a new song, which feels too slow for live sets that go straight into the next song, unlike competing one-button units.

@mikedunbar7583

So you can’t go right into the next song with one button? We go straight into a second song sometimes at my church, and hitting stop, memory, turn knob, and memory again then start does not seem like it would be quick. The Tama I use now is one button, and I don’t even have to look at it.

smart_display

March 30, 2021

warningInconsistent battery reliability in heavy use

1 mentions

Generally negative

Despite decent overall battery life, one marching band user noted the unit randomly stops during extended daily use, raising reliability concerns for demanding schedules.

@vegavgf0369

smart_display

August 5, 2017

Boss DB-90chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Boss DB-90From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression