You knew this day would come -- the day when the self-decreed masters of the stompbox effects arena would announce a foot-pedal-style live vocal processor. The BOSS VE-20 Vocal Performer effects pedal was announced today, meaning thousands of Cedric Bixler-Zavala Wannabes can finally toss their XLR-1/4" adapters away (not they ever remembered to bring them to gigs anyway JEEZ).

Yes, the BOSS VE-20 is outfitted with solid XLR jacks for easy in-line live application. The VE-20 is chock-full of sweet vocal sweeteners; there's pragmatic effects like EQ, compression, and limiting; more special effects like live doubling, harmonizing, distortion, delay, and reverb; and even more intense effects -- affectations? -- stuff called Robot, Strobe, Chromatic, and Radio.

Of course, it's easy to over-do voice effects. That's why BOSS made sure to install a live Phrase Looper on the VE-20 so that your crazed vocal textures can be layered one on top of the other to infinity until they bend the very fabric of space-time.

The VE-20 runs off six AA batteries or an AC adapter. Pricing has not yet been announced, but the pedal should be available starting next month (November).