The original Boss Slicer, the SL-20, was one of those pedals that was ahead of its time. Not enough guitarists were into the sequencer style sounds that it was capable of producing. Or, not into it enough to sacrifice the pedalboard space it required. With the release of the SL-2 compact version of the effect, Boss is betting that the increase of forward thinking guitarists, combined with the new compact size, will entice more people to slice.
They have managed to include most of the features of the larger original:
Instantly create compelling sonic grooves with single and dual Slicer paths processed with multiple internal effects
88 memory locations with pre-loaded patterns (eight types with 11 variations for each)
Control the wave shape and length of sliced audio with Attack and Duty knobs
Adjust the overall effect level with +/-12 dB range
Mono/stereo input and output for integration with any setup
Seven stereo output modes: Fixed, EFX/Direct, Random, Ping-Pong, Auto, 3D Cross, and 3D Rotation
Connect to the BOSS Tone Studio app (macOS/Windows) via USB to explore and load alternate patterns
Control bypass and tap tempo with the onboard pedal switch
Connect up to two footswitches or an expression pedal for external parameter control
TRS MIDI input for clock sync and CC control
Tap Tempo