About This Item
Description
The next-generation guitar pedal drum machine, adding expression-pedal control, the SuperSwitch ecosystem, and Autopilot automation on top of BeatBuddy's original hands-free, studio-quality drum sound.
Which BeatBuddy is this?
The BeatBuddy family has three current pedals. The BeatBuddy 2 is the new-generation model with HD drum kits, Autopilot mode, and SuperSwitch support. The BeatBuddy 10th Anniversary Edition is the original BeatBuddy in a limited black-and-gold finish. The BeatBuddy Mini 2 is the compact drum-pedal-sized option with built-in content.
- vs. BeatBuddy Mini 2: BeatBuddy 2 is significantly larger and more capable: it has an SD card slot for expandable content, full-size MIDI I/O, a 2.4-inch color screen, SuperSwitch/expression-pedal support and 24-bit stereo audio, while the Mini 2 is a smaller, fixed-content, 16-bit mono pedal with no MIDI, SD card, or SuperSwitch support.
- vs. BeatBuddy 10th Anniversary Edition: BeatBuddy 2 upgrades the original BeatBuddy (as reissued in the Anniversary Edition) with HD drum kits, Autopilot automation, expression-pedal control, SuperSwitch compatibility, full-size MIDI ports (no adapter needed), a larger 2.4-inch screen, and an on/off switch; the Anniversary Edition keeps the original engine, 1.77-inch screen, PS/2 MIDI port, and Mini-USB port in a limited matte black-and-gold finish.
Why guitarists choose this pedal
- New HD drum kits with 4x the sample capacity of the original BeatBuddy kits (up to 450MB per kit vs 100MB)
- Autopilot Mode: smart automation that handles part lengths, fill timing, transitions and song endings like an interactive backing track, while you can still trigger fills or move to the next part early with the footswitches
- Expression pedal support for real-time hands-free control of tempo, volume, and velocity dynamics — a first for the BeatBuddy line
- SuperSwitch compatible via two dedicated multiswitch ports; the optional six-switch SuperSwitch gives direct access to accents, part changes, tempo halving/doubling and song folders
- Full-size 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT ports built in — no adapter cable needed, unlike the original BeatBuddy's PS/2 port; it can follow MIDI clock or play as a drum sound module from a pad controller
- Larger 2.4-inch, higher-resolution color screen with on-screen button function labels and a more intuitive hierarchical menu
- 233 songs and 13 drum sets out of the box, with room for up to 320 drum sets and 3.2 million songs
- Physical on/off power button and full stereo output
Controls and switches
- Left foot switch – starts the song with an optional intro, adds fills, holds for a transition, double-press for the outro
- Right foot switch – starts Part 1 without an intro and pauses/resumes the beat; the screen shows what each press will do
- Drum Set knob
- Tempo knob
- Volume knob (also controls headphone level)
- Multidirectional pad and Tap button for navigation and tap tempo
- Power on/off button
Connections & Power
- Two 1/4-inch TS inputs (L/R) pass your instrument through, unaffected by the drum volume
- Two 1/4-inch outputs (L/R) for mono or stereo rigs
- 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphone output (adapter included)
- Two 1/4-inch TRS multiswitch inputs for Footswitch+, SuperSwitch or a standard expression pedal
- Full-size 5-pin MIDI IN and MIDI OUT
- SD card slot; no USB port
- 9V DC center-negative, 300 mA; a 500 mA 9V supply is included; no battery operation
In the Box
- BeatBuddy 2 pedal
- 4GB Class 10 SD card with drum content
- 9V DC power supply
- 1/4-inch headphone adapter
| Type | Drum machine pedal |
|---|---|
| Content | 233 songs, ~500 patterns, 13 drum sets (expandable, up to 450MB per drum set) |
| Audio | 24-bit / 44.1kHz, stereo |
| Screen | 2.4-inch color TFT (240 x 320) |
| Footswitches | 2 (left and right) |
| Inputs | 2 x 1/4-inch TS (L/R audio passthrough) |
| Outputs | 2 x 1/4-inch mono (L/R) main, 1 x 1/4-inch stereo headphones |
| Control inputs | 2 x 1/4-inch TRS multiswitch (Footswitch+, SuperSwitch, expression pedal) |
| MIDI | 5-pin DIN IN and OUT |
| USB | None |
| Storage | SD card slot, 4GB Class 10 card included, expandable up to 32GB |
| Bypass | Digital dry through |
| Power | 9V DC center-negative, 300 mA (500 mA supply included) |
| Battery | Not supported |
| Dimensions | 6 x 4.5 x 2.75 in (152 x 114 x 70 mm), D x W x H |
| Weight | 1 lb 5.7 oz (615 g) |
FAQ
What's new in BeatBuddy 2 compared to the original BeatBuddy? BeatBuddy 2 adds Autopilot automation, expression-pedal control, SuperSwitch compatibility, a larger 2.4-inch screen, full-size MIDI ports (no adapter needed), a 1/4-inch headphone output, two footswitches, two customizable on-pedal buttons, and an on/off power switch.
Does BeatBuddy 2 use an SD card? Yes, it ships with a 4GB Class 10 SD card (expandable up to 32GB); the card holds all kits, beats and settings and must be inserted for the pedal to work.
Can I use my original BeatBuddy songs? Yes. BeatBuddy 2 reads original BeatBuddy content; the reverse does not work.
Do I need the SuperSwitch to use BeatBuddy 2? No, SuperSwitch is an optional accessory sold separately; BeatBuddy 2 works standalone or with the standard Footswitch+ for expanded footswitch control.
Can I use an expression pedal with BeatBuddy 2? Yes, any standard expression pedal can be connected to a multiswitch input to shape tempo, volume, or velocity dynamics in real time — a feature the original BeatBuddy does not have.
Does BeatBuddy 2 have a USB port like the original? No, BeatBuddy 2 removed the USB port; to edit content you take out the SD card and work on it in the web-based BeatBuddy Manager Online.
What is Autopilot Mode? Autopilot automatically plays fills, transitions, and the outro in a preset song structure, functioning like an interactive backing track that you can still steer at any time using the footswitches.
Can BeatBuddy 2 run on battery power? No, it requires the included 9V DC center-negative power supply; there is no battery option. From a pedalboard supply, use an isolated 9V output rated at least 300 mA.