Categories cover overdrive and distortion, modulation, delay, and reverb, plus bass-oriented options and BOSS staples such as Slow Gear and Slicer. Utility blocks — foot volume, two noise suppressors, send/return, and divider/mixer — can sit anywhere in the chain with an independent global EQ. Manual and Memory modes provide stompbox-style switching or preset recall, with 128 preset and 128 user memories for guitar and bass. Gear Suite offers factory-tuned starting points per effect type from a dedicated knob.

Controls centre on a 2.4-inch colour graphic LCD (320 × 240), four FX buttons, and dual multi-function footswitches with colour LEDs. Four 1/4-inch jacks support mono or stereo I/O, with two usable as an effect loop for external pedals inside the EX-4 chain. Extra control comes from a CTL/EXP jack, miniature TRS MIDI in and out, and USB Type-C. Series, parallel, and wet/dry routings are available, and certain setups can carry delay and reverb tails across memory changes.

Released in October 2026, the EX-4 suits players who keep their core drive and amp sounds on separate pedals. The unit sits beside an existing board rather than replacing it with a full multi-effects floor unit.