Boss AC-3 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

DCAC

AC & BATTERY

POWERED

FET

Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator.

Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and
“IMPORTANT NOTES” (separate sheet). These sections provide important information con­cerning the proper operation of the unit.

Additionally, in order to feel assured that you have gained a good grasp of every feature pro­vided by your new unit, this manual should be read in its entirety. The manual should be
saved and kept on hand as a convenient reference.

A battery is supplied with the unit. The life of this battery may be limited, however, since
its primary purpose was to enable testing.

Copyright © 2006 BOSS CORPORATION

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the
written permission of BOSS CORPORATION.

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Main Features

Effects processor utilizes COSM technology to transform electric guitar input into beautiful
acoustic guitar sounds.

MODE knob allows you to select from a choice of four different acoustic guitar characters
(tones).

Features two types of output jacks, one for guitar amps and another for line out jacks, pro­viding you with outputs suited to the connected device.

“BODY” and “TOP” knobs can be used to adjust the acoustic guitar’s characteristic body
resonance and harmonics, allowing you to produce a wide variety of tones.

Includes high-quality reverb developed exclusively for the AC-3.

COSM (Composite Object Sound Modeling)

Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM) is BOSS/Roland’s innovative and powerful sound
modeling technology.
COSM analyzes the many factors that make up the original sound, such as the electrical and
physical characteristics of the original, and then produces a digital model that can reproduce
the same sound.

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Panel Descriptions

fig.01

12

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4

1. AC Adaptor Jack

Accepts connection of an AC Adaptor (op­tionally available BOSS PSA-series). By using
an AC Adaptor, you can play without being
concerned about how much battery power
you have left.

* If there are batteries in the unit while an AC

adaptor is being used, normal operation will

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continue should the line voltage be inter­rupted (power blackout or power cord discon­nection).

* Use only the specified AC adaptor (PSA-

series).

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2. CHECK Indicator

This indicator shows whether an effect is
ON/OFF, and also doubles as the Battery
Check indicator. The indicator lights when
an effect is ON.

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*

If this indicator goes dim or no longer lights
while an effect is ON, the battery is near
exhaustion and should be replaced immedi­ately. For instructions on changing the battery,
refer to

“Changing the Battery” (p. 16)

* The CHECK indicator shows whether the

effect is being applied or not. It does not
indicate whether the power to the device
is on or not.

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3. LINE OUT Jack

This output jack is used for connecting to
mixers, recorders, and other devices that ac­cept line-level input.
When a cable is also connected to the G.AMP
OUT jack, the output is sent from the LINE
OUT jack when the effect is switched on,
while the output is muted when the effect is
switched off.
For details, see “Connections” (p. 8–p. 13).

Panel Descriptions

4. G.AMP (Guitar Amp) OUT Jack

This output jack is used for connecting to
guitar amps and other effects processors.
The effect sound or direct sound is output
from here depending on whether the effect is
switched on or off.
When a cable is simultaneously connected to
the LINE OUT jack, the output from the
G.AMP OUT jack is muted when the effect is
switched on, while the direct sound is output
when the effect is switched off.
For details, see “Connections” (p. 8–p. 13).

5. Pedal Switch

This switch turns the effects on/off.

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Panel Descriptions

6. Thumbscrew

When this screw is loosened, the pedal will
open, allowing you to change the battery.

* For instructions on changing the battery,

refer to “Changing the Battery” (p. 16).

7. INPUT Jack

This jack accepts input signals (coming from
a guitar, some other musical instrument, or
another effects unit).

* The INPUT jack doubles as power switch.

Power to the unit is turned on when you plug
into the INPUT jack; the power is turned off
when the cable is unplugged. When not using
the effects unit, be sure to disconnect the plug
from the INPUT jack.

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fig.02

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11 12

8 9

8. REVERB Knob

This adjusts the amount of reverb applied to
the sound.

9. LEVEL Knob

This adjusts the volume of the effect sound.

Panel Descriptions

10 . BODY Knob

This adjusts the resonance of the sound pro­duced by the guitar body, altering the char­acteristic mellowness and breadth of the
acoustic guitar sound.

11 . TOP Knob

This adjusts the sense of attack and the har­monic content of the upper range.

12 . MODE Knob

Provides for selection of the tone. The knob can be used to select any of four tones.

STANDARD

JUMBO

ENHANCE

PIEZO

This tone is that of the popular Dreadnought acoustic guitar body style.

This setting provides a tone characteristic of an oversized guitar body,
a tone featuring a rich bass response along with a beautiful high end.

Providing a sharper attack than the standard tone, this tone does not
become masked by the sounds of other instruments, even in bands and
ensembles.

This setting provides the tone of a round-back acoustic guitar,
with subdued body resonance and a unique attack.

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Connections

* Raise the amp volume only after turning on the

power to all connected devices.

* The use of an AC adaptor is recommended as the

unit’s power consumption is relatively high.
Should you prefer to use batteries, please use the
alkaline type.

* To prevent malfunction and/or damage to

speakers or other devices, always turn down the
volume, and turn off the power on all devices
before making any connections.

* If there are batteries in the unit while an AC

adaptor is being used, normal operation will
continue should the line voltage be interrupted
(power blackout or power cord disconnection).

NOTE (Placement)

Depending on the material and temperature of the surface on which you place the unit, its bottom cover (rubber) may
discolor or mar the surface. You can place a piece of felt or cloth under the bottom cover to prevent this from happening.
If you do so, please make sure that the unit will not slip or move accidentally.

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* Once the connections have been completed, turn

on power to your various devices in the order
specified. By turning on devices in the wrong
order, you risk causing malfunction and/or
damage to speakers and other devices.

When powering up:

Turn on the power to your guitar amp last.

When powering down:

Turn off the power to your guitar amp first.

* Always make sure to have the volume level

turned down before switching on power. Even
with the volume all the way down, you may still
hear some sound when the power is switched on,
but this is normal, and does not indicate a
malfunction.

* When operating on battery power only, the

CHECK indicator will become dim when battery
power gets too low. Replace the battery as soon
as possible.