How it Works
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MD-500
Users Manual
30 pgs2.19 Mb0
Owner’s Manual
30 pgs2.2 Mb0
MIDI Implementation
32 pgs188.73 Kb0
Table of contents
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Boss MD-500 Users Manual

Owner’s Manual
5 Thanks to 32-bit high-precision processing at a 96 kHz sampling rate from input to output, the MD-500
gives you stunningly high-quality modulation eect.
5 With an easily readable screen and an independent [TAP/CTL] switch, it delivers both high
functionality as well as ease of use during live performances.
5 Standard eects such as chorus, anger, and phaser have been enhanced using cutting-edge
Boss technology. The MD-500 provides a total of 12 modulation eects, including models of the Boss CE-1 and scanner vibrato.
5 The memory function lets you store and recall 297 dierent setups from internal memory. 5 The MD-500 provides “simul mode” which lets you use two eects simultaneously, and an “insert
loop function” which lets you shape your sound in conjunction with an external eect unit.
5 By connecting the MD-500 via a USB cable or MIDI cables, you can switch sounds and control
parameters in synchronization with your computer DAW or an external MIDI device.
Getting Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installing the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Connecting the Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Adjusting the Eect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Turning Eect On/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Switching Banks/Patches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Using the [TAP/CTL] Switch to Control the Eect 7
PATC H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Parameters Common to All Modes . . . . 10
Parameters for Each Mode . . . . . . . . . . 10
CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
ASSIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
BANK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
MIDI PC MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Convenient Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Assigning the Functions of the [A], [B], and [TAP/CTL] Switches
Using Two Patches Simultaneously
(Simul Mode)
Before using this unit, carefully read “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (leaet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY ” and Owner ’s Manual (p. 30)). After reading, keep the document(s) including those sections where it will be available for immediate reference.
© 2017 Roland Corporation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Inserting an External Eect Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Setting the Insert Loop Function . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Assigning a Function to an External Pedal. . . . . 25
Synchronizing with a DAW or External MIDI Device
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Connection Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
MIDI Messages That Can Be Transmitted and
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Received
MIDI Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Restoring the Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . 28
Transmitting Data to an External MIDI Device . . 28
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Main Specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
USING THE UNIT SAFELY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
IMPORTANT NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Getting Ready

Installing the Batteries

Install four alkaline batteries (AA, LR6) in the battery compartment located on the bottom of the unit.
* When turning the unit over, be careful so as to protect the buttons and knobs from damage.
Also, handle the unit carefully; do not drop it.
* If you handle batteries improperly, you risk explosion and uid leakage. Make sure that you
carefully observe all of the items related to batteries that are listed in “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (separate sheet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and Owner’s manual (p. 30)).
* We recommend that you keep batteries installed in the unit even though you’ll be powering it
with the AC adaptor. That way, you’ll be able to continue a performance even if the cord of the AC adaptor gets accidently disconnected from the unit.
* “BATTERY LOW” will appear on the display if the batteries are low. Replace them with new ones.
Attaching the Rubber Feet
You can attach the rubber feet (included) if necessary. Attach them in the locations shown in the illustration.

Connecting the Equipment

* To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn o all
the units before making any connections.
USB (O) port
Use a commercially available USB 2.0 cable to connect this port to your computer.
You can synchronize with a DAW via MIDI.
MIDI IN, OUT connectors
Connect an external MIDI device here.
You can synchronize with an external MIDI device via MIDI.
MIDI device
DC IN jack
Accepts connection of an AC Adaptor (PSA-S series; sold separately). By using an AC Adaptor, you can play without being concerned about how much battery power you have left.
* Use only the specied AC adaptor (PSA-S series; sold
separately), and connect it to an AC outlet of the correct voltage. Do not use any other AC adaptor, since this may cause malfunction.
* If the AC adaptor is connected while power is on, the power
supply is drawn from the AC adaptor.
2
Getting Ready
INPUT A/MONO, B jacks
Connect your electric guitar, or another instrument or eect unit, to these jacks.
* Use the INPUT A/MONO jack and B jack when connecting a stereo-
output eects unit. Use only the INPUT A/MONO jack if you’re using a mono source.
Turning the power on/o
The INPUT A/MONO jack doubles as the power switch. Power to the unit is turned on when you plug into the INPUT A/MONO jack; the power is turned o when the cable is unplugged.
When powering up:
Turn on the power to your amp last.
When powering down:
Turn o the power to your amp rst.
CTL 1, 2/EXP jack
You can control various parameters by connecting a footswitch (FS-5U, FS-5L, FS-6, FS-7: sold separately) or an expression pedal (such as the EV-30, Roland EV-5; sold separately) to the CTL 1, 2/EXP jack (p. 25).
When Connecting an FS-5U (or FS-5L)
1/4” phone type ,1/4” phone type
POLARITY switch
MEMO
You can connect an external eect unit and use it in conjunction with the MD-500’s eects (p. 24).
INPUTOUTPUT
When Connecting Two FS-5Us (or FS-5Ls)
Stereo 1/4” phone type
,
1/4” phone type x 2
OUTPUT A/MONO, B jacks
Connect these jacks to your amp or monitor speakers.
If you’re using a mono setup, use only the OUTPUT A/ MONO jack.
* Do not connect
headphones to the OUTPUT A/MONO, B jacks. Doing so may damage the headphones.
CTL 1 CTL 2 CTL 1
When connecting expression pedal
* Use only the specied
Stereo 1/4” phone type
,
Stereo 1/4” phone type
CTL 2 CTL 1
MODE/POLARITY switch
When Connecting an FS-7When Connecting an FS-6
Stereo 1/4” phone type
,
Stereo 1/4” phone type
MODE/POLARITY switch
expression pedal (EV-30, Roland EV-5; sold separately). By connecting any other expression pedals, you risk causing malfunction and/or damage to the unit.
EXP
3

Basic Operation

Adjusting the Eect
[MODE] knob
Selects the type of eect.
CHORUS
FLANGER
PHASER
CLASSIC-VIBE Models a Uni-vibe.
VIBRATO
TREMOLO
DIMENSION Models the Roland DIMENSION D (SDD-320).
RING MOD
[RATE/VALUE] knob
Adjusts the rate at which the eect sound is modulated.
To make larger changes in the value, turn the knob while pressing it.
A chorus unit that can simulate anything from a vintage chorus unit to a chorus eect powered by BOSS’s cutting-edge technology. Generates a anging eect. Turn the TURBO SW “ON” to create an even more intense sound. Generates a phase eect. This can also give you the light sound of a vintage phaser.
A vibrato with a unique eect. This can also simulate the scanner vibrato of a tonewheel organ. An eect that cyclically varies the volume. This can also simulate the tremolo of a vintage guitar amp.
Produces an unpitched sound with a metallic character.
[PARAM 1] knob
Adjusts a parameter that is assigned to each mode.
ROTARY
FILTER
SLICER
OVERTONE
A realistic simulation of a rotary speaker's sound. Lets you use the input to control the lter, or program the lter's modulation cycle. Repeatedly cuts the sound to produce a variety of slice patterns. Adds new overtones to create resonance and depth that was not present in the original sound.
[DEPTH] knob
Adjusts the depth to which the eect sound is modulated.
[E. LEVEL] knob
Adjusts the volume of the eect sound.
[A] [B] switches
Switch banks/patches (p. 6).
[I] [H] buttons
Switch screens.
[H] [I]
4
Top screen
[H]
[I]
In simul mode (p. 23)
Turn the [RATE/VALUE] knob to adjust the value.
Tempo
[H]
[I]
Note
Note length relative to the tempo
[PARAM 2] knob
Adjusts a parameter that is assigned to each mode.
[TAP/CTL] switch
You can press this switch to vary the way in which the eect is applied (p. 7).
By pressing this switch in time with the tempo of the song you’re playing (tap input), you can easily
[H] [I]
set the modulation rate to match your song.
Turning Eect On/O
Patch A eect
Each time you press the [A] switch, the eect alternately turns on (lit blue) / o (unlit).
Patch B eect
Each time you press the [B] switch, the eect alternately turns on (lit blue) / o (unlit).
Blue: on Unlit: o
Press once
MEMO
You can also make settings so that patches A and B are used simultaneously (p. 22).
Patches and Banks
Settings for MODE, DEPTH, and EFFECT LEVEL are collectively called a “patch.” You can select patches using [A], [B], and [TAP/CTL] switches (p. 22). A combination of patches A, B, and C is called a “ bank.”
Basic Operation
BANK 99
BANK 02
BANK 01
Patch 01A Patch 01B Patch 01C
* If you want to use the [TAP/CTL] switch to select patch C, refer to “Assigning the Functions of the [A], [B], and [TAP/CTL]
Switches” (p. 22).
Bank down
Bank up
5
Basic Operation

Switching Banks/Patches

1. Switch banks (01–99).
Bank up (press the [B] and [TAP/CTL] switches simultaneously)
Bank down (press the [A] and [B] switches simultaneously)
2. Press a blinking switch ([A] or [B]) to switch patches.
Blinking blue
MEMO
You can recall a dierent patch by turning the [RATE/VALUE] knob while you hold down the [EXIT] button.
MEMO
You can change the functions that are controlled by the [A], [B], and [TAP/CTL] switches; for example, you can make the [A] switch turn eect on/o.
6
Basic Operation
Using the [TAP/CTL] Switch to Control the Eect
By default, the [TAP/CTL] switch is used for tap input, but you can change the setting and use this switch to vary the way in which the eect is applied.
1. Press the [EDIT] button.
2. Use the [
H
] [I] buttons to select “CONTROL” and then press the
[EDIT] button.
3. Use the [
H
] [I] buttons to select a parameter, and use the [RATE/
VALUE] knob to edit the value.
Parameter Value Explanation
TAP/CTL Species the function of the [TAP/CTL] switch.
TAP/CTL PREF
PATC H Dierent settings can be made for each patch. SYSTEM The same settings are shared by all patches.
TAP/CTL Settings
Value Explanation
OFF No assignment. TAP Lets you specify the modulation rate by tap input. RESET When you press the pedal, the LFO’s phase returns to the value of INIT PHASE (p. 10). MOMENT Outputs the eect sound only while you hold down the switch. BANK UP BANK DOWN
4. Press the [EXIT] button to return to the top screen.
Change banks.
7

Editing a Patch

You can edit a variety of patch-related parameters.
1. Press the [EDIT] button.
2. Use the [
[EDIT] button.
3. Use the [
VALUE] knob to edit the value.
H
] [I] buttons to select “PATCH,” and then press the
H
] [I] buttons to select a parameter, and use the [RATE/
4. Press the [EXIT] button to return to the top screen.
* Save the edited patch as described in the procedure on “Saving a Patch” (p. 9).
Basic [EDIT] operations
Use the [H] [I] buttons to move the cursor Use the [RATE/VALUE] knob to edit the value
[EDIT] button
[EDIT] button
[EXIT] button
Use the [H] [I] buttons to move the cursor
8

Saving a Patch

Here’s how to save a patch that you’ve edited.
1. Press the [EXIT] button and [EDIT] button simultaneously.
2. Use the [RATE/VALUE] knob to select the save-destination
number.
Bank [A] switch [B] switch [ TAP/C TL] switch
Bank 01 01A 01B 01C Bank 02 02A 02B 02C
: : : :
Bank 99 99A 99B 99C
* Patch C can be selected only if FSW MODE (p. 22) is set to “A/B/C.”
3. Press the [
H
] button to select the patch name.
4. Edit the patch name.
[H] [I] buttons [RATE/VALUE] knob Edit the character
Move the cursor
5. Press the [EDIT] button to save the patch.
If you decide to cancel, press the [EXIT] button.
By moving the cursor to “WRITE TO” and turning the [RATE/VALUE] knob, you can initialize a
patch (INIT) or exchange patches (EXCHANGE).
9
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