Boss OC-3 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

* 5 1 0 0 0 5 4 5 9 8 - 0 1 *

Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (supplied on a separate sheet).

After reading, keep the document(s) where it will be available for immediate reference.

English

Main Features

World’s rst octave pedal equipped with a “polyphonic octave” function capable of polyphonic input, freeing guitarists from the limitations of performing with monophonic input.
Features OC-2 mode for compatibility with that widely popular octave pedal. In addition to single octave capabilities, this unit also allows you to blend in sounds two octaves below the original sound.
Includes a “Drive mode” for creating wild octave eects in addition to adding distortion to sounds.
Equipped with a BASS IN jack for octave eects especially suited for basses. Plug into the BASS IN jack, and the OC-3’s internal processing switches to the optimal conditions for use with basses.
“DIRECT OUT” enables separate output of the direct and octave sounds.

Panel Descriptions

DC IN jack

Accepts connection of an AC Adaptor (PSA series; sold separately). By using an AC Adaptor, you can
play without being concerned about how much battery power you have left.

* As soon as you connect the AC adaptor, the unit is turned on.

* Use only the specied AC adaptor (PSA-Series).

* Use only the speci ed AC adaptor (PSA 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.

* 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
accidentally disconnected from the unit.

DIRECT LEVEL Knob

This adjusts the volume of the direct sound.
Turn the knob to the right (clockwise) to increase the direct sound.
This adjusts the total volume level when the MODE knob is set to DRIVE.

OCT1 LEVEL (-1 octave level) Knob

This adjusts the level of the sound one octave below the original. The volume of
the sound one octave down increases as the knob is turned to the right.

DIRECT OUT Jack, OUTPUT (MONO) Jack

The output jacks are used to connect the unit to an
amplier or another eects unit.

* Output may vary according to the

connections.

Refer to “Outputting

AC Adaptor

(PSA series; sold separately)

the Direct Sound and Octave Sound
Separately.”

Guitar Amplier

Pedal Switch

Used for switching eects on/o.

CHECK Indicator

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

* If this indicator goes dim or no longer lights while an eect is ON, the battery is near

exhaustion and should be replaced immediately. For instructions on changing the
battery, refer to “Changing the Battery.”

* The CHECK indicator shows whether the eect is being applied or not. It does not

indicate whether the power to the device is on or not.

* Before turning the unit on/o, always be sure to turn the volume down. Even with the

volume turned down, you might hear some sound when switching the unit on/o.
However, this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

MODE Knob

This switches the octave eect.
Changing this knob’s settings changes the function of the CONTROL knob.

CONTROL Knob

This knob’s function changes according to the mode set with the MODE knob.

MODE CONTROL Explanation

POLY RANGE Enables polyphonic input.

POLY OCT2 (-2

DRIVE DRIVE Adds distortion to the direct sound and octave

* Only the octave sound is distorted when a plug is connected to DIRECT

OUT.

Octave Level)

This mode creates a more stable octave sound
than available in other modes. This adjusts the
range in which the octave eect is applied. The
eect extends into higher frequencies as the
knob is turned to the right; turning the knob to
the left limits the eect to lower frequencies.

In addition to providing sounds one octave
below the original input, this also allows you to
output sounds lowered by two octaves.

This adjusts the level of the sound two octaves
below the original. The volume of the sound two
octaves down increases as the knob is turned to
the right.

sound.
Turning the knob to the right intensies the
distortion.

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.”

* To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn

down the volume, and turn o all the units before making any
connections.

Notes Concerning Use of the OC-3

Please observe the following points to enjoy stable operation of the
OC-3.

7 Except when set to POLY mode, the OC-3 is a monophonic-input

eects processor. Take care not to play chords with monophonic input.
In addition, if playing a note while another note is currently being
played, be sure to completely mute the previous note before playing
the subsequent note.

7 Connect the OC-3 directly to the guitar or bass output. Furthermore,

simultaneously using a compressor or limiter with the OC-3 provides
even more stable performance. In such setups, connect the OC-3 to
the output of the compressor or limiter.

7 Turn down the guitar or bass tone when playing in the lower registers

or if the OC-3 is outputting sounds incorrectly.

7 Switching to the guitar or bass’s front pickup (the pickup closest to the

instrument’s neck) is recommended for performances using the OC-3.
Additionally, humbucking pickups provide more stable operation than
single-coil pickups.

7 When the OC-3 is used in POLY mode, the volume of the octave sound

starts to drop above the 5th fret of the 1st string when used with
guitars (when connected to GUITAR IN), and above the 14th fret of the
1st string when used with basses (when connected to BASS IN). We
recommend using OCT2 mode if such high registers are to be used
extensively.

7 Using the OC-3 in POLY mode provides a more stable octave sound

than in other modes.

7 Note that no octave sound is produced if the DIRECT LEVEL knob or

OCT1 LEVEL knob is set to MIN when using the OC-3 in DRIVE mode.

7 Note that little or no octave sound is output if the OCT1 LEVEL knob or

CONTROL knob is set to MIN when using the OC-3 in POLY mode.

Outputting the Direct Sound and
Octave Sound Separately

When you connect a plug to DIRECT OUT, only the direct sound is output
from the DIRECT OUT jack, and only the octave sound is output from the
OUTPUT (MONO) jack. This allows you to add eects separately to the
direct sound and the octave sound.

* In this case, sounds are output only from the DIRECT OUT jack

when the eect is switched o.

Guitar Amplier Multi Eector etc.

Electric
Guitar

When the OC-3 is in DRIVE mode while DIRECT OUT is connected, the
direct sound (without the distortion applied) is output from DIRECT OUT.
Taking sounds with eects added using a multi-eects processor or other
such device and the sounds in DRIVE mode and playing them through
multiple amps allows you to produce an extremely low sound with greater
separation. In such settings, the DIRECT LEVEL knob adjusts the direct
sound level.

GUITAR IN Jack, BASS IN Jack

Bass Guitar

Electric Guitar

These jacks accept input signals (coming from a guitar, a bass, some other musical
instrument, or another eects unit).

* The unit’s functions dier according to how it is connected.

* When running the unit on battery power, the GUITAR IN and BASS IN jacks

double as power switches. Power to the unit is turned on when you plug
into the GUITAR IN or BASS IN jack; the power is turned o when the cable
is unplugged. Be sure to disconnect any cord plugged into the GUITAR IN
or BASS IN jack when not using this eects device. When the AC adaptor is
used, the power remains on at all times, and this function is disabled.

Use of Battery

* A battery was installed in the unit before it left the factory. The

life of this battery may be limited, however, since its primary
purpose was to enable testing.

* If operating this unit on batteries, please use alkaline batteries.

* 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” (supplied on a separate sheet).

* When operating on battery power only, the unit’s indicator will

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

* Batteries should always be installed or replaced before

connecting any other devices. This way, you can prevent
malfunction and damage.

Changing the Battery

1. Hold down the

Thumbscrew

pedal and loosen
the thumbscrew,
then open the

Battery Snap
Cord

pedal upward.

* The pedal can be

opened without
detaching the
thumbscrew
completely.

Battery
Snap

9 V Battery

2. Remove the old
battery from the battery housing, and remove the
snap cord connected to it.

3. Connect the snap cord to the new battery, and place
the battery inside the battery housing.

* Be sure to carefully observe the battery’s polarity (+ versus -).

4. Slip the coil spring onto the spring base on the back of

the pedal, and then close the pedal.

* Carefully avoid getting the snap cord caught in the pedal, coil

spring, and battery housing.

5. Finally, insert the thumbscrew into the guide bush
hole and fasten it securely.

Pedal

Spring Base

Coil Spring

Guide Bush
Hole

Battery Housing

Setting Samples

Unison

Heavy Ri

Main Specications

BOSS OC-3: SUPER Octave

Nominal Input Level -20 dBu

Input Impedance 1 MΩ

Nominal Output Level -20 dBu

Output Impedance 1 kΩ

Recommended Load
Impedance

Power Supply DC 9 V: Dry battery 6LR61 (9 V) type (alkaline),

Current Draw 50 mA (DC 9 V)

Dimensions 73 (W) x 129 (D) x 59 (H) mm

Weight 440 g /1 lb (including battery)

Accessories O wner’s Manual Leaet (“USING THE UNIT

Options AC Adaptor (PSA-Series)

* 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms

* This document explains the specications of the product at the

time that the document was issued. For the latest information,
refer to the Roland website.

Arpeggio

10 kΩ or greater

Dry battery 6F22 (9 V) type (carbon)

AC Adaptor (PSA-series: optional)

* Expec ted battery life under continuous use:

Carbon: 2 hours, Alkaline: 6 hours
These gures will vary depending on the
actual conditions of use.

2-7/8 (W) x 5-1/8 (D) x 2-3/8 (H) inches

SAFELY,” “IMPORTANT NOTES,” and “Information”)
Dry battery/9 V type (6F22)

* The battery that was supplied with the unit is
for temporary useintended primarily for testing
its operation.

We also suggest replacing this with an alkaline
dry cell.

Dual Drive

Copyright © 2016 ROLAND CORPORATION

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