Boss RC-2 User Manual
Owner’s Manual
DCAC
AC & BATTERY
POWERED
FET
Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the BOSS RC-2 Loop Station.
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and
“IMPORTANT NOTES” (supplied on a 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....................................................................................................... 4
Panel Descriptions .............................................................................................. 5
Connections....................................................................................................... 10
Turning the Power On/Off................................................................................. 12
........... 13
........ 16
Creating Loop Phrases by Recording Guitar or Bass Performances
Using AUTO Mode to Automatically Start Phrase Recording with Audio Input
Recording After Setting the Tempo with the Pedal ................................ 18
Creating Loop Phrases by Recording Phrases from a CD/Digital audio player
Playing/Overdubbing Along with a Saved Phrase
,,
.. 20
.................... 23
Recording and Performing Along with the Guide .................................... 25
Using the RC-2 for Practicing—Phrase Trainer ............................................. 26
Playing a Phrase Only Once (One-Shot Playback) ........................... 27
Operating the RC-2 with an External Footswitch ........................................... 28
Saving and Deleting Phrases ........................................................................... 31
About the Tempo and Time Signature............................................................. 34
Changing the Battery ........................................................................................ 38
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................ 39
Specifications .................................................................................................... 41
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Main Features
●
The RC-2 is a compact performance tool that enables anyone to create loop phrases of exact
lengths—simply and easily.
●
Up to 11 different loop phrases can be saved, with a maximum total length of 16 minutes.
●
Phrase playback tempo can be controlled in real time without changing the phrase’s pitch.
●
Undo and Redo functions allow the last overdub to be cancelled or restored, great for fixing
performance mistakes made during overdubbing.
●
Loop Quantize automatically adjusts the phrase length after recording, making it easy to
create loop phrases that match the current tempo setting.
●
The AUX IN jack allows for easy recording of audio signals from CDs and other digital audio players.
●
A built-in guide—with a variety of patterns suitable for a broad range of musical genres—
provides a rhythmic accompaniment to play along with while creating and playing phrases.
●
You can use footswitches (optional FS-5U or FS-6) to stop performances, set tempos, and
switch phrases.
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Panel Descriptions
fig.01
3
12
4
7
8
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.
* Use only the specified AC adaptor (PSA-series).
*
If there is a battery in the unit while an AC adaptor is being
used, the RC-2 will switch over to battery-powered operation
should the line voltage be interrupted (i.e., power blackout or
power cord disconnection).
2. CHECK Indicator
Use this indicator to check the battery.
*
If the indicator dims or fails to light, it means that the battery is
5
6
depleted and needs to be replaced. For instructions, refer to
“Changing the Battery” ; p. 38
3. AUX IN Jack
Connect a cable from here to the headphone jack of your CD
player or other digital audio player.
* The input to AUX IN is muted whenever a cable is
connected to the INPUT jack.
* With the factory settings, the RC-2 applies compensation to
the AUX IN signal so that it sounds appropriate when
played through a typical guitar amplifier. If you’re using the
RC-2 with a full-range speaker system, you can defeat this
compensation if desired (“Defeating AUX IN Compensation” ; p. 22).
.
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Panel Descriptions
4. OUTPUT Jack
Connect a guitar amp or monitor speaker here.
*
The OUTPUT jack also doubles as a power switch.
Inserting a plug into the OUTPUT jack switches on the power; pull
out the plug to switch the power off. To avoid unnecessary depletion
of the battery, pull out the plug connected to the OUTPUT jack when
you’re not using the RC-2.
* Do not connect headphones to the OUTPUT jack. Doing so
may damage the headphones.
5. INPUT Jack
Connect your guitar, bass, or other instrument here.
* The input to AUX IN is muted whenever a cable is
connected to the INPUT jack.
6. STOP/TEMPO Jack
Connect an optional footswitch (FS-5U or FS-6) to this jack.
The footswitch can be used to stop performances, set tempos, and switch phrases (p. 28).
Using a special Roland PCS-31 connection cable (optional),
you can connect two FS-5Us or an FS-6.
7. Pedal Switch
• Pressing the pedal twice in quick succession stops the RC-2 dur-
ing any of its operations (recording, playback, or overdubbing).
Empty phrase
tracks
Recording → Playback → Overdubbing
Tempo Input → Recording →
Playback → Overdubbing
(When MODE knob is set to “ ”)
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Phrase tracks
containing recorded phrases
• Pressing the pedal twice in succession stops the recording, playback, or overdubbing.
With loop phrases:
Press the pedal twice within one second.
With one-shot phrases:
Press the pedal twice within 0.5 seconds.
Example: When you want to stop at the end of a
Press the pedal one time at the beginning of the fourth
beat, then press it once again at the beginning of the
first beat of the next measure.
* With loop phrases, press the pedal twice within an
interval of one second; with One Shot phrases, press
the pedal within an interval of 0.5 seconds.
Playback → Overdubbing
Technique for Stopping Operation
measure with a 4/4 time signature
Second
time
...
Stop
413212
First
time
Panel Descriptions
8. Thumbscrew
Loosen this thumbscrew to open the pedal and facilitate battery replacement.
* For instructions on replacing the battery, refer to “Changing
the Battery” ; p. 38.
fig.02
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9. PHRASE LEVEL Knob
This adjusts the volume level of the phrase being played
back.
* This knob does not adjust the input level of the INPUT and
AUX IN jacks or the volume of the guide sound.
1311
1410 12 15
. GUIDE LEVEL Knob
10
This adjusts the volume level of the guide sound.
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. LOOP/ONE SHOT Indicator
This lights up when a phrase is saved to the selected phrase
track.
Green: loop phrase
Red: one-shot phrase
* A flashing light indicates that there is insufficient memory
for recording or overdubbing (Temporary Memory; p. 31).
* When the RC-2 lacks the memory required to save a phrase,
the indicator flashes rapidly.
* The indicator flashes rapidly while phrases are read from
memory. Take care to prevent the power from being cut or
turned off while the indicator is flashing rapidly.
* The indicator flashes rapidly when a phrase is deleted from
temporary memory (p. 31). (During this operation, the
indicator’s color is yellow if there is no data stored in the
currently selected phrase track.)
12
. PHRASE SELECT KNOB
Use this to select the phrase track for saving or playback.
7
Panel Descriptions
. TAP TEMPO/SELECT/ENTER Button
13
Use this when setting tempos, changing parameter values, and deleting and writing data.
The function changes according to the position of the MODE knob.
MODE Knob Position
, , AUTO
4/4
DELETE
WRITE
. REC/PLAY/DUB Indicator
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This lights or flashes during recording, playback, and overdubbing.
Red
Green
Yellow
Lights Flashes Rapidly
During recording During recording standby
During playback When phrases are switched with Phrase Shift (p. 29)
During overdubbing During UNDO and REDO (p. 15)
Description
Set the tempo by repeatedly pressing the button at the desired speed (“Setting the tempo”; p. 35).
The indicator flashes at the same rate as the tempo.
Switches the time signature each time the button is pressed (p. 36).
(The time signature must be set before recording.)
Switches the guide pattern each time the button is pressed (p. 36).
Switches between loop and one-shot playback for the selected phrase track each time the button
is pressed (p. 27).
(This function is available only when data is stored in the selected phrase track.)
Use the button to delete the selected phrase track (p. 33).
(When the MODE knob is set to DELETE, the button’s indicator flashes or lights in yellow.)
Use the button to save a recorded phrase to the selected phrase track (p. 32).
(When the MODE knob is set to WRITE, the button’s indicator flashes or lights in red.)
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. MODE Knob
15
Use this knob to switch between the RC-2’s operating modes.
MODE Knob Position
AUTO
4/4
DELETE
WRITE
Description
The pedal switch can be used to set the tempo as well as control recording, playback, and
overdubbing (p. 18).
The pedal switch is used to control recording, playback, and overdubbing (p. 13).
(This is the RC-2’s normal operating mode.)
After the pedal switch is used to put the RC-2 in recording standby, recording begins automatically when audio is received at the INPUT or AUX IN jack (p. 16).
Allows you to use the TAP TEMPO/SELECT/ENTER button to set the time signature for the
guide (p. 36).
Allows you to use the TAP TEMPO/SELECT/ENTER button to select the guide sound pattern
(p. 36).
Allows you to use the TAP TEMPO/SELECT/ENTER button to toggle between loop and
one-shot playback for the selected phrase track (p. 27).
Allows you to use the TAP TEMPO/SELECT/ENTER button to save a phrase to the selected
phrase track the selected phrase track
Allows you to use the TAP TEMPO/SELECT/ENTER button to save a phrase to the selected
phrase track (p. 32).
Panel Descriptions
(p. 33).
9
Connections
Guitar amp
Jack type
AUX IN jack:
STOP/TEMPO jack:
INPUT jack, OUTPUT jack:
10
AC adaptor
(sold separately)
Stereo miniature phone
Stereo 1/4-inch phone
1/4-inch phone
CD/digital audio player
Headphones
Jack
or
PCS-31
Footswitches
(sold separately)
Electric guitar/bass
Stereo 1/4” phone
plugs at both ends
Connections
* Inserting a connecting plug into the OUTPUT jack turns on the power to the unit.
* 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.
* 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.
* Use a cable from Roland to make the connection. If using some other make of connection cable, please note the following
precautions.
• Some connection cables contain resistors. Do not use cables that incorporate resistors for connecting to this unit. The
use of such cables can cause the sound level to be extremely low, or impossible to hear. For information on cable
specifications, contact the manufacturer of the cable.
* 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:
When powering down:
* 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.
* For detailed information about footswitches to connect to the STOP/TEMPO jack, refer to p. 28.
* Do not connect headphones to the OUTPUT jack. Doing so may damage the headphones.
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.
Turn on the power to your guitar amp last.
Turn off the power to your guitar amp first.
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Turning the Power On/Off
Turning On the Power
Insert the plug of the connection cable into the
OUTPUT jack.
* This unit is equipped with a protection circuit. A brief
interval (a few seconds) after power up is required before the
unit will operate normally.
Turning Off the Power
Remove the plug of the connection cable from
the OUTPUT jack.
Important <Note>
When turning on the power while a recorded track is being selected (the LOOP/ONE SHOT indicator is lit), the indicators
on the front panel flash in a sequential order, and the LOOP/ONE SHOT indicator flashes rapidly for a few seconds.
Turning off the power while the LOOP/ONE SHOT indicator is still flashing rapidly may result in the loss of all saved data.
Never turn off the power while the LOOP/ONE SHOT indicator is flashing rapidly.
To avoid problems, select an empty phrase track whenever possible before turning the power on/off.
■ Caution when turning off the power
Before you turn off the power (disconnect the plug from the OUTPUT jack), make sure that all of the following conditions
are satisfied.
All saved data may be lost if the power is turned off inappropriately.
● You must not be recording/playing/overdubbing a phrase
(The REC/PLAY/DUB indicators must not be lit)
● The MODE knob is set to either AUTO, , or
● The LOOP/ONE SHOT indicator is not flashing rapidly
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Creating Loop Phrases by Recording Guitar or Bass Performances
1. Select an
empty
phrase track.
* For instructions on how to stop playback or overdubbing, refer to “Technique for Stopping Operation” (p. 6).
On the RC-2, the process of recording an additional performance while a recorded performance plays back is called overdubbing.
2. Turn the MODE
knob to .
6. Press the pedal twice
to stop playback.
Light goes
off
Press twice
3. Press the pedal to
start recording.
Lights in
red
INPUT
Press the pedal to stop
overdubbing
(the phrase plays back
after you stop).
Lights in
green
Play.
Play.
4. Press the pedal to
stop recording
(the phrase plays
back after you stop).
Lights in
green
5. Press the pedal to
start overdubbing.
Lights in
yellow
13
Creating Loop Phrases by Recording Guitar or Bass Performances
1.
Turn the PHRASE SELECT knob to select an
empty phrase track (1-11).
The LOOP/ONE SHOT indicator remains off when a
phrase track is empty.
If there are no empty phrase tracks, or when the LOOP/
ONE SHOT indicator flashes to indicate that the memo-
ry is full, delete any unnecessary phrases to free up
some memory (p. 33).
2.
Set the MODE knob to .
If you are recording in time with the tempo, you can
press the TAP TEMPO button several times to set the
tempo. (Loop Quantize (p. 34) is enabled after the tem-
po is set.)
When the tempo is set, the guide starts playing; adjust
the volume level of this sound with the GUIDE knob.
* For detailed information about setting the tempo, refer to
“Setting the Tempo” (p. 35).
* You can also set the tempo using the STOP/TEMPO jack.
Refer to “Operating the RC-2 with an External Footswitch”
(p. 28).
* If you are recording a phrase with a time signature other
than 4/4, set the time signature now (p. 36).
3.
Press the pedal to start recording.
If the tempo has not been set, recording begins simultaneously with the press of the pedal. If the tempo has
been set, recording begins one measure after the pedal
is pressed.
* Recording is stopped if the pedal is pressed once while this
one measure is playing back.
4.
Press the pedal to stop recording.
Playback of the recorded phrase begins simultaneously.
* If the tempo has been set, Loop Quantize automatically
adjusts the phrase length to the nearest measure unit at the
time the pedal is pressed. (“Loop Quantize”; p. 34). Because
of this, a certain amount of time may be required from when
you press the pedal until recording stops.
* The minimum length of time required for a loop phrase is
approximately 1.5 seconds. If the phrase you’ve recorded is
shorter than that, the length of the phrase will be adjusted
automatically, and then recording will stop.
5.
If you want to overdub onto the phrase,
press the pedal.
Pressing the pedal toggles between playback and overdubbing modes.
* You can undo and redo the most recently recorded overdub
(Undo/Redo; p. 15).
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