Boss RC-202 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

* The RC-202 contains demo data (bank 8). If you erase this demo data, it cannot be recovered. Before you proceed, you should back it up as described in “Backing up to your computer” (p. 15).

* The power to this unit will be turned off automatically after a predetermined amount of time has passed since it was last used for playing music, or its buttons or controls were operated (Auto Off function).

If you do not want the power to be turned off automatically, disengage the Auto Off function (p. 7).

55 Any settings that you are in the process of editing will be lost when the power is turned off. If you have any settings that you want to keep, you should save them beforehand.

55 To restore power, turn the power on again (p. 7).

Main Features

The RC-202 is a live performance tool that lets you record your vocal or guitar performance and then play it back instantly. You can maximize your live performance potential by layering sounds in real time.

55 Input FX are provided for recording, letting you use effects such as pitch shifter or Lo-Fi to make your phrase loops even more diverse.

55 Track FX are provided for the playback tracks, letting you enhance and develop your live performances by applying effects that simulate changing the rotational speed of a turntable or the “stuttering” created by repeated notes on a sampler.

55 You can combine your realtime recording with a loop phrase that you recorded beforehand. WAVE files from your computer can also be loaded as loop phrases.

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Owner’s Manual (this document)

Read this first. It explains the basic things you need to know in order to use the RC-202.

PDF Manual (download from the Web)

55 Parameter Guide (English)

This explains the parameters of the RC-202, and lists the built-in rhythm patterns.

To obtain the PDF manual

1. Enter the following URL in your computer.

http://www.boss.info/manuals/

I

2. Choose “RC-202” as the product name.

Before using this unit, carefully read “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (leaflet the “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and Owner’s Manual (p. 20)). After reading, keep the document(s) where it will be available for immediate reference.

© 2016 ROLAND CORPORATION

Contents

	Main Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		2			Bank Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .				12
							Saving a Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			12
	Overview of the RC-202		3
						Settings for the Entire RC-202 (System Settings)				13
	Basic Operation Guide		4
							Adjusting the Output Volume of the OUTPUT Jacks			13
	Specifying How Overdubbing Occurs . . . . . . . . . . . . .		4				and the Headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
	Setting the Tempo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		4				Restoring the Factory Settings (Factory Reset). . . . . .			13
	Sounding a Rhythm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		4
						Connecting to Your Computer via USB				14
	Recording/Playback/Overdub/Clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		4
	Setup . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	4				Installing the USB Driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			14
	Adjusting the Input Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		4				Connecting the RC-202 to a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . .			14
	Selecting a Phrase Memory and Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . .		5				USB Function Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			14
	Display . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	5				Using USB to Exchange Files with Your Computer			14
	Track Settings		5				(USB Mass Storage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
	Saving a Phrase Memory		5
						Connecting an External MIDI Device				16
	Input FX, Track FX		5
							About MIDI Connectors			16
	Connections		6
							MIDI Settings			16
	Adjusting the Input Level		6
								Controlling an External MIDI Device from the
	Connecting to External Pedals		6							16
								RC-202
	Turning On the Power		7
								Controlling the RC-202 from an External MIDI
	Auto Off Settings		7							17
								Device
	Phantom Power Setting		7
							Connecting Two RC-202 Units			17
	Example of Actual Loop Recording		8
	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Recording on a Single Track		9			Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .				18
	Recording on Multiple Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		9				Error Message List			19
	Saving		9
						USING THE UNIT SAFELY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .				20
	Saving a Phrase Memory		10
	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Saving a Phrase Memory (Write)		10			IMPORTANT NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .				20
	Deleting a Phrase Memory (Delete) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		10
	Track 1/2 Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		11
	Adjusting the Track Playback Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		11
	Specifying the Track Playback Method . . . . . . . . . . . .		11
	Playing a Track Backward (Reverse) . . . . . . . . . .		11
	Cancelling a Recording/Overdub (Undo) . . . . .		11
	Specifying the Track Playback Method (Loop/		11
	One-Shot). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Main Specifications									BOSS RC-202: Loop Station
		Maximum Recording Time: Approx. 3 hours							AC adaptor
Recording/		(stereo)				Accessories			Owner’s manual
		Maximum Phrase Memory: 8 Memory x 8 Bank							Leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY”
Playback
		Number of Tracks: 2				Options			Footswitch: FS-5U, FS-6, FS-7
		Data Format: WAV (44.1 kHz, 16-bit linear, stereo)				(sold separately)			Expression pedal: Roland EV-5, FV-500L, FV-500H
Power Supply		AC adaptor				* In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or
Current Draw		400 mA
Dimensions		239 (W) x 175 (D) x 55 (H) mm					appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice.
		9-7/16” (W) x 6-15/16” (D) x 2-3/16” (H) inches
		0.95 kg
Weight		1 oz
		(excluding AC Adaptor)

2

Overview of the RC-202

How the RC-202	Bank 8	Track 1
is organized
	Bank 1	Track 2
	Phrase memory 1	Phrase memory 5
	Phrase memory 2	Phrase memory 6
	Phrase memory 3	Phrase memory 7
	Phrase memory 4	Phrase memory 8

Bank settings	Rhythm	Looper
	External pedals	Effects

System settings (settings that are common to the entire RC-202)

What are tracks 1 and 2 (p. 11) and phrase memories?

The RC-202 lets you record instrumental or vocal sounds on two “tracks” and play them back.

A set of these two tracks is called a “phrase memory.” Up to eight phrase memories can be saved in each bank.

What is a rhythm? (p. 4)

In addition to the playback of the two tracks, the RC-202 can play “rhythms.”You can record while sounding a rhythm at the tempo you specify.

What is the Input FX and Track FX? (p. 11)

You can apply effects to the input sound and to the sound of the tracks.

These effects are referred to as “Input FX” and “Track FX.”

What is a bank?

A bank contains phrase memories, input FX settings, track FX settings, and bank settings.

The RC-202 has eight banks.

What are bank settings? (p. 12)

These are each bank’s settings for the rhythm, looper, external pedals, and effects.

What are system settings? (p. 13)

Settings that are common to the entire RC-202 such as auto-off (automatic power-off), USB, and MIDI are called “system settings.”

“Recording” versus “Overdub”

In this manual, we refer to the act of recording to an empty track for the first time as “recording.” Any subsequent recordings that are made, which are added on top of the existing recording, we refer to as “overdub.”

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Basic Operation Guide

Specifying How Overdubbing Occurs

Setup

You can set the overdub method.

Overdub	The new performance is layered onto the prerecorded tracks. If
	overdub is repeated, the next performance is layered on top of the
(Unlit)	previous material, allowing you to create an ensemble in a single
	track.
Replace	Tracks with existing recordings are overwritten as new tracks are
(Lit red)	recorded over them.

You can make bank settings and system settings.

Bank Settings

page 12

For each bank, you can make settings for rhythm, playback method, and external pedals.

System Settings

page 13

Setting the Tempo

This specifies the tempo of the rhythm (the tempo that’s common to all banks).

		Tap Tempo				Adjusting the Tempo
	Press the [TAP TEMPO] button				1.		Press the [TAP TEMPO] button.
	several times at intervals of the				2.		Turn the [VALUE] knob to
	tempo you want.
							adjust the tempo.
	Value			40.0–250.0

Returning to the Original Tempo

If you hold down the [TAP TEMPO] button for two seconds or longer, you’ll switch to the tempo that’s saved in the bank.

MEMO

By turning the [VALUE] knob while pressing it, you can adjust the value below the decimal point.

Sounding a Rhythm

In addition to the playback of the two tracks, the RC-202 can play “rhythms.” If you sound a rhythm at a specified tempo while you record, it will help you to keep accurate time.

Sounding a Rhythm

Press the [RHYTHM START/STOP] button.

Changing the Rhythm Volume or Settings

page 12

55 Make settings as described in “Bank Settings” (p. 12). 55 Long-press the [RHYTHM START/STOP] button.

You can make settings that are common to the entire RC-202, such as auto-off (automatic power-off), USB, and MIDI.

Adjusting the Input Level

This knob adjusts the input level of your microphone.

page 6

Recording/Playback/Overdub/Clear

To perform recording, playback, and overdub, press the [p/t] button as shown in the diagram.

Loop playback will occur if a phrase exists.

Green	Phrase exists
Unlit	No Phrase

Red Recording

Orange Overdub

Green Playback

Unlit Stopped

Recording		Playback			Overdub
Recording will start when		Play back the loop.			Record additional
press the [p/t] button.					layers while
Pressing the [p/t] button at					playing back
the point you want to loop						the loop.
will switch to playback.
* Pressing the [p/t] button will normally switch the RC-202’s
state in the order of recording0playback0overdub.
However, if desired, you can change this order to
recording0overdub0playback. For details, refer to
“Parameter Guide” (PDF).

Clear		Stop
The track will be cleared.		Regardless of the timing, pressing the [q]
	Press for two	button will stop the track.
	seconds or
	longer

Selecting a Phrase Memory and Bank

Selecting a Phrase Memory

1.Press the [MEMORY] button.

2.Use the [P. SHIFT] (1)–[DELAY] (8) buttons to select a phrase memory.

Alternatively,

In the Play screen, turn the [VALUE] knob to select a phrase memory.

Basic Operation Guide

Selecting a Bank

1.Press the [MEMORY] button.

2.Turn the [VALUE] knob to select a bank.

3.Use the [P. SHIFT] (1)–[DELAY] (8) buttons to select a phrase memory.

Alternatively,

In the Play screen, select a bank by turning the [VALUE] knob while pressing it.

Display

This shows various Startup screen (Play screen) information

according to the	1-1
operation you’re
performing.	Bank		Phrase memory
	number		number

Saving a Phrase Memory

If you select a different phrase memory or turn off the power after recording or editing the settings, the recorded content or edited settings will be lost. If you want to keep the data, you must save it.

1. Press the [WRITE] button.

2. Use the [P. SHIFT] (1)–[DELAY] (8) buttons to select the save-destination phrase memory.

3. Press the [WRITE] button to save the phrase memory.

page 10

Input FX, Track FX

You can apply effects to the audio input and to the sound of the tracks, respectively.

Turning an Effect On

Track Settings

Here you can specify the playback level and playback method of the tracks.

Press the [P. SHIFT]–[DELAY] button to make

it light.				Effect button indications
				Blinking	Editing
	Turning an Effect Off
				purple
Press the lit [P. SHIFT]–[DELAY] button to make				Lit purple	On (selected)
it go dark.				Lit red	On
				Unlit	Off
	Controlling an Effect
Turn the [INPUT FX] / [TRACK FX] knob.

Editing an Effect

1.Press the [P. SHIFT]–[DELAY] button to make it blink.

2.Turn the [VALUE] knob to select the type.

3.Press the [VALUE] knob to select the parameter; then turn the [VALUE] knob to adjust the value.

4.Press the [SETUP] (EXIT) button to return to the Play screen.

Adjusting the Playback Level

1.Press the [TRACK] button.

2.Turn the [VALUE] knob to adjust the playback level.

Specifying the Playback Method

1.Press the button of the function that you want to set.

	[REVERSE] button	Specifies either conventional
		playback or reverse playback.
	[UNDO/REDO]	Here’s how to cancel
		recording/overdubbing for
	button
		a track.
	[LOOP/1 SHOT]	Specifies either normal loop
	button	playback or one-shot playback.

2.Press the [TRACK] button to switch the setting.

page 11

Input FX

	P. SHIFT	This effect lets you change the pitch.
	LO-FI	This effect intentionally degrades the sound to create a distinctive character.
	RING MOD	Gives a metallic character to the sound, creating the impression that
		the sound is going out of focus.
	DELAY	Adds a delayed sound to the direct sound, giving the sound greater
		depth or creating special effects.
Track FX
	BEAT	The track plays repeatedly in synchronization with the beat.
	FILTER	A filter modifies the brightness or thickness of the sound by cutting a
		specific frequency range.
	SLICER	Repeatedly cuts the sound, transforming a conventional sound to
		create the impression of a rhythmic backing.
	DELAY	Adds a delayed sound to the direct sound, giving the sound greater
		depth or creating special effects.

Reference

For more about the parameters, refer to “Parameter Guide” (PDF).

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5

Basic Operation Guide

Connections

[POWER] switch

This turns the power on/off.

page 7

DC IN jack

Connect the included AC adaptor here.

* Use only the included AC adaptor. Using any other adaptor may cause overheating and malfunction.

USB port

You can use a commercially available USB cable to connect the

RC-202 to your computer, and use the computer to read/write RC-202 tracks (WAV files).

You can also use the RC-202 to play sound from your computer via USB AUDIO, and use USB MIDI to synchronize the tempo with a DAW that’s running on your computer.

page 14

MIDI connectors

For connecting MIDI device.

page 16

*To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn off all the units before making any connections.

*Use only the specified expression pedal (Roland EV-5, FV-500H/L; sold separately). By connecting any other expression pedals, you risk causing malfunction and/or damage to the unit.

Adjusting the Input Level

Adjust the [MIC LEVEL] knob so that the PEAK indicator occasionally lights orange when the volume is loudest.

To adjust the input level of a device that’s connected to the INPUT INST jacks or the AUX IN jack, adjust the controls of the connected device.

Color	Input level
Green	Low
Orange	Appropriate
Red	Excessive

INPUT INST jacks

INPUT MIC jack

Connect your effect unit here.

Connect your microphone here.

Use the L jack and R jack when

&“Phantom Power Setting” (p. 7)

connecting a stereo-output effects

* INPUT MIC jack pin wiring

unit. Use only the L jack if you’re using a

monaural source.

OUTPUT jacks

Connect these jacks to your amp or monitor speakers.

If your system is monaural, use only the L jack. Sound that was input in stereo will also be output monaurally.

CTL 1, 2/EXP jack

If you connect an expression pedal (Roland EV-5, FV-500H/L; sold separately) or footswitch (FS-5U, FS-7, FS-6; sold

separately), you can use it to control a variety of parameters. For details, refer to “Bank Settings” (p. 12).

Connecting to External Pedals

		Stereo 1/4” phone
	Stereo 1/4” phone type	type10Stereo
1/4” phone type	101/4” phone type x 2	1/4” phone type
101/4” phone type

FS-5U

FS-7

FS-6

FS-5U

* If you use a mono cable to connect a single FS-5U, it will be CTL 1.

6