Boss RC-500 Owner’s Manual
Owner’s Manual
Getting Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installing the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Connecting the Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Top Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
How the RC-500 Is Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Creating a Loop Phrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Recording on a Single Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Recording on Two Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Record While Listening to the Rhythm Sound . . . . 9
Sounding a Rhythm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Setting the Tempo of Rhythm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Saving a Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Saving a Memory (WRITE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Erasing Data from a Memory (CLEAR) . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Editing a Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Editing the Settings of Tracks 1 and 2 . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Editing the Settings of a Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Using the Loop FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Specifying the Function of the Switches . . . . . . . 13
Editing the Rhythm Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Changing How the Rhythm Starts and Stops . . . 15
Settings for the Entire RC-500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Input/Output Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Connecting a Computer via USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Connecting the RC-500 and Computer . . . . . . . . . 18
Backing-Up or Recovering Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Controlling Devices via MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
MIDI Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Controlling an External MIDI Device from the
RC-500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Controlling the RC-500 from an External MIDI
Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Connecting Two RC-500 Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Error Message List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Restoring the Factory Default Settings
(Factory Reset) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Main Specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
USING THE UNIT SAFELY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
IMPORTANT NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Owner’s Manual
Read this rst. It explains the basic things you
need to know in order to use the RC-500.
(this document)
To obtain the Parameter Guide
1. Enter the following URL on your
computer.
Parameter Guide
This explains all of the parameters of the RC-500.
(download from the Web)
http://www.boss.info/manuals/
2. Choose “RC-500” as the product name.
Before using this unit, carefully read “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (the leaet “USING THE
UNIT SAFELY” and the Owner’s Manual (p. 27)). After reading, keep the document(s) where it will be available for
immediate reference.
© 2020 Roland Corporation
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. 27)).
* “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.
* 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.
O (USB ) port
You can connect your computer here and use it
to back up or recover data (p. 19).
Pin assignment
MIC IN connector
2: HOT
3: COLD
1: GND
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.
If the AC adaptor is connected while power is on, the
power supply is drawn from the AC adaptor.
MIDI OUT, MIDI IN connectors
Connect an external MIDI device here.
To make these connections, use TRS/MIDI connecting cables (sold separately:
BMIDI-5-35).
This lets you control an external MIDI device from this unit via MIDI. For
details, refer to p. 20.
2
* Use only the specied 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.
Connecting the Equipment
Getting Ready
INST IN jacks (A/MONO, B)
Connect your electric guitar/bass or eect unit
to these jacks.
Use the A/MONO jack and B
jack when connecting a stereooutput eects unit. Use only
the A/MONO jack if you’re
using a mono source.
MIC IN connector
Connect your microphone here.
If you’re using a condenser mic
that requires phantom power, turn
on this unit’s phantom
power (p. 17).
CTL 1, 2/EXP jack
You can connect separately sold expression pedal or
footswitches to this jack, and use the expression pedal
or footswitches to control a variety of functions.
To use this as EXP jack
Connect an expression pedal.
OUTPUT jacks (A/MONO, B)
Connect these jacks to your amp or monitor speakers.
If you’re using a mono setup, use only the A/MONO jack.
Even sound that is input in stereo is output in mono.
Turning the power on/o
The OUTPUT A/MONO jack doubles as the power switch.
Power to the unit is turned on when you plug into the OUTPUT
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.
Pin assignment
CTL 1, 2/EXP jack
Use only the specied expression pedal (FV-500H,
FV-500L, EV-30, and Roland EV-5; sold separately).
By connecting any other expression pedals, you
risk causing malfunction and/or damage to the
unit.
To use this as CTL 1, 2 jack
Connect a footswitch.
Mode/Polarity switch
FS-5U
FS-6
FS-7
FS-5U x 2
Stereo 1/4” phone type
1/4” phone type x 2
RINGTIP
CTL 1 CTL 2
FS-5U x 1
1/4” phone type
1/4” phone type
FS-6
Stereo 1/4” phone type
Stereo 1/4” phone type
FS-7
Stereo 1/4” phone type
Stereo 1/4” phone type
CTL 2
CTL 1CTL 2 CTL 1CTL 1
3
Getting Ready
Top Panel
1
4 5 6 7
11
Name / Explanation
1
TRACK 1, 2
[TRACK 1],
[TRACK 2] sliders
TRACK 1, 2
indicators
TRACK 1, 2 [EDIT]
buttons
3
2
12
Adjust the playback levels of tracks 1
and 2.
Indicate the status of the tracks.
Lit blue No phrase
Lit red Recording
Lit green Playing
Lit yellow Overdubbing
Lit white Phrase exists
Blink
Press to make track settings.
Press a button twice to switch the
current track.
13
Currently selected track
(current track)
8
9
10
Name / Explanation
3
[MEMORY/VALUE] knob
Turning
Pressing
Turn while
pressing
4
TEMPO indicator
[TEMPO] button
ON/OFF indicator
[ON/OFF] button
Selects a memory.
When editing, selects a parameter or
changes a value.
Species the parameter to edit.
Alternatively, conrms an operation.
Changes a value in larger steps.
RHYTHM
Blinks in time with the specied
tempo.
Press to specify the tempo of the
rhythm.
You can also set the tempo by
pressing the button at the desired
interval (tap tempo).
Indicates the status of the rhythm.
Unlit O
Lit green On
Blink green Ready to play rhythm
Each time you press the button, the
rhythm switches on/o/standby.
Long-press the button (two seconds
or longer) to select rhythm settings
mode.
2
Display
Shows various information of the RC-500.
During recording/playback/overdubbing, the color of
the screen changes according to the status.
Lit blue No phrase
Lit red Recording
Lit green Playing
Lit yellow Overdubbing
Lit white Phrase exists
4
5
[MEMORY] button
Lets you make settings for loop play/record, and specify
the function of an expression pedal or footswitch
connected to this unit.
6
[MENU] button
Lets you make settings that aect the entire RC-500,
such as system settings and MIDI settings.
Getting Ready
Name / Explanation
7
WRITE
[EXIT] button
[ENTER] button
By pressing the [EXIT] button and [ENTER] button
simultaneously, you can save a memory (write) or erase
(clear) memory data.
8
[MIC LEVEL] knob
Adjusts the mic input level.
9
INPUT indicators
These are lit according to the input level.
Low
Green Orange Red
Adjust the input level so that the indicator is occasionally
lit red.
* With the factory settings, the indicators are set to
show the input level of the MIC IN and INST IN mixed
together. You can switch what is shown.
10
[INPUT] button
Press to return to the previous
screen.
Press to conrm an operation.
Suitable
,
,
High
Name / Explanation
12
[STOP] switch
Stops the track that is currently recording/playing/
overdubbing.
If you long-press the switch (two seconds or longer), the
track is cleared.
13
[TRACK SELECT] switch
Switches between tracks 1 and 2.
MEMO
You can assign other functions to the [REC/PLAY ],
[STOP], and [TRACK SELECT] switches. For details, refer to
“Specifying the Function of the Switches” (p. 13).
Press to turn phantom power on/o, or to make settings
related to input and output.
11
[REC/PLAY] switch
Switches between recording, playback, and
overdubbing.
For an empty phrase
Recording0Playback0Overdubbing
For a phrase that contains data
Playback0Overdubbing
Long press (two seconds or longer) the switch during
playback or overdubbing to Undo (cancel the recording
or the last overdubbing). Long press (two seconds or
longer) the switch once again to Redo (cancel the Undo).
5
Getting Ready
How the RC-500 Is Organized
Memory 99
Memory 01
Track 1
Track 2
Rhythm
System
Track
You can use two “tracks” to record and play back audio
from a mic or from an instrument such as guitar.
Loop FX
The eect applied to the tracks is called the “loop FX.”
By applying the loop FX, you can change how the loop
plays back.
Rhythm
In addition to the two tracks, the RC-500 can also play a
“Rhythm.”
You can record while listening to a rhythm at the tempo
you specify.
Memory
The two tracks, together with the “rhythm” and “loop FX”
settings, are collectively called a “memory.”
The RC-500 can store up to 99 memories.
Loop
FX
“Recording” versus “Overdubbing”
In this manual, we refer to the act of recording to an
empty track for the rst time as “recording.”
Any subsequent recordings that are made, which are
added on top of the existing recording, we refer to as
“overdubbning.”
Play screen
The screen that appears
after you turn on the power
is called the “Play screen.”
01
Memory
01
System
Settings that are common to the entire RC-500, such as
the display contrast adjustment and MIDI settings, are
called “system settings.”
6
Creating a Loop Phrase
Recording on a Single Track
Getting ready to record
1. Connect your guitar or mic.
* If a mic is connected, use the [MIC LEVEL] knob to
adjust the mic input level.
2. Turn the [MEMORY/VALUE] knob to select a
memory.
Memory
01
01
Memory
Memory
number
name
3. Press the [TRACK SELECT] switch to the track
1 or 2.
TRACK indicator status
Lit blue
Blink blue
Lit white
Blink white
MEMO
The track that is currently selected (currently the
target of operations) is called the “current track.”
Screen Status
Empty track
Blue
Track contains data
White
No phrase
No phrase (current track)
Phrase exists
Phrase exists (current track)
Recording
1. Press the [REC/PLAY] switch to start
recording.
The screen and the REC/PLAY indicator
are lit red.
2. Play your guitar or vocalize into your
mic to input audio.
%
Playback
1. Press the [REC/PLAY] switch.
The screen and the REC/PLAY indicator
are lit green.
The recorded phrase plays as a loop.
%
Overdubbing
1. Press the [REC/PLAY] switch to start
overdubbing.
The screen and the REC/PLAY indicator
are lit yellow.
2. Overdub-record your performance
(audio) onto the phrase that’s playing
as a loop.
%
Playback
Repeat as many times as
%$
necessary.
Overdubbing
:
Stopping
1. Press the [STOP] switch.
The screen and the REC/PLAY indicator
are lit white.
If you want to keep the recorded phrase,
save it in a memory (p. 10).
7
Creating a Loop Phrase
Recording on Two Tracks
You can use two tracks to create a single loop phrase.
In this example, we explain how to record in the order of “track 1” 0 “track 2.”
Press the [TRACK SELECT] switch to select track 1.
%
Recording (Track 1)
1. Press the [REC/PLAY] switch to
start recording.
The screen and the REC/PLAY
indicator are lit red.
2. Play your guitar or vocalize
into your mic to input audio.
%
Playback (Track 1)
1. Press the [REC/PLAY] switch.
The screen and the REC/PLAY
indicator are lit green.
The recorded phrase plays as
a loop.
Repeat as many times as
%$
necessary.
Overdubbing (Track 1)
1. Press the [REC/PLAY] switch to
start overdubbing.
The screen and the REC/PLAY
indicator are lit yellow.
2. Overdub-record your
performance (audio) onto
the phrase that’s playing as
a loop.
:
Playback (Track 1)
Press the [REC/PLAY] switch to start overdubbing.
%
Press the [TRACK SELECT] switch to select track 2.
%
Recording (Track 2)
1. Press the [REC/PLAY] switch to
start recording.
The screen and the REC/PLAY
indicator are lit red.
2. Record your performance
while you listen to the loop
playback of track 1.
%
Playback (Track 2)
1. Press the [REC/PLAY] switch.
The screen and the REC/PLAY
indicator are lit green.
The phrase recorded on track 2
plays as a loop.
%
Overdubbing (Track 2)
Repeat as many times as
%$
necessary.
Playback (Track 2)
:
Stopping
1. Press the [STOP] switch.
The screen and the REC/PLAY
indicator are lit white.
If you want to keep the
recorded phrase, save it in a
memory (p. 10).
8
Creating a Loop Phrase
Record While Listening to the Rhythm Sound
In addition to the two tracks, the RC-500 can also play a “Rhythm.” You can record while listening to a rhythm at the
tempo you specify.
Sounding a Rhythm
1. Press the RHYTHM [ON/OFF] button.
The rhythm switches on/o/ready to play rhythm
each time you press the button.
When the rhythm is on, the RHYTHM ON/OFF indicator
is lit.
Setting the Tempo of Rhythm
1. Press the RHYTHM [TEMPO] button.
The tempo setting screen appears.
TEMPO
J
2. While the tempo setting screen is shown,
turn the [MEMORY/VALUE] knob to set the
tempo.
Value 40.0–300.0
Tap tempo
You can set the tempo by pressing a button at the desired
interval.
1. Press the RHYTHM [TEMPO] button several
times in time with the desired tempo.
120.0
5 The specied tempo can be saved as a setting in
memory.
&“Saving a Memory (WRITE)” (p. 10)
5 You can specify the volume and type of rhythm,
and how the rhythm plays.
&“Editing the Rhythm Settings” (p. 14)
MEMO
If you long-press the RHYTHM [TEMPO] button (two
seconds or longer), the tempo returns to the default
value.
9
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