Boss Audio Systems RC-20XL User Manual
Contents
Main features .............................................................................................3
Panel Descriptions....................................................................................4
Front Panel........................................................................................................ 4
Rear Panel ......................................................................................................... 7
Installing batteries ....................................................................................8
Making connections.................................................................................. 9
Turning the power on/off .......................................................................................... 10
Important <Caution when turning off the power>.................................. 11
Recording a guitar or vocal performance to create a loop phrase ....12
Recording a phrase from CD/MD to create a loop phrase ..................14
Playing/overdubbing along with a saved phrase.................................18
Using the RC-20XL for practicing—Phrase Trainer .............................20
Creating minus-one data ............................................................................................ 20
Practicing at a different tempo................................................................................... 21
Playing back in various ways ................................................................22
Playing a phrase only once (One-shot Playback).................................................... 22
Selecting the Method of Stopping Playback (Stop Mode) ..................................... 23
Using the pedal to switch phrases (Phrase Shift).................................................... 24
When connecting two FS-5U........................................................................ 25
Play back a phrase backward (Reverse Playback) .................................................. 26
Saving or deleting a phrase ................................................................... 28
About memory ............................................................................................................. 28
Saving a phrase ............................................................................................................ 29
Erasing a saved phrase (Delete)................................................................................. 31
Write Protect mode...................................................................................................... 31
About the tempo and time signature..................................................... 32
What is Loop Quantize?.............................................................................................. 32
Setting the tempo ......................................................................................................... 33
Setting the time signature........................................................................................... 34
About the guide tone .............................................................................. 35
Troubleshooting......................................................................................36
Specifications..........................................................................................38
Index......................................................................................................... 39
Copyright © 2004 BOSS CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of BOSS CORPORATION.
2
Main features
■
Simple and reliable loop play
The new
This makes it easy for anyone to create looped phrases of an accurate length.
Up to 16 minutes of extended phrase recording
■
You can save up to eleven different loop phrases for a total of 16 minutes of recording.
■
Overdubbing undo/redo capability
If you make a mistake in overdubbing, you can cancel the action and restore the data to
its condition before the overdub (undo). And if after undoing the overdub you decide
that you want to use it after all, you can cancel the undo and restore the data to the
state it was in right after the overdub (redo).
■
Control the phrase tempo in real time
The tempo of a phrase can be controlled in real time without affecting its pitch. A
phrase recorded into internal memory can be made to match the tempo of a live
performance, opening up new possibilities during a gig.
This feature is also useful when you wish to slow down the tempo of a guitar phrase to
learn and practice it.
■
Dedicated mic input for vocalists
Since the INST jack and MIC jack can be used simultaneously, you can create new
sound-on-sound performances that combine guitar, vocals, and percussion.
■
Selectable playback method to match your purpose
You can switch each loop phrase individually to one-shot playback.
You can also choose the mode used to stop playback to suit your needs, for example by
fading out or stopping playback immediately upon reaching the end.
“loop quantize”
function automatically adjusts the timing of the loop end.
■
Easily record audio signals from a CD or MD
It’s easy to record audio signals from a CD or MD connected to the AUX IN jack.
Since the vocal or guitar solo can be erased from the audio signal while it is being
recorded, it’s also easy to create minus-one data.
■
Pedal design for hands-free operation
You can use the pedals to start/stop the performance, switch phrases, and set the
tempo without taking your hands off of your guitar.
3
Panel Descriptions
Front Panel
fig.02-01
1
2 3 4
5
6
7
8 9
1
LEVEL Knob
This knob adjusts the play volume of the
phrase.
* This knob does not adjust the input level from
the INST/MIC/AUX IN jacks or the volume of
the guide tone.
2
GUIDE Knob
This knob adjusts the volume of the guide
tone that sounds according to the tempo
while a phrase is being recorded or played.
LOOP QUANTIZE Indicator
This indicator lights when the Loop Quantize
function (p. 32) is activated.
3
PHRASE SELECT Knob
This knob selects the phrase track that will be
saved or played.
LOOP PHRASE Indicator
This indicator will light if a phrase has been
saved in the selected track.
* The flashing light indicates there is not enough
memory for recording or overdubbing
(temporary memory; p. 28).
10
* The light flashes rapidly to indicate there is not
enough memory to save the phrase.
* The light flashes rapidly while the loop phrase is
read from memory. Be careful not to turn off the
power while this light is flashing rapidly.
ONE SHOT PHRASE Indicator
This indicator will light if a one shot phrase
has been saved in the selected track.
* The flashing light indicates there is not enough
memory for recording or overdubbing
(temporary memory; p. 28).
* The light flashes rapidly to indicate there is not
enough memory to save the phrase.
* The light flashes rapidly while the one shot phrase
is read from memory. Be careful not to turn off
the power while this light is flashing rapidly.
When both the LOOP PHRASE indicator and
ONE SHOT indicator are flashing
* If these indicators are flashing before recording,
it indicates that there is insufficient memory for
recording, so you will not be able to record.
* If the indicators flash after recording, it
indicates that there is insufficient memory to
undo (p. 6) the recording, so you may not be
able to execute the undo.
4
Panel Descriptions
4
MIC Knob
This knob adjusts the input level from the
MIC jack.
INST Knob
This knob adjusts the input level from the
INST jack.
PEAK Indicator
This indicator will light when the level of the
input is excessively high.
5
REVERSE Button
Turn this button on (indicator lit) when you
want the phrase to play back in reverse (p. 26).
6
TAP TEMPO Button
This button is used to set the tempo or time
signature.
The indicator will light to indicate the current
tempo and time signature (red on the first
beat, green on subsequent beats).
•
Tempo
Specify the tempo by the interval at which
you press the button (p. 33).
•
Time signature
When you press and hold the button for
two seconds or longer, it will switch to time
signature setting mode. Then press the
button the number of times that is
equivalent to the numerator of the desired
time signature (p. 34).
•When this button is pressed while the
SHIFT (EXIT) button is held down, it
functions as the GUIDE SELECT button,
allowing you to switch the guide sound (p.
35).
7
WRITE Button
•This button is used to save a recorded
phrase into internal memory (p. 29).
• When this button is pressed while the SHIFT
(EXIT) button is held down, it functions as the
DELETE button, allowing you to delete the
phrase on the selected track (p. 31).
8
EXIT (SHIFT) Button
This button is used to halt a phrase save or
delete operation.
This is also used as a SHIFT button for
switching the functions of other buttons.
9
AUTO START Button
•Turn this button on (indicator lit) if you
want recording to begin simultaneously
when the performance begins.
•When this button is pressed while the
SHIFT (EXIT) button is held down, it
functions as the LOOP/ONE SHOT button,
allowing you to switch between phrase
playback and one-shot playback for phrases
saved to the selected track (p. 22).
* You cannot switch anything if there is no
phrase saved (both the LOOP PHRASE and
ONE SHOT PHRASE indicators are off). The
unit remains set to loop playback.
10
MODE Button
This button selects the recording method.
•When this button is pressed while the
SHIFT (EXIT) button is held down, it
functions as the STOP MODE button,
allowing you to select the stop mode (p. 23).
5
Panel Descriptions
fig.02-02
11
POWER Indicator
This indicator will light when the power is on.
* When the batteries run down, the POWER
indicator will become dim. When this occurs,
please replace them with new batteries.
12
REC Indicator
This indicator will light during recording.
PLAY Indicator
This indicator will light while a phrase is
playing.
OVERDUB Indicator
This indicator will light during overdubbing.
13
Left PedalOVW0993
6
Rear Panel
fig.02-03
Panel Descriptions
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
15
INST Jack
A guitar or other instrument can be
connected to this jack.
16
MIC Jack
Accepts connection of a microphone.
Used when you wish to record a vocal or
instrumental performance via a microphone.
17
AUX IN Jack
Connect to the headphones jack of a CD or
MD.
18
PHRASE SHIFT Jack
If you wish to use a pedal to switch the
phrase track, connect a pedal switch (sold
separately; e.g., FS-5U) to this jack.
* You can connect two FS-5U pedals using the
special connection cable (the optional Roland
PCS-31) (p. 25).
19
REVERSE Jack
If you wish to use a pedal to play back the
phrase in reverse, connect a pedal switch
(sold separately; e.g., FS-5U) to this jack.
20
OUTPUT Jack
Connect a guitar amp or monitor speaker to
this jack.
* If you are using batteries, the power will be
turned on when you insert a plug (for
connection to an amp or speaker) into the this
jack.
NOTE
: Do not connect headphones to this
jack. Doing so may damage the
headphones.
21
AC Adaptor Jack
Connect an AC adaptor (sold separately;
BOSS PSA series) to this jack.
7
Installing batteries
Insert the included batteries as shown in the diagram, being careful to observe the
correct polarity.
fig.03-01
• Batteries are supplied with the unit. The life of these batteries may be limited,
however, since their primary purpose was to enable testing.
• When turning the unit upside-down, get a bunch of newspapers or magazines,
and place them under the four corners or at both ends to prevent damage to the
buttons and controls. Also, you should try to orient the unit so no buttons or
controls get damaged.
• When turning the unit upside-down, handle with care to avoid dropping it, or
allowing it to fall or tip over.
• Be sure to observe the correct + (positive) and – (negative) orientation of the batteries.
• When the batteries run down, the POWER indicator will become dim. When this
occurs, please replace them with new batteries as soon as possible.
If the power is turned off while you are recording or overdubbing, all of the
saved data may be lost (p. 11).
• When replacing the batteries, use six R6/LR6 (AA) batteries.
• Do not mix new batteries with previously used batteries or batteries of a different
type. Doing so may cause battery leakage.
• The running time may be shorter depending on the type of batteries you use.
Expected battery life under continuous use:
Carbon: 6 hours
Alkaline: 16 hours
These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.
8
Making connections
fig.04-01
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* If you are using batteries, the power will be turned on when a connector plug for your
amp or speaker is inserted into the OUTPUT jack.
* For details on installing the batteries, refer to “Installing batteries” (p. 8).
* For details on pedal switches that can be connected to the PHRASE SHIFT jack and
REVERSE jack, refer to p. 24, 26.
* Do not connect headphones to the OUTPUT jack. Doing so may damage the headphones.
9
Making connections
* Howling could be produced depending on the location of microphones relative to amp.
This can be remedied by:
1. Changing the orientation of the microphone(s).
2. Relocating microphone(s) at a greater distance from speakers.
3. Lowering volume levels.
* If the amp and microphone are close together, the sound played back from the amp may be
picked up by the microphone. If you record or overdub in such a state, the amp playback
picked up by the microphone will also be recorded. You should separate the amp and
microphone so that the playback from the amp is not picked up by the microphone.
Turning the power on/off
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 turning the power on: Turn on the power of the amp or mixer
When turning the power off: Turn off the power of the amp or mixer
* 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.
* If you are using batteries, the indicator will become darker when the batteries run down.
Please replace the batteries as soon as possible.
When turning on the power while a recorded track is being selected
(the LOOP PHRASE or ONE SHOT PHRASE indicator is lit), the indicators on the
front panel flash in a sequential order, and the LOOP PHRASE or ONE SHOT
PHRASE indicator flashes rapidly for a few seconds.
last
first
.
.
10
Making connections
Important <Caution when turning off the power>
Before you turn off the power, make sure that the following conditions are met.
All saved data may be lost if the power is turned off inappropriately.
• You must not be playing/recording/overdubbing a phrase
(The REC, PLAY, and OVERDUB indicators must not be lit)
• The WRITE indicator or EXIT indicator must not be lit
• The LOOP PHRASE or ONE SHOT PHRASE indicator is not flashing rapidly
If you are using batteries, the power will be turned off automatically when the
connector plug to your amp or speaker is unplugged from the OUTPUT jack.
Before unplugging this connector, make sure you check for the above states.
To avoid problems, select an empty phrase track whenever possible, and turn off/
on the power.
11
Recording a guitar or vocal performance to create a loop phrase
On the RC-20XL, the process of recording an additional performance while a
recorded performance plays back is called
The performance from an instrument or microphone connected to the INST jack or
MIC jack can be recorded to create a loop phrase. This lets you enjoy new types of
sound-on-sound playing that combine guitar, percussion, or drum pad performances.
fig.05-01
overdubbing
1 3
.
(4)
(10)
6, 7, 8
1. Select an empty phrase track
2. Select the recording method
3. Adjust the recording level
4. (Tempo setting)
5. (Auto Start setting)
6. Start recording
7. Stop recording, and start playback
8. Start/stop overdubbing
9. Stop playback
10.(Save the phrase)
← If you are recording to a tempo
←
If you wish to start recording when the performance begins
←
If you wish to save the phrase
(4)
2(5)
, 9
12
Loading...