Roland ODB-3 User Manual

Owner's Manual

DCAC

AC & BATTERY

POWERED

FET

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Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of BOSS ODB-3 Bass OverDrive.
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY”

and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (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.

Copyright © 1994 BOSS Corporation
All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the
permission of BOSS Corporation.

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FEATURES

The ODB-3 overdrive unit + designed specifically for electric bass guitar + creates solid,
chest-resonating distortion!

Using the BALANCE Knob, you can adjust the balance between the Dry and Overdrive
sounds. This capability gives you complete control of your sound, from soft and warm to
hard and bright.

A 2-band equalizer allows you to control bass and treble frequencies independently.

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PANEL DESCRIPTIONS

1
2

3

4

5

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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.

* You may find that it is a good idea to keep a

battery installed in the unit even while using

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an adaptor. That way your playing won't be
disrupted even if the adaptor is accidentally
disconnected.

* If you are going to use an AC adaptor, be sure

to use the specified unit (BOSS PSA-Series).
Use of any other adaptor may result in dam­age, malfunction or electric shock.
Also, if you are not going to be using it for an
extended period of time, disconnect the AC
adaptor from the AC outlet.

2. CHECK Indicator

This indicator shows whether an effect is
ON/OFF, and also doubles as the Battery
Check indicator.
The indicator lights when an effect is ON.
If this indicator goes dim or no longer lights
while an effect is ON, the battery is near
exhaustion and should be replaced imme­diately.

3. OUTPUT Jack

The output jacks are used to connect the
unit to amplifiers or other devices.

4. Pedal Switch

This switch turns the effects ON/OFF.

5. Thumbscrew

This thumbscrew is loosened to open the
pedal, allowing battery replacement. For
instructions on how to replace the battery,
please refer to “Changing the Battery.”

6. INPUT Jack

This jack accepts input signals (coming
from a guitar, some other electric or elec­tronic musical instrument, or another ef­fects unit).

* The INPUT jack also serves as the power

switch. Power is turned on whenever a plug is
inserted into the INPUT jack, and is turned off
when the plug is disconnected. When not
using the unit, you should disconnect any
cord connected to the INPUT jack.

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LEVEL Knob

HIGH EQ Knob

LOW EQ Knob

BALANCE Knob

GAIN Knob

LEVEL Knob

This knob adjusts the level of the effect sounds.
Set the knob so there is no volume difference
between the effect and straight guitar sounds.

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HIGH EQ Knob

Use this knob to boost or cut higher frequencies;
clockwise rotation boosts the higher frequencies.

LOW EQ Knob

Use this knob to boost or cut lower frequencies;
clockwise rotation boosts the lower frequencies.

BALANCE Knob

This knob controls the output balance between
Dry (straight) and Overdrive sounds.
Counterclockwise rotation increases the Dry
sound, while clockwise rotation increases the
level of Overdrive sounds. When rotated fully
counterclockwise (or clockwise), only the Dry (or
Overdrive) sound will be obtained.

GAIN Knob

This knob adjusts the gain of the Dry or Overdrive
sound. When you are using Dry sounds, this knob
can adjust the amount of boost without distorting
the sound. When you are using Overdrive sounds,
the GAIN knob adjusts the depth of the distortion.
Clockwise rotation increases the gain.

MAKING THE CONNECTIONS

Amplifier

AC Adaptor (PSA-Series ; Optional)

OUT 9V DC / 200mA

Electric Bass

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* Inserting a plug into the INPUT Jack will automatically switch the unit on.
* 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.

* If there are batteries in the unit while an AC adaptor is being used, normal operation will continue

should the line voltage be interrupted (power blackout or power cord disconnection).

* 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: Turn on the power to your guitar amp last.
When powering down: Turn off the power to your guitar amp first.

* 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.

* 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.

* The CHECK indicator shows whether the effect is being applied or not. It does not indicate

whether the power to the device is on or not.

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OPERATING THE UNIT

3465

When you have made the necessary

1.

connections, set the knobs as shown in
the illustration.

2. Depress the pedal switch to turn the

effect on. (Make sure that the CHECK
Indicator lights.)

3. Adjust the output balance between the

Dry and Overdrive sounds using the
BALANCE Knob.

4. Adjust the gain of the Dry or Overdrive

sound using the GAIN Knob.

5. Adjust the tone using the HIGH and

LOW EQ Knobs.

6. Adjust the LEVEL Knob so there will be

no volume difference between the ef­fect and straight bass sounds.

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CHANGING THE BATTERY

When the indicator goes dim or no longer lights
while an effect is on, it means that the battery is
nearly dead and must be replaced.
Replace the battery following the steps below.

Thumbscrew

Pedal

Spring Base

1.Loosen the thumbscrew at the front of the

pedal, then lift the pedal upwards to open the
unit.

* The thumbscrew can be left in the pedal

while changing the battery.

2.Remove the old battery from the battery hous-

ing, and remove the snap cord connected to it.

Battery Snap Cord

Battery Snap

9V Battery

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Battery
Housing

Coil Spring

Guide
Bush
Hole

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, then close the pedal.

* Carefully avoid getting the snap cord caught

in the coil spring.

5.Finally, insert the thumbscrew into the

guide bush hole and fasten it securely.

SAMPLE SETTINGS

Natural OverDrive

CHECK

EQLEVEL

BALANCE GAIN

MIN MAX

MIN MAX

CUT BOOST

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

EQLEVEL

HIGH
LOW

CHECK

DRY OD

BALANCE GAIN

DRY OD

MIN MAX

MIN MAX

Fuzz Sound

MIN MAX

Picking RiffDrived Slapping Play

MIN MAX

CHECK

EQLEVEL

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

CHECK

EQLEVEL

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

BALANCE GAIN

DRY OD

MIN MAX

BALANCE GAIN

DRY OD

MIN MAX

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Booster HeavyDrive

CHECK

EQLEVEL

BALANCE GAIN

MIN MAX

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

DRY OD

MIN MAX

MIN MAX

Slapping Play Solo Play

CHECK

EQLEVEL

BALANCE GAIN

MIN MAX

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

DRY OD

MIN MAX

MIN MAX

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CHECK

EQLEVEL

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

CHECK

EQLEVEL

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

BALANCE GAIN

DRY OD

MIN MAX

BALANCE GAIN

DRY OD

MIN MAX

SETTING MEMO

MIN MAX

MIN MAX

CHECK

EQLEVEL

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

CHECK

EQLEVEL

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

BALANCE GAIN

DRY OD

MIN MAX

BALANCE GAIN

DRY OD

MIN MAX

MIN MAX

MIN MAX

CHECK

EQLEVEL

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

CHECK

EQLEVEL

CUT BOOST

HIGH
LOW

BALANCE GAIN

DRY OD

MIN MAX

BALANCE GAIN

DRY OD

MIN MAX

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SPECIFICATIONS

ODB-3: Bass OverDrive

Nominal Input Level ................. -20 dBu

Input Impedance ...................... 1 MΩ

Nominal Output Level .............. -20 dBu

Output Impedance ................... 1 kΩ

Equivalent Input Noise Level .... -110 dBu (IHF-A, Typ.)

Controls.................................... Pedal Switch

Indicator................................... CHECK Indicator (serves also as battery check indicator)

Connectors ............................... INPUT Jack

Power Supply ........................... DC 9 V: Dry Battery 9 V type(6F22/9 V), AC Adaptor

Current Draw ........................... 15 mA (DC 9 V)

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LEVEL Knob
HIGH EQ Knob
LOW EQ Knob
BALANCE Knob
GAIN Knob

OUTPUT Jack
AC Adaptor Jack (DC 9 V)

* Expected battery life under continuous use :

Carbon : 26 hours

These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.

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

Weight...................................... 420 g / 15 oz (including battery)

Accessories ............................... Owner’s Manual

Options .................................... AC Adaptor PSA-Series

* 0 dBu = 0.775 V rms
* In the interest of product development, the specifications and/or appearance fo this uit are subject

to change without prior notice.

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

Dry Battery 9 V type (6F22/9 V)
Leaflet

(“USING THE UNIT SAFELY,” “IMPORTANT NOTES,” and “Information”)

This product complies with the requirements of

For EU Countries

European Directive 89/336/EEC.

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G601724903