Boss RC-2 Owner's Manual
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Boss RC-2 Owner's Manual

Boss rc-2 loop station owner's manual
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  • Page 1 Owner’s Manual AC & BATTERY POWERED...
  • Page 2 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 in- formation concerning the proper operation of the unit.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    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 ...

  • Page 4: Main Features

    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.

  • Page 5: Panel Descriptions

    * 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 Compen-...
  • Page 6 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). Recording → Playback → Overdubbing Tempo Input →...
  • Page 7 * 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.
  • Page 8 Panel Descriptions 13 . TAP TEMPO/SELECT/ENTER Button 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 Description Set the tempo by repeatedly pressing the button at the desired speed (“Setting the tempo”; p. 35). , AUTO The indicator flashes at the same rate as the tempo.
  • Page 9 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 automat- AUTO ically when audio is received at the INPUT or AUX IN jack (p. 16).

  • Page 10: Connections

    Connections AC adaptor (sold separately) Guitar amp Jack type AUX IN jack: Stereo miniature phone STOP/TEMPO jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone INPUT jack, OUTPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone CD/digital audio player Headphones Jack Electric guitar/bass PCS-31 Footswitches (sold separately) Stereo 1/4” phone plugs at both ends...
  • Page 11 * 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.

  • Page 12: Turning The Power On/Off

    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.

  • Page 13: Creating Loop Phrases By Recording Guitar Or Bass Performances

    * 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. 3. Press the pedal to start recording.
  • Page 14 * 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.
  • Page 15 (p. 31). * You cannot use undo if the RC-2 has only a small amount of memory left. (In this instance, the REC/PLAY/DUB indicator won’t flash rapidly when the pedal is held down for two seconds or more, and the undo operation won’t be...

  • Page 16: Using Auto Mode To Automatically Start Phrase Recording With Audio Input

    Light goes Lights in green 4. Play 5. Press the pedal to stop recording (recording begins (the phrase plays when the RC-2 receives audio input). back after you stop). Lights in Play. 6. Press the pedal to start overdubbing. Lights in...
  • Page 17 Pressing the pedal once while the unit is in recording standby cancels recording. 4. Begin your performance. The RC-2 starts recording as soon as it receives audio input. 5. Press the pedal to stop recording. Playback of the recorded phrase begins simultaneously.

  • Page 18: Recording After Setting The Tempo With The Pedal

    Recording After Setting the Tempo with the Pedal 1. Select an 2. Turn the MODE empty knob to phrase track. 8. Press the pedal twice Press the pedal to stop to stop playback. overdubbing (the phrase plays back after you stop). Light goes Press twice * For instructions on how to stop playback or overdubbing, refer to “Technique for Stopping Operation”...
  • Page 19 1. Turn the PHRASE SELECT knob to select an empty phrase track (1-11). 2. Set the MODE knob to You are now ready to set the tempo with the pedal. 3. Press the pedal several times in time with the tempo. Loop Quantize (p.

  • Page 20: Creating Loop Phrases By Recording Phrases From A Cd/Digital Audio Player

    Creating Loop Phrases by Recording Audio from a CD/Digital Audio Player 1. Select an 2. Turn the MODE empty knob to AUTO. phrase track. * For instructions on how to stop playback, refer to “Technique for Stopping Operation” (p. 6). 5.
  • Page 21 6. Start playback of the CD/digital audio player. The RC-2 starts recording as soon as it receives audio input. * Recording may stop before you are finished if the RC-2’s memory runs out. If this occurs, delete any unnecessary phrases (p.
  • Page 22 AUX IN jack. If anything is connected to the INPUT jack, no signals from AUX IN will be recorded. With the factory settings, the RC-2 applies compensa- tion to the AUX IN signal so that it sounds appropriate when played through a typical guitar amp.

  • Page 23: Playing/Overdubbing Along With A Saved Phrase

    Playing/Overdubbing Along with a Saved Phrase 1. Select the phrase track 2. Turn the MODE containing the saved knob to phrase you want to play along with. * For instructions on how to stop playback or overdubbing, refer to “Technique for Stopping Operation” (p. 6). 3.
  • Page 24 Phrase Shift does not switch to an empty phrasetrack, but instead the phrase being played back continues toplay back. If you stop with the RC-2 in this state, the PHRASESELECT knob number and phrase track containing thephrase you were playing back will be different,...

  • Page 25: Recording And Performing Along With The Guide

    Recording and Performing Along with the Guide The RC-2 has a built-in guide that can be used as a rhythmic accompaniment during recording, playback, and overdubbing. A variety of guide patterns are pro- vided, covering many different musical styles. * The guide does not play during phrase recording if the tempo is not set ahead of time.

  • Page 26: Using The Rc-2 For Practicing-Phrase Trainer

    Using the RC-2 for Practicing—Phrase Trainer While a saved phrase is playing back, its tempo can be adjusted without changing its pitch. This func- tionality is great for slowing down musical phras- es—such as fast guitar solos recorded from a CD/ digital audio player—making them easier to learn...

  • Page 27: Playing A Phrase Only Once (One-Shot Playback)

    Playing a Phrase Only Once (One-Shot Playback) When a phrase is saved to a phrase track (1-11), it’s initially set to loop playback. After is has been saved, turning the MODE knob to allows you to use the TAP TEM- PO/SELECT/ENTER button to toggle between loop play- back (LOOP/ONE SHOT indicator: green) and One-Shot playback (LOOP/ONE SHOT indicator: red).

  • Page 28: Operating The Rc-2 With An External Footswitch

    * The FS-5L cannot be used. • Press the footswitch during recording, playback, or overdubbing to stop the RC-2. • While the RC-2 is stopped, you can set the tempo by repeatedly pressing the footswitch at the desired speed. • You can clear the temporary memory by holding down the pedal for at least two seconds.
  • Page 29 B pedal is pressed • Pressing the footswitch during recording, playback, or overdubbing stops the RC-2. • While the RC-2 is stopped, you can set the tempo by repeatedly pressing the footswitch at the desired speed. • You can clear the temporary memory by holding down the pedal for at least two seconds.
  • Page 30 * Empty phrase tracks are disregarded. For example, when you press the pedal switch one time while Phrase Track 1 is playing, if Phrase Track 2 is empty, the RC-2 will switch to Phrase Track 3. • When you switch to a phrase set to One-Shot Playback, the phrase is played to the end, and then playback stops.

  • Page 31: Memory

    (p. 32) before performing either of the above operations. What is a phrase track? A phrase track is an area of the RC-2’s internal memory in which phrases are stored. Phrases that are saved here are not deleted when the power is turned off.

  • Page 32: Save Phrases (Write)

    * If you turn the MODE knob to a position other than WRITE while a different phrase track is selected as a save destination (see Step 3), the RC-2 switches phrase tracks and the recorded phrase is lost. <CAUTION> • Never turn off the RC-2’s power while the SELECT/ ENTER indicator is lit.

  • Page 33: Erasing A Saved Phrase

    This condition is called “Write Protect mode.” You can select Write Protect mode with the following proce- dure. 1. If the RC-2 is turned on, switch the power off. * A phrase that has not been saved will be lost when you turn off the power.

  • Page 34: About The Tempo And Time Signature

    About the Tempo and Time Signature The RC-2 allows you to set the tempo and time signature sepa- rately for each phrase track. These settings also determine how the guide tone will play, and how loop quantization will occur. This means that setting the tempo and time signature before re- cording makes it easy to create a correct, accurate loop phrase.

  • Page 35: Setting The Tempo

    Setting the Tempo When you wish to record to an empty phrase track, you can set the tempo before recording. You can also change the playback tempo when playing back saved phrase tracks. * If you save a phrase after changing the playback tempo, the phrase is then saved with the modified tempo.
  • Page 36 Setting the Time Signature (4/4) for the Guide In addition to 4/4, the RC-2 allows you to set a 3/4 time signature. If you want to record a phrase with a time signature of 3/4, set this time signature before you start recording.

  • Page 37: Guide Pattern List

    Guide Pattern List BEAT PATTERN Beat1 Beat2 About the Tempo and Time Signature BEAT PATTERN 8Beat1 8Beat2 8Beat3 16Beat Triple Shuffle1 Shuffle2 Rock1 Rock2 Rock3 Rock4 Metal1 Metal2 Blues1 Blues2 Blues3 BEAT PATTERN Surf Beat Down Beat Funk1 Funk2 Groove R&B Bossa Nova Samba...

  • Page 38: Changing The Battery

    Changing the Battery When the indicator goes dim or no longer lights, it means that the battery is nearly dead and must be replaced. Replace the battery following the steps below. * The use of an AC adaptor is recommended as the unit’s power consumption is relatively high.

  • Page 39: Troubleshooting

    • Has the battery run down? Replace with a new battery (p. 38). * The battery included with the RC-2 is intended only for confirming that the unit is functional. * This unit consumes a large amount of current, so the use of an AC adaptor is recommended.
  • Page 40 Troubleshooting The LOOP/ONE SHOT indicator flashes even though there should be time remaining for recording • In the situations listed below, temporary memory for overdubbing (p. 31) is allocated separately from the phrase. As the maximum available recording time also includes time used in temporary memory, the LOOP/ONE SHOT indicator may flash in the following situations: •...

  • Page 41: Specifications

    Specifications RC-2: Loop Station Nominal Input Level... INPUT: -20 dBu Input Impedance... INPUT: 1 MΩ Nominal Output Level... -20 dBu Output Impedance ... 1 kΩ Recommended Load Impedance ... 10 kΩ or greater Internal Memory... Maximum recording time: 16 minutes Controls...
  • Page 42 Specifications Power Supply... DC 9 V: Dry battery/9 V type (6F22 (carbon), 6LR61 (alkaline)) , Current Draw ... 50 mA (DC 9 V) Dimensions ... 73 (W) x 129 (D) x 59 (H) mm Weight ... 420 g /15 oz (including battery) Accessories...
  • Page 43 This product complies with the requirements of European Directive 89/336/EEC. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
  • Page 44 G6027115R1...

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