Boss ME-50 Owner's Manual
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Boss ME-50 Owner's Manual

Guitar multiple effects
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Owner's Manual
Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the BOSS ME-50 Guitar Multiple Effects.
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" (page 2–3) and
"IMPORTANT NOTES" (page 4).
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, owner's manual should
be read in its entirety. The manual should be saved and kept on hand as a convenient reference.
Main features
Simple Operation—Works Like a
Compact Effects Processor
Each effect is controlled with a dedicated knob.
Intuitive operation, similar to that of compact effects
processors, lets you make changes to tones directly.
Powerful COSM Drive Sound
Roland's original "COSM" modeling technology lets
you perform with a wide variety of powerful distortion
effects, from classic vintage sounds, to original
distortion sounds.
COSM (Composite Object Sound Modeling)
Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM) is Roland's
innovative and powerful sound modeling technology.
COSM analyzes the many factors that make up the
original sound, such as the electrical and physical
characteristics of the original, and then produces a
digital model that can reproduce the same sound.
Copyright © 2002 BOSS CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced in any form without the
written permission of BOSS CORPORATION.
Multi-Function Expression Pedal
The ME-50 is equipped with an expression pedal that
gives you control over six different specialized pedal
effects. It can also be switched for use as a volume
pedal.
Memory Function
You can store up to 30 original tones you have created.
You can also use the pedals in "Memory mode" to call
up stored tones instantly.
AUX IN Jack
The AUX IN jack makes it easy to practice along with
CDs, MDs, and other input.
Battery-Powered Operation
The ME-50 can be powered in two ways, with (6) AA
batteries or by using the AC adaptor (optional).

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  • Page 1 Owner’s Manual Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the BOSS ME-50 Guitar Multiple Effects. Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” (page 2–3) and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (page 4). 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, owner’s manual should...

  • Page 2: Using The Unit Safely

    • Do not attempt to repair the unit, or replace parts within it (except when this manual provides specific instructions directing you to do so). Refer all servicing to your retailer, the nearest Roland Service Center, or an authorized Roland distributor, as listed on the "Information" page.
  • Page 3 • Before using the unit in a foreign country, consult with your retailer, the nearest Roland Service Center, or an authorized Roland distributor, as listed on the “Information” sheet.

  • Page 4: Important Notes

    (including padding) that it came in, if possible. Otherwise, you will need to use equivalent packaging materials. • Use a cable from Roland to make the connection. If using some other make of connection cable, please note the following precautions.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Convenient Functions... 24 Tuning the Guitar (Tuner) ... 24 Practicing Along with CDs and MDs (AUX IN)... 25 Appendices ... 26 Returning the ME-50 to Its Factory Settings (Factory Reset) ... 26 Adjusting the Expression Pedal ... 26 Troubleshooting ... 27 Specifications ...

  • Page 6: Playing Sounds

    (This may vary according to usage conditions.) Making the Connections The ME-50 is not equipped with any internal amplifier or speakers. To listen to sound with the ME-50, connect it to a guitar amp, stereo headphones, or other such sound equipment.

  • Page 7: Turning On The Power

    ● ● ● ● Turning Off the Power 1. Turn down the volume of the ME-50 and any connected 2. Turn off the power to Guitar Amp / Stereo, Multitrack 3. Tuen the ME-50’s power off. Playing Sounds sound distortion.

  • Page 8: Using The Effects

    BOSS’s ME-50. About the Effect Connection Sequence The ME-50 automatically selects the optimum sequence for connecting the effects according to the effect (p. 19) you select with the expression pedal.

  • Page 9: Tone Modify

    TONE MODIFY fig.0090 TONE MODIFY Indicator This changes the characteristics of the connected guitar. TYPE knob The sound is bypassed. * When switched OFF, the TONE MODIFY indicator goes out. Fat tone with boosted mid range. PRESENCE Bright tone with boosted high-mid range. MILD Mild tone with the high end cut back.

  • Page 10: Compressor

    Using the Effects COMPRESSOR fig.0110 COMPRESSOR Indicator This is an effect that produces a long sustain by evening out the volume level of the input signal. You can also use it as a “limiter” to suppress only the sound peaks and prevent distortion.

  • Page 11: Overdrive/Distortion

    OVERDRIVE/DISTORTION fig.0130 OVERDRIVE/DISTORTION Indicator Pedal Indicator OD/DS Pedal These are effects that distort the sound. You can use the TYPE knob in combination with [VARIATION] to get 22 different types of distortion. Type List [VARIATION] Off OD-1 Models the BOSS OD-1. OD-2 Models the BOSS OD-2.

  • Page 12: Modulation

    MOD Pedal An effect that broadens sound and adds undulations is called “modulation.” The ME-50 comes with 11 different types of Modulation effects. Select any one of these as the effect to be used. MOD pedal Depress the pedal to toggle Modulation on/off.
  • Page 13 FLANGER Adds a undulation like that of a jet ascending or decending. RATE/KEY knob Adjusts the rate of flanging effect. DEPTH/HARMONY knob Adjusts the depth of flanging effect. E.LEVEL/RESONANCE knob Adjusts the amount of resonance. HARMONIST “Harmonist” is an effect which the amount of shifting is adjusted according to an analysis of the guitar input, allowing you to create harmonics based on diatonic scales.

  • Page 14: Adding An Effect Synchronized To The Performance Tempo

    Using the Effects ROTARY Produces the effect of a rotary speaker. RATE/KEY knob Adjusts the speed of rotation for the speaker. DEPTH/HARMONY knob Adjusts the depth of the rotary effect. E.LEVEL/RESONANCE knob Adjusts the volume of the rotary effect. Adding an Effect Synchronized to the Performance Tempo When any effect other than HARMONIST is selected, you can set the tempo so you get an effect that is synchronized to...

  • Page 15: Delay

    The delay time can be set within the range of 200 ms to 1000 ms. * When using the ME-50 in mono, the panning delay is not effective, even when PAN is selected.

  • Page 16: Adding A Delay Synchronized To The Performance Tempo

    Using the Effects HOLD Up to 2 seconds of performance content is recorded, then played back repeatedly. You can also layer this as you perform something else, then record these together (overdub). You can keep the recorded content playing continuously as backing and produce other special effects.

  • Page 17: Using The Hold Function

    Write Procedures (p. 21) When the Tempo Has Been Set The delay time stored in a Patch (p. 20) is determined as follows. • If it is within the delay time range that can be set for the type currently selected, it is stored without change. •...

  • Page 18: Ns (Noise Suppressor)

    Using the Effects NS (Noise Suppressor) fig.0190 NS Indicator This effect reduces the noise and hum picked up by guitar pickups. Since it suppresses the noise in synchronization with the envelope of the guitar sound (the way in which the guitar sound decays over time), it has very little effect on the guitar sound, and does not harm the natural character of the sound.

  • Page 19: Pedal

    “talking” modulation sounds and realistic human voice sounds. RING MOD This is an effect that crosses the ME-50’s internal oscillator with the guitar source sound to change the sound to a metallic sound devoid of any feeling of pitch.

  • Page 20: Saving And Loading The Created Tones (Memory Mode)

    Memory Mode The mode in which the tone produced reflects the panel settings just as they are is called “Manual mode.” A dot appears in the display when the ME-50 is in Manual mode. fig.0240 ● When switching from Manual mode to Memory mode, press the No.

  • Page 21: Write Procedure

    Write Procedure The “Write procedure” enables you to save the created tone settings using the panel knobs and pedals, MASTER LEVEL knob setting, and expression pedal settings to Patches. * You can carry out the Write procedure in both Manual mode and Memory mode.

  • Page 22: Switching Banks With The Foot Switch

    About the Tempo Setting If you hold down the currently selected number pedal for at least two seconds, the pedal indicator flashes, and the ME-50 switches to tempo setting mode, and the number pedal can then be used to input the tempo.

  • Page 23: About The Delay Hold

    When DELAY is ON and a Patch that has a TYPE setting of HOLD is called up, the pedal indicator flashes slowly, indicating that the ME-50 is in recording standby. Afterwards, the following conditions are in effect. • Holding down the number pedal: begins recording •...

  • Page 24: Convenient Functions

    The new setting is stored upon exiting Tuner mode. If you turn off the power with the ME-50 still in Tuner mode, the changed reference pitch is not saved. 3. Play a single note on the string to be tuned; play the string open.

  • Page 25: Practicing Along With Cds And Mds (Aux In)

    AUX IN jack. * AUX IN is a stereo mini jack. fig.0370 Sound input to the AUX IN jack is mixed in the ME-50 with the guitar sounds, a convenient feature when using headphones for home practice and other such situations.

  • Page 26: Appendices

    Appendices Returning the ME-50 to Its Factory Settings (Factory Reset) You can restore all of the ME-50’s settings (thirty patches and tuner reference pitch) to what they were at the time the unit was shipped from the factory. This is referred to as “Factory Reset.”...

  • Page 27: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting If there is no sound, or if it appears the ME-50 is not functioning correctly, first check the points below. If the following measures do not solve the problem, contact your dealer or the nearest Roland Service Center. No Sound/Volume is Low ●...

  • Page 28: Specifications

    In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice. (*) AF method (Adaptive Focus method) This is a proprietary method from Roland that vastly improves the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the A/D and D/A converters.

  • Page 29: Patch List

    Patch List BANK NO. Lead distortion sound with sustain. Loud rock Patch effective with low sound. Persistent twin lead sound. Solid drive sound, perfect for lead. Crunch sound with particularly rough distortion. Organ style Patch that uses the ROTARY effect. Patch with stack amp style distortion.

  • Page 30: Factory Settings

    Factory Settings TONE MODIFY BANK NO. TYPE PEDAL MODE EXPRESSION SUSTAIN VOLUME PRESENCE VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME PRESENCE VOLUME EXPRESSION WAH VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME TIGHT VOLUME HOLLOW VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME EXPRESSION WAH VOLUME VOLUME PRESENCE VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME ACOUSTIC VOLUME...
  • Page 31 MODULATION TYPE RATE DEPTH E.LEVEL HARMONIST ROTARY ST CHORUS 1 13 CHORUS ST CHORUS 1 24 CHORUS ST CHORUS 1 24 CHORUS TREMOLO PHASER CHORUS UNI-V ST CHORUS 1 29 CHORUS PHASER CHORUS VIBRATO DELAY TYPE TIME FEEDBACK LEVEL 100–500 ms 100–500 ms 100-500 ms 100-500ms...

  • Page 32: Blank Chart

    Blank Chart TONE MODIFY BANK NO. TYPE PEDAL MODE EXPRESSION SUSTAIN Expression Pedal COMPRESSOR LEVEL OVERDRIVE/DISTORTION TYPE DRIVE BOTTOM TONE LEVEL...

  • Page 33: Blank Chart

    Blank Chart MODULATION DELAY REVERB MASTER LEVEL TYPE RATE DEPTH E.LEVEL TYPE TIME FEEDBACK LEVEL THRESHOLD TYPE LEVEL...

  • Page 34: Index

    Index Numerics 0-30 ms ... 15 -1 OCTAVE ... 19 +1 OCTAVE ... 19 100-500 ms ... 15 25-125 ms ... 15 400-2000 ms ... 15 ACOUSTIC ... 9 ANALOG ... 15 AUX IN ... 25 BANK ... 21 Bank ... 20 BD-2 ...
  • Page 35 For EU Countries 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 36 G6017362R1 **********...

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