Boss ME-20B Owner's Manual

Boss ME-20B Owner's Manual

Bass multiple effects

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Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of BOSS ME-20B Bass Multiple Effects.
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" and
"IMPORTANT NOTES" .
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.

Main Features

● Simple Operation—Works Like a Compact Pedal Effects
All you need to do to get the sound you want is to select an effect, then tweak it using the
knobs—basically, this is the same simple, intuitive operation offered by compact pedal effects.
● BASS ENHANCE Function
This function strengthens the bass's dynamics with the press of a single button. You can also
switch the effect with an optional footswitch pedal, a convenient feature for live performances.
● EZ EDIT for Quick Sound Creation
EZ EDIT is a feature that allows you to creating sounds quickly and easily.
You can adjust a combination of effect parameters with just a single knob.
● Memory Function
Up to thirty of the sounds you create can be stored in the ME-20B's User memory.
In "Memory mode," you can use the pedals to instantly select a stored sound.
● AUX IN Jack
Thanks to this feature, it's simple to play along with CD and MP3 players and other equipment.
● Battery Powered Operation
The ME-20B runs on battery power (six AA dry cells), allowing you to use it anywhere you play.
You can also use the optional AC adaptor, giving you two ways to power the ME-20B, so you can
play for extended periods during live performances.
Copyright © 2007 BOSS CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced in any form without the written permission
of BOSS CORPORATION.

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Table of Contents
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Summary of Contents for Boss ME-20B

  • Page 1: Main Features

    The ME-20B runs on battery power (six AA dry cells), allowing you to use it anywhere you play. You can also use the optional AC adaptor, giving you two ways to power the ME-20B, so you can play for extended periods during live performances.
  • Page 2 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 Immediately turn the power off, remove the AC adaptor from the outlet, and request servicing by your retailer, the nearest Roland Service Center, or an authorized Roland distributor, as listed on the “Information” page when: • The AC adaptor or the power-supply cord has been damaged;...
  • Page 4: Important Notes

    • Unfortunately, it may be impossible to restore the contents of data that was stored in the unit’s memory once it has been lost. BOSS/Roland Corporation assumes no liability concerning such loss of data.
  • Page 5 Indicate buttons. Text or numerals enclosed in square [WRITE] brackets [ ] Indicates information that you should be aware of when using the ME-20B. Indicates supplementary information about an operation. Indicates information about a convenient operation. Indicates a reference page.
  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    (Patch Edit Mode)... 26 Other Functions... 27 Using Footswitch Pedals ... 27 Connecting a Footswitch Pedal ... 27 Returning the ME-20B to Its Factory Settings (Factory Reset)... 29 Adjusting the Expression Pedal... 30 Patch List ... 31 Factory Settings ... 32 Blank Chart...
  • Page 7: Names Of Things And What They Do

    The value changes once the knob is turned past the position corresponding to the currently set value. Press [ ] to change the value of the setting as desired. Press [WRITE]. The setting is saved, and the ME-20B returns to Manual mode.
  • Page 8 Names of Things and What They Do 2. Effect Select Indicators Show effects you can set using the parameter knobs. 3. Effect Select Buttons Press these buttons to select the effect whose settings you want to change. 4. EZ EDIT Indicator Shows whether EZ EDIT is on or off.
  • Page 9 In Memory mode, they indicate the current patch number. 16. Effect/Number Pedals Switch the corresponding effects on and off. When the ME-20B is in Memory mode, these switch correspondingly numbered patches. Functions as a wah pedal. Functions as a volume pedal.
  • Page 10: Rear Panel

    * The INPUT jack doubles as a power switch. Inserting a plug into the INPUT jack turns on the power; the power is switched off when the plug is disconnected. Be sure to unplug the cable from this jack when the ME-20B is not in use. 3. AUX IN Jack Connect a CD or MP3 player here to practice with sounds from these devices.
  • Page 11: Installing Batteries

    Installing Batteries Insert the batteries as shown in figure, being careful to orient the batteries correctly. fig.replace-battery.eps_38 • When the batteries run down, “bt” appears in the display. When this occurs, install with new batteries. • When turning the unit over, place some newspapers, magazines, or other suitable material under the four corners or at both ends to prevent damage to the buttons and controls.
  • Page 12: Connections

    Be sure to unplug the cable from this jack when the ME-20B is not in use. * Some connection cables contain resistors. When connection cables with resistors are used, the sound level may be extremely low, or impossible to hear.
  • Page 13: Turning On The Power

    Turn on power to the various devices in the order specified. Turning on devices in the wrong order may cause malfunction and/or damage to speakers and other devices. Turning On the Power Completely turn down the volume on all devices and connect the external devices.
  • Page 14: Tuning The Bass (Bypass/Tuner)

    Tuning the Bass (Bypass/Tuner) The ME-20B features a built-in chromatic auto-tuner that allows you to tune your bass easily without changing any of your connections. Additionally, in Tuner mode, the sound output is the same as the input sound, with no effects applied (bypass).
  • Page 15 fig.7seg-tuner3.eps (C ) (F ) First do a rough tuning so that the name of the note for the string appears in the display. (General Tuning) Lo-B Tune each string more accurately until both of the tuning guides are lit. * The larger the difference between the pitch of the string you’re playing and the correct pitch for the note shown in the display, the faster the tuning guide flashes.
  • Page 16: Introduction To Effects And Parameters

    Introduction to Effects and Parameters About the Effect Connection Sequence The optimal sequence for connecting effects is determined automatically based on the effect settings. SYNTH1 / BASS ENHANCE SYNTH2 (COMP / DRIVE) T.WAH UP / T.WAH DOWN / T.WAH EDGE (SFX) BASS ENHANCE This effect makes the bass frequencies more prominent in response to changes in the input...
  • Page 17: Sfx

    These effects change the characteristics of the bass sound itself. SFX Type List TYPE Descriptions 1. T.WAH UP The filter shifts to higher frequencies in response to the input. 2. T.WAH DOWN The filter shifts to lower frequencies in response to the input. 3: T.WAH EDGE Gives a filter with a stronger effect.
  • Page 18: Comp/Drive (Compressor/Drive)

    Introduction to Effects and Parameters COMP/DRIVE (Compressor/Drive) These effects adjust the signal level to produce more even dynamics and add distortion. COMP/DRIVE Type List TYPE Descriptions 1: COMPRESSOR This effect evens out the input signal levels, thus evening out the sound. 2: OVERDRIVE This creates a sweet, mild distortion like that from a tube amp.
  • Page 19: Delay/Mod

    DELAY/MOD These are spatial effects that let you do things like add delayed sound to the input sound, add body to the sound, or add modulation to the sound. DELAY/MOD Type List TYPE Descriptions – Delay sound with a delay time from 0 to 99 ms. 1: 0 99 ms DELAY –...
  • Page 20: Eq (Equalizer)

    Introduction to Effects and Parameters EQ (Equalizer) This effect adjusts the tone quality. Turning the knob to the right (clockwise) boosts the volume in the corresponding frequency range; turning it counterclockwise cuts the volume. Placing all parameter knobs at the center produces a flat response. fig.FX-EQ.eps_50 fig.FX-EQ2.eps_90 Descriptions Adjusts the tone...
  • Page 21: Wah

    * Adjust this value until the decay of the bass sound is as natural as possible. MASTER LEVEL This adjusts the level of the output from the ME-20B. * Raising the MASTER LEVEL knob too much may result in sound distortion.
  • Page 22: Creating Sounds Easily (Ez Edit)

    Creating Sounds Easily (EZ EDIT) EZ EDIT is a feature for creating sounds quickly and easily. You can make adjust a combination of effect parameters with just a single knob. fig.ME-20B-ezedit1.eps_55 Press [EZ EDIT]. Press the effect pedal to switch the effect ON/OFF setting.
  • Page 23: Saving And Calling Up Tones (Memory Mode)

    Manual Mode and Memory Mode When the power is turned on, the ME-20B starts up in “Manual mode.” In this mode, you can use the pedals to switch effects on or off, and you can manipulate the knobs to directly obtain the sound you want.
  • Page 24: Saving Tones (Write)

    * To stop the Write procedure, press [EDIT/EXIT] to return to the previous mode. Press [WRITE] once more. The sound is stored, and the ME-20B returns to Memory mode. The display shows the bank, and the pedal indicators show the numbers.
  • Page 25: Calling Up And Using Saved Sounds (Patch Change)

    (1) is pressed, and the currently selected bank flashes in the display (2); sounds are not yet switched at this point. * With the ME-20B in this state, pressing any of the number pedals (3) instantly switches the sound to the sound of the patch assigned to the currently selected bank/number.
  • Page 26: Changing Patch Settings (Patch Edit Mode)

    “Ed” appears in the display and the MEMORY indicator starts to flash, indicating that the unit is now in Patch Edit mode. As in Manual mode, with the ME-20B in this state, the number pedals switch the effects on and off, while [ the parameters.
  • Page 27: Other Functions

    Other Functions Using Footswitch Pedals With an optional footswitch pedal (such as the BOSS FS-5U or FS-6) connected to the ME-20B, you can use the footswitch for the following operations. In Manual mode: Switches the BASS ENHANCE on/off. In Memory mode: Bank up, Bank down...
  • Page 28 Other Functions When Connecting Two FS-5Us or an FS-6 * Using a special Roland PCS-31 connection cable (optional), you can connect two FS-5Us. PCS-31 White Bypass/Tuner BASS ENHANCE Bypass/Tuner BASS ENHANCE On/Off On/Off On/Off On/Off Bank down Bank up Bank down...
  • Page 29: Returning The Me-20B To Its Factory Settings (Factory Reset)

    Returning the ME-20B to Its Factory Settings (Factory Reset) You can restore the settings stored in the ME-20B (User memory, tuner reference pitch, and knob response method (p. 7)) to their original settings when the unit was shipped from the factory.
  • Page 30: Adjusting The Expression Pedal

    Other Functions Adjusting the Expression Pedal Although the ME-20B’s expression pedal has been set for optimal operation at the factory, extended use and certain operating environments can result in the pedal going out of adjustment. If you encounter problems, such as the expression pedal’s ON/OFF switch not functioning or the volume pedal not fully cutting off the sound, you can use the following procedure to readjust the pedal.
  • Page 31: Patch List

    Patch List BANK Compressed sound suitable for picking. Expansive sound with chorus and delay. Fat overdrive sound. Funk sound, great for slap bass. Fretless sound, perfect for finger picking and use of rear pickup. Flanger sound that works well with picking. Bright sound, suitable for slap bass.
  • Page 32: Factory Settings

    Factory Settings BASS BANK NO. ENHANCE TYPE SENS TONE LEVEL ON (25) OFF ON (30) ON ON (15) OFF ON (25) OFF ON (30) OFF ON (25) ON ON (25) ON ON (20) OFF * Numerals enclosed in brackets ( ) indicate the BASS ENHANCE level. When the BASS ENHANCE is off, the BASS ENHANCE level is set to “25.”...
  • Page 33 DELAY/MOD FEED- TIME/ TYPE BACK/ RATE DEPTH Type List T.WAH UP T.WAH DOWN T.WAH EDGE DEFRETTER OCTAVE LOW- HIGH- LEVEL LOW COMP/DRIVE COMPRESSOR 0-99ms DELAY OVERDRIVE 100-700ms DELAY DISTORTION PHASER OD+DIRECT FLANGER SYNTH 1 CHORUS SYNTH 2 CHO+DELAY REVERB Factory Settings MASTER THRESH- HIGH...
  • Page 34: Blank Chart

    Blank Chart BASS BANK NO. ENHANCE TYPE SENS TONE LEVEL COMP/DRIVE SUSTAIN/ TONE/ TYPE DRIVE/ CUT- LEVEL SENS...
  • Page 35 DELAY/MOD FEED- TIME/ TYPE BACK/ RATE DEPTH Type List T.WAH UP T.WAH DOWN T.WAH EDGE DEFRETTER OCTAVE LOW- HIGH- LEVEL LOW COMP/DRIVE COMPRESSOR 0-99ms DELAY OVERDRIVE 100-700ms DELAY DISTORTION PHASER OD+DIRECT FLANGER SYNTH 1 CHORUS SYNTH 2 CHO+DELAY REVERB MASTER THRESH- LEVEL HIGH...
  • Page 36: Troubleshooting

    ❍ Has the battery run down? → Replace with new batteries (p. 11). The batteries included with the ME-20B are 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 37: Specifications

    (*) AF method (Adaptive Focus method) This is a proprietary method from Roland/ BOSS that vastly improves the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the A/D and D/A converters.
  • Page 38: Index

    Index Numerics ... 19 0–99 ms DELAY ... 19 100–700 ms DELAY ... 10 AUX IN ... 23, 25 Bank ... 9, 16 BASS ENHANCE ... 14 Bypass ... 19 CHO+DELAY ... 19 CHORUS ... 18 COMP ... 18 COMPRESSOR ...
  • Page 39 For EU Countries...
  • Page 40 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.

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