Boss ME-20 Owner's Manual
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Boss ME-20 Owner's Manual

Guitar multiple effects
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Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of BOSS ME-20 Guitar 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.
● OD/DS Solo Function
Give distortion sounds an intense boost and clarity simply and easily with the press of a single
button. You can also switch the effect with the 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-20'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-20 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-20, 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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Summary of Contents for Boss ME-20

  • Page 1: Main Features

    The ME-20 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-20, so you can play for extended periods during live performances.
  • Page 2 symbol alerts the user to important instructions Used for instructions intended to alert or warnings.The specific meaning of the symbol is the user to the risk of death or severe determined by the design contained within the injury should unit used triangle.
  • Page 3 • Do not allow any objects (e.g., flammable • Try to prevent cords and cables from material, coins, pins); or liquids of any becoming entangled. Also, all cords and kind (water, soft drinks, etc.) to penetrate cables should be placed so they are out of the unit.

  • Page 4: Important Notes

    Should you experience such contents of data that was stored in the unit’s problems, you should relocate such wireless memory once it has been lost. BOSS/Roland devices so they are at a greater distance from this Corporation assumes no liability concerning such unit, or switch them off.
  • Page 5 To avoid disturbing your neighbors, try to keep you should be aware of the unit’s volume at reasonable levels. You may when using the ME-20. prefer to use headphones, so you do not need to be concerned about those around you (especially Indicates supplementary when it is late at night).

  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    Other Functions....27 Tuner) ......14 Using Footswitch Pedals ..... 27 Connecting a Footswitch Pedal ..27 Introduction to Effects and Returning the ME-20 to Its Factory Parameters ......16 Settings (Factory Reset)....29 About the Effect Connection Adjusting the Expression Pedal... 30 Sequence ........16...

  • 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-20 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: Expression Pedal

    In Memory mode, they indicate the current patch number. 16. Effect/Number Pedals Switch the corresponding effects on and off. When the ME-20 is in Memory mode, these switch correspondingly numbered patches. Holding down the OD/DS pedal for two seconds when in Manual mode switches you to the OD/DS SOLO on/off function.

  • 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-20 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 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-20 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

    Connections 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. * Don’t insert the plug into the INPUT jack yet.

  • Page 14: Tuning The Guitar (Bypass/Tuner)

    Tuning the Guitar (Bypass/Tuner) The ME-20 features a built-in chromatic auto-tuner that allows you to tune your guitar 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 Tuning the Guitar (Bypass/Tuner) fig.7seg-tuner3.eps (C ) (D ) (F ) (G ) (A ) First do a rough tuning so that the name of the note for the string appears in the display. (General Tuning) 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. OVERDRIVE / BLUES / DISTORTION / TREMOLO METAL / FUZZ / COMPRESSOR (MOD) (OD / DS) CHORUS / DELAY / NOISE...

  • Page 17: Od/Ds (Overdrive/Distortion)

    Introduction to Effects and Parameters OD/DS (Overdrive/Distortion) This effect uses distortion to add unique characteristics to a sound and allows you to sustain the sound. OD/DS Type List TYPE Descriptions 1: OVERDRIVE A sweet, mild distortion like that of a tube amp. 2: BLUES A unique type of overdrive that brings out the nuances of your picking.

  • Page 18: Mod (Modulation)

    Introduction to Effects and Parameters MOD (Modulation) This effect broadens and adds an undulation effect to the sound. MOD Type List TYPE Descriptions 1: CHORUS This effect adds a subtle wavering to the sound, transforming it into a beautiful sound with breadth and body.

  • Page 19: Delay

    Introduction to Effects and Parameters DELAY These are spatial effects that let you to do things like make the sound thicker or create special effects by adding delayed sound or reverb to the input sound. DELAY Type List TYPE Descriptions –...

  • 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 guitar sound is as natural as possible. MASTER LEVEL This adjusts the level of the output from the ME-20. * 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 adjust a combination of effect parameters with just a single knob. fig.ME-20-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-20 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-20 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-20 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-20 in this state, the number pedals switch the effects on and off, while [ ] control NS THRESHOLD, allowing you to set all 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-20, you can use the footswitch for the following operations. In Manual mode: Switches the OD/DS SOLO on/off. Switches the Bypass/Tuner on/off.
  • Page 28 Other Functions When Connecting Two FS-5Us or an FS-6 * Using a special Roland PCS-31L connection cable (optional), you can connect two FS-5Us. fig.FS-5U1-e.eps_80/fig.FS-5U2-e.eps_80/fig.FS-6-e.eps_80 PCS-31L White Bypass/Tuner OD/DS SOLO Bypass/Tuner OD/DS SOLO On/Off On/Off On/Off On/Off Bank down Bank up Bank down Bank up If using an FS-5U switch, set...

  • Page 29: Returning The Me-20 To Its Factory Settings (Factory Reset)

    Returning the ME-20 to Its Factory Settings (Factory Reset) You can restore the settings stored in the ME-20 (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-20’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 Description Rough distortion sound suitable for backing parts. Texas blues sound with rough distortion. Metal sound, great for riffs. Bright crunch sound that works well for chord rhythms. Lasting overdrive sound, great for melodies. ’60s fuzz sound. Clean sound, good for rhythms.

  • Page 32: Factory Settings

    Factory Settings OD/DS BANK NO. TYPE DRIVE TONE LEVEL TYPE RATE DEPTH LEVEL SOLO * The OD/DS Solo level is set to 25.
  • Page 33 Factory Settings DELAY MASTER FEED- LOW- HIGH- THRESH- LEVEL TYPE TIME LEVEL LOW HIGH BACK Type List OD/DS DELAY OVERDRIVE CHORUS 0-99ms DELAY BLUES PHASER 100-700ms DELAY DISTORTION FLANGER REVERB METAL TREMOLO FUZZ ROTARY COMPRESSOR...

  • Page 34: Blank Chart

    Blank Chart OD/DS BANK NO. TYPE DRIVE TONE LEVEL TYPE RATE DEPTH LEVEL SOLO...
  • Page 35 Blank Chart DELAY MASTER FEED- LOW- HIGH- THRESH- LEVEL TYPE TIME LEVEL LOW HIGH BACK Type List OD/DS DELAY OVERDRIVE CHORUS 0-99ms DELAY BLUES PHASER 100-700ms DELAY DISTORTION FLANGER REVERB METAL TREMOLO FUZZ ROTARY COMPRESSOR...

  • Page 36: Troubleshooting

    → Replace with new batteries (p. 11). and the expression pedal functions as a volume The batteries included with the ME-20 are intended pedal. In this case, sounds are not output when only for confirming that the unit is functional.

  • Page 37: Specifications

    OUTPUT jacks L/MONO, R (1/4” phone type) This is a proprietary method from Roland/ PHONES jack (Stereo 1/4” phone type) BOSS that vastly improves the signal-to-noise FOOT SW jack (1/4” TRS phone type) (S/N) ratio of the A/D and D/A converters.

  • Page 38: Index

    Index Numerics ......19 ..... 9–10, 23, 27 0–99 ms DELAY Manual mode ...... 19 ..... 9, 21 100–700 ms DELAY MASTER LEVEL .... 9–10, 23, 27 Memory mode ........17 METAL ........10 AUX IN ......... 18 ........ 18 Modulation ........
  • Page 39 For EU Countries...
  • Page 40 For EU Countries This product complies with the requirements of EMC Directive 2004/108/EC. For the USA 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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