Boss Audio Systems ME-50B manual

Owner’s Manual Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the BOSS ME-50B Bass 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, i[...]

2 USING THE UNIT SAFELY 001 • Before using this unit, make sure to read the instructions below, and the Owner’s Manual. .......................................................................................................... 002c • Do not open (or modify in any way) the unit or its AC adaptor. ...............................................[...]

3 013 • In households with small children, an adult should provide supervision until the child is capable of following all the rules essential for the safe operation of the unit. .......................................................................................................... 014 • Protect the unit from strong impact. (Do not drop it!)[...]

4 IMPORTANT NOTES In addition to the items listed under “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” on page 2–3, please read and observe the following: Power Supply: Use of Batteries 301 • Do not connect this unit to same electrical outlet that is being used by an electrical appliance that is controlled by an inverter (such as a refrigerator, washing machine, [...]

5 Conversions Used in This Manual ● Words in square brackets [ ] indicate panel buttons or knobs. (Example) [WRITE] : WRITE button ● (p. **) indicates a reference page. Contents USING THE UNIT SAFELY ................... 2 IMPORTANT NOTES .......................... 4 Playing Sounds ................................ 6 Installing Batteries ........[...]

6 Playing Sounds Installing Batteries * Batteries are supplied with the unit. The life of these batteries may be limited, however, since their primary purpose was to enable testing. Insert the included batteries as shown in figure, being careful to orient the batteries correctly. fig.0010 • When turning the unit upside-down, get a bunch of newspa[...]

7 Playing Sounds Turning on the Power 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. * If using the ME-50B with a CD or MD player, be sure to turn on the power to the connected [...]

8 Using the Effects When the power is turned on, the FILTER/TONE, DRIVE/SYNTH, and DELAY/MODULATION are switched off. Also, the expression pedal will function as volume pedal. * When the DELAY/MODULATION TYPE is set to HOLD DLY, the DELAY/MODULATION indicator goes on, the DELAY/MOD pedal's indicator flashes at a fixed interval, indicating reco[...]

9 Using the Effects COMPRESSOR/LIMITER fig.0110 This comprises two effects, one that evens out the volume of the input signals to provide lengthy sustain (compressor), and one that prevents distortion by suppressing only the peaks in the sound (limiter). TYPE knob OFF Turns off the compressor/limiter effect sound is bypassed. * The COMPRESSOR/LIMIT[...]

10 Using the Effects FILTER/TONE fig.0120 Included here are eleven different effects that alter the particular characteristics of the bass sound itself. You can select and use any one of these effects at a time. FILTER/TONE pedal The filter tone is alternately switched on and off each time you press the pedal. The indicator lights up when the effec[...]

11 Using the Effects DEFRETTER This effect allows you to use a conventional bass to simulate a fretless bass. SENS/BOTTOM knob Adjusts the amount of defretter effect applied in response to the input sound. DEPTH/TONE knob Adjusts the tone. Turn the knob to the left for a milder sound, or to the right for a sharper sound. RESONANCE/E.LEVEL knob Adju[...]

12 Using the Effects DRIVE/SYNTH fig.0130 This distorts the sound, or create an effect like that of an analog synth. DRIVE/SYNTH pedal The DRIVE/SYNTH is alternately switched on and off each time you press the pedal. The indicator lights up when the effect is on. TYPE knob NATURAL Overdrive that gives a more natural sounding distortion. BASS DRIVER[...]

13 Using the Effects TONE/CUTOFF knob When (NATURAL–HI-BAND DRIVE) is selected Adjusts the tone. Turn the knob to the left for a milder sound or to the right for a sharper sound. When SYNTH (SAW LEAD–SQUARE) is selected Adjusts the frequency at which the harmonic components of the sound are cut (the cutoff frequency). D.LEVEL/RESONANCE knob Whe[...]

14 Using the Effects DELAY/MODULATION fig.0140 This provides the delay effect, in which the sound is slightly delayed and is fed back to the direct sound, and the modulation effect, which adds a sort of swell to the sound to give it greater breadth. The ME-50B comes equipped with eleven different delay and modulation effects. You can select and use[...]

15 Using the Effects ANALOG DLY/0-400 ms DLY/300-1400 ms DLY ANALOG DLY: This gives a mild analog delay sound. The delay time can be set within the range of 100 ms to 500 ms. 0-400 ms DLY: Delay sound of 0 to 400 ms delay time. 300-1400 ms DLY: Delay sound of 300 to 1400 ms delay time. TIME/RATE knob Adjusts the delay time. FEEDBACK/DEPTH knob Adju[...]

16 Using the Effects Using the HOLD DLY Function 1. Set the TYPE knob to HOLD DLY. The unit goes into recording standby and the pedal’s indicator flashes at a fixed interval. * After switching to HOLD DLY, you cannot perform any operation during the 2.8-second period before the unit switches to recording standby. Wait for at least 2.8 seconds bef[...]

17 Using the Effects 3. Hold down the pedal switch for at least two seconds to complete the tempo setting. The effect goes on, and instead of flashing, the pedal indicator will light. * The tempo may become confused momentarily when you go from Step 2 to Step 3. * If you move the TIME/RATE knob after finishing this setting, the delay time correspon[...]

18 Using the Effects Pedal fig.0150 You can make the setting that determines whether the ME- 50B’s pedal functions as a volume pedal or as an expression pedal. In addition, when using it as an expression pedal, you can use it to control one of the special pedal effects that you select. Using the Pedal as a Volume Pedal When using the expression p[...]

19 Using the Effects Using the SOUND HOLD Function 1. Turn the knob to SOUND HOLD. 2. Firmly press down on the front end of the expression pedal so the PEDAL MODE indicator lights up. 3. Bring the expression pedal back all the way to switch to standby mode. 4. Play the bass, then press down on the expression pedal a little. The note played on the b[...]

20 Using the Effects MASTER fig.0180 Adjusts the overall tonal quality and volume level. LOW knob Adjusts the tone of the lower range. Turning the knob to the right boosts the lower frequencies; turning the knob to the left cuts the lower frequencies. MID knob Adjusts the tone of the midrange. Turning the knob to the right boosts the midrange; turn[...]

21 Saving and Loading the Created Tones (Memory Mode) The ME-50B features a “Memory mode” that allows you to store the various settings within the ME-50B itself, and then call up and use the settings. Switching Between Manual and Memory Mode The mode in which the tone produced reflects the panel settings just as they are is called “Manual mod[...]

22 Saving and Loading the Created Tones (Memory Mode) Write Procedure The “Write procedure” enables you to save the created tone settings using the panel knobs and pedals, MASTER section’s knob setting, and expression pedal settings to patches. * You can carry out the Write procedure in both Manual mode and Memory mode. * If the Write procedu[...]

23 Saving and Loading the Created Tones (Memory Mode) If the Patch Does Not Change ● Is the ME-50B in Manual mode (p. 21)? ● Is the ME-50B in Patch Edit mode (p. 24)? ● Is the ME-50B in Tuner mode (p. 25)? Notes When Using Memory Mode • The settings for each patch are called up from internal memory in the Memory mode. Therefore, each knob&a[...]

24 Saving and Loading the Created Tones (Memory Mode) Changing the Patch Settings (Patch Edit mode) Use the following procedure when editing the settings of a patch you have called up. fig.0320 1. Switch to the Patch whose settings you want to edit (p. 22). 2. Press [EDIT/EXIT]. The MEMORY indicator flashes, and editing of the patch settings is ena[...]

25 Convenient Functions Tuning the Bass (Bypass/Tuner) The ME-50B features a built-in chromatic auto-tuner, which allows you to tune your bass easily, without any need to change any of your connections. Additionally, in Tuner mode, the input sound without any effect whatsoever applied (the bypass sound) is output. Since you can use the expression p[...]

26 Convenient Functions Using the Foot Switch Switching the Compressor/ Limiter On and Off With a foot switch (the optional FS-5U) connected to the FOOT SW jack on the rear panel, you can use the foot switch to switch the compressor/limiter on and off. fig.0300 * In Memory mode, the foot switch is used to switch banks. (p. 27) Adding an Effect Sync[...]

27 Convenient Functions Switching Banks In Memory mode (p. 21), with a foot switch (the optional FS- 5U) connected to the FOOT SW jack on the rear panel, you can use the foot switch to switch Banks (switching up). ig.0300 By connecting with a special cable (the optional PCS-31), you can connect two foot switches, and use them to switch Banks up and[...]

28 Appendices Returning the ME-50B to Its Factory Settings ( Factory Reset) You can restore all of the ME-50B’s settings (24 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.” To perform Factory Reset, carry out the following steps. fig.0380 1. Turn o[...]

29 Appendices Troubleshooting If there is no sound, or if it appears the ME-50B 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 ● Are connections to other devices correctly made? Check the connections on[...]

30 Appendices Specifications ME-50B: Bass Multiple Effects ● AD Conversion 24 bit + AF method (*) ● DA Conversion 24 bit ● Sampling Frequency 44.1 kHz ● Patches 24 (user) ● Effects Compressor/Limiter Filter/Tone T. Wah Octave (Up/Down) Slow Gear Defretter Enhancer Bottom Boost Mid Shape Hollow Drive/Synth Overdrive/Distortion Bass Synth D[...]

31 Patch List BANK NO. Description 1 1 Sound using MID SHAPE, suitable for slapping play. 2 Tube amp sound, good for rock'n roll. 3 Touch wah sound for funk music. 2 1 Mellow sound of a fretless bass. Good for use with a bridge pickup. 2 Fuzz sound of 60’s. 3 Spacy, analog synth bass sound. 3 1 Fat bass sound using BOTTOM BOOST. 2 Drive soun[...]

32 Factory Settings * The correspondence between the setting value and the actual knob position is shown on the following diagram. BANK NO. COMPRESSOR/LIMITER FILTER/TONE DRIVE/SYNTH TYPE THRESHOLD / SUSTAIN LEVEL TYPE SENS/ BOTTOM DEPTH/ TONE RESONANCE / E.LEVEL TYPE DRIVE/ SENS TONE/ CUTOFF D.LEVEL / RESONANCE E.LEVEL 1 1 NATURAL 40 55 MID SHAPE [...]

33 Factory Settings DELAY/MODULATION Expression Pedal MASTER NOISE SUPPRESSOR TYPE TIME/ RATE FEEDBACK / DEPTH E.LEVEL/ RESONANCE PEDAL MODE EXPRESSION LOW MID MID FREQ HIGH LEVEL OFF VOLUME KICK DRUM 80 70 100 Hz 60 50 60 OFF VOLUME WAH 70 40 680 Hz 40 50 60 REVERB 0 50 5 VOLUME -1 OCTAVE 60 20 300 Hz 40 50 60 CHO+REVERB 50 50 15 VOLUME KICK DRUM [...]

34 Blank Chart BANK NO. COMPRESSOR/LIMITER FILTER/TONE DRIVE/SYNTH TYPE THRESHOLD / SUSTAIN LEVEL TYPE SENS/ BOTTOM DEPTH/ TONE RESONANCE / E.LEVEL TYPE DRIVE/ SENS TONE/ CUTOFF D.LEVEL / RESONANCE E.LEVEL 1 1 2 3 2 1 2 3 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 5 1 2 3 6 1 2 3 7 1 2 3 8 1 2 3[...]

35 Blank Chart DELAY/MODULATION Expression Pedal MASTER NOISE SUPPRESSOR TYPE TIME/ RATE FEEDBACK / DEPTH E.LEVEL/ RESONANCE PEDAL MODE EXPRESSION LOW MID MID FREQ HIGH LEVEL[...]

36 Blank Chart BANK NO. COMPRESSOR/LIMITER FILTER/TONE DRIVE/SYNTH TYPE THRESHOLD / SUSTAIN LEVEL TYPE SENS/ BOTTOM DEPTH/ TONE RESONANCE / E.LEVEL TYPE DRIVE/ SENS TONE/ CUTOFF D.LEVEL / RESONANCE E.LEVEL 1 1 2 3 2 1 2 3 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 5 1 2 3 6 1 2 3 7 1 2 3 8 1 2 3[...]

37 Blank Chart DELAY/MODULATION Expression Pedal MASTER NOISE SUPPRESSOR TYPE TIME/ RATE FEEDBACK / DEPTH E.LEVEL/ RESONANCE PEDAL MODE EXPRESSION LOW MID MID FREQ HIGH LEVEL[...]

38 Index Numerics 0-400 ms DLY ............................... 15 +1 OCTAVE ................................. 18 -1 OCTAVE .................................. 18 160D HARD ................................... 9 160D SOFT ...................................... 9 300-1400 ms DLY ......................... 15 A ANALOG DLY ............................ 15 [...]

39 This product complies with the requirements of European Directive 89/336/EEC. For EU Countries For Canada This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada. NOTIC[...]

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