Boss Audio Systems RC-300 manual

* This device con tains demo data (Phrase Memory 90–99). Once you delete these , they cannot be reco vered . Please back them up as described in “Backing up to your computer” (p . 37). * With the factory settings, the RC-300’ s pow er will automatically be switched o 10 hours after you stop playing or operating the unit . If you want to [...]

2 C onten ts M a i n F e a t u r e s ................................................... 1 P a n e l D e s c r i p t i o n s ............................................... 4 T o p P a n e l ....................................................... 4 R e a r P a n e l C o n n e c t i o n s ......................................... 6 T u r n i n g O n[...]

Cont ents 3 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix System Settings (Settings for the En tire RC-300) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Adjusting the Display’ s Brightness (LCD C ontrast) . . . . . . . . . 32 Specifying the Operation of the [L OOP FX] Pedal . . . . . . . . . . 32[...]

4 P anel D escriptions Name Explanation Page 1 MASTER MASTER [LEVEL] knob Adjusts the volume of the entir e RC-300 (MAIN OUTPUT jacks). * T he MASTER [LEVEL] knob does not aect the SUB OUTPUT jacks or USB audio. 2 TRACK p. 17 TRACK [1]–[3] sliders Adjust the volume of the tracks . ST A TUS indicators Lights when there is data in a track. p. 10[...]

P anel Descriptions 5 Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Overview Name Explanation Page 4 MEMORY p. 10 Display This indicates the current phrase memory number , or various other information. The following inf ormation is shown in the Play screen, which is the RC-300’ s main screen. INIT M[...]

P anel Descriptions 6 Securit y slot ( ) http://www. kensington.com/ Adjusting the input lev el Adjust each [INPUT LEVEL] knob so that the PEAK indicator lights only occasionally , when the level of the input is at its highest. DC IN jack Connect the included AC adaptor here. * Use only the included AC adaptor . Using any other adaptor may cause ov[...]

P anel Descriptions 7 Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Overview T urning On the P ow er Once the connections have been completed , tur n on pow er to your various devices in the order specied . B y turning on devices in the wrong or der, you risk causing malfunction and/or damage to sp[...]

8 Phrase Memor y 99 How the RC-300 is or ganized Phrase Memor y 1 Rhythm Syst em Settings T rack 1 T rack 2 T rack 3 L OOP FX What ar e tracks (p . 16) and phrase memories (p . 20)? The RC-300 provides three “tracks” that are used to r ecord and play back the sound of an instrument or micr ophone. These three tracks combined f or m what is call[...]

Over view of the RC-300 9 Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Overview Basic Editing Pr ocedure Editing the RC-300’ s settings is a simple and consistent proc edure. Befor e you continue, please take a moment to learn the basic editing procedur es. Reference For details on each it em, refe[...]

10 “Recording ” versus “Over dubbing” In this manual, we ref er to the act of recording to an empty track f or the rst time as “rec ording. ” Any subsequent recordings that ar e made, which are added on top of the existing rec ording, w e refer to as “ overdubbing . ” Recor ding Record y our guitar or bass per formanc e, or the s[...]

Basic Operation 11 Overview Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Basic Operation Loop Pla yback Play back track as loops . Pressing the [REC/DUB/PLA Y ] pedal switches the unit to over dubbing. Over dubbing Layer y our per formances while the track pla ys as a loop . Pressing the [REC/DUB/PLA Y ] pedal switc[...]

Basic Operation 12 Cancelling a Recor ding/O v erdubbing (Undo/Redo/T rack Clear) Y ou can undo/redo by holding down the [REC/DUB/PLA Y ] pedal for two seconds or longer . Y ou can clear the track by holding down the [STOP] pedal for two seconds or longer . Operation Explanation Undo If you hold down the [REC/DUB/PLA Y ] pedal for two seconds or lo[...]

Basic Operation 13 Overview Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Basic Operation The sound will automatically start over at the end of the second measure. Recording on a Single T rack With this method, y ou’ll ov erdub all of the sounds on track 1. Recording on Multiple T racks With this method, y ou’ll [...]

14 Saving a Phr ase M emor y S a ving a Phrase Memor y ( W rite) If you select a dierent phrase memory or turn o the power after recording or o verdubbing , the data you recor ded will be lost. If you want to keep the data, you must sa ve it. 1 . While pla yback is stopped, press the [WRITE] button. The Write screen appears. Write to 12 INIT [...]

Saving a Phrase Memor y 15 Overview Basic Operation T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Saving Ex changing Phrase Memories Y ou can exchange phrase memories with one another , rearranging the phrase memories. 1 . Select an exchange-source phrase memory . 2 . Pr ess the [ WRITE] button. 3 . Pr ess the [ ]/[ ] butto[...]

16 Over view of the Pla yback S ettings The RC-300 lets you specify the playback method independently f or each track. Loop Pla yback S ettings (Pla y Mode) For each tr ack, you can specify either loop playback or one-shot (i.e., not looped). Loop One Shot Loop T rack 1 T rack 2 T rack 3 If one -shot playback is selected, pla yback will stop when i[...]

Settings for Each T rack 17 Overview Basic Operation Saving Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix T rack Settings for Each T rack Here you can specify the playback method and other settings individually f or each track . First pr ess the [EDIT ] button of the track that you want t o edit. For details , refer to “Basic Ed[...]

Settings for Each T rack 18 Paramet er V alue Explanation Track1:Rec Level 100 Adjusting the r ecor ding lev el of the T racks (Recor ding Lev el) Y ou can adjust the recording level of the tr acks. 0–200 If you set the recording lev el at 100 (default value), the volume of the performance and that of the recording will be identical . If you set [...]

Settings for Each T rack 19 Overview Basic Operation Saving Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix T rack Paramet er V alue Explanation Track1:Output MAIN+SUB Assigning a T rack ’ s Output Jacks ( Output S elect) For each tr ack, you can specify the jacks from which its sound will be output. If desired, you can also make [...]

20 Here you can make settings that apply to the en tire phrase memory. First pr ess the [MEMORY EDIT ] button. For details , refer to “Basic Editing Procedure ” (p. 9). Paramet er V alue Explanation Memory:Name INIT MEMORY Naming Phrase Memories (Memor y Names) Y ou can give names to phrase memories (memory names) using up to 16 characters. T o[...]

Phrase Memor y Settings 21 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Phrase Memory Paramet er V alue Explanation Memory:MIDI Sync INTERNAL Synchr onizing the T empo of T wo RC-300 Units (MIDI Sync) T wo RC-300 units can be synchronized after connecting them together using a MIDI cable. F or details, re[...]

Phrase Memor y Settings 22 Paramet er V alue Explanation Memory:Auto Rec OFF Simultaneously Star ting Recording When Sounds are Input (A uto Recor ding) “ Auto recording ” star ts recor ding the moment you begin playing y our guitar or play back your audio player . OFF Recording will begin the instant you pr ess the [REC/DUB/PLA Y ] pedal. ON W[...]

Phrase Memor y Settings 23 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Phrase Memory Assigning the Function of Pedals and External C ontrollers ( A ssign) For each phr ase memory, you can assign the function of the RC-300’ s pedals and any connected external pedals (EXP pedals, foot switches: p . 24). [...]

Phrase Memor y Settings 24 Paramet er V alue Explanation Assign1 Src Mode MOMENT Specifying the T ype of O pera tion (S ourc e Mode) If a momentary-t ype f oot switch (such as the separately sold FS-5U) is connected as the source , you can specify how foot switch operations will a ect the value. * If the [L OOP FX] pedal is set to MOMENT , it wi[...]

25 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Rhythm About Rhythm In addition to its three tracks, the RC-300 can also play a “rh ythm. ” Y ou can record while listening to a rhythm at the tempo y ou specify . Sounding a Rhythm 1 . Pr ess the RHY THM [ ON/OFF] button to turn the rh ythm sound[...]

About Rhythm 26 Paramet er V alue Explanation Rhythm:Rec Count OFF Playing a C ount-In When Recording (Recor ding Coun t- In) Y ou can have recor ding start after a count-in sound is played. A count-in won ’t be sounded when a track for which Loop Sync is ON is being pla yed back. OFF No count-in is played . 1MEAS Recording starts after a one -me[...]

About Rhythm 27 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Rhythm Rhythm patt ern list g.03-100-Guide Beat Pattern 2/4 Simple Beat 1–4 Shue 1–2 Hi-Hat 1–2 Kick & Hi-Hat 1–5 Rim & Hi-Hat 1–4 Conga & Hi-Hat 1–3 3/4 Simple Beat 1–8 Groove Beat 1–2 Shue Hi-Hat Kic[...]

28 Using L OOP FX Y ou can apply an eect to the sound of each track . This eect is called a “LOOP FX. ” The eect will be applied in synchronization with the phrase memory tempo. T urning L OOP FX O n/O 1 . Pr ess the [LOOP FX] pedal to turn L OOP FX on/o . Contr olling L OOP FX Y ou can control the LOOP FX b y the depth to which [...]

Using L OOP FX 29 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm System Settings USB MIDI Appendix L OOP FX Paramet er V alue Explanation FX:Category TRANSPOSE FX:Type TRANSPOSE Selec ting the L OOP FX Cat egor y and T ype (L OOP FX Cat egor y , L OOP FX T ype) Here you can select the L OOP FX categor y and type. Press the [ ] button t[...]

Using L OOP FX 30 TRANSPOSE setting Paramet er Value Explanation FX:Transpose +1 -12–+12 Specify the amount of transposi- tion in semitone units that will occur when the eect is on. With a setting of +12, the pitch will be one octave higher when the eect is on. FLANGER, PHASER settings Paramet er V alue Explanation FX:Rate 25 0–100, 4 MEA[...]

Using L OOP FX 31 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm System Settings USB MIDI Appendix L OOP FX GT ->BASS Paramet er V alue Explanation FX:Level 50 0–100 Adjusts the volume level of the eect. FIL TER settings Paramet er V alue Explanation FX:Rate 50 OFF–100, 4 MEAS– Adjusts the rate of modulation. FX:Depth 50 0?[...]

32 Sy stem Settings (S ettings f or the Entire RC-300) Settings that are shared by the entir e R C-300, such as those for the c ontrast of display and the auto o function are called “system settings . ” First pr ess the [SYSTEM] button. For details , refer to “Basic Editing Procedure ” (p. 9). Paramet er V alue Explanation Sys:LCD Contra[...]

System Settings (Settings for the Entir e RC-300) 33 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX USB MIDI Appendix System Settings Paramet er V alue Explanation Sys:Auto Rec Trigger 50 Adjusting the Aut o Recording Sensitivity ( T rigger Lev el) This sets the input level at which rec ording is started (the trigger level) wh[...]

System Settings (Settings for the Entir e RC-300) 34 MIDI-Relat ed S ettings Here you can make settings f or using the RC-300 connected with an external MIDI device or with a second RC-300 unit. Reference For details on MIDI, r efer to “Connecting an External MIDI Device or Another RC-300 Unit” (p. 38). Paramet er V alue Explanation Sys:MIDI Rx[...]

System Settings (Settings for the Entir e RC-300) 35 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX USB MIDI Appendix System Settings USB-Relat ed S ettings Here you can make USB-relat ed settings for when the RC-300 is connected to a computer via USB. Reference For details on USB c onnection, refer to “Connecting to Y our C[...]

36 C onnec ting to Y our Comput er via USB If you use an USB cable to connect the RC-300’ s USB connector to a USB connector on your computer , you’ll be able t o do the following things. USB mass storage Y ou can back up R C-300 tracks (W A V les) to your computer or load W A V les from your computer to the RC-300. USB audio Y ou can pla[...]

Connecting to Y our Computer via USB 37 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings MIDI Appendix USB 6 . Back up the data as described below . Windo ws users Within Comput er (or My Computer), open “BOSS_RC-300” (or Removable Disk). Mac OS users On the desktop, open the “BOSS_R C-300” icon. Backing [...]

38 C onnec ting an External MIDI D evic e or Another RC-300 Unit What is MIDI? MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Inter face) is a standar d specication that allows musical data to be tr ansferred between electronic musical instruments and computers. If a MIDI cable is connected between devices equipped with MIDI connectors , you’ll be able t o [...]

Connecting an External MIDI Device or Another RC-300 Unit 39 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB Appendix MIDI Con trolling the RC-300 fr om an Ex ternal MIDI Device Operation Over View Explana tion Switching Phrase Memory Numbers The RC-300’ s phrase memories switch simultaneously upon receipt[...]

40 Restoring the F ac tor y Settings (F ac t or y R eset) Restoring the RC-300’ s system settings (System par ameters) to their original factory default settings is referred to as “Factory Reset. ” F ac tory Reset will return the system settings to their factory-set state, and will erase (initializ e) all phrase memories. * This device con ta[...]

41 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix T roubleshooting Problem Items to check Action Problems with Sound No sound/low volume Are the connection cables shorted? Try substituting with other connection cables. Is the RC-300 properly connected to other devices? Conrm the connections[...]

T roubleshooting 42 Error Message List Display Meaning Action Buffer Full! An exc essive volume of messages w ere receiv ed and could not be processed pr operly . Decrease the amount of MIDI messages that are being sent to the RC-300. Data Error! A problem has occurred with the c ontent of the RC-300’ s memory. Consult y our Roland dealer or loca[...]

43 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix Specications BOSS RC-300: Loop Sta tion Nominal Input Level INPUT MIC: -50 dBu (variable) INPUT INST: -10 dBu (variable) INPUT AUX: -20 dBu (variable) Input Impedance INPUT MIC: 4 k ohms INPUT INST: 1 M ohm INPUT AUX: 47 k ohms Nominal Outpu[...]

44 USING THE UNIT SAFEL Y W ARNING Do not open (or modify in any way) the unit or its AC adaptor . Do not attempt to repair the unit, or replac e parts within it (except when this manual provides specic instructions directing you to do so). Refer all servicing to your retailer , the nearest Roland Service Center , or an authorized Roland distrib[...]

45 Overview Basic Operation Saving T rack Phrase Memory Rhythm L OOP FX System Settings USB MIDI Appendix IMPORT ANT NO TES P ower Supply • Do not connect this unit to same electrical outlet that is being used by an electrical appliance that is controlled by an in verter (such as a refrigerator , washing machine, microwa ve oven, or air condition[...]

46 Index A A C a d a p t o r ....................... 6 A l l s t a r t .......................... 11 [ALL ST AR T/ST OP] pedal . . . . . . . . . 11 A s s i g n ........................... 23 A s s i g n S o u r c e ................... 23 Assign Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 A s s i g n T a r g e t .................... 23 A u t o[...]

47 For the USA DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Compliance Information Statement Model Name : Type of Equipment : Responsible Party : Address : Telephone : RC-300 Effector Roland Corporation U.S. 5100 S. Eastern Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90040-2938 (323) 890-3700 This product complies with the requirements of EMC Directive 2004/108/EC. For EU Countries This[...]

Information When y ou need repair ser vice, call y our nearest Roland Service Center or authorized Roland distributor in your country as shown below . AFRICA EGYPT Al Fann y T rading Oce 9, EBN Hagar Al Askalany Street, ARD E1 Golf, Heliopolis, Cairo 11341, EGYPT TEL: (022)-417-1828 REUNION MARCEL FO- Y AM Sarl 25 Rue Jules Hermann, Chaudron - B[...]