Loop Station

TurboStart

2. 3. Connect the output of your guitar, instrument, or pedal rig to the RC-50s rear-panel INST R(MONO) and L jacks, or to the R(MONO) INPUT jack if you want to record in mono. Turn the PATCH/VALUE dial to select an unused patch for recording. When you choose a patch, the PHRASE 1 pedals indicator lights solidly orange, and the indicators on the PHRASE 1 and REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedals flash red. Press the SINGLE/MULTI mode button repeatedly until the indicators on the SINGLE/ MULTI and LOOP SYNC pedals arent lit. Turn the INST (INPUT LEVEL) knob to adjust your recording level. Turn the MASTER LEVEL knob clockwise to adjust your listening level. Turn the GUIDE LEVEL knob until Guide Level OFF appears in the display. Step on the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal to start recordingthe indicators on the PHRASE 1 and RECORD/PLAY/OVERDUB pedals light red. Perform the desired phrase. When youre finished, step on the REC/PLAY/ OVERDUB pedal to stop recordingthe pedals indicator changes to green and the phrase youve recorded plays automatically. You can adjust the volume of the phrase by turning the PHRASE 1 LEVEL knob. To add more material to Phrase 1, step on the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal againits indicator turns orange. This means the RC-50 is overdubbing: recording new material without erasing what youve already recorded. To stop recording, step on the REC/PLAY/ OVERDUB pedal so its indicator is greenthe RC-50 plays your original recording and the overdub together. When youre finished, press the STOP pedal. To record Phrase 2 and Phrase 3, step on the desired phrase pedal that you want to record to, and then follow Steps 8-13 above.

Welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of the Boss RC-50 Loop Station. This TurboStart contains step-by-step instructions that will quickly introduce you to the RC-50s major features.

Auditioning Patches

A patch is a collection of phrases along with settings that determine how they play. The RC-50 contains 99 patches. Patches 1-5 are Preset patches with prerecorded phrases you can play along with. 1. Choose how you want to listen to the RC-50: Connect headphones to the RC-50s rearpanel PHONES jack, or Connect the RC-50s rear-panel MAIN OUTPUT jacks to your amp or mixer, or for mono listening, connect only the R(MONO) MAIN OUTPUT jack. 2. Turn the PATCH/VALUE dial to select Patch 2, FUNKY BLUES. 3. Press the PHRASE 1 pedal. 4. Press the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal to play the patchs first phrase. Turn the MASTER LEVEL knob to adjust the volume as desired. 5. Press the PHRASE 2 pedal. When Phrase 1 finishes playing, Phrase 2 begins to play. 6. Now press the PHRASE 3 pedalwhen Phrase 2 finishes, Phrase 3 plays. 7. Once Phrase 3 has played through, it stops automatically. If youd like to stop playback sooner, press the STOP pedal. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Recording a Phrase

The RC-50 contains two playback modes: Single Modelets you play back phrases one at a time. This allows you to record three different song sections (verse, chorus, and bridge, for example) and play each section individually. Multi Modelets you play Phrases 1, 2 and/or 3 at the same time. You can record, for example, a drum part in one phrase, a bass in another, a guitar in the other, and then play them back together in any combination, or by themselves. Heres how to record phrases in Single Mode: 1. Turn the MASTER LEVEL knob counterclockwise to turn down the master level. 13. 14.
Writing Patches into Memory
When youve recorded new phrases or made any changes to a patch, you have to write them into the RC-50s memory to store them. Use the following steps to store a patch: 1. Stop playback of all of the patchs phrases, and then press the WRITE buttonWrite to appears in the display.

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2006 Roland Corporation U.S.

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Note: If youd like to save your patch to a different patch memory location, turn the PATCH/VALUE dial to select the desired location (1-99). 2. Press WRITENow Writing appears in the display as the settings are stored.

Stop Mode

Stop Mode gives you three different methods to stop the playback of a phrase: Immediate, Fade Out, and Loop End. Use the following steps to select the Stop Mode for a phrase. 1. Choose a patch to edit. 2. Press the desired phrases PHRASE button. 3. Press PARAMETER until Phrase: Stop appears in the display. 4. Turn the PATCH/VALUE to choose the desired mode: IMMEDIATEWhen the STOP pedal is pressed while a selected phrase is playing, the phrase stops immediately. FADE OUTWhen the STOP pedal is pressed while a selected phrase is playing, the phrase fades out and then stops automatically. LOOP ENDWhen the STOP pedal is pressed while a selected phrase is playing, the phrase plays to its end and then stops automatically. 5. 6. 7. Repeat Steps 2 and 4 for any other phrases youd like to set up. When youre finished, press EXIT. Press the WRITE button twice to save your new Stop mode settings.

Using the Rhythm Guide

The RC-50 contains a Rhythm Guide that can help you with your timing as youre recording phrases. You can also use it as a backing rhythm part to play along with. In the Rhythm Guide, there are preprogrammed rhythms with different time signatures referred to as patternsthat use a variety of drum and percussion sounds. Use the following steps to audition a few of the patterns: 1. Press the SELECT button. 2. Turn the GUIDE LEVEL knob to adjust the Rhythm Guides volume level. 3. Turn the PATCH/VALUE knob to select a rhythm. 4. Press the START/STOP button. 5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to audition other patterns. 6. When youre finished, press START/STOP to stop the currently playing pattern, and then press EXIT.

Simulstart

Simulstart is a feature that allows you to start and stop phrases simultaneously in a patch. This can be useful if, for example, youve recorded three different phrases in each phrase location, and want them all to start at the same time. Use the following steps to turn Simulstart on or off for each of the phrases in a patch: 1. Select the desired patch. 2. Press the NAME/PATCH button. 3. Press the PARAMETER button repeatedly until Patch:SimulStart appears in the display. 4. Use the buttons to move the cursor, and the PATCH/VALUE dial to select ON or OFF for each phrase. 5. When youre finished, press the EXIT button. 6. Press the WRITE button twice to save your new Simulstart changes.

Naming a Patch

Any of the 99 patches can be custom-named with up to 16 characters. Use the following steps to name a patch: 1. Select the desired patch. 2. Press the NAME/PATCH button. 3. Press to move the cursor to the first name character. 4. Turn the PATCH/VALUE dial to select the desired first character. 5. Press to move the cursor to the next character. 6. Turn the PATCH/VALUE dial to select the next character. 7. Repeat Steps 5-6 to enter the remaining characters of the name you want. 8. To save the patchs new name, press the WRITE button twice.

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16. INPUT MODE Button

Creating Phrases (p. 51) Press this when setting the Center Cancel and Flat Amp Simulate functions.

REVERSE Indicators 1/2/3

Light to indicate that a phrase (Phrase 1, 2, or 3) is in reverse playback. Recording While Muting the Sounds Localized at the Center (AUX Center Cancel) (p. 48)
Playing Back in the Opposite Direction (Reverse) (p. 52)
ONE SHOT Indicators 1/2/3
Light to indicate that a phrase (Phrase 1, 2, or 3) is to be played back only once (One Shot), and are unlit when phrases are played repeatedly (Loop).
Recording with the Tone Adjusted for Use with Guitar Amps (AUX & MIC Flat Amp Simulate) (p. 48)
17. LOOP QUANTIZE Indicator
This lights when Loop Quantize is active.
Having Phrases Play Only Once (One Shot) (p. 52)

Loop Quantize (p. 42)

13. GUIDE

LEVEL Knob

This adjusts the volume level of the guide sound. No guide sound is played when the knob is turned completely to the left (counterclockwise).

18. OVERDUB MODE

OVERDUB MODE Button
Press this to select the overdubbing mode.
Setting the Overdubbing Method (Overdubbing Mode) (p. 47)
Adjusting the Volume of the Guide Sound (Guide Level) (p. 39)

OVERDUB MODE Indicators

The indicator for the currently selected overdubbing mode lights up.

SELECT Button

Press this to select the guide sound.

19. MASTER LEVEL Knob

This adjusts the volume of the output from the MAIN OUTPUT jacks and PHONES jack. * You cannot adjust the output volume of the SUB OUTPUT jacks.
Selecting the Guide Sound (Guide Pattern) (p. 39)

START/STOP Button

Pressed to manually start and stop the guide sound.
Starting and Stopping the Guide (p. 39)
20. REC/PLAY/OVERDUB Pedal
This switches between recording, playback, and overdubbing for the currently selected phrase. With each press of the pedal, the next function in the sequence is selected, as shown below. When the phrase has not been recorded When using a recorded phrase Recording Playback Overdubbing Playback . Playback Overdubbing Playback . Setting the Patch Tempo (p. 45) Holding down this pedal for at least two seconds switches the RC-50 to Patch Select mode. Pressing the pedal again switches the patch and returns the Play screen to the display.
Switching Patches with the Pedals (Patch Select Mode) (p. 33)

TEMPO Indicator

About Recording, Playback, and Overdubbing (p. 30) You can press the pedal after recording to immediately start overdubbing. This flashes in time with the tempo.

23. UNDO/REDO Pedal

Pressing this once allows you to restore (undo) the recorded or overdubbed phrase to its state prior to the recording or overdub. Pressing the pedal again after an undo has been carried out allows you to switch the phrase back to the way it was after the record/overdub (redo). In Patch Select mode, pressing the pedal returns the Play screen to the display without switching the patch.

Overdubbing Immediately After Recording (REC Pedal Action) (p. 69) Pressing this pedal in Patch select mode switches the RC-50 to the next lower patch number.

UNDO/REDO Indicator

Lights when a redo is available as an option.
REC/PLAY/OVERDUB Indicator
This indicates the status of the phrase selected with the PHRASE 1/2/3 pedals (the current phrase). Currently recording Playing back Overdubbing Red Green Orange

24. PHRASE 1/2/3 Pedals

Press these to select the phrase (Phrase 1, 2, or 3) to be recorded or played back. Holding down a PHRASE pedal for at least two seconds in Multi mode while the phrase is stopped switches on Simul-Start for that phrase. A phrase with Simul-Start set to ON will start playing back simultaneously the instant the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal is pressed only if the phrase already material recorded to it. Holding down the pedal again for at least two seconds switches the Simul-Start setting to OFF again. In Multi mode, simultaneously pressing the PHRASE 2 pedal and PHRASE 3 pedal plays back or stops all of the phrases.
The indicator also indicates a number of other conditions. For more details, refer to Correspondence Between the Indicators and Operational Status (p. 89)

21. STOP Pedal

This stops recording, playback, and overdubbing for the currently selected phrase.

PHRASE 1/2/3 Indicators

The left (orange) indicator indicates the currently selected phrase. The indicator flashes when that phrase is on hold as the next phrase to be played. The right indicator indicates the status of the currently selected phrase. Currently recording Playing back Overdubbing Red Green Orange
About Recording, Playback, and Overdubbing (p. 30) Pressing this pedal in Patch Select mode switches the RC-50 to the next higher patch number.
Switching Patches with the Pedals (Patch Select Mode) (p. 33) When the pedal is held down for at least two seconds, the recording of the currently selected phrase is erased.

22. TEMPO Pedal

Press this to change the patch tempo. You can adjust the tempo by tapping the pedal several times; the tempo is set to the interval between each tap.

fig.02-040

When There Are No Recorded Phrases With Tempo Sync Switched On
The loop length is the length of the phrase with the longest playback time among the recorded phrases being played. You can use this in situations such as when repeating playback simultaneously of phrases in which the tempo is not a factor.

fig.02-043

Loop played at this length Phrase 1 Phrase 2
Tempo Sync: Off Tempo Sync: Off Tempo Sync: Off
Phrase 1 Phrase 2 Playback starts from point within phrase

Phrase 3

Playback always starts from the beginning of the phrase.

fig.02-041

Phrase 1 Phrase 2 Playback always starts from beginning of phrase
Even if procedures such as Clear or Undo (p. 32) are used while a performance is in progress to erase the phrase with the longest playback time, the loop length remains unchanged until all of the phrases have stopped playing.
When the Phrase is Set to ONE SHOT (p. 52)
ONE SHOT phrases cannot be used with loop playback. These phrases are played back only when the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal is pressed.

About the Loop Time

When Loop Sync is enabled, the length of the repeated playback (the loop time) is the playback time of the phrase with the longest playback time of those recorded phrases playing when Tempo Sync is on. In other words, the loop time is the same as the playback time of the longest of a group of phrases when played at the same tempo.
Switching Phrases as They Are Played: Single Mode
In Single mode, you can switch among the three phrases as you play back the material. For example, you can record three phrases with Melody A, Melody B, and the bridge, then play these as a single song by switching them in sequence. You can set the RC-50 so that when phrases are switched during playback, you can switch to the next phrase the instant you press the PHRASE pedal or after the phrase currently playing is done (Phrase Change Mode: p. 49).

fig.02-050

Tempo Sync
Tempo Sync is a function that plays back all patches at a common performance tempo (the patch tempo). Even when you have phrases that were recorded at different tempos, when Tempo Sync is set to ON, the phrases are played at the same tempo. For more detailed information, refer to About Tempo Sync (p. 36).

Start of Performance

When One or More Recorded Phrases Have Tempo Sync Switched Off
If you are using a recorded phrase that exceeds the loop time described above with Tempo Sync switched off, then at the end of the loop, the phrase starts playing back from the beginning without the remaining portion of that phrase being played. You can play back effect sounds and other material the speed of which, because of the songs tempo, you dont want to change, regardless of the length of the effect sound.

After pressing a PHRASE pedal to select a phrase, if you then hold down the STOP pedal for two seconds or longer, the recording of the phrase selected as the current phrase is erased (cleared). Although you can use Undo to undo the results of the immediately preceding recording or overdubbing, if you wish to erase the finalized recording of a phrase, which you cannot accomplish with Undo, then execute Clear to erase the phrase.
Types of Operations You Can Undo/Redo
Undo and Redo affect the immediately preceding recording or overdubbing step.

Number of Undos/Redos

Undo can be used only to undo the single immediately preceding recording or overdubbing step taken. Redo only reverses the immediately preceding undo.
Using an external foot switch, you can clear phrases with just one press of the pedal, or clear Phrases 1, 2, and 3 individually. Setting the Functions for the RC-50s Pedals and External Foot Switches (TEMPO/UNDO/CTL1/CTL2/CTL3/CTL4 Pedal Function) (p. 70)
To Confirm Whether or Not You Can Undo or Redo
You can undo immediately after recording or overdubbing or after a redo. After an undo, the red UNDO/REDO indicator lights, indicating that a redo is possible.
You cannot clear phrases while recording or overdubbing is in progress. Executing Clear while playing back a phrase immediately stops and erases the phrase.
With some recordings, changed patch tempos (p. 38) and original tempos (p. 36) cannot be restored after carrying out Undo and Redo. How is the Original Tempo Determined at the Time of Recording? (p. 36) If any phrase is cleared after an undo, you will no longer be able to perform a redo. You cannot undo or redo steps after saving the patch.
Switching Patches with the Pedals (Patch Select Mode)
You can switch patches not only by rotating the PATCH/VALUE dial in the Play screen, but also with the RC-50s pedals. The mode in which you can switch patches with the RC-50s pedals is called Patch Select mode. 3-2. To change the current phrase in the next patch, press a PHRASE pedal one time.

While performing:

When Phrase Change mode (p. 49) is set to IMMEDIATE, the Play screen returns to the display, and the RC-50 immediately switches to the next patch.

Loop Quantize

The function that enables you to adjust the length of the phrase you are going to record automatically is called Loop Quantize. The timing at which you stop recording a phrase is very important in order to create a looped phrase of the correct length. In the past, the ability to stop recording at the right moment required much practice using the pedals to get it right. When Loop Quantize is in effect (when the LOOP QUANTIZE indicator is lit), then even if there are any minor discrepancies in the timing of the end of a recording, the phrase length is automatically corrected based on the patch tempo and guide beat, enabling you to create phrases that loop properly and have the correct measure length. Without LOOP QUANTIZE LOOP QUANTIZE

To Use Loop Quantize

Switching the guide on or off determines whether or not Loop Quantize can be used.
When the guide is on (when GUIDE LEVEL is set to anything other than OFF):
You can use Loop Quantize. The phrase length is automatically corrected in accordance with the patch tempo. At this time, the LOOP QUANTIZE indicator lights.

Phrase

When the guide is off:
You cannot use Loop Quantize. The phrase length is determined according to the timing at which you end the recording (with playback or by stopping). At this time, the LOOP QUANTIZE indicator is off.

Loop Phrase

In addition, when using Multi mode with Loop Sync on, if Loop Quantize is in effect (if the LOOP QUANTIZE indicator is lit), recording automatically stops when the phrase reaches the same length as the previously recorded phrase, allowing you to record three phrases, all of exactly the same length.
Example of Recording Using Loop Quantize
Using Single mode, the three phrases Melody A, Melody B, and the bridge are recorded at the tempo set beforehand. In this situation, if Loop Quantize is in effect, it enables you to record with measure lengths completely correct, even if each recorded phrase contains a different number of measures, so after recording, phrases play back smoothly in time with the tempo when you play back loop phrases or switch phrases during playback. Melody A Phrase 1 Melody B Phrase 2 Bridge Phrase 3

fig.04-180d

Available Settings: 0200
Switching Phrases at the End of the Loop (Phrase Change Mode)
1. 2. Press [NAME/PATCH] twice. Press PARAMETER [ you want to set. ][ ] to display the parameter You can select the method used for switching patches in Single mode and Multi mode and switching the current phrase in Single mode (Phrase Change mode).

fig.04-190d

fig.04-170d

Available Settings

3. 4. 5. Rotate the PATCH/VALUE dial to adjust the parameter. Repeat Steps 23 as needed. When finished making the settings, press [EXIT] to return to the Play screen. LOOP END IMMEDIATE
Description When a switch in patches or the current phrase is carried out, recording or playback of the next designated patch or current phrase begins immediately. When a switch in patches or the current phrase is carried out, recording or playback of the next designated patch or phrase begins once the end of the current phrase (length of the current loop when Loop Sync is on in Multi mode) is reached.
Adjusting the Time Used to Fade In (Fade-In Time)
This adjusts the fade-in time when the phrase is set to fade in upon playback.

fig.04-210d

Available Settings: 0100
Adjusting the Time Used to Fade Out (Fade-Out Time)
This procedure adjusts the fade out when playback of a phrase is set to fade out before stopping.

fig.04-200d

Playing Multiple Phrases Simultaneously (Simul-Start)
In Multi mode, there may be instances when you want to start playback of a phrase other than the current phrase along with the current phrase. By setting Simul-Start, you can always start playback simultaneously with the current phrase.

fig.04-220d

Setting Tempo Synchronization with MIDI (MIDI Sync)
This procedure is used to make the settings for performing at the same tempo as a performance from an external MIDI device (synchronized performance). For more detailed information about MIDI and synchronization, refer to What You Can Do with MIDI (p. 74).

fig.04-211d

The Simul-Start On/Off status for the three phrases is indicated in the screen. After pressing PARAMETER [ ][ ] to select the phrase, rotate the PATCH/VALUE dial to switch the function on or off.
Holding down a PHRASE pedal for at least two seconds in Multi mode while the phrase is stopped switches on Simul-Start for that phrase. Holding down the pedal again for at least two seconds switches the Simul-Start setting to OFF again. Pressing the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal always starts recording or playback, regardless of whether or not the current phrase has Simul-Start on or off. Example: When Phrase 1 is the current phrase and Simul-Start is set to ON only for Phrase 2 and Phrase 3, all phrases start playing when the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal is pressed. Using the All Start function (p. 61) is a convenient way to have all three phrases play back simultaneously.

fig.07-050d

fig.07-030d
Rotate the PATCH/VALUE dial to change the value of the setting. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 as needed. When you have finished making the settings, press [EXIT] to return to the Play screen.

Available Settings: 199

Setting the Knob Functions (Knob Mode)
This sets the way the values of settings are changed when the control knobs are turned. * The Knob Mode setting works with respect to the PHRASE 1/2/3 LEVEL and GUIDE LEVEL knobs.

fig.07-055d

Available Settings IMMEDIATE CURRENT SETTING KNOB POSITION
Description Turning the knobs immediately changes the values. Values begin to change only once the knob position reaches the values set in the patch. Values correspond to the knob positions at all times.
When patches are switched with Knob Mode set to KNOB POSITION, the settings of the patch in effect immediately following the switch are changed to the values corresponding to the knob positions, so the patch will not function according to the patch settings.

fig.07-052d

Adjusting the Auto Recording Sensitivity (Trigger Level)
This sets the input level at which recording is started (the trigger level) when Auto Recording is used.Input levels at or above the value set here will cause recording to start.

fig.07-051d

Available Settings: 1100
Overdubbing Immediately After Recording (REC Pedal Action)
You can change the manner in which recording, playback, and overdubbing are switched when the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal is pressed with a blank current phrase. This enables you to start overdubbing immediately after recording.

fig.07-053d

When the REC/PLAY/OVERDUB pedal is pressed during recording while the phrase is set to ONE SHOT (p. 52) or with Reverse (p. 52) set to ON, playback begins without overdubbing starting.
Available Settings Description Outputs stored in the patches are used. PATCH The sound is output from the MAIN OUTPUT and PHONES jacks, regardless of the patch setMAIN tings. The sound is output from SUB OUTPUT, regardless of the patch settings. SUB The sound is not output from the MAIN OUTPUT and PHONES jacks. The sound is output from the MAIN and SUB OUTPUT jacks and the PHONES jack, regardless MAIN+SUB of the patch settings. Regardless of the patch settings, the input sound MUTE is not output. (Input Out only) * Recording to the phrase still takes place.

When REC Pedal Action is set to REC OVERDUB, pressing the STOP pedal during recording stops recording and starts playback.
Protecting Patch Numbers 15 (Preset Protect)
You can prevent accidental deletion or erasure of data in the patches numbered 15. This feature is called Preset Protect. When Preset Protect is set to ON, you can still make temporary changes to the patch settings, but you cannot overwrite the patch with the changed content. *

fig.07-054d

Available Settings Description Normal setting.Pressing the pedal after an initial recording switches the RC-50 to playback mode. Successive presses of the pedal result in the funcREC PLAY tion switching as follows: Recording Playback Overdubbing Playback. Pressing the pedal after an initial recording switches the RC-50 to overdub mode. REC Successive presses of the pedal result in the funcOVERDUB tion switching as follows: Recording Overdubbing Playback Overdubbing.
Even when Factory Reset (p. 95) is executed, the data in patch numbers 15 remains unchanged if Preset Protect is switched on.
Using the Same Audio Outputs for All Patches (Input/Phrase 1, 2, 3/Guide Output Select)
Normally, the settings determining which jacks are used in outputting input sounds, phrases, and guide sounds are stored in each patch, but you can elect, as a setting affecting the RC-50 overall, to have all of these use the same output at all times. This is convenient when, for example, you are using the RC-50 for live performances in varying environments, and you want to temporarily change the output settings for all of the patches.
When the RC-50 is connected with the computer via USB and performs Recover/Import, the patch data will be overwritten regardless of the setting of Preset Protect.

Pedal Settings

While the RC-50 already features seven pedals, you can also switch the pedal functions of the TEMPO pedal and UNDO/REDO pedal. Rather than using the pedal for UNDO and REDO, you can switch the pedal to perform another desired function, for example to increase patch numbers one by one. In addition, by connecting external pedals to the CTL 1, 2 PEDAL and EXP/CTL 3, 4 PEDAL jacks, you can use the external pedals to control functions that are difficult to handle using the RC-50s pedals alone, making operation of the RC-50 easier and more convenient.
Setting the Functions for the RC-50s Pedals and External Foot Switches (TEMPO/UNDO/ CTL1/CTL2/CTL3/CTL4 Pedal Function)
This procedure sets the functions for the RC-50s TEMPO pedal and UNDO/REDO pedals and for foot switches connected to the CTL 1,2 PEDAL jack and the EXP/CTL 3, 4 PEDAL jack. * The following shows the correspondence between pedal switch (A/B) and CTL pedal functions when an FS-6 is connected.

Patch Number 2 Phrase 1 WAV File

002_2.WAV

Patch Number 2 Phrase 2 WAV File
When Using Windows XP/Windows 2000
Log on to Windows with any of the following user names. Administrator or other user name in the Administrators group. User name whose account category is that of computer administrator. Note that a proper USB connection cannot be achieved with user names other than the above. For more details, consult the system administrator for the computer you are using.

099_3.WAV

Patch Number 99 Phrase 3 WAV File All Recorder Phrase Data
When the RC-50 performs Recover/Import, the patch data will be overwritten regardless of the setting of Preset Protect (p. 69). Be sure not to write corrupt files to PATCH.RC5 or SYSTEM.RC5. Do not delete or change the folder names of the ROLAND folder, DATA folder, or WAVE folder. Do not transfer any files to the RC-50 other than those in the ROLAND folder. Although files from other folders are ignored by the RC-50, they reduce the amount of space available for saving data.
About WAV Files Handled by the RC-50
You can save patch phrases to computers as WAV files as well as import files from computers to the RC-50. This makes it convenient when you want to use phrases created with the RC-50 in putting together songs using sequencer software or when importing phrases with effects to the RC-50. The following describes the WAV file format that can be used by the RC-50. Sampling Rate Quantization Bit Rate Number of Channels Compression Format File Names 44.1 KHz 16 bit Mono or Stereo No compression Patch Numbers: (1) Three-digit number (001-099) (2) Underscore (underline) character Phrase Numbers: (3) Single-digit number (1, 2, or 3) (4) Dot (period) character (5) The uppercase letters WAV
For example, if the song is in 4/4 time, is 2 measures long, and runs 4.8 seconds, the tempo is calculated as follows: 4/4 x 4 x 2 x 60 / 4.8 = 100 Once you know the tempo, use the procedure described in Confirming and Setting the Original Tempo (p. 37) to set the original tempo.
Connecting to the Computer
Use a USB cable to connect the USB connector on the computer to the RC-50s USB connector.

fig.09-010

001_1.WAV

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

After importing a WAV file to the RC-50, confirm in the Play screen that the phrase can be played back normally. Content that can be saved to the RC-50 includes all patches, phrases, and system settings up to a maximum of 250 MB. WAV files in excess of this size cannot be imported to the RC-50. You cannot import a short WAV file at the minimum recording time (about 1.5 seconds). The RC-50 includes no sequencer software. Computer
Determining the Original Tempo of a Phrase Created from an Imported WAV File
When you import a WAV file into the RC-50, the original tempo set for the import-destination phrase is not changed. Performing while synchronizing to the tempos of phrases created by importing commercially available loops and other such material requires proper setting of the phrases original tempos. You can use the following procedure to check the original tempo.

fig.09-100

BOSS_RC-50
Double-click the BOSS_RC-50 icon. The ROLAND folder is displayed.
With importing, the beat cannot be changed after the data is imported. If you do want to change the beat, set the beat beforehand using the procedure described on p. 46. 2. Press [SYSTEM/USB] several times until the USB screen is displayed. 7.
If the RC-50s WAVE folder contains a WAV file with the same name as the one being imported (i.e., phrase in the importdestination patch), a file overwrite confirmation dialog appears. If you want to proceed and overwrite the file, click [OK]. If you want to keep the existing file instead of overwriting it, click [Cancel]. In this case, either save the required WAV file to the computer (export), or change the file name and repeat the procedure from Step 6. End the USB connection. 1) 2) All windows on the computer close. Drag the BOSS_RC-50 icon on the computers desktop into the Trash.
Press [WRITE]. Stop PLAY/REC! is displayed if you press [WRITE] while a phrase or guide is playing. If this occurs, stop the performance of the phrase or guide, then press [WRITE] again. If you have any unsaved data (phrase or patch settings), the message Cancel rec data? appears. If you press [WRITE], any data currently being worked on in this operation is deleted, and the procedure continues using the data as it was before the current operation was begun. To cancel the procedure, press [EXIT]. When the connection to the computer is completed, the message Copy data files. appears. The BOSS_RC-50 icon appears on the computers screen. End the USB connection; the RC-50s display changes to the following.
Press [EXIT]. The Play screen soon reappears in the display. If the message Disconnect, OK? appears, press [EXIT] and end the USB connection.
In this state, the USB cable can be safely disconnected from the RC-50 and computer.

Troubleshooting

Error Messages
When errors in operation occur or when operations cannot be executed properly, an error message will appear in the display. Take the corrective measures in accordance with the message displayed.

fig.10-001d fig.10-080d

[WRITE] was pressed while playback of the Guide was in progress. Stop playback of the Guide, then press [WRITE]. [WRITE] was pressed while playback, recording, or overdubbing of a phrase was in progress. Stop playback, recording, or overdubbing of the phrase, then press [WRITE].

Appendices

About MIDI
MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and is a world-wide standard for allowing electronic musical equipment to communicate by transmitting messages such as performance information and sound selections. Any MIDI equipped device is able to transmit applicable types of data to another MIDI equipped device, even if the two devices are different models or were made by different manufacturers. In MIDI, performance information such as playing a key or pressing a pedal are transmitted as MIDI Messages.

Channel messages

These messages are used to convey performance information. Normally these messages perform most of the control. The way in which a receiving device will react to each type of MIDI message will be determined by the settings of the receiving device.

Program change messages

These messages are generally used to select sounds, and include a program change number from 1 to 128 which specifies the desired sound. The RC-50 also allows you to select any of the 99 different patch numbers.
How MIDI messages are transmitted and received
First, we will explain briefly how MIDI messages are transmitted and received.

Control change messages

These messages are used to enhance the expressiveness of a performance. Each message includes a controller number, and the settings of the receiving device will determine what aspect of the sound will be affected by control change messages of a given controller number. With the RC-50, you can control specified functions with the CC#1/CC#7/CC#80 functions.

MIDI connectors

The following types of connector are used to convey MIDI messages. MIDI cables are connected to these connectors as needed. This connector receives messages from another MIDI device. This connector transmits messagMIDI OUT es from this device. This connector re-transmits the MIDI messages that were received at THRU MIDI IN. MIDI IN The RC-50 features both MIDI IN and MIDI OUT connectors.

System messages

System messages include exclusive messages, messages used for synchronization, and messages used to keep a MIDI system running correctly. The RC-50 handles the following types of messages.

Realtime Messages

These messages are used for synchronization. They include Clock messages used to synchronize the tempo, Start and Stop messages to start/stop playback, and Continue (which re-starts playback from where it was last stopped). The RC-50 handles Start (FA) and Stop (FC) messages. In addition, Realtime messages also include Active Sensing messages, which are used to monitor things such as whether or not any MIDI cables have been disconnected; the RC-50 supports the use of these messages.

MIDI channels

MIDI is able to independently control more than one MIDI device over a single MIDI cable. This is possible because of the concept of MIDI channels. The idea of MIDI channels is somewhat similar to the idea of television channels. By changing channels on a television set, you can view a variety of programs. This is because the information of a particular channel is received when the channels of the transmitter and receiver match.

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AC Adaptor.... 13 All Start.... 61 All Stop.... 61 AUTO... 50, 75 AUTO REC.... 11, 47 Auto Recording... 47, 69 AUX.... 11, 13 AUX & MIC Flat Amp... 48 AUX & MIC Flat Amp Simulate.. 48 AUX Center Cancel... 48 Available Recording Time... 48, 67 FADE OUT... 53 Fade Out Time.... 49 Flat Amp Simulate... 48 Foot Switch... 70

GUIDE.... 11 Guide.... 36, 46 Beat.... 39 Count-In... 40 Level... 3940 Output Select... 40 Pattern.... 39 Time Signature... 39 GUIDE LEVEL.... 39 Guide Out.... 69 GUIDE START/STOP... 46
Backup... 80, 82, 84 Beat.... 46
CAPS... 45 CC#1 Func.... 78 CC#7 Func.... 78 CC#80 Func.... 78 CD Extra.... 102 Clear.... 32 Copy.... 54 Copy Phrase... 51 Copy to.... 54 Count-In... 40 CTL 1,2 PEDAL... 13, 70 CTL/EXP PEDAL... 10, 70 CTL1 Func.... 71 CTL2 Func.... 71 CTL3 Func.... 71 CTL4 Func.... 71 Current Phrase... 28, 30 CURRENT SETTING... 68
IMMEDIATE.. 5253, 65, 68 INIT PATCH... 20, 44, 95 Initialize... 44 INPUT.... 13 INPUT LEVEL... 11, 19 Input Level... 19 INPUT MODE.... 11, 48 Input Out... 50, 69 INS.... 45 INST.... 11 INTERNAL.... 50, 75 Import.... 80, 83, 85

JUMP... 10

Knob Mode... 68 KNOB POSITION.... 68
DC IN.... 13 DEL.... 45 Display.... 10 Driver.... 80
LCD Contrast.... 68 LEVEL.... 11, 19 Level.... 40, 49, 53 LOOP... 52 LOOP END.... 53, 65 LOOP QUANTIZE... 11 Loop Quantize.... 42 LOOP SYNC... 11, 47 Loop Sync.... 28, 47, 5860 Loop Time.... 29
Erasing.... 32 Exchange.... 55 EXIT.... 10 EXP Func... 72 EXP Level.... 72 EXP Pedal.... 72 EXP Tempo... 72 EXP/CTL 3, 4 PEDAL... 70 EXP/CTL 3,4 PEDAL... 13, 72 Export... 80, 83, 85
Macintosh.... 80 MAIN... 50, 53, 69 MAIN OUTPUT... 13 MAIN+SUB... 50, 53, 69 MASTER... 11, 19 MASTER LEVEL... 11, 19 MIC.... 11, 13
Factory Reset... 95 FADE IN.... 52 Fade in Time... 49
MIDI... 74, 94 Control Change... 7476, 94 MIDI Sync... 75 Omni Mode... 75 Program Change... 7477, 94 Program Number... 74 Realtime Message... 94 Receive Channel.... 75 Start Message... 7677 Stop Message... 7677 Synchronized Performance... 77 System Message... 94 Transmit Channel... 75 MIDI CC Out... 75 MIDI Clock... 74 MIDI IN... 13 MIDI Implementation Chart... 94 MIDI Omni... 75 MIDI OUT.... 13 MIDI PC Out... 75 MIDI Rx Ch.... 75 MIDI Sync.... 50, 75 MIDI Tx Ch.... 75 MOMENTARY PUNCH-IN... 32, 47 MONO... 30, 48, 67 Multi Mode... 20, 28, 37, 42, 58 MUTE.... 69
Name... 45 NAME/PATCH... 10, 45
OFF.... 52 ON.... 52 ONE SHOT... 11, 29, 52 One Shot... 52, 6465 Original Tempo... 3637 OS... 80 Output.... 40, 53 Output Level... 19 Output Select.. 40, 50, 53, 69 OVERDUB... 32, 47 OVERDUB MODE... 11, 47 Overdubbing.. 24, 31, 60, 65 Overdubbing Mode... 47
Pan.... 53 PARAMETER.... 10 PAT.... 70, 72, 78 PATCH... 69, 75, 95 Patch.... 18, 28, 44 Auto Recording... 47 Beat.... 46 Copy.... 54 Exchange... 55 Initialize... 44 Loop Sync... 47
MIDI Sync... 50 Name... 45 Overdubbing Mode... 47 Play Mode... 47 Protect.... 69 Save... 54 Select... 44 Tempo.... 45 Volume... 49 Write.... 54 Patch Extent.... 68 Patch Name... 18, 45 Patch Parameter... 97 Patch Select... 33 Patch Select Mode... 33 Patch Setting... 70, 77 Patch Tempo.. 36, 38, 45, 65 PATCH/VALUE... 10 Pattern.... 39 PEAK.... 11, 19 Pedal.... 70 Pedal function... 70 Phantom Power... 13 PHANTOM.... 13 PHONES.... 13 PHRASE.... 1112 Phrase... 18, 20, 28, 51 AUX & MIC Flat Amp Simulate.. 48 AUX Center Cancel.. 48 Copy.... 51 Fade-In Time... 49 Fade-Out Time... 49 One Shot... 52 Output Select... 53 Recording... 48 Recording Mode.... 48 Reverse... 52 Simul-Start.... 50 Start Mode.... 52 Stereo/Mono... 48 Stop Mode.... 53 Tempo Sync... 53 Volume... 51 PHRASE 1.... 1112 PHRASE 2.... 1112 PHRASE 3.... 1112 Phrase Change Mode... 49 Phrase Copy... 51 PHRASE EDIT... 11, 19 Phrase1, 2, 3 Out... 69 PhraseChng.... 49 Play Count.... 40 PLAY MODE... 11, 29, 47 Play Mode.... 29, 47 Play Screen... 18 Playback... 22, 31, 60 POWER.... 13 Preset Protect... 23, 69 PresetProtct.... 69 Protect.... 69