Bass Guitar Multiple effects Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of the BOSS ME-50B Bass Multiple Effects. This TurboStart contains step-by-step instructions that will quickly introduce you to a few of the ME-50Bs major features.

ME-50B

TurboStart
Switching Between Manual and Memory Mode
The ME-50B features a Memory mode in which you can store and recall up to 24 User patches, allowing you to quickly and easily load your favorite settings. The ME-50B also offers Manual mode, in which the current position of the ME-50Bs knobs sets the sound of the ME-50B, while the 1, 2, and 3 pedals turn effects on and off. Use the following procedure to switch between Manual and Memory modes: 1. Press the DRIVE/SYNTH and DELAY/MOD pedals simultaneously to toggle between Manual and Memory Mode. When youre in Memory mode, the MEMORY indicator lights red. When youre in Manual mode, a red dot appears in the lower right-hand corner of the display. 2. In Manual mode, Pedal 1 turns the FILTER/ TONE effect on and off, Pedal 2 turns the DRIVE/SYNTH effect on and off, and Pedal 3 controls the DELAY effect.

Making Connections

Use the following procedure to connect your bass to the ME-50B, and to listen to the ME-50B: 1. Connect a 1/4" instrument/guitar cable from your bass to the INPUT jack of the ME-50B. 2. To hear the ME-50B: Use the ME-50Bs stereo PHONES output to listen to the ME-50B through headphones, or to connect it to a PA system, a hard disk or multi-track recorders inputs, or any other line-level device. Use the ME-50Bs L (MONO) OUTPUT jack to connect the ME-50B to a bass amp. If youre using two bass amps in a stereo setup, connect the ME-50Bs L (MONO) and R OUTPUT jacks to the two amps inputs.
Selecting a Patch Tuning Your Bass
The ME-50B features a built-in chromatic tuner that allows you to tune your bass quickly and easily. Heres how to use the tuner: 1. Press the FILTER/TONE and DRIVE/SYNTH pedals simultaneously to activate Tuner mode the green TUNER indicator lights. 2. Turn the volume up on your bass guitar. 3. Play the open E stringthe display shows the note closest to the pitch youve played. 4. Roughly tune the string so that E appears in the display, and then tune the string more precisely until the tuning meters center green indicator lights. If one or both of the indicators to the right above the display lights up, the pitch is sharp. If one or both of the indicators to the left above the display light up, the pitch is flat. 5. Repeat the process for the remaining strings. 6. To exit Tuner mode, press and release the FILTER/TONE and DRIVE/SYNTH pedals simultaneously, or press EDIT/EXIT. Patches are stored in the ME-50B in Banks 1-8. Each bank holds three patches. To load a patch, you first choose the bank that contains the patch, and then select the patch itself from within the bank. Use the following procedure to select Patch 5-3 (Bank 5, Patch 3) as an example: 1. Press the DRIVE/SYNTH and DELAY/MOD pedals simultaneously so the MEMORY indicator lights. 2. Press the BANK or buttons so that 5 flashes in the displaythis indicates that Bank 5 is selected and that the ME-50B is waiting for you to choose the desired patch in Bank 5. 3. Press on Pedal 3. The 5 stops flashing and Patch 5-3 is selected. Note: Once youve chosen a bank, it stays selected until you choose another one. If you want to select a different patch within the current bank, simply press its pedal. Tip: When you connect two Boss FS-5U footswitches to the BANK UP/DOWN jack using a stereo insert cable, you can use your feet to switch banks instead of using the BANK or buttons.

TBS 239

2006 Roland Corporation U.S.

www.BOSSUS.com

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Bass Guitar Multiple effects Editing Patches
Any of the ME-50Bs patches can be edited to suit your needs. Use the following steps to edit a patch: 1. Select the patch you want to edit. 2. Press EDIT/EXITthe MEMORY indicator flashes to show that Patch Edit mode is active. 3. Press Pedals 1, 2, and 3 to turn the FILTER/TONE, DRIVE/SYNTH, and DELAY/MOD effects on or off as desired. 4. Turn the knobs directly above the pedals to set up the effects as desired. Note: You may need to sweep a knob up or down past the setting stored in the patch in order to hear a change. Note: Once a patchs effect settings have been changed, the edited effects indicator flashes. 5. Turn the knobs in the COMPRESSOR/LIMITER section and the MASTER section to further adjust the patch if desired.
Using the VOLUME/EXPRESSION Pedal
You can set the ME-50Bs pedal so that it controls volume or allows you to add other types of expression to your effects. Use the following procedure to program the pedal: 1. Press the pedal all the way forward and then give it a stronger pushthe PEDAL MODE SW indicator turns on or off. When its: offthe pedal controls volume. onthe pedals set to Expression mode. 2. 3. When the pedals in Expression mode, turn the EXPRESSION knob and select the effect you want the pedal to control. Press WRITE twice to save the new settings in the current patch.
Using the Hold Delay Function
You can create a loop of your bass playing using the ME-50Bs Hold Delay feature. This is a great feature for playing along with a favorite groove. 1. Select the desired patch, and then enter Manual mode as described earlier. 2. Turn the DELAY/MODULATION TYPE knob to select HOLD DLY. 3. To start recording, press the DELAY/MOD pedalthe DELAY/MOD pedal indicator flashes to show that the ME-50B is recording. 4. Play your bass for up to 2.8 seconds. 5. If you finish recording before the 2.8 second limit, press the DELAY/MOD pedal to stop recordingthe new loop begins playing back automatically. Note: If the recording continues all the way to the 2.8-second limit, the DELAY/MOD pedal indicator lights up solidly and playback begins automatically. Tip: You can adjust the volume level of the recording by turning the E.LEVEL/RESONANCE knob. 6. 7. If you want to overdub on top of the new recording, repeat Steps 3-5. To stop playback and erase the loop, press and hold the DELAY/MOD pedal for the duration of your recording.

Note: For detailed information on the various effects, refer to the ME-50B Owners Manual.

Saving a Patch

To permanently save any edits youve made to a patch, write the patch into the ME-50Bs memory. Heres how to store your settings in a patch: 1. Press WRITEthe MEMORY indicator starts to flash. Note: To show you the currently selected bank and patch memory location, the banks number appears on the display, and the Pedal 1, 2, or 3 indicator flashes to signify Patch 1, 2, or 3, respectively, within the bank. 2. 3. 4. Press BANK or to select the bank in which youd like to store your new patch. Press Pedal 1, 2, or 3 to choose the desired patch location within the selected bank. Press WRITEthe patch is now stored and the ME-50B returns to Memory Mode.
Note: The recording remains in memory until you change delay type, select another patch, or power off the ME-50B.

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Its All About Bass

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Your boots are made for rockin !
The BOSS ME-50B is a rugged bass effects unit with easy pedal-style control. Six effects sections Compressor/Limiter, Master, Filter/Tone, Drive/Synth, Delay/Modulation and Expression Pedal give bassists unique and powerful tones including new effects like Sound Hold, Octave Up and Kick Drum. 23 knobs, three built-in footswitches and an assignable expression pedal provide instant effects control and it can even run on batteries.
q World-class tone with essential bass effects.
COSM Compressor/Limiter and Transparent EQ
The fundamentals of good bass tone are compression and EQ. The Compressor/ Limiter uses advanced COSM modeling including a Natural compression setting that retains the nuances of your playing to give you tight, punchy tone. The Master section includes a 3-band EQ with a sweepable mid for precise tonal shaping.
q Get the best bass effects BOSS has to offer.
Versatile Pedal Functions
With the dedicated Pedal Mode knob, you can instantly assign the built-in expression pedal to several functions, including: wah, resonance, octave and the new Sound Hold and Kick Drum effects.

Sound Hold

When the Pedal Mode is set to the new Sound Hold function, you can endlessly sustain a low note while playing over the top of it.

Kick Drum

Using the new Kick Drum function, players can tap in their own kick drum and use the hold delay to create bass loops over the beat. Three different kick drum tones are available.
Sweeten Your Sound with Filter/Tone Controls
The ME-50B has unique bass effects like Octave Up which adds a note one octave above the original while retaining your natural bass sound plus favorites like Slow Gear, T-Wah and a Defretter effect for instant fretless sounds. Using the Tone effect, you can access preset EQs like Bottom Boost and Mid Shape.
Awesome Effects to Define Your Sound
Add some bite to your sound with Muff Fuzz, Bass Driver, Natural and Metal overdriven/distorted sounds. A new Hi Band effect creates a distorted sound on the high frequencies while keeping the lower frequencies intact. There are also four monster synth bass sounds with superb tracking and natural feel.
Premium Delay and Modulation Effects
The unique effects of the ME-50B are coupled with a full array of professional delay and modulation effects like phaser, flanger, chorus and five types of delay with delay times up to 1400 milliseconds.
Built In Tuner and User Memory
The ME-50Bs chromatic tuner has LED indicators to help you get in-tune quickly and accurately. Plus, you can use the footswitches to select one of 24 user memory locations and quickly switch to your favorite patches.

Sound On Sound

Sound On Sound recording is a powerful performance and practice tool and now bass players take full advantage of it. With the ME-50B you can build your own loops to jam with.

s SPECIFICATIONS

qAD Conversion 24 bit + AF method* qDA Conversion 24 bit qSampling Frequency 44.1 kHz qPatches 24 (user) qNominal Input Level INPUT: -10 dBu, AUX IN: -10 dBu qInput Impedance INPUT: 1 M, AUX IN: 100 k qNominal Output Level -10 dBu qOutput Impedance 2 k qDisplay 7 segments, 1 character LED qConnectors INPUT jack, OUTPUT jacks L (MONO)/ R, AUX IN jack (Stereo Mini type), PHONES jack, FOOT SW jack (COMP ON/OFF, TEMPO), AC Adaptor jack qPower Supply DC 9 V: Dry Batteries (R6/LR6 (AA) type) x 6, AC Adaptor (PSA series: Optional) qCurrent Draw 140 mA qDimensions 384 (W) x 225 (D) x 78 (H) mm, 15-1/8 (W) x 8-7/8 (D) x 3-1/8 (H) inches qWeight 3.15 kg / 7 lbs (including batteries) qAccessories Owners Manual, Dry Batteries (Alkaline: LR6 (AA) type) x 6 qOptions AC Adaptor: BOSS PSA series, Foot Switch: BOSS FS-5U (0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms) *AF method (Adaptive Focus method): This is a proprietary method from Roland that vastly improves the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the A/D and D/A converters.

Once a musical instrument generates sound vibrations, it reaches the human ear through various mediating objects, each of which significantly affects the sound. The material and configuration of the instrument, the electric/ electronic/magnetic amplifying system, the air and the reverberation of the room all affect the final sound. Sound modeling, the latest DSP technology, "virtually" reconstructs these objects. Roland's breakthrough Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM) uses the advantages of multiple modeling methods and succeeds in accurately emulating existing sounds, as well as producing sounds that have never before been created.
All specifications and appearances are subject to change without notice. All trademarks used in this catalog are the property of their respective companies.

Roland Corporation U.S.

5100 S. Eastern Avenue, P.O.Box 910921, Los Angeles, CA 90091-0921 Phone: (323) 890-3700 Fax: (323) 890-3701
Printed in Japan Jan. 2004 RAM-3779 COR-GEN-SE C-4