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Tag: RC-30

BOSS RC-3: Using Foot Switches Tutorial

June 17, 2019 / / 1 Comment

The form factor of the traditional stomp box pedal is durable, reliable, and has lasted for decades without much modification. However with the technological capabilities of electronics today, there are many more things that can be done than the single pedal this shape allows.

Enter the expansion capabilities of the external Foot Switch. Being able to add another pedal that plugs right into the original stomp box to extend its functions or make it easier to access others is a potent tool in your effects arsenal. But there are quite a few different ones out there and with confusing terms about latching and momentary function, as well as what kind of cable to use and when it’s necessary.

This tutorial on how to use footswitches with the BOSS RC-30 is the most popular on my YouTube channel, and for good reason. It goes over all the common features and characteristics of Foot Switches as well as the cabling that can be used. If you need a quick leg-up on how these work, check out the video for a fast but thorough explanation.

BOSS RC-3 & RC-30 Tutorial: Changing the Recording Order

January 15, 2014 / / 0 Comments

The BOSS line of loopers are some of the most popular versions out there. But many times the default settings don’t quite fit with the style or way you want them to work. Here’s a great way to change the order of operation so that instead of going straight from recording your first loop to overdubbing, you can go from recording to playing back and then overdubbing. 

 

Like this article? Let me know in the comments!

BOSS RC-30 Tutorial: Stop your loops on time with Simple Pedal Mode

July 24, 2013 / / 1 Comment

This video has an interesting back-story where I learned a few lessons about corporations and politics. Some of you may be able to relate…

I don’t remember exactly how it came about, but I think a customer called about an issue where the RC-30 wouldn’t get the timing right if you ended a recording by hitting STOP instead of Play or Dub. I tested this and verified that yes, something odd is going on here and it’s causing loops to record a fraction longer than normal.

I started the process of sending a bug-report which basically means I sent an email to the Product Manager describing the issue. He is the guy who actually communicates with the engineers in Japan and he passed it on. A day or two later we hear back that there was no bug, we were just using it wrong!

Now, knowing how this machine works is my job so I had read the manual front-to-back, trying all the functions it described. Plus I answered tons of calls and emails on this thing and previous loopers like it, but I have never encountered a issue where a looper behaved this way.

I don’t know how the message to Japan was worded (maybe it had a tone of extreme urgency and panic?), but it was conveyed to me that this sequence of events embarrassed us in the eyes of Japan because we – AKA me – sent a bug-report that just ended up showing that we didn’t know how our own product worked.

Well, I missed something that wasn’t in the manual called Simple Pedal Mode. This feature was printed on a single loose sheet of paper that came in the box with the RC-30. They called it an “addendum” to the manual because by the time the books had all been printed, they either added the feature later or forgot to include it in the first place.

To rectify ourselves in the eyes of Japan, I was to send them a video showing the feature proving that I understood how it worked.  This is that video. ^_^

BOSS RC-3 & RC-30: How to Change the Time Signature of the Rhythm Guide

April 29, 2013 / / 0 Comments

When looping, it can be a straight-forward process: you hit record, play your part, then stop recording. But add some features like a drum machine, and suddenly things become much more complex.

Most popular music is formulaic at four-beats-per-measure and most drum machines (including the RC3/30’s) use it by default. But songs at three-beats-per-measure are more common than you think. So what if you want some drum accompaniment on a three-beats-per-measure loop?

Well that’s not too difficult to do on the BOSS RC-3 & RC-30 and this short video shows you how…

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