Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product GT-6B Boss Audio Systems
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Owner’s Manual ■ Printing Conventions in This Manual • Text or numerals enclosed in square brackets [ ] indicate buttons. [WRITE] WRITE button [UTILITY] UTILITY button • Reference such as (p. **) indicate pages in this manual to which you can refer.
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. ......................................................................
4 IMPORTANT NOTES 291a In addition to the items listed under “ USING THE UNIT SAFELY ” on page 2 – 3, please read and observe the following: Power Supply 301 • Do not use this unit on the same power circuit with any device that will generate line noise (such as an electric motor or variable lighting system).
5 Contents USING THE UNIT SAFELY .............................. 2 IMPORTANT NOTES...................................... 4 Main Features ............................................. 7 Panel Descriptions ....................................... 8 Front Panel .
6 Contents Controlling Effects with the GT-6B Pedals, External Pedals, and External MIDI Devices .................. 48 Making the Assign On/Off Setting ...............................................48 Making Settings Instantly (Quick Settings) ......
7 Main Features Powerful COSM Modeling Effects Built-In Features internal high-quality modeled effects, including bass amp, overdrive/distortion, compressor/limiter, touch wah, pedal wah, and more. Internal Analog Bypass Circuitry When bypass is activated, signals can be output without passing through the AD/DA converter.
8 Panel Descriptions Front Panel fig.00-01 1 Display A variety of information about the GT-6B appears here. The left display shows the bank number. The right display indicates patch names, parameters, and a variety of other information. 2 EFFECT LEVEL Knob Adjust the overall volume.
9 Panel Descriptions 6 COMP/LIMITER ON/OFF Button Press this to switch the compressor/limiter on and off and when changing other settings. 7 TYPE VARIATION Button Selects the compressor or limiter type. ■ OVERDRIVE/DISTORTION (p. 26) 8 DRIVE Knob Adjusts the distortion effect from the overdrive or distortion.
10 Panel Descriptions ■ WAH (p. 31) 27 WAH ON/OFF Button Press this to switch the wah on and off and when changing other settings. ■ FX-1 (p. 33) 28 FX-1 ON/OFF Button Press this to switch FX-1 on and off and when changing other settings. ■ FX-2 (p.
11 Panel Descriptions Rear Panel fig.00-02 1 INPUT Jack The bass guitar is connected here. 2 OUTPUT LEVEL Knob Adjusts the volume level of the output from the output (1/4 ” phone) jack and headphone jacks. 3 OUTPUT R/L (MONO) Jacks These are standard jacks that output unbalanced signals.
12 Chapter 1 Playing Sounds Making Connections * To prevent malfunction and/or damage to speakers or other devices, always turn down the volume, and turn off the power on all devices before making any connections. * Raise the amp volume only after turning on the power to all connected devices.
13 Chapter 1 Playing Sounds Chapter 1 * When using the GT-6B with a foot switch (the optional FS- 5U) connected to the SUB EXP PEDAL/SUB CTL 1,2 jack, set the polarity switch as shown in the following. fig.01-03 * You can use the special (optional Roland) PCS-31 connector cord to connect two foot switches.
14 Chapter 1 Playing Sounds What is a Patch? When performing on your bass, you may select a variety of different tones according to what and where you are playing. The effects you want to use and the parameter settings (knob positions) will vary depending on the tone.
15 Chapter 1 Playing Sounds Chapter 1 Turning Each of the Effects in a Patch On and Off You can use pedals 1 – 4 to switch on and off the individual effects that are used in a patch. Each pedal shows the names of two effects; the effect that you are currently able to switch on and off is indicated in the lower row of the right display.
16 Chapter 2 Creating You Own Favorite Tones (Patches) Getting the Tones You Want- Fast (EZ Tone) In addition to tones (patches) that you can actually use in performances, the GT-6B also features internal sample settings that are very useful when you want to create such tones on your own.
17 Chapter 2 Creating You Own Favorite Tones (Patches) Chapter 2 COMP/LIMITER LEVEL Adjusts the compressor/limiter volume level. The volume increases as the knob is turned to the right. OD/DIST DRIVE (Overdrive/Distortion Drive) Adjusts the degree of distortion in the overdrive or distortion sound.
18 Chapter 2 Creating You Own Favorite Tones (Patches) Adding and Omitting Effects You can switch the internal effects on and off, which lets you change tones by adding and omitting effects. Using the Buttons to Switch Effects On and Off You can switch each of the internal effects on and off with the respective effect ON/OFF button.
19 Chapter 2 Creating You Own Favorite Tones (Patches) Chapter 2 Setting the Effect Tones (Quick Settings) Quick Settings are preprogrammed effect settings.
20 Chapter 2 Creating You Own Favorite Tones (Patches) Using the Pedal Effects (Wah, Pedal Bend, Ring Modulator) You can use the GT-6B ’ s expression pedal to obtain wah, pedal bend (pedal-controlled pitch bend), and ring modulator effects. Wah fig.
21 Chapter 2 Creating You Own Favorite Tones (Patches) Chapter 2 Ring Modulator fig.02-13 1. Press [FX-1]. 2. Turn on the FX-1 effect (“Adding Effects”; p. 18). * This step is not required if the effect is already on. 3. Press PARAMETER [ ] [ ] to select the FX Select parameter.
22 Chapter 2 Creating You Own Favorite Tones (Patches) Changing the Order of the Effects (Effect Chain) You can freely change the order in which the effects are connected. fig.02-16 1. Press [NAME/NS/MASTER] until “Effect Chain” appears in the display.
23 Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Saving the Tones You Have Created Write When you want to save a tone created, or a tone for which changes have been made, use the Write procedure to save the tone to a User patch. * The newly created tone will be discarded if the power is turned off, or if the tone is switched (“How to Switch Patches’; p.
24 Chapter 3 Saving the Tones You Have Created Exchanging Patches On the GT-6B, you can exchange the positions of two User patches. fig.03-05 1. Select the exchange-source patch (refer to “How to Switch Patches”; p. 14). 2. Press [WRITE]. 3. Press PARAMETER [ ].
25 Chapter 4 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained This chapter describes the particular qualities of each of the GT-6B ’ s internal effects, as well as the parameters used to control them. The sound that is input to each effect is called the “ direct sound , ” and the sound modified by the effect is called the “ effect sound .
26 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained OD/DIST (Overdrive/Distortion) This effect distorts the sound to create long sustain. The GT- 6B provides nine types of distortion with two different custom settings. ■ OD: Overdrive This provides the warm, natural type of distortion that occurs naturally when you turn up the volume on a tube amp.
27 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Chapter 4 CHORUS This is an effect that adds a slightly detuned sound to the original bass sound, resulting in a beautiful sound with greater depth and breadth. Developed by BOSS, this is one effect that is popular the world over.
28 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained * When Sound On Sound is selected, Pedal 4 and the BYPASS/ CTL pedal function as Sound On Sound controls. For more detailed information, refer to “Using Sound On Sound” (p. 54). ■ REV: Reverb Parameter Value Type Room1, Room2, Hall1, Hall2, Plate Reverb Time 0.
29 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Chapter 4 Delay Time Fine Makes fine adjustments (in units of 1 ms) to the delay time. Tap Time (Used Only with Pan) Adjusts the delay time of the right channel delay. This setting adjusts the right channel delay time relative to the left channel delay time, which is referenced as 100%.
30 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Treble Adjusts the tone of the upper range. Middle Adjusts the tone of the midrange. * While some amps do not feature a middle control, this control still functions even when simulating such amps. If you want to recreate the sound as output by the original amp, set Middle to “0.
31 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Chapter 4 Direct Level Adjusts the volume of the direct sound. 3 BAND PARAMETRIC EQ This is a 3-band parametric equalizer allowing EQ for the lower range, midrange, and upper range. * Each press of [SELECT] takes you to the next available selection for the band, in this order: Lo → Mid → High → Lo.
32 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained ● When Type is Set to Custom 1–3 You can make settings for the following parameters when TYPE is set to Custom 1 – 3.
33 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Chapter 4 Rate This selects the auto wah cycle. * When set to BPM, the value of each parameter is set according to the value of the Master BPM (p.
34 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Sens This adjusts the Enhancer sensitivity. The more the value is increased, the more softly you can play and still have the effect applied. Freq (Frequency) Sets the frequency range for the enhanced sound. Mix Level Adjusts the amount of enhanced sound added to the mix.
35 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Chapter 4 FX-2 With FX-2, you can select the effect to be used from the following. • PHASER • FLANGER • HARMONIST • PITCH SHIFTER • PEDAL BEND • 2x2 CHOR.
36 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained ■ FL: Flanger This produces a flanging effect that gives a sort of “ twisting ” character to the sound. Although it resembles the phaser effect, the flanger yields a colder, more metallic twisting effect.
37 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Chapter 4 Feedback This adjusts the feedback amount of the harmonist sound. * Only PS1 can be selected when this is set to 2-Mono or 2- Stereo. Level This adjusts the volume of the harmonist sound. Key This specifies the key of the song you are playing.
38 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Mono: This mode is for the input of individual notes. Select this setting when you want to obtain a pedal bend effect using an external expression pedal. * Because of the need to analyze the pitch, chords (two or more sounds played simultaneously) cannot be played.
39 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Chapter 4 Lo PreDly (Low Pre Delay) Adjusts the time from when the direct sound in the lower range is output until the effect sound is output. Extending the pre-delay produces the sensation of multiple sounds being played (doubling effect).
40 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained 4. Press PARAMETER [ ] a number of times until the User Phrase settings screen is displayed. fig.04-04 5. Press PARAMETER [ ] [ ] to move the cursor, then rotate the PATCH/VALUE dial to set the User phrase.
41 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Chapter 4 ■ VIB: Vibrato The vibrato effect is created by slightly modulating the pitch. Parameter Value Rate 0 – 100, BPM – BPM Depth 0 – 100 Trigger Off, On Rise Time 0 – 100 Rate This adjusts the period of the vibrato.
42 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Manual (with Auto) Sets the point at which the two vowels will be switched. When set to “ 50, ” an equal length of time is used to switch Vowel 1 and Vowel 2. When it is set to lower than “ 50, ” the time for Vowel 1 is shorter.
43 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained Chapter 4 Bow: Waveform shaping outputs a soft sound with no attack. Octave Shift (with Square and Saw) This outputs sound one octave below the original sound. PWM Rate (Pulse Width Modulation Rate) (with Square) Modulation is applied to the waveform (Square wave only) to create a broader, fatter sound.
44 Chapter 4 The Effects Explained NS: Noise Suppressor This effect reduces the noise and hum picked up by the bass. Use this when noise that occurs when you are not playing the bass becomes noticeable. Since it suppresses the noise by monitoring the volume level of the actual bass sound being input, it always gives a natural effect.
45 Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Setting the Pedal Functions (Pedal Assign) These settings can be saved separately to individual patches. Selecting Each Effect to Be Turned On and Off with the Number Pedals You can change the effects that are turned on and off with the number pedals 1 – 4.
46 Chapter 5 Setting the Pedal Functions (Pedal Assign) If You Don’t Want to Use the Expression Pedal as a “Volume Pedal” Use the procedure below to turn the expression pedal off. 1. Press [PEDAL ASSIGN]. 2. Press PARAMETER [ ] [ ] a number of times until you have one of the following screens displayed.
47 Chapter 5 Setting the Pedal Functions (Pedal Assign) Chapter 5 (Expression pedal switch) fig.05-05 (CTL pedal) fig.05-06 Holding down [ ] (or [ ]) and pressing [ ] (or [ ]) causes the GT-6B to jump to the main screen, allowing you to reduce the number of times you need to press the buttons.
48 Chapter 5 Setting the Pedal Functions (Pedal Assign) Controlling Effects with the GT-6B Pedals, External Pedals, and External MIDI Devices Make these settings when controlling effects with the GT- 6B ’ s expression pedal, expression pedal switch, or CTL pedal, or with external pedals or external MIDI devices connected to the GT-6B.
49 Chapter 5 Setting the Pedal Functions (Pedal Assign) Chapter 5 Making the Parameter Settings This sets the parameters to be controlled with Assign. Target fig.05-11 This sets the parameter to be affected. You can make adjustments to more parameters than those available in the Quick Settings.
50 Chapter 5 Setting the Pedal Functions (Pedal Assign) When controlling an On/Off target with the expression pedal fig.05-15 * The range that can be selected changes according to the target setting. * When the “minimum” is set to a higher value than the “maximum,” the change in the parameter is reversed.
51 Chapter 5 Setting the Pedal Functions (Pedal Assign) Chapter 5 Active Range fig.05-18 When an expression pedal or other controller that changes the value consecutively is used as the source, this sets the operational range within which the value of the setting changes.
52 Chapter 6 Using the Customize Function With the GT-6 ’ s Customize function, you can rely on your own sensibilities and create a totally new effect by tweaking the settings for the “ Preamp/Speaker Simulator, ” “ Overdrive/Distortion, ” and “ Pedal Wah.
53 Chapter 6 Using the Customize Function Chapter 6 Making “Custom” Pedal Wah Settings Here, you can make three different sets of settings, Custom 1, Custom 2, and Custom 3. * Editing the Custom 1, 2, or 3 settings alters all tones in patches that use these custom settings.
54 Chapter 7 Using Sound On Sound You can use the “ Sound On Sound function ” by selecting “ SOS ” with the REV/DLY Fx Select (p. 27). Here, the Number 4 pedal and the BYPASS/CTL pedal automatically function as Sound On Sound controls.
55 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Convenient Features of the GT-6B Outputting Sounds Without Effects Applied (Bypass) The GT-6B features bypass circuitry. By using the bypass, the signal path, from input to output, consists entirely of analog circuitry.
56 Chapter 8 Convenient Features of the GT-6B DIRECT/MONO: Direct/Mono Output Output from one of the connectors is the GT-6B ’ s stereo output mixed to mono; the direct bass direct sound (the analog bypass sound from the input jack) is output from the other connector.
57 Chapter 8 Convenient Features of the GT-6B Chapter 8 At this time, the indicators of the PATCH and PATCH pedals light, indicating that the instrument is precisely in tune. fig.08-06 How to Tune 1. Play a single open note on the string being tuned. The name of the note closest to the pitch of the string that was played appears in the display.
58 Chapter 8 Convenient Features of the GT-6B Adjusting the Overall Sound to Match the Usage Environment ( Global) The GT-6B includes a feature that allows you to change all of the patch settings temporarily.
59 Chapter 8 Convenient Features of the GT-6B Chapter 8 Checking the Effect Output Level with the Level Meter You can meter the output level of each effect. This is handy for checking the effects ’ output levels. 1. Press [UTILITY] a number of times until “METER” is displayed.
60 Chapter 9 Other Functions Adjusting the Display Contrast (LCD Contrast) Depending on where the GT-6B is placed the display may become hard to read. If this occurs, adjust the display contrast. 1. Press [UTILITY] a number of times until “LCD Contrast” is displayed.
61 Chapter 9 Other Functions Chapter 9 Switching the Bank and Number fig.09-05 1. Press the BANK or BANK pedal to select the desired bank. When you switch banks, the indicator for number pedal last pr.
62 Chapter 9 Other Functions Setting “Expression Pedal Hold” This setting determines whether or not the Pedal Assign ’ s (p. 45) operational status is carried over to the next patch when patches are switched.
63 Chapter 9 Other Functions Chapter 9 Setting the Knob Functions (Knob Mode) This sets the way the values of settings are changed when the control knobs are turned. 1. Press [UTILITY], then press PARAMETER [ ] [ ] so that “Knob Mode” is displayed.
64 Chapter 10 Using MIDI What Can You Do with MIDI? You can perform the following operations using MIDI with the GT-6B. * The use of MIDI requires that the MIDI channels of the connected devices match. If the MIDI channel settings are not correct, the GT-6B will be unable to exchange data with other MIDI devices.
65 Chapter 10 Using MIDI Chapter 10 Making the Settings for MIDI Functions Here is a description of the GT-6B ’ s MIDI functions. Set them as needed, depending on the intended use. 1. Press [UTILITY] a number of times until the following screen appears.
66 Chapter 10 Using MIDI MIDI PC OUT (MIDI Program Change Out) Off, On fig.10-09 This setting determines whether or not Program Change messages are output when patches are switched on the GT- 6B. Off: Program Change messages are not output, even when patches are switched.
67 Chapter 10 Using MIDI Chapter 10 Transmitting and Receiving MIDI Data On the GT-6B, you can use Exclusive messages to provide another GT-6B with identical settings, and save effect settings on a sequencer or other device. This transmission of data is called “ Bulk Dump, ” while receiving such data is referred to as “ Bulk Load.
68 Chapter 10 Using MIDI fig.10-19 When the transmission is completed, the screen prior to transmission returns to the display. 4. Press [EXIT] to return to the Play screen. Receiving Data from an External MIDI Device (Bulk Load) Making the Connections When Receiving Data Saved on a MIDI Sequencer Connect as shown below.
69 Chapter 10 Using MIDI Chapter 10 Setting the Program Change Map When switching patches using Program Change messages transmitted by an external MIDI device, you can freely set the correspondence between Program Change messages received by the GT-6B and the patches to be switched to in the “ Program Change Map.
70 Chapter 10 Using MIDI Enabling/Disabling the Program Change Map Settings (MIDI Map Select) This setting determines whether patches are switched according to the Program Change Map settings, or to the default settings when the GT-6B receives Program Change messages.
71 Appendices 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.
72 Appendices System messages System messages include exclusive messages, messages used for synchronization, and messages used to keep a MIDI system running correctly. Exclusive messages Exclusive messages handle information related to a unit ’ s own unique sounds, or other device-specific information.
73 Appendices Appendices Restoring the Factory Settings (Factory Reset) Restoring the GT-6B to the settings made at the factory is referred to as “ Factory Reset. ” Not only can you return all of the settings to the values in effect when the GT-6B was shipped from the factory, you can also specify the range of settings to be reset.
74 Appendices Troubleshooting If there is no sound, or if the GT-6B does not function as you expect, first check the following points. If the measures in this checklist do not resolve your problem, you should contact your dealer or the nearest Roland Service Center.
75 Appendices Appendices MIDI messages are not transmitted/ received ❍ Is the MIDI cable broken? → Try using a different MIDI cable. ❍ Is the GT-6B correctly connected to the external MIDI device? → Check connections with the other MIDI device.
76 Appendices MIDI Implementation Chart fig.11-401 Function... Basic Channel Mode Note Number : Velocity After Touch Pitch Bend Control Change Prog Change System Exclusive System Common System Real Ti.
77 Appendices Appendices Main Specifications GT-6B: Bass Effects Processor AD Conversion 24-bit + AF method DA Conversion 24-bit Sampling frequency 44.
78 Index Numerics 12Stage ............................................................................ 35 2CE .................................................................................. 38 2x2 Chorus ............................................
79 Index Level Meter .................................................................... 59 LIMITER ......................................................................... 25 LongTime ................................................................
80 Index T T/P .................................................................................. 42 Tap Time ......................................................................... 29 Target .........................................................
81 MEMO.
82 MEMO.
This product complies with the requirements of European Directive 89/336/EEC. For EU Countries For EU Countries Apparatus containing Lithium batteries ADVARSEL! Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosionsfare ved fejlagtig h å ndtering. Udskiftning m å kun ske med batteri af samme fabrikat og type.
G601744601 ’ 00-xx-xx-xxx.
An important point after buying a device Boss Audio Systems GT-6B (or even before the purchase) is to read its user manual. We should do this for several simple reasons:
If you have not bought Boss Audio Systems GT-6B yet, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the basic data on the product. First of all view first pages of the manual, you can find above. You should find there the most important technical data Boss Audio Systems GT-6B - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, Boss Audio Systems GT-6B you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get Boss Audio Systems GT-6B will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of Boss Audio Systems GT-6B, but have not read the manual yet, you should do it for the reasons described above. You will learn then if you properly used the available features, and whether you have not made any mistakes, which can shorten the lifetime Boss Audio Systems GT-6B.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with Boss Audio Systems GT-6B. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device Boss Audio Systems GT-6B along with tips on how to solve them. Even if you fail to solve the problem, the manual will show you a further procedure – contact to the customer service center or the nearest service center
