BOSSCO BF-3 User manual

Owner’s Manual
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled “USING THE UNIT SAFELY”
and “IMPORTANT NOTES”(supplied on a separate sheet).
After reading, keep the document(s) where it will be available for immediate
reference.
English

2
Panel DescriptionsMain Features
3
1
4
5
6
7
2
7Stereo output gives your sound greater breadth along with a
deep eect that imparts a sense of three-dimensional rotation.
7Includes a new “ULTRA” mode for a more intense anging eect.
7Also features a“GATE/PAN” mode. When outputting in mono,
a slicer eect is added to the anging sound, resulting in a
“gate anger”eect; and when using stereo output, you get a
anging eect that is panned three-dimensionally across the
sound eld.
7Includes a “MOMENTARY” mode, which allows you to apply the
anger eect exactly at the point in a phrase you want.
7Also includes a “Tap Tempo”function that lets you set the RATE
to the tempo at which the pedal is pressed.

Panel Descriptions
3
1. DC IN jack
Accepts connection of an AC Adaptor (PSA series; sold
separately). By using an AC Adaptor, you can play without being
concerned about how much battery power you have left.
* As soon as you connect the AC adaptor, the unit is turned on.
* We recommend that you keep batteries installed in the unit
even though you’ll be powering it with the AC adaptor. That
way, you’ll be able to continue a performance even if the cord
of the AC adaptor gets accidently disconnected from the unit.
* Use only the specied AC adaptor (PSA-series).
* If the AC adaptor is connected while power is on, the power
supply is drawn from the AC adaptor.
2. CHECK indicator
This indicator shows whether an eect is ON/OFF, indicates the
tempo (TEMPO mode: p. 9–p. 11), and also doubles as the
Battery Check indicator.
The indicator lights when an eect is ON.
* If this indicator goes dim or no longer lights while an eect
is ON or while the BF-3 is in TEMPO mode, the battery is
near exhaustion and should be replaced immediately. For
instructions on changing the batteries, refer to“Changing the
Battery” (p. 14).
* The CHECK indicator shows whether the eect is being
applied or not, and is used to indicate other eects. It does not
indicate whether the power to the device is on or not.
3. OUTPUT A (MONO) jack, OUTPUT B jack
The output jacks are used to connect the unit to an amplier or
another eects unit. For mono use, make the connection to the
OUTPUT A (MONO) jack.
4. GUITAR IN jack
This jack accepts input signals coming from a guitar, some other
musical instrument, or another eects unit.
5. BASS IN jack
This jack accepts input signal coming from a bass guitar.
* BASS IN is disabled when the GUITAR IN jack is used.
* When running the unit on battery power, the GUITAR IN and
BASS IN jacks double as power switches. Power to the unit is
turned on when you plug into the GUITAR IN or BASS IN jack;
the power is turned o when the cable is unplugged. Be sure
to disconnect any cord plugged into the GUITAR IN or BASS IN
jack when not using this eects device.
English

Panel Descriptions
4
6. Pedal switch
Use this switch to turn the eect on/o or to input the tempo.
* You cannot input the tempo in MOMENTARY mode.
7. Thumbscrew
When this screw is loosened, the pedal will open, allowing you
to change the battery.
* For instructions on changing the batteries, refer to “Changing
the Battery” (p. 14).
109 11 128
8. MANUAL knob
Adjusts the center frequency at which to apply the eect.
The range is raised as you turn the knob to the right (clockwise).
* The settings range varies with the selected mode, as well as
when an instrument is connected to BASS IN.
9. RES (Resonance) knob
Adjusts the amount of resonance (feedback). The more the knob
is turned to the right, the more the anger sound is emphasized,
and the stronger the characteristic eect in the sound becomes.

Panel Descriptions
5
10. DEPTH knob
Adjusts the sweep depth. The eect deepens as you turn the
knob to the right.
* The MANUAL knob has no function when this knob is turned
completely clockwise.
11. RATE knob
Adjusts the rate of the anging. The ange eect speeds up as
you turn the knob to the right.
12. MODE knob
Selects the anger eect and pedal mode.
ULTRA:
Provides a stronger anger eect than STANDARD.
STANDARD:
Provides a normal anger eect.
GATE / PAN:
When playing in mono, this creates radical changes in the
output volume. When playing in stereo, this alternately pans
the output to the left and right, resulting in a anger eect that
imparts a sense of rotation or spinning.
MOMENTARY:
The anger eect is applied only while the BF-3’s pedal is
depressed. The STANDARD tone is applied, and anging starts
in the low end.
* You cannot input the tempo in MOMENTARY mode.
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6
* BASS IN is disabled when the GUITAR IN jack is used.
AC adaptor
(PSA series; sold separately) Electric
Guitar
Bass
Guitar
Guitar Amplier
(Bass Amplier) For mono use, make
the connection to the
OUTPUT A (MONO)
jack.
OUT 9V DC/200mA
Connections

Connections
7
* Inserting a plug into the GUITAR IN or BASS IN Jack will automatically switch the unit on.
* The use of an AC adaptor is recommended as the unit’s power consumption is relatively high.
* If operating this unit on batteries, please use alkaline batteries.
* Noise may be produced if wireless communications devices, such as cell phones, are operated in the vicinity of this unit. Such noise
could occur when receiving or initiating a call, or while conversing. Should you experience such problems, you should relocate such
wireless devices so they are at a greater distance from this unit, or switch them o.
* To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn o all the units before making any
connections.
* We recommend that you keep batteries installed in the unit even though you’ll be powering it with the AC adaptor. That way, you’ll
be able to continue a performance even if the cord of the AC adaptor gets accidentally disconnected from the unit.
* Once the connections have been completed, turn on power to your various devices in the order specied. By turning on devices in
the wrong order, you risk causing malfunction and/or damage to speakers and other devices.
When powering up: Turn on the power to your guitar amp last.
When powering down: Turn o the power to your guitar amp rst.
* Before turning the unit on/o, always be sure to turn the volume down. Even with the volume turned down, you might hear some
sound when switching the unit on/o. However, this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.
* When operating on battery power only, the unit’s indicator will become dim when battery power gets too low. Replace the battery as
soon as possible.
* If you handle batteries improperly, you risk explosion and uid leakage. Make sure that you carefully observe all of the items related
to batteries that are listed in“USING THE UNIT SAFELY”and“IMPORTANT NOTES” (supplied on a separate sheet).
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8
Operating the Unit
46 3 25
1. When you have made the necessary connections (p.
6), depress the pedal switch to turn the eect on.
(the CHECK indicator turns red.)
* When MOMENTARY mode is selected, continue pressing
the pedal switch. (the eect is on only while the pedal is
depressed)
2. Select the mode with the MODE knob.
* When MOMENTARY is selected, the CHECK indicator light
goes o, and the eect is switched o. Hold the pedal down
when using the following settings in MOMENTARY mode
(the eect is on only while the pedal is depressed).
3. Set the anging rate with the RATE knob.
4. Set the sweep depth with the DEPTH knob.
5. Set the center frequency to which the eect is
applied with the MANUAL knob.
6. Turn the RES knob to set the strength of the eect.

9
Setting the RATE by Inputting the Tempo with the Pedal Switch
When Switching to Tempo Input with the Eect ON (CHECK indicator: Red)
* RATE cycles for use with the tempo settings can be made in the range of 0.1–18 seconds.
OFF ONON ON
1 32
CHECK
Indicator
Flanger Eects
RATE Eect reects knob positions Eect synchronized to tempo
Pedal switch
Red Unlit RedRed/Green Blinking
Press and hold the
BF-3’s pedal switch for
at least two seconds.
Press and hold the
BF-3’s pedal switch for
at least two seconds.
Press the BF-3’s pedal 3 switch in timing with
the tempo.
* If you carry out Step
3
immediately after Step
2
, Step
3
may inadvertently be interpreted as tempo input, thus changing the
RATE setting. Allow a brief interval to pass before progressing from Step
2
to Step
3
.
* If you adjust the RATE knob after completing the settings, the eect then reects the position of the RATE knob.
* You cannot input the tempo in MOMENTARY mode.
English

Setting the RATE by Inputting the Tempo with the Pedal Switch
10
When Switching to Tempo Input with the Eect OFF (CHECK indicator: O)
* RATE cycles for use with the tempo settings can be made in the range of 0.1–18 seconds.
ON ONOFF ON
132
CHECK
Indicator
Flanger Eects
RATE Eect reects knob positions Eect synchronized to tempo
Pedal switch
Unlit Red RedRed/Green Blinking
Press and hold the
BF-3’s pedal switch for
at least two seconds.
Press and hold the
BF-3’s pedal switch for
at least two seconds.
Press the BF-3’s pedal 3 switch in timing with
the tempo.
* If you carry out Step
3
immediately after Step
2
, Step
3
may inadvertently be interpreted as tempo input, thus changing the
RATE setting. Allow a brief interval to pass before progressing from Step
2
to Step
3
.
* If you adjust the RATE knob after completing the settings, the eect then reects the position of the RATE knob.
* You cannot input the tempo in MOMENTARY mode.

Setting the RATE by Inputting the Tempo with the Pedal Switch
11
Relationship Between the Flanger and Gate Eects
* The gate eect switches on and o 32 times over the period of the anger eect’s rise and fall.
* If you want to have the gate working on eighth notes, press the pedal switch at the beginning of the fth measure of the song you
want to have synchronized
Frequency
16 Times 16 Times 16 Times 16 Times RATE
High
Low
GATE Eects
GATE =
Flanger Rise Flanger RiseFlanger Fall Flanger Fall
Flanger Eects
Rise
Flanger Eects
Fall
Input the tempo Input the tempo
English

12
About Sleep Mode
When ten hours have elapsed since the last operation
or audio input, the BF-3 will enter sleep mode (power
conservation mode; only the bypass sound will be
output). From sleep mode, you can press the pedal to
return to normal mode.
Disabling Sleep Mode
1. Set the knobs to the positions shown below.
2. While holding down the pedal, turn on the power.
When running on battery power
Insert the connection plug into the GUITAR IN jack or
BASS IN jack.
When running on power from an AC adaptor
Insert the AC Adaptor plug into the AC Adaptor jack.
The CHECK indicator will start blinking.
3. While continuing to depress the pedal, move the
DEPTH knob so it’s within the range illustrated
below.
The CHECK indicator will go out.
4. Release the pedal to complete the procedure.

About Sleep Mode
13
Enabling Sleep Mode (default setting)
1. Carry out the same procedure as described in steps 1
and 2 under “Disabling Sleep Mode.”
2. While continuing to depress the pedal, move the
DEPTH knob so it’s within the range illustrated
below.
The CHECK indicator will light.
3. Release the pedal to complete the procedure.
* Battery power continues to be consumed even in sleep
mode. To prevent battery consumption, turn o the power
by removing the plug from the GUITAR IN jack or BASS IN jack.
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14
Changing the Battery
* This device consumes considerable power, so use of the AC
adaptor is recommended. When powering the unit with
batteries, use alkaline batteries.
Thumbscrew
Battery Housing
Pedal
Spring Base
Coil Spring
Guide Bush
Hole
Battery Snap
Cord
Battery Snap
9 V Battery
1. Hold down the pedal and loosen the thumbscrew,
then open the pedal upward.
* The pedal can be opened without detaching the thumbscrew
completely.
2. Remove the old battery from the battery housing,
and remove the snap cord connected to it.
3. Connect the snap cord to the new battery, and place
the battery inside the battery housing.
* Be sure to carefully observe the battery’s polarity (+ versus -).
4. Slip the coil spring onto the spring base on the back
of the pedal, and then close the pedal.
* Carefully avoid getting the snap cord caught in the pedal, coil
spring, and battery housing.
5. Finally, insert the thumbscrew into the guide bush
hole and fasten it securely.

15
Setting Samples
For Guitar
Standard Flanger
Ultra Flanger
Stereo Flanger (Stereo Out)
Rotary Flanger (Stereo Out)
English

Changing the Battery
16
For Guitar
Gate Flanger
Chorus Sound
Tremolo Flanger
Fixed Flanging

Changing the Battery
17
For Bass
Strong Flanging
Deep Flanger
Vibrato Sound
Slicer Sound
English

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Main Specications
BOSS BF-3: Flanger
Nominal Input Level -20 dBu
Input Impedance 1 MΩ
Nominal Output Level -20 dBu
Output Impedance 1 kΩ
Recommended Load
Impedance
10 kΩ or greater
Power Supply DC9V: Dry battery 6F22 (9 V) type
(carbon)/Dry battery 6LR61 (9
V) type (alkaline), AC Adaptor
(PSA-series: optional)
Current Draw 40 mA (DC9V)
* Expected battery life under
continuous use:
Carbon: 3 hours
Alkaline: 10 hours
These gures will vary
depending on the actual
conditions of use.
Dimensions 73 (W) x 129 (D) x 59 (H) mm
2-7/8 (W) x 5-1/8 (D) x 2-3/8 (H)
inches
Weight 435 g /1 lb (including Battery)
Accessories Owner’s Manual Leaet (“USING THE
UNIT SAFELY,”“IMPORTANT NOTES,”
and “Information”) Dry battery/9 V
type (6F22)
Options AC adaptor: PSA-100
* 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
* This document explains the specications of the product
at the time that the document was issued. For the latest
information, refer to the Roland website.
Copyright © 2017 ROLAND CORPORATION