BOSSCO ODB-3 User manual

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Owner's Manual
DCAC
AC & BATTERY
POWERED
FET

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Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of BOSS ODB-3 Bass OverDrive.
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY”
and“IMPORTANTNOTES”(separatesheet).Thesesectionsprovideimportantinformation
concerningtheproperoperationoftheunit.Additionally,inordertofeelassuredthatyou
havegained agood graspof everyfeature providedby yournew unit,this manualshould
be read in its entirety. The manual should be saved and kept on hand as a convenient
reference.
Copyright © 1994 BOSS Corporation
All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the
permission of BOSS Corporation.

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FEATURES
The ODB-3 overdrive unit + designed specifically for electric bass guitar + creates solid,
chest-resonating distortion!
Using the BALANCE Knob, you can adjust the balance between the Dry and Overdrive
sounds. This capability gives you complete control of your sound, from soft and warm to
hard and bright.
A 2-band equalizer allows you to control bass and treble frequencies independently.

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PANEL DESCRIPTIONS 1. AC Adaptor Jack
Acceptsconnection ofan ACAdaptor (op-
tionally available BOSS PSA-Series). By
usinganACAdaptor,youcanplaywithout
being concerned about how much battery
power you have left.
* You may find that it is a good idea to keep a
battery installed in the unit even while using
an adaptor. That way your playing won't be
disrupted even if the adaptor is accidentally
disconnected.
* If you are going to use an AC adaptor, be sure
to use the specified unit (BOSS PSA-Series).
Use of any other adaptor may result in dam-
age, malfunction or electric shock.
Also, if you are not going to be using it for an
extended period of time, disconnect the AC
adaptor from the AC outlet.
1
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3
4
5
6

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2. CHECK Indicator
This indicator shows whether an effect is
ON/OFF, and also doubles as the Battery
Check indicator.
The indicator lights when an effect is ON.
Ifthisindicatorgoesdimornolongerlights
while an effect is ON, the battery is near
exhaustion and should be replaced imme-
diately.
3. OUTPUT Jack
The output jacks are used to connect the
unit to amplifiers or other devices.
4. Pedal Switch
This switch turns the effects ON/OFF.
5. Thumbscrew
This thumbscrew is loosened to open the
pedal, allowing battery replacement. For
instructions on how to replace the battery,
please refer to “Changing the Battery.”
6. INPUT Jack
This jack accepts input signals (coming
from a guitar, some other electric or elec-
tronic musical instrument, or another ef-
fects unit).
* The INPUT jack also serves as the power
switch.Poweris turnedonwhenever aplugis
insertedintotheINPUTjack, andisturnedoff
when the plug is disconnected. When not
using the unit, you should disconnect any
cord connected to the INPUT jack.

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HIGH EQ Knob
Use this knob to boost or cut higher frequencies;
clockwiserotationbooststhehigherfrequencies.
LOW EQ Knob
Usethis knob to boost or cut lower frequencies;
clockwiserotationbooststhelowerfrequencies.
BALANCE Knob
This knob controls the output balance between
Dry (straight) and Overdrive sounds.
Counterclockwise rotation increases the Dry
sound, while clockwise rotation increases the
level of Overdrive sounds. When rotated fully
counterclockwise(orclockwise),onlytheDry(or
Overdrive) sound will be obtained.
GAIN Knob
ThisknobadjuststhegainoftheDryorOverdrive
sound.WhenyouareusingDrysounds,thisknob
canadjusttheamountofboostwithoutdistorting
thesound.WhenyouareusingOverdrivesounds,
theGAINknobadjuststhedepthofthedistortion.
Clockwise rotation increases the gain.
LEVEL Knob
This knob adjusts the level of the effect sounds.
Set the knob so there is no volume difference
between the effect and straight guitar sounds.
LEVELKnob
HIGH EQ Knob
GAIN Knob
BALANCE Knob
LOW EQ Knob

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MAKING THE CONNECTIONS
AC Adaptor (PSA-Series ; Optional)
Electric Bass
Amplifier
OUT 9V DC / 200mA

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* Inserting a plug into the INPUT Jack will automatically switch the unit on.
* 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.
* Ifthere arebatteriesintheunitwhileanACadaptorisbeing used,normaloperationwillcontinue
should the line voltage be interrupted (power blackout or power cord disconnection).
* Once the connections have been completed, turn on power to your various devices in the order
specified. 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 off the power to your guitar amp first.
* Always make sure to have the volume level turned down before switching on power. Even with
the volume all the way down, you may still hear some sound when the power is switched on, but
this is normal, and does not indicate a malfunction.
* Whenoperatingon batterypoweronly, theunit’sindicator willbecomedim whenbatterypower
gets too low. Replace the battery as soon as possible.
* The CHECK indicator shows whether the effect is being applied or not. It does not indicate
whether the power to the device is on or not.

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OPERATING THE UNIT
3465
1. When you have made the necessary
connections, set the knobs as shown in
the illustration.
2. Depress the pedal switch to turn the
effect on. (Make sure that the CHECK
Indicator lights.)
3. Adjust the output balance between the
Dry and Overdrive sounds using the
BALANCE Knob.
4. Adjust the gain of the Dry or Overdrive
sound using the GAIN Knob.
5. Adjust the tone using the HIGH and
LOW EQ Knobs.
6. Adjust the LEVEL Knob so there will be
no volume difference between the ef-
fect and straight bass sounds.

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Thumbscrew
Pedal
Spring Base
Coil Spring
Guide
Bush
Hole
Battery
Housing
Battery Snap Cord
Battery Snap
9V Battery
CHANGING THE BATTERY
Whenthe indicator goes dim or no longer lights
while an effect is on, it means that the battery is
nearly dead and must be replaced.
Replace the battery following the steps below.
1.Loosen the thumbscrew at the front of the
pedal,thenliftthepedalupwardstoopenthe
unit.
* The thumbscrew can be left in the pedal
while changing the battery.
2.Removetheoldbatteryfromthebatteryhous-
ing,andremovethesnapcordconnectedtoit.
3.Connectthesnapcordtothenewbattery,and
place the battery inside the battery housing.
* Be sure to carefully observe the battery+s
polarity (+ versus -).
4.Slipthecoilspringontothespringbaseonthe
back of the pedal, then close the pedal.
*Carefullyavoidgettingthesnapcordcaught
in the coil spring.
5.Finally, insert the thumbscrew into the
guide bush hole and fasten it securely.

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SAMPLE SETTINGS
Natural OverDrive Fuzz Sound
Picking RiffDrived Slapping Play
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW

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CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW
Booster HeavyDrive
Slapping Play Solo Play
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW

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SETTING MEMO
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW
CHECK
EQLEVEL
MIN MAX CUT BOOST DRY OD
BALANCE GAIN
MIN MAX
HIGH
LOW

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SPECIFICATIONS
ODB-3: Bass OverDrive
Nominal Input Level ................. -20 dBu
Input Impedance ...................... 1 MΩ
Nominal Output Level .............. -20 dBu
Output Impedance ................... 1 kΩ
Equivalent Input Noise Level .... -110 dBu (IHF-A, Typ.)
Controls.................................... Pedal Switch
LEVEL Knob
HIGH EQ Knob
LOW EQ Knob
BALANCE Knob
GAIN Knob
Indicator................................... CHECK Indicator (serves also as battery check indicator)
Connectors ............................... INPUT Jack
OUTPUT Jack
AC Adaptor Jack (DC 9 V)
Power Supply ........................... DC 9 V: Dry Battery 9 V type(6F22/9 V), AC Adaptor
Current Draw ........................... 15 mA (DC 9 V)
* Expected battery life under continuous use :
Carbon : 26 hours
Thesefigureswillvarydependingontheactualconditionsofuse.

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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...................................... 420 g / 15 oz (including battery)
Accessories ............................... Owner’s Manual
Dry Battery 9 V type (6F22/9 V)
Leaflet (“USINGTHEUNITSAFELY,”“IMPORTANTNOTES,”and“Information”)
Options .................................... AC Adaptor PSA-Series
* 0 dBu = 0.775 V rms
* Intheinterestofproductdevelopment,thespecificationsand/orappearancefothisuitaresubject
to change without prior notice.
This product complies with the requirements of
European Directive 89/336/EEC.
For EU Countries

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