BOSSCO PS-5 Super Shifter 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 PS-5 Super Shifter.
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFE-
LY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (Owner’s manual page 37–43; page 4–5). These sec-
tions provide important information concerning the proper operation of the unit.
Additionally, in order to feel assured that you have gained a good grasp of every fea-
ture provided by your new unit, Owner’s manual should be read in its entirety. The
manual should be saved and kept on hand as a convenient reference.
Copyright © 1999 BOSS CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of BOSS CORPORATION.

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Features
● The compact Boss PS-5 pitch shifter is
equipped with a high-performance 24-
bit DSP (digital sound processor) chip,
and features numerous functions with
high-quality sound.
● Select from five modes to use - PITCH
SHIFTER, HARMONIST, DETUNE,
T.ARM, and FLUTTER (new effect).
● You can get split functions on this one
device,withthePitchShiftergoinginto
effect when chords are played, and
Harmonist when playing single notes.
● You can even use the Harmonist post-
distortion effects devices.
*1
● Delay control and stereo outs provide
even more effective detuning.
● Effects simulating guitar arming
(T.Arm and Flutter) are included.
● With an expression pedal (Roland EV-
5; sold separately) connected, you can
get continuous control of the amount
of pitch shift while you play.
*1 In HARMONIST mode, the instrument’s
scale is detected and harmonies are added
to the output. Make sure the instrument is
tuned correctly in this mode. Errors in
tuning will cause the harmonies to be out
of tune as well. In addition, tune the
instrument by setting the reference pitch
A4 to 440 Hz.
Monitor post-distortion volume levels
with the PS-5 after a distortion effects
device in the signal path. Excessive
volume levels can cause the harmony
tuning to slip.

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IMPORTANT NOTES
In addition to the items listed under “US-
ING THE UNIT SAFELY” on page 37,
please read and observe the following:
Power Supply: Use of Batteries
•Do not use this unit on the same power cir-
cuit with any device that will generate line
noise (such as an electric motor or variable
lighting system).
•The AC adaptor will begin to generate heat
after long hours of consecutive use. This is
normal, and is not a cause for concern.
•The use of an AC adaptor is recommended
as the unit’s power consumption is relative-
ly high. Should you prefer to use batteries,
please use the alkaline type.
• Batteries should always be installed or re-
placed before connecting any other devices.
This way, you can prevent malfunction and/
or damage to speakers or other devices.
•Abattery is supplied with the unit. The life
of this battery may be limited, however,
since its primary purpose was to enable
testing.
•Before connecting this unit to other devices,
turnoffthepowertoallunits.Thiswill help
prevent malfunctions and/or damage to
speakers or other devices.
Placement
•Using the unit near power amplifiers (or
other equipment containing large power
transformers)mayinduce hum.Toalleviate
the problem, change the orientation of this
unit; or move it farther away from the
source of interference.
•This device may interfere with radio and
television reception. Do not use this device
in the vicinity of such receivers.

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•Do not expose the unit to direct sunlight,
place it near devices that radiate heat, leave
it inside an enclosed vehicle, or otherwise
subject it to temperature extremes. Exces-
sive heat can deform or discolor the unit.
•To avoid possible breakdown, do not use
the unit in a wet area, such as an area ex-
posed to rain or other moisture.
Maintenance
•For everyday cleaning wipe the unit with a
soft, dry cloth or one that has been slightly
dampened with water. To remove stubborn
dirt, use a cloth impregnated with a mild,
non-abrasive detergent. Afterwards, be
suretowipetheunitthoroughlywithasoft,
dry cloth.
•Never use benzine, thinners, alcohol or sol-
vents of any kind, to avoid the possibility of
discoloration and/or deformation.
Additional Precautions
•Useareasonableamount ofcarewhenusing
the unit’s buttons, sliders, or other controls;
and when using its jacks and connectors.
Rough handling can lead to malfunctions.
•When connecting / disconnecting all cables,
grasp the connector itself-never pull on the
cable.Thiswayyouwill avoid causing shorts,
or damage to the cable’s internal elements.
•To avoid disturbing your neighbors, try to
keep the unit’s volume at reasonable levels.
You may prefer to use headphones, so you do
not need to be concerned about those around
you (especially when it is late at night).
•When you need to transport the unit, pack-
age it in the box (including padding) that it
came in, if possible. Otherwise, you will
need to use equivalent packaging materials.
•Use only the specified expression pedal
(EV-5; sold separately). By connecting any
other expression pedals, you risk causing
malfunction and/or damage to the unit.

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Panel Description
1. AC adaptor jack
An AC adaptor (BOSS PSA-series: sold
separately) can be connected to this jack.
If an AC adaptor is used, you will be able
to play for extended periods without
worrying about battery life.
* As soon as you connect the AC adaptor,
the unit is turned on.
* If there is the battery in the unit while an
AC adaptor is being used, normal
operation will continue should the line
voltage be interrupted (power blackout or
power cord disconnection).
1
34
5
6
7
2

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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.
If this indicator goes dim or no longer
lights while an effect is on, the battery is
near exhaustion and should be replaced
immediately. For the procedure, refer to
“Changing the battery” (page 28).
3. OUTPUT jacks A(MONO)/B
These output jacks are connected to an
amplifier or other effects device. The
soundisoutputat the volume set withthe
BALANCE knob.
* The output varies with the MODE switch
setting. For more detailed information,
refer to “Description of Each Mode” (p.
14–25).
4. INPUT jack
This jack accepts input signals (coming
from a guitar, some other musical instru-
ment, or another effects unit).
* When a battery is used, the INPUT jack
also functions as a power switch. When a
plug is inserted into the INPUT jack, the
power will be turned on. When the plug is
pulled out, the power will be turned off.
When you are not using the unit, pull the
plug out of the INPUT jack.

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5. EXP jack
Connect an expression pedal (Roland EV-
5; sold separately) here. Depressing the
pedal changes the amount of pitch shift.
For more detailed information, refer to
“Description of Each Mode” (page 14–25).
6. Pedal switch
Pressing this switch will turn the effect
on/off.
7. Thumbscrew
When this screw is loosened, the pedal
will open, allowing you to change the bat-
tery. For the procedure, refer to “Chang-
ing the battery” (page 28).
8. D.TIME/SPEED knob
* This is not effective in PITCH SHIFTER/
HARMONIST mode.
In T.ARM / FLUTTER modes:
This adjusts the speed of the pitch
change. The more the button is rotated
to the right, the faster the shift rate.
1298 10 11

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In DETUNE mode:
This adjusts the delay time. The delay
time is increased as the knob is rotated
to the right.
9. BALANCE knob
This adjusts the output balance between
the direct sound and the effect sound.
In PITCH SHIFTER / HARMONIST /
DETUNE modes:
With the BALANCE knob set at the
center position, the direct sound and ef-
fects sound are output equally (1:1).
When the knob is rotated completely to
the left, only direct sound is output;
when the knob is turned all the way to
the right, only the effect sound is output.
In T.ARM / FLUTTER modes:
This adjusts the volume of the output
sound.
No effect sound is output when the
knob is turned completely to the left;
with the knob all the way to the right,
the sound is boosted by 6 dB.
10. H.R KEY switch
This selects the key for performing in
HARMONIST mode.
Thisdetermines theharmonic scales used
for each scale input from the song’s key
and intervals (position of the PITCH
switch setting). For more detailed infor-
mation, refer to “Key setting” (page 18).

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* The proper harmony intervals will not be
output if the song is played in the wrong key.
11. PITCH switch
InPITCH SHIFTER/ DETUNE/T.ARM
/ FLUTTER modes:
This sets the degree of pitch shift. For
more details, refer to “Description of
Each Mode” (page 14–25).
In HARMONIST mode:
This sets the interval. For more details,
refer to “Description of Each Mode”
(page 16–19). For more on the harmon-
ic scales output based on the H.R KEY
switch and the PITCH switch (interval)
settings, refer to “About the scale of the
effect sound” (page 19).
12. MODE switch
This is used for selecting the PITCH
SHIFTER, HARMONIST, DETUNE,
T.ARM, and FLUTTER modes. For more
on the functions for the knobs in each
mode, refer to “Description of Each
Mode” (page 14–25).

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Connections
● Making the Basic Connections
* Use only the specified expression pedal (Roland EV-5; sold
separately). By connecting any other expression pedals, you risk
causing malfunction and/or damage to the unit.
* When using the PS-5 for monaural sound, connect the OUTPUT A
jack to your guitar amplifier.
* Inserting a plug into the Input Jack will automatically switch the unit on.
AC adaptor
PSA-series (sold separately)
Electric guitar
Expression pedal
Roland EV-5
(sold separately)
OUT 9V DC/200mA
Amplifier
* Before connecting or discon-
necting any patch cords, be sure
all the volume controls in your
system are set to minimum.
This will help prevent any
damage to system components.
* 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.
* 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.

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This allows you to get a clean distortion sound like that when twin guitars are used.
* If you are using a compressor, have the device connected after the guitar.
OverDrive
Distortion
Compressor
● Connecting OverDrive or Distortion Effects

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Spacial effects are applied to the entire
output of the PS-5.
WhenusingthePS-5inPITCHSHIFTER
/ HARMONIST / DETUNE mode:
Spacial effects are applied only to the di-
rect sound (the sound that is not pitch
shifted).
Spacial
Effector
Spacial
Effector
● Connecting Spacial Effects Devices

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Description of Each Mode
PITCH SHIFTER
The pitch of the output sound can be
shifted up or down a maximum of two
octaves.
* This can be used both for single notes and
chords.
1. After making the necessary connec-
tions (page 11), press the pedal switch
to turn the effect on (the CHECK indi-
cator should be lit).
2. Rotate the PITCH switch to select the
desired degree of pitch shift.
1
2
5
7
12 (1 OCT)
24 (2 OCT)
-1
-2
-5
-7
-12 (-1 OCT)
-24 (-2 OCT)

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3. Rotate the BALANCE knob to adjust
the balance between the effect and
direct sounds.
* When the stereo outs are used, the balance
of the sound output corresponds to the
BALANCE knob setting, with effects
sound output from OUTPUT A and direct
sound from OUTPUT B.
4. Connecting the optional Roland EV-5
to the EXP jack provides continuous
changes in pitch, up to the amount set
with the PITCH switch in Step 2.
Pitch Shift
(ON)
With Effect (OFF) Without Effect

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HARMONIST
Use only for single notes, not chords.
This takes the input sound, creates har-
moniesup to twooctaves above orbelow,
and outputs the sounds together.
* Monitor volume levels in this mode when
the PS-5 is connected following heavy
equalization or distortion effects.
Harmonies may become shifted at excessive
volume levels.
* Using a tuner such as the optional TU-12
or TU-2 to make sure your instruments are
properly tuned. Tune after setting the
reference pitch A4 to 440 Hz.
1. After making the necessary connec-
tions (page 11), press the pedal switch
to turn the effect on (the CHECK indi-
cator should be lit).
2. Use the H.R KEY switch to select the
same key as that of the song to be per-
formed. For more detailed informa-
tion, refer to “Key setting” (page 18).

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3. Rotate the PITCH switch to select the
desired interval.
For more on the harmony output
based on the H.R KEY switch and the
PITCH switch (interval) settings, refer
to “About the scale of the effect
sound” (page 19).
4. Rotate the BALANCE knob to adjust
the balance between the effect and
direct sounds.
* When the stereo outs are used, the balance
of the sound output corresponds to the
BALANCE knob setting, with effects
sound output from OUTPUT A and direct
sound from OUTPUT B.
5. Connecting the optional Roland EV-5
to the EXP jack provides continuous
changes in pitch, up to the amount set
with the PITCH switch in Step 3.
3RD
4TH
5TH
6TH
1 OCT
2 OCT
-3RD
-4TH
-5TH
-6TH
-1 OCT
-2 OCT
Pitch Shift
(ON)
With Effect (OFF) Without Effect

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Key setting
The Key setting you should choose for the music you play will vary as shown below
depending on the key signature ( , ) in the music score.
G
G
A
A
B
B
Em
Em
Fm
Fm
Gm
Gm
F
E
E
D
D
C
Dm
Cm
Cm
Bm
Bm
Am

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About the scale of the effect sound
The PS-5 creates its harmony parts based upon the key of the song selected and the unit’s
other panel settings. The keys that can be set on the PS-5 are majors and minors of all the
scales. For example, if you select “C(Am)”, the resulting harmony will be as shown below:
UP
+5 (-4) G G AABCCDDEEF
+3 (-6) E E F F#GAABBCC
#D
INPUT C C#DD
#EFF #GG #AA #B
-3 (+6) A A#BBCDDEEFF
#G
-5 (+4) F F#GG
#ABBCC #DD #E
DOWN
+5 (-4) G F F E DDCCBA
#AG #
+3 (-6) E D C#CBBAAGF
#FF
INPUT C B A#AG
#GF #FED #DC #
-3 (+6) A G G F E E D D C C B A#
-5 (+4) F E E D C#CBBAAGG

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DETUNE
This adds a subtle pitch shift to the input
sound, producing a detuned effect.
1. After completing the necessary con-
nections (page 11), press the pedal
switch to turn the effect on (the
CHECK indicator should be lit).
2. Rotate the PITCH switch to select the
desired degree of shift.
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