BOSS RT-2 Rotary Ensemble Owner's Manual

Introduction

Before using this unit, carefully read "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" and "IMPORTANT NOTES" (the leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" and the Owner's Manual (p. 20)). After reading, keep the document(s) where it will be available for immediate reference.

Registering for Roland Backstage

Roland Backstage is a members-only website, available for free and operated by Roland Corporation. When you register, you can create a Roland account and access exclusive members-only services and support.

• By registering your product, you can get product updates and related information from "My Page".
• Important product announcements are sent out by e-mail.
• You can contact Roland Corporation or request a repair using the members-only form.
• Exclusive campaign information for members is also provided.

Use your smartphone to scan the 2D code of the card included with this product, or visit the following website: https://www.boss.info/start/

Panel Descriptions

The BOSS RT-2 Rotary Ensemble features several controls and connectors:

Replacing the battery

About the battery

• This device already contains a battery when shipped from the factory. This is a test battery, which may not last as long as a new one.
• Use an alkaline battery if you are running the unit on battery power.
• If you handle the battery improperly, you risk explosion and fluid leakage. Make sure that you carefully observe all of the items related to batteries that are listed in the "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" and "IMPORTANT NOTES" leaflets for proper use.
• The sound may distort if the batteries are nearly depleted. This is not a malfunction. If this happens, replace the battery or use the separately sold AC adaptor.

NOTE

• When operating on battery power only, the CHECK indicator gets dimmer when battery power gets too low. Replace the batteries as soon as possible.
• If you notice noise when the unit is running on battery power, this may be because the battery is almost depleted. Try replacing the battery or using a separately sold AC adaptor.
• If the CHECK indicator keeps switching on and off when the unit is running on battery power, this may be because the battery is almost depleted. Try replacing the battery or using a separately sold AC adaptor.

Replacing the battery

Batteries should always be installed or replaced before connecting any other devices. In this way, you can prevent malfunction and damage.

Steps:

1. Hold down the pedal and loosen the thumbscrew, then open the pedal upward. You don't need to take the thumbscrew out completely to open the pedal.
2. Remove the old battery from the battery housing, and remove the snap cord connected to it.
3. Connect the battery snap 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, hold down the pedal while tightening the thumbscrew into the guide bush hole.

Turning the power on/off

Once everything is properly connected, be sure to follow the procedure below to turn on their power. If you turn on equipment in the wrong order, you risk causing malfunction or equipment failure.

Before turning the unit on/off, always be sure to turn the volume down. Even with the volume turned down, you might hear some sound when switching the unit on/off. However, this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

Turning the power on

1. Connect a plug to the INPUT A (MONO) jack. This turns on the RT-2. The unit turns on with the effect off (the CHECK indicator is unlit).
2. Turn on your amp or other audio equipment.

MEMO: The CHECK indicator briefly lights up when this unit is turned on.

Turning the power off

1. Turn off your amp or other audio equipment.
2. Unplug the cable from the INPUT A (MONO) jack. This turns off the RT-2.

Connecting an external pedal

When using an external pedal (footswitch or expression pedal), connect as follows.

EXP

SPEED jack (CTL/EXP jack)

Mode/polarity switches

Diagrams illustrating connections for FS-5U, FS-5Ux2, FS-6, FS-7, and Roland EV-5 expression pedals are provided, along with details on their mode and polarity switches.

Using a footswitch

You can connect a footswitch to the SPEED jack (CTL/EXP jack) to switch between SLOW/FAST and operate the brake.

NOTE: When the footswitch is connected, the pedal switch on this unit is limited to switching the effect on/off. Toggling between SLOW/FAST cannot be done with the pedal switch in this case.

Operating the brake

You can operate the brake to stop the rotation of the rotor.

1. Press footswitch CTL2. The rotor stops rotating. The time until the rotor stops rotating depends on the position of the [RISE/FALL TIME] switch. When the switch is on the SLOW side, the time until rotation stops is longer; and when the switch is on the FAST side, the time until rotation stops is shorter.
2. To release the brake, press footswitch CTL2 again.

Controlling the knob parameters using an expression pedal (EXP FUNCTION)

You can control the rotary speaker rotation speed as well as the LEVEL, DRIVE and BALANCE settings with a separately sold expression pedal (such as a Roland EV-30 or EV-5) that you've connected to the SPEED jack.

You can set the respective values for when the expression pedal is at MAX position (pressed down firmly with your toes) and at MIN position (pressed down firmly with your heel), and make continuous changes.

With the factory settings, the rotation speed of the rotary speaker can be controlled by the expression pedal.

Follow the steps below to change the parameter that's controlled by the expression pedal:

1. Turn off the RT-2 (unplug the cable from the INPUT A (MONO) jack).
2. Turn the [FAST] knob to the maximum (MAX) setting.
3. Turn all other knobs besides the [FAST] knob to the minimum (MIN) setting.
4. Set the [MODE] switch to the "III" position.
5. Turn on the power by connecting a plug to the INPUT A (MONO) jack while holding down the pedal switch. The CHECK indicator blinks, and the unit enters settings mode.
6. Use the [DRIVE] knob to select the parameter to assign to the expression pedal. The VIRTUAL ROTOR display changes according to the parameter selected.

7. Use the [SLOW] knob to set the minimum value that's reached when you press the expression pedal with your heel. This can't be set if you've selected the rotation speed of the rotary speakers in step 6.
8. Use the [FAST] knob to set the maximum value that's reached when you press the expression pedal with your toes. This can't be set if you've selected the rotation speed of the rotary speakers in step 6.
9. Press the pedal switch. The CHECK indicator rapidly blinks red, and the expression pedal parameter settings are stored in memory. The device can be used normally after around 2-3 seconds. This setting is remembered even after the power is turned off.

NOTE:

• Under the following conditions, the pedal switch only works as the effect on/off switch, regardless of the action of the pedal switch you set.
• When an expression pedal is connected to the SPEED jack (CTL/EXP jack), and is set to control the rotary speaker rotation speed.

Changing how the pedal switch works

With the factory settings, the effect can be turned on/off by operating the pedal switch, and you can switch between SLOW/FAST by long-pressing the pedal switch. This behavior can be changed.

You can select how the pedal works according to your playing style. For example, you can switch between SLOW/FAST by pressing the pedal switch, or switch to SLOW (FAST) only while pressing and holding the pedal.

Follow the steps below to change how the pedal switch works:

1. Turn off the RT-2 (unplug the cable from the INPUT A (MONO) jack).
2. Turn the [SLOW] knob to the maximum (MAX) setting.
3. Turn all other knobs besides the [SLOW] knob to the minimum (MIN) setting.
4. Set the [MODE] switch to the "I" position.
5. Turn on the power by connecting a plug to the INPUT A (MONO) jack while holding down the pedal switch. The CHECK indicator blinks, and the unit enters settings mode.
6. Use the [DRIVE] knob to select the type of pedal switch. The VIRTUAL ROTOR display changes according to the type selected.

7. Press the pedal switch. The CHECK indicator rapidly blinks red, and the pedal switch operation is stored in memory. The device can be used normally after around 2-3 seconds. This setting is remembered even after the power is turned off.

NOTE:

• Under the following conditions, the pedal switch only works as the effect on/off switch, regardless of the action of the pedal switch you set.
• When a footswitch is connected to the SPEED jack (CTL/EXP jack; switch between SLOW/FAST using the footswitch).
• When an expression pedal is connected to the SPEED jack (CTL/EXP jack), and is set to control the rotary speaker rotation speed.

Selecting how the effect sound is output (OUTPUT MODE)

By changing the output mode, you can change the way the effect sound is output.

Follow the steps below to change the output mode:

1. Turn off the RT-2 (unplug the cable from the INPUT A (MONO) jack).
2. Turn the [FAST] knob to the maximum (MAX) setting.
3. Turn all other knobs besides the [FAST] knob to the minimum (MIN) setting.
4. Set the [MODE] switch to the "I" position.
5. Turn on the power by connecting a plug to the INPUT A (MONO) jack while holding down the pedal switch. The CHECK indicator blinks, and the unit enters settings mode.
6. Set the [MODE] switch to the position that corresponds to the desired output mode.

7. Press the pedal switch. The CHECK indicator rapidly blinks red, and the output mode setting is stored in memory. The device can be used normally after around 2-3 seconds. This setting is remembered even after the power is turned off.

Configuring the noise suppressor

The RT-2 has a built-in noise suppressor that can cut unwanted noise.

Follow the steps below to change how the noise suppressor works:

1. Turn off the RT-2 (unplug the cable from the INPUT A (MONO) jack).
2. Turn the [SLOW] knob to the maximum (MAX) setting.
3. Turn all other knobs besides the [SLOW] knob to the minimum (MIN) setting.
4. Set the [MODE] switch to the "III" position.
5. Turn on the power by connecting a plug to the INPUT A (MONO) jack while holding down the pedal switch. The CHECK indicator blinks, and the unit enters settings mode.
6. Set the [MODE] switch to the position that corresponds to the desired noise suppressor effect.

With this setting, you can monitor the sound of the effect. This lets you configure the noise suppressor while checking its effectiveness.

7. Press the pedal switch. The CHECK indicator rapidly blinks red, and the noise suppressor setting is stored in memory. The device can be used normally after around 2-3 seconds. This setting is remembered even after the power is turned off.

Restoring the factory settings (factory reset)

1. Turn off the RT-2 (unplug the cable from the INPUT A (MONO) jack).
2. Set the [RISE/FALL TIME] switch to the "FAST" position.
3. Set the [DRIVE KNOB] switch to the "BALANCE” position.
4. Turn the [SLOW] knob to the maximum (MAX) setting.
5. Turn all other knobs besides the [SLOW] knob to the minimum (MIN) setting.
6. Set the [MODE] switch to the "II" position.
7. Turn on the power by connecting a plug to the INPUT A (MONO) jack while holding down the pedal switch. The CHECK indicator slowly blinks orange.
8. Press the pedal switch. The CHECK indicator rapidly blinks orange. Once the CHECK indicator lights up orange continuously, the RT-2 is restored to its factory settings.
9. Turn off the power (unplug the cable from the INPUT A (MONO) jack).

Factory parameter settings

Troubleshooting

Main specifications

* 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms

* This document explains the specifications of the product at the time that the document was issued. For the latest information, refer to the Roland website.

Important notes

• Batteries should always be installed or replaced before connecting any other devices. This way, you can prevent malfunction and damage.
• If the battery (batteries) run extremely low, the sound may distort / interruptions in the sound may occur at high volume levels, but this does not indicate a malfunction. If this occurs, please replace the battery (batteries) / use the AC adaptor (sold separately).
• If operating this unit on batteries, please use alkaline batteries.
• Even if batteries are installed, the unit will turn off if you connect or disconnect the power cord from the AC outlet while the unit is turned on, or if you connect or disconnect the AC adaptor from the unit. You must turn off the power before you connect or disconnect the power cord or AC adaptor.
• Never strike or apply strong pressure to the display.
• This unit allows you to display using an LED at high speed. For some people, viewing such images can cause headache, nausea, or other discomfort. Do not use this unit to create video that might cause these types of health problems. Roland Corporation will accept no responsibility for any such health problems that may occur in yourself or in viewers.

SUPPLIER'S DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Compliance Information Statement

Model Name: RT-2

Type of Equipment: Guitar Effects

Responsible Party: Roland Corporation U.S.

Address: 5100 S. Eastern Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90040-2938

Telephone: (323) 890-3700

For the USA

Intellectual property right

• This Product uses the Source Code of µT-Kernel under T-License 2.0 granted by the T-Engine Forum (www.tron.org).
• This product includes third party open source software. Copyright © 2009-2020 ARM Limited. All rights reserved. Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
• Roland, BOSS and ROTARY ENSEMBLE are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Roland Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
• Company names and product names appearing in this document are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.