BOSS PX-1 Plugout FX User Manual

Introduction

The PX-1 is a compact effect unit that allows you to load and use effects to your liking from a wide variety of options. Use the BOSS EFFECT LOADER app (iOS/Android version) via Bluetooth or USB connection to load these effects onto the PX-1. Effects are continually being added to Roland Cloud.

Pre-installed Effects (8 Models)

Additional Area (8 Models)

Note: The number of effects that can be saved on the PX-1 depends on the size of the effects stored on the device.

Preparation

Registering This Product and Creating a Roland Account

1. Read the QR Code on the card included with this product or access the site shown below: www.boss.info/start
2. Create your Roland Account. A Roland account is required to register this product. If you already have an account, log in and register the product. Tap "New to Roland?" and enter your email address to create your account.

REMINDER: If you have already registered and created a Roland account, this step is not necessary.

* QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED in Japan and other countries.

Installing the BOSS EFFECT LOADER App on Your Smartphone

You need to install the BOSS EFFECT LOADER application to load effects onto the PX-1. Use your smartphone to access the site below and install the BOSS EFFECT LOADER app: https://roland.cm/px-1_app

Panel Descriptions

The PX-1 features several connectors and controls:

Powering the Unit On/Off

When everything is connected correctly, follow the procedure below to turn on the unit. If the unit is turned on in the wrong order, there is a risk of malfunction or failure. Before turning the unit on/off, lower the volume on peripheral devices such as amplifiers. Even with the volume lowered, you may hear some sound when turning the unit on/off; this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

Turning the Unit On

1. Connect the included adapter to the DC IN connector. The PX-1 turns on. The unit turns on with the effect off (the indicator is off).
2. Turn on your amplifier or other audio equipment.

Powering via USB Port (USB Type-C®)

This unit can be powered by USB. The following USB power sources can be used:

• USB AC adapter (at least 5 V/0.5 A)
• USB AC adapter included with your smartphone or similar device
• USB bus power (computer, etc.)
• Mobile battery

Note: Some USB AC adapters, computers, or mobile batteries may not work with this unit.

Turning the Unit Off

1. Turn off your amplifier or other audio equipment.
2. Disconnect the AC adapter and unplug the connector from the DC IN and USB port. The PX-1 turns off.

Playing with This Unit

Loading an Effect onto the PX-1

Connecting the PX-1 to the BOSS EFFECT LOADER App via Bluetooth

1. Turn on the PX-1.
2. Press the center rotary knob on the PX-1. The MENU (SELECT EFFECT) screen appears.
3. Press the right rotary knob. The MENU (BLUETOOTH) screen appears.
4. If necessary, turn the center knob on the PX-1 to set the Bluetooth ID.
5. Turn the left knob on the PX-1 to turn on SW. The unit enters connection standby mode (the CONNECT icon starts blinking). The connection standby mode remains active for one minute and is canceled thereafter. Once canceled, you need to re-enter connection standby mode if you wish to connect to the app.
6. Launch the BOSS EFFECT LOADER app and log in. The BLUETOOTH SETUP screen appears.
7. Connect the PX-1 via the BOSS EFFECT LOADER app. Connection is established when the PX-1 appears at the top of the screen.

REMINDER: The BLUETOOTH SETUP screen may not appear depending on your settings. If the BLUETOOTH SETUP screen does not appear, connect from MY DEVICE in SYSTEM.

REMINDER: If more than one unit is detected, a list of devices appears. Tap the device you want to connect to.

Loading and Selecting with the PX-1

1. Tap the effect you want to load or select.
2. Tap "Install" or "Select".

Never turn off the unit before the loading is complete.

3. When the data has been loaded, press the center knob on the PX-1. The Bluetooth connection is automatically turned off, and the screen returns to normal.

Configuring the Loaded Effect (Controls on Each Screen)

Model Name Screen

This screen shows the model name of the selected effect.

Effect Parameter Screen

This screen shows the parameters of the selected effect. For effects with many parameters, press the right rotary knob to move to the next page and adjust the parameters on that page.

CTL1 Settings Screen

This screen is used to configure the function of the pedal connected to CTL1.

CTL1 Settings Screen

CTL2 Settings Screen

This screen is used to configure the function of the pedal connected to CTL2.

EXP Settings Screen

Specifies the function of the expression pedal connected to EXP.

PEDAL SETTING Screen

Specifies what happens when the pedal is pressed on the PX-1.

Other Functions Explanations (MENU Screen)

SELECT EFFECT

On this screen, you can switch between the eight pre-installed effects on this unit and up to eight loaded effects.

BLUETOOTH

This screen is used when connecting the BOSS EFFECT LOADER app via Bluetooth.

SWAP FUNCTION

SWAP FUNCTION allows you to define SIDE A and SIDE B of an installed effect on the PX-1, and use an external pedal (CTL1, CTL2) to switch between them.

WEB MANUAL

Displays the QR Code with a link to the manual.

* QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED in Japan and other countries.

VERSION

Displays the version of this unit and the Bluetooth module.

FACTORY RESET

This screen is used to perform a factory reset.

Connecting an External Pedal

The PX-1 can be connected to external pedals like expression pedals and footswitches for expanded control. The manual details connections for EXP, FS-5U x2, FS-5U, FS-6, and FS-7 pedals, including diagrams showing the required plugs and polarity/mode switch settings.

Restoring Factory Default Settings (Factory Reset)

To restore the PX-1 to its original factory settings:

1. Press the rotary knob. The menu screen is displayed.
2. Press the right rotary knob to access the FACTORY RESET screen.
3. Turn the right knob to move the cursor to "YES".
4. Press the right rotary knob. This completes the factory settings restoration. Do not turn off the unit until the factory reset is complete.

OBSERVATION:

• When performing a factory reset, all algorithms are deleted except for the eight pre-installed algorithms. Use the BOSS EFFECT LOADER app to delete an algorithm individually.
• When performing a factory reset, set SW to "OFF" on the MENU: BLUETOOTH screen.
• Refer to "BLUETOOTH (p. 12)".

Welcome to the World of Roland Cloud!

Roland Cloud is a cloud-based platform offering high-quality plug-in sound engines and software for music production. Insert the activation key included with the PX-1 to gain a six-month Ultimate subscription.

Registering This Product and Creating a Roland Account

1. Read the QR Code on the card included with this product or access the site shown below: www.boss.info/start
2. Create your Roland Account. A Roland account is required to register this product. If you already have an account, log in and register the product. Tap "New to Roland?" and enter your email address to create your account.

REMINDER: If you have already registered and created a Roland account, this step is not necessary.

* QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED in Japan and other countries.

Entering the Activation Key

With a valid Ultimate subscription, you gain access to all content, such as high-quality plug-in sound modules, software, and more, for music production.

1. Access the site below to enter your activation key: https://www.roland.com/cloud/key#key
2. Log in to your Roland account.
3. Enter and submit the key found on the activation card that comes with the equipment. After submitting the key, the six-month Ultimate subscription becomes active.

Installing Roland Cloud Connect

1. Download Roland Cloud Manager from the Roland Cloud site for your computer. Download the Roland Cloud Manager installer from the site below: https://roland.cm/RolandCloudManager
2. Double-click the installer you downloaded to start the installation. Follow the on-screen instructions for installation.
3. When the message "Installation has been completed" appears, click the [Close] button.
4. Launch the installed Roland Cloud Manager and log in. Consult the respective manuals for instructions on how to use the content.

Effect Algorithms

The PX-1 offers a variety of effects. Each effect has detailed parameters for customization.

OD-1 Over Drive

The OD-1 provides a smooth, clear distortion sound, very similar to the overdrive sound of a tube amplifier. This effect faithfully transmits the dynamics of your picking and the musician's delicate nuances, without altering the guitar's unique sound.

SP-1 Spectrum

The SP-1 emphasizes a specific frequency range to produce sound changes. The frequency can be altered in the range between 500 Hz and 5 kHz. This effect works best in the high-frequency range. Use this effect with instruments other than electric guitars to create unique sounds.

PH-1 Phaser

The PH-1 allows for crisp phaser effects with a wide variation, from ultra-slow to high-speed sound. The natural phaser sound of this effect offers a noticeable and dominant presence for any situation.

SG-1 Slow Gear

The SG-1 is an effect unit that allows you to produce a violin-like sound in fast passages, simulating advanced techniques. Traditionally, musicians needed to use the guitar's volume control or a volume pedal to simulate this type of sound. The SG-1 makes it easy to produce a wide range of violin sounds simply by adjusting the attack time. You can also use this effect with instruments other than electric guitars by adjusting the sensitivity with the [SENS] knob, according to the input level.

CS-1 Compression Sustainer

The CS-1 offers a sound with long sustain, without distortion. You can emphasize the sustain of the treble sound by setting the mode switch to TREBLE. This produces a balanced sustain sound when playing chords. As the effect is designed with a wide compression range, this effect is useful for all types of instruments. You can also use this effect as a limiter by setting a short sustain.

TW-1 Wah

The TW-1 controls the wah effect according to the strength of your picking, producing sounds that cannot be achieved using a wah pedal alone. The wah sound can be altered from a deeper sound to a milder sound, and it can be used on basses and other instruments besides guitars.

SD-1 SUPER Over Drive

It offers a smooth, clear distortion sound, very similar to the overdrive sound of a tube amplifier. You can also use the tone control to emphasize or cut the treble range and create a wide range of effects. The SD-1 faithfully transmits the dynamics of your picking and the musician's delicate nuances, without altering the guitar's favorable tone qualities.

DS-1 Distortion

The DS-1 offers a variety of distortion sounds, from the mildest and lightest to the harshest and heaviest.

CE-2 Chorus

The CE-2 was designed as a compact pedal effect unit due to the demands of many guitarists, and it provides the chorus sounds of the BOSS CE-1 pedal, originally released in 1976.

BF-2 Flanger

The BF-2 combines four controls: manual, depth, rate, and resonance, to allow for a wide variety of flanger effects.

PN-2 Tremolo/Pan

The PN-2 is an effect unit that creates panning effects (moving sound across the stereo field) and tremolo effects (cyclic changes in volume). This allows mono instruments to produce stereo sound by applying a panning effect. You can also add panning and tremolo effects to instruments with stereo outputs.

OC-2 Octave

The OC-2 is a low-noise effect unit that generates one- and two-octave-down sounds from the direct sound. You can combine the one- and two-octave-down sounds extracted precisely with the direct sound to have a total of three sounds, as you like. This allows you to create bass sounds with low-frequency accents, as well as a variety of octave sounds. The envelope features superior characteristics for creating a natural bass sound.

PS-2 Pitch Shifter/Delay

The PS-2 is a complex effect unit that features a pitch shifter and digital delay in a compact format. This allows you to freely change the pitch of the note within a range of ±1 octave. You can also select "5" or "6" for the MODE parameter to use this unit as an octaver (±1 octave). When using the unit as a digital delay, you can freely set the delay time from 30 ms to a maximum of 2 s.

VB-2 Vibrato

The VB-2 is an effect unit that allows you to apply vibrato not only to the sound of an electric guitar but also to instruments to which vibrato could not previously be applied, such as electric and digital pianos, as well as a range of other electronic musical instruments. You have three mode options: unlatch mode (momentary), where vibrato is applied only while the pedal is pressed; latch mode (alternating), where vibrato is turned on/off each time the pedal is pressed; and bypass, which passes through the signal when vibrato is not needed. Additionally, you can use the rise time to control the time it takes for the vibrato to reach its maximum when the pedal is pressed, resulting in a more natural vibrato sound.

DD-2 Digital Delay

The DD-2 is the first long digital delay in a compact effect unit format. Delay times (12.5 to 800 ms) and frequency characteristics (40 Hz–7 kHz, 1/-3 dB) that were unprecedented in previous compact analog delays are now possible.

DF-2 Distortion Feedbacker

The DF-2 is a unique effect unit that adds a brand-new feedback feature to a super distortion, to create a wide range of sounds from light to heavy. By playing a single note (not chords) and then holding down the pedal switch, you can easily achieve feedback, regardless of the type of guitar or amplifier you are using, or your settings.

Troubleshooting

Error Messages

PLEASE RE-INSTALL THIS EFFECT

The selected effect model is not compatible with the PX-1's current firmware. Update the unit to the latest firmware.

UNSUPPORTED

If you selected an incompatible model, "UNSUPPORTED" appears below the model name.

Specifications

* This document explains the product specifications at the time of document issuance. For the latest information, please consult the Roland website.