Using BOSS TONE STUDIO for ME-90

Getting Ready to Use TONE STUDIO

Installing the USB Driver

Before using TONE STUDIO, install the appropriate USB driver for your product on your computer.

1. From the product support page, download the ME-90 Driver. Access https://www.boss.info/support/ to obtain the latest USB driver and download/install the driver suitable for your product.
2. Double-click the downloaded ME-90 driver. Follow the on-screen instructions. Click the [Close] button when "Installation has been completed" appears. The ME-90 Driver is now installed.

Installing TONE STUDIO

MEMO: The USB driver must be installed before installing TONE STUDIO.

Windows Users

1. Unpack the ZIP file.
2. Double-click "BOSS TONE STUDIO for ME-90 Installer.exe".
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Click the [Finish] button when the "Completing the BOSS TONE STUDIO for ME-90 Setup Wizard" screen appears.

Mac Users

1. Unpack the ZIP file.
2. Double-click "BOSS TONE STUDIO for ME-90 Installer.pkg".
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Click the [Close] button when the "The installation was successful. The software was installed" screen appears.

Starting TONE STUDIO

1. Connect the ME-90 to your computer using a USB cable and turn on the ME-90's power.

   MEMO: You can edit and download livesets from BOSS TONE CENTRAL without connecting the ME-90 via USB. However, unsaved edited memories cannot be saved. Connection is required to save data.

2. Windows: From the [Start] menu, navigate to [All Programs] > [BOSS TONE STUDIO for ME-90] > [BOSS TONE STUDIO for ME-90].

   The first time you launch, a "Choose a device to connect with" dialog box appears. On subsequent startups, the device is selected automatically.

3. macOS: From the Finder, navigate to the application/BOSS/ME-90 folder and double-click [BOSS TONE STUDIO for ME-90.app].

4. Choose "ME-90" and click the [OK] button. TONE STUDIO starts.

   MEMO: It may take time for TONE STUDIO to become usable as data loads from the ME-90.

   NOTE: TONE STUDIO cannot be used with the ME-90 IR Loader software. Quit the ME-90 IR Loader before launching TONE STUDIO.

EDITOR Basic Screen

The EDITOR basic screen displays the following numbered areas:

• 1. Patch select area: Click "MANUAL" to switch to manual mode. Click "PRESET" or "USER" to enter memory mode.
• 2. Function select area: (Area for selecting functions, not detailed further in this section).
• 3. [CTL] button: Click to show the CONTROL FUNCTION popup screen.
• 4. Device name: Displays the name of the connected device.
• 5. [WRITE] button: Click to access the list on the WRITE screen.
• 6. Effect select area: Blocks representing effects. Click once to select an effect, displaying its parameters at the bottom. Subsequent clicks toggle the effect ON/OFF. Selected blocks are indicated by a visual cue (e.g., a frame), and effects can be moved by dragging and dropping.
• 7. Effect ON/OFF button: Controls the ON/OFF state of an effect, toggling with each click. This is not shown for effects with momentary operations or for the phrase loop.
• 8. Parameter editing area: Edit parameter values by dragging dials up or down, using the mouse wheel, double-clicking to enter numeric values from the keyboard, or selecting directly from a list. Clicking the [TYPE] box reveals a list to choose the effect type; selecting "SELECTABLE" allows swapping of effects.

Editing a Patch

This section describes editing the user patch "U1-1 ROCK LEAD" as an example.

1. At the top of the TONE STUDIO screen, click the [EDITOR] button.
2. Click "USER".
3. Click the patch you want to edit, such as "U1-1 ROCK LEAD".
4. In the effect blocks of the effect chain screen (upper part), click the effect block to edit. For example, click the [PREAMP] (AIRD PREAMP) block. A frame appears on the selected block, and its settings are shown below.
5. Edit the effect. To change the preamp type, click the [TYPE] box and choose from the list.
   • If "SELECTABLE" is shown, you can swap effects usable on the ME-90.
   • You can drag parameter dials to edit values (or use the mouse wheel). Double-click to enter numeric values or select from a list.
6. Repeat steps 4-5 to edit other effects.

Saving an Edited Effect in the ME-90 (WRITE)

This explains how to save edited effects to the ME-90.

1. In the upper right of the TONE STUDIO screen, click the [WRITE] button.
2. Click "WRITE". The "WRITE" dialog box appears.
3. Select the destination user patch number (e.g., "U1-1").

   NOTE: Saving overwrites the selected user patch; original settings cannot be recovered. Choose a user patch you are willing to overwrite.

4. To change the user patch name, click the field and enter a new name using your computer keyboard.
5. Click the [WRITE] button to save the edited effect to the specified user patch.

Editing Controller Settings

Configure CTL pedal settings (CTL FUNCTION).

1. Click the [CTL] button on the TONE STUDIO screen. The controller assignment screen appears.
2. Assign the desired function.

LIBRARIAN Basic Screen

The LIBRARIAN basic screen displays the following numbered areas:

• 1. [CREATE LIVESET] button: Press to create a new, empty liveset.
• 2. Liveset name: Shows the name of the liveset and its patch count.
• 3. Liveset name edit button: Click to edit the liveset name or delete the liveset using the trash can icon.
• 4. PATCH name edit button: Click to edit the patch name or delete the patch using the trash can icon.
• 5. [Import] button: Imports all ME-90 unit's patches into the LIBRARIAN or imports a LIBRARIAN file from your computer.
• 6. [Export] button: Exports a liveset to the ME-90 unit or saves it to your computer.

Importing All ME-90 User Patches into LIBRARIAN (IMPORT FROM ME-90)

Save all user patches from the ME-90 as a liveset in the LIBRARIAN.

1. Click the [LIBRARIAN] button on the TONE STUDIO screen.
2. Click the [Import] button at the top.
3. Click the [USER PATCHES] button. The CREATE LIVESET screen appears.
4. Enter the liveset name and click [OK]. Import begins. Click [CANCEL] to stop. It takes time to import all user patches. "Completed!!" message appears upon finishing.
5. Click the [OK] button. The user patches are saved as a liveset in the LIBRARIAN.

Exporting a LIBRARIAN Liveset to the ME-90 (EXPORT TO ME-90)

Restore a saved liveset to the ME-90.

NOTE: Patches exceeding 36 are not restored.

1. Click the [Export] button at the top of the TONE STUDIO screen.
2. From SELECT LIVESET, select the liveset to export.
3. Click the [USER PATCHES] button. Export begins. Click [CANCEL] to stop. "Completed!!" message appears upon finishing.
4. Click the [OK] button. The selected liveset is written back into the ME-90.

Restoring a Patch to the ME-90

Select a patch from a saved liveset and restore it to the ME-90.

1. Drag the desired patch and drop it onto the target user patch number on the ME-90.

   NOTE: Dropping a patch overwrites the target user patch; original settings cannot be recovered. Select a patch you are willing to overwrite.

   Example: Drag and drop the "U1-1 ROCK LEAD" patch into "U1-3 FUZZ ECHO".

On the ME-90, select user patch "U1-3" to use the restored patch.

MEMO: Multiple patches can be selected and copied as described in "Selecting multiple patches" (p. 9).

Saving a Liveset to a Computer (EXPORT TO FILE)

Export backed-up livesets to your computer.

1. Click the [Export] button at the top of the TONE STUDIO screen.
2. From SELECT LIVESET, select the liveset to export.
3. Click the [FILE] button. The "Save As" dialog box appears.
4. Enter a name and save destination, then click [Save]. A liveset file (.tsl) is created.

What you can do with an exported liveset:

• Use a USB flash drive to copy livesets to another computer.
• Send the liveset via email to another ME-90 user.

Importing a Liveset from a Computer into LIBRARIAN (IMPORT FROM FILE)

Import livesets exported to a computer into a TONE STUDIO library.

1. Click the [Import] button at the top of the TONE STUDIO screen.
2. Click the [FILE] button. The "Open" dialog box appears.
3. Select the liveset file (.tsl) to import and click [Open]. The liveset is imported into the LIBRARIAN.

Creating an Original Liveset

Collect your favorite patches to create an original liveset.

1. Click the [CREATE LIVESET] button at the top of the TONE STUDIO screen.
2. Input a name for the liveset.
3. Click the [OK] button. An empty liveset is created.
4. Drag and drop your favorite patches from the patch list (left side) into the new liveset. The selected patches are registered.

   MEMO:

   • A maximum of 36 patches can be registered per liveset. If inserting patches exceeds 36, they are not inserted (a message is displayed).
   • Patches from other livesets can also be dragged and dropped.
   • Drag and drop patches within the liveset to reorder them.
   • TONE STUDIO allows creating up to 50 livesets. For more, use EXPORT TO FILE to save existing livesets on your computer.

Copying Patches

Copy a patch to another liveset or an ME-90 patch.

1. Click the patch to copy.

   MEMO: Multiple patches can be selected and copied as described in "Selecting multiple patches" (p. 9).

2. Drag and drop the selected patches onto the desired copy destination.

   NOTE: Dropping patches overwrites the target area; original settings cannot be recovered. Select a patch you are willing to overwrite.

   MEMO: Copying non-consecutive patches results in them being copied as successive patches.

Selecting Multiple Patches

Use your computer's mouse and keyboard together to select multiple patches.

Selecting a Range of Patches

1. Click the first patch in the desired range.
2. While holding the [Shift] key, click the last patch in the range. All patches from the first to the last clicked are selected.

Selecting Patches Individually

1. While holding the [Ctrl] key (or [Command] key on macOS), click a patch to select it. The selected patch is highlighted.
2. Repeat step 1 to select additional individual patches.
3. Holding [Ctrl] and clicking a selected patch again deselects it.

MEMO:

• A maximum of 36 patches can be registered in one liveset. Patches exceeding 36 are not inserted.
• Patches from a liveset can be copied to your own liveset or a new liveset.

The Difference Between Operations When Selecting and Copying Multiple Patches

The copy result varies based on mouse operation when dragging and dropping selected patches.

• Drag and drop when a red area is shown at the copy destination (overwrite copy): Patches are copied to the area indicated by the red color.
• Drag and drop between copy-destination patches (insert): Patches are inserted at the position of the red line. Subsequent patches are moved backward.

Moving Patches

Move a patch to another liveset or an ME-90 patch. The patch disappears from its original location.

1. Click the patch to move.

   MEMO: Multiple patches can be selected and moved as described in "Selecting multiple patches" (p. 9).

2. While holding the [Alt] key (or [Option] key on macOS), drag and drop the selected patch to the desired copy destination.

Deleting Patches

Delete unwanted patches.

1. Click the patch to delete.

   MEMO: Multiple patches can be selected and deleted as described in "Selecting multiple patches" (p. 9).

2. Press the [Delete] key on your keyboard. The "DELETE PATCH" message appears.
3. Click the [OK] button. The selected patches are deleted.

   NOTE: Deleted patches cannot be recovered. Click [CANCEL] if you decide not to delete.

Editing a Liveset Name

1. Click the [Edit/Delete Liveset] button to the right of the liveset name you want to edit.
2. Click the [Edit/Delete Liveset] button. The "Delete liveset" message appears.

NOTE: Deleted livesets cannot be recovered. Click [CANCEL] if you decide not to delete.

3. Click the [OK] button. The selected liveset is deleted.

Rearranging Livesets

Rearrange (sort) the displayed livesets.

1. Click the liveset to rearrange.
2. Drag and drop the liveset name. The liveset moves to the position indicated by the red line.

Using the BOSS TONE CENTRAL Library

Downloading Livesets from BOSS TONE CENTRAL

Download livesets published on BOSS TONE CENTRAL for use with the ME-90.

1. Click the [TONE CENTRAL] button in the upper part of the TONE STUDIO screen. The patches published on BOSS TONE CENTRAL are listed with descriptions.
2. In LIVESET, select the liveset to download (e.g., "ME-90 Extra Liveset 1").
3. Click the [ADD] button at the top. The liveset is downloaded, and "Completed!!" appears.
4. Click the [OK] button, then click the [LIBRARIAN] button again. The downloaded liveset appears.
5. Drag and drop patches from the downloaded liveset into the desired user patch numbers on the ME-90.

   NOTE: Dropping a patch overwrites the target user patch; original settings cannot be recovered. Select a user patch you are willing to overwrite.

   Example: Drag and drop the "Organ Tone" patch into "ROCK LEAD".

On the ME-90, select user patch "U1-1" to use the newly added patch.

MEMO: Downloads from BOSS TONE STUDIO are per liveset. Individual patches cannot be downloaded or added to the library.

Using the Tuner

Click the [TUNER] button to launch the tuner.

System Settings

Click the [SYSTEM] button at the top of the TONE STUDIO screen to access the SYSTEM screen.

• PLAY OPTION: Configure bank switching behavior, effect carry-over, manual mode switching, and REV footswitch functions.
• SEND/RETURN SETTING: Set the insertion point for SEND/RETURN effects.
• HARDWARE SETTING: Configure knob motions and LED colors.
• OUTPUT SETTING: Configure settings for the guitar amp connected to the OUTPUT jacks (OUTPUT SELECT). This setting is applicable when the Gt. AMP/LINE switch is set to "Gt. AMP".
• USB SETTING: Configure USB LEVEL, MIDI channel, and USB LOOPBACK.
• DEVICE SETTING: Select the device controlled by BOSS TONE STUDIO.
• OWNER'S MANUAL: View the Owner's Manual for the ME-90 and pages from this manual. An Internet connection is required.
• VERSION: View the software version and license information for BOSS TONE STUDIO for ME-90.