User's Manual
Name Explanation
1
DC IN jack
Accepts connection of an AC Adaptor (PSA series;
sold separately). By using an AC Adaptor, you can
play without being concerned about how much
battery power you have left.
* Use only the specied AC adaptor (PSA-series).
* If the AC adaptor is connected while a battery is
installed, the power supply is drawn from the AC
adaptor.
2
Display
Shows various information of the RC-5.
During recording/playback/overdubbing, the color
of the screen changes according to the status.
Lit blue
No phrase
Lit red
Recording
Lit green
Playing
Lit yellow
Overdubbing
Lit white
Phrase exists
* Never strike or apply strong pressure to the display.
3
[MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL]
knob
Play screen (*)
Turning
Selects a memory (1–99) or
adjusts the volume of the track.
Pressing
Switches between selecting
a memory and adjusting the
volume of the track.
When editing
Turning
Selects a parameter or changes a
value.
Pressing
Species the parameter to
edit. Alternatively, conrms an
operation.
(*) The screen that appears after you turn
on the power is called the “Play screen.”
Memory
01
01
Turn while pressing
Changes a value in larger steps.
4
RHYTHM
[TEMPO] button
Press to specify the tempo (40.0–300.0) of the
rhythm.
You can also set the tempo by pressing the button at
the desired interval (tap tempo).
5
RHYTHM
[ON/OFF] button
Sounding a rhythm
The rhythm switches on (lit)/o (unlit)/ready to play
rhythm (blink)c each time you press the button.
You can record while listening to a rhythm at the
tempo you specify.
Long-press the button (two seconds or longer) to
select rhythm settings mode.
6
[SETUP] button
Lets you make settings that aect the entire RC-5
(the function of a footswitch or expression pedal
connected to this unit, and system settings).
7
[MEMORY] button
Lets you make settings related to loop playback
and recording, rhythm settings, and memory name
settings.
If the track of the selected memory is already
recorded, the button is lit green.
By pressing the [SETUP] button and [MEMORY] button simultaneously, you can
save a memory (write) or erase (clear) memory data.
Name Explanation
8
OUTPUT jacks
A (MONO), B
Connect these jacks to your amp or monitor
speakers. If you’re using a mono setup, use only the
A (MONO) jack.
Even sound that is input in stereo is output in mono.
Turning the power on/o
The OUTPUT A (MONO) jack doubles as the power
switch. Power to the unit is turned on when you plug
into the OUTPUT A (MONO) jack; the power is turned
o when the cable is unplugged.
9
STOP/MEMORY SHIFT
jack
Connect a separately sold footswitch or expression
pedal to this jack.
This lets you control a variety of functions: you
can use a footswitch to stop recording/playback/
overdubbing or to switch memories, and you can use
an expression pedal to operate various parameters.
* Use only the specied expression pedal (FV-500H, FV-500L,
EV-30, and Roland EV-5; sold separately). By connecting
any other expression pedals, you risk causing malfunction
and/or damage to the unit.
NOTE
When connecting an external pedal, you must turn
o the power before connecting or disconnecting
cables. Failure to observe this precaution will cause
malfunctions.
10
INPUT jacks
A (MONO), B
Connect your guitar/bass or eect unit to these jacks.
Use the A (MONO) jack and B jack when connecting
a stereo-output eects unit. Use only the A (MONO)
jack if you’re using a mono source.
11
Pedal switch
This pedal switches you between phrase recording,
playback, and overdubbing. Press the pedal twice in
succession to stop playback.
Undo/Redo
Hold down the pedal two seconds or longer during
playback or overdubbing to Undo (cancel the
recording or the last overdubbing). Hold down the
switch once again for two seconds or longer to Redo
(cancel the Undo).
Clear
Hold down the pedal two seconds or longer while
stopped, the recorded phrase is cleared.
12
Thumbscrew
When this screw is loosened, the pedal will open,
allowing you to change the battery.
&
“Changing the Battery”
13
MIDI IN, OUT
connectors
Connect an external MIDI device here.
To make these connections, use TRS/MIDI connecting
cables (sold separately: BMIDI-5-35).
This lets you control an external MIDI device from
this unit via MIDI.
14
USB port
You can connect your computer here and use it to
back up or recover data.
Owner’s Manual
© 2020 Roland Corporation
Saving a Memory (WRITE)
If you select a dierent memory or turn o the power after recording or editing the
settings, the recorded content or edited settings will be lost. If you want to keep
the data, you must save it.
1. Press the [SETUP] button and [MEMORY] button simultaneously.
The UTILITY screen appears.
UTILITY
WRITE
J
2. Turn the [MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL] knob to select “WRITE,” and
press the [MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL] knob.
WRITE:01
Memory01
J
Save-destination memory
Memory name
3. Turn the [MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL] knob to select the save-
destination memory.
This procedure is not required if the memory number is acceptable as is.
If you decide to cancel, press one of the RHYTHM [TEMPO]–[MEMORY]
buttons.
4. Press the [MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL] knob.
The memory will be saved.
Settings for the Entire RC-5 (SETUP)
1. Press the [SETUP] button.
The SETUP screen appears.
SETUP
GENERAL
J
Item
2. Turn the [MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL] knob to select the item that you
want to edit, and press the [MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL] knob.
DISP MODE
LOOP
J
Parameter
Value
3. Turn the [MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL] knob to select the parameter
that you want to edit, and press the [MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL]
knob.
DISP CONT
5
J
4. Turn the [MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL] knob to change the value.
5. Press the [SETUP] button to return to the play screen.
Use of Battery
• Batteries should always be installed or replaced before connecting any other devices. This
way, you can prevent malfunction and damage.
• If operating this unit on batteries, please use alkaline batteries.
• If you handle batteries improperly, you risk explosion and uid leakage. Make sure that
you carefully observe all of the items related to batteries that are listed in “USING THE UNIT
SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (supplied on a separate sheet).
Changing the Battery
1. Hold down the pedal and loosen the thumbscrew , then open
the pedal upward.
* The pedal
can be opened without detaching the thumbscrew completely.
2. Remove the old battery from the battery housing , and remove
the battery snap 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 battery snap cord caught in the pedal, coil spring, and battery housing.
5. Insert the thumbscrew into the guide bush hole and tighten it securely.
Main Specications
Power Supply
Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61 or 6LF22)
AC adaptor (PSA series: sold separately)
Current Draw
170 mA * Expected battery life under continuous use (These gures will
vary depending on the actual conditions of use.)
Alkaline: Approx. 2 hours
Dimensions
73 (W) x 129 (D) x 56 (H) mm 2-7/8 (W) x 5-1/8 (D) x 2-1/4 (H) inches
Weight
450 g/1 lb (including battery)
Accessories
Owner’s Manual, Leaet (“USING THE UNIT SAFELY,” “IMPORTANT NOTES,” and
“Information”), Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61 or 6LF22)
Options
(sold separately)
AC adaptor: PSA series
Footswitch: FS-5U
Dual Footswitch: FS-6, FS-7
Expression Pedal: FV-500H, FV-500L, EV-30, Roland EV-5
TRS/MIDI connecting cable: BMIDI-5-35
* 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
* This document explains the specications of the product at the time that the document was
issued. For the latest information, refer to the Roland website.
9 V Battery
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (supplied on a separate sheet). After reading, keep the
document(s) where it will be available for immediate reference.
Panel Descriptions
Connections
• To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume,
and turn o all the units before making any connections.
• Do not use connection cables that contain a built-in resistor.
• Before turning the unit on/o, always be sure to turn the volume down. Even
with the volume turned down, you might hear some sound when switching the
unit on/o. However, this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.
• Even if batteries are installed, the unit will turn o 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. When this occurs, unsaved data
may be lost. You must turn o the power before you connect or disconnect the
power cord or AC adaptor.
Basic Operation
Memory
01
01
Screen Status
Blue
Empty track
White
Track contains data
Memory
number
Memory
name
Getting ready to record
Turn the [MEMORY/LOOP LEVEL] knob to select a memory (1–99).
Creating a loop phrase
NOTE
• The maximum recording
time is approximately 1.5
hours for one track, and
approximately 13 hours total
for all memories. If you exceed
the maximum recording time,
recording or overdubbing
ends at that point, and
the unit switches to loop
playback.
• Roland assumes no liability
concerning the restoration of
any stored content that has
been lost.
Track: Record and play back audio from an
instrument such as guitar.
Memory: The one track, together with the “rhythm”
settings, are collectively called a “memory.”
The RC-5 can store up to 99 memories.
For more information, refer to “Reference Manual” (PDF).
1. Access the following URL.
http://www.boss.info/manuals/
2. Choose “RC-5” as the product
name.
Recording
Screen: Lit red
Record your guitar
performance.
Playback
Screen: Lit green
Play back a phrase as a loop.
Pressing the pedal switches
the unit to overdubbing.
Overdubbing
Screen: Lit yellow
Layer your performances while
the phrase plays as a loop.
Pressing the pedal switches the
unit to playback.
Stop
Screen: Lit white
During overdubbing or loop playback,
you can stop by pressing the pedal twice
in succession.
* Press the pedal twice within one second.
Press Press Press
Press twice
Technique for stopping
Example: When you want to stop at the end of a
measure with a 4/4 time signature
Press the pedal one time at the beginning
of he fourth beat, then press it once again
at the beginning of the rst beat of the
next measure.
1st
time
1 2 3 4 1
Stop
2nd
time
Guitar amplier
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Footswitch
Expression pedal
Guitar
AC adaptor
(PSA series; sold separately)
13
14
External MIDI device
Computer