Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of BOSS OD-20 Overdrive/Distortion. Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (separate sheet). These sections 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 feature provided by your new unit, this manual should be read in its entirety.
Installing Batteries Batteries are supplied with the unit. The life of these batteries may be limited, however, since their primary purpose was to enable testing. Insert the included batteries as shown in figure, being careful to orient the batteries correctly. fig.02 • When turning the unit upside-down, get a bunch of newspapers or magazines, and place them under the four corners or at both ends to prevent damage to the buttons and controls.
Making the Connections • When the unit is running on battery power, the power comes on when you insert the connector plug into the INPUT jack. • The use of an AC adaptor is recommended as the unit’s power consumption is relatively high. Should you prefer to use batteries, please use the alkaline type. • Noise may be produced if wireless communications devices, such as cell phones, are operated in the vicinity of this unit. Such noise could occur when receiving or initiating a call, or while conversing.
Making the Connections Connecting to the Guitar Amp fig.03 AC Adaptor PSA-series (option) Electric Guitar Headphones Guitar Amplifier With a standard guitar amp, it may be a good idea to set all the tone controls (BASS, MIDDLE, and TREBLE) to their central positions first, then adjust from there. Connecting to an MTR Simulator) or Mixer (with No Internal Guitar Amp fig.
Operation “MANUAL” and “EFFECT ON” are selected when the power is turned on. EFFECT ON/OFF Pedal Operation fig.05 When at “ON” ← Lit When at “OFF” ← Not lit Each press of the EFFECT ON/OFF pedal switches effects on or off. When effects are off, the sound coming in through the INPUT jack is output unchanged.
Operation MANUAL/MEMORY Pedal Operation The Pedal mode (1–3) changes the function of the MANUAL/MEMORY pedal (or the MANUAL/MEMORY pedal used with the EFFECT ON/OFF pedal). Use the most appropriate setting for your particular application. At the factory settings, Pedal mode is set to “1.” When changing the Pedal mode settings, refer to p. 7. Pedal mode: 1 Pressing the MANUAL/MEMORY pedal cycles you through a series of selections, in this order: MANUAL → MEMORY 1 → MEMORY 2 → MEMORY 3 → MEMORY 4 → MANUAL.
Operation Changing the Pedal Mode Settings Use the following procedure when changing the Pedal mode settings. * The pedal mode setting is stored in memory when the power is switched off. 1. Switch off the power. • When running on battery power: Disconnect the connection plug from the INPUT jack. • When running on power from an AC adaptor: Disconnect the plug from the AC ADAPTOR jack. 2. While holding down the MEMORY SELECT button, switch on the power.
Operation Panel Operation In order to follow along with the instructions given here, you should start out by having effects switched ON (press the EFFECT ON/OFF pedal and confirm that the EFFECT ON/OFF indicator has lighted), and press the MANUAL/MEMORY pedal to switch MANUAL (MANUAL indicator has lighted). fig.10 2 3 5 4 1 1. Select the distortion type with the TYPE knob and the VARIATION button. 2. Turn the DRIVE knob to adjust the amount of distortion. 3.
Operation Using Guitar Amp Channel Switching (Amp Control) By connecting your guitar amp’s channel switching jack to the OD-20’s AMP CTRL jack, you can then use the AMP CTRL button to switch the amp channel. This combining of the OD-20 and the amp channels allows you to get an even wider variety of distortion sounds. fig.
Operation Storing Settings (Write Operation) Storing the “MANUAL” Sound in Memory Do not switch off the power while a write operation is in progress. 1. Create the sound you want when set to “MANUAL.” 2. Press the MEMORY WRITE button. The MEMORY indicator and the indicator for the currently selected memory blink, and the OD-20 is put into write standby. fig.12 Write standby Blink Blink 3. Press the MEMORY SELECT button to select the memory (number) to which you want to store the sound.
Operation 4. Press the MEMORY WRITE button. The write operation finishes after the MEMORY indicator and the indicator for the write-destination memory have begun to blink more rapidly. fig.14 Blink Writing Blink rapidly Write finished Lit * To cancel the write operation, operate a knob or the MANUAL/MEMORY pedal before you press the WRITE button.
Operation Changing and Storing the “MEMORY” Sound Do not switch off the power while a write operation is in progress. 1. Press the MANUAL/MEMORY pedal or the MEMORY SELECT button to change to the “MEMORY” sound. 2. Operate the knobs to change the sound. * To avoid sudden inadvertent changes in sound, the DRIVE, BOTTOM, TONE, LEVEL, ATTACK SHAPE, and HEAVY OCTAVE knobs are designed so that the setting does not change unless the knob is first turned as far as the stored setting value.
Operation 4. Press the MEMORY SELECT button to select the memory (number) to which you want to store the sound. The indicator for the selected MEMORY number blinks. fig.17 Blink Blink 5. Press the MEMORY WRITE button. The write operation finishes after the MEMORY indicator and the indicator for the write-destination memory have begun to blink more rapidly. fig.
Part Names and Functions Front Panel fig.19 BOTTOM Knob Adjusts the low frequency range. Turning the knob to the left (counterclockwise) cuts the low end more; the low frequencies are boosted as the knob is turned to the right. Optimized for the distortion selected with “TYPE.” DRIVE Knob TONE Knob Adjusts the amount of distortion. Turning the knob to the right (clockwise) creates a stronger distortion and increases the volume. Turning this all the way to the TURBO range increases the effect even more.
Part Names and Functions fig.20 TYPE Knob VARIATION Button Select the distortion type with the TYPE knob, then press the VARIATION button to select the variation. The button's indicator lights up when a variation is selected. “TYPE List” (p. 16) MEMORY Number Indicator (1–4) The indicator for the currently selected MEMORY number (1–4) lights. The indicator flashes while the OD-20 is in write standby; the indicator flashes more rapidly while the write operation is in progress.
Part Names and Functions TYPE List * All product names mentioned in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Those companies are not affiliated with BOSS and have not licenced or authorized BOSS’s OD-20. Their marks are used solely to identify the equipment whose sound is simulated by BOSS’s OD-20. Not lit 16 Lit OD-1 Models the BOSS OD-1. OD-2 Models the BOSS OD-2. DS-1 Models the BOSS DS-1. BD-2 Models the BOSS BD-2. MT-2 Models the BOSS MT-2.
Part Names and Functions fig.21 POWER Indicator This lights up when the power is on. If this gets dim or fails to light up when the unit is running on battery power, it means that the batteries are depleted. Replace promptly with fresh batteries. EFFECT ON/OFF Indicator This lights up when effects are on. EFFECT ON/OFF Pedal MANUAL/MEMORY Pedal Each press of the pedal switches the effects on or off.
Part Names and Functions Rear Panel fig.22 INPUT Jack This is the input jack for connecting to the output of an electric guitar or other instrument or effects processor. * The INPUT jack also doubles as the power switch when the unit is running on battery power. The power comes on when a plug is inserted into the INPUT jack, and goes off when it is unplugged. Unplug any connected cords when the unit is not in use.
Changing How Memory Numbers Are Indicated Not only can you confirm the currently selected memory merely by checking the lit MEMORY Number indicators, you can also change the pattern in which the indicators light up. Select the pattern that provides the easiest way to check the memory in any particular environment. When using the OD-20 in dimly lit surroundings, you can confirm memory numbers more easily by using the Lighting Pattern 2 setting.
Returning Settings to Their Factory Defaults You can restore the memories (1–4), pedal mode settings, and the MEMORY Number Indication to their original factory values. Memory Settings Memory 1 (p. 23) LOUD Memory 2 (p. 24) LEAD Memory 3 (p. 24) OD-1 Memory 4 (p. 24) STACK Pedal Mode (p. 7) 1 (MANUAL → MEMORY 1 → MEMORY 2 → MEMORY 3 → MEMORY 4 → MANUAL) MEMORY Number Indication (p. 19) Lighting Pattern 1 (Only the indicator for the selected memory lights up.
Troubleshooting The power doesn’t come on. properly ● Is the guitar connected correctly to the INPUT jack? → Check the connections again (p. 3–4). ● Is the amp’s channel switching jack correctly connected to the OD-20’s AMP CTRL jack? → Check the connections again. * When running on batteries, the unit won't switch on until a plug is inserted into the INPUT jack. This helps conserve the batteries. ● Have the batteries run down? → Replace with fresh batteries (p. 2).
Sample Settings Crunch with mild amp distortion fig.23 Lit Overdrive with heavy distortion fig.24 Lit Fat distortion sound fig.
Sample Settings Fairly bright metal sound fig.26 Lit Radical fuzz fig.27 Not lit LOUD (Factory Default Memory 1) fig.
Sample Settings LEAD (Factory Default Memory 2) fig.29 Not lit OD-1 (Factory Default Memory 3) fig.30 Not lit STACK (Factory Default Memory 4) fig.
Setting Memo ( ) fig.32 Lit / Not lit ( ) fig.32 Lit / Not lit ( ) fig.
Specifications OD-20: Overdrive/Distortion Nominal Input Level 20 dBu Input Impedance 1 MΩ Nominal Output Level Connectors INPUT Jack AMP CTRL (amp control) Jack LINE OUT/PHONES Jack OUTPUT Jack AC Adaptor Jack (DC 9 V) 20 dBu Power Supply Output Impedance DC 9 V: Dry Battery (R6/LR6 (AA) type) x 6 AC Adaptor 1 kΩ Recommended Load Impedance 10 kΩ or greater Dynamic Range 102 dB (IHF-A typ.
For EU Countries This product complies with the requirements of European Directive 89/336/EEC. For the USA FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
G6017351 ’00-xx-xx-xxx
