Boomerang III Phrase Sampler, Version 1
Table of Contents
Quick Start............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Name Game (Terminology)........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. “Clock Display”.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
3. Setting Parameters with the Knobs............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Decay Knob.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Volume Knob................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Fade Time Knob............................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
4. Light Displays & Meanings............................................................................................................................................................................ 4
5. “Loop Play Style”............................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Only “Serial Play Style” is implemented in software version 0.5.................................................................................................... 4
Changing Loop Play Style.......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
6. Foot Buttons - READ THIS SECTION… yes, that’s an order............................................................................................................... 4
7. How the Loop Buttons Work......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
7.1 SERIAL Play Style...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Recording The First Loop.......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Recording Second & Subsequent Loops.............................................................................................................................................. 5
Play Rules........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Stop Rules....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
7.2 SYNC Play Style – Not implemented in software version 0.5, but will appear in version 1.0.......................................... 5
7.3 FREE Play Style - Not implemented in software version 0.5, but will appear in version 1.0............................................ 5
8. Loop 3 Acting as “Master Loop” in Serial Play Style.............................................................................................................................. 5
9. Bonus Buttons.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
10. Assigning Functions To the Bonus Buttons............................................................................................................................................. 7
11. Functions Controlled By the Bonus Buttons............................................................................................................................................ 7
11.1 Stack........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
11.2 Erase........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
11.3 Once........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
11.4 Octave........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
11.5 Reverse...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
11.6 Reverse Solo............................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
11.7 Play-Stop All............................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
11.8 Fade............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
11.9 Undo (Redo)............................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
11.10 Copy....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Copy Loop.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Copy Live ( Re-sampling )...................................................................................................................................................................... 10
11.11 Loop 4................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
12. Sample Rates................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
13. Muting the Through Signal........................................................................................................................................................................ 11
14. Rear Panel...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Input & Output Jacks................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Power Connector........................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Pedal Link™ Connectors - These are not MIDI ports… exactly.................................................................................................... 11
Expression Pedal Jack.............................................................................................................................................................................. 11
15. Expression Pedal.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Loop Volume Control............................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Compatible Expression Pedals.............................................................................................................................................................. 12
Using a Volume Pedal as an Expression Pedal................................................................................................................................ 12
16. Pedal Link™ System..................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
17. Clip Light......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Input Level Indicator.................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
Memory Usage Indicator......................................................................................................................................................................... 12
18. Do’s and Don’ts............................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
19. Problems......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
20. Specifications................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
21. Craziness......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Backwards Talking Game........................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Train a Talking Bird................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Sound Like Frankenstein.......................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Dog Tricks.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
22. Warranty......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
23. Downloading Software To the III............................................................................................................................................................. 13
Thank you for purchasing a Boomerang® III Phrase Sampler. You are in for a treat as this pedal is small but very powerful. We welcome any comments you may have. 800-530-4699 mnelson@boomerangmusic.com
Quick Start
So you don’t want to read this beautiful manual. You want to start looping RIGHT NOW. OK, OK. Here’s the low down in as few words as I can manage. This paragraph will describe the way your Rang™ III looper works right out of the box.
First, you need to know that your Rang™ III is customizable. There are two “Bonus buttons” (green and yellow), and you can assign each Bonus button two separate functions. One function is activated when you tap the Bonus button, and another is activated when you hold the Bonus button for half a second or more.
Right out of the box the Bonus buttons function like this:
Stack hold the yellow Bonus button
Erase tap the yellow Bonus button
Once hold the green Bonus button
Undo/Redo tap the green Bonus button
In release V0.5, only Serial Play Style works – loops play one after the other, but 2 can play at the same time if you create a “master loop.” You will receive all software updates through V1.0 at no charge.
**** NOTE – Always plug in all cables BEFORE powering up your Rang™ III. ****
Now that we have all that out of the way, here’s how to play with your Rang™ III right out of the box:
· Record a loop à tap any loop button to start recording, tap again to conclude recording and play that loop. NOTE - Record loop 1 or 2 first, NOT loop 3. You gotta read Section 8 if you record loop 3 first. You just gotta.
· Stop recording and start over à while recording, tap the yellow Bonus button. This avoids creating a funky loop and then having to erase it.
· Stop a loop that’s playing à tap its loop button
· Play a recorded loop that’s stopped à tap its loop button
· Play a loop once so it stops on its own à press and hold the green Bonus button until the Once light blinks, tap the loop’s button
· Stack parts on a loop à with a loop playing, press and hold the yellow Bonus button until the Stack light blinks. To turn stacking off, press and hold the yellow Bonus button until the Stack light stops blinking.
· Undo or remove the last stacked part à tap the green Bonus button. Tap again to restore the part.
· Delete a loop à tap the yellow Bonus button, tap the loop button by any blinking loop light and that loop is erased. NOTE - A loop that is playing cannot be erased.
· Delete all loops à with no loops playing, press and hold the yellow Bonus button. All loop lights turn off.
1. Name Game (Terminology)
Different folks use different terms to describe various functions and capabilities of loopers. Since this can be confusing, let’s agree on some basic terms.
These are basic terms describing how the buttons are used. You’ll see these throughout the manual.
Tap A press followed by a quick release
Hold Pressing and continuing to hold the button down for a half second or more before release
The following are basic looping terms.
Loop Music or sounds that repeat. It can be the verse of a song, a riff or noise… anything
Play Style How loops play - Only the Serial Play Style is implemented in software version 0.5.
Selected Loop The loop that will play next in Serial Play Style
Restart When a loop reaches its end and starts over at its beginning
The following are conditions or states your Rang™ III might be in.
Idle Looper is not recording or playing, it’s just waiting on you
Recording Recording a new loop
Playing Playing one or more loops
Stacking Adding sound to a loop while it plays
Copy Live Recording part, all or multiple copies of a loop to create a new loop (re-sampling)
2. “Clock Display”
The mysterious group of 11 lights in a circle, plus the one in the center, is called the Clock Display, and has 3 uses.
1) Most of the time the Clock Display shows which functions are assigned to each Bonus buttons.
dim green - this function is assigned to the green Bonus button & is activated with a hold
bright green - this function is assigned to the green Bonus button & is activated with a tap
dim yellow - this function is assigned to the yellow Bonus button & is activated with a hold
bright yellow - this function is assigned to the yellow Bonus button & is activated with a tap
2) Clock Display & the knobs labeled “Hold” and “Tap” are used to assign functions to the Bonus buttons.
See Sections 9 and 10 for more shtick, Dick.
3) It shows the value set by the Decay, Volume, Vol 2, Vol 3, Vol 4 & Fade Time knobs.
Turn a knob and the function assignment information will disappear. The center light turns on green and the circle lights show the parameter’s value with one or more of the lights glowing yellow-green. A short time after you stop
moving the knob, the display returns to showing Bonus button function assignments and the center light changes from green to its previous state.
3. Setting Parameters with the Knobs
Decay Knob
Decay rate is the rate at which older parts fade out when new parts are stacked on a loop. Zero on the Clock Display means NO decay - all parts remain at the volume they were recorded regardless of how many times you stack new parts.
As the decay value increases, the earlier parts of your loop fade more quickly when a new part is stacked. When set to 10, stacking a part will completely replace the original.
Volume Knob
In Serial Play Style the Volume knob controls playback level. About 10dB of boost is available. Seven on the Clock Display is unity gain. The Vol 2, Vol 3 and Vol 4 knobs are inactive in Serial Play Style.
Fade Time Knob
This sets the time for the Fade function. The time range is about 3 to 45 seconds. See Section 11.8 for more, Lenore.
NOTE - To save the current values set by these knobs, enter and exit the Assign Mode. Hold down the Bonus Assign button until the center light on the clock display blinks green. Then release and tap the Bonus Assign button once more to exit the Assign Mode. Every time you turn on your Rang™ III, these values will be restored.
4. Light Displays & Meanings
|
Light Condition |
Meaning of Loop Lights L1 – L4 |
Meaning of Clock Lights |
|
off |
Loop does not exist |
Function not assigned to a button |
|
dim |
Loop exists but is not playing |
Function assigned & will activate on a hold |
|
bright |
Loop is recording, playing or stacking |
Function assigned & will activate on a tap |
|
dim slow blink |
Loop is queued for recording, playing or stacking |
Function is active |
|
dim fast blink |
Loop is stopped & is a candidate to be erased |
Function is active |
|
bright slow blink |
Loop is fading out or in |
Function is active |
|
bright fast blink |
Loop is armed to stop with Once function |
Function is active |
|
State of loop |
Loop Light |
Clock Light |
|
Loop does not exist |
off |
- |
|
Stopped - loop exists but is not playing |
dim |
- |
|
Recording or playing |
bright |
- |
|
Stacking |
bright |
Stack = slow blink |
|
Copy (Loop), destination loop light goes dim when copy is complete |
- |
Copy = fast blink |
|
Copy (Live), Copy light blinks fast until an empty loop is selected, then slow |
bright |
Copy = fast -> slow blink |
|
Queued for recording, playing or stacking |
dim slow blink |
- |
|
Stopped & is a candidate to be erased |
dim fast blink |
Erase = fast blink |
|
Fading out or in |
bright slow blink |
Fade = slow blink |
|
Armed to stop recording or playing with Once function |
bright fast blink |
Once = fast blink |
|
Armed to stop recording when master loop restarts |
dim slow blink |
- |
5. “Loop Play Style”
Only “Serial Play Style” is implemented in software version 0.5.
Serial - loops play one at a time. This is great when you have a loop for intro, verse, chorus, bridge, etc. Loops are recorded, played or stacked one at a time. If a loop is playing and another is selected, the first plays to its end and stops; then the second loop plays. Your loops can be played in any order you wish.
NOTE - Two loops can play simultaneously if loop 3 is acting as master loop. Check out Section 8.
Changing Loop Play Style
The Play Style button is inactive in software version 0.5, but will unleash magical possibilities in version 1.0.
6. Foot Buttons - READ THIS SECTION… yes, that’s an order.
The three buttons along the front and closest to the left side of the pedal control loops one through three and will be referred to as B1, B2 and B3. Their associated lights will be referred to as L1, L2 and L3.
These three buttons, the loops they control and their associated lights behave identically with one interesting exception. See Sections 7 and 8 for more stuff, Buff.
The two right most buttons, called Bonus buttons, control a range of functions. The available functions are listed around the Clock Display; see Sections 9, 10 and 11 for more info, Renfro. You choose which four functions are active at any time. This offers a degree of customization of your looper.
Factory Bonus button settings - Tapping the yellow Bonus button Erases loops. Holding the yellow Bonus button, with a loop playing, turns Stack on and off. Tapping the green Bonus button controls Undo/Redo of the last stacked part. Holding the green Bonus button controls the Once function.
7. How the Loop Buttons Work
7.1 SERIAL Play Style - Loops play one at a time unless loop 3 is acting as master - see Section 8, Kate.
Recording The First Loop
SETUP - No loops are recorded. L1-L3 are off.
Start recording a loop. For example tap B2 & loop 2 immediately starts recording; L2 turns on bright.
Conclude recording & start playback. Tap B2 while loop 2 is recording and recording is immediately concluded and loop 2 starts playing. L2 remains bright but winks each time the loop repeats.
Discarding a loop while recording. If you make a mistake while recording you can quickly discard the half finished loop by pressing Erase. The loop light turns off and the loop remains empty.
NOTE - The loop buttons behave like this: record, play, stop, play, stop, play, stop...
NOTE - A loop must be empty to be recorded. If it contains data, it must be erased prior to recording.
Recording Second & Subsequent Loops
Tap another loop button to record that loop.
1) Let’s say loop 2 is recording. Tap B3 and loop 2 immediately concludes recording & stops. L2 becomes dim. Loop 3 starts recording & L3 turns on bright.
2) If loop 2 is playing, tap B3 and L3 blinks dim slow. When loop 2 reaches its end, it stops and L2 becomes dim. Loop 3 starts recording and L3 turns on bright.
3) If loop 2 is stacking, tap B3 and L3 blinks dim slow. When loop 2 reaches its end, it stops and L2 becomes dim. The Stack light stops blinking. Loop 3 starts recording and L3 turns on bright.
Cancel a loop selection. Using example 3 above, let’s say you change your mind about recording another loop. Tap B3 a second time and L3 turns off. Loop 2 continues playing & stacking.
Change a loop selection. Assume loop 2 is playing and loop 3 was selected to be recorded, so L2 is on bright and L3 is blinking dim slow. Tap B1 before loop 2 reaches its end and L3 turns off. L1 starts blinking dim slow and loop 1 will start recording when loop 2 reaches its end and stops.
Play Rules
SETUP - Loops 1-3 have been recorded. L1-L3 are on dim.
Starting loop playback. If all loops are stopped, tap any loop button to immediately play that loop. For example, tap B3 to play loop 3. L3 turns on bright.
Tap another loop button to transition to that loop. If loop 2 is playing, tap B1 and L1 starts blinking dim slow. When loop 2 reaches its end, it stops and L2 becomes dim. Loop 1 starts playing and L1 turns on bright.
Cancel a transition. In the previous example, if B1 is tapped a second time before loop 2 reaches its end, L1 becomes dim and loop 2 continues playing.
Change a loop transition. Tap a third loop button while waiting on the transition between loops and the queued loop changes. Assume loop 2 is playing, L2 is bright, loop 1 is queued to play so L1 is blinking dim slow. Tap B3 and L1 becomes dim, L3 starts blinking dim slow; loop 3 will play at the end of loop 2.
Stop Rules
Tap currently playing loop’s button to stop it. For example, if loop 1 is playing, tap B1 and loop 1 stops immediately and L1 becomes dim.
Tap currently stacking loop’s button to stop it. For example, if loop 1 is stacking, tap B1 and loop 1 stops immediately. L1 becomes dim and the Stack light stops blinking.
NOTE - If you want the loop to automatically stop at its end, check out the Once function in Section 11.3.
7.2 SYNC Play Style – Not implemented in Version 1, but will appear in Version 2.
7.3 FREE Play Style – Not implemented in Version 1, but will appear in Version 2.
8. Loop 3 Acting as “Master Loop” in Serial Play Style
A powerful way to use loop 3 is as a “master” loop. Since the other loops are subservient to the master, they are called “slave” loops. If all loops are erased and loop 3 is recorded first, then loop 3 is the master and a sort of synchronized looping is invoked.
If any loop is recorded before three, then loop 3 behaves just as the other loops and there is no master loop.
NOTE – When loop 3 is master, the button and light behavior changes somewhat. Please read on.
When loop 3 is acting as master the following rules apply.
1) Loop 3 can play at the same time as any slave loop. This provides a way to have a short percussive or rhythmic part that accompanies the other loops.
2) The other loops cannot be recorded unless loop three is playing. While recording a slave loop, loop 3 cannot be turned off. If no loops are playing and a loop button is tapped to record a slave loop, master loop 3 immediately starts playing and the recording begins.
3) When loops 1, 2 and 4 are recorded, they will be a multiple of the length of loop 3. For example, if loop 3 is recorded first, so it is acting as master, and is 5 seconds long, the other loops will be 5 seconds or 10 seconds or 15 seconds, etc. The time is determined by how many times you let the master loop play while you record the slave loop.
4) When recording a slave, a loop button tap arms the loop to record at the next master restart. For example if master loop 3 is playing and B2 is tapped, L2 blinks dim slow. When the master reaches its end and starts over, loop 2 begins recording and L2 turns on bright. A second tap of B2 arms loop 2 to stop recording. The next time the master restarts, loop 2 concludes recording and plays. L2 remains bright.
5) If loop 3 is erased and rerecorded after another loop is recorded, it reverts to being a normal loop and there is no master loop.
NOTE – While there is no restriction on master loop length, I think you’ll quickly find that it’s best to have a relatively short master, say one or two measures.
Recording with master loop 3. The master loop must be playing when the slave loops are recorded. If it is not playing, it will start automatically when slave loop recording begins.
Playing with master loop 3. Loop 3 can play along with any other loop, or be played by itself.
1) If loop 3 is NOT playing, then loops 1, 2 and 4 play just like there is no master loop.
2) If loop 3 is playing, slave loops will start on a loop 3 restart. For example, if loop 3 is playing and B1 is tapped, L1 starts blinking dim slow. On the next restart of loop 3, loop 1 will play along with loop 3 and L1 becomes bright.
3) Pressing a loop button stops playback immediately. If loops 1 and 3 are playing, press B1 and loop 1 will stop immediately and L1 becomes dim. Loop 3 continues to play.
Stacking with master loop 3. If loop 3 and another loop are playing and Stack is pressed, stacking only affects the slave loop, not the master. Suppose loops 1 and 3 are playing. L1 and L3 will be on bright. Press Stack and the Stack light blinks slow. Stacking is active and material is added to loop 1. Press Stack again to stop stacking. The Stack light stops blinking. Master loop 3 is unaffected.
NOTE - To stack on the master, it must be playing by itself.
NOTE – If the master is playing by itself and stacking is active, when a slave loop plays, stacking will then affect the slave loop, not the master. The stacking function switches to the slave.
Erase with master loop 3. Erase behavior is unchanged.
Once with master loop 3. Once works the same as normal with one exception. If master loop 3 and a slave are playing, both loops will stop when the slave reaches its end. This means the master may play one or more times before stopping because the slave can be many times longer than the master.
Octave with master loop 3. If loop 3 and another loop are playing, press Octave and both loops will play at half speed and sound an octave lower. Another press of Octave restores both loops to normal playback speed.
Reverse with master loop 3. Reverse works the same as normal except both master and slave loops will reverse direction.
Play-Stop All. Play-Stop All was designed for starting & stopping multiple loops. See Section 11.7 for more.
Fade with master loop 3. Fade works the same as normal except both master and slave loops will be affected.
Undo/Redo with master loop 3. Undo/Redo behavior is unchanged.
Copy with master loop 3. Copy behavior is unchanged.
9. Bonus Buttons
The two buttons on the right side of the pedal are “Bonus” buttons, differentiated by green and yellow labels. Both are programmable and can be set to control the functions listed below. Two functions can be assigned to each button; a tap controls one function and a hold controls the other.
A “tap” is defined as a button press followed by a quick release. A “hold” is defined as pressing and continuing to hold the button down for a half second or more before release.
The eleven functions that can be assigned to the Bonus buttons are:
Stack Add additional sounds to a loop.
Erase Select & erase loops one at a time OR erase all loops at once.
Once Play a loop one time through OR arm a loop to stop playing when its end is reached.
Octave Play loops at half speed. They will sound an octave lower.
Reverse Play loops backwards. Paul’s dead, Paul’s dead.
Reverse Solo A built in effect that simulates the studio trick of playing a recording backwards.
Play-Stop All Plays or stops multiple loops simultaneously.
Fade Out/In A single button press initiates a volume fade. Fade time is user selectable.
Undo/Redo The last part stacked on a loop can be silenced, re-recorded or played again.
Copy Copies one loop to another. This function can also resample playing loops. Far out!
Loop 4 More is better. Add a fourth loop if you like. It behaves just like loops 1 and 2.
10. Assigning Functions To the Bonus Buttons
Hold the Bonus Assign button until the Clock Display’s center light blinks green (about 2 seconds). You can now assign functions to the Bonus buttons.
The knob labeled Hold in green selects which function is controlled when the green Bonus button is held down. A dim green light shows which function is selected. The knob labeled Tap in green selects which function is controlled when the green Bonus button is tapped. A bright green light shows which function is selected.
The knob labeled Hold in yellow selects which function is controlled when the yellow Bonus button is held down. A dim yellow light shows which function is selected. The knob labeled Tap in yellow selects which function is controlled when the yellow Bonus button is tapped. A bright yellow light shows which function is selected.
If a function light is off, that function is not assigned to a Bonus button and cannot be used.
After making your selections, tap the Bonus Assign button to exit Assign Mode. The clock’s center light stops blinking. Your assignments will be remembered when your Rang™ III is powered down. The current settings of the Decay, Volume and Fade Time knobs will also be remembered.
NOTE - You cannot change function assignments while any functions are active or when any loop is recording, queued to record, or stacking. But you can change assignments while loops play or if a loop is queued to play.
11. Functions Controlled By the Bonus Buttons
The button, loop and light behavior described in this section is for Serial Play Style.
The following 11 functions can be assigned to and controlled by the two Bonus buttons. This provides a way to customize the operation of your Rang™ III. The functions are activated by either tapping or holding the Bonus button to which they are assigned.
NOTE - The loop buttons only respond to taps but the Bonus buttons can respond to either a tap or a hold, so I’ll use the generic term “press” when discussing the Bonus buttons and the following functions.
11.1 Stack - Assignable to either Bonus button & controlled by tap or hold
NOTE - You cannot stack on a loop that is playing an octave lower.
NOTE - You cannot stack on a loop that is fading in or out.
NOTE - A stacked part can be removed if the Undo function is assigned to a Bonus button prior to stacking. See Undo (Redo) in Section 11.9 for more details, Prince of Wales.
SETUP - Loops 1-3 have been recorded. L1-L3 are on dim. Loop 3 is not a master loop.
Stacking on a loop. If loop 3 is playing, press Stack and stacking on loop 3 begins. The Stack light blinks slow. L3 remains bright.
Stop stacking - the loop continues to play. If loop 3 is stacking, press Stack and stacking is concluded, loop 3 continues playing and the Stack light stops blinking. L3 remains bright.
Tap the loop button to conclude stacking & stop loop playback. If loop 3 is stacking, L3 is on bright and the Stack light is blinking slow. Tap B3 and loop 3 immediately concludes stacking & stops. L3 becomes dim and the Stack light stops blinking.
Tap another loop button to transition to that loop with stacking active. If loop 2 is stacking and B1 is tapped, L1 starts blinking dim slow. When loop 2 reaches its end, it concludes stacking and stops. L2 becomes dim. Loop 1 plays with stacking active and L1 turns on bright The Stack light continues blinking slow throughout.
Stacking immediately after recording. Sometimes it’s cool to record a loop and have stacking active immediately when the loop plays. Tap B2 to begin recording loop 2. L2 turns on bright. Then press Stack and the Stack light blinks slow. Now tap B2 a second time to conclude recording and play your new loop. When the loop plays stacking will be active.
11.2 Erase - Assignable to either Bonus button & controlled by tap or hold
NOTE - A loop cannot be erased while it is playing, stacking or queued to play or stack.
SETUP - Loops 1-3 have been recorded but are not playing. L1-L3 are on dim.
Erase Select - Select one loop to erase. Let’s say loop 2 is playing. Press Erase and L1 & L3 start blinking dim fast; the Erase light blinks fast. Tap B1 and loop 1 is erased. L1 turns off, L3 becomes dim and the Erase light stops blinking. Loop 2 continues playing throughout.
Cancel Erase Select. If, in the previous example, Erase is pressed rather than B1 then L1 & L3 return to dim and the Erase light stops blinking.
Erase All - Erase multiple loops at once. This usually applies only when all loops are stopped. Hold down Erase and all loops will be erased. All loop lights turn off.
Erase Record - Press Erase while a loop is recording to abort the recording. If loop 1 is recording and Erase is pressed, recording stops immediately and all information is discarded so loop 1 is empty. L1 turns off.
**** Erase works differently depending on how it is assigned. There are 3 options. ****
1) If Erase shares a button with any function other than Stack, it can only activate Erase Select. The Erase All function is unavailable. This is true regardless of whether Erase is controlled by a tap or a hold.
2) If Erase shares a button with the Stack function, its behavior is expanded when no loops are playing. If all loops are stopped, Stack has no meaning, so holding the button will erase all loops. A tap activates Erase Select.
3) If Erase is assigned to the tap and hold actions of the same button, then it can be tapped or held at any time. Tapping activates Erase Select, and holding erases all loops that are not playing.
NOTE - The Erase All function is only available if Erase is assigned to a Bonus button by itself OR shares a Bonus button with Stack.
11.3 Once - Assignable to either Bonus button & controlled by tap or hold
SETUP - Loops 1-3 have been recorded. L1-L3 are on dim. Loop 3 is NOT a master loop.
Arm a loop to stop when its end is reached.
1) If loop 2 is playing, press Once and L2 and the Once light begin blinking fast. When the loop’s end is reached, it stops playing. L2 becomes dim and the Once light stops blinking.
2) Assume loop 2 is playing and B1 was pressed so loop 1 is queued for play. L2 is bright and L1 is blinking dim slow. If the Once button is pressed before loop 2 reaches its end, the loop transition is canceled and the Once function is applied to loop 2. L1 becomes dim, L2 and the Once light blinks fast and loop 2 plays to its end and stops. Then L2 becomes dim and the Once light stops blinking.
Cancel the once function.
1) If loop 2 is armed to stop and Once is pressed before loop 2 stops playing, the Once function is canceled. The L2 and Once lights stop blinking and loop 2 plays on.
2) If loop 2 is armed to stop and B1 is tapped, the once function is cancelled and L2 and the Once light stop blinking. Loop 1 is queued to play and L1 begins blinking dim slow.
Playing a loop once - “one shot” playback. Press Once and the Once light begins blinking fast. Then tap B2; L2 blinks bright fast and loop 2 plays through one time only. When its end is reached, loop 2 stops playing. L2 becomes dim and the Once light stops blinking.
Recording with the Once function. The Once function has no immediate affect when recording a loop. It can be freely turned on and off before or during recording, but only takes affect if it is on when recording is concluded and playback begins. Then your loop will play one time through and stop.
11.4 Octave - Assignable to either Bonus button & controlled by tap or hold
NOTE - Octave cannot be turned on while stacking, and stacking cannot be used with a loop that is playing an octave down.
Slow a loop to half speed playback. Press the Octave button and the loop plays at half speed, the pitch drops one octave and the Octave light blinks slow.
Return to normal (full speed) playback. Press the Octave button and the loop returns to full speed playback; the Octave light stops blinking.
Play a loop at half speed. Press the Octave button when no loop is playing and the Octave light blinks slow. When a loop is played, it will play at half speed.
Recording with the Octave function. The Octave function has no immediate affect when recording a loop. It can be freely turned on and off before or during recording, but only takes affect if it is on when recording is concluded and playback begins. Then your loop will play at half-speed and an octave lower than recorded.
11.5 Reverse - Assignable to either Bonus button & controlled by tap or hold
NOTE - Reverse cannot be turned on or off while stacking.
SETUP - Loops 1-2 have been recorded. L1-L2 are dim. Loop 3 is empty. L3 is off.
Change the direction of loop playback. If loop 1 is playing, press Reverse and the loop immediately reverses playback direction. The Reverse light blinks slow.
Return to normal (forward) playback. Press Reverse again and the loop returns to forward play. The Reverse light stops blinking.
Play a loop in reverse. With no loop playing, press Reverse and the Reverse light blinks slow. Tap B2 and loop 2 plays in reverse. L2 turns on bright. The Reverse light continues to blink.
If reverse is active when recording is concluded, the loop plays in reverse. Assume loop 3 is empty. Press Reverse and the Reverse light blinks slow. Tap B3. Loop 3 starts recording and L3 turns on bright. Tap B3 a second time and the new loop plays in reverse.
Recording with the Reverse function. The Reverse function has no immediate affect when recording a loop. It can be freely turned on and off before or during recording, but only takes affect if it is on when recording is concluded and playback begins. Then your loop will play in reverse.
11.6 Reverse Solo - Assignable only to the green Bonus button & controlled by a tap. Reverse Solo cannot share the button with another function, so a hold does nothing.
1) Tap Reverse Solo and the sound of your instrument is turned off, the Reverse Solo light blinks bright and the Thru Mute light turns on dim. Any loop that is playing or stacking continues.
2) On the second tap your sound is played back in reverse. The time between taps sets the length of the reverse buffer. This is the length of time that your sounds are recorded before playing back in reverse. The light above the Reverse Solo label blinks once each time through the buffer. Your Rang™ III will continue to simultaneously record and play backwards until a third tap.
3) On the third tap the effect is turned off and the sound of your instrument is heard normally. The Reverse Solo light stops blinking and thru Mute light returns to its previous state.
When using this effect it is recommended that the length set by two taps is related to the tempo of the music. One measure is a good place to start.
NOTE - The reverse buffer (time between taps) is limited to 10 seconds.
NOTE - Reverse Solo is not used to play loops backwards; it is a sound effect like tremolo or chorus. Use the Reverse function to play your loops backwards.
11.7 Play-Stop All - Assignable to either Bonus button & controlled by tap or hold
NOTE - Play-Stop All is specifically designed to be used when loop 3 is acting as master. It can start and stop two or more loops at once.
Stopping all loops at once. When 2 or more loops are playing, all loops can be stopped immediately by pressing Play-Stop All.
Starting 2 or more loops at once.
Serial Play Style - If loop 3 is master and no loops are playing, Play-Stop All can start a loop and the master together. For example, when no loop is playing press Play-Stop All and the Play-Stop All light starts blinking slow. Tap B2 and loop 2 and master loop 3 start playing together. L2 and L3 turn on bright. The Play-Stop All light stops blinking.
NOTE - Play-Stop All can’t be used if a loop is being recorded. If it is active, indicated by the Play-Stop All light blinking, and recording is begun, the function is cancelled and the Play-Stop All light turns off.
11.8 Fade - Assignable to either Bonus button & controlled by tap or hold
NOTE - Fade cannot be turned on while a loop is stacking, recording or queued to record. Likewise recording cannot be initiated during a fade and stacking cannot be used with a loop that is fading.
NOTE - Fade time is set with the knob labeled Fade Time. Makes sense to me. The time can be set from about 3 to 43 seconds. Fade time cannot be changed while a fade is in progress.
SETUP - Loop 2 has been recorded.
Start a smooth fade out. Press Fade and which ever loop is playing will fade to silence according to the selected fade time. When the level reaches zero the loop will stop playing. For example, if loop 2 is playing L2 will be on bright. Press Fade. L2 blinks bright slow and the Fade light blinks slow. Loop 2’s volume begins decreasing. When loop 2’s volume reaches zero, it stops playing. L2 becomes dim and the Fade light stops blinking.
Start a smooth fade in. If no loop is playing the Fade button can initiate a fade in. For example, press Fade and the Fade light starts blinking slow. Tap B2 and L2 blinks bright slow as loop 2 begins fading in. When loop 2 reaches full volume, L2 turns on bright and the Fade light stops blinking.
Changing fade direction. If a loop is fading, either in or out, pressing the Fade button will reverse the direction of the fade. The rate of change, in the loop’s volume, will be unaffected.
Canceling a fade. Pressing the loop button of the fading loop will terminate the fade. If the loop is fading out, it will stop playing. If it is fading in, it will jump to full volume. In either case the Fade light will stop blinking.
NOTE - The time and rate of a fade is unaffected by changing loops.
11.9 Undo (Redo) - Assignable to either Bonus button & controlled by tap or hold
Mute the last part stacked on a loop (undo). After stacking, press Undo and the last sounds stacked will be removed from the loop, and the Undo light will blink slow. The “last sounds stacked” is defined as all recorded sounds between two presses of Stack.
Restore a muted part (redo). Press Undo while the light is blinking and the part is restored so it is heard again. The Undo light stops blinking.
When Undo/Redo won’t work.
1) If the stack function is used again, the previously stacked part can no longer be disabled or enabled.
A) If the Undo light is NOT blinking when stack is used again, the previously stacked part becomes a permanent part of its loop.
B) If the Undo light is blinking when stack is used again, the previously stacked part is lost and cannot be recovered. The Undo light stops blinking.
2) If stacking is active and you move from one loop to another, the material stacked on the first loop becomes permanent and cannot be “undone.” The Undo function now applies to what you are stacking on the second loop.
3) If a part is stacked while Undo is not assigned to a Bonus button, the part will not respond to Undo if it is assigned later.
NOTE - Undo is unaffected by recording a different loop. A previously stacked part can still be turned on and off after recording another loop.
Running out of memory when recording or stacking with Undo assigned.
When a loop stops recording because memory is full, the loop immediately switches to play.
In the same way, when a loop stops stacking because memory is full, the loop immediately switches to play (and the Stack light stops blinking). Pressing Stack again causes the new part to be abandoned or made a permanent part of the loop (according to the state of the Undo-Redo light). In either case, some memory is made available. The amount of memory made available will be the same as the length of the previously stacked sound.
If there is less than a second or so of memory available and no Undo buffer to reclaim, pressing Stack will have no effect and the Stack light will not blink.
11.10 Copy - Assignable to either Bonus button & controlled by tap or hold
The Copy function can be used two different ways.
Copy Loop
Used this way you can copy the contents of one loop to another, and it happens almost instantaneously. Follow these steps:
1) press Copy and the Copy light blinks fast
2) tap the button of a loop that’s not empty. This is the source loop.
3) tap the button of an empty loop. This is the destination loop. Voila! It’s done and the new loop’s light turns on dim. The Copy light stops blinking.
SETUP - Loops 1-2 have been recorded. L1-L2 are on dim. Loop 3 is empty. L3 is off.
Make an exact copy of a loop. Press Copy and the Copy light starts blinking fast. Tap B2 to select loop 2 as the source. Tap B3 to select loop 3 as the destination loop. The Copy light stops blinking when the copy is complete, which will be immediately in most cases.
Cancel the copy function. In the previous example, if the Copy button is pressed any time before the destination loop button, the Copy light stops blinking and the Copy function is cancelled. No copying takes place.
Restrictions on Copy Loop - You cannot use Copy Loop to duplicate a loop that is stacking or currently being recorded, however the source loop may be playing or idle.
Copy Live ( Re-sampling )
It’s easy to understand this use if you think of it as simply re-routing the III’s output to the empty loop you select. Whatever is coming out of your Rang™ III will be recorded in the new loop. This is called re-sampling by some folks. Follow these steps:
1) press Copy and the Copy light blinks fast
2) tap an empty loop’s button (destination) and that loop immediately starts recording whatever is coming out of your Rang™ III. The Copy light blinks slow and the loop’s light turns on bright.
3) tap the same loop’s button to conclude recording and the new loop’s light turns on dim. The Copy light stops blinking.
SETUP - Loop 1 is playing an octave lower than recorded & L1 is on bright. Loop 3 is empty & L3 is off.
Copy a playing loop.
1) Start Copy Live. Press Copy and the Copy light starts blinking fast. Tap B3 and loop 3 begins recording. L3 turns on bright and the Copy light blinks slow.
2) Stop copy/re-sampling. Tap B3 to conclude recording. L3 becomes dim, the Copy light stops blinking and loop 1 plays merrily on.
SETUP - Loops 1-2 have been recorded. L1 and L2 are on dim. Loop 3 is empty. L3 is off.
Merging two loops with Copy Live. Play loop 2. Press Copy then tap B3 right at the start of loop2. Then press B1. When loop 2 reaches its end, it stops and loop 1 plays. Tap B3 right at the end of loop 1 to conclude recording. Loop 3 is now a loop that consists of loop 2 followed by loop 1.
Cancel copy. If you change your mind about copying after initiating a copy operation, simply press the Copy button to cancel the copy. The Copy light turns off and the destination loop is left empty.
Possibilities with Copy Live.
1) You can make a copy of a loop while adding a new part to the copy or the copy and the existing loop.
2) A new loop can be made that is part of another loop.
3) A new loop can be created that consists of multiple copies of another loop.
4) A new loop can be made that is a combination of other loops.
5) So, let’s see… we can make a new loop that’s twice as long as the original as it plays in reverse and add a new part, all at the same time! Is your head spinning yet?
Restrictions on Copy Live or lack thereof. Copy Live has no restrictions like Copy Loop so all manner of looping madness can prevail. While Copy Live is recording to a new loop, you are free to start, stop, stack and record other loops as you normally would. Hence the wide variety of options. The list above is only a few of the possibilities. Let us know if you devise a particularly convoluted or devious way to loop.
11.11 Loop 4 - Assignable only to the yellow Bonus button & controlled by a tap. Loop 4 cannot share the button with another function, so a hold does nothing.
If Loop 4 is selected, the yellow Bonus button becomes another loop button and is referred to as B4. It behaves identically to buttons B1 & B2. The center light of the Clock Display becomes the loop 4 light & is referred to as L4.
12. Sample Rates
There are 2 sample rates available on your Rang™ III, 48 and 24KHz. Each rate has a light, and the one that’s on shows the current sample rate. The higher rate of 48KHz captures frequencies from 20Hz to over 22KHz. A sample rate of 24KHz captures frequencies from 20Hz to about 12KHz and doubles your available record time.
So, the trade off is between loop playback audio quality, and loop recording time. The fidelity you require will depend on what you’re playing through. Older or traditional tube amps may only reproduce sound from 100Hz – 5KHz, while keyboard and acoustic amps cover a much wider frequency range. If you don’t run out of loop recording time during typical use, just leave your Rang™ III at the factory setting of 48KHz.
You can easily change the sample rate. Hold down the Loop 2 button while powering up and the sample rate will be set to 48KHz. Hold down the Loop 3 button while powering up and the sample rate will be set to 24KHz. Your looper remembers which rate you chose and will power up with the selected sample rate until you change it.
See Section 20 for the maximum recording time with each sample rate.
NOTE - From the factory, your unit is set to record at 48KHz.
You may have a rig that requires turning off the “through signal,” the sound of your instrument that passes through the III. This is accomplished by holding down the Assign and Play Style buttons for about 2 seconds. The Thru Mute light turns on bright and your through signal is muted.
To restore the through signal, hold down the Assign and Play Style buttons for about 2 seconds. The Thru Mute light turns off.
14. Rear Panel
Input & Output Jacks - ¼” smart phone jacks
There are two input and two output jacks. The III will function differently depending on which jacks are used. For basic use, plug your instrument into the left input (mono) and connect your amp to the left output (mono). If you plug into both input & both output jacks, your Rang™ III will record in true stereo. The following table shows all valid connections.
NOTE – Make all connections prior to power up. “X” = a cable is plugged in. “-“ = no cable is connected.
Scheme |
Input |
Output |
Behavior |
||
|
L |
R |
L |
R |
||
|
1 |
- |
X |
X |
- |
Instrument & loop out L |
|
2 |
X |
- |
X |
- |
Instrument & loop out L |
|
3 |
X |
- |
X |
X |
Instrument & loop out L, loop only out R |
|
4 |
- |
X |
X |
X |
Instrument only out L, loop only out R |
|
5 |
X |
X |
X |
- |
Left & right inputs summed & output with loop on L |
|
6 |
X |
X |
X |
X |
L input & L loop out L, R input & R loop out R |
Power Connector
The included power supply plugs in here.
Pedal Link™ Connectors - These are not MIDI ports… exactly.
In software version 0.5 these connectors serve only one purpose, the “In” connector is used to upload new software to your Rang™ III.
Expression Pedal Jack
Connect your expression pedal here using a stereo cable with ¼” tip/ring/sleeve phone plugs on each end. See Section 15 for more juice, Bruce.
15. Expression Pedal
Loop Volume Control
Controlling loop volume has always been easy with Boomerang® loopers, and your Rang™ III is no different. Plug an expression pedal in and you are ready to go. With no additional hassle or setup, the pedal controls the level of your loops when they are playing.
Compatible Expression Pedals
Purchase an expression pedal that uses a stereo cable (TRS) such as the Korg EXP2, Roland EV5 & EV7, or BOSS FV-300L, FV-500L & FV-500H. If the pedal does not come with a stereo cable then you will need to purchase one that has a TRS (tip/ring/sleeve) plug on both ends.
NOTE - Expression pedals that use a mono cable (TS) will not work with your Rang™ III.
Using a Volume Pedal as an Expression Pedal
Virtually any passive volume pedal can be used as an expression pedal with your Rang™ III.
NOTE - An “insert cable” is required if you are using a volume pedal as an expression pedal.
Insert cables have a TRS plug on one end and 2 mono plugs (or jacks) on the other end. The TRS plug connects to your Rang™ III and the 2 mono jacks connect to your volume pedal. A few insert cables that should work fine are Hosa STP201RT, Horizon HYS-P ¼”, Live Wire TRS(M)-Dual ¼" and Pro Co IPBQ2Q3 or IPBQ2Q5.
NOTE – If your volume pedal doesn’t work properly, swap the 2 plugs at the volume pedal.
There are two identical Pedal Link™ connectors on the rear panel. We hope to add some interesting and useful capabilities in the future, but make no promises. Holler if you have suggestions.
17. Clip Light
Input Level Indicator
The light to the right of the Boomerang® logo indicates input signal level. It’s OK if it occasionally turns on, but if it is on most of the time then your input signal is too loud. The pedal will not be harmed but unwanted distortion might occur. If the sound is good to you then don’t worry about it. Let your ears make the final decision.
Memory Usage Indicator
The Clip light also indicates the memory’s state. A dim slow blink means there is 10 seconds or less of recording time left. A dim fast blink means memory is full and no more recording or stacking can take place until some memory is made available by deleting a loop.
If your typical usage results in filling the memory frequently, consider trying the 24KHz sample rate.
|
Problem |
Solution |
|
No sound comes through the pedal |
1) Move the amp connection to the left output jack and cycle power 2) Turn off Thru Mute if that light is on. See Section 13. 3) Power your pedal down & then reapply power |
20. Specifications
All audio other than the loops is sampled at 48 KHz with 24 bit samples. This includes the through and Reverse Solo signals.
SNR -104dB Maximum input signal 1.5V
Sample Rate 48 or 24KHz Sample Width 20 bits
Power requirements 9VAC, 9VDC positive tip or 9VDC negative tip, 700-1000mA
Power connector OD = 5.5mm, ID = 2.5mm, length = 9.0mm
Maximum Record Time
|
Sample Rate, KHz |
Mono |
Stereo |
|
24 |
17 min 32 sec |
8 min 46 sec |
|
48 |
8 min 46 sec |
4 min 23 sec |
Here are some nutty things to try with your looper that will get you laughing.
Backwards Talking Game
Say a short phrase, such as your name, record it and play it in reverse. Listen carefully and learn to say this reversed phrase. Now record your self saying the backward phrase. Then play this in reverse and see how close you’ve come to the original.
The humor lies in listening to people try to talk backwards.
Train a Talking Bird
Record a phrase you want your bird to learn. I’d recommend adding some silence so there is a pause before the phrase repeats. Start your Rang™ III playing and go to work. Upon returning, your bird will have learned the phrase, or refuse to ever speak to you again.
Sound Like Frankenstein
Record a phrase speaking as low (in pitch) as you can, but very quickly. This is awkward at first because there’s a tendency to speak slowly when lowering one’s voice. Play your phrase back with Octave active. It plays an octave lower but the cadence is closer to normal because it’s slowed down.
The voice you hear is terrifying and very useful for scaring trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Place a small speaker in the bushes and play a suitably threatening statement. Your candy expenses will be lower.
Dog Tricks
Record your dog barking. When you play it back he’ll wonder how that other dog got inside your speaker cabinet. You can also play this for your cat, but we cannot be responsible for the results.
22. Warranty
Boomerang Musical Products, Ltd. warrants your BoomerangÒ III Phrase Sampler to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one (1) year from the date of purchase. This warranty is void if the unit has been abused in any way.
We suggest that you fill out and return the enclosed warranty card, although it is not required for the warranty to take effect. We do, however, require that a dated proof of purchase be retained throughout the warranty period.
If it becomes necessary to return your pedal to the factory, you will be responsible for the cost of shipping to us. Do not return the unit to the dealer, but ship it directly to us. Always insure a valuable item like this pedal when shipping. Please contact us before returning a unit. Our phone numbers and email info are on the front of this manual. Securely package the unit including a description of the problem, a copy of your dated proof of purchase, your phone number, a complete return address and ship to:
Boomerang Musical Products; 1516 Victoria Drive; Denton, TX 76201
· Boomerang Musical Products, Ltd. reserves the right to make changes in product design without any obligation to include those changes in any products previously manufactured.
· There is no express warranty on goods covered by this agreement.
23. Downloading Software To the III
New software will be sent to you as an email attachment. Save it in a convenient directory on your computer.
You’ll need the following hardware. A USB cable goes from your computer to a USB/MIDI interface, which can be bought for as little as $29. A MIDI cable goes from the USB/MIDI interface to the Pedal Link™ In connector on your III.
Launch an application that can play MIDI files and set it to output data on MIDI channel 16. The file we sent is a MIDI file, so open and play it. You may get a warning saying something like “There is no note data in this file.” That’s cool as there isn’t, only a bunch of SysEx commands. After the file plays, all the clock display lights turn on bright yellow to indicate the new software has been received. Then a second or two later they all turn bright green to indicate the new software has been permanently saved.
Here’s the setup I use. I have an HP computer with the Vista operating system, and use a program I purchased on the net called Sweet MIDI Player 32. My USB/MIDI interface is an M-Audio Fast Track Pro. It works like a charm.