Boss RC-2 Loop Station DIY tap tempo switch - the right way

[shovroom]

Is there any way to tap tempo during playback? That would be great when playing with a drummer.

[aektzis91]

hey there would this work as a taptempo for a DD7? and where could i find parts? cheers

[tjowatonna]

@aektzis91

It probably will work just fine. I don't know if the DD7 wants a normally open switch or a normally closed one. You can get parts at Radio Shack or from any place that sells electronic components online (Mouser, Digikey, etc.)

[aektzis91]

@tjowatonna awesome, also do you know where i could find schmatics? cheers

[tjowatonna]

@aektzis91

There's nothing to schematic. Tip goes to one lug, Sleeve goes to the other lug.

[ReebHound]

Hey man, i have this, and like when i over dub a riff it is SOOOOOOO QUIET i cant even hear it what could be wrong?

[tjowatonna]

@ReebHound There's a volume knob on the left. It controls the volume of the loop.

[ReebHound]

@tjowatonna ik that but it still doenstt work, either ones over powering or the other is, like if u play rythm and then a lead u can only whear the lead the rythm sounds like therre but its sooo low

[tjowatonna]

@ReebHound Doesn't sound like your unit is working properly. Hopefully you haven't modded it and are able to exchange it. There's no real magic to the thing. Have you tried it with just the guitar and your amp with no other pedals to make sure something else isn't causing a problem? That's my only last suggestion. For more help try going to harmonycentral and asking on their forums.

[uncunabula]

Hi tjowatonna,

Great tip! I've got the NC switch but what about the jack? Is it mono or stereo and if stereo is it tip and ring or what?

Thanks!!!

[tjowatonna]

@uncunabula Well, it's tip or ring, depending on which function you want it to be. Tip (or a mono jack) will operate the stop/tap tempo function. Ring will operate the option to switch to the next recorded phrase. You wire the switch up to either tip or ring then, and then the other lug of the switch to Ground.

[uncunabula]

@tjowatonna

excelent thanks, I've got the soldering iron on now!

[uncunabula]

@tjowatonna

excelent thanks, I've got the soldering iron on now!

[29396]

what's that vox pedal? it looks hawt

[tjowatonna]

@29396 It's a "Distortion Booster". Kind of a tube screamer type of pedal. I've modded it because it's way too damn bright stock, but now it has a nice mellow overdrive sound. I'm selling it if you want it. Send me a private message.

[jman7759]

how can i know that my switch is normally closed before i buy it?

[tjowatonna]

@jman7759

It should say on the packaging. "NC" or "NO" for Normally Closed or Normally Open.

[satjathamma]

that seem to be a great mod, could you by any chanse build one of these to me? I'll pay you

[tjowatonna]

@satjathamma If you're in the greater Twin Cities Metro area, MN, let's talk. I'm not really interested in doing this over a distance involving the post office. Sorry.

[stefilen]

hey , does the RC-2 change the original sound of the amp . cheers

[thricexalliance]

Line 6 JM4 > Boss Loop Station.

[tjowatonna]

@thricexalliance Good for you.

[FriedellWasHere]

Works perfect. Everything I wanted. Thank you sir, this was a much needed addition.

[FriedellWasHere]

Your video seems to be exactly what im looking for. When I record a riff and stop it, I want it to delete itself so its ready for the next riff. in your video you say that. Is this true also with the FS-U5? I just orderd one but if it doesn't erase my temporary track when I engage the switch to stop its pointless to me. Any opinions? And if it doesn't work how I expect it what exactly did you put in your own switch? I already have an empty pedal box I just need to know the right pieces.

[tjowatonna]

If you get a SPDT Momentary switch there will be three lugs. Try these two variations on those three lugs, Center and Left or Center and Right (left right is arbitrary, so just the center and one of the other two). One of those two things will give you the solution you want.

[LuXguitaR]

Where in the chain should the Rc be?

[tjowatonna]

Absolutely last. If you use amp gain put it in the effects loop of the amp. You can get away with reverb being after it, but that's the only thing that I'd put before it in a signal chain.

[KramerStephan]

Do you think it's possible to use the stereojack on the Boss to wire it up, so you could connect an expression pedal and control the loop volume, like you can on the DD7?

Thank you

[tjowatonna]

I suppose. I suspect it would be similar to how you would do a passive volume on any pedal.

[enashii123]

when changing the tempo i cant seem to even slow it down that much

[tjowatonna]

Remember that you can only change the tempo on phrases that are saved, not on loops that you create on the fly.  There's also a limit to how slowly you can tap, so make sure you're creating the loops the tempo is appropriate for the changes you need.

[gpacariem]

will this work on a BOSS DD7?

[DroehnIng]

I'm gonna buy a RC-2 so i'll need one of those switches. My question is: how is it weired inside? just to cables from jack to switch?

[tjowatonna]

It's very straight forward once you get inside there. The jack itself is not actually necessary (and actually won't function if you wire it up properly) to be involved in this. You can take the wire that goes to the jack and use it directly if you want, the only thing is I don't know if it's long enough or thin enough to pass where it needs to go. Otherwise, just leave the pedal wired up as it is and just connect the jack Tip to the switch and any ground point to the other lug of the switch.

[latimer1991]

Hello! I'm wondering if there is a way to do this tap tempo box and the mod to select phrases too without the problem mencioned. Sorry my english. Thanks! Great video!!

[tjowatonna]

This video is intended to explain how to properly do it. The switch used in the video is the right one, while many older videos used the wrong switch. Use a SPST-NC switch and you'll get a properly working RC-2.

[oranufm]

tjowatonna, thk you for taking the time on this. I am going to get an FS-6 to plug into this box, but since I'm mainly using it for live performance, I'd like to keep in my rack with my TCE g-system. I'd love to rig this pedal so that the actual switch on the box is fed out to my standing location, along with the FS-6 -- can you comment on how hard that might be to do, and what kind of switch could be added? I'd like to just add another mono 1/4 jack to the enclosure, out to a switch...

[tjowatonna]

What you're talking about is MUCH more involved than what is presented in the video. You'd need to completely remove the stock switch from the RC-2 and probably use some kind of 6 or 9 pin plug/jack combination you'd need to custom make that connected with probably an SPDT momentary switch in your outboard box. It wouldn't require much more than removing the stomp plate from the original enclosure, but the wiring and plug/jack configuration could get messy.

[oranufm]

do you think the main switch that's built into this box is simply another SPDT-NC? If so, then running another switch in parallel to that and then perhaps getting a 6-conductor wire going from the outboard box to one TRS plug and one TS plug would do the trick, perhaps? (or yes, if I wanted to be slick, perhaps a 6-pin midi cable with a jack created on the box.... if it would fit...)

[tjowatonna]

I doubt it is. Even if it is, you'll need to disconnect the stock switch if it's Normally Closed, because even if you wired up another one in parallel, when you open (press on) the parallel switch the circuit would still be closed (due to the fact that the stock switch would stay closed). No matter what, you'll probably have to disconnect the stock switch completely. It won't be a simple Normally Open switch, I can guarantee that. It's probably an SPDT or DPDT momentary switch.

[oranufm]

Bummer... I think this box may not be right for me after all, even with the FS-6 switch. (Any recommendations on rack-mount loopin' :D ?)

[TheSilentDivine]

Thanks for tips, man.

Is there a way to tap tempo without stoping the playback?

[tjowatonna]

Not with this unit. You'd need a more sophisticated looper for that.

[mullen28]

Thanks for sharing this. I just got an RC-2 and wondered why I couldn't change the tempo during play back so this helps a lot. I would like to do something small like yours. How big is the box you used for the switch and where could I find one that size?

Thanks,

Mike

[tjowatonna]

The box is just a small plastic Project Box from Radio Shack. I had the switch left over from another project. I don't know if you can get them in the larger size like that from Radio Shack. That particular switch I know you can't get from R.S., but they have others that will work anyway. Make sure you get the right kind like explained in the video.

[mullen28]

I will. Thanks again for explaining all this. I'm building one asap.

[Nilsje]

Hey dude,

So is this a Momentary switch or a Latch switch?

Kind Regards,

Nils

[TeleTubeee]

Thanks for sharing your tips.

Doug

San Francisco, California USA

[kingofkeyboards]

Is is not much easier to just buy a keyboard sustain pedal for £5 and use them cause they work fine. I'd only dot his if I wanted to have abit of fun doing it myself.

[tjowatonna]

No, that's the point. Most sustain pedals are "push to make" or "normally open" which means they will not work the way they are intended. If you can find a sustain pedal with a polarity switch great, but this is cheaper!

[fragglydaggly]

What's that song you played at 0:45-0:50 ?

[tjowatonna]

It's not a song, just a little messing around to demonstrate the pedal. I guess I was thinking 12-bar blues, but I never got far enough to finish the progression.

[hereismikecook]

sustain pedals for the average keyboards work!

and they dont need an adaptor

[sumtymzwhy]

In the manual spec list it sez... "Current Draw - 50 mA (DC 9 V)". The PSA series adapter cost $56. Would you happen to know if I could get away with a generic 50 mA - 9 V adapter? If so, would ya happen to know whether the tip or sleeve is pos +? Thnx!!

[tjowatonna]

All (or nearly all) boss compact pedals are 9v negative tip polarity. As long as your adapter meets those characteristics (and fits into the slot) you'll be fine. I don't know if I've ever seen an AC adapter lower than 300mAh, but as long as you can provide at least 50 you're fine.

[sumtymzwhy]

Can I assume that the swith is"momentary contact"? Where can I find one? I've found it at wholesale places, but I think I'd have to buy in quantity.from them. Thanx for the way helpful video!

[tjowatonna]

Yes, momentary Normally Closed. Radio Shack sells them, although the ones from RS are really touchy. You can get them individually from Digikey, just search for a mini momentary normally closed pushbutton, then make sure the picture matches what you want.

[sumtymzwhy]

Again Thanx so much. I stripped an old sustain pedal and built it with the Radio Shack switch (4 for $3). I figured when I get a better one I'll replace it. Had to use an Altoids lid for the bottom, as it was higher than the pedal. With the padding inside and the travel limited by the pedal case, it's working. I stomped on it for an hour, and it's still going I had to sell old gear to buy the rc-2. $48 for gear is a fight with the wife I can't win.. with my lousy paycheck. You Rock!

[jwuonog]

I wish I knew this...last month. Just built a box using an NO, using instructions from a DIY tutorial. Oh well. time to build another!

[tjowatonna]

The Altoids box is a piezo buffer (preamp) that I use with my bassoon pickup.

[walkerqaz]

what is the altoids box for?

[walkerqaz]

Whats the altoids box for?

[tjowatonna]

Yep! I had a stereo switch built for use with my ME-50B, which used two switches as well. I didn't find the phrase switching feature to be all that helpful, so I don't bother with the RC-2

[bzazz]

I scanned through the RC-2 manual and found out that also the footswitch FS-6 can be used. So I bought two switches and stereo plug. It works great and now I can also switch phrases without hands!

[tjowatonna]

If you get an SPST-NC switch and a Mono 1/4" jack there is very little wiring concern. Just attach the Tip part of the jack to one of the lugs on the switch and the Sleeve part of the jack (ground) to the other lug. It doesn't matter which goes where, just as long as you don't bridge anything (which might be close to impossible).

[bzazz]

Good, I think I'll try to build one for myself. Do you have a picture or know good web site which shows how the wiring should be made correctly from the switch to the plug?

[tjowatonna]

This does exactly the same thing as the FS-5U. People have been using the wrong switch and it wasn't working properly for them. This works like the official switch.

[bzazz]

Thanks for the informative video. So is this doing same things as Boss FS-5U Footswitch?