BOSS XS-1

Owner’s Manual

The XS-1 Poly Shifter pedal

Before using this unit, carefully read “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (the leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and the Owner’s Manual). After reading, keep the document(s) where it will be available for immediate reference.

Panel descriptions

  • To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn off all the units before making any connections.
The XS-1 with callouts 1 to 10
NumberNameExplanation
1 DC IN jack

Use this jack to connect a separately sold AC adaptor (PSA-S series). By using an AC adaptor, you can play without being concerned about how much battery power you have left.

  • Use only the specified AC adaptor (PSA series; sold separately), and connect it to an AC outlet of the correct voltage.
  • If the AC adaptor is connected while power is on, the power supply is drawn from the AC adaptor.
2 CHECK indicator

This indicator shows whether an effect is ON/OFF, and doubles as the Battery Check indicator.

The indicator lights when an effect is ON. You can check whether the effect is on or off.

  • The brightness of the CHECK indicator (LED) will dim as the battery lowers. Replace the battery when the LED is dim or does not light. For details on how to replace, refer to “Replacing the battery”.
3 [BALANCE] knob Adjusts the balance between the effect sound and the direct sound.
4 PEDAL MODE [TOGGLE/MOMENT] switch

Selects how the pedal switch operates.

TOGGLE: The effect toggles between on and off with each press of the pedal.

MOMENT: The effect turns on only while the pedal is pressed.
5 SHIFT DIRECTION [▼/DETUNE/▲] switch

Sets the direction of pitch shift.

▼ (down): The pitch shifts down.

DETUNE (center): Adds a detuned sound to the input audio.

▲ (up): The pitch shifts up.
6 [SHIFT] knob

Adjusts the amount of pitch shift.

SEMITONE: in semitones (1–7 half steps)

OCT: in octaves (1–3 octaves)

When the [SHIFT DIRECTION] switch is set to the middle (DETUNE), the range is -20 to +20 cents.

In DETUNE, the SHIFT knob's travel runs from -20 cent to +20 cent
7 OUTPUT jack

Connect this jack to your amplifier or effect unit.

  • Do not use connection cables that contain a built-in resistor.
8 INPUT jack

Connect the output of your electric guitar, other musical instrument or effect unit to this input jack.

Use a 1/4″ phone type (TS) ↔ 1/4″ phone type (TS) cable to connect to this jack.

  • The INPUT jack also serves as the power switch. The power turns on whenever a plug is inserted into the INPUT jack, and turns off when the plug is disconnected. When you aren’t using this unit, disconnect the plug that’s connected to the INPUT jack. “Turning the power on/off”
  • Do not use connection cables that contain a built-in resistor.
9 CTL/EXP jack

Using the jack as a CTL jack

Connect a footswitch (FS-5U, FS-6, FS-7; sold separately) to control the pitch shift.

For more about the footswitch settings, refer to “Adjusting the amount of pitch shift”.

Using the jack as an EXP jack

Connect an expression pedal (EV-30, Roland EV-5, etc.; sold separately) to continuously change the effect settings for the expression pedal’s pushed-up (horizontal) position and for the pushed-down (slanted) position.

For more on function settings, refer to “Controlling the knob using an expression pedal (EXP FUNCTION)”.

  • Use only the specified expression pedal. By connecting any other expression pedals, you risk causing malfunction and/or damage to the unit.
10 Pedal switch This switch turns the effect on/off.

Turning the power on/off

  • Once everything is properly connected, be sure to follow the procedure below to turn on their power. If you turn on equipment in the wrong order, you risk causing malfunction or equipment failure.
  • Before turning the unit on/off, always be sure to turn the volume down. Even with the volume turned down, you might hear some sound when switching the unit on/off. However, this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

When turning the power on

  1. Connect a plug to the INPUT jack.

    This turns this unit on.

  2. Turn on your guitar amp or other audio equipment.

When turning the power off

  1. Turn off your guitar amp or other audio equipment.
  2. Unplug the cable from the INPUT jack.

    The power turns off.

Connecting an external pedal

Connecting a Roland EV-5 expression pedal, one or two FS-5U footswitches, an FS-6 or an FS-7 to the CTL/EXP jack, with the cable for each and the mode/polarity switch settings of each footswitch

Adjusting the amount of pitch shift

The pitch shift amount can be set separately for each externally connected footswitch.

  1. Press and hold the footswitch you want to set, and use the [SHIFT DIRECTION] switch to set the shift direction.
  2. Press and hold the footswitch you want to set, and turn the [SHIFT] knob to set the pitch shift amount.
  3. Press and hold the footswitch you want to set, and turn the [BALANCE] knob to set the balance between the effect sound and the direct sound.
  4. Press and hold the footswitch you want to set, and use the [TOGGLE/MOMENT] switch to set how the pedal works.
  5. The settings are saved when the footswitch is released.
  • To reset the pitch shift amount of an externally connected footswitch to the same amount as the panel knob, press and hold the footswitch while pressing the pedal switch.
  • The CHECK indicator blinks red when you set the pitch shift amount of an externally connected footswitch or reset the setting.
  • The CHECK indicator lights green when the pedal switch and the externally connected footswitch (CTL1) have different pitch shift settings.
  • The CHECK indicator lights orange when the pedal switch and the externally connected footswitch (CTL2) have different pitch shift settings.

Controlling the knob using an expression pedal (EXP FUNCTION)

You can use an externally connected expression pedal to control the pitch shift amount of this unit.

The pitch is shifted to the amount set with the [SHIFT] knob when you press the pedal.

Replacing the battery

About the battery

  • Batteries should always be installed or replaced before connecting any other devices. This way, you can prevent malfunction and damage.
  • If the batteries run extremely low, the sound may distort / interruptions in the sound may occur at high volume levels, but this does not indicate a malfunction. If this occurs, please replace the batteries / use the AC adaptor (sold separately).
  • If operating this unit on batteries, please use alkaline batteries.
  • If you handle batteries improperly, you risk explosion and fluid 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” (leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and Owner’s Manual).
  • This device already contains a battery when shipped from the factory. This is a test battery, which may not last as long as a new one.

NOTE

  • When operating on battery power only, the unit’s indicator will become dim when battery power gets too low. Replace the battery as soon as possible.
  • If you notice noise when the unit is running on battery power, this may be because the battery is almost depleted. Try replacing the battery or using a separately sold AC adaptor.
  • If the CHECK indicator keeps switching on and off when the unit is running on battery power, this may be because the battery is almost depleted. Try replacing the battery or using a separately sold AC adaptor.

Replacing the battery

Batteries should always be installed or replaced before connecting any other devices. This way, you can prevent malfunction and damage.

The pedal opened upward: thumbscrew, pedal, spring base, coil spring, guide bush hole, battery housing, battery snap cord, battery snap and battery
  1. Hold down the pedal and loosen the thumbscrew, then open the pedal upward.

    You don’t need to take the thumbscrew out completely to open the pedal.

  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 snap cord caught in the pedal, coil spring, and battery housing.

  5. Finally, hold down the pedal while tightening the thumbscrew into the guide bush hole.

Main specifications

AD conversion

24 bits + AF method

  • AF method (Adaptive Focus method). This is a proprietary method from Roland & BOSS that vastly improves the signal-to-noise (SN) ratio of the AD and DA converters.
DA conversion32 bits
Sampling frequency48 kHz
Nominal input level-20 dBu
Maximum input level+7 dBu
Input impedance1 MΩ
Nominal output level-20 dBu
Maximum output level+7 dBu
Output impedance1 kΩ
Recommended load impedance10 kΩ or greater
BypassBuffered bypass
ControlsBALANCE knob
SHIFT knob
PEDAL MODE [TOGGLE/MOMENT] switch
SHIFT DIRECTION [▼/DETUNE/▲] switch
Pedal switch
IndicatorCHECK indicator (also used as the battery check)
ConnectorsINPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
OUTPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
CTL/EXP jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
DC IN jack
Power supplyAC adaptor
Alkaline battery (6LR61 or 6LF22, commercially available) x 1
Current draw120 mA
Expected battery life under continuous use

Alkaline battery (6LR61): Approximately 3 hours

  • This can vary depending on the specifications of the batteries, capacity of the batteries, and the conditions of use.
Dimensions73 (W) x 129 (D) x 59 (H) mm
2-7/8 (W) x 5-1/8 (D) x 2-3/8 (H) inches
Weight (including battery)410 g
15 oz
AccessoriesLeaflet (“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: EV-30, FV-500L, FV-500H, Roland EV-5
  • 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
  • This document explains the specifications of the product at the time that the document was issued. For the latest information, refer to the Roland website.