ODB-3 Bass Overdrive

Product Information

The product is an effects unit designed for use with a bass
guitar or other musical instruments. It features various controls
and jacks to adjust and connect to amplifiers or other devices. The
unit can be powered by batteries or an AC adaptor (PSA series, sold
separately).

Main Features

• DC IN jack: Accepts connection of an AC Adaptor (PSA series;
  sold separately). By using an AC Adaptor, you can play without
  being concerned about battery power.
• AC Adaptor (PSA series; sold separately): Provides power to the
  unit when connected. Use only the specified AC adaptor
  (PSA-series).
• LEVEL knob: Adjusts the level of the effect sounds.
• HIGH EQ knob: Boosts or cuts higher frequencies.
• LOW EQ knob: Boosts or cuts lower frequencies.
• OUTPUT jack: Connects the unit to amplifiers or other
  devices.
• Bass Amplifier Thumbscrew: Loosen to open the pedal for battery
  replacement.
• CHECK indicator: Shows whether an effect is ON/OFF and
  indicates battery status.
• BALANCE knob: Controls the output balance between Dry
  (straight) and Overdrive sounds.
• GAIN knob: Adjusts the gain of the Dry or Overdrive sound.
• INPUT jack: Accepts input signals from a bass guitar, musical
  instrument, or another effect unit.
• Electric bass guitar: The INPUT jack doubles as the power
  switch.
• Pedal Switch: Turns the effects ON/OFF.

Product Usage Instructions

Before using this unit, please read the sections entitled “USING
THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” provided on a separate
sheet.

Powering the Unit:

• If using batteries, keep them installed in the unit even when
  powering it with an AC adaptor. This ensures uninterrupted
  performance in case the AC adaptor gets accidentally
  disconnected.
• If using an AC adaptor, connect it to the DC IN jack. Use only
  the specified AC adaptor (PSA-series). When the AC adaptor is
  connected while power is on, the power supply is drawn from the AC
  adaptor.
• To turn on the unit, plug a cable into the INPUT jack. The
  power is turned off when the cable is unplugged. Disconnect the
  plug from the INPUT jack when not using the effects unit.

Adjusting Effect Sounds:

• Use the LEVEL knob to adjust the level of the effect sounds.
  Set it so there is no volume difference between the effect and
  straight bass guitar sounds.
• Use the HIGH EQ knob to boost or cut higher frequencies.
  Clockwise rotation boosts the higher frequencies.
• Use the LOW EQ knob to boost or cut lower frequencies.
  Clockwise rotation boosts the lower frequencies.
• Use the BALANCE knob to control the output balance between Dry
  (straight) and Overdrive sounds. Counterclockwise rotation
  increases the Dry sound, while clockwise rotation increases the
  level of Overdrive sounds.
• Use the GAIN knob to adjust the gain of the Dry or Overdrive
  sound. Clockwise rotation increases the gain.

Connecting the Unit:

• Connect the OUTPUT jack to amplifiers or other devices.
• Ensure that the volume is turned down and all units are turned
  off before making any connections to prevent malfunction and
  equipment failure.

Checking Battery Status:

• The CHECK indicator shows whether an effect is ON/OFF and
  doubles as the Battery Check indicator. It lights up when an effect
  is ON.
• If the CHECK indicator goes dim or no longer lights while an
  effect is ON, the battery is near exhaustion and should be replaced
  immediately.

Battery Replacement:

• To change the battery, loosen the Bass Amplifier Thumbscrew to
  open the pedal. Refer to the “Changing the Battery” instructions
  for detailed steps.

Owner’s Manual

English

Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (supplied on a separate sheet). After reading, keep the document(s) where it will be available for immediate reference.
Main Features
7 Overdrive that’s optimized specifically for bass guitar. Provides thick and solid overdrive tone that does not weaken the sound. 7 Overdrive that faithfully reproduces picking dynamics and the subtle nuances of the player. 7 Use the balance knob to adjust the volume balance between the dry sound and the overdrive sound. Possible settings range from a slightly distorted sound all the way to intense overdrive sound consisting only of distortion. 7 Two-band EQ lets you separately adjust the tonal character of the low and high frequency ranges.

Panel Descriptions
DC IN jack
Accepts connection of an AC Adaptor (PSA series; sold separately). By using an AC Adaptor, you can play without being concerned about how much battery power you have left. * We recommend that you keep batteries installed in the unit even though you’ll be powering it with
the AC adaptor. That way, you’ll be able to continue a performance even if the cord of the AC adaptor gets accidentally disconnected from the unit. * Use only the specified AC adaptor (PSA-series). * If the AC adaptor is connected while power is on, the power supply is drawn from the AC adaptor.
AC Adaptor (PSA series; sold separately)
LEVEL knob
This knob adjusts the level of the effect sounds. Set the knob so there is no volume difference between the effect and straight bass guitar sounds. * If this knob is turned all the way to the left, no sound is heard.
HIGH EQ knob
Use this knob to boost or cut higher frequencies; clockwise rotation boosts the higher frequencies.
LOW EQ knob
Use this knob to boost or cut lower frequencies; clockwise rotation boosts the lower frequencies.
OUTPUT jack
The output jack is used to connect the unit to amplifiers or other devices.
Bass Amplifier
Thumbscrew
When this screw is loosened, the pedal will open, allowing you to change the battery. * For instructions on changing the battery, refer to “Changing the Battery.”

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.
* If this indicator goes dim or no longer lights while an effect is ON, the battery is near exhaustion and should be replaced immediately.

BALANCE knob
This knob controls the output balance between Dry (straight) and Overdrive sounds. Counterclockwise rotation increases the Dry sound, while clockwise rotation increases the level of Overdrive sounds. When rotated fully counterclockwise (or clockwise), only the Dry (or Overdrive) sound will be obtained.
GAIN knob
This knob adjusts the gain of the Dry or Overdrive sound. When you are using Dry sounds, this knob can adjust the amount of boost without distorting the sound. When you are using Overdrive sounds, the GAIN knob adjusts the depth of the distortion. Clockwise rotation increases the gain.

INPUT jack
This jack accepts input signals (coming from a bass guitar, some other musical instrument, or another effect unit).

Electric bass guitar

* The INPUT jack doubles as power switch. Power to the unit is turned on when you plug into the INPUT jack; the power is turned off when the cable is unplugged. When not using the effects unit, be sure to disconnect the plug from the INPUT jack.

Pedal Switch
This switch turns the effects ON/OFF.

Precautions When Connecting
5 To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn off all the units before making any connections.
5 Once the connections have been completed, turn on power to your various devices in the order specified. By turning on devices in the wrong order, you risk causing malfunction and/or damage to speakers and other devices. When powering up: Turn on the power to your bass amp last. When powering down: Turn off the power to your bass amp first.
5 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.
Operating the Unit
1. When you have made the necessary connections, set the knobs as shown in the illustration.
6534
2. Depress the pedal switch to turn the effect on. (Make sure that the CHECK Indicator lights.)
3. Adjust the output balance between the Dry and Overdrive sounds using the BALANCE Knob.
4. Adjust the gain of the Dry or Overdrive sound using the GAIN Knob.
5. Adjust the tone using the HIGH and LOW EQ Knobs.
6. Adjust the LEVEL Knob so there will be no volume difference between the effect and straight bass sounds.

Use of Battery
5 A battery is supplied with the unit. The life of this battery may be limited, however, since its primary purpose was to enable testing.
5 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” (supplied on a separate sheet).
5 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.
5 Batteries should always be installed or replaced before connecting any other devices. This way, you can prevent malfunction and damage.

Changing the Battery

1. Hold down the pedal and loosen the thumbscrew, then open the pedal upward.

* The pedal can be opened without detaching the thumbscrew completely.

Thumbscrew

Pedal

Battery Snap Cord

Spring Base Coil Spring

Battery Snap
9 V Battery

Guide Bush Hole
Battery Housing

2. Remove the old battery from the battery housing, and remove the snap cord connected to it.
3. Connect the snap cord 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, insert the thumbscrew into the guide bush hole and fasten it securely.

Main Specifications

Nominal Input Level -20 dBu Input Impedance 1 M

Nominal Output Level
Output Impedance

-20 dBu 1 k

Recommended Load Impedance

10 k or greater

Power Supply

Carbon-zinc battery (9 V, 6F22) or Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61)
AC adaptor (PSA series: sold separately)

Current Draw

20 mA

* Expected battery life under continuous use: Carbon: 24.5 hours Alkaline: 40.5 hours These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.

Dimensions Weight

73 (W) x 129 (D) x 59 (H) mm 2-7/8 (W) x 5-1/8 (D) x 2-3/8 (H) inches 390 g / 13 oz (including battery)

Accessories

Leaflet (“USING THE UNIT SAFELY,””IMPORTANT NOTES,” and “Information”)
Carbon-zinc battery (9 V, 6F22)

Options
(sold separately)

AC adaptor (PSA-series)

* 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.

© 2018 Roland Corporation

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