Q: I noticed that the Boss RC-3 Loop Station has a footswitch jack labeled “Stop/Memory Shift.” This is obviously to plug in an external footswitch to control those parameters, but how exactly does it work?

A: The RC-3 has so many functions that some features require more than one button push to access. To get more instant control over the RC-3, an external footswitch can be connected. The external footswitch jack on the Boss RC-3 is tip-ring-sleeve so it will actually accomodate either one or two switches. Boss recommends using their FS-5U single, non-latching footswitch or their FS-6 or FS-7 dual footswitches.

Single Pedal
When using one FS-5U and connecting a standard, tip-sleeve cable, the RC-3 responds in these three ways:

1) Stop — While in record, overdub, or play modes, press the footswitch to stop. This allows you to access the stop function quicker and easier. To stop a loop with the RC-3’s built-in footswitch, you must press it twice.

2) Tempo Setting — While stopped, pressing the footswitch several times mimics the Tap Tempo button and sets a new tempo for the Rhythm feature. This is handy for creating loops on the fly, especially when your hands are not available to set a new loop tempo.

3) Clear Phrase — Holding the footswitch down for at least two seconds will clear the current phrase, unless it has been previously saved. If you’re in a performance situation, this will allow you to clear the current loop hands-free and not have to move to another memory position to create a new loop.

Dual Pedal
When using the FS-6 or FS-7 dual footswitches and a tip-ring-sleeve cable, one of the pedals will perform the functions listed above and the other pedal will activate the RC-3 in these two ways:

1) Memory Shift Up — Pressing the footswitch advances to the next-numbered phrase memory. If you press it during playback, the next-numbered phrase will blink in the display and change when the current phrase has ended.

2) Memory Shift Down — Holding the footswitch down for at least two seconds will select the previously numbered phrase.

* Two FS-5U footswitches can be used as well. A cable with one tip-ring-sleeve plug on one end and two tip-sleeve jacks or plugs on the other must be used to connect them to the RC-3.

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How to Use an External Footswitch With the Boss RC-3 Loop Station

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