Boss TU-80 Owner's Manual

Products of Roland
This warranty is valid only in Japan.
Owner's Manual
Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the BOSS TU-80 Tuner & Metronome.
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" and
"IMPORTANT NOTES" (separate sheet).
These sections provide important information concerning the proper operation of the unit.
Additionally, in order to feel assured that you have gained a good grasp of every feature provided by
your new unit, this manual should be read in its entirety. The manual should be saved and kept on
hand as a convenient reference.
As shipped, the TU-80's batteries are not yet installed. Be sure to read "Changing the
Batteries" and then follow the instructions to install the batteries.
Copyright © 2003 BOSS CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the
written permission of BOSS CORPORATION.
■ Panel Descriptions
(fig. 1)
1. [POWER] Button:
Switches the power on and off.
After the TU-80 is turned on, if approximately ten minutes passes without any button being pushed,
the power is then turned off automatically (Auto Power Off function).
You can turn the Auto Power Off function on and off. Simultaneously hold down VALUE [
[ ] and press [POWER] to turn on the power; the Auto Power Off function is then cancelled
(switch off). The next time the power is on, Auto Power Off function will once again activated.
2. [TUNER] Button:
Switches the tuner mode.
3. [METRONOME] Button:
Switches the metronome mode. Starts and stops the metronome.
4. OUTPUT Jack:
The signal of the instrument connected to the INPUT jack is output from this
jack. The tuner's circuitry is completely bypassed once you switch the power off, so your instrument's
signal is output without any change in the tone quality. This jack is not for headphone use.
* The metronome sound will not be output.
5. [SOUND] Button:
Switches the TU-80's sound on and off.
When in tuner mode: In CHROMATIC mode, you can play any of the twelve notes in the chromatic scale.
In GUITAR/BASS mode, pitches corresponding to the open strings are played. When changing the
name of the note or the number for the string being tuned, press [SOUND] and then press VALUE
[ ] or [ ] to select the note name or string number. Press the [SOUND] once again to stop
playing the reference sound.
* The tuning function is disabled unless the TU-80's sound is muted. (the meter does not fluctuate).
When in metronome mode: Switches the metronome sound on and off.
6. [SELECT] Button:
The parameter to be set switches each time this is pressed.
Use VALUE [ ]/[ ] to make settings for the flashing parameter.
In tuner mode: Selects whether it is the tuning mode, flat tuning, or reference pitch that is indicated.
In Metronome mode: Selects whether it is the rhythm style, beat, or tempo that is indicated.
7. VALUE [ ] [ ]:
The selected parameter value decreases or increases each time the
respective button is pressed.
Holding down VALUE [ ] or [ ] when setting the metronome tempo causes the values to
change more rapidly.
8. INPUT Jack:
Connect the guitar, bass guitar, or other instrument to be tuned here.
9. MIC:
Use this when tuning acoustic instruments. Position the mic as closely as possible to the
instrument. Do not connect anything to the INPUT or OUTPUT jacks when using the mic.
10. Speaker 11. Guide Indicators 12. Display
■ Display
• Tuner Screen (fig. 2)
1. Guide Indicators:
These light to show how close you are to the target pitch.
When " " lights: pitch is flat (low). When "
When " " and " " light: in tune (±3 cents).
2. Tuning Mode Indicator:
There are three tuning modes.
CHROMATIC: Allows tuning any of the twelve pitches in the chromatic scale.
GUITAR: Allows tuning by guitar string number.
BASS: Allows tuning by bass guitar string number.
3. Flat Tuning Indicator:
This lowers the actual pitch of all notes below the regular tuning
(from one to five semitones, or two and a half steps), and can be accomplished simply without
changing the regular display.
The flat (" ") indicator will vary from "
semitones down). With the regular setting, "
" lights: pitch is sharp (high).
" (one semitone down) to " " and so on to "
" and " " alternately flash.
4. Note Name/String Number Indicator:
name" and "octave"; in GUITAR/BASS mode, it indicates the "string number" and "note name."
5. Meter:
This shows the difference in pitch from the indicated note name or string number.
6. Accu-Pitch On/Off Indicator:
pitch stabilizes within a range of three cents above or below the correct pitch. The beeping sound that
tells you that a string is precisely in tune will have the pitch of a note from C5 to B5, depending on the
string being tuned.
You can switch the AccuPitch function on (displayed) or off (not displayed). Holding down [TUNER]
while turning on the power sets the TU-80 to the opposite mode from the one currently active.
7. Reference Pitch Indicator:
keyboard) that is used in tuning for performances is called the "reference pitch." You can adjust the
reference pitch to any value from A=435 Hz to A=446 Hz.
• Metronome Screen (fig. 3)
1. Guide Indicators:
Flashes in time with the metronome tempo.
The " " for the selected beat lights up on the down beats; the "
2. Rhythm Style Indicator:
sounds) from 0 to 7.
0: (Quarter note), 1: (Eighth rest and eighth note), 2:
3: (Triple), 4: (Triple with center rest), 5:
6: (Clave-based pattern (3-2)), 7:
3. Beat Indicator:
This indicates the beat setting when
beat in the setting is played as the down beat. This can be set within a range from 0 to 9.
* When the beat is set to "0," a fixed, steady sound is played.
* When the rhythm style is set to "6" or "7" (when set to claves), this sets the number of times the basic
pattern is repeated.
4. Needle:
Moves in time with the tempo.
5. Tempo Indicator:
This can be set within a range from

■ Using the Tuner

1. Connect the instrument to be tuned to the INPUT jack.
The built-in mic is used for tuning acoustic instruments. When using the mic, make sure that
nothing is connected to the INPUT or OUTPUT jacks, and place the TU-80 near the instrument.
* To prevent malfunction and/or damage to speakers or other devices, always turn down the volume, and turn
off the power on all devices before making any connections.
2. Press the [POWER] to switch the power on.
3. Press the [TUNER] to swtich the tuner mode.
4. Use the [SELECT] and the VALUE [
GUITAR or BASS).
In necessary, use [SELECT] and VALUE [
5. Play a single note on the instrument.
The note name/string number for the note that is playing appears in the display.
The meter and Tuning Guide show how far the note is from the correct pitch.
6. Tune the instrument.
With the intended note name/string number appearing in the display, tune the instrument so that
both " " and " " of the Tuning Guide are lit, and the meter needle points to 0 (center position).
When a stable pitch is achieved, the tuner makes a beeping sound, informing you that the tuning
is completed (when the Accu-Pitch function is set to on).

■ Using the Metronome

] and
1. Press the [POWER] to switch the power on.
2. Press the [METRONOME] to swtich the metronome mode.
With each beat, the needle alternately moves to the left and right.
The metronome alternately starts and stops each time you press [METRONOME].
In necessary, use [SELECT] and VALUE [
Holding down VALUE [
■ Memory Function
Once batteries are installed in the TU-80, a number of different settings can be stored in memory,
where they'll be preserved even while the power is turned off.
Removing the batteries returns the TU-80 to its original factory settings.
* The settings for the Auto Power Off function and the [SOUND] button On/Off are not saved.
The original factory settings are listed below.
[Tuner] Tuning Mode: CHROMATIC, Reference Pitch: 440 Hz, Accu-pitch Function: On,
Flat Tuning: Regular, Sound: Off
[Metronome] Tempo: 120, Rhythm Style: 0 (Quarter note), Beat: 4, Sound: On
■ Changing the Batteries
The display and LED indicators dim when the batteries begin to run down.
Replace the batteries as soon as possible.
* The settings stored by the memory function are reset to the default factory settings if the batteries are
removed from the tuner, or if the batteries get completely depleted.
1. Press down and slide off the lid of the batteries compartment
(located on the bottom of the unit).
2. Remove the old batteries from the compartment.
3. Insert two of the same type of fresh AA batteries.
* Make sure the "+" and "-" ends of the batteries are oriented correctly.
4. Slide the lid back into place.
* Do not mix fresh batteries with used ones, or mix batteries of different
types. Doing so can result in fluid leakage.
• You can insert a coin in the slit on the bottom of the unit and use
the coin as a stand.
• The strap can be passed through the hole shown in the figure.

■ Main Features

• Tuner - Reference Pitch : A4=435 Hz-446 Hz (1 Hz steps)
- Tuning Range: E0 (20.6 Hz)-C8 (4186.0 Hz) - Internal Tuning Accuracy: ±1 cent
• Metronome - Tempo: 30-250 - Rhythm Style: Quarter note, Eighth rest and eighth note, Eighth note, Triple, Triple with
center rest, Sixteenth note, Clave (3-2, 2-3) - Beat: 0-9 • Input Impedance: 680 k Ω • Indicator: LCD Display, Tuning
Guide LED • Connectors: Input Jack, Output Jack • Power Supply: Dry Battery (R6/LR6 (AA) Type) x 2
• Power Consumption: 3 mA (Metronome mode), 8 mA (Tuner mode and A4=440 Hz input) - Expected battery life
under continuous use (Carbon): Approximately 100 hours (A4 continuous input) * These figures will vary depending on the
actual conditions of use. • Dimensions: 122 (W) x 68 (D) x 21 (H) mm / 4-13/16 (W) x 2-11/16 (D) x 7/8 (H) inches • Weight:
117 g / 5 oz (including batteries) • Accessories: Dry Battery (R6 (AA) Type) x 2, Owner's Manual, Leaflet ("USING THE
UNIT SAFELY" and "IMPORTANT NOTES" ), Information (sepalate sheet)
* In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice.
" (5
In CHROMATIC mode, this indicates the "note
The Accu-Pitch function plays a beeping sound when the
The frequency of the A4 pitch (the middle A on a piano
" lights up on the off beats.
Select one of the following rhythm styles (the way the metronome
(Eighth note),
(Sixteenth note)
is equivalent to one beat. The first
= 30 to
] or [ ] to select the tuning mode (CHROMATIC,
] or [ ] to set the flat tuning and reference pitch.
] or [ ] to set the rhythm style, beat and tempo.
] or [ ] when setting the tempo causes the values to change more rapidly.
(Clave-Based Pattern (2-3))
= 250.
Hole
1SX