Boss Micro BR: Tour, description and a bit of tutorial

[@ld3941]

Man I love this thing. I've had one for 10+ years. So much fun!

[@michakowalski2930]

me too, just dusted mine off, put some youtube headphones, BIG FUNK! preset for guitar and jammed, just awesome piece of tech. Love it when something that "should be" working and revelant for short time (we see how fast tech gets old), is still awesome 10+ later. Love it, quite perfect device.

[@PaulWilliamGibson]

Very good video, clear explanation of what the machine can do. Very useful, thanks.

[@gearfacts]

Glad it was helpful! That’s how I try to do all my videos

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

I’m finally learning how to use the drums with this. It’s tricky unless you use the metronome when you record the guitar parts.

[@pianokeyjoe]

Just bought one and played with it. yes, I did not use the online manual though I have it, to start testing the unit. I even test recorded a funny song I sing. It works great and I did notice that it is clean sounding with the built in mic even with ambient noise like my room fan and computer fan going. Well worth the $58 I paid!

[@gearfacts]

58 - bargain. Well done!

[@sabasgonzalez4372]

Great review as usual! I´ve been eyeing those from quite a while, mostly for the recording feature. Looking forward to the next video, showing some of the sounds you can get out of it. Thanks! From Venezuela.

[@gearfacts]

Ok, here it is! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGK9Y2uklMaEj6s

[@jimhogg6460]

Really helpful thank you I had one for a while now,not used for ages really helpful thanks again 😊

[@gearfacts]

Glad it helped :) # Gearfacts

[@jimhogg6460]

@@gearfacts do you have more uploads on this boss machine ?

[@alsara2k]

bought a second one today, It's perfect. FX, Mic, Multitrack and MP3 player in your pocket extremely versatile piece of kit.

[@gearfacts]

Totally. So much versatility in such a small thing :) #gearfacts

[@mikejohnson4853]

Hi Alex, I have one of these and accidentally deleted the demo files for "The Big Dance". Do you have it by any chance (Roland cannot help me)?

[@alsara2k]

@@mikejohnson4853 Sorry man i don't unfortunately, bought them second hand without it

[@mikejohnson4853]

@@alsara2k thanks for getting back...what a star!

[@kimkloz]

Love the review! This was really helpful

[@gearfacts]

Thanks for watching Gearfacts :)

[@miniheckler]

Apologies if you’ve explained this already.... I must be getting old because I find navigating technology more and scary but inspired by your comments about how user friendly it is.👍 My question is that I’ve managed to record a short guitar part on track 1. I now want record another layer to the same composition using track 2. How do I do this? i.e. playback track 1 whilst recording track 2, then same for tracks 3,4 without getting into ‘v’ tracks which just baffles me further... Hope this makes sense. Ally

[@gearfacts]

Hmm it's been a few years since I had a MicroBR... I seem to remember the buttons on the front corresponding to tracks 1-4 during recording setup. Maybe all you need to do is choose a different track. Also there's something in the setup menu that let's you choose whether tracks that are already recorded should play back or not when new tracks are recorded. Sorry, that's about all I've got in my little memory... It might be manual diving time!

[@miniheckler]

@@gearfacts No worries, appreciate you getting back to me. I've had a dig through the manual but perhaps not in enough detail so I'll dig around again. The array of effects are really impressive too. Thanks again.

[@kenwolf6293]

I have the same question which I posted I recorded a song wanted to play along and add the solo on a different box.. I even tried on the same track..yet nope don't work.. even if someone said you cannot that would be great at least I know I'm not stoopid lol

[@thearpify]

nice step up from the old book shelf cassette recorder i used back in the day😅😅😅😅

[@gearfacts]

ohhhhhh yes I remember my Yamaha MT50, the first really big purchase I ever made - nearly a grand. Would be flat out getting $20 for it today!

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@@gearfacts You too? That was my first multi track. I got the Fostex DMT8VL afterwards but I still have cassettes recorded on the MT50 to this day. I bought a MT100 to be able to play the cassettes a couple of years ago

[@gearfacts]

@@RoomAtTheTopStudio Ahhh it was a great machine but my perceptions of my music and where it would take me led me to waste a LOT of money :/ Lucky I have KZbin now

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

I still have my old Tascam Porta Studio. I took it out the other day and recorded a few tracks. The Boss is better for sure, but I’m keeping the tape machine because it brings back memories!

[@fabiencazeau1506]

Hello. I have a Mac Mini 2018 and am not able anymore to record tracks from my drum machine because new mac minis don't have audio input. I still have a micro br (not 80) and was wondering if I can use it as a usb interface.

[@gearfacts]

I do'nt think it can be used as a USB interface. You have to record to the unit first and then transfer the recordings. Have you tried downloading the MicroBR software from the Boss website, it wil help to transfer files from the memory card. Very old and slow though :(

[@fabiencazeau1506]

@@gearfacts Thanks so much for your reply. You"re right, the Micro BR BR-80 can be used as an interface but not the old model. So I did it the old & slow way: exporting tracks to wav files on the SD card and copying the files to my computer. Works great even if it takes times ! Thanks again mate !

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

I've had one of these for over 10 years now. Can't get an sd card for it anymore so I have to record over the one I have in it nowadays. Still a great machine though

[@gearfacts]

Go to a photo shops and ask if anyone has left behind any 1GB cards ages ago (and therefore unlikely to ever return to get it). They often have a small box full of them. Or ebay. I scored an old one for about $6 a long time ago.

[@Brian-qg8dg]

You can find the SD card. But when you, buy a couple

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

I have one as well, and I know this is an old video, but I can't figure out how to arrange the drums so I can make my own rhythms..? Do you have such a tutorial? I know it is used to group drums by measures. I need to look at the manual. I've had mine forever and rarely used it, but starting to get back into it. I get some really really good sounds. ♥️🤘♥️

[@gearfacts]

Hmm yeah it was a long time ago, and I don't have this machine anymore sorry. All I can suggest is to search "Boss MicroBR PDF" on the net, and the manual will appear in a few clicks. Sorry that's the best I can do!

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

@@gearfacts Thanks man. I appreciate the reply sir. ♥️

[@AriaMusicVibe]

Is there a modern version

[@gearfacts]

Not really. I think i-devices killed this format

[@JavierGonzalez-kt4yc]

Great review! Any details regarding AC adaptor? Thanks!

[@gearfacts]

Yep, it takes 9V 500mA center negative, just like Boss's pedals

[@rocris74]

Good tutorial !!! Can you explain me how to jam along with an external source, like an Mp3 player or keyboard into the LINE IN ,and a guitar in GUITAR IN at the same time, and how to record simultaneously a guitar and a keyboard or an Mp3 player ,smartphone into two separate inputs ,i mean for example in live situations ? Thank you !!!

[@gearfacts]

Hi, I can't easily explain all of that to be honest - It would involve writing out a large mount of the manual :) But the AUX-in works freely during most other input/output operations, so jamming with AUX-in should be pretty easy. Just choose an effects, start your external player and jam. It'll only record two tracks at a time (normally left/right stereo) so if you want to record a line performance it might be a good idea to plug an AUX cable into the PA system and just record a full stereo mix into the Micro BR.

[@rocris74]

@@gearfacts thank you so much but it not works, maybe you don't understand me ,let me explain you again, i want to record the guitar from the GUITAR input (with some patch effect from micro BR) and an external mp3 player (a Smartphone for example) from the LINE Input of micro BR, SIMULTANEOUSLY ! How to recording 2 INPUTS ,(GUITAR + LINE IN) together at the same time , you know what i mean ? Thank you for your patience !!!!

[@gearfacts]

@@rocris74 Oh ! It can't do it :(

[@rocris74]

@@gearfacts Thank you, now everything is clearer, thanks for your patience !

[@paulpinnock6325]

nice vid got one of little things in the draw some were think ill use it now

[@gearfacts]

It's got surprising power :) Gearfacts

[@kenwolf6293]

But how do I listen to a recording and add a solo riff on a different track anyone please I can obviously record on a different track but I can't hear the original from the first recording... hope that makes sense

[@gearfacts]

t's been a while since I had this machine, but I seem to remember that you press one of the four silver buttons on the front to choose which track to record on. The pre-recorded tracks should still be heard. Maybe I'm getting it wrong though, it was several years ago...

[@truthfinder4973]

im think abour getting one of this used can y do more than 4 tracks

[@gearfacts]

Sort of. There are 8 virtual tracks for each of the 4 main tracks. Not very versatile but it works.

[@truthfinder4973]

@@gearfacts i just got it in 2 days ago used from guitar center my god it looks new and wow its sick i have a ? what does boss say on with using rechargeable AA batteries do they say its ok or not to

[@mikejohnson4853]

I have one of these fantastic devices and I accidentally deleted the demo files for "The Big Dance". Can anyone out there help me with this (Roland could not assist)?

[@boimesa8190]

Does it also power with USB?

[@gilglim_1904]

No you need the boss power adapter or two AA bateries

[@MrSteviedan]

Thanks for the great vid. Can you use the Micro BR like a 'traditional' four-track with regard to bouncing tracks - ie can you bounce down three tracks to track four etc. etc.? Or can you only ever play back four tracks of audio (plus rhythm)?

[@gearfacts]

Yep you can bounce tracks easily and the results are very clear :) #gearfacts

[@mattphillips7682]

@@gearfacts Thank you. Is there any chance of a vid demonstrating the above?! Would be great...

[@gilglim_1904]

You can actually record 8 virtual tracks per each of the 4 tracks and pick each final track. Good luck figuring how to do it all. not obvious at all

[@NomadeMusicStudios]

can you use it as an audio interface to work directly on your dow?

[@gearfacts]

Nope, you can only use the SD card to import sections, and even then you need the Boss conversion tool which works ok but is pretty clunky by today's standards :/ #gearfacts

[@outdatedgear5036]

Can you add the effects after recording?

[@gearfacts]

Yep

[@outdatedgear5036]

@@gearfacts That's awesome.

[@Vespa123]

can you please tell me if you can record live and plugged for the same song?

[@gearfacts]

No, unless you use an external mixer and route live/mic to separate tracks e.g. Live to the left channel and mic to the right channel

[@Vespa123]

@@gearfacts tascam 008 it is then lol

[@gearfacts]

@@Vespa123 Yeah that's the better choice for serious recording. The MicroBR is more of an all-on-one, master-of-none option. It's great fun and one of my all time favorite devices, but it sounds to me like the Tascam is more like what you need for your project.

[@Vespa123]

@@gearfacts thankyou for your help 😊

[@Brian-qg8dg]

@@Vespa123 there is a stereo mini 3.5mm in that records on 2 tracks

[@jaymeselliot8181]

I got one of these that came with a guitar i bought from a guy in prison who recorded his whole album on one

[@gearfacts]

Cool, was it a good album? I bet he'd have some stories to tell.

[@jaymeselliot8181]

@@gearfacts found the album once, but i can never find it these days, he iced a guy with a shotgun when he broke in to his home...forgot to say "get out" or whatever so they got him on that

[@Heavywall70]

I disagree, I keep getting "unsupported format " when I press a track button or the record button. I've not found a vid tutorial that's overcome this problem and the manual is completely lacking any real info as to how to troubleshoot this paperweight I'm glad this blasted thing is not mine.

[@gearfacts]

It sounds like your SD card is either too large or slightly faulty. I think it can only take up to 1GB. I could be wrong, but this is a machine fro the early 00's and it just can't cope with large capacity SD cards. Try to find an older, smaller card, maybe that will help? Thanks for leaving this interesting comment, let us know how you go :)

[@kierenmoore3236]

Sounds like a PICNIC problem ...

[@ΓιάννηςΜπαρμπεράκης]

Is it ok to connect to a guitar amp ?

[@gearfacts]

Yep it works fine with an amp.

[@ΓιάννηςΜπαρμπεράκης]

Gearfacts Thanx . I guess you plug guitar to micro br . And then the micro br to the amp how ?

[@ΓιάννηςΜπαρμπεράκης]

Gearfacts Amp through phones line out ?

[@gearfacts]

Headphone socket works great

[@ΓιάννηςΜπαρμπεράκης]

Gearfacts Thanx man

[@griloginegogrilo8651]

pque nao tem um video falando em portugues desse pedal ? isso qdo o cara nao começa a fazer uma zueira com o pedal , sera que ele pensa que todo mundo vai gravar havy metal?

[@gearfacts]

Olá, desculpe, eu não falo português, mas posso responder a qualquer pergunta através do Google Tradutor

[@igniwan1]

algien conoce un tutorial de este aparato en castellano?

[@surefmeurope5766]

I've had one. Worked great til I took it to the beach...it didn't like the salty air... or sand...

[@gearfacts]

Ahh ok, something to keep in mind. Thanks for posting that.

[@budforler2742]

whould. it. work. to. record. a. live. band?

[@gearfacts]

Well it could, but it's certainly not designed for it and the results would be dictaphone-quality.

[@budforler2742]

Gearfacts thank. you

[@moflyboyblanquito541]

Yea I’m a moron it’s confusing for me.

[@gearfacts]

I never mastered all of its features tbh. It got the basics nicely done though, and it's just such a cool thing to own :) #gearfacts

[@moflyboyblanquito541]

Gearfacts I like mine a lot but I need to learn it better just found it today in the shed. Lol memories

[@gilglim_1904]

I wish I could figure out how to simply record a guitar track. Tried skimming the manual. This video was useless. Other Micro BR tutorials on youtube are equally useless. Simple...my ass. I have been an IT Director for 30 years, read hundreds of tecnical manuals. This is not an obvious device to use.

[@gearfacts]

If you’d started with “thanks for posting this video, but could you tell me…” then I might have felt more inclined to help out…

[@johnromero4784]

Can you power the unit with the usb?

[@gearfacts]

No