Boss Releases JS-5 Jamstation

JS-5
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February 14, 2000 -- Boss' JS-5 JamStation is a backing and song-composition tool designed for guitarists and bassists who need accompaniment but don’t want to deal with traditional MIDI sequencers, keyboards or complex computer software. The compact, tabletop JS-5 features 200 Preset songs with four-part backing tracks which can easily be arranged to fit user-defined chord progressions. An additional audio track provides two minutes of digital audio recording and can be expanded to an amazing 32 minutes with an optional SmartMedia™ card.

Perfect for those who perform alone in clubs, or for players who just want to plug in and play, the JS-5 can create full-sounding backing tracks with minimal effort. It does this through the use of a unique Backing Generator function, which creates highly customizable four-part accompaniments from any of 200 Preset songs. These internal songs also provide a great way to practice, and by muting the instrument part, the JS-5 becomes a rhythm machine with bass sounds. Users can work with preset chord progressions or input up to 26 of their own, storing their new songs to any of 100 User locations.

A standout feature of the JS-5 is its dedicated audio track, which until now was completely unheard of in a backing machine. Capable of digitally recording up to two minutes of audio through a dedicated recording input jack (selectable for Mic, Line, or Guitar), this track can be used for anything from recording vocals to guitar overlays, or even tracks from CD’s. Even more impressive is the JS-5’s automatic Timestretch feature, which can be used to synchronize audio recordings to the internal backing part. Recording time can be expanded to 32 minutes using an optional 32MB SmartMedia™ card.

Other useful JS-5 features include a Locator function, which can repeat a section in a song between two user-defined loop points—perfect for rehearsing a difficult part or doing ad-lib performances in a club. An assignable footswitch can be used to reset the

JS-5, start/stop songs, or exit a loop while keeping a guitar player’s hands free. Connections to the JS-5 include a recording input jack, stereo outputs, headphone jack, and a footswitch jack, plus MIDI In/Out.

For more information, visit Roland on the web at www.rolandus.com.