Zoom 508 User Manual

Operation Manual

Thank you for selecting the ZOOM 508 (hereafter simply called the "508").

Please take the time to read this manual carefully so you can get the most out of your 508 and ensure optimum performance and reliability.

Retain this manual for future reference.

ZOOM CORPORATION

NOAH Bldg., 2-10-2, Miyanishi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183, Japan

PHONE: [phone] FAX: [phone]

Printed in Japan 508-5000

1 Major Features

•Compact, dedicated delay unit with up to 4000 ms delay time and eight delay types (Four types x two variations).

•On-board "Zfx-2" DSP (Digital Signal Processor) developed by Zoom, and an innovative design used solely for its delay effects. Achieves superior quality delay sound on a par with high-end devices.

•You can switch between 24 patches to store diverse settings based on your preference.

•Seamless function that enables smooth patch transitions without cutting the delay sound when the patch is switched.

•Ample functions to support powerful live performances, including a hold function for continuing the delay sound until the foot switch is pressed, and a tap function for setting the delay time in the interval between when the foot switch is pressed.

•Integrated auto-chromatic tuner for guitar. You can tune your insturment easily anywhere, any time. You can also leave the tuning function disabled all the time.

•The optional FP01 expression pedal enables foot control of the mix level for the delay sound.

•Dual power supply design allows the unit to be powered from an alkaline battery (6LR61) or an AC adapter.

2 Safety Precautions

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

In this manual, symbols are used to highlight warnings and cautions for you to read so that accidents can be prevented. The meanings of these symbols are as follows:

This symbol indicates explanations about extremely dangerous issues. If users ignore this symbol and handle the device incorrectly, serious injury or death could

Warning result.

This symbol indicates explanations about dangerous issues. If users ignore this symbol and handle the

device the wrong way, bodily injury and damage to the Caution equipment could result.

Please observe the following safety tips and precautions to ensure hazard-free use of the 508.

Usage precautions

Electrical interference

For safety considerations, the 508 has been designed to provide maximum protection against the emission of electromagnetic radiation from inside the device, and from external interference.However, equipment that is very susceptible to interference or that emits powerful electromagnetic waves should not be placed near the 508, as the possibility of interference cannot be ruled out entirely.

Whatever the type of digital control device, the 508 included, electromagnetic damage can cause malfunctioning and corrupt or destroy data. Since this is an ever-present danger, thorough care should be taken to minimize the risk of damage.

About power

Warning Since power consumption of this unit is fairly high, we recommend the use of an AC adapter whenever possible. When powering the unit from a battery, use only an alkaline type.

AC adapter operation

•Be sure to use only an AC adapter which supplies 9 V DC, 300 mA and is equipped with a "center minus" plug (Zoom AD-0006). The use of an adapter other than the specified type may damage the unit and pose a safety hazard.

•Connect the AC adapter only to an AC outlet that supplies the rated voltage required by the adapter.

•When disconnecting the AC adapter from the AC outlet, always grasp the adapter itself and do not pull the cable.

•If the unit is not to be used for a long time, disconnect the AC adapter from the outlet.

Battery operation

•Use only a 9 V (alkaline) battery (6LR61).

•The 508 cannot be used for recharging.

Pay close attention to the labelling of the battery to make sure you choose the correct type.

•If the 508 is not to be used for an extended period of time, remove the battery from the unit.

•If battery leakage has occurred, wipe the battery compartment and the battery terminals carefully to remove all remnants of battery fluid.

•While using the unit, the battery compartment cover should be closed.

Cleaning

Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the 508. If necessary, slightly moisten the cloth. Do not use abrasive cleanser, wax, or solvents (such as paint thinner or cleaning alcohol), since these may dull the finish or damage the surface.

Connecting cables and input and output jacks

You should always turn off the power to the 508 and all other equipment before connecting or disconnecting any cables. Also make sure to disconnect all cables and the AC adapter before moving the 508.

Environment

Caution Avoid using your 508 in environments where it will be exposed to:

•Extreme temperature

•High humidity or moisture

•Excessive dust or sand

•Excessive vibration or shock

Handling

Caution • The 508 is a precision instrument. Except for the foot switches, do not push other parts with your feet or subject them to strong force.

•Take care that no foreign objects (coins or pins etc.) or liquids enter the unit.

•Be sure to turn the power to all equipment off before making connections.

•Before moving the unit, turn the power off and disconnect all cables and the AC adapter.

Alterations

Caution Never open the case of the 508 or attempt to modify the product in any way since this can result in damage to the unit.

3	What Are Banks and Patches?

• PATCH

A group of the settings for a certain effect type is called a PATCH. The 508 comes with 24 preset patches which can be changed (edited) by the user.

• BANK

The 508 calls up patches in sets of four, called a "bank".

										BANK d
							BANK C				PATCH 1
					BANK b
								PATCH 1			PATCH 2
	BANK A
					PATCH 1			PATCH 2			PATCH 3
	PATCH 1				PATCH 2			PATCH 3			PATCH 4
	PATCH 2				PATCH 3			PATCH 4
	PATCH 3				PATCH 4
	PATCH 4

				BANK F
		BANK E
					PATCH 1
		PATCH 1			PATCH 2
		PATCH 2			PATCH 3
		PATCH 3			PATCH 4
		PATCH 4

4	PATCH LIST

The 508 has memory capacity for 24 patches. At the factory, these are programmed with recommended settings. The user can freely change the contents of any patch, and it is also possible to restore the factory settings.

	BANK	PATCH	PATCH NAME	COMMENT
		1	LEAD DELAY	Long delay for lead play
	A	2	SPACY ARPEGGIO	Fantastic effect by twin delay
		3	SOUND ON SOUND	Play Brian's harmony
		4	JAZZ CLUB	Room ambience for jazz guitar
		1	MUTE CUTTING	Good for muted cutting play
	b	2	DEEP OLD DELAY	Old fashioned echo sound
		3	ODD METER	Progressive rock?
		4	WARM WRAP	Warm echo sound
		1	DOTTED EIGHT	Makes dotted eighth note
	C	2	SWEET TONE TRIPLET	Makes triplet rhythm
		3	EDGE DELAY	Enhanced effect
		4	HOLLOW BODY	Makes acoustic feel sound using comb filter
		1	BRIGHT DELAY	Long delay effect with bright tone
	d	2	RHYTHM BOUNCE	Play sixteenth single
		3	ETHNIC	Imagine Arabian desert
		4	MY ROOM	Room ambience using stereo echo
		1	150 BPM	Playing quarter note makes eighth note
	E	2	SHADOW	70's echo sound
		3	SHORT REVERB	Small reverberation effect
		4	HQ DUBBLING	Fat doubling effect, good for distortion sound
		1	4 SEC DELAY	Ultra long delay with much feedback
	F	2	SOFT ECHO	Analog feeling echo sound
		3	COMB FILTER	Intense comb filter effect
		4	SHORT ECHO	Short echo sound for global use

5	Seamless Function

With conventional delay and multi-effect units, the sound cuts off unnaturally when patches are switched.

For example, when switching from a solo performance using a long delay to a patch with a short delay for backing, the delay of the previous patch stops abruptly the instant before the next patch starts, causing the reverberation to sound unnatural.

This type of problem experienced by guitarists is solved by the 508's revolutionary seamless function. This function holds the delay sound of the previous patch after it has been switched, so that the transition from one patch to the next is performed smoothly.

Conventional patch switching

Patch is switched

PATCH 1

PATCH 2

Sound is cut

The seamless function can be used in two ways. One method is to leave the time for the delay sound as it is set in the patch. The other method is to force the delay sound to decrease at the timing decided by the seamless function.

It is not necessarily preferable to leave the seamless function on normally. Rather, it should be switched on and off to suit the musical circumstances under which patches are switched. (The on/off status of the seamless function can be stored for each patch.)

By combining the seamless and hold functions, you can perform solo by using new patches while holding the riff and rhythm pattern (repeat playback). For details, see [12. Effect Parameters] .

Seamless function

Patch is switched

PATCH 1

PATCH 2

					The delay sound of PATCH 1
PATCH 1 delay					overlaps the sound of PATCH 2

6	Controls, Functions and Connections

Front Panel

TUNER indicator

In the 508, this indicator shows that the tuner is active, and it serves as a gauge for fine tuning your instrument.

•BATTERY EMPTY WARNING display

When the unit is powered from the battery, this indicator begins flashing to warn that the battery is running low.

STORE key

When the contents of patches are to be stored, this key is used for putting the unit in store standby status and to execute the store function.

•Setting of direct load function

When the STORE key is pressed for at least 1 second during Play mode (during performance), the direct load function can be switched on or off. [For details, see 10. Patch Switching (Application: Direct Load OFF).]

EDIT key (for creating your own patches)

OUTPUT

STORE

EDIT

This key serves to toggle between the Play mode and Edit mode (mode for creating patches to suit your taste).

In Edit mode, this key can be used to select the effect parameters you wish to change. Also, when the effect parameter HOLD/TAP is selected, press this EDIT key to return from the Edit mode to the Play mode.

• Setting of bank hold function

When the EDIT key is held down for at least 1 second in Play mode, the bank hold function is turned on or off. [For details, see 9. Patch Switching (Application: Bank Hold ON).]

Rear Panel

		INPUT	DISPLAY
			Displays information required to operate the 508.
			• Play mode
			Displays the selected bank (A-F) and patch (1-4).
			• Edit mode
			Displays the value of the selected effect parameter.
			• Bypass/Tuner mode
BANK HOLD			Shows the pitch of the input signal.
DELAY TYPE
	•DELAY •TWIN DELAY
	•ECHO •TMULTI TAP
	(x100mS)		PARAMETER CURSOR indicator
	DLY TIME
	(x1mS)	+	• Play mode
	FEEDBACK	TUNER CAL.
			The status of the DELAY indicator and the SEAMLESS indicator
	TONE	EDIT VAL.	(illuminated, flashing, or off) shows whether the effect module and the
		BANK
	EFFECT MIX	–	Seamless function are on or off respectively.
	SEAMLESS MODE		• Edit mode
	HOLD/TAP		The status of the DELAY indicator and the SEAMLESS indicator
DOWN	UP		(illuminated or off) shows whether the effect module and the Seamless
			function are on or off respectively. Also, the effect parameter selected for
BYPASS
			editing flashes.
			• Bypass/Tuner mode
			Indicators function as tuning meter.

VALUE +/- keys

•Play mode

The keys serve for bank switching.

•Edit mode

The keys serve for changing the effect parameter.

•Bypass/Tuner mode

The keys serve for setting the tuner reference pitch (calibration).

PATCH UP (right)/DOWN (left) pedals

•Play mode

The pedals serve for patch switching. Pressing both pedals simultaneously activates the Bypass/Tuner mode.

•Edit mode

The pedals serve for selecting effect parameters. Also, when a parameter other than Hold/Tap is currently selected, pressing both pedals simultaneously activates the hold function (for extending the delay sound) and tap function (for setting the delay time in the intervals between pressing the foot switch).

•Bypass/Tuner mode

Pressing either pedal cancels the Bypass/Tuner mode to return to Play mode.

INPUT jack

Serves for connecting the guitar.

When the unit is powered by the battery, this jack also functions as the power on/off switch. The 508 is powered on by plugging a shielded cable into this jack. When the unit is not in use, the cable should be disconnected to prevent battery drain.

DC IN (AC adapter) jack

Serves for connecting an AC adapter (Zoom AD-0006) which delivers 9 VDC, 300 mA with a "center minus" plug configuration. The 508 is powered on by plugging an AC adapter into this jack.

CONTROL IN jack

When the optional FP01 expression pedal and FS01 foot switch are connected to this jack it can serve as the external control jack.

When the optional expression pedal FP01 is connected, it can serve for controlling the mix level of the effect.

When the optional foot switch FS01 is connected, chorus can be switched on or off externally.

INPUT	DC 9V	CONTROL IN	OUTPUT
		ZOOM CORPORATION	[PHONES]
	300mA	MADE IN JAPAN

OUTPUT jack

This jack is for the output signal from the 508. You can connect either a single guitar amplifier, using a monaural shielded cable, or two guitar amplifiers, using a Y-type stereo shielded cable, or a pair of stereo headphones. If the volume level is low when using headphones, use headphones with low impedance (32 ohms or less).