Mark of the Unicorn ZBox Instruction Manual

Hi-ZLo-Z

Guitar
output

Guitar
input

Audio interface, mixer, recorder,

PA, wireless transmitter, etc.

Instructions

Thank you for purchasing the ZBOX! ZBOX matches the
output impedance (”Z”) of your guitar pickup to the
impedance of a non-amp input, such as the
mic/instrument preamp inputs on an audio interface,
mixer or recorder, or the guitar input on a wireless
transmitter or PA system.

ZBOX is simple to use. Just plug your guitar into ZBOX’s
Lo-Z or Hi-Z input (whichever sounds better), and plug
the ZBOX into the guitar input on the destination device
(audio interface, wireless box, mixer, recorder, PA, etc.)
as shown.

Guitar inputs on audio interfaces, mixers, PAs, wireless
transmitters and other similar devices (often labeled
“instrument”) usually have impedances that differ
significantly from most guitar amps. This mismatch can
make your guitar sound too bright, thin and brittle.
ZBOX provides the proper input impedance levels to
match your guitar’s output signal. The result? Your guitar
sounds like it is connected to a real guitar amp and has
a much warmer tone and authentic “response.” This is
especially true when using digitally modeled guitar
processing software (plug-ins) on your computer, audio
interface, digital mixer, etc. ZBOX is the “missing link”
for digital guitar processing, providing the hardware­driven input characteristics required to truly emulate a
real guitar amp.

To support a wide range of guitars, ZBOX provides
authentic “Hi-Z” and “Lo-Z” inputs, just like the ones
found on many classic guitar amps, complete with analog
simulation of the input tube grid.

Please register your ZBOX!

Visit motu.com/registration to register online.
Registered users qualify for technical support
and receive information regarding new products.

Customer service

For repairs and general information:

• Voice: [phone]
(Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm EST)

• Customer service 24-hour fax line: [phone]

• Email: [e-mail]

MOTU is a registered trademark of Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. • All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

©2009 MOTU, Inc. • 1280 Massachusetts Ave. • Cambridge, MA • 02138

Technical support

For questions about the operation of your ZBOX:

• Voice: [phone]
(Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm EST)

• Tech support 24-hour fax line: [phone]

• On-line support: www.motu.com/support

Limited Warranty on Hardware

Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. and S&S Research (“MOTU/S&S”)
warrant this equipment against defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of TWO (2) YEARS from the
date of original retail purchase. This warranty applies only
to hardware products; MOTU software is licensed and
warranted pursuant to separate written statements.
If you discover a defect, first write or call Mark of the
Unicorn at [phone] to obtain a Return Merchandise
Authorization Number. No service will be performed on
any product returned without prior authorization. MOTU
will, at its option, repair or replace the product at no charge
to you, provided you return it during the warranty period,
with transportation charges prepaid, to Mark of the Unicorn,
Inc., 1280 Massachusetts Avenue, MA 02138. You must
use the product’s original packing material for in shipment,
and insure the shipment for the value of the product. Please
include your name, address, telephone number, a
description of the problem, and the original, dated bill of
sale with the returned unit and print the Return Merchandise
Authorization Number on the outside of the box below
the shipping address.
This warranty does not apply if the equipment has been
damaged by accident, abuse, misuse, or misapplication;
has been modified without the written permission of
MOTU, or if the product serial number has been removed
or defaced.
ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN
DURATION TO NINETY (90) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF
THE ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE OF THIS PRODUCT.
THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE
ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, ORAL
OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. No MOTU/S&S
dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to make any
modification, extension, or addition to this warranty.
MOTU/S&S ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY, OR
UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS,
DOWNTIME, GOODWILL, DAMAGE OR REPLACEMENT
OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY AND COST OF
RECOVERING REPROGRAMMING, OR REPRODUCING
ANY PROGRAM OR DATA STORED IN OR USED WITH
MOTU/S&S PRODUCTS.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
implied warranties or liability for incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights,
and you may have other rights which vary from state to
state.
MOTU, Digital Performer, AudioDesk, Mark of the Unicorn
and the unicorn silhouette logo are registered trademarks
of Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.

Copyright notice

Copyright © 2009 by Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or
translated into any human or computer language, in any
form or by any means whatsoever, without express written
permission of Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., 1280 Massachusetts
Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, U.S.A.

This equipment has been type tested and found to comply
with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference
to radio or television equipment reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by any
combination of the following measures:

• Relocate or reorient the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the
receiver

• Plug the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected
If necessary, you can consult a dealer or experienced
radio/television technician for additional assistance.
PLEASE NOTE: only equipment certified to comply with
Class B (computer input/output devices, terminals, printers,
etc.) should be attached to this equipment, and it must have
shielded interface cables in order to comply with the Class
B FCC limits on RF emissions.
WARNING: changes or modifications to this unit not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compliance could void
the user's authority to operate the equipment.