TC Electronic FirewarX User Manual
FireworX
STUDIO EFFECTS PROCESSOR
USERS MANUAL
a
1 Read these instructions.
2 Keep these instructions.
3 Heed all warnings.
4 Follow all instructions.
5 Do not use this apparatus near water.
6 Clean only with dry cloth.
7 Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8 Do not install near any heat sources such
as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized
or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A grounding
type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third prong are
provided for your safety. If the provided plug does
not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10 Protect the power cord from being walked
on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
apparatus.
11 Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.
12 Use only with the cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table specified by the
manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.
When a cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.
13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or
when unused for long periods of time.
14 Refer all servicing to qualified service
personnel. Servicing is required when the
apparatus has been damaged in any way,
such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged,
liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into
the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.
• This equipment should be installed near the socket
outlet and disconnection of the device should be easily
accessible.
• To completely disconnect from AC mains, disconnect
the power supply cord from the AC receptable.
• The mains plug of the power supply shall remain
readily operable.
• Do not install in a confined space.
• Do not open the unit - risk of electric shock inside.
Caution:
You are cautioned that any change or modifications not
expressly approved in this manual could void your authority
to operate this equipment.
Service
• There are no user-serviceable parts inside.
• All service must be performed by qualified personnel.
Warning!
• To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not
expose this equipment to dripping or splashing and
ensure that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases,
are placed on the equipment.
• This apparatus must be earthed.
• Use a three wire grounding type line cord like the one
supplied with the product.
• Be advised that different operating voltages require the
use of different types of line cord and attachment plugs.
• Check the voltage in your area and use the
correct type. See table below:
Voltage Line plug according to standard
110-125V UL817 and CSA C22.2 no 42.
220-230V CEE 7 page VII, SR section
107-2-D1/IEC 83 page C4.
240V BS 1363 of 1984.
Specification for 13A fused
plugs and switched and
unswitched socket outlets.
The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol
within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert
the user to the presence of uninsulated "dan-
gerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may
be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric
shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle
is intended to alert the user to the presence of
important operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
b
Certificate Of Conformity
TC Electronic A/S, Sindalsvej 34, 8240
Risskov, Denmark, hereby declares on own
responsibility that following products:
Fireworx - Studio Effects Processor
- that is covered by this certificate and
marked with CE-label conforms with
following standards:
EN 60065 Safety requirements for mains
(IEC 60065) operated electronic and
related apparatus for household
and similar general use
EN 55103-1 Product family standard for
audio,video, audio-visual and
entertainment lighting control
apparatus for professional
use. Part 1: Emission.
EN 55103-2 Product family standard for
audio, video, audio-visual and
entertainment lighting control
apparatus for professional
use. Part 2: Immunity.
With reference to regulations in following
directives: 73/23/EEC, 89/336/EEC
Issued in Risskov, January 13th 1998
Anders Fauerskov
Managing Directo
EMC / EMI.
This equipment has been 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 residential installations. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, 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 harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on. The user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
For the customers in Canada:
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian
ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la
norme NMB-003 du Canada.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
INTRODUCTION PAGE 2
Table of contents, . . . . . . . . .p. 3
Welcome, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 4
Features, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 5
Front panel, . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 6
Rear panel, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 8
Signal flow, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 9
Setups, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 10
BASIC OPERATION PAGE 12
Quick reference, . . . . . . . . . .p. 12
Display overview, . . . . . . . . . .p. 13
RECALL, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 14
Recall display, . . . . . . . . . . .p. 14
Preset page, . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 14
List page, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 14
Recall Exercises, . . . . . . . . .p. 15
STORE, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 16
Store display, . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 16
Store page, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 16
Name page, . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 16
Delete page, . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 16
Using a memory card, . . . . . .p. 17
Store Exercises, . . . . . . . . . .p. 18
EFFECTS SETUP PAGE 19
EFFECTS, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 19
Effects display, . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 19
Edit page, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 19
Edit Exercises, . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 20
ROUTING, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 21
Routing page, . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 21
Routing Exercises, . . . . . . . . .p. 25
I/O of the blocks, . . . . . . . . . .p. 25
Block I/O Exercises, . . . . . . . .p. 25
Layout page, . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 27
Tool page, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 27
Layout Exercises, . . . . . . . . .p. 28
MODIFIERS PAGE 29
MOD, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 29
Modifier display, . . . . . . . . . .p. 29
The flow of the Modifiers, . . .p. 29
Matrix page, . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 29
Link page, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 31
Dials page, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 31
Modifier Exercises, . . . . . . . .p. 32
Modifiers page, . . . . . . . . . . .p. 33
External loop, . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 37
Alpha Mod., . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 38
Tempo, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 39
Insert loop, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 40
SYSTEM AND MIDI PAGE 41
I/O SETUP, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 41
I/O Setup display, . . . . . . . . .p. 41
Signal page, . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 42
Level page, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 43
MIDI page, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 43
External Controllers, . . . . . . .p. 44
UTILITY, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 47
Config. page, . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 47
Card page, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 47
THE BLOCKS PAGE 48
The Special icons, . . . . . . . .p. 48
Dynamics, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 48
Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 51
Formant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 54
Distortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 54
Vocode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 55
Synth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 58
Pitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 59
Chorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 59
Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 62
Reverb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 66
Pan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 68
EQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 70
APPENDIX PAGE 74
Reset page . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 72
Self test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 73
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . .p. 74
MIDI implementation chart . . .p. 75
Tech spec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 76
Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 77
TC Electronic, Sindalsvej 34, DK-8240 Risskov - tcdk@tcelectronic.com
Prod No: 606057022
Congratulations on the purchase of your new FireworX.
We hope that you have as much pleasure using it as
we had making it.
The FireworX is a studio multi-effects processor carefully
designed to produce ultimate sound effects. The versatile Routing
menu provides you with extremely flexible setup possibilities.
You can combine the effect blocks in any combination you like.
Check out the Modifier Matrix and discover a powerful tool for
real-time external and internal control of the many parameters of
the FireworX.
The FireworX is equipped with 24 bit AD/DA converters,
AES/EBU, S/PDIF, Toslink and ADAT interfaces.
About this Manual
Many people in the music business (and elsewhere) have an
aversion to reading manuals. We understand that. So if you feel
like starting without reading the whole manual, simply get going.
You can always use the manual for checking out areas that you
have questions about, or if you want to dig deeper into the unit.
Refer to the Table of Contents for further information.
On the other hand, you might want to know a little more about
the FireworX before you start pressing keys. The manual will
take you through all of the FireworX functions step by step. If
you want to read about a specific function, please refer to the
Table of Contents.
INTRODUCTION Welcome
4
5
INTRODUCTION Features
The Processing power structure of the FireworX
The FireworX is a multi-effects processor with more than 35 different algorithms grouped under the twelve effect block keys on the
front panel. Each of these algorithms requires a certain amount of processing power. To be able to allow bigger algorithms that take up
large amounts of power when active, the FireworX uses a dynamic processing power allocation structure. This means that you always
get the advantage of the full power of the FireworX, in other words, you can keep adding algorithms to the signal chain until all the
processing power of the FireworX is used. The FireworX will prompt you when no more power is left. The total power allocation
between the different algorithms is shown in the “Effects, Tool” page.
The FireworX features:
- Any Effect block can be placed anywhere in the 8x8
Routing grid. Left/Right can be set up separately for
Input/Output in each block.
- More than 35 different algorithms, including Ring
Modulator, Digital Cruncher, Sweeping Filters,
Formant Filters, Chaos Noise generation and
many more.
- Nine external and eleven internal Modifiers that can
be tied to numerous parameters. Up to twenty
connections can be made simultaneously. Each
connection’s Modifier relationship can be
transformed.
- All nine External Modifiers can be controlled via MIDI
controllers, Velocity, Pitchbend, Aftertouch, Note-on-
key etc.
- Internal Modifiers include: ADSR’s, LFO’s, Envelope
detectors, a Pitch detector etc.
- 24 bit A to D and D to A converters. AES/EBU, S/PDIF,
Toslink and ADAT interface.
- Insert Loop, enabling you to insert any other effects
processor into the Routing of the FireworX. The Loop
can be Analog or Digital.
- Alpha Modulation wheel for real time control of
parameters. The Alpha Mod. can send and receive
MIDI. The function of the Alpha Mod. can be written
into the preset name.
- All tempo based parameters can be connected to the
global tempo. Each of these parameters can be set
from 16 bars through 1/1 to 1/32 straight, dotted or
triplet subdivisions of the global tempo. The global
tempo can be tapped, dialed, or MIDI clock based.
- Each of the effect blocks can be bypassed via MIDI.
OVERALL BYPASS
The Bypass key in the upper left corner
is the overall bypass. With this key you
can bypass all effects in the FireworX
simultaneously.
ALPHA MOD. SETUP
Press this key to get an overview of the
parameters controlled by the Alpha
Mod. wheel.
TEMPO
Tap the global tempo using the Tempo
key or connect the global tempo to
MIDI clock.
Note: this may affect the current preset.
Pressing the Tempo key will enable the
Tempo pop-up menu. This menu will
disappear after a few seconds.
The Tempo key will indicate the global
tempo by blinking.
GAIN REDUCTION
Reads out the gain reduction of one of
the Dynamics blocks.
LED’s
The three LED’s indicate MIDI activity,
Preset Edited, and Digital lock . The
Digital Lock LED blinking indicates lack
of external clock.
POWER
Press and hold the Power
switch for about 3 seconds,
then release to power off.
IN/OUT KNOBS
The overall analog Input level
is adjusted via the knob in the
upper left corner of the
FireworX. The Input should
average approximately -3 to -6
dB on the Input meters.
Set your analog output level
using the Output knob.
CARD SLOT
The PCMCIA slot is used for
storing and loading presets.
Use Type 1 PC Cards with a
minimum 64 KBytes of SRAM.
INPUT METERS
These meters indicate the
level of Left and Right
inputs.
OVERFLOW LED
This LED indicates
internal overflow.
INTRODUCTION The Front Panel
6
ARROW KEYS
In many of the displays you can select
different pages by pressing the Arrow
keys, e.g. in the Effects display you can
choose between Tool, Edit, Routing and
Layout.
THE PARAMETER WHEEL
Use the Parameter wheel to change
position of the cursor in the display
THE VALUE WHEEL
Use the Value wheel to change the
values of parameters.
ENTER, EXIT
The Enter key is used to confirm actions,
or for accessing into a block. The Enter
key will blink when the FireworX needs
you to confirm.
The Exit key is used to exit a menu, or to
cancel an action.
7
INTRODUCTION The Front Panel
EFFECT MUTE
The twelve effect keys are
dedicated to mute/bypass
any of the twelve effect
blocks. These keys can
mute/bypass an effect
block at any time, no
matter what display you
are working in.
When you are in the
Effects Edit display,
double click for fast
access to the Edit
parameter menu.
ALPHA MOD.
The Alpha modulation
wheel can control a
number of parameters at
the same time. The specific
function of the wheel is
following the preset.
The function of the Alpha
Mod. is set up in the
Modifier Matrix.
ALPHA WHEEL METER
Is indicating the actual
output value of the Alpha
Mod. wheel
Main
Power
Switch
Power
Input
Balanced
XLR
Inputs
Balanced
XLR
Outputs
Serial
no.
Digital
In/Out
AES/EBU
S/PDIF
ADAT
TOS
Optional
Wordclock
RCA
MIDI
In,Thru,Out
External
Control
Input
Notes:
Pin 2 is “Hot” on all XLR’s (IEC and AES standards)
External control jack can use momentary, alternating and continuous type pedals.
The FireworX power supply is capable of operating at any line voltage from 100-240 Volts, 50-60Hz.
INTRODUCTION The Rear Panel
8
Cables
Sleeve - Pin 1 (Ground)
Tip - Pin 2 (Hot)
Ring - Pin 3 (Cold)
Pin 1 - Pin 1 (Ground)
Pin 2 - Pin 2 (Hot)
Pin 3 - Pin 3 (Cold)
Sleeve - Pin 1 (Ground)
Tip - Pin 2 (Hot)
Sleeve - Pin 3 (Cold)
XLR - XLR Jack (unbalanced) - XLR Jack (balanced) - XLR
Digital
Inputs
Dial
MIDI
INSERT
Send
INSERT
Return
Pedal
Analog
Inputs
[balanced]
Input
Gain
Channel select
ADAT/OPTICAL
Channel select
ADAT/OPTICAL
Con/Pro
Levels
Con/Pro
Levels
Input
Selector
Bypass
Output
Gain
Digital
Output
Analog
Outputs
[balanced]
INTRODCUTION The Signal Flow
9
Modifier Flow
Digital
Input
Gain
Digital
Output
Gain
Input
Output
INTRODUCTION Setups
10
Setup
The FireworX can be used in a number of applications. Therefore we present a couple of suggestions on how to
connect the FireworX.
Send/Return
Connect the auxiliary out from your mixing console to the left or right input of
the FireworX. Connect the FireworX left/right outputs to the auxiliary return or
two channels on your mixing console. This leaves the one input open to be used
as Vocoder or Ring Modulator Carrier input.
Group insert
Connect the left/right insert send from your subgroups to the FireworX
left/right input.
Connect the FireworX left/right outputs to the subgroups insert return. This
setup makes it possible to mix several sources through the FireworX, and a
master or group effect to the sources.
Insert External Device
When using the Analog In/Outs of the FireworX, the Insert Loop makes it
possible to connect an external device to the Digital In/Outs or vice versa. The
Send and Return point of the Insert is set up in the Effects Routing menu.
11
General Control
General control of the FireworX is accomplished by dialing the
Parameter wheel to change position of the cursor, and the Value
wheel to change values. In many of the displays you can select
different menus by pressing the < > Arrow keys e.g. in the
Effects display you can select between Tool, Edit, Routing and
Layout. Press Enter to carry out an action (for example when
recalling a preset). Press Exit to decline an action or to leave a
sub menu.
Recall
Press Recall (if you are not already there). Make sure that the
cursor is placed on “Preset”, and dial the Value wheel to scroll
through the presets. Press Enter to load the new preset.
Quick Store
If you want to store a preset with the same name, press Store to
access the Store menu, and press Enter to confirm. The FireworX
will now automatically store your preset in the first free User
space, using the current name. When you restore an existing User
preset, the FireworX will default to the same User preset number.
Editing
Press the Effects key and select the Edit display using the < >
Arrow keys. Now there are two ways of entering the Edit display
of an effect. Doubleclick the mute key of the block you want to
edit or dial the Parameter wheel to place the cursor on the block
you want to Edit and press Enter. Press Exit to leave the Edit
display.
Routing
Changing the order of the effect blocks is done in the Routing
display. Press the Effects key and select the Routing display
using the < > Arrow keys. Place the cursor where you want to
insert an effect block, double click the mute key of the block you
want to insert and dial the Value wheel to select the right subalgorithm (sub-algorithm is shown in the lower text line). Now
press Enter to insert the current effect.
Pressing Enter while pointing to an effect block will enable you
to set up input/output and Mute-mode of the current block.
BASIC OPERATION Quick Reference
Input/Output Levels
When using Analog input, turn the Input/Output knobs in the
upper left corner of the front panel to adjust the levels of the
FireworX. To access the Digital Input/Output levels press the I/O
Setup key and select the Levels page using the < > Arrow keys.
NOTE: The digital In/Out levels will also affect the Analog
In/Out levels.
Effect Mute/Bypass
The twelve effect block keys on the front panel are used for
bypassing or muting the active effect blocks. The mute mode can
be different in each block.
The Alpha Modulation wheel
The Alpha Modulation wheel (on the far right hand side of the
front panel) can control a number of parameters in the current
preset simultaneously. The function of the Alpha Mod. varies
with the preset. A short description/name of the function is
provided in the Recall display.
Preset page
Preset - Scrolls through presets.
Bank - Selects between Factory, User, Card.
Filter - Filters out presets containing a particular effect.
List page
Presents presets in list form.
12
BASIC OPERATION Display overview
Name page
Names User presets and Alpha Mod. function.
Store page
Selects store location and stores preset.
Delete page
Deletes presets in User bank and Card bank.
STORE
Config page
Sets Viewing angle, Param. dial direction, Pedal
type/calibration, User bank protect, MIDI Bulk Dump.
Card page
Carries out preset transfer from or to PC-Card, Card status
reader, Format/Reset card.
UTILITY
Tempo page
Sets global tempo via tapping, dialing or MIDI.
TEMPO
Alpha Mod. page
Shows the parameters controlled by the Alpha Mod. wheel and
the exact value of the Alpha Mod. wheel.
ALPHA MOD.
MIDI page
Sets MIDI channel, Program change On/Off, Offset, Sysex id,
MIDI Map, Alpha Mod. local On/Off.
CTRL page
Sets up external control sources for External Modifiers 1-8,
Master Volume, Global Tempo, Overall Bypass, Effects block
bypass.
Level page
Sets Digital In/Out levels and displays Analog In/Out levels.
Signal page
Sets Input source, Insert loop I/O, Sample rate, ADAT channels.
Displays incoming sample rate.
I/O SETUP
Matrix page
Connects External and Internal Modifiers to effects parameters.
Modifiers page
Sets up Internal Modifiers parameters.
Dials page
Simulates External Modifiers using the Value and Parameter
wheel.
MOD
The display pages in the FireworX
This overview of the pages in the FireworX shows what functions are located in which displays. Each box refers to a
key on the front panel of the FireworX. The text in the upper right corner of the boxes tells you whether the
parameters of that display are global or stored with the preset.
GLOBAL
PRESET
PRESET
GLOBAL
GLOBAL
Tool page
Shows power consumation of current Routing, and provides a
number of tools to be used in the Edit page.
Edit page
Edits the effects blocks.
Routing page
Changes order and setup of the effects blocks.
Layout page
Changes the size of the Routing grid, Inserts/Moves and
Deletes. Rows and Columns.
EFFECTS
PRESET
RECALL
13
BASIC OPERATION Recall
The Preset page
The Preset page of the FireworX contains three parameters:
Preset - Bank - Filter. The name and number of the Preset is
displayed, and also the function of the Alpha Modulation wheel
in the current Preset is shown in the lower end of the Preset
page.
Change cursor location by dialing the Parameter wheel. Use the
Value wheel to adjust values.
Preset
Dial the Value wheel to preview the presets, Press Enter to
Recall.
Bank
Is used to select which bank you would like to recall from:
Factory bank, User bank, or Card bank (only available when a
pc-card is inserted).
Filter
Is used to search for Presets containing a specific block, e.g. if
the Filter is set to Reverb, the FireworX will only show Presets
Filters out Presets not
containing the effect
selected in the Filter
Preset name
Function of the Alpha Mod.
Factory/USER/CARD bank selector
Preset number
“Preset” page selected
The Preset page
containing the block Reverb.
The List Page
The List page shows the FireworX presets on a continuous list,
starting with the 200 Factory Presets marked “F”, followed by
the User Presets marked “U” and last but not least the optional
Card Presets marked “C”.
Dial the Parameter wheel to scroll through the list and press
Enter to recall.
Recalling a preset
When you want to Recall a Preset, simply use the Value wheel to scroll through the Presets and press the Enter key
to Recall.
The Recall Display
The FireworX contains 200 Factory Presets and has room for a maximum of 200 user Presets, however the actual number depends on the
size of your Presets and may be less than 200.
There are two different pages in the FireworX Recall display, “Preset” and “List”. They offer two ways of viewing the Presets of the
FireworX. Use the < > Arrow keys to select between them.
Basic operation is accomplished by using the Parameter wheel to change cursor position and the Value wheel to change values. Pressing
Enter will recall the selected preset.
14
BASIC OPERATION Recall
Exercise 1:
How to Recall a Preset
Press the Recall key
Exercise 1:
How to Recall a Preset
In this Exercise we are going to recall a couple of Presets. Press
the Recall key (if you’re not already there) and select the
“Preset” page using the < > Arrow keys. Make sure that the
“Bank” is set to Factory, and that the “Filter” is off.
Now select the Preset parameter and dial the Value wheel to
scroll through the factory Presets. While scrolling you will see
both the preset number and the LED of the Enter key blinking,
indicating that the current Preset has not been recalled yet.
Select Preset #10 and press Enter to confirm. Preset #10 is now
recalled.
Press the Enter key
to Recall the Preset
Exercise 2:
How to search for Presets containing a specific effect
Press the Recall key
Press the Enter key
to Recall the Preset
Exercise 2:
How to search for Presets containing a specific effect
Now we will try to recall a Preset containing a specific effect, in
this exercise a delay. Select the “Filter” parameter by using the
Parameter wheel.
Dial the Value wheel until you see “DLY”. Now move the cursor
back to the “Preset” parameter.
Dial the Value to scroll through the Presets. Notice that the
FireworX only shows Presets containing the Delay block.
Select a Preset and press Enter to confirm.
Dial Parameter
wheel to select
“Filter”
Dial Value
wheel to
choose “Delay”
Dial Value
wheel to scroll
through
Presets
Dial Parameter
wheel to select
“Preset”
Dial Value wheel
to scroll
through Presets
RECALL
ENTER
RECALL
ENTER
15
BASIC OPERATION Store
Quick Store with the same name
If you want to store an edited Factory Preset with the same name, simply press Store and Enter. The FireworX will
automatically store the Preset in the first empty User space.
If you want to store an edited User Preset with the same name, simply press Store and Enter. The FireworX will store
the Preset in the same User Preset position.
The Store display
The FireworX can hold a maximum of 200 User Presets, and up
to 999 additional Presets can be stored on card (depending on the
size of the card). Due to the dynamic Preset structure, the
maximum amount of presets storable in the FireworX will vary
depending on the size of the Presets.
The Store display consists of three different pages: Name - Store
- Delete.
Use the < > Arrow keys to select between them.
The Store page
The Store page displays the Preset name, the User or Card space
that you are about to store in, and the amount of free space in the
internal User bank.
The Bank indicator
The bank indicator tells you which bank and number you are
about to store in. The existing name of the current number is
displayed, if the number is free it will read <EMPTY>.
New Name
The New Name line shows the name the Preset will be stored
with. This name can be changed on the Name page.
Free space indicator
The Free space indicator tells you how much room there is left in
the FireworX internal RAM bank. The FireworX can hold a
maximum of 200 User Presets, however the actual number
depends on the size of your Presets and may be less than 200.
This is due to the dynamic Preset memory structure of the
FireworX.
The Name Page
In the Name page you can change the name of your Preset and
change the text describing the function of the Alpha Mod. wheel.
The Letterbox
Use the Parameter wheel to change cursor position. Dial the
Value wheel and press Enter to select new letters or numbers. To
switch to capital letters and between numbers and special
charaters, press the Exit key or select CAP with the cursor and
press Enter. Use DEL to delete a character, and INS to Insert a
character space.
To change the Alpha Mod. text, dial the Parameter wheel until
the cursor jumps to the Alpha Mod. line.
The Delete page
Dial the Value wheel to select the Preset you want deleted, and
press Enter to delete.
NOTE: The FireworX will automatically default to the Store
page if you leave the Store display in the Delete page.
Free space indicator
The Free space indicator tells you how much room is left in the
FireworX internal RAM bank. The FireworX can hold a
maximum of 200 User Presets, however the actual number
depends on the size of your Presets, and may be less than 200.
This is due to the dynamic Preset memory structure of the
FireworX.
Warning: All data of a deleted Preset will be lost.
16
BASIC OPERATION Store
Using a Memory Card
Insert the card.
When you want to store a single preset on a PC-card, you simply
dial through the User presets, and following that you will see the
card bank.
A card can hold up to 999 presets depending on the size of the
card.
Preset copy to or from card is done in the “Utility, Card” page
(see “Utility” for further description).
Card types
S-RAM Type 1 PCMCIA cards, with a minimum of 64Kbytes,
maximum of 2Mbytes S-RAM.
The Store page
The Name page
The Storing space
The Name of the
Preset
Free space indicator
The New name of
the Preset
The function of the
Alpha Mod.
Select “CAP” for
capital letters or
press the Exit key to
toggle “CAP” on/Off
The Letterbox
“Store” page selected
“Name” page selected
17
BASIC OPERATION Store
Exercise 3:
How to Store a Preset with the existing name.
Press the Store key
Dial the Parameter
wheel to select Alpha
Mod. function line
Press the Enter key
to Store the Preset
Exercise 4:
How to name a Preset and the Alpha Mod. function.
Press the Store key
Use the Arrow
keys to select
the Name
display
Dial Parameter
wheel to move
cursor
Dial Value
wheel to select
storing space
Dial Value
wheel to select
letters
Press Enter to
choose letters
Repeat Exercise 3 to Store your Preset with the new
name.
Exercise 4:
How to name a Preset and Alpha Mod. function
In this exercise we will try to name or rename a Preset and the
Alpha Mod. function.
If the Preset is not named before the storing, it will be stored
with the name of the Preset it was built from.
- Press the Store key to access the Store display.
- Use the < > Arrow keys to select the “Name” page.
- Now use the Parameter wheel to move the cursor in the name,
the Value wheel to select a letter in the Letterbox, and press Enter
to insert the chosen letter.
In order to change the Alpha Mod. function text, dial the
Parameter wheel until the cursor jumps to the next line.
The new name has to be stored with the preset (Please refer to
Exercise 3), press the right < > Arrow key to select the “Store” page.
Exercise 3:
How to Store a preset with the existing name
This exercise shows you how to store a Preset with the existing
name. When you try to store a Factory Preset, the FireworX
automatically selects the first free storing space. If you try to restore a User Preset, the FireworX will automatically select the
same storing space.
- Press the Store key to access the Store display.
- Dial the Value wheel to select the storing space.
- Press Enter to confirm.
STORE
ENTER
STORE
ENTER
18
Exercise 5:
How to delete a preset
Press the Store key
Use the Arrow
keys to select
the Delete
display
Dial Value
wheel to
select the
preset you
want to delete
Press Enter
to delete the preset
BASIC OPERATION Store
Exercise 5:
How to delete a Preset
This Exercise will describe how to delete a single Preset. The
FireworX also has the ability to clear the whole User Preset bank
instantly (please see the “Reset” page for further instructions).
- Press the Store key to access the Store display.
- Use the < > Arrow right key to select the “Delete” page.
- Dial the Value wheel to select the Preset you want to delete.
- Press Enter to confirm the deleting of the current Preset.
Warning: All data of the deleted Preset will be lost.
STORE
ENTER
19
Double click on the
block mute key of the
effect you want
to edit
Select In and
press Enter to edit
the Preset In-level
Block name and
sub-algorithm
Cursor position
Selected
Select Out and
press Enter to edit
the Preset Out-level
EFFECTS SETUP Effects
The Effects display
The Effects display contains four pages: Tool - Edit - Routing - Layout. Use the < > Arrow keys to step between the
four pages.
The Tool page allows you to select different readouts in the blocks, and shows the total amount of DSP power usage.
The Edit page allows you to Edit the different blocks inserted.
The Routing page lets you change the setup and order of the blocks.
The Layout page helps you to move, insert or delete whole rows or columns simultaneously and change the size of
the Routing grid.
The Edit page
The Edit page enables you to edit the blocks of the current
Preset.
There are two different ways of accessing the Edit parameters
page. The first way is to dial the Parameter wheel to move the
cursor to the block you want to edit, and press Enter to edit the
current block. The lower text line displays the sub-algorithm
running in the current highlighted block.
The second way is to double click the key of the block you want
to edit. In case you have more than one of a specific block, the
first double click will take you into the block #1, the second
double click will take you into #2 and so forth. After entering the
last block, the double click will take you back to #1.
Example: The FireworX is set up with two delay blocks, DLY1
and DLY2. Double clicking the Delay mute key will take you
into the Edit parameters page of DLY1, double clicking the
Delay mute key again will take you into the Edit, Parameters of
DLY2 etc.
The Edit page
Select the In and Out block and press Enter to edit the In/Out
level of the current Preset.
In the Edit parameter page, use the Parameter wheel to scroll up
and down, and the Value wheel to change Values (see “the
Blocks” for parameter descriptions).
NOTE: A black square in front of a parameter indicates that the
current parameter is modulated by an External or Internal
Modifier. The parameter will in that case only be controllable
through this Modifier. However, the setting in the Edit,
Parameters page will act as the default value in a recall situation
(See “Default parameter setting” in the Modifier chapter for
further instructions).
20
EFFECTS SETUP Effects
Exercise 6:
How to Edit an effect block
In this exercise we will edit an effect block.
- Press the Effects key (if you are not already there).
- Select the Edit page by using the < > Arrow keys.
- Double click the Mute key of the block you want to edit
(located on the front panel).
You will now enter the Edit, Parameters display.
Use the Parameter wheel to change the cursor position and the
Value wheel to change values.
In case the Preset contains more than one of the blocks you want
to edit, a second double click on the block Mute key will take
you into number two.
Exercise 6:
How to Edit an effect block
Press the Effects key
Use the Arrow keys
to select the Edit
display
Dial Parameter
wheel to move
the cursor
Dial Value
wheel to
change values
Double click the Mute
key of the block you
want to edit
Press Exit to exit to
the Edit page
ENTER
DELAY
EXIT
21
EFFECTS SETUP Effects
Block name and
sub-algorithm
Cursor position
Dial Parameter wheel
to select effect and
press Enter to set up
block I/O
Double click on the
block Mute key of the
effect you want to
insert and dial Value
wheel to select sub-
algorithm.
Press Enter to insert.
Empty spaces
Selected
DYNAMIC
Expander/Gate
Soft Compressor
Hard Comp/Limiter
VOCODE
Vocoder
Ring Mod. Internal
Ring Mod. External
FILTERS
Resonance
Bandpass
Phaser
Resonator
Resochord
FORMANT
Formant
DISTORT
Drive
Cruncher
PITCH
Single Voice
Dual Voice
SYNTH
Curve Generator
Chaos generator
Noise Generator
The Routing page
The Routing page
The Routing page is where you set up the order of the effect blocks, the sub-algorithm in each block, the left/right setup of each block and
the Mute mode of each block.
The full Routing grid can be up to 8 by 8 spaces, and you can place any effect anywhere in the grid, however, the FireworX will not scroll
through the last row unless a block is placed closer than two rows away. The size of the grid can be changed in the Layout page.
Maximum number of inserted blocks
Due to the dynamic processing power structure of the FireworX, you can keep adding new blocks to the Routing until all power is used.
The total amount of simultaneous blocks depends on the power taken up by the individual blocks. The power allocation is showed in the Tool
page.
The sub-algorithms of the blocks
All effect blocks contain a number of sub-algorithms. To change
the sub-algorithm of a block, place the cursor on the block (while
standing in the Routing page) by dialing the Parameter wheel,
dial the Value wheel to select the new sub-algorithm and press
Enter to confirm.
Here is a complete list of sub-algorithms in the Effect blocks:
Total amount of blocks
3x Dynamic
1x Filters
1x Formant
1x Distort
1x Vocode
2x Synth
1x Pitch
2x Cho/Fla
2x Dly
1x Reverb
2x Pan
1x EQ
1x Ext. loop (1x Send, 1x
Return)
EFFECTS SETUP Effects
22
Total amount of blocks
3x Dynamic
1x Filters
1x Formant
1x Distort
1x Vocode
2x Synth
1x Pitch
REVERB
Simple
Advanced
CHORUS/FLANGER
Classic Chorus
Advanced Chorus
Classic Flanger
Advanced Flanger
DELAY
Stereo
Dual
Dual three-tap
One-tap
Six-tap
Reverse
PANNER
Simple Tremolo
Advanced Tremolo
Simple Panner
Surround Panner
Stereo Enhancer
EQ
Fixed EQ
Modifiable EQ
The Special Icons
There are a couple of different icons in the Routing that do not
apply to any of the effect blocks.
Pipeline The Pipeline. If you simply want to lead the sound
through a point, you select the pipeline icon.
Loop The Insert Loop. The External loop Send and
Return blocks apply to the Insert loop set up in “I/O
Setup, Signal”. Place the Send block where you
want to tap the sound, and place the Return block
where you want the sound to re-enter the signal
chain (See Insert loop for further descriptions).
Warning: The Insert loop is subject to small amounts of delay.
This could cause serious changes in the sound due to phase
cancellation.
Feedback The Feedback block can feed the sound back from
one point to another in the signal chain.
Place the Send block where you want to tap the
sound, and place the Return block where you want
the sound to re-enter the signal chain.
Warning: The Feedback can cause serious overloads in the
Routing.
Parallel or Serial
The Effects blocks of the FireworX can be set up parallel or
serial.
Serial
When two blocks are placed horizontally after each other in the
Routing display, they are working serially. That means that the
first effect will be fed through the second.
Example: If you have a Delay block in front of a Reverb block,
the regeneration of the Delay will be fed through the Reverb,
meaning that you will hear Reverb on the regeneration of the
Delay.
Parallel
When two blocks are Vertical to each other, they are working in
parallel. That means that the effects will not affect each other.
Example: If you have a Delay block below a Reverb block, the
regeneration of the Delay will not be fed through the Reverb,
meaning that the regeneration of the Delay will be dry.
Available blocks
Some of the Effects blocks can be inserted more than once. Here
is a complete list of blocks available:
2x Cho/Fla
2x Dly
1x Reverb
2x Pan
1x EQ
1x Ext. loop (1x Send, 1x Return)
1x Feedback (1x Send, 1x Return)
23
EFFECTS SETUP Effects
Exercise 7:
Inserting an effect
Press the Effects key
Use the Arrow
keys to select
the Routing
display
Dial Value
wheel to select
sub-algorithm
Double click
the Mute key of
the block you
want to insert
Exercise 8:
How to change a sub-algorithm
Select the Routing page
Dial Parameter
wheel to select
effect block
Dial
Value wheel
to select new
sub-algorithm
Press Enter to confirm
Exercise 8:
How to change a sub-algorithm
The Delay that you just inserted is a One-Tap Delay that contains
only one delay time. Let’s try to find a delay with two delay
times so we can get it different in left and right:
- Move the cursor to the Delay block using the
parameter wheel.
- Dial the Value wheel until you see “Delay - Dual” in
the lower text line.
- Press Enter to confirm.
You now have a Dual delay algorithm, where you are able to set
different delay times in left and right channels (remember to set
the panning of the two delay taps).
Exercise 7:
Inserting an Effect
There are two ways of inserting an effect. Let’s start by setting
up a Phaser and after that a Delay
- Press the Effects key (if you are not already there).
- Use the < > Arrow keys to select the Routing page.
- Use the Parameter wheel to place the cursor in
the 1 1 position (position is indicated in the lower right
corner of the Routing display).
- Dial the Value wheel until you see “Filter - Phaser” in
the lower text line of the display and press Enter to
insert the Phaser in the Routing.
And the other way after accessing the Routing page:
- Place the cursor in position 2 1 in the Routing display
- Double click the Delay Mute key, Dial the Value
wheel until you see “Delay 1 - One-tap“ in the lower
text line of the display.
- Press Enter to confirm.
You now have a Delay block set in series with a Phaser.
EFFECTS
DELAY
ENTER
Press Enter to insert
the block
ENTER
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