Zoom 503 User Manual

Thank you for selecting the ZOOM 503 (hereafter simply called the "503"). Please take the time to read this manual carefully so you can get the most out of

your 503 and ensure optimum performance and reliability. Retain this manual for future reference.

ZOOM CORPORATION

NOAH Bldg., 2-10-2, Miyanishi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183-0022, Japan PHONE: 0423-69-7116 FAX: 0423-69-7115

Printed in Japan 503-5000

• Compact multi-effect device convincingly recreates the sound of famous guitar or bass amplifiers. This is ideal for line recordings to a tape recorder or when playing your instrument via a hi-fi audio system. It also lets a fairly small guitar or bass amplifier sound more powerful and dynamic.

• Integrated amp simulator gives a wide choice of guitar/bass amplifier characteristics. Sophisticated cabinet simulator allows control over cabinet size, ringing, and even simulated microphone position. This makes it easy to create exactly the sound you want.

• Two input jacks with different sensitivity enable optimum matching to any guitar or bass, including instruments with single-coil magnetic pickups or active pickups.

• Ten types of high-quality effects such as chorus, delay, and reverb produce realistic ambience.

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

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

• AUX input allows connecting the output of audio components such as a CD player, for mixing with the instrument signal.

•

Dual power supply design allows the unit to be powered from a 9V alkaline battery (6LR61) or an AC adapter.

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:

Please observe the following safety tips and precautions to ensure hazard-free use of the 503.

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 503 cannot be used for recharging. Pay close attention to the labelling of the battery to make sure you choose the correct type.

• If the 503 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.

Avoid using your 503 in environments where it will be exposed to:

• Extreme temperature

• High humidity or moisture

• Excessive dust or sand

• Excessive vibration or shock

• The 503 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.

Never open the case of the 503 or attempt to modify the product in any way since this can result in damage to the unit.

Usage precautions

For safety considerations, the 503 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 503, as the possibility of interference cannot be ruled out entirely.

Whatever the type of digital control device, the 503 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.

Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the 503. 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 503 and all other equipment before connecting or disconnecting any cables. Also make sure to disconnect all cables and the AC adapter before moving the 503.

Features

Safety Precautions

Warning

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

Caution

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 equipment could result.

Warning

About power

Caution

Environment

Caution

Handling

Caution

Alterations

Electrical interference

Cleaning

Operation Manual

• PATCH

A group of the settings for a certain effect type is called a PATCH. The 503 comes with 24 preset patches which can be changed (edited) by the user.

• BANK

The 503 calls up patches in sets of four, called a "bank".

The 503 has memory capacity for 24 patches. At the factory, these are programmed with recommended settings.

The user can Edit and Store any patch, and also restore the factory settings.

* The patches of banks A and b

can be used for line playback by setting the cabinet simulator to ON.

* The ZNR (Zoom Noise

Reduction) parameter in each patch should be adjusted for optimum matching with your guitar or bass.

What Are Banks and Patches? PATCH LIST

Configuration of Effects

Controls, Functions and Connections

The patches of the 503 are created using the four modules (effects) listed below. You can imagine such a module as a box containing various effect settings. Each module has several parameters which determine its sound. The parameters can be adjusted, just as you can turn the knobs on a single compact effect device. A set of changed parameters can be stored as a patch for later recall.

INPUT

HIGH LOW

DC 9V

AUX IN

OUTPUT

300mA

(PHONES)

STORE

TUNER CAL.

EDIT VAL.

BANK

OUTPUT

INPUT

EDIT

DOWN

BYPASS

BANK HOLD(EDIT:LEVEL)

TYPE&DEPTH

BASS

REVERB

–

COMPACT MULTI EFFECTS PROCESSOR

G1: MS CRUNCH G2: MS DRIVE G3: F CLEAN G4: F DRIVE G5: BG DRIVE

G6: PV DRIVE G7: J CLEAN G8: VX CRUNCH G9: CLEAN

b1: TE CLEAN b2: F DRIVE b3: SW CLEAN

b6: AC DRIVE b7: CLEAN

GUITAR AMP

BASS AMP

GUITAR c : COMBO1

C : COMBO2 S : STACK L : WALL

BASS b : COMBO1

B : STACK

GUITAR AMP

MIDDLE/ENHANCE

MIC POSITION&

CHORUS

/EFFECTS

GAIN/COMP TREBLE

TYPE

AMP

CABINET

ZNR

Top Panel

Rear Panel

TUNER indicator

• Play mode:

Indicator lights up when the Reverb module is on for the currently selected patch.

• Bypass(Mute)/Tuner mode:

Indicator flashes to show that tuning function is active. It also serves as center indicator for fine tuning.

• Edit mode:

Indicator flashes when REVERB parameter is selected.

• BATTERY EMPTY WARNING display

When the unit is powered from the battery and the battery is running low, this indicator begins flashing at a faster rate than in Edit mode. In such a case, replace the battery as soon as possible.

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)

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 LEVEL 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).]

INPUT jacks

Serve for connection of the guitar or bass. Choose the HIGH or LOW input, according to the output level of the instrument pickup. For instruments with active pickups and built-in preamplifier and for humbucking type pickups, use the LOW input. For other instruments, use the HIGH input. When the unit operates on batteries, the INPUT jack doubles as a power switch. Plugging in a shielded cable turns the 503 on. To prevent draining the battery, unplug the cable when the unit is not in use.

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 503 is powered on by plugging an AC adapter into this jack.

AUX IN jack

The output connector (stereo mini phone jack) of an audio component can be connected here. By connecting for example a portable CD player/cassette deck, the sound can be mixed with the sound from the guitar or bass. The mixed signal is supplied to the OUTPUT jack. Adjust the level of the mixed signal at the output component.

DISPLAY

Displays information required to operate the 503.

• Play mode

Displays the selected bank (A-F) and patch (1-4).

• Edit mode

Displays the value of the selected effect parameter. In Edit mode, when the LEVEL parameter (patch volume level) is selected, the dot (.) in the center of the display flashes.

• Bypass(Mute)/Tuner mode

Shows the pitch of the input signal.

PARAMETER CURSOR indicator

• Play mode

The currently used effect module lights.

• Edit mode

The indicator lights up for the currently used effect module, and the indicator flashes for the effect module that is turned off. Also, the indicator for the effect module selected for editing flashes.

• Bypass(Mute)/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(Mute)/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(Mute)/Tuner mode.

• Edit mode

The pedals serve for selecting effect parameters. Pressing both pedals simultaneously turns the currently selected effect module on or off.

• Bypass(Mute)/Tuner mode

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

OUTPUT jack

The output of the 503 is this jack. A shielded Y cable can be used for input to a stereo component such as a tape recorder, or a stereo headphone can be connected directly. A headphone will let you enjoy realistic guitar amp sound even late at night. If the volume level from the headphones is low, use phones with low impedance (32 ohms or less). The output can of course also be connected to a guitar amplifier or bass amplifier using a shielded mono cable.

ZOOM CORPORATION

MADE IN JAPAN

3 4

BANK A