Zoom Corporation 506II Operation Manual

Operation Manual

Introduction

Thank you for selecting the ZOOM 506 II (hereafter simply called the "506 II").

Please take the time to read this manual carefully so as to get the most out of the unit and to ensure optimum performance and reliability.

Retain this manual, the warranty card and all other documentation for future reference.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS •••••••••••••••••••••• 2 Features

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3

Terms Used in This Manual

••••••••••••••••••• 4

Using the unit on batteries

••••••••••••••••••• 5

Controls and Functions

•••••••••••••••••••••• 6

Selecting Patches for Play

•••••••••••••••••••• 8

Using the Tuner Function

•••••••••••••••••••• 10

Editing a Patch

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 12

Storing/Copying Patches

•••••••••••••••••••• 14

Changing the "Patch Call" Method

••••••••••• 16

Using the Optional Pedal

•••••••••••••••••••• 18

Restoring Factory Defaults

•••••••••••••••••• 19

Linking Effects

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 20

Effect Types and Parameters

•••••••••••••••• 21

Specifications

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 31

Usage Precautions

•••••••••••••••••••••••••• 31

Patch List Troubleshooting

Contents

ZOOM 506 II BASS

Features

The 506 II is a sophisticated multi effect processor for bass guitar with the following features and functions:

• Top level performance

While similar in price to a compact effect device, the 506 II incorporates a varied palette of 33 effects. Up to eight effects (including ZNR and amp simulator) can be combined in a patch. The memory of the unit holds 36 rewritable patches, providing noholds-barred performance.

• Intuitive user interface

The user interface has been thoroughly redesigned. Large switches and keys and a rotary selector make the unit extremely simple to operate. Any desired effect can be called up swiftly and without fuss.

• Great bass effects

The 506 II includes a number of unique effects designed specially for bass players, such as the innovative bass synthesizer and the "cry" effect that simulates a talking modulator. This makes it a snap to create your own original sound.

• Built-in auto-chromatic tuner

The integrated tuning function for bass lets you quickly and precisely tune your instrument on stage.

• Dual power supply enables operation anywhere

The dual power supply principle allows the unit to be powered either from an AC adapter or from four IEC R6 (size AA) batteries. Continuous operation time on batteries is 8 hours with manganese batteries and 28 hours with alkaline batteries.

• Compatible with foot switch and pedals

An optional foot switch (FS01) or expression pedal (FP01/FP02) can be connected to the CONTROL IN jack. The foot switch is useful for quickly switching patches, and the expression pedal can serve to adjust the volume or effect tone in real time.

• Improved successor to 506

While inheriting the sound characteristics of the very successful ZOOM model 506, the 506 II is even more compact and carries a lower price tag. And what's more, it incorporates nine new effects, including bass distortion effects using sophisticated modeling techniques, practical stage-use and special effects.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

About power

• 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 at the cable.

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

Battery operation

• Use four IEC R6 (size AA) 1.5 V batteries (alkaline/manganese).

• The 506 II cannot be used for recharging. Pay close attention to the labelling of the battery to make sure you choose the correct type.

• If the 506 II 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.

Environment

Avoid using your 506 II in environments where it will be exposed to:

• Extreme temperature

• High humidity or moisture

• Excessive dust or sand

• Excessive vibration or shock

Handling

• The 506 II 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 can 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

Never open the case of the 506 II or attempt to modify the product in any way since this can result in damage to the unit.

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

This symbol indicates explanations about dangerous matters. If users ignore this symbol and handle the device the wrong way, bodily injury and damage to the equipment could result.

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 506 II.

Warning

Caution

Safety Precautions

Features

Warning

Caution

ZOOM 506 II BASS

1. Turn the 506 II over and open the cover of the battery compartment on the bottom.

Press the latch to release it and then raise the cover.

2. Insert four fresh IEC R6 (size AA) batteries into the battery compartment.

3. Close the cover of the battery compartment.

Close the cover of the battery compartment.

Push the cover in until the latch audibly snaps into place.

Battery compartment cover

Tab

Four IEC R6 (size AA) batteries

Insert all batteries with the same orientation.

Rear of 506 II

Using the unit on batteries

Terms Used in This Manual

Use four IEC R6 (size AA) batteries. When the batteries are getting low, a dot (. ) in the bottom section of the display starts to flash.

NOTE

While not using the 506 II, you should disconnect the cable plugged into the INPUT jack, to prevent draining the batteries.

Play mode/edit mode

The internal status of the 506 II is referred to as the operation mode. The two major modes are play mode, in which you can select patches and use them for playing your instrument, and edit mode, in which you can modify the effects. The [PLAY/EDIT] selector serves for switching between the play mode and edit mode.

This section explains some important terms that are used throughout the 506 II documentation.

Effect module

As shown in the illustration below, the 506 II can be thought of as a combination of several single effects. Each such effect is referred to as an effect module. In addition to modules comprising compressor effects (COMP) or distortion effects (DIST), the 506 II also provides a module for ZNR (ZOOM Noise Reduction) and an amp simulator. Parameters such as effect intensity can be adjusted for each module individually, and modules can be switched on and off as desired.

Effect type

Within each effect module, there are several different effects which are referred to as effect types. For example, the modulation effect module (MOD) comprises chorus, flanger, pitch shifter, and other effect types. Only one of these can be selected at a time. An effect type is also often simply referred to as an effect.

Effect parameter

All effect modules have various parameters that can be adjusted. When likening an effect module to a compact effect device, the parameters can be thought of as the control knobs on the device. Changing the parameter settings will result in changes to items such as effect intensity and tonal characteristics.

Patch

In the 506 II, effect module combinations are stored and called up in units referred to as patches. A patch comprises information about the on/off status of each effect module, about the effect type used in each module, and about effect parameter settings. The memory of the 506 II can store up to 36 patches.

Bank

A group of six patches is called a bank. The 506 II manages a total of six banks, labelled A through F. The patches within each bank are numbered 1 through 6. To specify a patch, the 506 II uses the following format: "A1". This means that patch number 1 from bank A is selected. Therefore "b6" would refer to patch 6 from bank b.

Terms Used in This Manual

Terms Used in This Manual / Using the unit on batteries

IN OUT

COMP

DIST MOD DLY/REV

AMP SIMZNREQ

BANK F