Zoom Corporation BFX-708 Operation Manual

Operation Manual

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2

Introduction ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3

Naming of Parts •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4

Front Panel ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4 Rear Panel

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4

Preparations ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4

Inserting the Batteries ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4 Getting Connected

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 5

Quick Guide (Let's Play) •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 6

Input Gain/Amp Simulator Setting ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 8

Input Gain Setting ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 8 Amp Simulator Setting

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 8

Listening to Patches (Play Mode Operation) ••••••••••••••••••• 9

Panel Display in Play Mode ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 9 Selecting a Patch

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 9

Using the Bypass (Mute) and Tuner Function

••••••••••••••••••••• 10

Playing With Rhythm Accompaniment

•••••••••••••••••••••••••• 11

Using the Sampler Function

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 12

Using the Easy Edit Function

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 13

Reserving the Next Patch (DIRECT LOAD)

••••••••••••••••••••••• 14

Fixing the Bank (BANK HOLD)

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 14

Altering the Sound of a Patch (Edit Mode Operation) •••••••••• 15

Patch Configuration •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 15 Basic Edit Mode Steps

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 15

Storing and Copying Patches

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 16

Effect Types and Parameters ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 17

COMP•DIST (compressor/distortion) module ••••••••••••••••••••• 17 ZNR/EQ (Zoom Noise Reduction/Equalizer) module

••••••••••••••••• 17

MOD (modulation) module

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 18

REV (Reverb) module

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 19

TOTAL module

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 20

PEDAL module

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 20

Using the Jam Play Function ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 21

Controlling an Effect With the Pedal ••••••••••••••••••••••••• 22

All Initialize/Factory Recall ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 23

Adjusting the Expression Pedal •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 23

Troubleshooting

BFX-708 Specifications

CONTENTS

ZOOM BFX-708

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 BFX-708.

• Power requirements

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.

• When not using the unit for an extended period, disconnect the AC adapter from the AC outlet.

[Battery operation]

• Use four conventional IEC R6 (size AA) batteries (alkaline).

• The BFX-708 cannot be used for recharging. Pay close attention to the labelling of the battery to make sure you choose the correct type.

• When not using the unit for an extended period, remove the batteries 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 BFX-708 in environments where it will be exposed to:

• Extreme temperature

• High humidity or moisture

• Excessive dust or sand

• Excessive vibration or shock

• Handling

Since the BFX-708 is a precision electronic device, avoid applying excessive force to the switches and buttons. Also take care not to drop the unit, and do not subject it to shock or excessive pressure.

• Alterations

Never open the case of the BFX-708 or attempt to modify the product in any way since this can result in damage to the unit.

• Connecting cables and input and output jacks

You should always turn off the power to the BFX-708 and all other equipment before connecting or disconnecting any cables. Also make sure to disconnect all cables and the AC adapter before moving the BFX-708.

Usage Precautions

• Electrical interference

For safety considerations, the BFX-708 has been designed to provide maximum protection against the emission of electromagnetic radiation from inside the device, and protection from external interference. However, equipment that is very susceptible to interference or that emits powerful electromagnetic waves should not be placed near the BFX-708, as the possibility of interference cannot be ruled out entirely.

With any type of digital control device, the BFX-708 included, electromagnetic interference can cause malfunctioning and can corrupt or destroy data. Care should be taken to minimize the risk of damage.

• Cleaning

Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the BFX-708. 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.

Please keep this manual in a convenient place for future reference.

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Warning

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.

Caution

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.

Warning

Caution

ZOOM BFX-708

Thank you for selecting the ZOOM BFX-708 (hereafter simply called the "BFX-708"). The BFX-708 is a sophisticated multi-effect device with the following features and functions:

• Large variety of built-in effects

Four separate effect modules (single/combined effects) can be used at the same time, together with ZNR (Zoom Noise Reduction) and the built-in amp simulator. Effects include compressor/distortion effects specially designed for bass players, various modulation effects such as chorus and flanger, reverberation effects such as reverb and delay. In total, you have 48 types of effects readily available.

• 60 immediately usable patches

A combination of effect modules and parameter settings stored in memory is called a "patch". The BFX-708 has room for 30 patches that are read-only and 30 that can be freely modified by the user. So you have a total of 60 patches readily available. Patches are organized in banks (A - F, 0 - 5), each with five patches. It is even possible to assign a distinctive name of up to 6 characters to each patch.

• Designed for use on stage

The BFX-708 will operate continuously for up to 14 hours on one set of alkaline batteries. The large display showing patch names is easy to read at a distance, and the built-in expression pedal is great for enhancing any performance. For extended use, the unit can also be powered by an AC adapter.

• Rotary knobs allow speedy parameter editing

When editing a patch, the three knobs on the top panel let you change parameters with a quick and direct feel. Even during a performance, fine-tuning an effect is no problem at all. The edited patch can be stored for later use.

• A first in this class: built-in rhythm section

A high quality PCM sound source creates realistic rhythm patterns that are handy for practicing or for small jam sessions. You can choose from as many as 45 rhythm patterns.

• 6-second sampler

Built-in sampler allows recording of bass guitar sounds or external sources such as a CD player for up to 6 seconds. It even allows half-speed playback without altering the pitch. This feature comes in handy when copying phrases.

• Jam Play

With a simple foot switch operation, you can record and play a phrase of up to 2 seconds during a gig. This is great for creating scratch effects such as used by DJs, doing reverse playback or producing other special effects.

• Integrated amp simulator

Integrated amp simulator duplicates the acoustic characteristics and cabinet sound of a bass guitar amplifier for a dynamic sound also when sending the line output to a mixer or recorder.

Please take the time to read this manual carefully, in order to get the most out of your BFX708 and to ensure optimum performance and reliability.

ntroduction

Introduction

ZOOM BFX-708

Naming of Parts

Front Panel

Naming of Parts /Preparations

OUTPUT knob

DC9V

POWER

IN)

(PH

300mA

OFFON

Preparations

Rear Panel

Inserting the Batteries

The BFX-708 can be powered either by alkaline batteries or by an AC adapter. To use the unit on batteries, insert them as follows.

1 Turn the unit over and open the battery

compartment cover.

2 Insert four new IEC R6 (size AA) alkaline

batteries into the battery compartment.

3 Close the battery compartment cover.

If the indication "BATT" appears on the display during battery-powered operation, the batteries are exhausted. Replace all four batteries with fresh ones.

• If the unit is not to be powered from batteries for an extended period, remove the batteries from the battery compartment. Otherwise battery fluid may leak and cause damage to the unit.

• An AC adapter is not supplied with the unit.

Battery

compartment

cover

Adjacent batteries are inserted with opposite polarity.

Battery compartment cover

Tab

BFX-708 rear

Four IEC R6 (size AA) batteries

AMP SIM (simulator) knob

PARM (Parameter) knob 1 - 3

OUTPUT AMP SIM

PATCH NAME BANK PATCH

COMP-DIST

MODULE

(

ON/OFF

OFF

ZNR/EQ

)

COMP•DIST/PARM1

MOD REV TOTAL

TYPE

(BANK)

(

)

GROUP

MOD/PARM2 REV/PARM3

PEDAL

EDIT

STORE

(CANCEL)

/ foot switches

Module LEDs

PATCH NAME BANK PATCH

BOTH EDITED

(

)

VALUE

RHYTHM SAMPLER

INPUT/AUX IN jack

Expression pedal

DC9V

INPUT

(AUX IN)

300mA

DC 9V (AC adapter) jack

COMP-DIST

ZNR/EQ

MODULE

(

ON/OFF

MODULE / keys

OUTPUT/PHONES jack

OUTPUT

(PHONES)

POWER

OFFON

POWER switch

Cable hook

Display

Pedal status LED

MOD REV TOTAL

)

TYPE

(

GROUP

(BANK)

EDIT

(CANCEL)

)

EDIT (CANCEL) key

TYPE(BANK) / keys

BANK/PATCH indicator

BOTH EDITED

(

)

VALUE

PEDAL

RHYTHM SAMPLER

STORE

SAMPLER key

RHYTHM key

STORE key

How to use the cable hook

OPEN

NOTE

PATCH NAME

ZOOM BFX-708

Preparations

1 Use a monaural cable to connect the bass

to the INPUT jack of the BFX-708.

At this time, the amplifier power switch and the power switch of the BFX-708 should be OFF.

2 Use a monaural cable to connect the

OUTPUT jack of the BFX-708 to the input of the amplifier.

By using two amplifiers, you can get great stereo sound from stereo effects. Use a stereo Y cable to connect the OUTPUT jack to the two amplifiers.

3 To monitor the sound with headphones,

connect the headphones to the OUTPUT jack.

4 Verify that the amplifier is turned off and

that the volume control is turned to minimum. Also verify that the power switch of the BFX-708 is set to OFF.

5 When using an AC adapter, plug the output

cable from the adapter into the DC 9V jack on the BFX-708 and plug the adapter into an AC outlet.

To guard against inadvertently disconnecting the AC adapter cable, wind the cable once around the hook on the rear panel of the BFX-

708.

6 Turn on power in the order BFX-708 →

amplifier (playback equipment).

7 Adjust the volume of the amplifier and the

BFX-708 to a suitable position while playing the instrument.

The OUTPUT knob of the BFX-708 should be set to about the 3 o'clock position, and the AMP SIM knob should be set to the OFF position.

When the BFX-708 is in the bypass state (all effects are temporarily turned off; see page

10), the output level will be the same as the input level if the OUTPUT knob is turned fully clockwise.

Getting Connected

HINTHINT

OUTPUT AMP SIM

OFF

POWER

OUTPUT

(PHONES)

OFFON

Two bass amplifiers

Stereo Y cable

HINTHINT

NOTE

INPUT

(AUX IN)

DC9V

300mA

Monaural cable

POWER

OFFON

OUTPUT

(PHONES)

Bass amplifier

Monaural cable

Bass

AC adapter

Headphones

ZOOM BFX-708

Quick Guide (Let's Play)

STORE

EDIT

(CANCEL)

MODULE

(

ON/OFF

)

TYPE

(BANK)

COMP•DIST

ZNR/EQ MOD REV TOTAL

RHYTHM SAMP

(

GROUP

)

OUTPUT AMP SIM

COMP•DIST/PARM1

MOD/PARM2 REV/PAR

PEDAL

OFF

PATCH NAME BANK PATCH

(

VALUE

)

BOTH EDITED

To select a patch in play mode, press one of the

▲/▼ foot switches.

The name of the currently selected patch appears on the display. The bank and patch number can be checked using the BANK/PATCH indicator.

To directly switch the bank, use the TYPE(BANK)

▼/▲ keys.

• For a detailed explanation of patch switching, p. 9

• To fix the bank, p. 14

• To reserve a patch, p. 14

Altering an effect with the pedal

Selecting the effect sound (patch)

A collection of effect modules, each with distinct parameter settings, is called a patch. The BFX-708 has memory capacity for 60 patches which are immediately available for use. These are divided into two groups of 30 patches each. The PRESET group comprises read-only patches that cannot be changed by the user. The USER group contains read-andwrite patches that can be freely overwritten by the user. Each patch is given a patch name of up to 6 characters, and patches are organized in banks (A - F, 0 - 5) and patch numbers (1 - 5).

[ Patches, groups and banks ]

To alter an effect in real time, move the expression pedal while playing your instrument with the BFX-708 in play mode.

The aspect of the patch that is changed by the expression pedal can be programmed for each patch. To get a feel for this, select various patches and try out the pedal to see what it does.

Push the expression pedal fully down

The expression pedal also incorporates a pushdown switch that allows on/off control of a preset effect. The effect that is switched by the push-down switch can be programmed for each patch.

• To set the effect to be altered by the expression pedal, p. 22

• To readjust the expression pedal, p. 23

PRESET group

USER group

BANK F