Zoom GFX-8 Operation Manual Download Page 3

Introduction

Versatile array of effects 

The Variable Architecture Modeling System (VAMS)

adapts the internal configuration of the unit to achieve

exactly the desired pattern. The GFX-8 provides 69

effects ranging from the sound of famous guitar

amplifiers and other vintage devices to ultra-modern

processing functions. Up to nine effects can be freely

combined for simultaneous use. Modulation effects and

delay/reverb effects allow up to two types of custom

settings to be stored in memory. Any desired setting can

be called up quickly and easily. 

Sophisticated distortion technology 

Using new technology developed by Zoom, the GFX-8

can faithfully duplicate the characteristics of famous

guitar amplifiers and preamplifiers. The available

choices range from conventional overdrive to exciting

high-gain fuzz sound. In combination with the built-in

amp simulator and cabinet simulator, this lets you create

realistic distortion tailored to your music. Two types of

custom distortion are also included, letting you build

your own sound from scratch. 

"Easy Edit" feature 

During a stage performance, quick editing is possible

using handy selectors and knobs on the top panel of the

unit. You can switch effects, adjust the 4-band equalizer,

control distortion gain, or fine-tune major parameters of

the delay/reverb effects. Operation is quick and intuitive,

just like using a compact effect device. 

MIDI capability 

MIDI IN and OUT connectors are provided, allowing

you to hook up a MIDI sequencer or keyboard for

remote control, or to control a MIDI compatible guitar

amplifier or other device from the GFX-8. Memory data

can also be sent and received via the MIDI link. 

Supplied editing software 

The GFX-8 is supplied with a CD-ROM containing

software that lets you manage and edit patch libraries on

a computer (Windows 95/98 or Macintosh). The

software also provides access to a user custom area for

detailed adjustments that are not possible on the main

unit. 

Extensive patch library 

A patch is a combination of effects and parameter

settings stored in memory, with a name of up to 8

characters. The GFX-8 has room for 80 read/write

patches (4 patches x 20 banks) that can be freely

changed by the user, plus 160 preset patches (4 patches x

40 banks) that are read-only. In total, this gives access to

as many as 240 patches. 

Built-in sampler and jam play feature 

The integrated phrase sampler has a recording time of up

to 25 seconds. In addition, there is a jam play feature that

lets you record a 12-second phrase and play it back in

normal, reverse, or scratch mode. Changing the playback

speed is possible without altering the pitch. This feature

comes in handy when copying phrases. The AUX input

lets you connect a stereo source such as a CD or MD

player, to combine with your session or to directly record

with the sampler. 

Designed for use on stage 

The tough metal chassis of the unit will withstand use in

a demanding environment. The expression pedal and

foot switches are designed to facilitate your work on

stage. The easy-to-read 8-character display plus a 2-digit

LED panel are great for checking patch names, numbers,

and other settings at a glance. The output level can be set

to +4 dB to match professional specifications. 

Thank you for selecting the 

ZOOM GFX-8 

(hereafter simply called the "

GFX-8

"). The GFX-8 is a sophisticated

digital effect processor with the following features and functions: 

3

ZOOM GFX-8

Introduction 

Please take the time to read this manual carefully so as to get the most out of your GFX-8 and to ensure

optimum performance and reliability. Retain this manual, the warranty card and all other documentation for

future reference. 

* Windows 95 and Windows 98 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. 
* Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. 

Summary of Contents for GFX-8

Page 1: ...Custom Distortion 17 Storing Custom Module Settings 18 Storing and Copying Patches Store Mode Operation 18 Effects and Parameters 19 DRIVE Module 19 ZNR EQ Zoom Noise Reduction Equalizer Module 20 MO...

Page 2: ...ny cables Also make sure to disconnect all cables and the AC adapter before moving the GFX 8 Usage Precautions Electrical interference For safety considerations the GFX 8 has been designed to provide...

Page 3: ...n a computer Windows 95 98 or Macintosh The software also provides access to a user custom area for detailed adjustments that are not possible on the main unit Extensive patch library A patch is a com...

Page 4: ...AL key MIDI key ZNR EQ EDIT key DRIVE key MOD modulation key DLY REV delay reverb key BANK UP DOWN MANUAL foot switches Foot switches 1 4 expression pedal INPUT jack AUX IN jack EXTERNAL DIST distorti...

Page 5: ...1 PATCH 2 PATCH 3 PATCH 4 BANK 7 PATCH 1 PATCH 2 PATCH 3 PATCH 4 BANK 6 PATCH 1 PATCH 2 PATCH 3 PATCH 4 BANK 5 PATCH 1 PATCH 2 PATCH 3 PATCH 4 BANK 4 PATCH 1 PATCH 2 PATCH 3 PATCH 4 BANK 3 PATCH 1 PA...

Page 6: ...2 Connection to power amp input jack of guitar amplifier Connection Example 3 CD player MD player connection Guitar R OUTPUT L MONO INPUT AUX IN Playback system CD player OUTPUT L MONO POWER AMP INPUT...

Page 7: ...s are as follows Connected to guitar amplifier input jack Connected to power amplifier input jack of guitar amplifier Connected to hi fi playback system such as mixer or audio system 4 When the settin...

Page 8: ...t with the expression pedal in real time Rock the expression pedal back and forth For information on effects that allow RTM control see p 30 For more information on the use of the expression pedal see...

Page 9: ...adjust the patch sound quality operate PARM knobs 1 4 To change the effect use the DRIVE MOD DLY REV selectors and keys To change the effect intensity operate the GAIN PARM SELECT or PARM VALUE knob T...

Page 10: ...is pressed repeatedly the group bank number changes as follows The patch is not switched as long as you only switch the bank group changed section of GROUP BANK indicator flashes It is switched only...

Page 11: ...inal condition when the patch is switched When wishing to keep the changes you must store the patch see page 18 Parameter name Setting value GAIN knob Adjusts a major parameter of the DRIVE module In...

Page 12: ...nt pitch For tuning always play a single note If you play a chord the pitch will not be detected correctly 3 When the GROUP BANK indicator shows the desired note perform fine tuning while watching the...

Page 13: ...center A 435 Hz 445 center A 445 Hz in 1 Hz steps 3 When tuning is completed once more press the foot switch whose LED is flashing The GFX 8 returns to the play mode When the GFX 8 is turned off and o...

Page 14: ...ch parameter is shown depends on the currently selected module and effect The currently selected parameter setting can be checked using the GROUP BANK indicator NOTE DRIVE MOD DLY REV key ZNR EQ EDIT...

Page 15: ...However the ZNR settings can be changed also if the EQ module is OFF DRIVE module DRIVE key 1 Foot switch 1 MOD module MOD key 1 Foot switch 2 DLY REV DLY REV key 1 Foot switch 3 EQ module ZNR EQ EDIT...

Page 16: ...y Adjusts a major parameter of the DRIVE module In almost all patches this is the GAIN parameter that determines the distortion intensity Respective module is OFF Module is ON and effect from group A...

Page 17: ...patches using custom distortion 1 effect type 11A NOTE NOTE The effect numbers 11A and 11B of the DRIVE module are reserved for custom distortion effects created by the user For custom distortion in...

Page 18: ...he factory default settings of any user group patch or all patches can be restored see page 41 STORE and target patch name are shown alternately Unless you store edited patches in memory the settings...

Page 19: ...the setting is toggled between normal LED out and boost LED lit This is a combination of compressor and clean sound Adjusts the compressor effect depth When set to oF the effect does not operate Adju...

Page 20: ...n computer Selects the distortion character in the low frequency range H1 H2 High pass Ft Flat P1 P4 Peaking b1 b2 Boost S1 S2 Sound set with editing software on computer See TYPE 1A FDR CLN LOW Param...

Page 21: ...ameters This module contains spatial effects such as chorus and flanger unique sounding effects such as auto wah and modulation effects such as ring modulator Common Parameters of MOD Module Adjusts t...

Page 22: ...Sets the effect sound level See TYPE 1A CHORUS If the effect is ON and the CONTROL switch is operated the wah effect will be bypassed while the switch is being pushed Operation of this effect varies...

Page 23: ...ise curve See TYPE 1A CHORUS If the effect is ON and the CONTROL switch is operated the effect will be bypassed while the switch is pushed This is a delay effect with a delay time of 1 millisecond to...

Page 24: ...ameter 1 2 determines the duration of the repeat interval The sampled data are retained until the module is set to OFF or the unit is set to the bypass condition See TYPE 1A CHORUS Serves to start and...

Page 25: ...ing pong type delay where the sound is alternately panned right and left The delay time of 1 millisecond to 6 seconds Sets delay time in 100 ms units Sets delay time in 1 ms units See TYPE 1A REV HALL...

Page 26: ...ch shifter is applied to the delay sound See 1 When set to dt the effect is a slight detune from the pitch of the original sound Other settings shift the pitch by the number of semitones corresponding...

Page 27: ...IME Parameter 2 10 1 oF 1 10 AWA SNS Parameter 1 AWA TRM 8A TYPE 10 0 10 TONE Parameter 4 1 0 94 89 84 79 75 71 67 50 25 SPEED Parameter value Original pitch 1 octave down 2 octaves down 1 semitone do...

Page 28: ...ects the effect pattern Select a suitable setting to match the guitar Adjusts the level of the original sound Adjusts the effect sound level See TYPE 1A REV HALL If the effect is ON and the CONTROL sw...

Page 29: ...witched at the GFX 8 Select the control change number with the PARM 4 knob and use the PARM VALUE knob to select a value from set 0 127 0 99 0 0 2 7 Page 3 Sets the amp simulator to ON on or off oF Se...

Page 30: ...til the display shows RTM MIN and use the PARM VALUE knob to set the minimum value of the parameter For the effect parameter selected in step 6 RTM MIN determines the minimum value that is established...

Page 31: ...s flashing green turning the PARM knob 2 sets the CT SW parameter which selects the module to assign to the CONTROL switch The following settings are available oF CONTROL switch is not active for this...

Page 32: ...m the beginning Pressing the foot switch during playback restarts play GL Gate loop While the foot switch is pressed loop playback from the beginning is carried out Releasing the foot switch during pl...

Page 33: ...ource signal is always the processed effect signal When nM or rS is selected as STYLE parameter the expression pedal can be used to adjust the input signal level 8 To stop recording halfway press the...

Page 34: ...as effect for the DLY REV module the DLY REV key LED flashes green 6 To activate the sampler push the expression pedal fully down in play mode or press the CONTROL switch in manual mode The following...

Page 35: ...ue Item number This section describes various application examples of the GFX 8 using MIDI Basic MIDI Send Receive Settings MIDI Usage Examples Switching GFX 8 Patches From an External Unit 35 ZOOM GF...

Page 36: ...3 0 0 12 0 0 13 0 0 14 0 0 15 u3 0 0 52 0 0 53 0 0 54 0 0 55 U4 0 0 16 0 0 17 0 0 18 0 0 19 u4 0 0 56 0 0 57 0 0 58 0 0 59 U5 0 0 20 0 0 21 0 0 22 0 0 23 u5 0 0 60 0 0 61 0 0 62 0 0 63 U6 0 0 24 0 0 2...

Page 37: ...output is now enabled and the GFX 8 returns to the play mode This setting affects all control change output operations of the GFX 8 4 Press the TOTAL key twice so that the LED flashes green Page 2 of...

Page 38: ...l number Setting values OF 64 95 09 D R DLY REV module on off receive control number Setting values OF 64 95 10 EQ EQ module on off receive control number Setting values OF 64 95 Sets the control numb...

Page 39: ...T connector When a control change message is received from external equipment the respective item changes The values that can be received for the various items are listed below Example Control number...

Page 40: ...computer Information about all patches of the GFX 8 is sent to the computer via a MIDI link and can be stored on the hard disk as a project file Within a project the order of patches can be changed a...

Page 41: ...e is performed all settings of the unit including all user group patches are returned to the default condition Factory Recall can be used to reset only specific user group patches group to the default...

Page 42: ...hange without notice No sound or very low volume Is correct AC adapter connected and is power switch turned on Turn the system on as described in Preparations Follow the instructions in Getting Connec...

Page 43: ...31 1 1 5 8 31 RTM control Change 64 95 1 64 95 Effect module on off 64 95 64 95 Signal mute 64 95 64 95 All bypass 1 5 7 31 Pedal control 64 95 CONTROL switch Prog o 0 79 o 0 127 Internally mappable...

Page 44: ...ZOOM CORPORATION ITOHPIA Iwamotocho 2chome Bldg 2F 2 11 2 Iwamoto cho Chiyoda ku Tokyo 101 0032 Japan Web Site http www zoom co jp GFX 8 5000 2...

Page 45: ...INELEAD LINE DRV LINE CHO LINE TRM U3 4 PDL WAH u1 2 MELLOW u5 LINE OUT LINE BTM LINE CRU LINE AG LINE DBL u6 ARTIST MR LUKE CROSS OV WING JIMI WAH Setting for direct line recording u7 ARTIST BOSTON R...

Page 46: ...1 POWER OUT A MAJOR DBL BK MS 9000 GRANGER d1 POWER OUT FLATTUNE WARM MTL WAH RECTI b2 POWER OUT COMBO PDL PHA TUBE STK SOLIDAMP d2 POWER OUT CRU VIB NIGHT BRIGHTOD VH T AMP b3 POWER OUT CRU VX PDL JE...

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