• 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
UP
DOWN
＃
♭
BYPASS
BANK HOLD(EDIT:LEVEL)
A
1
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
5
3
4
6
BANK A
PATCH 1
PATCH 2
PATCH 3
PATCH 4
BANK b
PATCH 1
PATCH 2
PATCH 3
PATCH 4
BANK C
PATCH 1
PATCH 2
PATCH 3
PATCH 4
BANK d
PATCH 1
PATCH 2
PATCH 3
PATCH 4
BANK E
PATCH 1
PATCH 2
PATCH 3
PATCH 4
BANK F
PATCH 1
PATCH 2
PATCH 3
PATCH 4
PATCH NAME
AMP TYPE
DESCRIPTION
1
2
3
4
900-DRIVE
TWIN-LEAD
BOX-BEAT
MK
III
-CHORUS
Smooth distortion covers entire range from backing to lead play
Hard F-AMP sound suitable for blues leads
Liverpool sound at its best
Solid BG AMP distortion enhanced by a rich chorus
MS DRIVE
F DRIVE
VX CRUNCH
BG DRIVE
BANK A
for GUITAR
Settings for use with a guitar amplifier
1
2
3
4
ROCK LEAD
SWEET BOX
JETS
NUANCE CRUNCH
Rock lead sound with a powerful amplifier drive
Sweet sounding sound enhances any type of play
Jet sound with effective flanger action
Crunch sound ideally matched to single-coil pickups
PV DRIVE
BG DRIVE
MS DRIVE
MS CRUNCH
BANK b
for GUITAR
Settings for use with a guitar amplifier
1
2
3
4
WILD-DIST
STRAIGHT BACK
HARDIST
TREMOLO CLEAN
Wild and hard driving sound for heavy rock
Imposing crunch sound for a variety of styles
Rock lead sound tailored for line playback
Vintage amplifier style clean sound with tremolo
PV DRIVE
MS CRUNCH
MS DRIVE
F CLEAN
BANK C
for GUITAR
Settings for creating a guitar amplifier sound in a line playback system
1
2
3
4
STUDIO LEAD
LIGHT CRUNCH
FUSION 335
BACK&SOLO
Simulates the lead sound of L.A. recording studios
Crunch sound varies with picking intensity
Fusion type sound simulates box ringing
Almighty clean sound with effective flavor
BG DRIVE
VX CRUNCH
BG DRIVE
J CLEAN
BANK d
for GUITAR
Settings for matching line playback to CD or synthesizer sources
1
2
3
4
ROCK BASS MAN
SW "SLAP" R
BASS BOOSTER
TRACE STANDARD
Bass amplifier drive sound simulation
Realistic sound suitable for stepping and finger sound
Lightly boosted refined sound
Standard type sound with a distinctive edge
F DRIVE
SW CLEAN
F DRIVE
TE CLEAN
BANK E
for BASS
Settings for use with a bass amplifier
1
2
3
4
LINE SLAP
SOLO PLAY
WALKING
MELODY
Slap sound suitable for line recording
Rich and savory sound for impressive solo playing
Professional sound for running bass lines
Mellow sound for melodious solos
SW CLEAN
AC DRIVE
TE CLEAN
TE CLEAN
BANK F
for BASS
Settings for line playback
• AMP SIMULATOR
Controls the amp simulator type, gain, and 3-band
equalization (TREBLE/MIDDLE/BASS). The
MIDDLE parameter can also be used to obtain an
enhancer effect.
• CABINET SIMULATOR & ZNR
Controls the cabinet simulator type, the simulated
mike position, and the ZNR (Zoom Noise Reduction)
settings.
• CHORUS/EFFECTS
Adds chorus, flanger, delay and other effects to
change the sound character.
• REVERB
Allows the choice between three types of reverb (hall,
room, spring), to create a feeling of ambience.
REVERB
HALL REVERB
ROOM REVERB
SPRING REVERB
LONG DELAY
MONO CHORUS
STEREO CHORUS
FLANGER
TREMOLO
DOUBLING
LONG DELAY
AMP TYPE
GAIN
TREBLE
MIDDLE / ENHANCE
BASS
CABINET TYPE & DEPTH
MIC POSITION & ZNR
OUTPUT
INPUT
CHORUS / EFFECTS
AMP SIMULATOR
CABINET SIMULATOR
& ZNR
Patch
