OPERATION MANUAL Introduction Thank you for selecting the ZOOM RFX-1100 (hereafter simply called the "RFX1100"). The RFX-1100 is a sophisticated digital reverb and multi-effect processor with the following features and functions. · 33 immediately usable effects The RFX-1100 comes with a full complement of preset effects (11 effects x 3 banks). Right out of the box, the unit is ready to create great sound. The REVERB bank in particular provides a wide spread and natural sounding ambience that meets even demanding professional standards. · Built-in professional quality reverb The reverb effects alone allow 121 different settings. The convincing sound stage created by the RFX-1100 far surpasses anything else available in this class. · Innovative choices Lo-Fi EFX purposely degrades sound quality for special effect. RESONANCE processes the input signal with sophisticated filtering. MIC SIMULATOR produces condenser mic sound from a dynamic microphone. These and various other effects are great for recording and give full scope to your creativity. · Attractive mixdown effects Mixdown effects can be used effectively to tailor the overall mood of a song when performing mixdown (mixing multiple tracks onto two final stereo tracks) or mastering (fine-tuning the sound and level of a final 2-track mix). · Intuitive editing controls Convenient knobs on the front panel let you directly adjust items such as the mixing ratio of original sound and effect sound. Editing effect parameters on the fly is also easy and straightforward. This allows quick fine-tuning for optimum sound. · MIC IN connector The MIC IN connector on the front panel serves as an additional input for a microphone. This is convenient for applying effects to a vocal part and for controlling the VOCODER effect with your voice. Please take the time to read this manual carefully so as to get the most out of your RFX-1100 and to ensure optimum performance and reliability. Retain this manual, the warranty card and all other documentation for future reference. Contents Controls and Functions · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2 Front Panel · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2 Rear Panel · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2 Rack Mounting · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 4 Getting Connected · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 4 Trying Out the Effects · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 6 Changing the Sound of an Effect · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 7 RFX-1100 Effects · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 8 Troubleshooting · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 15 Specifications · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 15 Safety Precautions/Usage Precautions © ZOOM Corporation Reproduction of this manual, in whole or in part, by any means, is prohibited. Controls and Functions Front Panel (1) MIC IN connector (6) OUTPUT control Controls and Functions (2) MIC ON/OFF switch (4) Level meter (5) INPUT control (3) MIC IN indicator (7) MIX control (1) MIC IN connector A dynamic microphone with an impedance of about 600 ohms can be connected here, for use as an additional input source. Either an XLR plug (balanced connection) or a phone plug (balanced/unbalanced connection) can be used. Normally the input signal from this connector is mixed with the signal from the rear-panel INPUT jacks. When the VOCODER effect is selected, the signal from this connector serves for controlling the sound character and the envelope (volume change curve) of the VOCODER effect. (2) MIC ON/OFF switch This switch turns the signal from the MIC IN connector on and off. * Before inserting or removing the plug of a microphone into and from the MIC IN connector, be sure to set the MIC ON/OFF switch to OFF. (3) MIC IN indicator When the MIC ON/OFF switch is ON, this indicator lights up. (4) Level meter These indicators show the signal input level. (5) INPUT control Serves to adjust the signal from the INPUT jacks and the MIC IN jack. (6) OUTPUT control Serves to adjust the level of the signal supplied at the OUTPUT jacks. (7) MIX control Serves to adjust the balance between original sound (DRY) and effect sound (WET). When the control is turned fully counterclockwise, only the original sound is output. When the control is turned fully clockwise, only the effect sound is output. Rear Panel (1) POWER connector (2) BYPASS jack (1) POWER connector The supplied power cable is to be connected here for powering the unit. (2) BYPASS jack Serves for connection of the foot switch FS01 (option) for switching effects on and off. 2 ZOOM RFX-1100 Controls and Functions (9) CHARACTER/VARIATION selector Controls and Functions (10) BANK selector (13) POWER indicator (11) EFFECT TYPE selector (8) REVERB TIME/ADJUST control (12) POWER switch (8) REVERB TIME/ADJUST control Serves to adjust an effect parameter of the currently selected effect. (9) CHARACTER/VARIATION selector Serves to choose one of 11 character settings for the currently selected effect, or to adjust an effect parameter. (10) BANK selector Serves to select the effect bank (group of effects). The following three effect banks are available. · REVERB bank Contains various reverb effects. · EFFECTS bank Contains single effects for instruments and voice, and combined effects. · MIX&SFX bank Contains special effects and effects particularly suited for mixdown (mixing multiple tracks onto two final stereo tracks). (11) EFFECT TYPE selector Serves to choose an effect from the currently selected bank. (12) POWER switch Serves to turn the unit on and off. (13) POWER indicator When the RFX-1100 is on, this LED indicator is lit in green. When the foot switch FS01 (option) was used to switch the effects off, the indicator flashes red. (3) OUTPUT jacks (4) INPUT jacks (3) OUTPUT jacks Connect these jacks to the recorder or playback system. (4) INPUT jacks Connect a line-level source, such as an instrument or the send output of a mixer, to these jacks. If a plug is inserted only in the L/MONO jack, the signal from this plug will be supplied to both channels. A highimpedance source such as an electric guitar should be routed through a preamplifier or a guitar effect first. ZOOM RFX-1100 3 Rack Mounting The RFX-1100 is compatible with international 19-inch rack standards (EIA, DIN). Because the unit has been designed for rack installation, it is preferable to operate the unit in this way, rather than simply placing it on a table or similar. Align the four screw holes with the rack screw holes and securely fasten the unit to the rack with screws. · The RFX-1100 uses a metal frame, making the unit heavier than it might seem at first glance. While installing the unit in a rack, carefully support the weight of the unit until all screws are securely tightened. Otherwise the unit may drop, possibly causing injury to persons or damage to itself or to other equipment. · Do not directly stack the unit on top of other equipment. Otherwise heat may lead to a fire risk or cause performance degradation. · Before installation, always unplug any connecting cables and the power cable. Otherwise the equipment or the cables may be damaged. · Make sure that the rack in which the unit is installed is placed on a firm, solid surface, so that it cannot shake or topple over. Otherwise there is a risk of injury to persons or damage to the unit or to other equipment. Caution Rack Mounting / Getting Connected Getting Connected Basic Connections RFX-1100 is connected to an electronic instrument, microphone, and mixer or other audio device RFX-1100 front panel RFX-1100 rear panel Microphone MIC IN Power cable FS01 FS01 Always turn the power to all components off before making any connections. Otherwise there is a risk of hearing damage or equipment damage by sudden Caution loud noise. Insert Connection This is an example for inserting the RFX-1100 between the sound source and a playback system or multi-track recorder (MTR). A stereo source should be connected to the INPUT L/MONO and R jacks. A mono source should be connected to the L/MONO jack only. In this example, the signal from the mic or the instrument is effect processed by the RFX-1100 and then sent to the playback system or MTR. The balance between original sound and effect sound is adjusted at the RFX-1100. Rhythm machine, synthesizer, or similar R 8888 L INPUT Guitar effect Guitar Microphone INPUT L/MONO R L OUTPUT R MIC IN RFX-1100 Mixer or amplifier/speaker 4 ZOOM RFX-1100 Rack Mounting Rack Mounting / Getting Connected * Rack mount screws are not supplied with the unit. Getting Connected FS01 OUTPUT R L R INPUT L/MONO Synthesizer or similar Amplifier/speaker Send/Return Connection This is an example for connecting the RFX-1100 to the send/return jacks of a mixer or multi-track recorder. Connect the send jack of the mixer or MTR to the INPUT L/MONO jack of the RFX-1100, and connect the OUTPUT L/R jacks of the RFX-1100 to the return jacks (or the stereo line input jacks) of the mixer or MTR. In this configuration, the RFX-1100 should be set so that it outputs only the effect sound, and the balance between original sound and effect sound should be adjusted at the mixer or multi-track recorder. Supplying the send signal to the RFX-1100 in stereo is also possible. INPUT L/MONO L OUTPUT R RETURN L R SEND RFX-1100 Mixer or MTR ZOOM RFX-1100 5 Using the VOCODER Effect This is a connection example for using the VOCODER effect from the MIX&SFX bank. Connect a dynamic microphone to the front-panel MIC IN jack on the RFX-1100. Connect a synthesizer or other instrument to the rear-panel INPUT L/MONO jack. You can then use the mic to vary the envelope (volume change curve) and the sound character of the VOCODER effect. Instead of the mic, it is also possible to use the right- channel signal for controlling the effect. In this case, the signal supplied to the INPUT L/MONO jack is controlled by the signal supplied to the INPUT R jack. Verify that the MIC IN indicator is lit. If not, press the MIC ON/OFF switch so that the indicator comes on. MD player or sampler or similar with recorded voice INPUT L/MONO OUTPUT R R L Synthesizer Microphone MIC IN RFX-1100 Keyboard amplifiers Using Two Effects in Parallel Getting Connected / Trying Out the Effects The RFX-1100 allows using two effects at the same time (in parallel). This is possible with effects from the EFFECTS bank which have a double name separated with a slash ("/"). The following illustration shows a connection example for using two effects independently in the left and right channel. Synthesizer Preamplifier or distortion effect or similar INPUT L/MONO R L OUTPUT R Guitar amplifier RFX-1100 Keyboard amplifier Guitar Trying Out the Effects 1. Verify that the AC cable, sound source, and playback system are correctly connected to the RFX-1100. The INPUT control and OUTPUT control of the RFX-1100 as well as the volume control of the playback system should be set to minimum. Turn on the system in the following order: sound source RFX-1100 playback system. While playing the sound source, turn up the INPUT control of the RFX-1100 to CLIP LED adjust the input level. To minimize noise and distortion, the INPUT control should be set as high as possible without causing the CLIP LED to light. Adjust the OUTPUT control and the volume control of the playback equipment to obtain a suitable playback volume. 5. 2. 3. Use the BANK selector and the EFFECT TYPE selector to select the desired effect. Depending on the position of the BANK selector, the ...