bEFACO FX Boy Multi-Effect Fx Boy Module User Manual
- June 13, 2024
- BEFACO
Table of Contents
bEFACO FX Boy Multi-Effect Fx Boy Module
Product Information – FX BOY
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Power & Intro |
-
Disconnect your cabinet from the mains.
-
Triple check the power cord polarity. The coloured line on the
cable (pin number one) is the -12V rail. -
Ensure correct module orientation while plugging it. The front
side (the one with the label) should face to the left. -
Do not attempt to plug any FX BOY cartridge into any device
other than FX BOY, nor plug cartridges from other platforms into FX
BOY, even if they look similar. Doing so may cause unpredictable
and permanent harm to either FX BOY, the cartridges, or any
third-party electronic devices you connect the cards to. -
If you have any questions about this product, feel free to
contact us at support@befaco.
Introduction| FX BOY is a module from Befaco that provides various controls
for manipulating audio signals. Please refer to the Cartridge
reference for detailed information on specific cards.
Controls|
-
Cartridge Slot: Plug the different cards here. Cards are
hot-swappable, but be cautious of potential pops or glitches.
Ensure correct cartridge orientation while plugging it. The front
side (the one with the label) should face to the left. -
X Control: Manual control of parameter X. The function of this
parameter depends on the inserted cartridge. -
X CV Attenuator: Controls the amount of CV that is added or
subtracted to the X Manual control. -
Y Control: Manual control of parameter Y. The function of this
parameter depends on the inserted cartridge. -
Y CV Attenuator: Controls the amount of CV that is added or
subtracted to the Y Manual control. -
Mode Selector: All cartridges have two modes of operation A and
B. The specific function of these modes depends on the cartridge
design. -
Peek Meter: Green indicates the presence of a signal at the
module’s output. Red indicates the signal has been clipped. -
Dry/Wet Control: Manual control of the proportion between the
incoming non-processed and the processed signal. -
EQ Bands Level Controls: Manual control to boost or attenuate
the four different bands of the equalizer. -
EQ Position Switch: Manual control to select if the equalizer
is placed before or after the FX Cartridge. -
Audio In: Modular level audio input. A bipolar signal of around
10 volts is expected at this input. -
X and Y Controls CV Ins: A range of 10 volts is expected. This
voltage is added to the one generated by the manual control,
allowing negative voltages in the same amount the manual control is
positive.
Product Usage Instructions – FX BOY
- Disconnect your cabinet from the mains.
- Triple check the power cord polarity. The coloured line on the cable (pin number one) is the -12V rail.
- Ensure correct module orientation while plugging it. The front side (the one with the label) should face to the left.
- Do not attempt to plug any FX BOY cartridge into any device other than FX BOY, nor plug cartridges from other platforms into FX BOY, even if they look similar.
- If you have any questions about this product, feel free to contact us at support@befaco.
Note: Please refer to the Cartridge reference for detailed information on specific cards and their usage.
POWERING THE MODULE
THANK S FOR PURCHA SING A MODULE FROM BEFACO!BEFORE YOU PLUG THIS MODULE IN…
POWER & INTRO
-
Disconnect your cabinet from the mains.
-
Triple check the power cord polarity. The coloured line on the cable (pin number one) is the -12V rail.
-
If you plug the module backwards you might burn it out and unfortunately this is not covered by the warranty.
-
WARNING: NEVER ATTEMPT TO PLUG ANY FX BOY CARTRIDGE
INTO ANY DEVICE OTHER THAN FX BOY, NOR PLUG CARTRIDGES FROM OTHER PLATFORMS INTO FX BOY, EVEN IF THEY LOOK SIMILAR.
It will cause unpredictable and permanent harm to either FX BOY, the cartridges, or any third-party electronic devices you connect the cards to.
Befaco is not responsible for any damage caused to yourself, the FX BOY, the FX BOY cartridges, or any other third-party device by not following this advice. -
If you have any questions about this product feel free to contact us at support@befaco
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS FX BOY?
It is a multi-fx processor with the FX stored in console cartridges. This
approach, even if it can look bizarre at first sight, allows you to change
analog and digital algorithms on the fly just by swapping the carts.
Each cart is a little piece of hardware, like a guitar pedal you can embed on
your modular synth and change for others without touching a single cable. All
controls are CV controllable for real-world modular fun.
The cart set you received with your module, is designed in collaboration with
several talented manufacturers. Yes… A crazy idea with the support of a bunch
of crazy people.
Enjoy!
PANEL CONTROLS
-
CARTRIDGE SLOT: Here is where you plug the different cards. Cards are hot-swappable although some pops or little glitches can occur depending on the cartridge.
Mind cartridge orientation while plugging it. The front side (the one with the label) should face to the left. -
“X” CONTROL: Manual control of parameter “X” . The function of this parameter depends on the inserted cartridge. Please refer to the Cartridge reference for detailed information on specific cards.
-
“ X” CV ATTENUATOR: Controls the amount of CV that is added (or subtracted) to the “X” Manual control
-
“Y” CONTROL. Manual control of parameter “Y”. The function of this parameter depends on the inserted cartridge. Please refer to the Cartridge reference for detailed information on specific cards.
-
“Y” CV ATTENUATOR: Controls the amount of CV that is added (or subtracted) to the “Y” Manual control
-
MODE SELECTOR: All cartridges have two modes of operation A and B. What these modes do depends on the cartridge design. Please refer to the Cartridge reference for detailed information on specific cards.
-
PEEK METER: Green indicates the presence of a signal at the module’s output. Red indicates the signal has been clipped.
-
DRY/WET CONTROL: Manual control of the proportion between the incoming non-processed and the Processed signal.
-
9-10-11-12. EQ BANDS LEVEL CONTROLS: Manual control to boost or attenuate the four different bands of the equaliser. Each of the four knobs controls the LO, MID-LOW, MID-HI, and HI bands respectively. At mid position (12:00) They do not act. Clockwise they boost and anticlockwise they attenuate.
-
13-14-15-16. EQ BANDS CV INs: Control voltage INs for the four different bands of the equaliser. A range of 10 volts is expected and these voltages are added to the manual controls:
With manual control at the centre, a 10V. bipolar voltage source (like an LFO ranging +/-5 volt) will move from silence to maximum volume. With the manual control at the minimum position (knob full anticlockwise) an unipolar 10V. the voltage source will move from silence to maximum volume.
With the manual control knob fully clockwise -10v to 0v will be accepted.
Other voltages are ignored and don’t represent any danger to the module. -
17. EQ POSITION SWITCH: Manual Control to select if the equalized is placed before or after the FX Cartridge.
-
18. AUDIO IN: Modular level audio input. A bipolar signal of around 10 volts is expected at this IN.
-
19-20. “X” AND “Y” CONTROLS CV INs : A range of 10 volts is expected. This voltage is added to the one generated by the manual control, allowing negative voltages in the same amount the manual control is positive:
-
With the manual DRY/WET knob anticlockwise CV can go from 0 to 10V.
-
With the manual DRY/WET knob in the middle CVs go from -5v to 5v.
-
With the manual DRY/WET knob fully clockwise -10v to 0v will be accepted.
Other voltages are ignored and don’t represent any danger to the module. -
21. DRY/WET CV IN: A range of 10 volts is expected. This voltage is added to the one generated by the manual control, allowing negative voltages in the same amount the manual control is positive:
- With the manual DRY/WET knob anticlockwise CV can go from 0 to 10V.
- With the manual DRY/WET knob in the middle CVs go from -5v to 5v.
- With the manual DRY/WET knob fully clockwise -10v to 0v will be accepted.
Other voltages are ignored and don’t represent any danger to the module.o
-
22. AUDIO OUT
CARTRIDGE REFERENCE
At the date of writing this manual, FX Boy is shipped with the “Founders Cartridge Pack” composed of seven different FX:
STRUCTURE AND SIGNAL FLOW
The feature set on the FX BOY is very straightforward and will feel very
familiar if you used any FX unit before. Two parameters X & Y and one switch
are available for manual and CV control. The function of these controls
depends on the cartridge installed. Please refer to the Cartridge reference
for detailed information on specific cards. Any signal present at the Input
will be processed by the cartridge and the 4-Band Equalizer. Then the
processed signal is mixed back with the dry signal and sent to the output.
A switch is provided to let you choose if the EQ is placed pre-FX or post-FX.
MISCELLANEA SPEC S AND CREDITS
