DOD FX7 Guitar Effects Processor Preamp Owner’s Manual

FX7 Guitar Effects Processor Preamp
Owner’s Manual

FX7 Guitar Effects Processor Preamp

GUITAR EFFECTS
PROCESSOR/PREAMP

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
The symbols shown at left are internationally accepted symbols that warn of potential hazards with electrical products. The lightning flash with Arrowpoint in an equilateral triangle means that there are dangerous voltages present within the unit. The exclamation point in an equilateral triangle indicates that it is necessary for the user to refer to the owner’s manual.
These symbols warn that there are no user serviceable parts inside the unit.
Do not open the unit. Do not attempt to service the unit yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis for any reason will void the manufacturer’s warranty. Do not get the unit wet. If liquid is spilled on the unit, shut it off immediately and take it to a dealer for service. Disconnect the unit during storms to prevent damage.

U.K. MAINS PLUG WARNING
A moulded mains plug that has been cut off from the cord is unsafe. Discard the mains plug at a suitable disposal facility. NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU INSERT A DAMAGED OR CUT MAINS PLUG INTO A 13 AMP POWER SOCKET. Do not use the mains plug without the fuse cover in place. Replacement fuse covers can be obtained from your local retailer.
Replacement fuses are 13 amps and MUST be ASTA approved to BS1362.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (EUROPEAN)

NOTICE FOR CUSTOMERS IF YOUR UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER CORD.
WARNING: THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE EARTHED.
The cores in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code:
GREEN and YELLOW – Earth BLUE – Neutral BROWN – Live As colours of the cores in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:

• The core which is coloured green and yellow must be connected to the terminal in the plug marked with the letter E, or with the earth symbol, or coloured green, or green and yellow.
• The core which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal marked N or coloured black.
• The core which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal marked L or coloured red.

The power cord is terminated in a CEE7/7 plug (Continental Europe). The green/yellow wire is connected directly to the unit’s chassis. If you need to change the plug, and if you are qualified to do so, refer to the table below.

WARNING: If the ground is defeated, certain fault conditions in the unit or in the system to which it is connected can result in full line voltage between chassis and earth ground. Severe injury or death can then result if the chassis and
earth ground are touched simultaneously.
IMPORTANT!
FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:
WATER AND MOISTURE: Appliance should not be used near water (e.g. near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc). Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.
POWER SOURCES: The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.
GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION : Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an appliance is not defeated.
POWER CORD PROTECTION: Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the appliance.
SERVICING: The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
FUSING: If your unit is equipped with a fuse receptacle, replace with only same type fuse. Refer to replacement text on the unit for correct fuse type.

Introduction

Welcome to the world of the DOD FX7! You have purchased the finest guitar signal processor and preamp of its kind; hardly a surprise when it comes from DOD. The FX7 gives you both functional flexibility and tonal excellence, driven  by our proven effects processing technology.
The FX7’s palette of effects gives you compression, two distortions, noise gate, 2-band EQ, wash, chorus, flinger, phaser, pitch shifter, tremolo, detune, mono delay, stereo 2-tap delay, and reverb.
With 30 factory Programs and 30 user Programs, you’ll always have a good starting point for creating any sound you want, and plenty of space to store your own custom configurations.

About the Pictorial Guide Indicators

This manual can be used in two ways: you can read the text on the right side of the page, or you can follow the pictorial guides in the left margin. The pictorial guides show you how to get through each procedure without reading a lot of  text. There are a few steps that require reading but they will be indicated. Following is a key that describes the pictorial guide symbols:

……This symbol means you need to read the indicated item
…………..Turn the Data wheel
……Press the indicated button

Warranty

1. The warranty registration card must be mailed within ten days after purchase date to validate this warranty.
2. DOD warrants this product, when used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service.
3. DOD liability under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing defective materials that show evidence of defect, provided the product is returned to DOD WITH RETURN AUTHORIZATION, where all parts and labor will be  covered up to a period of two years. A Return Authorization number may be obtained from DOD by telephone. The company shall not be liable for any consequential damage as a result of the product’s use in any circuit or assembly.
4. Proof-of-purchase is considered to be the burden of the consumer.
5. DOD reserves the right to make changes in design or make additions to or improvements upon this product without incurring any obligation to install the same on products previously manufactured.
6. The foregoing is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, and DOD neither assumes nor authorizes any person to assume for it any obligation or liability in connection with the sale of this product. In no event shall DOD  or its dealers be liable for special or consequential damages or from any delay in the performance of this warranty due to causes beyond their control.
   DOD™ and FX7 are registered trademarks of DOD Electronics Corporation.
   The information contained in this manual is subject to change at any time without notification. Some information contained in this manual may also be inaccurate due to undocumented changes in the product or operating system since this version of the manual was completed. The information contained in this version of the owner’s manual supersedes all previous versions.

SECTION 1 – GETTING STARTED

Supplying Power

The FX7, like any piece of computer hardware, is sensitive to voltage drops, spikes, and surges. Interference such as lightning or power “brownouts” can seriously, and in extreme cases, permanently damage the circuitry inside the unit.  Here are a few tips that will help you get the best possible performance out of your FX7 while avoiding damage:

• Always make sure you have a “clean” power source for connecting to the FX7. This means that the AC power line you connect to the FX7 should be as free from voltage fluctuations and RF interference as possible. In recording  environments, “clean” power is also important in preventing AC hum or buzz from getting to tape.
• Use a good quality spike / surge suppressor (also called a power strip). This is an inexpensive solution to all but the most severe AC line conditions. A good quality power strip can save you a lot of money in repair bills because they  prevent large spikes and surges from reaching your equipment. Also in this category (but more expensive) are rackmount power supplies. Some of these, like the DOD 828, have retractable light tubes and RF filtering.
• Although more expensive, AC line conditioners offer the best protection from improper line voltages. Line conditioners constantly monitor the AC line for excessively high or low voltages and instantaneously compensate to deliver a  consistent voltage to the connected equipment.
• Always make sure that your audio lines are as far as possible from power cables. This will further prevent noise, hum, and stray magnetic fields from entering your signal path. If audio and power lines must run close to each other,  try to avoid running them parallel to one another.

The front panel of the FX7 is laid out in a simple and straightforward way to make programming as easy as possible. Functions of each section are:

1. PROGRAM AND BANK SELECTOR FOOTSWITCHES- These footswitches give you access to the User Programs in the FX7 and allow you to change User Banks.
2. EFFECT SELECTOR BUTTONS (DIGITAL FX)- This row of buttons lets you select an effect group for editing, or to bypass the group completely. This group includes Master Level, Reverb, Delay, Detune, Pitch Shift, Phase, Tremolo,  Wahl, Chorus, and Flange.
3. EFFECT GROUPS – The FX7’s effects are divided into 11 groups and labeled on the front panel. When lit, the LED in each group indicates that an effect in the group is active.
4. EFFECT SELECTOR BUTTONS (PREAMP) – This row of four buttons lets you change your basic preamp section settings.  The preamp section consists of the Gate, EQ, Distortion, and Compressor groups.
5. STORE BUTTON – Stores your custom Programs in the User memory location you select.
6. DISPLAY – The LED display in Program mode, shows which Bank and Program is currently selected. In Edit mode, it shows the number and/or status of the selected effect.
7. DATA WHEEL – In Program mode, use the Data wheel to scroll through Programs. In Edit mode, use it to change the setting of effect groups.
8. CLIP LED – The red Clip LED lights when clipping occurs at the input of the FX7. To eliminate clipping, reduce the setting of the Input Level control or the Master Level parameter.
9.  OUTPUT KNOB – Controls the overall output level of both the Left and Right outputs and the Headphone output.
10. INPUT KNOB – Controls the level of the signal at the FX7’s input stage.

The FX7’s rear panel is even simpler than the front, and that means faster hookup times for you. The rear panel has:

1. INSTRUMENT INPUT – Plug your instrument in here.
2. JAM-A-LONG™ INPUT – This stereo mini jack lets you connect your tape deck or CD player headphone output to the FX7 for personal jam sessions. The Jam-A-Long™ signal is mixed with your instrument signal at both the main  and headphone outputs so you can play along with your favorite tunes.
3. HEADPHONE OUTPUT – This stereo mini phone plug is for your headphones. The overall headphone level is controlled by the Output level knob.
4. LEFT / MONO OUT – For stereo applications, this is the Left main output. Use this jack for mono applications.
5. RIGHT OUT – For stereo applications, this is the Right main output. For mono applications, leave this jack unconnected.
6. VOLUME/WAH CONTROLLER INPUT – This 1/4″ connector is used to connect most volume pedals or 0/+5v controller pedal to the FX7 for real-time control of wash and volume functions.
7. AC POWER INPUT – Connect the supplied AC power adapter to this jack. Use only the adapter supplied with the FX7. Use of any other adapter may damage the unit.
8. POWER CORD STRAIN RELIEF – This clip prevents the AC power cord from being accidentally pulled out.

Hooking Up

DO NOT APPLY POWER TO THE FX7 UNTIL INSTRUCTED.

1. STEREO: Connect the Left and Right outputs to a pair of guitar amplifiers, or the inputs of a mixing console. If you’re using guitar amps, set the tone controls flat (no boost or cut) and balance the levels between them. If you’re using a  console, pan the FX7 input channels hard left and right, and turn down the high frequency EQ for best results.
   MONO: Connect the Left output to a guitar amplifier or input of a mixing console.

2. Connect your instrument to the input of the FX7.

3. OPTIONAL: Connect a volume type or 0/+5v controller pedal to the Controller input of the FX7. Make sure the pedal is connected before you apply power to the FX7.

4. Power up the FX7 by connecting the supplied AC adapter between the FX7 and a power outlet.

5. Play your instrument and watch the Clip LED on the FX7 carefully as you set the Input knob. Turn up the input level until the Clip LED begins to light, and reduce the input level slightly. When the Input knob is set properly, the Clip  LED should not flicker on the loudest passages.

6. Set the output level as desired.

SECTION 2 – PROGRAMMING THE FX7

Navigating The FX7

The FX7 is designed to be both easy to program and flexible. The structure of an FX7 Program is logical, and it doesn’t require a lot of time to master.
To select Programs in the FX7:

1. After you power up, use the Data wheel to scroll through the Programs. As you scroll, the effect group and footswitch LEDs turn on and off. These LEDs indicate which effects are used in each Program, and which Program in the Bank is selected.
   There are 11 effect groupings printed on the front panel of the FX7.
   Seven are digital effect groups (delay, reverb, etc.) , and four cover the preamp section (compression, distortion, gate, EQ). Each group has its own LED that indicates the status of each group.
   If the Status LED is lit continuously, an effect in the indicated group is active. If the LED is not lit, no effects in the group are active. If the LED is flashing, edit mode is active, and effects in the group can be selected using the Data wheel.
   Directly below each vertical group are the Effect Selector buttons.
   These buttons allow you to select and/or bypass effects in the FX7.
   The following things happen when you use the Effect Selector buttons:

• When you select a bypassed effect, its group LED begins flashing and the display shows two dashes, indicating that the effect is selected but bypassed. (Pressing the Select button again activates the effect.)
• When you select an active effect, its group LED begins flashing and the display shows the number of the currently selected effect. (Pressing the button again bypasses the effect.)

When lit, the User LED below the display indicates that the current Program is a User Program. When the LED is not lit, the current Program is a permanent Factory Program.

Using The Footswitches

The FX7’s pedalboard consists of four footswitches: the far right footswitch is the Bank selector, and the remaining three are Program selectors.
A Bank is a group of three Programs. There are 10 User Banks in the FX7, each with 3 Programs for a total of 30 User Programs. There are also 30 Factory Programs that can be selected using the Data wheel only. User Programs in any of  the Banks can be recalled in one of two ways:
• by pressing the Bank select footswitch followed by footswitch 1, 2, or 3.
• by turning the Data wheel in Program mode.
To select Programs using the footswitches:

1. After you power up, the FX7 defaults to Program mode. Select a Bank by pressing the Bank selector footswitch. The display shows the selected bank number on the left side of the display and a dash on the right. The display might look  something like this: 2) Press footswitch 1, 2, or 3. The dash in the display changes to show the number of the Program you selected. The display might look something like this: NOTE: If a new Program number is not selected within 5 seconds after pressing the Bank select button, the display returns to its previous setting.
   Editing Programs
   As you become more familiar with the FX7, you may find that you need to modify certain Programs to better fit your needs. Fortunately, the FX7 is flexible enough to give you everything you need without being difficult to program.
   The following procedure is an example of how to modify your Programs. Suppose that Program 33 (which has a 100 ms mono delay, a medium chorus, noise gate, EQ, distortion, and compression) sounds close to what you want, but you  want a 300 ms delay with low feedback instead. Here’s how to change it:

1. Use the Data wheel, or the Bank and Program selector footswitches to select Program 33.
2. Press the Delay effect group button. The Delay group Status LED begins flashing and the display reads:
3. Look at the front panel Delay groupings to locate the effect you want. In this case, you’ll see that the 300 ms mono delays can be found between 41 and 49 in the Delay (not Multi-Delay) Group.
4. Use the Data wheel to scroll until the the display reads: NOTE: When you change the selected Parameter from the stored value, a decimal point appears in the bottom right corner of the display and the Store LED lights.
   That’s it! You can manipulate any effect setting in the FX7 by pressing the associated Effect selector button on the front panel and turning the Data wheel. The Effect Group buttons also toggle the effects on and off with each successive press of the button.
   When you’re editing Programs, be sure to pay attention to the flashing Status LEDs. This helps you keep track of where you are in the menus.
   IMPORTANT: If you want to store your custom Program so you can use it later, follow the procedure below.

Storing Programs

The FX7 helps you remember whether or not you’ve stored the Program you’re working on by lighting the Store LED under the bottom right corner of the display when the selected Program has been edited.
Remember that if you change any settings in a Program, you have to store the Program into a User memory location. Otherwise, all your changes will be lost.
To store a Program into a memory location:

1. Press the Store button. The Store LED begins flashing and the User LED lights (if not lit already).
2. Use the Data wheel to select the User location where you want to store the Program.
3. Press the Store button again to store the Program in the location you selected.
   After the storing procedure is complete, the FX7 returns to normal operation at the new Program location.

NOTE: Factory Programs can’t be overwritten. When you modify a factory Program and store it in memory, the Program is stored in the corresponding number location in the User Program section.

Bypassing

The FX7’s bypass functions are very simple.
To bypass individual effects:

1. From Program mode, decide which effect you want to bypass and press its Select button twice. The display reads:

Press the effect Select button to toggle the effect in and out of bypass mode.
REMEMBER: The decimal point indicates that the value shown in the display is not the stored value.

To bypass the selected Program:

1. Press the currently selected Program footswitch on the pedalboard. The footswitch’s Status LED flashes and the display reads: The Program selector footswitch toggles the FX7 in and out of bypass mode.

A Word About Mono Operation

The FX7 can operate in either stereo or mono. It is important to remember that the way you connect your cables to the outputs can affect the output mode. Here’s a simple way to remember how it works:
• If only one output cable is connected, the FX7 switches to mono mode. Otherwise, it operates in stereo.

Using A Controller With The FX7

The FX7 is able to respond to most volume pedal outputs or 0/+5v controller pedals to control the wash and volume effects in real time. To set up the FX7 for this application:

1. Disconnect the power to the FX7.
2. Connect the output or the 0/+5v control output of a volume type controller pedal (such as the DOD FX17) to the Volume / Wash controller input on the rear panel of the FX7.
3. Sweep the pedal through its entire range a few times to calibrate the pedal.

If the Wah is active in any Program, the controller becomes a wash pedal. Otherwise, it acts as a volume control.
REMEMBER: If you want to use a controller pedal with the FX7, make sure the pedal is connected to the FX7 before you apply power. It is also important to note that the controller’s pedal position affects all Programs, even after you  change Programs. If a Program doesn’t sound the way you saved it, check the position of the controller pedal.

About the FX7’s Effects

The FX7 has a large library of effects that covers virtually every possible need. Because they are so numerous, we have designed the following charts to give you as much relevant information as possible while omitting tedious or obvious details about each module’s setting. For example, Distortions, Tremolos, Detinners, and Pitch Shifters are not shown because their Module names are relatively self explanatory. The Fast Swell and Slow Swell Gates have attack times of 500 ms and 1000 ms respectively.
The FX7 effects include:

MONO DELAYS

Factory Program List

Following is a list of the factory Programs available in the FX7. They are divided into Banks with a suggested application for each sound. As always, don’t be afraid to experiment.

Specifications

A/D Resolution: 18 Bit
D/A Resolution: 16 Bit
DSP: 24 bit
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 16kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio: -87dB
Power Supply: DOD PS750, 9 VAC @ 750 ma

FX7 Block Diagram

H A Harman International Company
DOD Electronics Corporation
8760 South Sandy Parkway
Sandy, Utah, 84070
Telephone 801-566-8800
FAX 801-566-7005
International Distribution: 3 Overlook
Drive, Unit 4
Amherst, New Hampshire 03031 U.S.A.
FAX 603-672-4246
FX7™ is a registered trademark of DOD
Electronics Corporation
Copyright © 1996
DOD Electronics Corporation
Printed In U.S.A. 2/96
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
FX7 18-0514-B
OS V1.0

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