Zoom GFX-5 User Manual

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Controls and Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Getting Ready to Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Inserting the batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Getting connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Quick Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Playing Patches (Play Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Panel display in play mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Selecting a patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Using the internal tuner (bypass/mute function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Adjusting the sound of a patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Using the Rhythm Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Turning Effects On and Off With Your Feet (Manual Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Changing the Sound of a Patch (Edit Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Patch configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Basic edit mode steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Changing a patch name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Storing and Swapping Patches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Other Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Changing effects in real time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Using the hold delay function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Using the sampler function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Calibrating the expression pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Resetting the GFX-5 to the factory default condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Effect Types and Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
◆ BOOST module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
◆ ISO/COMP (Isolator/Compressor) module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
◆ DRIVE module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
◆ EQ (Equalizer) module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
◆ ZNR (ZOOM Noise Reduction) module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
◆ CABINET module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
◆ MOD (Modulation) module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
◆ REV (Delay/Reverb) module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
◆ TOTAL module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
GFX-5 Patch List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Operation Manual
© ZOOM Corporation
Reproduction of this manual, in whole or in part, by any means, is prohibited.

Zoom GFX-5 Specifications

General

Brand	Zoom
Model	GFX-5
Category	Computer Hardware
Language	English

Summary

Usage and Safety Precautions

Safety Symbols and Warnings

Explains warning and caution symbols and their meanings to prevent injury or damage.

Power and Environmental Guidelines

Covers power requirements (AC adapter, batteries) and environmental considerations for safe operation.

Handling and Usage Precautions

Details on careful handling, avoiding alterations, cable connections, and cleaning procedures for the device.

Introduction to GFX-5

GFX-5 Key Features Overview

Overview of the GFX-5's capabilities, including VAMS, distortion effects, patches, ARRM, drum machine, and sampler.

Controls and Functions

Top Panel Controls

Details the controls located on the top panel, including drive, equalizer, and energize sections.

Rear Panel Connections

Explains the various input and output jacks and the power switch on the rear panel.

Getting Ready to Play

Inserting the Batteries

Step-by-step instructions for inserting batteries into the GFX-5 for operation.

Connecting the GFX-5

Guide on connecting the GFX-5 to amplifiers, guitars, and other audio sources for setup.

Quick Guide

Adjusting Patch Sound in Play Mode

Instructions on modifying distortion, EQ, and overall volume while in play mode.

Selecting and Switching Patches

How to navigate and select between different user and preset patches using foot switches and keys.

Using the Expression Pedal

Explains how to use the expression pedal to control effect depth or toggle modules on/off.

Storing Patches

Procedure for saving edited patches or swapping them within user groups.

Playing Patches (Play Mode)

Understanding the Play Mode Display

Details the information shown on the GFX-5 display while in play mode, including patch names and status.

Patch Selection Methods

Explains how to select patches using foot switches, bank switches, and parameter keys.

Using the Internal Tuner

Guide on how to use the built-in auto-chromatic tuner for guitar, including bypass/mute functions.

Playing Patches (Play Mode) - Sound Adjustment

Adjusting Patch Sound Parameters

How to fine-tune distortion, EQ, gain, patch level, and turn effect modules on/off.

Using the Rhythm Function

Activating and Controlling Rhythm Patterns

How to turn on the rhythm function, select patterns, change tempo, and adjust volume.

Manual Mode Operation

Switching Effects On/Off with Foot Switches

How to engage manual mode and use foot switches to toggle effect modules like DRIVE, MOD, and REV.

Changing the Sound of a Patch (Edit Mode)

Patch Configuration and Editing Basics

Explains how patches are composed of effect modules and outlines the fundamental steps for editing them.

Changing the Sound of a Patch (Edit Mode) - Details

Customizing Patch Names

Steps to assign a new name to an edited patch using the PARAMETER keys and VALUE dial.

Storing and Swapping Patches

Instructions on how to save edited patches to memory or swap them between user group slots.

Other Functions - Real-time Control

Real-time Effect Parameter Control

How to use the expression pedal or ARRM for real-time parameter adjustments.

Selecting Control Source and Target

Assigning the expression pedal, ARRM, or both as control sources for various effect modules.

ARRM Operation Control

Setting control waveform type and sync for the ARRM feature within the TOTAL module.

Other Functions - Pedal and Delay

Expression Pedal Action Range Settings

Adjusting the pedal's response range and direction for parameter changes.

Effect Parameter Adjustment Check

How to test and verify the effect parameter changes made during editing.

Using the Hold Delay Function

Guide on recording, playing, and manipulating phrases using the hold delay effect.

Other Functions - Sampling

Using the Sampler Function

Instructions for recording, playback, and manipulation of audio samples up to six seconds.

Other Functions - Pedal Calibration

Calibrating the Expression Pedal

Procedure to recalibrate the expression pedal for optimal performance and control.

Other Functions - System Reset

Factory Default Reset

Steps to restore all user patches and settings to their original factory default condition.

Effect Types and Parameters - Drive and Boost

DRIVE Module Effects

Details on distortion and acoustic simulator effects, including types, parameters, and their functions.

BOOST Module

Explanation of the boost module's function and parameters for amplifying the input signal.

ISO/COMP Module

Covers isolator and compressor effects, detailing their parameters for signal shaping and level control.

Effect Types and Parameters - EQ, ZNR, Cabinet, Mod

EQ (Equalizer) Module

Details the 4-band equalizer module, its parameters, and how to adjust frequency ranges.

ZNR and CABINET Modules

Explains the noise reduction (ZNR) and speaker cabinet simulation (CABINET) modules and their parameters.

MOD (Modulation) Module

Covers modulation effects like chorus, flanger, wah, and pitch shifter, detailing their types and parameters.

Effect Types and Parameters - Delay, Reverb, Total

REV (Delay/Reverb) Module

Details delay and reverb effects, including hall, room, spring reverb, and various delay types.

TOTAL Module Settings

Explains the TOTAL module for setting global parameters like patch level, min volume, and ARRM controls.

Troubleshooting

Common Sound and Operation Issues

Addresses problems like no sound, distortion, noise, volume issues, and expression pedal malfunctions.

Specifications

Technical Specifications Overview

Lists technical details of the GFX-5, including effect types, patch memory, sampler, power, and dimensions.

GFX-5 Patch List

Demonstration Patches

Lists demonstration patches, their group/bank, name, and comments for quick reference.

Modelling Patches

Details modelling patches, categorized by group/bank, name, and descriptive comments.

Sound Variation Patches

Lists sound variation patches, including group/bank, name, and comments for sonic exploration.

Artist/Line Sound Patches

Presents artist-inspired or line-specific patches with names, group/bank, and descriptive notes.