contributed by: Andre Cato
Manufacturer: Pioneer

Dj effects units have been available for a number of years, but now with the influx and popularity of djing, it seems dj’s across the board are looking to implement their sets with ‘something different’. Pioneer have an awesome little unit that is sliding its way into clubs and large scale parties across Australia.

Now what is an effect?

Effects are used in music to bend, stretch and twist the sounds. They are used to add atmosphere; and in dj terms, effects are used to create different sounds that will help not only the flow of their set, but set them apart with their live editing.

How does the EFX500 work with my mixer?

Well I’m glad you asked…. This is a nifty little setup at the back of this silver box that allows you to use either ¼ inch phone or RCA connections for both in and out….. In and out I hear you say…..

For the effect to be heard you need to firstly run a cable from either the output of the mixer (or send if your mixer has an effects send/return), to the input of the EFX500. Once the sound has been transformed inside the EFX500 it travels from the output of the EFX500 to the input of the Amplifier ( or return if your mixer has an effects send/return).

So What effects can I do with the EFX500?

This unit is broken into two sides with 5 effects on each

The effects that are featured on the left section of the efx 500 are as follows :

Left Section

DELAY: You can set DELAY sounds at any tempo.
ECHO: You can set ECHO sounds at any tempo. Turn of the DEPTH knob to MAX produces HOLD DELAY effect, in which repeat continue when BEAT EFFECT is OFF.
AUTO PAN: You can automatically swing sounds to the right and left.
AUTO FLANGER: This produces a sound effect like when a jet plane ascends and descends periodically. The DEPTH knob can be used to change the strength of the waves.
AUTO TRANSFORMER: This cuts sounds periodically.

Right Section

JET: This is a function to add SHORT DELAY. Turn of the JOG DIAL creates wave sounds, with the FLANGER effect made by using 2 analogue turntables.
ZIP: The JOG DIAL can be used to change the pitch of reproduced sounds without changing the tempo. Lowering of the pitch produces sounds resembling those made by slowing an analogue turntable.
WAH: This, is a function to change cut-off frequency. Turn of the JOG DIAL makes the sound of a certain instrument strong or weak. It feels like the sound is moving.
RING MODULATION: Modulation of sounds produces a tone like the ring of a bell, providing effects such as a cosmic sound or a robot voice.
FUZZ: This is a distortion effect on sounds. The JOG DIAL changes the distorted band.

How do I control the effects?

As well as having the choice of effects you can also select many other paramaters to change the sound with the efx500.

The left section of the unit, containing delay, echo, auto pan, auto flanger and auto transformer is controlled by selecting

Specifications
Input Channel 1 x Stereo
Input Terminal 1/4" phone (stereo) and RCA (stereo)
Output Terminal 1/4" phone (stereo) and RCA (stereo)
MIDI Terminal IN/OUT
Output Level Switch +4 dBu/-10dBu
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 80 dB or more Frequency Response 20 Hz -- 20 kHz
3 Band EO (Low, Mid, Hi) oo - +6 dB
Effect Monitor (Headphone) Beat Effect
Master Out
Digital Jog Break
Net Weight: 5 Ibs.,8 oz.
(2.5 kg)
Dimensions (W xH xD): (10-7/18" x 2-1/2" x 8-11/16")
276 x 64 x 220 mm

3-BAND EQUALIZER
The high quality separate 3-BAND EQUALIZER (HI, MID. LOW) cuts sounds up to -oodB and almost completely silences the sound of instruments in each band. ISOLATOR LEVER SWITCH
Momentary ON & LOCK ON method is adopted. The switch at the Momentary position returns to OFF when you takes your finger off the lever, allowing smooth ON-OFF changeover of effects. The switch, at the LOCK ON position, continues to be ON.

BEAT EFFECTS
Press the AUTO BEAT EFFECT button (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1/1, 2/1, 4/1) to produce live effects, DELAY, ECHO, AUTO PAN, AUTO FLANGER and AUTO TRANSFORMER, in linkage with beat set in advance.
This machine, with free selection of 3 bands (HI, MID, LOW), enables a wider range of performances than conventional effectors.
Turn the DEPTH and MIX knobs to change the depth of effects and the balance of the original sounds and effect sounds, respectively. In addition, normal effects, not linked with BPM, are possible.
You can set the beat by various methods such as AUTO, TAP, msec, BPM and MIDI BEAT.

EFFECT LEVER SWITCH
Momentary ON & LOCK ON method is adopted for smooth ON-OFF changeover.

AUTO BPM COUNTER
This counter automatically measures the BPM (Beats Per Minute) of music and turns it into digital indication. You can digitally confirm the BPM of input music sources.

TAP BUTTON
You can set BPM instantly by tapping the button with your finger. Press the button twice to input the tempo as desired.

EFFECT FREQUENCY
Button operation allows you to freely select specific frequency from the 3 bands (HI, MID, LOW) and produce effects. You can combine the bands as you like - for example, producing effects only in the MID (picture), or, conversely, selecting the LOW and HI for effects with the original sounds in the MID.

DIGITAL JOG BREAK
"Digital Jog Break" is equipped for producing new digital sounds on the spot.
A turn of the JOG DIAL controls 5 effects, JET, ZIP, WAH, RING MODULATION, and FUZZ.
The DEPTH knob can be used to freely set the strength and depth of effects as well as the balance of the original sounds and effect sounds.
You can enjoy a variety of DJ performances with an instrument-feel.

LEVER SWITCH
Momentary ON & LOCK ON method is adopted for smooth ON / OFF changeover.

JOG BREAK METER: This optically indicates the motion of the JOG DIAL and the change of sounds, allowing you to visually confirm the motion.



HOLD FUNCTION
With the function on, the present state can be maintained if you stop turning the JOG DIAL. With the function off, it returns gradually to the state of the original sounds. JOG DIAL MEMORY FUNCTION
This is a new function to memorize and reproduce the motion of the JOG DIAL. When you turn the JOG DIAL and simultaneously press the MEMORY button, the motion of the JOG DIAL is memorized for as long as 8 seconds. While pressing the PLAY button, you can replay the memorized action in all the 5 effects as many times as you want.

OTHER FUNCTIONS
The EFX-500 is equipped with MIDI IN/OUT terminals for controlling the CLOCK signal of MIDI instruments. The BPM of input analogue sound signal is measured automatically, converted to MIDI-CLOCK signal, and output so that the beats of connected MIDI instruments can be synchronized.

The EFFECT MONITOR SYSTEM monitors each of BEAT EFFECT, DIGITAL JOG BREAK, and master sounds. The volume & meter controls input/effect output levels. The auto-lighting, button indicates Rear Panel the setting of each effect. The compact size makes this machine portable.