PFC10
Version 2.0 Addendum

10/17/00

Main TubeFex Site
TubeFex 2.0 Addendum
Ordering and Upgrading
Motorpot Page

Version 2.1 is now available. It fixes a couple of minor bugs and adds EF to the effect list for the EQ footswitch (see red text in Details table below). The Pitch footswitch will target both pitch shifters instead of just the first one in the chain. The tuner meter will disappear when the signal goes below where the DSP can track it (like it does on the TF with its v2.0). And the new EFX mode switch (old #9) will work immediately on powerup (v2.0 required another switch to be pressed first to get it online). If you have already purchased 2.0 and are bothered by these problems, we'll get you set up with v2.1

This upgrade for the PFC10 Foot Controller will allow effects on/off switching when paired with a TubeFex-family product that has software version 2.00 or higher. These products include theTube Fex, TransTubeFex, and TransFexPro (head and combo). It will also work with a Session 2000 combo, which is a pedal steel amplifier.

Upgrading the PFC10 consists of changing the EPROM chip and applying the decals that show the new functionality.

Decals

The diagram below will show how to apply the decals to the unit. Before application, clean the surface with a slightly damp cloth, then dry thoroughly. This will help the decals adhere to the surface.

--6---7---8---9--BANK
-DELAY--REVERB----MOD---EFX-MODE--CC#1

0---1---2---3---4---5
COMPRESSOR-PREAMP--DS/OD-----EQ-----PITCH----FX----

After upgrading the EPROM and applying the decals, it's time to try it all out. Plug in and go at it!

The unit will power up in preset select mode, which is the mode that you are accustomed to with the old version. Everything will work the same as before - except for the old 9 switch. That will now will toggle between preset select mode and the new effects on/off mode. That switches LED will be lit when the effects on/off mode is selected.

Note: You can still select Bank #9 when using the Bank switch in preset select mode, but you can't select preset #9 within a bank. This compromise allows us to deliver this upgrade without a difficult hardware modification. But remember, after getting used to programming with this new on/off feature, you'll find that you won't need nearly as many presets since you can get lots of variation within a single preset. When in this new effects mode, the LED above each switch can show three things:
BRIGHT = effect is on
DIM = effect is off (but available to turn on)
OFF = effect is unavailable in the current preset
Pressing a switch when an LED is off will do nothing. Pressing a switch when an LED is on will toggle the on/off status for that (those) effect(s).

Details

0/COMPRESSOR This will toggle the CM effect.
1/PREAMP This will toggle the TB preamp block. Toggling it to off is sonically equivalent to deleting it from the chain.
2/DS/OD This will toggle the DS or OD effect, whichever is first in the chain.
3/EQ This will toggle the 3B, 4B, 5B, or CQ effect, whichever is first in the chain. v2.1 adds EF to this list.
4/PITCH This will toggle the P1 / P2 effect blocks (v2.0 toggles the first one in the chain, v2.1 will toggle both). This means you can turn them both on or off together, but it also means you can save a preset with one on and the other off, then this switch will select between them.
5/FX This will toggle the FX loop block. This is useful if you have a favorite stomp box that you want to turn on and off via preset control. This is fun when using distortion pedals since you can vary the send and return levels (acting like a pre and post gain), thereby making the pedal somewhat programmable. It's also fun to run a guitar synth signal to the FX return and turn the signal on and off with the PFC10.
6/DELAY This will toggle the DL effect.
7/REVERB This will toggle the RV effect.
8/MOD This will toggle the CF, PH, TR, RS, or PN, whichever is first in the chain.
9/EFX MODE (This switches the PFC10 back to preset select mode. No sonic change will be made.)
BANK/CC#1 Continuous Controller #1 (modulation wheel command) is sent at preset select with data=0 (LED off). Pressing this switch will toggle the value to 127, then back to 0, etc. The LED will show when the current state is at 127. This is useful when mapping Rotary Speaker speed to controller #1. It's also cool to map the Master Volume to controller #1 and set it to go between, say, 60% and 100% volume. In this case, the CC#1 switch becomes a volume boost for all presets. The boost will be off when a preset is first recalled due to the initial 0 send.
Note: Don't forget - you can save presets on the main unit (TubeFex, etc.) with some effects blocks turned off. For example, program a clean sound as follows: cm->od->TB->tr->dl->RV. This will give you a simple "clean amp with reverb" tone upon recall, but the effects on/off mode will allow you to bring in compression, overdrive, tremolo, and delay as needed. That's a lot of mileage out of a single preset! (The CC#1 status is the only footswitch function that is not stored within the preset.) You get the idea. Now have fun!