Rack Gizmo User’s Manual RJM Music Technology, Inc.
Rack Gizmo User’s Manual Version 1.0 August 3, 2011 RJM Music Technology, Inc. 2525 Pioneer Ave. Suite 1 Vista, CA 92081 +1-760-597-9450 email: support@rjmmusic.com web: www.rjmmusic.
Copyright © 2011 RJM Music Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved Amp Gizmo, Effect Gizmo, Rack Gizmo, Click Stopper, MasterMind, Mini Amp Gizmo and the RJM logo are trademarks of RJM Music Technology, Inc.
Table of Contents Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................................................. v Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................1 Rack Gizmo Features ...........................................................................................................
Introduction Congratulations on purchasing the Rack Gizmo audio loop and function switcher. The Rack Gizmo has been designed to give you total control of your amplifier, effects devices, effects pedals or other electronic equipment from a single MIDI footswitch. The Rack Gizmo provides eight audio loops, eight function switches and a professional quality audio buffer, all in a compact, single rack space design.
2 Front Panel 1 2 3 5 4 6
3 25 24 23 Rear Panel 22 21 20 18 19 17 16 18 19 17 16 18 19 17 16 18 19 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6
Controls and Connectors Front Panel 1. Input Jack – This jack is connected to the rear panel From Front jack (8), and will pass a mono or stereo signal through to that connector. 2. Function Switch Buttons - These buttons turn function switches 1 through 8 on and off. The LED above each button is lit when the corresponding function switch is on. The Function Switches are used to control channel switching and other features of an amplifier connected to the Rack Gizmo via the Amp 1 and/or Amp 2 jacks. 3.
About Audio Loops 1 through 4 Audio Loops 1 through 4 are connected in series. Each loop is connected internally to the next. When a loop is off, the Send and Return jacks for that loop are bypassed. The audio signal passes through unchanged. Turning the loop on routes the guitar signal through the Send jack and connects the Return jack to the next loop, which inserts the connected effects device in the audio path. 9. Input 1-4 – Input to audio loops 1 through 4.
Important: Note that Amp 1 and Amp 2 jacks are switched in unison. Any function switching affects both Amp jacks simultaneously. For example, turning Function Switch 1 on will turn that designated function on for both Amp 1 and Amp 2. 22. MIDI Thru/Out – Any MIDI commands sent to the MIDI In port (23) are sent unchanged through this output. This port also acts as a MIDI output for the purpose of sending MIDI SysEx dumps – see the MIDI Usage section for more details. 23.
Special Features Audio Buffer Using long cables or many effects may degrade the guitar signal, causing it to lose clarity and definition. The audio buffer is used to “strengthen” the guitar signal and preserve sound quality. The effect may vary from subtle to significant, depending on the length and quality of cables and type of effects used in your rig.
Function Sw itching a.k.a. Controlling Your Am p The Rack Gizmo has the ability to control footswitchable features on many amps. This could be channel switching, reverb, tremolo, etc. – anything that is controlled by the amp’s footswitch. RJM Music sells a wide variety of interface cables that connect the Amp 1 and Amp 2 jacks to the footswitch jack of many popular amplifiers. Once the connection is made, the Function Switch buttons on the Rack Gizmo will operate like the amp’s footswitch buttons.
Return LOOP Send From MIDI Controller Out Footswitch Jack Amp Input OUT IN IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN Guitar connects to front panel input The Rack Gizmo controls channel switching on the amp using one of the function switching jacks. The last four loops are inserted into the amp’s effects loop. These can be either pedals or rack units, but be sure to make sure the signal levels match between effects and the amp.
10 From MIDI Controller Out Footswitch Jack Amp Input RJM Music Technology, Inc. www.rjmmusic.com OUT IN IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN Guitar connects to front panel input The Rack Gizmo controls channel switching on the amp using one of the function switching jacks. The guitar signal passes from the front panel jack, through the buffer, then through the first 8 audio loops, and then through the Click Stopper circuit before going to the amp.
11 From MIDI Controller Out Footswitch Jack Amp 2 Input Iso Footswitch Jack Amp 1 RJM Music Technology, Inc. www.rjmmusic.com Input IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN Guitar connects to front panel input The Rack Gizmo controls channel switching on both amps using the function switching jacks. The last two loops are used to select between two amps. You can turn on either amp, both amps, or none (for silent tuning). Loop 7 enables amp 1, Loop 8 enables amp 2.
12 From MIDI Controller Out Stereo FX 2 Output Stereo FX 1 Output MIDI In MIDI In Input MIDI Thru Input Iso Return RJM Music Technology, Inc. www.rjmmusic.com Amp 1 Iso Return Input Note: Shorting plug inserted here Send OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT Note: Dashed lines indicate stereo (TRS) connections. The dashed “Y” cable is an insert cable. (stereo connector on one end, separate left and right connectors on the other end).
13 Mini Line Mixer IN 4 (dry) IN 3 IN 2 IN 1 Stereo FX 2 Output Stereo FX 1 Output Out MIDI In From MIDI Controller Out Stereo Input MIDI In Input MIDI Thru Input Power Amp RJM Music Technology, Inc. www.rjmmusic.com IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN Input OUT IN IN Note: Dashed lines indicate stereo (TRS) connections. The guitar signal passes from the front panel jack, through the buffer, through 6 audio loops and the Click Stopper, then goes to the preamp.
MIDI Usage The Rack Gizmo can receive MIDI messages from any MIDI footswitch or other MIDI controller. By storing different settings, or “patches” for different MIDI program numbers, you can automatically recall a stored patch by sending the correct MIDI program number from your footswitch. You can assign which audio loops are on for each and every patch. To save a setting to a MIDI program number: • • • Select a MIDI program number with your MIDI footswitch or controller.
Bank Selection The Rack Gizmo can store programs in MIDI banks 0 and 1, for a total of 256 programs. Continuous Controller #0 (Bank MSB) is used to select the current MIDI bank. Bank numbers above bank 1 are ignored. By default, bank selection is disabled. You can enable bank selection using Setup Mode (see Setup Mode section). Backing Up Your Settings: SysEx Dum p A SysEx (System Exclusive) data dump will send the current Rack Gizmo system configuration out through the MIDI Thru/Out port.
Setup Mode To configure the Rack Gizmo, you must first enter Setup Mode. Holding down selected buttons while powering the unit on will bring up selected setup modes, as detailed in this section. Selecting M IDI Channel and M IDI O ptions Hold the Audio Loop 1 button while powering the Rack Gizmo on. Keep holding the button until the LEDs flash. The Audio Loop buttons will then allow you to select the MIDI channel the Rack Gizmo responds to as well as set other MIDI related options.
The Function Switch 3 and 4 buttons control the Continuous Controller range for all Function Switches: Function Switch CC Range 80…87 88…95 (default) 64…71 56…63 GCX Number 1 2 3 4 Function Switch 3 LED OFF ON OFF ON Function Switch 4 LED OFF OFF ON ON GCX Compatibility Mode Function Switch 5 turns on GCX compatibility mode for the Audio Loops. This makes the Audio Loops respond to MIDI commands like the GCX switcher, manufactured by Voodoo Lab.
OFF/ON state by closing its contacts for a short time and then re-opening them. In momentary mode, the Rack Gizmo switches will close for 100 milliseconds before opening again.) To enter momentary mode, hold down the Audio Loop 3 button while powering up the Rack Gizmo. Keep holding the button until the LEDs flash. Use the front panel buttons to light the LED of any function that needs to be momentary. Make certain that no other LED is lit.
Factory Reset To restore the Rack Gizmo to the factory settings, hold the Audio Loop 1 and Audio Loop 4 buttons while powering up the Rack Gizmo. All of the LEDs will turn on for a few seconds, then turn off. Once they turn off, factory reset is complete and you can release the Audio Loop 1 and 4 buttons. The Rack Gizmo is now in normal operational mode.
Troubleshooting Problem: The LEDs don’t flash when you hold down the Write Button. Solution: The Rack Gizmo did not receive a MIDI Program Change message. First, verify that you have a valid MIDI connection. The MIDI output of your MIDI controller should be connected to the MIDI input of the Rack Gizmo by a MIDI cable that’s known to be working correctly. The next most likely cause is that the Rack Gizmo is set to a different MIDI channel than your MIDI controller.
Grounding Issues Guitar rigs are complex electrical systems, and rigs with switching systems are among the most complex. The more complex the rig, the more likely you are to encounter grounding issues. Every audio path in the system must be shielded, with a good connection to ground, or you may get audio hum or buzz due to electromagnetic interference. However, if there are too many connections to ground, you can get a ground loop, which also causes hum.
Specifications Dimensions Weight Power Phantom Power Memory Standard 1U EIA rack enclosure 19 (W) x 1.75 (H) x 7.25 (D) inches 48.3 (W) x 4.5 (H) x 18.5 (D) cm 4 lbs, 11 oz 2.2 kg 9VAC or 12VDC @ 550mA (9VAC or 12VDC @ 700mA for full-stereo model) 5.5mm OD, 2.1mm ID x 9.
Front Panel M IDI Connector The front panel MIDI connector is a female 6-pin XLR connector. This connector carries MIDI data in both directions as well as phantom power. This connector is wired in parallel with the rear panel MIDI input, so it is very important to only use one of the two connectors at a time.
Rack Gizmo MIDI Implementation Chart MIDI Implementation Chart v 2.0 (Page 1 of 3) Manufacturer: RJM Music Technology, Inc. Model: Rack Gizmo Version: 1 Date: August 3, 2011 Transmit/Export Recognize/Import Remarks 1.
MIDI Implementation Chart v 2.0 (Page 2 of 3) Manufacturer: RJM Music Technology, Inc.
MIDI Implementation Chart v 2.0 (Page 3 of 3) Manufacturer: RJM Music Technology, Inc.
Warranty RJM Music Technology, Inc. warrants this product against any defects in material or workmanship for a period of one year from the original date of purchase. Should you experience any difficulty with this RJM Music product, please contact us as described below.
