Engl Z15 User manual

Z15
MIDI Footswitch
Operator´s Manual

Table of Contents page:
Introduction
Features and Functionality at a Glance
at a Glance:
Control Panel Features:
Connections on the rear panel of the foot controller:
Detailed descriptions of functions with examples and tips
1. Selecting MIDI patches:
2. Global settings:
Handling and Care
Glossary
Troubleshooting
Technical data
Graphical view of the four controller curves
Wiring of Principal Connectors
Layout: Control panel and Rear panel
3
3
Three-digit, 7 Segment LED Display 9
, ,
& , & 12
Via 12
Via 13
Setting the MIDI send channel in the routine 13
Setting parameters for expression pedal 1 via 14
Setting parameters for expression pedal 2 via 14
15
Configuring to 16
17
17
18
21
22
23
23
MIDI Output Cont. Controller 1 Cont. Controller 2
Switch Loop 1 2 Switch Loop 1 2
MIDI Program Bank Mode
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
MIDI Channel Setup
Controller 1 Setup
Controller 2 Setup
Switch Loops 1 4
Operating modes and Setup routines
MIDI Program bank mode MIDI Program direct access mode
Controller Setup
MIDI Channel Setup Switch Loop Setup
Internal Continuous Controller
0
1 2
3 4 Up button
567
8 9
Down
Power Supply
, , 4
, , 5
button 5
button, button 6
button, button, LED 1, LED 2, LED 3, LED, 7
button, button, button, 8
button, button 9
button 10
, 11
Internal Continuous Controller
2

Congratulations on your choice! With the Z-15 MIDI Foot Controller, you now
own an extremely robust and very versatile MIDI foot controller housed in a fetching
stainless steel chassis.
Among the hallmarks of this Footpedal are painstaking workmanship and finishing as
well as rigorously tested and carefully selected quality components. You'll find
guidelines on care and maintenance on page 17. Under the heading Tips from the
designer, you'll come across practical tips on the aforementioned features throughout
the manual. All critical information concerning the operation of this Footswitch board
is preceded by "NOTE", "CAUTION", "Read and heed" or some other eye-catching
comment. We're calling your attention to these remarks for reasons of safety or other
compelling motives, so please give them due consideration.
Your first impression may be that
handling the foot controller is complicated, particularly if you work with expression
pedals and want to define their parameters. To nip frustration in the bud, I suggest
you follow along with the examples on pages 12 to 17. This will give you a better
understanding of and hands-on experience with the foot controller's functionality. In
no time at all, you'll discover that it actually handles very comfortably and
conveniently.
A quick rundown of its features and functionality follows. It:
A few words of wisdom from the designer:
1. selects 128 MIDI patches (MIDI program numbers or for short).
2. selects MIDI (send) channels 1 to 16.
3. offers two inputs that accept two expression pedals, equipped with
potentiometers.
4. enables controller numbers to be assigned freely to each expression pedal.
5. allows four different control curves to be assigned to every continuous controller.
6. offers a variable transmission rate (send interval) for controller words to affect
the response of the remote controlled function.
7. features four Switch Loops. Statuses (open/closed) may stored for each
of the 128 MIDI patches. This convenient feature allows four switching
functions for external devices to be executed simultaneously at the
touch of a single button on the Z-15.
8. selects MIDI patches in groups of ten patches called banks or directly,
with the latter requiring confirmation.
9. offers a special feature - button-operated Internal Continuous Controllers.
10. A very practical power supply option: via a 5-pin MIDI cord connected to
ENGL amps, power amps or preamps equipped with a MIDI IN port featuring
phantom power that is enabled via the "ENGL MIDI Foot Controller" switch.
An outboard power unit is not required for this type of configuration.
1. Z-15 MIDI Foot Controller
2. This manual
MPN
Contents:
3

Control Panel Features
At page 23 of the manual, you'll find diagrams of the front panel.
In this section, we'll first look at the two operating modes and setup routines.
Please refer also to the condensed instructions printed on the control panel.
For purposes of clarity, buttons and their functions are shown in letters,
while readouts appearing in the display are bracketed by the symbols >...<.
is short for MIDI program number. In this manual, an is also called a MIDI
patch. Not to be confused with a MIDI channel!
In this mode, the foot controller lets you access directly groups of ten MIDI patches
each in the currently active bank by pressing the 0 to 9 buttons (Exception: MPN 000
and MPN 129, which do not exist). Use the and buttons to change from one
bank to another. activates automatically when the foot
controller is switched on.
Providing an alternative means of MIDI patch selection, in this mode and
serve to select MIDI patches in ascending and descending order, respectively. Press the
button to confirm and send the program change command. To activate this mode,
press the button in the first bank 00x until >Cn.1< appears in the display. Press the
button until the flashes in the display. Confirm your MIDI patch selection by
pressing the button or select the desired by pressing or . There is
another method of activating : Press in the last
bank 12x until >Cn.2< appears in the display. Press again until the flashes in the
display. Confirm the selected MIDI patch by pressing . In this mode, you can operate
the Internal Continuous Controller using the , and buttons, and configure Switch
Loops directly using the , , and buttons once you have confirmed the . In
other words you can program Switch Loops for each selected .
This setup routine serves to define specific parameters for and
. To access , press for about three seconds in the first bank 00x
until the display reads >Cn.1<. To access , press in the last bank 12x
for about three seconds until the display reads >Cn.2<. Select the controller number via
or , the control curve via the , , and buttons, and the send interval for
controller commands via the , , and buttons. To cancel and exit a
routine without programming or storing edited parameters, press twice, in
which case >End< appears in the display. Press to store the edited parameters, in
which case the display reads >Pro<.
italic
MPN MPN
Up Down
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Up Down
40 9
MPN
4 MPN Up Down
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode 9
9 MPN
4
1 2 3
5 6 7 8 MPN
MPN
continuous controllers 1
2 Controller 1 Setup 0 Controller 2 Setup 9
Up Down 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 Controller
Setup 9
0
MPN
MIDI Program bank mode
MIDI Program direct access mode
Controller Setup
:
:
:
:
4

MIDI Channel Setup
Switch Loop Setup
Internal Continuous Controller
Cn.1 Setup
:
:
:
This is also a setup routine; it serves to determine the MIDI channel by which MIDI data
are sent. To activate the routine, press and buttons
simultaneously for about three seconds until >c< appears at the display's first position,
followed by the currently selected MIDI channel, for example, >c12< for MIDI channel
12. Press or to select or change the MIDI send channel. To cancel and exit the
routine without programming or storing edited parameters,
press , in which case >End< appears in the display. Press to store the edited
parameters, in which case the display reads >Pro<
The four internal ( , , and ) are configured in
. You can program any desired Switch Loop configuration
to all 128 MIDI patches. First confirm the selected MIDI patch by pressing . Press the
buttons ( ), ( ), ( ) and ( )
to activate and deactivate the four . The four red LEDs below the display
light up to indicate the given switch loop is set to closed status. Press to store the
edited status; the display will read >Pro<.
This is a special MIDI foot controller function that is accessible in
e. When you enable it, use and as up and down buttons to increase and
decrease controller values (and vice versa in the case of a negative curve). When you
use this function, it responds according to the parameters programmed in the
routine in which you called up .
Though this may strike you being confusing, it's actually quite simple. You'll find a
detailed description with an example in section 2. on page 15. When you initially press
button , it sends the initial value (either , depending on the selected curve);
when you press it a second time, it sends the most recently selected controller value.
The Internal Continuous Controller is deactivated when both external continuous
controllers are in use or an external expression pedal is connected to the continuous
controller whose setup routine you used to activate
.
Select the MIDI patch xx0 in . When banks 1x - 12x are active,
pressing this button sends MIDI patch 10, 20, 30 and so forth up to 120 in accordance
with the selected bank.
MIDI patch 0 is not indicated as an actual number (in accordance with the MIDI
specification, 0hex corresponds to >001< ). When you press this button, the display
reads >00-<, with a dash rather than a number appearing at the far right position.
This setup routine serves to determine parameter values for .
MIDI Channel Setup Up Down
Up Down
MIDI Channel Setup
9 0
Switch Loops Switch Loop 1 2 3 4 MIDI
Program Direct Access Mode 4
5 Switch Loop 1 6 Switch Loop 2 7 Switch Loop 3 8 Switch Loop 4
Switch Loops 0
MIDI Program Direct
Access Mod 1 2
Controller Setup MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
3
MIDI Program Direct Access
Mode
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Continuous Controller 1
A detailed look at control and display features as well as ports and connectors
follows:
Note:
0 button
0 or 127
5

The first bank 00x must be active in order to access this routine. Press and hold the
button for about three seconds until the display reads >Cn.1<.
This feature serves to store initial and edited settings for
-> the MIDI channels in the routine;
-> the various parameters for and
(parameters are configured in Controller Setup routine;
-> the switching statuses of , , and in
. Press the button until >Pro< appears in the display
to indicate the write operation has been successfully concluded.
When you press this button in , the foot controller activates
MIDI patch 01, 11, 21, 31 and so forth up to 121 within the selected bank.
When the or routine is enabled, this button
selects a positive linear curve (that is, a uniformly ascending curve) for the selected
continuous controller.
This option decreases controller values for the special
function available in . Note that if it is assigned to a
given controller's descending or negative curve, controller values increase when you
press the button. The send interval setting determines the rate at which the control
operation (that is, the speed at which controller values are sent) is executed when the
button is pressed. The parameters defining the , and
are determined by the configuration stored in the
routine from which you selected . You'll find a
detailed description with an example on page 15 and 16.
When you press this button in , the foot controller activates
MIDI patch 02, 12, 22, 32 and so forth up to 122 within the selected bank.
When the or routine is enabled, this button
selects a negative linear curve (that is, a uniformly descending curve) for the selected
continuous controller.
This option increases controller values for the special r
function available in . Note that if it is assigned to a
given controller's negative curve, controller values decrease when you press the
button. The send interval setting determines the rate at which the control operation
(that is, the speed at which controller values are sent) is executed when the button is
pressed. The parameters defining the , and
are determined by the configuration stored in the routine
from which you selected . You'll find a detailed
description with an example on page 15 and 16.
MIDI Channel Setup
Continuous Controller 1
Continuous Controller 2 Switch Loops 1 2 3 4 MIDI Program Direct
Access Mode
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Controller 1 Setup Controller 2 Setup
Internal Continuous Controller
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
characteristic curve send interval
controller number Controller Setup
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Controller 1 Setup Controller 2 Setup
Internal Continuous Controlle
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
characteristic curve send interval controller
number Controller Setup
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
1
2
button
button
Write
Linear Positive
Cn. value down
Linear Negative
Cn. value up
:
:
6

3
4
Switch Loop 1
Switch Loop 2
Switch Loop 3
Switch Loop 4
Up
button
button
LED 1 - Indicator
LED 2 - Indicator
LED 3 - Indicator
LED 4 - Indicator
button
When you press this button in , the foot controller activates
MIDI patch 03, 13, 23, 33 and so forth up to 123 within the selected bank.
When the or routine is enabled, this button
selects a positive logarithmic curve (ascending according to a predetermined
logarithmic curve) for the selected r.
This option switches between the current (most recently sent) and the initial controller
value marking the beginning of the curve ( , depending on the selected
characteristic curve) for the special function. This
function is available in . You'll find a detailed
description with an example on page 15 and 16.
When you press this button in , the foot controller activates
MIDI patch 04, 14, 24, 34 and so forth up to 124 within the selected bank.
When the or routine is enabled, this button
selects a negative logarithmic curve (descending according to a predetermined
logarithmic curve) for the selected .
In , the MIDI patch selected via or is
confirmed using this button, whereupon it is sent to the port.
This LED indicates the status of . LED lights up -> closed.
This LED indicates the status of . LED lights up -> closed.
This LED indicates the status of . LED lights up -> closed.
This LED indicates the status of . LED lights up -> closed.
When you press this button in , it selects the next higher
bank above the current bank (say, to go from 1x to 2x). The digit appearing at the ones
position flashes to indicate that you have left the current bank and that you must send
a MIDI program change message by entering the desired patch number (0 - 9). Once
you have entered an , the display indicates the selected MIDI patch and the ones
position stops flashing. To access a more remote bank, step to it by pressing the button
repeatedly or fast-forward to it by pressing and holding this button.
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Controller 1 Setup Controller 2 Setup
continuous controlle
Internal Continuous Controller
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Controller 1 Setup Controller 2 Setup
continuous controller
MIDI Program Direct Bank Mode Up Down
MIDI Out
Switch Loop 1 Switch Loop 1
Switch Loop 2 Switch Loop 2
Switch Loop 3 Switch Loop 3
Switch Loop 4 Switch Loop 4
MIDI Program Bank Mode
MPN
Up - Bank
Log. Positive
Cn. initial value
Log. Negative
confirm MPN
0 or 127
7

Up MPN
Up controller number
Up MIDI channel
Cn. S. I. 10ms
Switch Loop 1
Cn. S. I. 20ms
Switch Loop 2
Cn. S. I. 30ms
-
-
-
Press this button in to select MIDI patches directly.
Every time you press the button, the MIDI patch number increases by one. Pressing
and holding the button causes MIDI patches to scroll continuously in ascending order.
The display flashes, indicating the selected patch, until you confirm your selection by
pressing the button. The selected MIDI patch is sent to the port.
When you press this button in the given routine for
and , controller numbers increase by one, starting
from the currently assigned controller number, with each push of this button.
When you press this button in the routine, MIDI channel numbers
increase by one, starting from the currently assigned MIDI channel number, with each
push of this button
When you press this button in , the foot controller activates
MIDI patch 05, 15, 25, 35 and so forth up to 125 within the selected bank.
When you press this button in the and routines, it
sets a send interval of 10 ms (milliseconds) for the selected continuous controller's
value output rate.
In , this button lets you configure ;
that is, close or open it. LED 1 lights up to indicate it is closed.
When you press this button in , the foot controller activates
MIDI patch 06, 16, 26, 36 and so forth up to 126 within the selected bank.
When you press this button in the and routines, it
sets a send interval of 20 ms (milliseconds) for the selected continuous controller's
value output rate.
In , this button lets you configure ;
that is, close or open it. LED 2 lights up to indicate it is closed.
When you press this button in , the foot controller activates
MIDI patch 07, 17, 27, 37 and so forth up to 127 within the selected bank.
When you press this button in the and routines, it
sets a send interval of 30 ms (milliseconds) for the selected continuous controller's
value output rate.
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
4 MIDI Out
Controller Setup Continuous
Controller 1 Continuous Controller 2
MIDI Channel Setup
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Controller 1 Setup Controller 2 Setup
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode Switch Loop 1
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Controller 1 Setup Controller 2 Setup
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode Switch Loop 2
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Controller 1 Setup Controller 2 Setup
5
6
7
button
button
button
.
8

Switch Loop 3
Cn. S. I. 50ms
Switch Loop 4
Cn.2 Setup
End
MIDI Program Bank Mode
MIDI Channel Setup
Controller Setup
In , this button lets you configure ;
that is, close or open it. LED 3 lights up to indicate it is closed.
When you press this button in , the foot controller activates
MIDI patch 08, 18, 28, 38 and so forth up to 128 within the selected bank.
When you press this button in the and routines, it
sets a send interval of 50 ms (milliseconds) for the selected continuous controller's
value output rate.
In , this button lets you configure ;
that is, close or open it. LED 4 lights up to indicate it is closed.
This feature selects MIDI patch xx9 in . When you press this
button in banks 00x - 11x, a MIDI program message is sent to go to patch x9 in the
selected bank; that is, 09, 19, 29, 39 and so forth up to 119.
There is no MIDI patch number 129. When the button is pressed in the last
bank, the display reads >12-<, with a dash rather than a number appearing at the far
right position.
This function selects , which serves to configure the parameters for
: This setup routine can only be activated from the last bank
12x. Press and hold the button for about three seconds until the display reads >Cn.2<.
This function provides access to . Press the button to
switch from or to
. To quit , press this button again; the display
reads >End<.
In this mode, the display indicates the MIDI program number ( ). After changing
to another bank of ten patches, the digit at the far right flashes until a new patch is
selected and a program change message is sent by activating one of the to buttons.
The right digit in the display stops flashing when you return to the bank in which the
last MIDI patch was selected. After the foot controller is powered up, the ENGL logo
runs across the display until a button is activated.
In this mode, the display indicates the selected MIDI channel. After switching to
, >c< for channel appears along with the selected MIDI channel number
(example: >c12< for MIDI channel 12).
In this mode, the display indicates >Cn.1< or >Cn.2<, depending on the activated
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode Switch Loop 3
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Controller 1 Setup Controller 2 Setup
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode Switch Loop 4
MIDI Program Bank Mode
9
Controller 2 Setup
Continuous Controller 2
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
Controller 1 Setup Controller 2 Setup MIDI Program Direct Access
Mode MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
MPN
0 9
MIDI
Channel Setup
8
9
button
button
Three-digit, 7 Segment LED Display
Note:
In
In
In
9

Controller Setup
Continuous Controller 1
Continuous Controller 2
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
4
0
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
MIDI Channel Setup 9
Controller SetupMIDI Out
MIDI Out
Continuous Controller 1
Continuous Controller 2
Continuous Controller 1
MIDI Program Bank Mode
MPN
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
Routine. After about two seconds, the display shows the assigned
controller number. After about another two seconds, it indicates the curve assigned to
the continuous controller and the selected send interval for the given continuous
controller. The decimal point in the middle segment of the display indicates
parameters and controller values assigned to . The decimal
points at the center and at the right of the display indicate parameters and controller
values assigned to .
When in , the display indicates MIDI patches. When
the foot controller is set to this mode, the MIDI program numbers in the display flash
until you confirm them by pressing .
When you press button to store MIDI channels, MIDI controller parameters or switch
loop configurations, the display reads >Pro<.
The display indicates >End< when exiting and when
canceling without storing configurations by pressing the
button.
Immediately after you plug in an external expression pedal, the display indicates in
successive order the parameters assigned to it in the given as well as
the current controller value. At the same time, the controller value is sent to .
When you manipulate the external expression pedal, the display no longer shows MIDI
program numbers, indicating instead the controller values it is sending to . To
help you identify and distinguish between the two external continuous controllers, a
decimal point appears in the middle or tens position of the display to indicate
parameters and controller values assigned to . Parameters and
controller values assigned to the external are indicated via a
decimal point appearing in the display's right ones and middle tens positions.
Controller values are not preceded by zeros to make it easier to distinguish between
controller values and MIDI patches appearing in the display. For example, if
sends a controller value of 6, the display reads >.6< .
In the event that the operating voltage dips below the required level, the display will
read >Ulo<. The display reads >Uhi< in the event of excess power.
When you press this button in , it selects the next lower bank
below the current bank (say, to go from 5x -> 4x). The digit appearing at the ones
position flashes to indicate that you have left the current bank and that you must send
a MIDI program change message by entering the desired patch number (0 - 9). Once
you have entered an , the display indicates the selected MIDI patch and the ones
position stops flashing. To access a more remote bank, step to it by pressing the button
repeatedly or fast-forward to it by pressing and holding this button.
When you press this button in , it selects MIDI
In
For operations
When quitting modes via
When connecting an expression pedal
Power monitoring
-
-
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
Write
End
Down Bank
Down MPN
Down button
10

patches directly. The MIDI patch number decreases by one every time you press the
button. Pressing and holding the button causes MIDI patches to scroll in continuous
descending order. The display flashes, indicating the selected patch, until you confirm
your selection by pressing . The selected MIDI patch is sent to the port.
When you press this button in the given setup routine for and
, controller numbers decrease by one with each push of this
button, starting from the currently assigned controller number.
When you press this button in the routine, MIDI channel numbers
decrease by one, starting from the currently assigned MIDI channel number, with each
push of this button.
At page 23 of the manual, you'll find diagrams of the rear panel.
This socket accepts an external power unit for the Z-15. When connecting a power
unit, ensure voltage and current comply with the foot controller's specifications.
You may connect an AC (alternating current) power unit as well as a 300-mA DC (direct
current) power unit. The AC voltage range is 9 to 12 volts; the DC voltage range is 9 to
15 volts. The polarity at the plug plays no role. The foot controller's display indicates
when the power supply drops below or rises above the permissible range.
This 5-pin DIN port serves to route out MIDI data. Connect it to the of an ENGL
amp or a MIDI-enabled device using a suitable MIDI cord. A 5-pin cord connected to
the port of an ENGL amp can provide power to the foot controller. To this end,
you must set the ENGL amp's phantom power selector accordingly, that is, to the
position.
This input (stereo jack) accepts an external expression pedal. Ensure pedals that you
want to connect are equipped with an analog resistor (potentiometer) with a 5 kohm
to 10 kohm rating (the maximum permissible rating is 20 kohms) to ensure flawless
remote control. As soon as you plug in an external expression pedal, the display
indicates in successive order the parameters stored for . You
can edit and store parameter settings for the expression pedal in the
routine. Refer to page 23 for the port's terminal assignments.
Never feed current into this port! Any external
voltage patched in via this port can damage the Z-15's electronic circuitry. Always cable
up the foot controller carefully, making sure not to mistake this port for one of the two
ports for the four Switch Loops!
This input (stereo jack) accepts an external expression pedal. Ensure pedals that you
4 MIDI Out
Continuous Controller 1
Continuous Controller 2
MIDI Channel Setup
MIDI IN
MIDI IN ENGL
MIDI Foot Controller
Continuous Controller 1
Controller 1
Setup
Down controller number
Down MIDI channel
MIDI Output
Cont. Controller 1
Cont. Controller 2
-
-
Important note please read and heed:
Connections on the rear panel of the foot controller
Power Supply
11

want to connect are equipped with an analog resistor (potentiometer) with a 5 kohm
to 10 kohm rating (the maximum permissible rating is 20 kohms) to ensure flawless
remote control. As soon as you plug in an external expression pedal, the display
indicates in successive order the parameters stored for . You
can edit and store parameter settings for the expression pedal in the
routine. Refer to page 23 for the port's terminal assignments.
Never feed current into this port! Any external
voltage patched in via this port can damage the Z-15's electronic circuitry. Always cable
up the foot controller carefully, making sure not to mistake this port for one of the two
ports for the four Switch Loops!
This input (stereo jack) addresses the two and . Use the and button
to configure these two (closed or opened). LED 1 and LED 2 indicate the
current status of the respective . Refer to page 23 for an illustration
showing the port's terminal assignments.
This input (stereo jack) addresses the two and . Use the and button
to configure these two (closed or opened). LED 3 and LED 4 indicate the
current status of the respective . Refer to page 23 for an illustration
showing the port's terminal assignments.
You have two different methods to choose from:
This mode is active as soon as you power the Z-15 foot controller up and the ENGL logo
runs across the display. In this mode, you can select directly 13 banks (00x to 12x)
comprising ten MIDI patches per bank using the - buttons (excepting the first bank
MPN 000 and MPN 129, which do not exist). Press the or buttons to change
banks.
To select MIDI patch 3:
-> Press briefly; display reads >003<; sends MPN 3.
To select MIDI patch 47:
-> Press 4x; display reads >013<, >023<, >033<, >043<, >..3< flashes.
-> Press briefly; display reads >047<; sends MPN 47.
To select MIDI patch 115:
-> Press and hold until you reach bank 11x;
display reads >117<, >..7< flashes.
-> Press briefly; display reads >115<; sends MPN 115.
In this mode, MIDI patches are quickly and easily accessed at the
touch of a button.
To call up an located in a remote bank, you must first use or
Continuous Controller 2
Controller 2
Setup
Switch Loops 1 2 5 6
Switch Loops
Switch Loop
Switch Loops 3 4 7 8
Switch Loops
Switch Loop
0 9 Up Down
3 MIDI Out
Up
7 MIDI Out
Down
5 MIDI Out
MPN Up
Important note please read and heed:
&
&
Via
Examples:
Advantages:
Drawbacks:
Switch Loop 1 2
Switch Loop 3 4
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Detailed descriptions of functions with examples and tips follow:
1. Selecting MIDI patches
12

Down Internal Continuous Controller
0
9
9 MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
MPN MPN
4
Up
MPN 4MIDI Out Up Down
4
MPNs
Internal Continuous Controller MPN
Up Down 4
MPNs
Internal Continuous Controller
Up Down
Up Down
0
to scroll to the desired bank. The cannot be
used in this mode.
This mode is preferable for MIDI patch selection in most applications. If 10 MPNs give
you enough sonic options for your musical purposes, it is surely the simplest and most
effective tool because you never have to change banks.
To activate this foot controller mode, proceed as follows:
-> Call up bank 00x; press and hold for three seconds;
display reads >Cn.1<
or
-> Call up bank 12x; press and hold for three seconds;
display reads > Cn.2<.
-> Press the button briefly to change to ;
Display shows most recently selected , for instance,>003<; flashes until
you confirm it by pressing .
To select MPN 9 from MPN 3:
-> Press and hold until you reach MPN 9;
display reads >003<, >004<, >005<, >006<, >007<, >008<, >009<;
flashes in the display.
-> Press briefly; display reads >009<;
display stops flashing; sends MPN 9.
In this mode, MIDI patches are first selected using the and buttons and then
activated by pressing to send the program change message. To access patches in this
mode, you don't have to change banks but you must press two buttons.
All are selected directly and without changing banks.
The may be used.
It takes two switching operations to select each ; that is, you must
press two buttons, or , and then .
This method is a viable choice if you don't have a problem with "pre-selecting"
and you want to access many different MIDI patches directly without changing banks
first. What's more, the is activated in this mode. For
some applications like controlling the ENGL 580 MIDI Preamp's master volume or the
mute circuit of various ENGL amps and rack units offering this option, this feature can
be quite useful, particularly if you don't have an external expression pedal to use for
this purpose.
-> Press and hold the and buttons simultaneously until the current
channel number appears in the display, for example, >c12< for MIDI channel 12.
-> Press or to scroll to the desired MIDI channel (for instance, channel 16);
display reads >c16<; the display flashes.
-> Press to store; display reads >Pro<.
A tip from the designer:
Via
Advantages:
Drawbacks:
A tip from the designer:
Here's how to set the MIDI send channel in the routine:
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
MIDI Channel Setup
2. Global settings:
13

Once the setting is stored, the Z-15 quits the routine and
returns to .
The ENGL foot controller sends data via the selected MIDI channel. Which channel you
choose doesn't matter unless you want to work with several MIDI devices in a MIDI
loop and address and control a specific device via MIDI. To do this, the receiver and
foot controller's MIDI channel assignments must match. To obtain information on the
selected MIDI send channel, access the routine as described
above. To quit this routine without storing a setting, press the ( ) button. The
system will quit the automatically after about 20 seconds.
-> Call up the first bank 00x and press and hold the button until
the display reads >Cn.1<. All parameters for the stored (current) setting
for appear in successive order in the display:
First comes the selected controller number, for instance, >00.4<, then the curve
characteristic, for instance, >li.<, whereby the curve type, ascending (positive)
or descending (negative), is represented graphically at the far right position.
Next appears the send interval between individual controller commands, for
instance, >t1.0<.
To demonstrate how changes are made using the appropriate buttons, the
following example describes the process of changing to controller number 7 from
controller number 4, and selecting an ascending linear curve and a 20-ms send
interval:
-> Press three times; the display reads >00.5<, >00.6<, >00.7<.
-> Press to select the controller curve characteristic, in this case a linear
ascending wave form; display reads >li.< and a special symbol
at the right position signifying an ascending curve.
-> Press to set the controller command send interval to 20 ms.
-> Press to store the changes; the display confirms the programming
process by indicating >Pr.o<.
Once the settings have been stored, the Z-15 quits the routine
and returns to .
Note: The system will quit the routine automatically after about
20 seconds.
> Call up the last bank 12x and press and hold until
the display reads >Cn.2<. All parameters for the stored (current) setting
for appear in successive order in the display:
First comes the selected controller number, for instance, >00.8.<, then the curve
characteristic, for example, >l.o.<, whereby the curve type, ascending (positive)
or descending (negative), is represented graphically at the far right position.
Next appears the send interval between individual controller commands,
for instance, > t5.0.<.
To demonstrate how changes are made using the appropriate buttons, the
following example describes the process of changing to controller number 4 from
MIDI Channel Setup
MIDI Program Bank Mode
MIDI Channel Setup 9 End
MIDI Channel Setup
0
Continuous Controller 1
Up
1
6
0
Controller 1 Setup
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Controller 1 Setup
9
Continuous Controller 2
A tip from the designer:
Setting parameters for expression pedal 1 via
Setting parameters for expression pedal 2 via
Controller 1 Setup
Controller 2 Setup
-
14

controller number 8, and selecting a descending logarithmic curve and a 50-ms
send interval:
-> Press four times; the display reads >00.7.<, >00.6.<, >00.5.<, >00.4.<
-> Press to select the controller curve characteristic, in this case a logarithmic
descending wave form; display reads >l.o.< and a special symbol at the right
position signifying an descending curve.
-> Press to set the controller command send interval to 50 ms.
-> Press to store the changes; the display confirms the programming
process by indicating >Pr.o.<.
Once the settings have been stored, the Z-15 quits the routine
and returns to .
Note: The system will quit the routine automatically after about
20 seconds.
The Z-15 gives you a wide range of options for fine-tuning a MIDI device's various
continuous controller functions. Let's look at an example of a frequently used
configuration:
Controller number -> 7 (for volume controllers like those featured on the E580
Preamp). This number determines the MIDI device function that you want to
manipulate using the continuous controller. To learn more about the various functions
and their controller numbers, consult the manual of the device whose parameters you
want to modulate.
Set the controller curve to positive linear or log. positive, depending on the employed
pedal and the desired effect on the control operation. Set the controller value send
interval to 20 ms or a bit longer if you prefer a different response. When determining
the send interval, ensure the device at the receiving end of controller data is able to
handle the selected rate of incoming data. If the send interval is too short and a pedal
control operation sends tremendous amounts of data, the receiving device may well
ignore some controller values. In other words, it may not respond correct to your
commands. For example, to manipulate the master knob on the MIDI Preamp 580
using an expression controller, set the send interval to 20 ms. For the internal
controller, you can increase the send interval (to 30 or 50 ms) to elicit a slower response
when pressing the - and - buttons. Note that for
reference purposes, the stored parameters for and run
through the display briefly and in successive order when you plug in an external
expression pedal.
This function emulates an expression pedal using the and buttons on the Z-15 foot
controller. One button raises values, the other lowers them. Which does what depends
on the selected curve characteristic. You'll find this option quite useful in the real
world, particularly if you do not own an external expression pedal or want to use the
as a second expression pedal. In addition to its
standard control function, button lets you switch between the initial value of the
selected curve (0 or 127) and the controller value most recently selected with button
or . The offers the same three parameter assignments
- controller number, curve characteristic and send interval as the two
Down
4
8
0
Controller 2 Setup
MIDI Program Bank Mode
Controller 2 Setup
continuous controller
2 Cn. Value Down 3 Cn. Value Up
continuous controllers 1 2
1 2
Internal Continuous Controller 31
2 Internal Continuous Controller external
A tip from the designer:
Internal Continuous Controller
15

continuous controllers Controller Setup MIDI Program Direct
Access Mode Controller Setup 1 Internal
Continuous Controller Continuous Controller 1
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode Controller Setup Internal
Continuous Controller Continuous Controller 2
Internal Continuous Controller Internal
Continuous Controller
Internal Continuous Controller
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode Controller Setup
external Continuous Controller 1
Internal Continuous Controller
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode Controller Setup 2
9
941 2
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode 0
99 MIDI Program Direct
Access Mode
Switch Loop 1 Switch Loop 2 Switch Loop 3 Switch Loop 4
MIDI Program Direct
Access Mode Switch Loops
Up
4
MIDI Out
6 Switch Loop 2
Switch Loop 2
7 Switch Loop
Switch Loop 3
. The routine from which
is accessed determines which parameter values are assigned to the
Internal Controller. If you access this mode from , the
adopts the parameter settings of . If
you activate from 2, the
adopts the parameter settings of .
The is disabled when you plug an external
expression pedal into the port of the continuous controller that the
is currently emulating. This means that if you want to use the
along with an external continuous controller, ensure
that you do not activate from the
routine for the external continuous controller assigned to the connected expression
pedal.
Confused? Don't be. Let's look at an example:
Say an expression pedal is connected to . You
decide to use the to emulate a second expression
pedal and employ it as an additional continuous controller.
To do this, change to from :
-> In the last bank 12x, press and hold until the display reads >Cn.2<.
-> Press again briefly; the MPN flashes in the display.
-> Confirm the MPN by pressing ; the MPN in the display stops flashing.
-> Set controller values using buttons and , whereby pressing and holding the
given button causes values to scroll continuously.
The display indicates controller values with a decimal point at the center and at
the right positions for the duration of the operation and a moment thereafter.
Then the current MPN appears in the display.
Call up : Press and hold the button in the first bank
00x or the button in the last bank 12x for about three seconds until the display reads
>Cn.1< or >Cn.2<. Then press the button briefly to activate
.
Say you want to program the following configuration for MIDI patch 9:
- active; - passive; - passive, -
active. The most recently selected patch before you changed to
was MPN 3. The currently stored status for all four MPN 9 is
active:
-> Press six times or press and hold it until MPN 9 appears in the display.
The display reads >003<, >004<, >005<, >006<, >007<, >008<,
>009<; the display flashes.
-> Confirm MPN 9 by pressing ; the display reads >009<;
the flashing stops; sends MPN 9.
-> Press to deactivate ; LED 2
for extinguishes.
-> Press to deactivate 3; LED 3
for extinguishes.
Note:
Configuring to
Example:
Switch Loops 1 4
16

Note:
Note:
A tip from the designer:
MIDI programs:
MIDI channel:
In this example, the two and do not require editing because
they have been stored as active in the current configuration for MPN 9. (When the
status is or the LED is extinguished; when the status is or
the LED is illuminated).
-> Press to store the settings; the display reads: >Pro<.
The Z-15 remains in upon completion of the
storage process.
If you do not press the button, the edited or new setting is deleted when
you change over to another MIDI patch or quit ,
and the initially stored configuration (which in this example is all 4
active) remains intact.
The four Switch Loops are very handy auxiliary tools. Some devices such as the ENGL
Screamer 50 and ENGL Ritchie Blackmore Signature 100 head sport stereo footswitch
inputs for switching channels and other features. These features may also be switched
using your Z-15 MIDI Foot Controller's . To this end, simply connect the
stereo footswitch send jacks on the amp (e.g. E330, E650, E645) to the foot controller's
two using a stereo cord. Once connected, the four buttons , ,
and control the various amp functions (for instance, , ,
, , or ). Then you can program any combination of
amp functions to the 128 MIDI patches as desired.
Keep the footcontroller safe from hard knocks and shocks.
Avoid storing the footcontroller in damp or dusty rooms to spare jacks and switches.
Never use caustic or scouring detergents to clean the footcontroller's housing. Use a
soft, damp cloth or sponge with diluted soapsuds or a standard brand of mild
dishwashing liquid instead. Never use solvents they can dissolve the top panel labels.
Keep liquids well away from the footcontroller, particularly the interior of the housing.
In this manual, MIDI programs are called MPNs (MIDI program numbers) as well as
MIDI patches. The terms are used interchangeably.
Though the MIDI standard defines program numbers 000 to 127 (0hex to 7Fhex),
almost all MIDI devices including this foot controller - indicate these programs
using a 1-to-128 numbering scheme.
The MIDI standard defines 16 channels for sending and receiving MIDI data. The
Switch Loops 1 4
passive open, active closed,
0MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
0MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
Switch Loops
Switch Loops
Switch Loop inputs 5 6 7
8 Clean/Lead Gain Lo/Hi
Reverb Master A/B V.L.S. Contour
Handling and Care:
Glossary
17

MIDI channel for sending foot controller data is selected and stored in the
routine.
This is a control mechanism that addresses MIDI devices via the MIDI data circuit.
The connected devices must be able to respond to such commands, for example, a
volume change message sent via controller 7 using values ranging from .
Every (continuous) controller is assigned a controller number to which it responds
accordingly when it receives incoming controller values.
The ENGL Z-15 MIDI foot controller offers three control options using MIDI
controller data: 1. for connecting an external expression
pedal (a foot pedal with an analog resistor); 2. for
connecting a second external expression pedal (a foot pedal with an analog
resistor); 3. The function, in combination with the
and buttons. The function (which is executed via the button
in ) switches between the initial (
depending on the selected characteristic curve) and the current value.
The four send intervals of 10, 20, 30 and 50 ms (milliseconds) determine the rate at
which digital controller values are sent to the port. In technical terms, the
selected interval defines the time between individual send controller data. The
will respond slower at higher interval settings and
the control operation will be performed faster at a shorter interval. The lower the
value selected, the faster the data transmission rate. While manipulating an
external Expression Pedal a short interval will result a high amount of transmitted
data.
This term describes a passive electrical circuit in the foot controller that is opened
and closed by a relay. Two of these are assigned to each stereo jack,
whereby both share the jack's ground terminal. The second terminal of the two
is assigned to the jack's stereo or mono contact. Taking the place of
conventional two-way footswitches with on/off functionality, the four
serve to remote control functions of amps such as the ENGL Screamer, ENGL Ritchie
Blackmore Head, ENGL Powerball Head and many more. You'll find the
terminal assignments and circuit diagrams on page 23.
-> When powering the Z-15 via an external power unit: Does the external
power unit supply the required current and voltage? (refer to
Technical Data on page 21).
-> Is the external power unit or cord defective?
-> Is there a loose connection in the cord's plug?
MIDI
Channel Setup
Continuous Controller 1 Continuous Controller 2
Internal Continuous Controller
1 2 Cn. Initial Value 3
MIDI Program Direct Access Mode
MIDI Out
Internal Continuous Controller
Switch Loops
Switch Loops Switch Loops
Switch
Loops'
Continuous Controller:
Controller command send interval:
Switch loop
The ENGL banner does not cycle through the foot controller's display after
plugging in the mains or MIDI cord.
Troubleshooting
0 to 127
0 or 127,
18

Does the plug fit snugly in the foot controller's socket?
-> When powering the Z-15 via the MIDI cord: Is your
MIDI cord equipped with the required 5-pin connector?
-> Is the MIDI cord defective (say, a short circuit or broken wire)?
Does it have the correct pin assignments?
-> Is the power supply selector (phantom power) for the
ENGL foot controller set properly on the ENGL amp (that is, to the
position)?
-> Is the MIDI cord defective (say, a short circuit or broken wire)?
Does it have the correct pin assignments?
-> Check cable connections: Is the foot controller's connected to
the on the ENGL amp or MIDI device?
-> Are the Z-15 Foot Controller and the amp (or effect device) set to
the same MIDI channel?
To check this, you can set the amp (or effect device) to OMNI
Receive mode. In this mode, MIDI data received via all 16 channels are accepted.
Check the foot controller's MIDI send channel setting in the
routine and, if necessary, set it to the correct channel.
-> Is the connected MIDI device able to switch to the selected MIDI patch?
The number of MIDI patches on the MIDI device may be limited
(look this up in the MIDI device's operating manual).
-> Is your ENGL amp or ENGL MIDI peripheral device equipped with a display
providing visual confirmation?
If not (as is the case with the E670, E570 and Z-7), perhaps you have not
programmed different settings (presets) to the MIDI patches. This may explain
why there is no response when you select presets. Program presets with
different settings and try again.
Check the following items if the Z-15 foot controller's display does not respond to
the expression pedal (that is, it fails to indicate controller values):
-> Is the external expression pedal or its cord or plug defective?
-> Are the external expression pedal's terminal assignments consistent with the
terminal assignments of the input jacks for the two
on the foot controller? You'll find the assignments for the two jacks on page 23.
-> Did you plug the external expression pedal's connector into one of the two
jacks labeled or ?
Check if you have connected the pedal to the appropriate port.
Try using the foot controller's to carry out the given
function. If it too fails, you can rule out the aforementioned causes.
Check these items if the internal controller continuous also fails to elicit a response
ENGL MIDI Foot Controller
MIDI Out
MIDI In
MIDI Channel Setup
continuous controllers
Cont. Controller 1 Input Cont. Controller 2 Input
Internal Continuous Controller
The connected amp or effect device fails to respond to MIDI program change
commands when you select an MPN on the Z-15.
The amp addressed by the Z-15 or effect device does not respond to MIDI
controller commands when you manipulate an external expression pedal or the
Internal Continuous Controller.
19

from the amp or MIDI device:
-> Is the MIDI cord defective (say, a short circuit or broken wire)?
Does it have the correct pin assignments?
-> Check cable connections: Is the foot controller's connected
to the on the ENGL amp or MIDI device?
-> Are the Z-15 foot controller and the amp (or effect device) set to the same
MIDI channel? To check this, you can set the amp (or effect device) to OMNI
receive mode. In this mode, MIDI data received via all 16 channels are accepted.
Check the foot controller's MIDI send channel setting in the
routine and, if necessary, set it to the correct channel. Like program change
commands, controller commands are sent with a channel number.
-> Is the controller number setting on the foot controller consistent with the
controller number of the function that you want to remote control at the amp
or effect device? Example: On the E580 Preamp, controller number 7 has a
fixed assignment to master volume. If you use a
on the ENGL Z-15 to address this function, you must assign controller number 7
to it in the appropriate routine.
-> Is the given controller function enabled at the amp or effect device?
Consult the amp or effect device's manual to learn how to enable or activate
the controller.
-> Go to the and adjust the send interval
accordingly (that is, decrease or increase it).
-> Change the curve characteristic in the appropriate .
-> Check terminal assignments. The assignments for the two jacks that access the
four are on page 23.
-> Check if the cord connecting the amp and the foot controller has a short-circuit
or broken wire.
-> Did you plug the stereo cord's connector into one of the two jacks labeled
& and & ?
-> Check if the foot controller is switching the two that are connected
to the amp via the stereo cord.
-> Is the stereo cord properly plugged into the amp?
-> The display reads >Ulo<, indicating that the voltage is too low.
-> The display reads >Uhi<<, indicating that the voltage is too high.
-> Make sure the operating voltage corresponds to the stipulated specifications.
MIDI Out
MIDI In
MIDI Channel Setup
continuous controller
Controller Setup
Controller Setup
Controller Setup
Switch Loops
Switch Loop 1 2 Switch Loop 3 4 Switch Loops
The amp or effect device's response to the expression pedal or
action is uneven, abrupt, choppy or too slow.
The amp or effect device's response is the opposite of the expression pedal or
action.
The functions of an amp addressed by the Z-15's do not respond
when activating or deactivating .
The operating voltage supplied to the foot controller is too high or too low.
Internal
Continuous Controller's
Internal Continuous Controller's
Switch Loops
Switch Loops
20