Free The Tone PA-1QG User manual

PA-1QG·PA-1QB/PROGRAMMABLE
ANALOG 10 BAND EQ
GRAPHIC EQUALIZER
OWNER’S MANUAL
Ver 1.0

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Thank you for choosing a Free The Tone product.
In order to take full advantage of the features and performance it provides, please read this owner’s
manual thoroughly and keep it in a safe place for future reference.
Table of Contents
Controls and Indicators ................................................................................. 3
Front Panel ............................................................................................. 3
Rear Panel.............................................................................................. 4
Adjusting Equalizer ...................................................................................... 5
Editing/Writing Preset Contents ........................................................................ 5
Recalling a Preset........................................................................................ 6
Setting Up MIDI Signals ................................................................................. 7
Transmitting Data to/from an External Device......................................................... 7
Updating Firmware....................................................................................... 7
Initializing ................................................................................................. 7
MIDI Specifications ...................................................................................... 8
PA-1QG (for Guitar) Factory Presets.................................................................... 9
PA-1QB (for Bass) Factory Presets ..................................................................... 9
Product Specifications ................................................................................. 10
Safety Precautions...................................................................................... 11
Handling Precautions
• Never connect or disconnect plugs to/from the input/output terminals on the PA-1QG/PA-1QB
when the external device that drives speakers is powered. Doing so can cause noises and dam-
age the speakers.
• Avoid applying excessive force to the footswitches, tact switches, and DIN connectors on the
PA-1QG /PA -1QB.
• If the unit malfunctions or behaves erratically, cease operation at once and contact your local
dealer or Free The Tone directly.
Controls and Indicators
Front Panel
SAVE switch
PARAMETER encoderLEVEL display
Equalizer display
PRESET display
 cursor key switch
PRESET SELECT switch
PRESET switch
EFFECT ON/OFF switch
Pressed when saving parameters in a preset.
Editing/Writing Preset Contents p.5
Turned when adjusting the boost
amount of the selected frequency or the
volume for the preset.
Adjusting Equalizer p.5
Pressed when confirming the operation
to save parameters in a preset.
Editing/Writing Preset Contents p.5
Shows the boost amount of the
selected frequency or volume
for the preset.
Adjusting Equalizer p.5
Adjusting Preset’s Volume p.5
Shows the currently recalled preset’
equalizer status or preset’s volume.
Adjusting Equalizer p.5
Adjusting Preset’s Volume p.5
Shows the number for
the currently recalled
preset.
Selects the frequency or
volume to be adjusted.
Adjusting Equalizer p.5
Pressed when switch presets 1–4. Each press selects
the preset as follows: PRESET-1 PRESET-2 
PRESET-3 PRESET-4 PRESET-1 ...
Recalling a Preset p.6
Pressed when
recalling a preset.
Recalling a Preset p.6
Pressed to turn on/off the equalizer
effects. The LED above the switch
illuminates when the switch is turned on.

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Rear Panel
Controls and Indicators
MIDI IN & OUT/THRU terminals
Used to send/receive MIDI signals
to/from a connected external MIDI
device. The external MIDI controller
can switch PA-1QG/PA-1QB’s
presets and receive/send preset
data from/to the PA-1QG/PA-1QB.
Recalling a Preset p.6
Transmitting Data to/from an
External Device p.7
OUTPUT terminal
Use this terminal to connect
to your amplifier/mixer , etc.
INPUT terminal
Used to connect
a guitar/
bass, another
instrument, effects
unit, etc. This
terminal has the
HTS circuit that
keeps sound
texture the same
when the effect is
turned on and off.
INPUT LEVEL select switch
This switch is used to select PA-1QG/PA-1QB’s
input level according to the output level of the
device connected to the INPUT terminal. If you
are connecting an instrument level device, set the
switch to the INPUT terminal side. Or to connect a
line level device, set it to the OUTPUT terminal side.
POWER DC9V IN terminal
Connect the dedicated AC adapter
supplied with your PA-1QG/PA-1QB
to this terminal. Use the supplied AC
adapter.
Alternatively, a power supply with a
regulated 9 VDC output and current
capacity higher than 200 mA can be
used.
Adjusting Equalizer
Editing/Writing Preset Contents
You can create your favorite tone by adjusting various parameters.
To adjust the equalizer:
1. Press the ON/OFF switch to turn on the LED above it.
2. Press the  cursor key switch to select the frequency to be adjusted (blue dot) in the equalizer display.
3. Turn the PARAMETER encoder to adjust the boost amount of the selected frequency.
NOTE
The boost amount of the selected frequency is adjustable in the range of ±12 dB. The selected frequency is shown in the equalizer
display. The boost amount for the selected frequency is shown in the LEVEL display.
Double-clicking the PARAMETER encoder resets the boost amount of the selected frequency to zero. The previous value returns by
double-clicking the encoder again.
To adjust preset’s volume:
1. Press the ON/OFF switch to turn on the LED above it.
2. Press the  cursor key switch to select the OUTPUT (green dot) in the equalizer display.
3. Turn the PARAMETER encoder to adjust the volume for the preset.
NOTE
The preset’s volume is adjustable from 0 to 127. The preset’s volume is shown in the LEVEL display. When all of the frequencies of the
equalizer are set to boost amount 0, unity level is obtained with the LEVEL value 100, and when the value is 127, the volume can be
increased up to +12 dB.
Double-clicking the PARAMETER encoder resets the volume back to 100. The previous value returns by double-clicking the encoder
again.
1. Press the ON/OFF switch to turn on the LED above it.
2. Press the  cursor key switch to select the parameter to be adjusted.
3. Turn the PARAMETER encoder to adjust the selected parameter.
4. Press the SAVE switch.
5. The LEVEL display shows the destination preset number.
6. Turn the PARAMETER encoder to select the desired preset number.
7. Press the PARAMETER encoder to store the preset to the selected numbered location.
NOTE
When a preset’s parameter is changed, the dot at the PRESET display’s lower right corner illuminates. This dot turns off when the
save operation is confirmed by pressing the PARAMETER encoder and the parameters are written to the preset.
If the SAVE switch is pressed again after pressing it, then the write operation is canceled.

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The PA-1QG/PA-1QB can save or recall preset contents to/from a personal computer. For connection
and setup procedures, please confirm with the product or support page of the Free The Tone website.
The PA-1QG/PA-1QB can update its firmware. For the latest firmware or connection and setup proce-
dures, please confirm with the product or support page of the Free The Tone website.
1. Turn on the power to the unit while holding down the cursor key switch and PRESET SELECT switch.
2. The LEVEL display shows “1nt”.
3. Press the PARAMETER encoder to execute the initialization.
4. The PRESET display counts up from 01 to 99.
5. The LEVEL display shows the firmware version number.
6. All of the presets are returned to their factory default settings and usual operation resumes.
NOTE
This operation clears all of the presets and resets all of the settings to the default status as shipped from the factory.
Recalling a Preset
Transmitting Data to/from an External Device
Updating Firmware
Initializing
Setting Up MIDI Signals
The PA-1QG/PA-1QB can use up to 99 presets that can be recalled in various ways.
To switch among the first four presets:
1. Press the ON/OFF switch to turn on the LED above it.
2. Press the PRESET SELECT switch to switch the presets.
NOTE
Each press of the PRESET SELECT switch changes the presets as follows: PRESET 1 PRESET 2 PRESET 3 PRESET 4 
PRESET 1, ...
To switch among the 99 presets:
1. Press the ON/OFF switch to turn on the LED above it.
2. Press the PRESET switch to flash the PRESET display.
3. Turn the PARAMETER encoder to show the preset to be recalled.
4. Press the PARAMETER encoder to recall the selected preset.
To switch presets via MIDI:
1. Connect an external MIDI controller to the MIDI IN terminal on the PA-1QG/PA-1QB’s rear panel.
2. Press the PA-1QG/PA-1QB’s ON/OFF switch to illuminate the LED above it.
3. From the external MIDI controller, send the MIDI program change number corresponding to the preset to be
recalled.
NOTE
Be sure to set the same MIDI program change number on the sending device’s MIDI channel and the PA-1QG/PA-1QB’s MIDI channel.
Setting up MIDI Receiving Channel P. 6
When the PA-1QG/PA-1QB receives a MIDI program change number 001–004, the corresponding LED 1–4 above the PRESET
SELECT switch illuminates and the PRESET display shows the corresponding preset number (01–04). If a MIDI program change
number 005 or later is received, then the LEDs 1–4 above the PRESET SELECT switch will not illuminate but the PRESET display
shows the corresponding preset number (05–99).
The PA-1QG/PA-1QB can receive MIDI signals sent from an external controller to switch presets and edit
parameters.
To setup a MIDI receiving channel:
1. Turn on the power to the PA-1QG/PA-1QB while holding down the PRESET SELECT switch.
2. The PRESET display shows “ch ”.
3. The LEVEL display shows the number of the MIDI receiving channel.
4. Turn the PARAMETER encoder to show the desired MIDI receiving channel.
5. Press the PARAMETER encoder to confirm the selected MIDI receiving channel.
NOTE
User editable parameters: ALL (Omni mode), 1–16 (MIDI receiving channel), OFF

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PA-1QG (for Guitar) Factory PresetsMIDI Specifications
The PA-1QG/PA-1QB can switch presets and edit all of the parameters via MIDI signals. The following
table shows MIDI signals assigned to various functions.
Parameters and corresponding MIDI control change numbers:
Controls MIDI CC Numbers Value Range
PA-1QG PA-1QB Common to PA-1QG & PA-1QB Common to PA-1QG & PA-1QB
50 Hz 40 Hz 97 0–127
100 80 98 0–127
200 125 99 0–127
400 250 100 0 –127
800 500 101 0 –127
1500 800 102 0 –127
2500 120 0 103 0–127
3500 2400 104 0 –127
7K 4500 105 0–127
10K 8K 106 0 –127
OUTPUT LEVEL 107 0 –127
EFFECT ON/OFF 66 Off = 0, On = 127
EQ LEVEL Value Range EQ LEVEL Value Range
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
061–66
PA-1QB (for Bass) Factory Presets
Preset 1: Fat sound with emphasized mid-low frequencies
Preset 1: Sound for finger picking with reduced high frequencies
Preset 2: Sound for arpeggio with reduced mid range level
Preset 2: Sound for plectrum picking with emphasized attacks
Preset 3: Sound for jazz play with reduced high frequency level
Preset 3: sound for slapping with reduced mid range
Preset 4: Sound with flat EQ but boosted volume
Preset 4: Sound with reduced low frequencies and boosted volume

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Product Specifications
120 (15.5) 43
95 (7.3)
DC9V IN
OUT MIDI OUT/THRUMIDI IN IN
INST LINE
INPUT LEVEL
721A001
• Number of presets: 99
• Input impedance: INST min. 1 MΩ/ LINE min. 300 kΩ
• Output load impedance: min. 10 kΩ
• Max. input level: INST +4 dBm / LINE +14 dBm (EQ setting = flat)
• Controls:  cursor keys, PARAMETER encoder, INST(-10dB)/LINE(+4dB) level selector switch
• Frequencies
PA-1QG: 50 Hz, 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 400 Hz, 800 Hz, 1500 Hz, 2500 Hz, 3500 Hz, 7 kHz, 10 kHz (±12 dB)
PA-1QB: 40 Hz, 80 Hz, 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 800 Hz, 1200 Hz, 2400 Hz, 4500 Hz, 8 kHz (±12 dB)
• Terminals: 1/4" standard phone jack x 2 (input and output) DC9V input jack (for AC adapter), DIN 5-pin connector x 2
(MIDI IN and OUT/THRU)
• Power supply: Dedicated DC9V AC adapter
• Current consumption: max. 200 mA
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 120 x 102.3 x 58.5 mm or 4.7 x 4.0 x 2.3 inches (incl. protuberances such as footswitch,
jacks, etc.)
• Weight (excl. accessories): approx. 350 g or 0.77 lbs
• Accessories: Warranty card, manual, AC adapter, rubber feet x 4
Specifications and appearance subject to change without notice.
Caution
Do not use or store the unit in environments where it
will be exposed to:
Extreme temperatures (direct rays of the sun, heat
sources such as radiators or stoves.)
High humidity or moisture.
Excessive dust or sand.
Excessive vibration or shock.
Whenever leaving the unit unattended for long
periods, be sure to unplug the AC adapter from the
power source to avoid creating a fire hazard.
Take care not to drop the unit, and do not subject it
to excessive pressure or weight.
Do not press the switches on the unit with a bare
foot, or unexpected injury may result.
Do not use solvents (such as benzine, paint thinner)
on the unit, since these may dull the finish or damage
the surface.
Warning
Never try to disassemble, or modify the unit.
Stop using the unit if you notice smoke or a strange odor
coming from it and unplug the AC adapter from the outlet.
Never try to repair the unit or replace parts unless so
instructed by the user’s manual. For other repair or parts
replacement contact your local dealer or Free The Tone.
Never unplug the AC adapter while your hands are wet.
Do not apply too much pressure or tension or place
a heavy object on the power cord. Doing so may
damage the power cord and create a danger of fire
or electrical shock.
Turn off the unit and unplug the AC adapter from the
outlet and contact your local dealer or Free The Tone
for repair in the case of any of the following:
The power cord is damaged.
Foreign objects (coins, pins, etc.) or liquid enter the unit.
The unit gets wet from rain or other liquid.
The unit is out of order.
Be careful of heat radiation from the unit.
Never cover the AC adapter with cloth or other objects.
Built-up heat can deform the case or cause a fire hazard.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Precautions are identified by the two types of symbols below:
Caution
This symbol indicates that a risk of serious personal injury
or material damage may result if precautions are ignored.
Warning
This symbol indicates that a risk of death or serious
personal injury may result if precautions are ignored.
Be sure to read these precautions and the user’s manual before using this product.
Support/Service
Contact the following for support and/or repair service.
e-mail address: [e-mail]