Musicom Lab EFX MkIII User manual

USER MANUAL
(Ver1.0 )

Thanks for your purchase of the Musicom Lab EFX MkIII Audio Controller. This Manual will
introduce you to the EFX MkIII and its features. After reading this manual carefully keep it for
future reference.
CONTENTS
1. Introduction ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 3
2. Basic Connection ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 4
3. Mode Description ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 5
3.1 Preset Mode ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 5
3.1.1 Mute ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 7
3.1.2 Input Buffer ON/OFF ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 7
3.1.3 Ground Lift ON/OFF ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 8
3.2 Instant Access Mode ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 5
3.3 Edit Mode ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 6
3.3.1 Editing MIDI Program Change ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 7
3.3.2 Editing MIDI Control Change ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 7
3.3.3 Editing XPDL Port ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 8
3.3.4 Popping Noise Reduction Control ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 11
4. Power Requirement ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 12
5. Initial Default Setting ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 12
6. Block Diagram ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 13
7. System Setting ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧‧ 14
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EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 3
1. Introduction
The EFX MkIII Audio Controller is the ultimate floor-based switching system.
It is a compact, easy to use, fully programmable 8 loops, 4 function switches and MIDI foot controller.
The EFX Mk III Audio Controller has 240 memory locations, configured as 60 banks of 4 presets, plus a
global preset.
It can transmit 5 MIDI Program Change messages on 5 MIDI channels and 12 MIDI Control Change
messages on an appointed MIDI channel.
Also one continuous controller port(XPDL) is included and can be programmed with designated MIDI channels
and controller numbers.
The EFX Mk III Audio Controller has two low-noise, high quality buffers to prevent the loss of guitar signal.
The input buffer can be bypassed for Hi-Z input pedals such as Fuzzes etc.
The EFX Mk II Audio Controller is made of high quality parts including heavy-duty stomp switches and
gold-plated relays.
It is cased within a compact and rugged aluminium enclosure(11"W x 5.2"D x 1.7"FH x 2.2"RH).
Top Panel View
Rear Panel View

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 4
2. Basic Connection
The loop send jacks(①SND1 ~SND8) and return jacks(RTN1 ~RTN8) connect to the effects unit's inputs
and outputs.
The guitar connects to②IN A jack, and amplifier input connects to OUT B jack.
When there is the Hi-Z input pedal in the loop 1 ~ loop 4, the input buffer must be bypassed. Refer to
page 5.
The tuner connects to the③TUNER jack. Refer to page 5.
The channel control jacks connects to④FS1/FS2 and FS3/FS4 jacks when function switches are used for
remote amplifier channel switching.
For example:

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 5
3. Mode Description
The EFX Mk III Audio Controller utilizes three modes of operation, Preset Mode, Instant Access Mode and
Edit Mode.
On power-up, the display will show its firmware version, upon which bank 1(P.01 : Preset mode . Bank 1)
and the global preset will be selected.
3.1 Preset Mode
The EFX Mk III Audio Controller has 241 presets, configured as 60 banks of 4 presets, plus a global preset
which is common to all banks.
The Preset Mode is automatically selected when the power is initially turned on.
Press/hold the①BANK UP or BANK DOWN switches to scroll through the 60 available banks.
The display will flash.②
The preset is selected via pressing the③PS-1 through PS-4 switches.
The display will stop flashing and the LED above the switch turns on.④
For example, to select the second preset of the bank 3, press the BANK UP switch until the P.03 is shown
on the display. And then press the PS-2 switch.
The global preset is a preset with all the capabilities of preset 1 through 4, but is the same for all banks.
Pressing the switch of a preset that is already on selects the global preset and will cause the LED above the
switch to turn off.
3.1.1 Mute
Press the MUTE switch to mute the output. When muted, the guitar signal flows into
TUNER jacks and the three decimal points on the display will turn on and output
signal will be mute.
Press the MUTE switch to cancel the mute function. Mute function is available in all mode.
3.1.2 Input Buffer On/Off
When you connect Hi-Z stompboxes like a Fuzz to in the Loop1 ~ Loop4, the input buffer must be bypassed.

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 6
3.1.2 Groung Lift On/Off
The 8 loops of the EFX MkIII consist of 2 groups.
One is Group A from IN A to Out A, the other is Group B from IN B to OUT B.
The ground Lift switch is useful to prevent ground loop hum/noise when connecting a musical instrument to
OUT A and IN B jacks. Refer to page 13~16.
3.2 Instant Access Mode (Programming the Loops and Function Switches)
Select the preset to be programmed in the Preset Mode.①
Press the②MODE switch to enter the Instant Access Mode. The display will show:
And the 4 LEDs above PS-1 ~PS-4 switches will indicate the corresponding
Loop1 ~ Loop4 as on or off.
Press the③PS-1 through PS-4 switches to turn the corresponding Loop1 ~ Loop4
on or off. The corresponding LEDs will go on or off.
Press the④MODE switch. The display will show:
And the 4 LEDs above PS-1 ~PS-4 switches will indicate the corresponding
Loop5 ~ Loop8 as on or off.
Press the⑤PS-1 through PS-4 switches to turn the corresponding Loop5 ~ Loop8
on or off. The corresponding LEDs will go on or off.
Press the⑥MODE switch. The display will show:
And the 4 LEDs above PS-1 ~PS-4 switches will indicate the corresponding
Function Switch1 ~ Function Switch4 as on or off.
Press the⑦PS-1 through PS-4 switches to turn the corresponding Function Switch 1
~ Function Switch 4 on or off. The corresponding LEDs will go on or off.
Press the⑧BANK UP switch to store the edit and return to Preset Mode. The other side, press the BANK
DOWN switch to return to preset mode without storing the edit.
Follow the same procedure ~ for any other presets you want to program the loops and function⑨①⑧
switches.

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 7
3.3 Edit Mode
The Edit Mode contains the utility functions. To enter the Edit Mode, you must be in
the Preset Mode. Press/hold the MODE switch to enter the Edit Mode for 1 second.
The display will show:
Press/hold the PS-1 switch(FS, function select) to scroll the utility functions.
Below is a list functions in the order that they are shown.
Function Select Order List
PC.1 sets 1st MIDI Program Change
PC.2 sets 2st MIDI Program Change
PC.3 sets 3st MIDI Program Change
PC.4 sets 4st MIDI Program Change
PC.5 sets 5st MIDI Program Change
LP.1 sets 1st MIDI Control Change for the Loop1 On/Off
LP.2 sets 2st MIDI Control Change for the Loop2 On/Off
LP.3 sets 3st MIDI Control Change for the Loop3 On/Off
LP.4 sets 4st MIDI Control Change for the Loop4 On/Off
LP.5 sets 5st MIDI Control Change for the Loop5 On/Off
LP.6 sets 6st MIDI Control Change for the Loop6 On/Off
LP.7 sets 7st MIDI Control Change for the Loop7 On/Off
LP.8 sets 8st MIDI Control Change for the Loop8 On/Off
FS.1 sets 9st MIDI Control Change for the Function Switch1 On/Off
FS.2 sets 10st MIDI Control Change for the Function Switch2 On/Off
FS.3 sets 11st MIDI Control Change for the Function Switch3 On/Off
FS.4 sets 12st MIDI Control Change for the Function Switch4 On/Off
EPL /ESW sets MIDI Control Change for the continuous control port XPDL
Pr.0 ~Pr.9 selects 10-stage popping noise reduction control
3.3.1 Editing MIDI Program Change
Select the preset to be edited in the Preset Mode①
Press/hold the②MODE switch to enter the Edit Mode for 1 second if you are in
the Preset Mode. The PC1 will be automatically selected and the display will
show:
Press the③PS-2 switch(CH, channel) to set a PC1 channel number. The display
will show the current PC1 channel.
Press/hold the④BANK UP or BANK DOWN switches to select a channel from 1
through 16.
Press the⑤PS-2 switch to store a new PC1 channel in memory. The display will show str(store) for a
moment.

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 8
*ThePCs channel is global (the same for all banks/presets). And you need not edit this for any other
banks/presets if you have already done so. In this case, omit procedures ~ .③⑤
Press the⑥PS-3 switch(NUM, number) to set a PC1 number. The display will show
the current PC1 number.
Press/hold the⑦BANK UP or BANK DOWN switches to select a PC1 number from
001. through 128. or not..
Press the⑧PS-3 switch to store a new PC1 number in memory. The display will show str(store) for a
moment.
Press the⑨PS-1 switch(FS, function select) to set other PCs and follow the same procedure ~ .③⑧
Note
*Thenot. means no Program Change is transmitted.
* The last decimal point on the display means that the display shows a Program Change number or controller
number.
* For initial default Program Change channels and numbers setting are refer to page 12.
3.3.2 Editing MIDI Control Change
The MIDI Control Changes are transmitted via MIDI OUT jack when the assigned loops or function switches
turn on or off. The LP.1 is assigned the Loop1, ..... , and the FS.4 is assigned the Function Switch4.
* The Control Change channel and controller number are global (the same for all banks/presets). you need
not edit these for any other banks/presets if you have already done so.
Press/hold the①PS-1 switch(FS, function select) to edit the 1st Control Change
until the LP.1 is shown on the display if you are already in the Edit Mode.
Press the②PS-2 switch(CH, channel) to set a 1st Control Change channel. The
display will show the current 1st Control Change channel.
Press/hold the③BANK UP or BANK DOWN switches to select a channel from 1
through 16.
Press the④PS-2 switch to store a new 1st Control Change channel in memory.
The display will show str(store) for a moment.
Press the⑤PS-3 switch(NUM, number) to set 1st controller number. The display
will show the current 1st Controller number.
Press/hold the⑥BANK UP or BANK DOWN switches to select a 1st controller
number from 000. through 127. or not..
Press the⑦PS-3 switch to store a new 1st controller number in memory.
The display will show str(store) for a moment.
The EFX MkIII has an additional reverse function which reverse the control value.⑧
Press the PS-4 switch(TGL, toggle) to reverse 1st control value. The display will
show the current 1st control value mode.

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 9
The table below shows the control value of the normal and reverse mode.
Loop turns on Loop turns off
nor (normal) 127 (0x7F) 0 (0x00)
rEv (reverse) 0 (0x00) 127 (0x7F)
The table below shows the contact of the Function Switch.
Contact
nor (normal) Normally - Open
rEv (reverse) Normally - Closed
Press the⑨BANK UP switch to toggle between normal and reverse. The display
will show:
Press the⑩PS-4 switch to store the reverse function in memory. The display will
show str(store) for a moment.
Follow the same procedure ~ to set from 2st MIDI Control Change through 12st MIDI Control Change.⑪①⑩
Note
*Thenot. means no Control Change is transmitted.
*Thenor means normal and the rEv means reverse.
* The corresponding loop is always turned off when you set a controller number from 000. through 127.
* The last decimal point on the display means that the display shows a Program Change number or controller
number.
* For initial default Control Change channels and controller numbers setting are refer to page 12.
3.3.3 Editng XPDL Port
The EFX Mk III contains a XPDL port for expression pedal input or external foot switch input. This can be
used to alter parameters(via MIDI) in effects device that offer this capability.
The MIDI Control Change Value is transmitted corresponding to the position of expression pedal or external
foot switch.
Any passive volume or expression pedal can be used. Recommended expression pedals are Boss FV500L/H
and FV300L/H, external foot switches are Boss FS-5U and FS-5L.
*TheEPL or ESW channel and number are global (the same for all banks/presets). you need not edit these
for any other banks/presets if you have already done so.
Press/hold the①FS-1 switch(FS, function select) to edit the
EPL or ESW for the XPDL port until the EPL or ESW is
shown on the display if you are already in the Edit Mode.
The display shows the EPL(Expression Pedal) when the
expression pedal is connect to the XPDL jack.
Otherwise, The display shows the ESW(External Foot Switch) when the external foot switch is connected

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 10
or a plug is not connected to the XPDL jack.
Press the②PS-2 switch(CH, channel) to set a EPL or ESW channel. The display
will show the EPL or ESW channel.
Press/hold the③BANK UP or BANK DOWN switches to select a channel from 1
through 16.
Press the④PS-2 switch to store a new channel in memory. The display will show
str(store) for a moment.
Press the⑤PS-3 switch(NUM, number) to set a EPL or ESW controller number.
The display will show the current EPL or ESW controller number.
Press/hold the⑥BANK UP or BANK DOWN switches to select a EPL or ESW
controller number from 000. through 127. or not..
Press the⑦PS-3 switch to store a new EPL or ESW controller number in memory.
The display will show str(store) for a moment.
The EFX MkIII has an additional reverse function which reverse the control value.⑧
Press the PS-4 switch(TGL, toggle) to reverse a EPL or ESW control value. The
display will show the current EPL or ESW control value mode.
The table below shows the control value of the normal and reverse mode.
Expression Pedal (EPL)External Foot switch (ESW)
Normal Reverse Normal Reverse
Minimum Position 0(0x00) 127 (0x7F) Open 0 (0x00) 127 (0x7F)
⋮⋮⋮Closed 127 (0x7F) 0 (0x00)
Maxnimum Position 127 (0x7F) 0(0x00)
Press the⑨BANK UP switch to toggle between normal and reverse. The display
will show:
Press the⑩PS-4 switch to store the reverse function in memory. The display will
show str(store) for a moment.
Cable Wiring for Expression Pedal
The cable required is a stereo (TRS) to two mono 1/4" phone plugs. Connect the tip(stereo plug) to the pedal
input, ring to the pedal output and sleeve to ground on all 3 plugs.

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 11
Cable Wiring for External Foot Switch
The cable required is a mono (TS) to a mono(TS) 1/4" phone plugs.
Note
*Thenot. means no Control Change is transmitted.
* The last decimal point on the display means that the display shows a Program Change number or controller
number.
* For initial default Control Change channels and controller numbers setting are refer to page 12.
* Connect a expression pedal or a external foot switch to the XPDL jack before the power applies to EFX
MkIII Audio Controller.
3.3.4 Popping Noise Reduction Control
Ths EFX MkIII Audio Controller is based on relay switching. This method is utilized to route the audio signal
with absolutely no tone coloration or degradation. But the disadvantage of relays is that they can produce a
slight popping noise when they switch on/off. The 10-stage popping noise reduction control is excellent for
reducing this popping noise by muting time control of audio signal and switching order when the relays switch
on/off.
* The popping noise reduction control is global (the same for all banks/presets). you need not edit this for
any other banks/presets if you have already done so.
Press/hold the①PS-1 switch(FS, function select) to set the popping noise reduction
control until the Pr.4 is shown on the display if you are already in the Edit Mode.
Press/hold the②BANK UP switch to set a popping noise reduction control from
Pr.0 through Pr.9.
It will automatically be stored in memory when you return to Preset Mode.
Pr0 means the popping noise reduction control is not used.
⋮
Pr9 means the maximum of the popping noise reduction control.
Note
* The initial default setting is Pr.4.

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 12
4. Power Requirements
The EFX Mk-II Audio Controller requires regulated 12VDC or 9VAC at approximately 240mA. The power jack
is a standard 5.5mm/2.1mm barrel.
Also, the EFX MkIII can be powered from outputs 5 or 6 of the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus. You must
set the corresponding DIP switch away from the normal position.
5. Initial Default Setting
The initial default setting for the EFX Mk II Audio Controller may be reset with the
following procedure. This procedure will erase all user data from the EEPROM
memory. Apply power while holding the MODE and PS-1 switches down. The display
will show:
The L1~L8 LEDs will turn on, at which point the two switches can be released.
When the initial default setting is successful, the EFX Mk II Audio Controller will automatically restart.
Initial Default MIDI Setting
Bank . Preset PC1 PC2 PC3 PC4 PC5 CCs
CH NUM CH NUM CH NUM CH NUM CH NUM CH NUM
Global
1
not
2
not
3
not
4
not
5
not
1 not
1 . 1 1 not not not not
1 . 2 2 not not not not
1 . 3 3 not not not not
1 . 4 4 not not not not
⋮ ⋮⋮⋮⋮⋮
32 . 3 127 not not not not
32 . 4 128 not not not not
33 . 1 not not not not not
33 . 2 not not not not not
⋮ ⋮⋮⋮⋮⋮
60 . 4 not not not not not

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 13
6. Block Diagram

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 14
7. System Example
* Basic system
* Input switched between two guitars

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 15
* System with output switchable to either of two amplifiers used
* System with output switchable to either or both of two amplifiers used

EFX MkIII Audio Controller User Manual 16
* Chorus / Delay patch change via MIDI PCs
* Rack system with Mixer