Voodoo Lab PX-8 PLUS User manual

PX-8 PLUS
PEDAL SWITCHING SYSTEM
User’s Manual
voodoolab.com

Copyright ©2015-2017 by Digital Music Corporation.
This publication is protected by copyright and all rights are reserved.
Voodoo Lab, Pedal Power, Ground Control and Dingbat are trademarks of Digital Music Corp.
rev 0.9 5/2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS
OVERVIEW 3
DESCRIPTION 3
Top Panel
Rear Panel
CONNECTIONS 4
Power
Audio Loops
MIDI
OPERATION 5
Preset Method
Loop Strip Method
Using Ground Control Pro
SETUP 7
Select Preset or Loop Strip Method
Quiet Switching
MIDI > Enable Message Types
MIDI > Set Channel
MIDI > Control Change Number
Factory Reset
WARRANTY 11

3
OVERVIEW
The Voodoo Lab PX-8+ is a programmable 8-loop audio switcher that provides total
control over guitar pedalboards. It's basic function as an exceptional quality true-bypass
loop strip removes all unused cabling and connections from the signal path for
noticeably improved tone and dynamics.
Simple and intuitive programming allows guitarists to create 36 preset combinations of
effects for instant one-button recall. Each PX-8+ preset also sends a MIDI command to
select programs on MIDI-capable effects, like digital delay and reverb. Adding the
Voodoo Lab Control Switcher gives you control of amp functions, like channel switching,
boost, EQ and more, to create a complete automation solution for most live rigs.
PX-8+ is also available integrated with Voodoo Lab's innovative and patent pending
Dingbat PX Pedalboards. The unique mounting of these pedalboards puts PX-8+ and all
its cabling underneath, leaving the valuable top surface area clear for more pedals.
The world leader in power and switching for guitar rigs, Voodoo Lab has produced
electronics for professional musicians since 1986. All Voodoo Lab products are
designed and manufactured to the highest standards in Santa Rosa, California.
DESCRIPTION
Top Panel
IA: Select between Preset and Instant Access modes.
SAVE: Press and hold to save preset.
Preset mode only (All LEDs green):
BANK and :Select banks 1-9.
A, B, C, D: Recall presets.
Instant Access mode only (All LEDs red):
BANK and :Sets instant access bank to Low (loops 1-4) or High (loops 5-8).
A, B, C, D: Toggle loops on and off.

4
Rear Panel
INPUT: Input to loop 1.
LOOP 1–8 SEND: Connect to pedal effect inputs.
LOOP 1–8 RETURN: Connect from pedal effect outputs.
INSERT SEND: Optional output from loop 6. Plugging into this jack breaks the internal
connection between loops 6 and 7.
INSERT RETURN: Optional input to loop 7. Plugging into this jack breaks the internal
connection between loops 6 and 7.
OUTPUT: Main output from loop 8.
POWER: Requires 9VDC at 100mA or more.
MIDI IN: Receives MIDI commands to recall presets or turn loops on/off. Also provides
phantom power for Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro foot controller.
MIDI OUT: Sends MIDI program change command with each preset. Also echoes
commands received from MIDI IN.
CONNECTIONS
Power
Connect the PX-8+ power jack to any 9VDC output of a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power,
using a standard barrel cable.
Most 9V power supplies intended for battery operated pedals are also acceptable. PX8+
requires 9VDC at 100mA (minimum) to a standard 5.5x2.1mm center negative barrel
connector. This is the same power requirement as most pedal effects.
Audio Loops
PX8+ has 8 true-bypass audio loops. When a loop is off, the guitar signal is routed
directly to the next loop, passing only through gold contacts sealed in nitrogen gas. This
bypasses all unused cable and connections to preserve the best possible tone.
All loops are internally wired in series. This means the OUT of loop 1 goes to the IN of
loop 2; the OUT of loop 2 goes to the IN of loop 3, and so on. There is also an insert

5
point where you can break the chain between loops 6 and 7. INSERT SEND connects
to the output of loop 6. INSERT RETURN provides access to the input of loop 7.
For each PX-8+ loop, connect a patch cable from the loop SEND to your effect pedal’s
input. Connect another cable from your pedal’s output back to the loop RETURN.
Normal signal routing is to patch your guitar to the PX-8+ INPUT, and from OUTPUT to
your amplifier.
MIDI
PX8+ will respond to MIDI commands to recall preset combinations of all 8 loops, or to
turn individual loops on and off. You can use any device capable of sending MIDI
program change or control change messages.
Connect a standard 5-pin MIDI cable from your controller’s MIDI out to PX8+ MIDI IN. If
you have additional MIDI devices, connect another MIDI cable from PX8+ MIDI OUT to
the MIDI in of your next device.
OPERATION
The most common way to use PX-8+ is the Preset Method. This is the factory default
setting. This method provides 36 preset effect combinations, plus an instant access
mode to turn individual effects on and off.
Alternately, you can use the Loop Strip Method. This allows PX-8+ to operate as a
simple true bypass loop strip. Buttons 1-8 directly toggle loops 1-8 on and off.
Refer to SETUP: Select Preset or Loop Strip Method (page 7) to change selection.
Preset Method
This method of operation includes two modes, Instant Access mode and Preset mode.
Instant Access mode allows you to directly toggle individual loops on and off. Preset
mode lets you recall preset effect combinations.
There are 36 user defined presets. They are organized in banks 1-9, with 4 presets in
each bank. For each preset, you choose which effects are enabled.
Mode select
Use the IA button to select between Instant Access and Preset modes. The IA button's
LED will glow red to show that you're in Instant Access mode. It will turn green to
indicate Preset mode. All other illuminated LEDs will match the IA button red/green
color, so that you can tell at a glance which mode is selected.

6
Instant Access mode
Use the bank buttons to select Low (1-4) or High (5-8). When the display shows L, then
buttons A, B, C, D will control loops 1-4. Pressing either bank button changes the
display to H, now buttons A, B, C, D will control loops 5-8.
Save preset
To save the currently active loops as a preset:
1. Press and hold the SAVE button until LEDs blink.
2. Select the bank using and buttons.
3. Press the desired preset location, button A, B, C or D, to save the preset.
At any time you can cancel the save operation by pressing the SAVE button again.
Recall preset
To recall a preset, select the bank using and buttons. Pressing A, B, C or D will
recall the preset. The selected preset LED will briefly turn green, then LEDs 1-8 will light
red to show which loops have been activated for that preset. Once you release the
button, only the green LED corresponding to the selected preset will remain on.
Reveal
Once you have selected a preset, you can reveal which loops are active by pressing the
currently selected preset button A-D. While the button is held down, LEDs 1-8 will light
red to show which loops are currently active.
Loop Strip Method
With this method of operation, PX-8+ functions exactly like a simple true-bypass loop
strip. Buttons 1-8 will toggle loops 1-8 on and off. When a loop is switched off, the signal
is hardwired to the next loop with absolutely no tone degradation.
Presets using MIDI
Using the Loop Strip method, you can also save and recall 128 preset loop
combinations. You will need a separate MIDI controller or effect pedal capable of
sending MIDI program change messages.
To use this feature, see SETUP: MIDI > Enable Message Types (page 8) and enable
program change. This allows PX-8+ to respond to MIDI program change messages on
channel 1 (default).
Follow these steps to create and save a preset loop combination:
1. Send a MIDI program change message to PX-8+.
2. Use PX-8+ buttons 1-8 to set loops on or off for your preset.
3. Press buttons 1 and 8 at the same time to save. All LEDs will flash to confirm.
Sending the same MIDI program change message to PX-8+ will recall your preset.

7
Using Ground Control Pro
When connected via MIDI to the Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro, PX-8+ will function
exactly like the Voodoo Lab GCX Guitar Audio Switcher. You will create presets and
control the loops from the Ground Control Pro. You can also directly toggle loops using
buttons 1-8 on PX-8+.
Setup for Ground Control Pro
Select Loop Strip method as shown in SETUP: Select Preset or Loop Strip Method.
Both PC and CC must be disabled in SETUP: MIDI > Enable Message Types (page 8).
This is the factory default setting.
SETUP
Select Preset or Loop Strip Method
There are two different operation methods for PX-8+. Preset Method allows you to
directly control loops, as well as create and recall 36 preset combinations of loops.
Using Loop Strip Method, buttons 1-8 simply toggle loops 1-8 on/off.
To select operation method:
1) Apply power while holding down button #5. The LEDs will flash until you release the
button.
2) Use button #5 to select operation method. If LED #5 is GREEN, Preset Method is
selected. If the LED is RED, Loop Strip Method is selected.
3) Remove power when finished.
Quiet Switching
PX8 includes a number of unique features to make switching as quiet as possible. Even
so, the relays can still produce a small click in your audio path, especially when using
very high gain. To eliminate this click, PX8 will optionally disable the main output for a
few milliseconds while the loops are switching.
The Quiet Switching (QS) interval is extremely short so that you won’t hear any dropout.
You can select a slightly longer interval in case you still have some audible artifact. Or
you can choose not to use QS at all.
The default is to have QS enabled, with the short interval. To change this:
1) Apply power while holding down button #4. The LEDs will flash until you release the
button.

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2) Use buttons #1 and #2 to set QS function:
QS Enabled Interval LED #2 LED #1
No None OFF OFF
Yes Short OFF ON
Yes Long ON ON
3) Remove power when finished.
MIDI > Enable Message Types
You can select whether the PX8+ responds to MIDI Program Change (PC), Control
Change (CC), both message types, or none.
NOTE: When using with Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro, you must disable both PC
and CC.
The default is both PC and CC are disabled.
1) Apply power while holding down button #1. The LEDs will flash until you release the
button.
2) Press buttons #1 and #2 to select message types:
MIDI Message Type LED #2 LED #1
None* OFF OFF
PC only OFF ON
CC only ON OFF
Both PC and CC ON ON
*None is the correct setting for Voodoo Lab controllers only.
3) Remove power when finished.
MIDI > Set Channel
MIDI Program Change and Control Change messages include a channel number, 1-16.
PX8+ will only respond to messages received on its specified channel.
The default MIDI channel is 1.
NOTE: When PX8+ is being controlled by a Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro, the MIDI
channel setting is ignored.

9
1) Apply power while holding down button #2. The LEDs will flash until you release the
button.
2) Press buttons #1 through #4 to select the MIDI channel:
MIDI Channel LED #4 LED #3 LED #2 LED #1
1 OFF OFF OFF OFF
2 OFF OFF OFF ON
3 OFF OFF ON OFF
4 OFF OFF ON ON
5 OFF ON OFF OFF
6 OFF ON OFF ON
7 OFF ON ON OFF
8 OFF ON ON ON
9 ON OFF OFF OFF
10 ON OFF OFF ON
11 ON OFF ON OFF
12 ON OFF ON ON
13 ON ON OFF OFF
14 ON ON OFF ON
15 ON ON ON OFF
16 ON ON ON ON
3) Remove power when finished.
MIDI > Control Change Number
Each MIDI Control Change (CC) message includes a controller number, which specifies
which PX8+ loop to turn on or off. You can select from four different groups of CC
numbers.
The default group is CC numbers 80-87, which means that 80 controls loop #1, 81
controls loop #2, 82 controls loop #3, 83 controls loop #4, 84 controls loop #5, 85
controls loop #6, 86 controls loop #7, and 87 controls loop #8.
Here’s how you select which CC numbers the PX8+ will respond to:
1) Apply power while holding down button #3. The LEDs will flash until you release the
button.

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2) Press buttons #1 through #4 to select the number group:
CC Group LED #4 LED #3 LED #2 LED #1
80-87 OFF OFF OFF ON
88-95 OFF OFF ON OFF
64-71 OFF ON OFF OFF
56-63 ON OFF OFF OFF
3) Remove power when finished.
Factory Reset
You can restore the factory default settings and clear any saved presets.
1) Apply power while holding down both buttons #2 and #3. The LEDs will flash until
you release the buttons.
2) LED #1 will be on. Press button #1.
3) Press buttons #2 through #8 as each LED comes on.
4) The LEDs blink three times and then stay off when finished. Remove power.

11
WARRANTY
North America Only
Voodoo Lab warrants this product against any defects that are due to faulty material or
workmanship for a period of five years from the date of original retail purchase. This
warranty does not include damage to the product resulting from accident or misuse.
If the product should become defective within the warranty period, Voodoo Lab will
repair it or replace it free of charge, provided it is returned freight prepaid to Voodoo Lab
with a valid RMA (return material authorization) number. Return shipping will be paid by
Voodoo Lab within the U.S. only.
This warranty shall not apply to any goods that have been repaired or altered by anyone
other than the manufacturer. There are no warranties which extend beyond the terms
described herein.
Should you experience any difficulty with this Voodoo Lab product, contact us as
described below. If it is determined that the product must be returned to the factory for
repair, you will be issued an RMA and given shipping and packaging instructions.
Outside North America
Regions outside North America please contact your country’s distributor for warranty
information.
How to Reach Us
Mail: Voodoo Lab
3165 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 U.S.A.
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Forum: www.voodoolab.com/forum