Warwick RockBoard MOD 7 User manual

Manual for
RockBoard® MOD 7
All-in-One USB Audio Interface Patchbay for Pedalboards

Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 3
Precautions ................................................................................................................... 3
Power Supply............................................................................................................. 3
Connections .............................................................................................................. 3
Cleaning ................................................................................................................... 3
Handling................................................................................................................... 3
Risk of Electric Shock................................................................................................... 3
FCC Certication......................................................................................................... 4
Main Features ................................................................................................................ 4
Mounting...................................................................................................................... 5
Mounting on a RockBoard® pedalboard .......................................................................... 5
Detaching the MOD 7’s front plat ................................................................................... 6
Mounting on a non-RockBoard® pedalboard .................................................................... 7
Setup & Operation.......................................................................................................... 8
Setup Example........................................................................................................... 8
Thru-Connections....................................................................................................... 8
Balanced XLR / Active DI Box......................................................................................... 8
Unbalanced TS Outputs (UNBAL OUT 1/2)........................................................................ 9
Bypass Function ......................................................................................................... 9
Footswitchable Bypass and Mute Functions ..................................................................... 9
Specications ................................................................................................................ 9

- 3 -
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a RockBoard® MOD 7 - the new gateway and USB audio interface for your eects setup!
The RockBoard® MOD 7 USB Audio Interface Patchbay oers an easy-to-use audio interface without any special
driver or software requirements. In addition, the MOD 7 also acts as an active DI box and oers a simple solution
to organize all connections to and from your eects setup. Whether you are using a RockBoard® or any other
brand pedalboard - the MOD 7 will open your rig to the digital realm of sound processing and recording. The USB
audio interface allows you to connect your eects setup to a PC or MAC to process your signal using digital audio
software plug-ins or to record your playing. In addition, you can send your processed signal back through the MOD 7’s
balanced DI output for going directly into the FOH mixer while the two unbalanced outputs can be used for mon-
itoring or to send the signal into an amplier. If you don’t have your DAW with you that’s no problem either - just
put the MOD 7 in bypass mode and use UNBAL OUT 1 to drive your amp without using the interface section of
the MOD 7. The patchbay module is designed to route connections from underneath your pedalboard to its front,
giving you a central access point and tidying up your connections.
Precautions
Power Supply
The RockBoard® MOD 7 is powered via USB. Please connect the unit to a suitable device’s USB port using an
optional USB Type B connection cable. Unplug the unit when not in use or during electrical storms.
Connections
Always turn o the power to all other equipment before connecting or disconnecting. This will help to prevent
malfunction and damage to any of the devices used.
Cleaning
Clean only with a soft, dry cloth.
Handling
Do not apply excessive force to the switches or controls. Do not let paper, metal, dirt or other objects come into
contact with the device or its connections. Take care not to drop the device and do not subject it to shock or excessive
pressure. To avoid deformation, discoloration, or other serious damage, do not expose this unit to any of the
following conditions:
• Direct sunlight
• Strong magnetic elds
• Excessively dusty or dirty environments
• Strong vibration or shock
• Heat sources
• Extreme temperature
• High humidity or moisture
Risk of Electric Shock
To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not remove the screws. The RockBoard® MOD 7 has no user-serviceable
parts inside. Only allow qualied service personnel to service. Do not expose the units to rain or moisture.
FCC Certication
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

USB TYPE B
INPUT / OUTPUT
6.3 mm / /" TRS THRU BYPASS
SWITCH
6.3 mm / /" TS
UNBALANCED
MONO OUTPUT
XLR BALANCED
ACTIVE DI OUTPUT
6.3 mm / /" TRS THRU
XLR / 6.3 mm / /"
TRS COMBO INPUT
BYPASS/MUTE
FOOTSWITCH
INPUT
- 4 -
Main Features
• All-in-One USB Audio Interface Patchbay for Pedalboards
• Compatible with PC & MAC
• Recording and digital signal processing via DAW plug-ins
• No drivers or special software required
• Output via USB Type B, 2x unbalanced 6.3 mm / 1/4” (TS) jack, 1x balanced XLR
• Integrated active DI box
• Integrated bypass function for use without USB connection
• Footswitchable bypass and mute functions (footswitch not included)
Vorderseite
Rückseite

- 5 -
Mounting
There are multiple options to mount your new MOD 7 onto a RockBoard® pedalboard. You can mount it directly
into the MOD slot (available on all RockBoard® pedalboards except the DUO Series) or detach the MOD’s front
plate and mount it on top or underneath your pedal board.
Mounting on a RockBoard® pedalboard
Please follow the steps below to mount your MOD 7 into the MOD slot of your RockBoard® pedalboard.
STEP 1
Remove the rubber frame of your RockBoard®’s MOD slot.
STEP 2
Turn the RockBoard® pedalboard upside down.
STEP 3
MOD mounting screws are self-tapping, they will cut their own threads into the pre-drilled mount-
ing holes in the RockBoard®’s front. Use a TX10 screwdriver to screw the mounting screws in and
cut the threads. In case you do not possess a TX10 screwdriver, a wrench is included with the MOD.
For the rst couple of rotations, the screws will be dicult to turn, as they have to cut the threads
into the surrounding material. Please be careful not to screw them in at an angle.
STEP 4
Once the tips of the screws are sticking out on the other side of the holes and the screws become
easier to turn, the threads have been cut properly. Now remove the screws again.
STEP 5
Next, load your chosen MOD from the front into the slot and screw in the mounting screws until the
MOD’s front plate sits ush with the face of the board.
STEP 6
For added security, screw on the counter nut on the back. Now the MOD is ready to be connected
to your setup!
A simple solution to mount heavier MOD patchbays to your RockBoard® pedalboard in a safe
and secure fashion is the RockBoard® MOD Brace (sold separately). The RockBoard® MOD Brace
is designed to provide additional support for your MOD by reinforcing the connection to your
RockBoard® pedalboard. For further information, please visit our website www.rockboard.net

- 6 -
Detaching the MOD 7’s front plate
To mount the RockBoard® MOD 7 - All-in-One USB Audio Interface Patchbay for Pedalboards on top or underneath
your pedalboard, you must detach the front plate, so it will t ush onto/under the board surface.
Remove the screws as indicated below to release the front plate from your MOD using a PH2 Phillips head screw
driver. The mounting nuts of the jack sockets do not have to be removed!

- 7 -
Mounting on a non-RockBoard® pedalboard
There are multiple ways to mount your MOD 7 on a non-RockBoard® pedalboard. You can either mount it directly
to the board surface using hook & loop tape or another reusable fastener. In addition, RockBoard® oers the MOD
Rack (sold separately) to mount your MOD 7 in various ways onto, into or underneath the pedalboards of other
manufacturers. To mount your MOD 7 using the RockBoard® MOD Rack, please refer to the MOD RACK manual.
Please follow the steps below to mount your MOD 7 on top of your non-RockBoard® pedalboard.
STEP 1
Detach the MOD’s front plate by removing the screws as mentioned above.
STEP 2
Apply self-adhesive hook tape or another reusable fastener to the bottom of the MOD 7 housing.
STEP 3
Apply self-adhesive loop tape or another reusable fastener to the position on top or underneath
your pedalboard where you want to place your MOD 7.
STEP 4
Bring the two sides of hook & loop tape or your other reusable fastener together to attach your
MOD 4 to the pedalboard. Now the MOD 7 is ready to be connected to your setup!

BYPASS / MUTE
FOOTSWITCH
FTSW
IN
D
C
B
A
AMP FOOTSWITCH
OD DLY
MOD RV
RETURNIN FTSW INSEND
FOH MIXER
MONITORS
PC / DAW / MAC
OR
- 8 -
Setup & Operation
Setup Example
Thru-Connections
The RockBoard® MOD 7 - All-in-One USB Audio Interface Patchbay for Pedalboards is designed to act as central
access point to your eects setup. The A, B, C, and D TRS sockets are wired thru-connections from the front of the
MOD 7 to the corresponding sockets on the back. This allows you to connect your pedals permanently underneath
the board, so you only have to connect cables to and from the front of the board, instead of having to route under-
neath it when setting it up for a gig.
All four thru-connections can be used in either direction and for control as well as mono or stereo audio signals.
There are many dierent setup possibilities for the A, B, C, and D sockets. Please nd an example of the 4-cable
setup under the Setup Example section. Many other ways of using the A, B, C, and D sockets are possible,
depending on your eects rig. Feel free to experiment, in accordance with the specications and intended use of
other equipment you use with the MOD 7.
Balanced XLR / Active DI Box
The MOD 7 audio interface section features a balanced XLR / active DI output, which is powered by the USB
connection. To use the active DI output, follow the quick start instructions:
• Connect the USB port of the MOD 7 to the USB port of your PC / MAC to power the unit.
• Connect your instrument or last eects pedal in your signal chain to the IN socket on the back of the MOD 7.
• Connect the BAL OUT to the FOH mixer or other suitable equipment. Be sure to deactivate phantom power
on the channel where the MOD 7 is connected! The MOD 7 will not work via phantom power.
• Start playing!
Note: The BAL OUT active DI output only works when the unit is powered via USB. When the unit is not powered or in
bypass mode, the BAL OUT and the UNBAL OUT 2 will not output any signal, because the active signal buer, which
distributes the signal to the outputs and protects it from signal loss, requires current. UNBAL OUT 1 can still be used in
passive operation or bypass mode.

- 9 -
Unbalanced TS Outputs (UNBAL OUT 1/2)
The unbalanced connections UNBAL OUT 1 and UNBAL OUT 2 of the MOD 7 can be used to operate studio
monitors and other active loudspeakers or to send the signal to an amplier. Please note that UNBAL OUT 1 sends
an output signal without a power supply, as well as in bypass mode.
Bypass Function
In order to be able to use the RockBoard® MOD 7 in passive operation even without a power connection, the
patchbay has a passive bypass mode that can be activated either via the BYPASS switch on the front, or via a
latching footswitch. Bypass mode bypasses the active signal splitter and directs the signal from the XLR / 6.3 mm /
/" (TRS) combo input on the back directly to the UNBAL OUT 1 socket on the front.
Footswitchable Bypass and Mute Functions
For a quick and easy access to the bypass and mute functions, the MOD 7 requires a latching double footswitch
with TRS connection. Tip is connected to the mute function, ring is connected to the bypass function, sleeve is
connected to ground. When using a footswitch, the setting of the BYPASS switch on the front panel will be overridden.
Specications
• All-in-One USB Audio Interface Patchbay for Pedalboards
• A/D converter dynamic range: 89 dB
• D/A converter dynamic range: 93 dB
• Supported sampling rates: 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.01% (measured with min. gain)
• Signal to noise ratio: 89 dB
• Frequency range: 50 Hz - 20 kHz (+/- 0.05 dB)
• Fits MOD slots on RockBoard® pedalboards
• Compatible with a wide variety of other pedalboards
• Holds all connections to and from your setup in one place
• Acts as central access point to your eects setup
• Establishes clean cable paths
• Detachable front plate for mounting on top or underneath pedalboards
• Includes mounting screws and counter nuts
• Power supply via USB (5V DC)
• Current draw 200 mA
• Dimensions (L x W x H):
175 x 85 x 47 mm / 6 /" x 3 /" x 3 /" (with front plate)
160 x 85 x 33 mm / 6 /" x 3 /" x 1 /" (without front plate)
• Weight:
470 g / 1.04 lbs
• Connections:
4x 6.3 mm / /" stereo thru (TRS)
1x XLR / 6.3 mm / /" (TRS) combo input
1x USB Type B input / output
2x 6.3 mm / /" (TS) unbalanced output
1x XLR balanced output
1x 6.3 mm / /" (TRS) footswitch input
Hinweis: Der Hersteller behält sich das Recht vor, die techn. Daten ohne Vorankündigung zu ändern.

USA DISTRIBUTION: Framus & Warwick Music USA, Inc. | [email protected] | 629.202.6790
CHINESE DISTRIBUTION: Warwick Music Equipment Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. | [e-mail] | [phone]
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Headquarters: Warwick GmbH & Co. Music Equipment KG | 08258 Markneukirchen / Germany | [phone] / 555 - 0
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