Pioneer has launched an all-new effects box. Designed from a DJ-perspective and with the feel of an instrument, the EFX-500 is guaranteed to make your mixes more dynamic. With a comprehensive range of beat effects, a powerful three-band isolator and even Midi compatibility, the EFX-500 will allow you to scare your crowd with a succession of weird and wonderful sounds. The Midi sends out a syncs-pulse, equal to the measures (tempo) of the playing music.

From early 2005 the traditional EFX-500 will also be available as special edition in a firing red dark metalic finish. A very few units (200pc) are made with a transparent casing, those models are very rare and you might not see one your entire life.

---

Press on one of the AUTO BEAT EFFECT button (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1/1, 2/1, 4/1) to produce live effects, DELAY, ECHO, AUTO PAN, AUTO FLANGER and AUTO TRANSFORMER, in linkage with beat set in advance. This machine, with free selection of 3 bands (HI, MID, LOW), enables a wider range of performances than conventional effectors. Turn the DEPTH and MIX knobs to change the depth of effects and the balance of the original sounds and effect sounds, respectively. In addition, normal effects, not linked with BPM, are possible. You can set the beat by various methods such as AUTO, TAP, msec, BPM and MIDI BEAT. So there is no need for any restrictions in music choise.

The EFX-500 is equipped with "Digital Jog Break" for producing new digital sounds on the spot. A turn of the JOG DIAL controls 5 effects, JET, ZIP, WAH, RING MODULATION, and FUZZ. In combination with the DEPTH and MIX knobs you lift yourself in the extreme.

The 3-band Equalizer, the Beat-Effects and the Jog-Effect all work with the same type of switch to turn it constantly on or give it just a short flash of effects. The switch at the Momentary position returns to OFF when you takes your finger off the lever, allowing smooth ON-OFF changeover of effects. Also very nice to use to lift out a certain passage in the music. When turned on, only on the 'snare' in the music gives it a great punch. It's also fun to use it while flashing the switch in the rhythm or instrument line in the track. When the switch is at the LOCK ON position, it is continuesly switched ON.

---

Pioneer EFX-500 SW

After a few year in oktober 2000, Pioneer has released a very limited number of EFX-500's to the market that had a special color cover: Semi Transparent (or Snow White). Only 200 pieces are made so whenever you see one being used, you've just experienced a very rare situation.

Because of the limited number of pieces made and a long time since they've been release the chance of you ever finding one in a store are very slim.

---

3-BAND EQUALIZER
The high quality separate 3-BAND EQUALIZER (HI, MID. LOW) cuts sounds up to -oo dB (infinit) and completely silences the sound of instruments in each band. These bands can be controlled individually becasue they all have their own control knob.


BEAT EFFECT SECTION

AUTO BPM COUNTER
This counter automatically measures the BPM (Beats Per Minute) of music and turns it into digital indication. You can digitally confirm the BPM of input music sources.

TAP BUTTON
You can set BPM instantly by tapping the button with your finger. Press the button twice to input the tempo as desired.

The DEPTH knob
Can be used to freely set the strength and depth of effects as well as the balance of the original sounds and effect sounds. You can enjoy a variety of DJ performances with an instrument-feel.

• DELAY
  You can set DELAY sounds at any tempo. A delay is a rehearsel of the original signal with a lower volume. Dependend on the DEPTH knob the fade away goes fast or last for a long time. There is always a difference in volume between the original signal and the rehearsed sound. and this is internaly mixed to the original sound after the effects module so there is no feedback ofthe rehearsed sound.
  
  
• ECHO
  You can set ECHO sounds at any tempo. ECHO is in many ways identical to DELAY, but differs in the way it is internally mixed. ECHO is mixed to the signal before the effects module. When opening the DEPTH knob to the max, there is a continious loop of sounds, even when the EFFECT LEVER is in the OFF position. The only way to exit this loop is to close the DEPTH know. Then the sound will rehearse one more time and then dies.
  
  
• AUTO PAN
  You can automatically swing sounds to the right and left in any tempo.
  
  
• AUTO FLANGER
  This produces a sound effect like when a jet plane ascends and descends periodically. The DEPTH knob can be used to change the strength of the waves. The wave behaves depedant the value in wich the TEMPO is set.
  
  
• AUTO TRANSFORMER
  This cuts sounds periodically like the transform switch on most mixers, but then so fast you can never turn that switch. Also you can quickly change from a tranform on the beat, or setting it twice that speed.
  
  
  

JOG EFFECT SECTION

HOLD FUNCTION
With the function on, the present state can be maintained if you stop turning the JOG DIAL. With the function off, it returns gradually to the state of the original sounds. I basicly always put this function ON because it takes to long for the EFX-500 to return to the official position, I prefer to control this manualy.

JOG DIAL MEMORY FUNCTION
This is a new function to memorize and reproduce the motion of the JOG DIAL. When you turn the JOG DIAL and simultaneously press the MEMORY button, the motion of the JOG DIAL is memorized for as long as 8 seconds. While pressing the PLAY button, you can replay the memorized action in all the 5 effects as many times as you want.

• JOG BREAK METER
  This optically indicates the motion of the JOG DIAL and the change of sounds, allowing you to visually confirm the motion.
  
  
• JET
  This is a function to add SHORT DELAY. Turn of the JOG DIAL creates wave sounds, with the FLANGER effect made by using 2 analogue turntables or a delay at 1-12ms.
  
  
• ZIP
  The JOG DIAL can be used to change the pitch of reproduced sounds without changing the tempo. Lowering of the pitch produces sounds resembling those made by slowing an analogue turntable. With the DEPTH knob you can control the mix between the original signal and the ZIP-ed signal.
  
  
• WAH
  This is a function to change cut-off frequency. Turn of the JOG DIAL makes the sound of a certain instrument strong or weak. It feels like the sound is moving.
  
  
• RING MODULATION
  Modulation of sounds produces a tone like the ring of a bell, providing effects such as a cosmic sound or a robot voice. Be careful because this effect is very noticible in the music, turn the DEPTH knob half as high open as you would do with a DELAYor ECHO.
  
  
• FUZZ
  This is a distortion effect on sounds. The JOG DIAL changes the distorted band. With this effect you even have to be more careful than the ring. Because of the very distorted sound wich is much louder than any other effect in the EFX-500 you might consider to open the DEPTH knob only for 10% for the best use with this effect.
  

The EFFECT MONITOR SYSTEM
Monitors each of BEAT EFFECT, DIGITAL JOG BREAK, and master sounds. The volume & meter controls input/effect output levels. The auto-lighting, button indicates Rear Panel the setting of each effect. The compact size makes this machine portable.


OTHER FUNCTIONS
The EFX-500 is equipped with MIDI IN/OUT terminals for controlling the CLOCK signal of MIDI instruments. The BPM of input analogue sound signal is measured automatically, converted to MIDI-CLOCK signal, and output so that the beats of connected MIDI instruments can be synchronized.

---