DOD TEC4X Multi-Effects Processor User Guide

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the DOD Tec4X Multi-Effects Processor. The Tec4X is a newly redesigned unit offering enhanced tone, effects, and flexibility. It features 15 separate effects, including DOD's renowned GRUNGE™ distortion, lush chorusing, rich delays, reverbs, and unique effects like the Pixellator™ and Enveloped FX. A 3-band EQ provides comprehensive tone control for each preset. The unit comes with 30 factory presets and offers space for 30 user-created presets, empowering you to craft your signature sound. The Tec4X provides exceptional value, offering professional-grade features at an accessible price point.

Quick Start Guide

Connections and Power

The diagram illustrates the basic setup for the DOD TEC4X. A 1/4-inch cable connects a guitar to the TEC4's INPUT jack. Another 1/4-inch cable connects the TEC4's OUTPUT jack to an amplifier's input. The unit is powered by a DOD PS200R adapter connected to the DC IN jack.

Setup Steps

1. Input Connection: Insert a 1/4" cable from your guitar to the TEC4's input.
2. Output Connection: Insert a 1/4" cable from the TEC4's output to your amplifier's input.
3. Power: Connect the DOD PS200R adapter to the unit's DC IN jack.
4. Output Level: Set the Output knob to the 12 o'clock position.
5. Banks/Presets: Use the left three foot switches to select presets. The far-right foot switch cycles through banks.

Functions

Control Layout

This diagram labels the physical controls of the TEC4X. Numbered elements include: 1. Program and Bank Selector Foot switches, 2. Power Adapter Input (DC IN), 3. Volume/Wah/Sensitivity Control Input, 4. Effect Selector Buttons, 5. LED Display, 6. Store and User LEDs, 7. Store Button, 8. Up/Down Buttons, 9. Output Knob, 10. Clip LED, 11. Output Jack, and 12. Input Jack.

Control Details

1. Program and Bank Selector Foot switches: Access banks and programs.
2. Power Adapter Input: Connects the DOD PS200R power supply. Use only the specified adapter to avoid damage and warranty voidance.
3. Volume/Wah/Sensitivity Control Input: Connects an optional DOD VCC1 for real-time control of volume, wah, and auto wah sensitivity.
4. Effect Selector Buttons: Select or bypass individual effects.
5. LED Display: Shows current bank/program, effect status during editing, or tuned notes in tuner mode.
6. Store and User LEDs: Indicate if changes have been made (Store) or if the unit is in User or Factory banks (User).
7. Store Button: Saves custom programs to user memory locations.
8. Up/Down Buttons: Navigate through effects/settings (edit mode) or banks/presets (performance mode).
9. Output Knob: Adjusts the overall output level to the amplifier.
10. Clip LED: Illuminates when the digital section clips. Reduce Master Level to avoid clipping; occasional illumination with peak signals is acceptable.
11. Output Jack: Connects to amplifier input; also serves as a headphone output.
12. Input Jack: Connect your instrument here.

Program Management

Selecting Programs

Programs can be selected using the foot switches (1) or Up/Down buttons (8). The first three foot switches select programs, and the last selects banks. To select a specific bank, repeatedly press the bank foot switch until the desired bank number appears on the LED display (5). Then, use foot switches 1-3 to activate a program within that bank. User programs are accessible via the bank foot switch. Factory programs can be selected using the Up/Down buttons (8); they are duplicated in all User locations.

Editing Programs

To edit programs, press an Effect Selector button (4). The LED display (5) will show the selected effect number. Use the Up/Down buttons (8) to navigate through effects and their settings. The Store LED (6) will illuminate when changes are made. To save changes, press the Store Button (7). The LED display (5) will flash, prompting you to select a program number using the Up/Down buttons (8). Press the Store Button (7) again to save. The TEC4X offers 30 User program locations. Programs can also be copied to new locations by pressing the Store Button (7), selecting a new location with the Up/Down buttons (8), and pressing Store (7) again.

Bypassing

To bypass the current program, press the foot switch (1) corresponding to the active program. The LED display (5) will show "bp". Press any foot switch to exit bypass mode.

Tuner Activation

To activate the tuner, press and hold the foot switch (1) for approximately 2 seconds. The LED display (5) will show "tu". Pluck a string; the display will show the note being tuned. The second vertical row of Effect LEDs indicates tuning status: a lit green LED means the note is in tune, LEDs above indicate sharp, and LEDs below indicate flat.

Factory Reset

Caution: This procedure erases all User programs. To perform a factory reset, press and hold both the Compressor and Reverb Effect Selector buttons while powering up the TEC4. The display will read "rS", indicating the reset is complete.

FX Information

FX Description

• COMPRESSION: Levels peaks for improved sustain.
• DISTORTION: Amplifies signal to extreme degree, causing clipping.
• EQUALIZATION: Adjusts emphasis/de-emphasis of frequencies.
• NOISE GATE: Silences background noise when no signal is present.
• CHORUS: Short modulating delay creating a "shimmering" effect.
• FLANGE: Short modulating delay with signal regeneration for a "jet sounding" effect.
• PHASER: Splits signal, alters phase, and recombines for a phase-shifting effect.
• TREMOLO: Adjusts volume up/down with variable speed.
• RING MODULATOR: Mixes signal sum and difference with the original.
• PIXELLATOR: Degrades signal via undersampling and mixing.
• PITCH SHIFTER: Creates harmony by adding detuned or pitched versions of the signal.
• DETUNE: Creates a slightly delayed and detuned duplicate of the original signal.
• WAH: Manually sweeps a filter through the signal.
• AUTO WAH: Sweeps a filter based on picking attack strength.
• ENVELOPED FLANGE/PHASE: Filter sweep/speed controlled by picking dynamics.
• DELAY: Creates repeating echoes of the original signal.
• REVERB: Simulates acoustic space characteristics (room, hall, stadium).

Presets

Preset List

FX List Details

This section provides detailed parameters for each effect type.

Compression

Range: 1-3

• 1: Low
• 2: Medium
• 3: High

Distortion

Range: 1-15

• 1-5: Mystic Blues™ Overdrive, increasing gain.
• 6-10: Corrosion™ Metal distortion, increasing gain.
• 11-15: Grunge™ Distortion, increasing gain.

EQ

Range: -12 to 12

• EQ Low cut and boost
• EQ Mid cut and boost
• EQ High cut and boost

Noise Gate

Range: 1-15

• 1-9: Increase gate threshold and hysteresis.
• 10-12: Fast swell with increasing threshold and hysteresis.
• 13-15: Slow swell with increasing threshold and hysteresis.

Modulations

• C0-C9 (Chorus): Increasing speed, decreasing depth.
• F0-F9 (Flanger): 3 slow, 3 medium, 4 fast settings.
• P0-P9 (Phaser): 0-9 increasing speed.
• t0-t8 (Tremolo): Increasing speed.
• r0-r6 (Ring Modulator): Increasing ring.
• I0-I9 (Pixellator): 0-6 increasing pixellation, 7-9 random.
• S0-S9 (Pitch Shifter): 12 down x3, 5th down, 4th down, 3rd up, b3rd up, 4th up, 5th up, 12up.
• d0-d8 (Detune): 5 cents to 21 cents.
• H0-H2 (Wah): Ranges 1-3.
• A0-A2 (Auto Wah): Ranges 1-3.
• E0-E4 (Enveloped Flanger): Increasing depth.
• E5-E9 (Enveloped Phaser): Increasing speed.

Delay

Range: 01-99

• 01-59: Mono, 100ms to 500ms in 100ms steps, increasing feedback and delay mix.
• 60-99: Multi-Tap, 100ms to 500ms in 100ms steps, increasing feedback and delay mix.

Reverb

Range: 1-9

• 1-3: Room, 3 input levels.
• 4-6: Hall, 3 input levels.
• 7-9: Stadium, 3 input levels.

Master Level

Range: 0-99

Maintenance and Service

No user-serviceable parts are inside the TEC4X. Opening the chassis voids the warranty. Cleaning should involve keeping the unit clean and checking connectors/cables. For service or repair, contact an authorized DOD Electronics dealer.

Specifications

• INPUTS: 1/4" unbalanced
• INPUT IMPEDANCE: 500k
• OUTPUTS: 1/4" unbalanced
• MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL: +6dbu
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz to 16KHz
• SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO: 88db

Warranty Information

DOD warrants this product for one (1) year against defects in material and workmanship under normal use within the U.S. The warranty registration card must be mailed within ten days of purchase to validate the warranty. DOD Electronics liability is limited to repair or replacement of defective materials. The company is not responsible for consequential damages. Proof of purchase is the consumer's responsibility. DOD reserves the right to make design changes without obligation to previously manufactured products. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied.

Contact Information

DOD Electronics Corporation
8760 South Sandy Parkway
Sandy, Utah 84070

International Distribution
3 Overlook Drive Unit 4
Amherst, New Hampshire 03031
U.S.A.
FAX: (603) 672-4246

DOD is a Registered Trademark of DOD Electronics. © 1998 DOD Electronics Corporation. Printed In U.S.A. 8/98. Manufactured In The U.S.A. DOD 18-2285-A.

Safety Precautions

General Warnings

CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN. [!] ATTENTION: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. [!] These symbols warn of potential hazards. The lightning flash indicates dangerous voltages. The exclamation point indicates the need to refer to the owner's manual. Do not attempt to service the unit yourself; refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis voids the warranty. Avoid getting the unit wet. Shut off immediately if liquid spills and seek service. Disconnect during storms.

Electrical Safety

WARNING: FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

• WATER AND MOISTURE: Do not use near water. Prevent objects from falling into the enclosure and liquids from spilling through openings.
• POWER SOURCES: Connect only to the type of power supply described or marked on the appliance.
• GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION: Ensure grounding or polarization means are not defeated.
• POWER CORD PROTECTION: Route cords to prevent them from being walked on or pinched, especially at plugs and exit points.
• SERVICING: Do not attempt to service beyond operating instructions. Refer all other servicing to qualified personnel.
• FUSE RECEPTACLE: Replace fuses only with the same type and rating.

U.K. Mains Plug Warning

A cut-off mains plug is unsafe. Discard it properly. Never insert a damaged or cut plug into a 13 AMP power socket. Ensure the fuse cover is in place. Replacement fuses are 13 amps and must be ASTA approved to BS1362.

Electromagnetic Compatibility

Operation is subject to two conditions: 1. The device must not cause harmful interference. 2. The device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Use only shielded interconnecting cables. Avoid operation in significant electromagnetic fields.