User Guide www.nektartech.com www.nektartech.
Content Introduction 4 Box Content Pacer Features Minimum System Requirements Getting Started 4 4 4 5 Connection and Power Nektar DAW Integration Files for Pacer Pacer Functional Overview 5 5 6-7 Presets 8 Loading a Preset Using the Arrow Footswitches (C&D) Loading a Preset Using the [Preset] Footswitch (A) Using the Encoder to Load a Preset Loading a Specific Preset Using Any Assignable Footswitch Factory Preset List 8 8 8 8 9 Control Edit Selecting a Control for Programming Setup Steps Type Type
Dispose of product securely, avoiding exposure to food sources and ground water. Only use the product in accordance with the instructions. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
Introduction Thank you for buying the Nektar Pacer MIDI DAW footswitch controller. Originally Pacer was intended to be a DAW controller giving musician’s hands free control of their computer music environment. Enthusiasm got the better of us so we soon added a bunch of additional MIDI control functionality that enables control of MIDI preamps and effects whether in hardware or virtual plugin form. Add to that 4 relays which can switch any switch socket devices such as amp channels or reverb switching.
Connection and Power Pacer is USB class compliant. That means there is no driver to install - it just needs to be plugged in. Pacer uses the built-in USB MIDI driver class driver which is already part of your operating system on Windows and OS X. The first steps are simple: • Locate the included USB cable and plug one end into your computer and the other into the Pacer’s USB socket on the rear panel.
Pacer Functional Overview Preset Switch Press and hold for 2 seconds, then select a preset using the switches, by first selecting bank A/B/C/D followed by preset number 1-6. [Preset] is also the back button when navigating Pacer menus. Cable Tie Power On/Off Power supply socket (PSU optional) 9v 600mA, center negative, 2.1mm barrel connector. 6 Nektar Pacer User Guide In factory presets, assignments for these 4 swiches are A: Track prese preset, D: Load next preset.
et (for DAW control), B: Transport preset (for DAW control), C: Load previous o send any other function or MIDI message. Data Encoder/Push Select Turn Data Encoder to scroll through menus and options. Press the encoder cap to select. Switches 1-6 sockets 2/4 and 1/3 sockets allow connection nal footswitch pedals. Relay sockets 2/4 and 1/3 Assignable switches can be programmed to send MIDI messages, control one of the 4 relays or load presets.
Presets Pacer has a total of 24 user presets available in 4 banks A-D with 6 presets each. A preset contains configuration of the 10 foot switches (A-D and 1-6), 4 external foot switches and 2 expression pedal sockets. For each switch in a preset you can send up to 6 messages either when the switch is pressed or in a sequence of switch presses.
Factory Preset List Factory preset Pacer’s 24 factory presets have been designed with common functionality for assigned for switches A-D as per the below chart. A Load DAW Track Preset B Load DAW Transport Preset C D Load Previous Preset Load Next Preset The Transport and Track presets are only used with Nektar DAW Integration and are read only. If you don’t plan to use a DAW with Pacer, switch A & D can be assigned to send out MIDI messages or another function.
Control Edit The Control Edit menu is where control assignments for any of the 10 footswitches, 4 external footswitches and 2 expression pedal sockets are programmed. Selecting a Control for Programming • From the top default menu, move the Data Encoder until you see “CTRL“ in the display. This is the Control Edit menu. • Press the [Data Encoder] to select the menu. The LED of the [Preset] button will now blink • Press or move one of the controls. The control is now selected for programming.
Type Move the [Data Encoder] until you see „TYPE“ in the display. Type is the menu where you specify what kind of message or action the selected step will send or execute. • Press [Data Encoder] to select the menu. The type setting for the currently selected step is displayed in the display (for example CC TOG or PGBNK etc). • The selected step is illuminated red. Press any other switch illuminated white to select a different step.
Setting MIDI Channel for a Step MIDI messages, can be sent on any MIDI channel from 1 to 16 or on the global MIDI channel (value=0). • Move the [Data Encoder] until ”M CHA“ appears in the display. • Press the [Data Encoder]. • Move the [Data Encoder] to select a value from 1-16 or 0 (Global MIDI Channel) • Press the [Data Encoder] to accept the change. LED Color A selection of LED colors are available for each of the 10 switches (A-D and 1-6).
Relays - Connecting and Programming The 4 relays can be used to switch amp settings such as channel, reverb, tremolo or in fact any other function that requires a standard foot switch including act as a sustain pedal for a keyboard. Pacer has 2 TRS 1/4“ jack sockets which each connect to two relays. To get use of both relays on one socket you will need to connect a Y-splitter cable with one TRS 1/4“ jack at one end split to two TS 1/4“ jacks at the other end.
Save In the Save menu, the current settings for controls A-D, 1-6, FS1-4 and EXP1-2 can be stored to presets A1-D6. In addition, the “MIDI Configuration” menu enables up to 16 MIDI messages or relay settings to be stored with each preset and sent immediately, when the preset is recalled. That means that your entire rig can be configured immediately as you load a preset for a new set or song. Store • From the top level menu, move the [Data Encoder] until “Save” appear in the display.
Global The Global menu contains setting for the rear sockets and other functions that only needs to be changed occasionally. • From the top level menu, move the [Data Encoder] until “GLBL” is displayed. • Press the [Data Encoder] to select. Turning the [Data Encoder] scrolls through the Global menu options as described following. Global channel This sets a general MIDI channel for the device.
Panic It can happen that MIDI messages can get stuck with an on setting (it‘s mostly common with note messages) waiting for an off setting. Panic is used to send a reset instruction to connected MIDI devices. • Move the [Data Encoder] until you see “Panic”“ in the display. • Press the [Data Encoder] to select the menu. The reset is sent immediately and Pacer returns to the Global Menu.
Expression Pedal The default relay behavior can be set globally in this menu. • Move the [Data Encoder] until you see “EXPDL“ in the display and press the [Data Encoder] to select the menu. • Move the [Data Encoder] and choose either 1=Expression pedal 1 or 2=Expression pedal 2, and then press the [Data Encoder] to select. • The display now reads “MODE”. Move the [Data Encoder] to select on of the options listed in the below chart.
E_CTR, and Backup Using the Encoder as a MIDI Control The Data Encoder can be used as an extra MIDI Control. It‘s assignment is not stored as part of a preset so once setup you can use it for one purpose, anytime. Here is how you activate it. • Move the [Data Encoder] until you see “E_CTR” in the display and press the [Data Encoder] to select the menu. • Move the [Data Encoder]. It’s now sending out the assigned MIDI message or function as setup in the Global Menu.
Factory Restore Factory Restore Restoring to factory settings will revert all settings to the status they were at when you first purchased the unit. Make sure to backup any presets or settings that you want to retain. Here are the steps for restoring to factory settings • Make sure your Pacer is switched off. • Press the [Preset] switch and hold it while switching power on. • The display reads “G CFG”. Move the [Data Encoder] until it reads “RESET”. • Press the ‘Data Encoder”.
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