Fender Mustang GT40 GT100 GT200 User Manual FOOTSWITCH USE

Two foot-control devices can be used with Mustang GT amplifiers—the MGT-4 Footswitch and the EXP-1 Expression Pedal.

The four-button MGT-4 Footswitch comes with Mustang GT200 and is optional for Mustang GT40 and GT100. It enables convenient remote foot control of several functions, including the built-in tuner, amp preset selection, Quick Access preset selection, effects bypass, 60-second looper and more. The EXP-1 Expression Pedal, optional for all three Mustang GT amps, is a dual-mode digital pedal that controls Mustang GT volume and amp/effect parameters.

Each pedal can be used individually by connecting to the “FOOTSWITCH” jack on the amp’s rear panel, or both pedals can be used simultaneously by “chaining” them together (instruction on how to do this are found on the bottom of the EXP-1 Expression Pedal).

MGT-4 FOOTSWITCH FEATURES

The MGT-4 Footswitch layout consists of four buttons—a MODE button at far left, and three numbered FUNCTION buttons. Four MODE LEDs are at far left (one directly above the MODE button and three below and left of it), with three other FUNCTION LEDs along the top (one above each FUNCTION button) and one more FUNCTION LED in the center just below the DISPLAY WINDOW.

• A. MODE BUTTON: Used to select among four modes: QUICK ACCESS (“QA”), PRESETS, EFFECTS and LOOPER.

• B. FUNCTION BUTTONS: These three numbered buttons enable foot control of several Mustang GT functions, depending on the footswitch mode in use.

• C. DISPLAY WINDOW: Displays the footswitch function currently in use.

• D. MODE LEDS: These four LEDs at far left indicate which of four modes is in use—QUICK ACCESS (“QA,” red), PRESETS (red), EFFECTS (green) and LOOPER (amber). Top MODE LED also serves as a FUNCTION LED (E) in some instances.

• E. FUNCTION LEDS: Series of red LEDs along top of footswitch and a single green LED just below the DISPLAY WINDOW (C) that indicate various functions in use. Top far-left MODE LED (D) also serves as a FUNCTION LED in some instances.

MGT-4 FOOTSWITCH: MODES

The MGT-4 Footswitch offers four special Mustang GT modes—QUICK ACCESS (“QA”), PRESETS, EFFECTS and LOOPER. To choose one, cycle through them by stepping on the MODE button (A) at the far left of the footswitch repeatedly until the desired mode is reached, as indicated by its illuminated MODE LED (D).

QUICK ACCESS MODE

QUICK ACCESS mode(“QA”) enables the user to select three presets and assign them to each of the three FUNCTION buttons. To do this, first press the MENU utility button, then use the ENCODER to scroll to and select “QUICK ACCESS” from the menu shown. The first three Mustang GT presets are the default QUICK ACCESS presets.

To assign a different preset to any of the three QUICK ACCESS positions, use the ENCODER to scroll to and select the desired QUICK ACCESS slot (1, 2 or 3). Once a slot is selected, scroll through the list of presets shown and press the ENCODER on the desired preset for that QUICK ACCESS slot. Repeat these steps to fill the other two slots.

Once three presets are assigned in QUICK ACCESS mode, they are accessible using the MGT-4 footswitch. Step on the MODE button until “QA MODE” is activated, as indicated by the illuminated red MODE LED at upper far left. The three QUICK ACCESS presets are now assigned to footswitch FUNCTION buttons 1, 2 and 3 respectively. When a FUNCTION button is activated by stepping on it, its corresponding red FUNCTION LED will also illuminate, and the DISPLAY WINDOW will show the QUICK ACCESS preset in use (see illustrations below).

To set up QUICK ACCESS mode, first press the MENU utility button.

Use the ENCODER to scroll to and select “QUICK ACCESS.”

Use the ENCODER to scroll to and select one of the three QUICK ACCESS preset slots.

Use the ENCODER to scroll to and select a preset for the preset slot chosen in the preceding step.

Step on the footswitch MODE button (green arrow) to cycle through modes until red “QA MODE” MODE LED illuminates. The three QUICK ACCESS presets are assigned to FUNCTION buttons 1, 2 and 3 (yellow arrows), each with its own red FUNCTION LED to indicate use. The DISPLAY WINDOW also shows the QUICK ACCESS preset in use (preset 1 in this illustration).

PRESETS MODE

PRESETS mode enables the user to reach any of Mustang GT’s many presets using the MGT-4 Footswitch. To do this, step on the MODE button until “PRESETS” mode is activated, as indicated by the illuminated red MODE LED directly to the left of the label “PRESETS.”

When the MGT-4 Footswitch is in PRESETS mode, presets become available in sequential groups of three called “banks,” with each of the three presets in a bank assigned to FUNCTION buttons 1, 2 and 3. To move “upward” through subsequent banks of three presets, step on FUNCTION buttons 2 and 3 simultaneously (these are labeled on the footswitch as “BANK UP” for this purpose). To move “downward” through preceding banks of three presets, step on the MODE button and FUNCTION button 1 simultaneously (these are labeled on the footswitch as “BANK DOWN” for this purpose).

When the bank containing the desired preset is reached, select the desired preset within that bank by stepping on its corresponding FUNCTION button. When the desired preset has been selected, its corresponding red FUNCTION LED will illuminate, and the DISPLAY WINDOW will show the preset in use (see illustrations on following page).

Note that when activating PRESETS mode, the MGT-4 Footswitch will automatically set itself to whatever MUSTANG GT preset is already set on the amp. This preset will be assigned to the footswitch FUNCTION button corresponding to the preset’s position within its bank (1, 2 or 3). For example, if the amp is set to preset number 33, the MGT-4 Footswitch in PRESETS mode will also be set to preset number 33 and will assign that preset to FUNCTION button 3 (the third preset in the bank containing presets 31, 32 and 33).

Step on the footswitch MODE button (green arrow) to cycle through modes until red “PRESETS” MODE LED illuminates. A “bank” of three presets containing whichever preset is already set on the amp is assigned to FUNCTION buttons 1, 2 and 3 (yellow arrows), each with its own red FUNCTION LED to indicate use. The DISPLAY WINDOW also shows the preset in use (preset 1 in this illustration).

In PRESETS mode, move upward through succeeding banks of presets (“BANK UP”) by stepping on FUNCTION buttons 2 and 3 simultaneously (double arrow at right). To move downward through preceding banks of presets (“BANK DOWN”), step on the MODE button and FUNCTION button 1 simultaneously (double arrow at left). Select the desired preset within its bank by stepping on its corresponding FUNCTION button (preset/FUNCTION button 1 in this illustration).

EFFECTS MODE

EFFECTS mode enables the user to bypass any of the first three effects in a preset. To do this, step on the MODE button until “EFFECTS” mode is activated, as indicated by the illuminated green MODE LED directly to the left of the label “EFFECTS.”Within whichever preset is already set on the amp, the first three effects in that preset (if any) are assigned to FUNCTION buttons 1, 2 and 3 (also labeled on the footswitch as “FX 1,”“FX 2” and “FX 3” for this purpose). When an effect is on, the corresponding red FUNCTION LED above the effect’s assigned FUNCTION button will be illuminated. To bypass an effect, step on its corresponding FUNCTION button, at which point its red FUNCTION LED will turn off (see illustration below).

Step on the footswitch MODE button (green arrow) to cycle through modes until green “EFFECTS” MODE LED illuminates. The first three effects in whichever preset is already set on the amp are assigned to FUNCTION buttons 1, 2 and 3 (yellow arrows); each with its own red FUNCTION LED to indicate use. In the example shown above, the preset effect assigned to FUNCTION button 1 (FX 1) is on, and can be bypassed by stepping on that button.

LOOPER MODE

LOOPER mode enables the user to record loops up to 60 seconds long and overdub subsequent parts. Any number of overdubbed parts can be layered over the original recorded part; however, only the last overdub created can be undone.

To record a loop, step on the MODE button (green arrow in illustration below) until “LOOPER” mode is activated, as indicated by the illuminated amber MODE LED (see illustration below).

To begin recording the first musical passage, step on FUNCTION button 1 (yellow arrow in illustration below) labeled “REC/DUB.” The red FUNCTION LED above FUNCTION button 1 will begin flashing and the DISPLAY WINDOW will show “REC,” indicating that the LOOPER is in recording mode; play a passage of any time duration up to 60 seconds (see illustration below).

When finished playing the first musical passage, stop recording and automatically begin playback of the first passage by stepping on FUNCTION button 2 (yellow arrow in illustration below), labeled “PLAY/STOP.”The red FUNCTION LED above FUNCTION button 1 will stop flashing, the red FUNCTION LED above FUNCTION button 2 will illuminate, and the DISPLAY WINDOW will indicate playback by showing “PLA” (see illustration below). To stop playback, step on FUNCTION button 2 again; the DISPLAY WINDOW will show “STP” (not shown in illustration below).

Alternately, when finished playing the first musical passage, step on FUNCTION button 1 (yellow arrow in illustration below) again to go straight into overdub mode; the red FUNCTION LED above FUNCTION button 1 will continue flashing and the DISPLAY WINDOW will show “DUB,” indicating that the LOOPER is now in overdub mode and a second musical passage can be recorded over the first. Overdub mode can also be activated during playback of the first passage or after stopping playback by stepping on FUNCTION button 1 again. Continue overdubbing musical passages as often as desired. After an overdub is recorded, step on FUNCTION button 2 (green arrow in illustration below) to start and stop playback of all recorded parts (see illustration below).

While recording, playing back or stopped on the first musical passage, the user can undo the recording if desired by stepping on FUNCTION button 3 (yellow arrow in illustration below), labeled “UNDO.”When doing so, recording will stop and the DISPLAY WINDOW will show three dashes, indicating that whatever had been recorded is now erased. Once overdubs have been added, however, the UNDO function applies only to the last overdub recorded; preceding overdubs cannot be undone (see illustration below).

MGT-4 FOOTSWITCH: TUNER

The MGT-4 Footswitch can also be used for hands-free tuning. To do this, step on and briefly hold FUNCTION button 3 (labeled “HOLD TUNER” for this purpose; yellow arrow) to activate the chromatic tuner. The note closest to the sought-after pitch appears in the DISPLAY WINDOW; two red FUNCTION LEDs along upper left illuminate to indicate degrees of flatness, while two red FUNCTION LEDs along upper right illuminate to indicate degrees of sharpness. When correct pitch is attained, the center FUNCTION LED beneath the DISPLAY WINDOW illuminates green. When tuning is completed, step on FUNCTION button 3 again to return to play mode (see illustrations below). Note that MGT-4 Footswitch tuner use mutes speaker output.

To activate the MGT-4 Footswitch tuning function, step on and briefly hold FUNCTION button 3 (yellow arrow). In the example shown here, an “A” note is displayed as being particularly flat, as indicated by the red FUNCTION LED at upper far left (green arrow).

In the example shown here, the “A” note is displayed as being slightly sharp, as indicated by the red FUNCTION LED at upper inside right (yellow arrow).

In the example shown here, the “A” note is displayed as being at the correct pitch, as indicated by the green FUNCTION LED centered below the DISPLAY WINDOW (yellow arrow). When tuning is complete, step on FUNCTION button 3 (green arrow) to exit the footswitch tuning function.

EXP-1 EXPRESSION PEDAL

The EXP-1 Expression Pedal is a dual-mode foot controller that enables the user to control master volume (“Volume” mode) and various amp and effect parameters (“Expression” mode).

Switch between Volume and Expression modes by stepping on the toe switch (at the top of the pedal). Red and green LEDs indicate the mode in use. Volume mode—indicated by the green LED—controls master volume or can be turned off. Expression mode—indicated by the red LED—controls many Mustang GT effect parameters such as wah effect frequencies, modulation effect rates, etc.

To set up the EXP-1 for use, connect it to the footswitch jack on the back of the amplifier, turn the amp on. Press the MENU utility button on the amp and use the ENCODER to scroll to and select “EXP-1 SETUP” on the menu shown (see illustration below).

A prompt will appear to select “PRESET SETTINGS” or “GLOBAL SETTINGS” (see illustration below); use the ENCODER to select one. PRESET SETTINGS is used to assign the EXP-1 to a specific amp or effect within a particular preset, in which a wide variety of parameters can be modified, depending on the amp or preset in use. GLOBAL SETTINGS is used to configure parameters that will affect all presets. Both are described in more detail below.

PRESET SETTINGS

As noted above, PRESET SETTINGS is used to assign the EXP-1 to a specific amp or effect within a particular preset. To do this, press the ENCODER on PRESET SETTINGS, and the middle SIGNAL PATH LAYER will show— one at a time—the amp and effects in that preset to which the EXP-1 can be assigned. The user can scroll through these by turning the ENCODER (see illustration below).

In EXP-1 PRESET SETTINGS, the amp and effects in a preset to which the EXP-1 can be assigned are shown one by one in the SIGNAL PATH LAYER; the ENCODER is used to scroll through them. In the example above, a ’65 Twin amp is highlighted.

Once an amp or effect is highlighted in the SIGNAL PATH LAYER, the CONTROLS LAYER below it will show several configurable EXP-1 items for that particular preset. Press the CONTROLS LAYER button to enter the CONTROLS LAYER (see illustration below).

To assign the EXP-1 to a specific effect within a preset, press the CONTROLS LAYER button (yellow arrow) to access items including the parameter settings (“PARAM”) for the effect. In the example shown here, the EXP-1 will control a Green Box overdrive stompbox effect.

Use the ENCODER to scroll to and select “PARAMETER,” which lets the user select a control parameter of the amp or effect shown in the SIGNAL PATH LAYER to be controlled using the EXP-1 in Expression mode (see illustration below).

Use the ENCODER (yellow arrow) to scroll to “PARAMETER,” which encompasses the individual controls for the effect highlighted in the SIGNAL PATH LAYER. In the example shown here, “LEVEL” is one of the Green Box overdrive parameters that can be assigned to the EXP-1.

When selected, the parameter box will change from blue to red and the ENCODER can then be used to scroll through different control parameters; press the ENCODER on any of these to change their settings for EXP-1 pedal use (see illustration below). When a control is selected, it will turn from blue to red, indicating that it can now be adjusted. When adjustment is complete, press the ENCODER again, and the control will return to blue with the new parameter value in place.

From the example above, press the ENCODER (yellow arrow) on “LEVEL.” Its box will change from blue to red, indicating that adjustments can then be made to that parameter of the Green Box overdrive effect for EXP-1 use .

Once a parameter adjustment is complete, press the SAVE utility button to keep parameter changes (see illustration below).

Several other EXP-1 modes reside in the CONTROLS LAYER. Use the ENCODER to scroll among and select these modes and the options within them. These modes are:

VOLUME MODE (“VOL”): Turns off the EXP-1 Volume mode (green LED) pedal function (see illustrations below).

EXPRESSION MODE (“EXP”): Allows three different assignments. “OFF” turns off the EXP-1 Expression mode pedal function (red LED). “VOLUME” configures EXP-1 to control master volume (similar to VOLUME MODE above). “AMP/FX” configures EXP-1 to control the amp or effect shown in the SIGNAL PATH LAYER.

HEEL and TOE MODES: Together, these specify the range of the parameter to be controlled.

LIVE MODE: When ON, the configured parameter immediately jumps to the value “commanded” by the position of the pedal. When OFF, initial pedal position is “ignored” until the pedal is actually moved, after which it’s in synch with the configured parameter.

BYPASS MODE: When ON, effect bypass can be toggled on and off using the EXP-1 toe switch.

REVERT MODE: When ON, the configured parameter is restored to the value stored in the preset when switching from Expression mode to Volume mode using the toe switch.

DEFAULT MODE: Configures initial EXP-1 mode (Volume or Expression) for the preset in use. DEFAULT MODE is overridden when the “GLOBAL SETTINGS” function “MODE SOURCE” is set to “PEDAL” (see “GLOBAL SETTINGS” on following page).

In this example, to turn off the EXP-1 Volume mode pedal function for the ’65 Twin shown in the SIGNAL PATH LAYER, press the CONTROLS LAYER button. “VOLUME” mode will be automatically highlighted in the CONTROLS LAYER.

Press the ENCODER on “VOLUME.” The label box will change from blue to red, indicating that an adjustment can now be made.

Turn the ENCODER (yellow arrow) to “OFF,” then press it to select “OFF” setting. EXP-1 Volume mode pedal function for the amp shown in the SIGNAL PATH LAYER is now off, and the label box will return to blue. Press the SAVE utility button (green arrow) to keep changes.

GLOBAL SETTINGS

As noted, GLOBAL SETTINGS is used to assign the EXP-1 to all presets. After pressing the MENU utility button and scrolling to and selecting “EXP-1 SETUP,” press the ENCODER again and scroll to “GLOBAL SETTINGS” (see illustration below).

Press the ENCODER on “GLOBAL SETTINGS.”Three parameters can be modified in the menu shown—”MODE SOURCE,”“HEEL VOLUME” and “TOE VOLUME.”“MODE SOURCE” is used to choose between “PRESET” and “PEDAL” settings. “PRESET” means that whatever preset the user is in determines whether the EXP-1 is in Volume mode or Expression mode (this can change from preset to preset). In the “PEDAL” setting, the EXP-1 overrides preset settings and stays in whichever mode (Volume or Expression) it’s currently in.

Press the ENCODER and turn it to select “PEDAL” or “PRESET.”The label box will change from blue to red (see illustration below) until a selection is made by pressing the pressing the ENCODER AGAIN, after which the label box will return to blue with the current selection in place.

“HEEL VOLUME” and “TOE VOLUME” are used together to set a volume range covered by the pedal, the default range of which is set at 1-10, with the heel all the way down being 1 (no volume) and the toe all the way down being 10 (full volume). This range can be adjusted to preference, by using the “HEEL VOLUME” control to set a different value for minimum volume and using the “TOE VOLUME” control to set a different value for maximum volume.

Use the ENCODER to scroll to and select the “HEEL VOLUME” and “TOE VOLUME” controls. When each is selected, it will turn from blue to red, indicating that it can now be adjusted. When adjustment is complete, press the ENCODER again to keep the new control value, and the control will return to blue (see illustration below).

Note that Global Settings changes are saved automatically; no extra “save” step is required.