The Disaster Area Designs DPC-8EZ is a compact pedalboard control system with eight effects loops and MIDI. The DPC-8EZ is similar to the popular DPC-5 pedalboard controller but has more effects loops and a simplified MIDI implementation.

The DPC-8EZ is fully compatible with the Disaster Area Gen2 pedal controllers, including the DMC-6D and DMC-7D. Combining a DPC-8EZ with a DMC-7D allows the player to use the DMC-7D as a powerful preset organizer and MIDI controller, while leaving the DPC-8EZ in direct access mode for quick pedal selection.

Please note that in order to pack the maximum connectivity into the DPC-8EZ, the jack spacing is very tight. Disaster Area have tested several different brands and types of patch cables and have found DisasterPlugs to be the best solution for cabling up a DPC-8EZ. 36 plugs (3 kits) are required to cable 8 effects and one volume pedal into a DPC-8EZ. Other options include George L’s and Lava solderless kits, including Mini-ELC and Tightrope kits. Customers wishing to use soldered connections may use Switchcraft 380 straight plugs.

Preset Mode:

• Button 1-4: Select a preset. Tap the current preset for bypass.
• Button 5: Change preset banks. Hold to enter direct access mode.
• Special Functions:
• Button 1: Hold for tuner mute
• Button 2: Hold to select folder 1-4

Direct Access Mode:

• Button 1-4: Select loops 1-4 (blue bank) or loops 5-8 (green bank.)
• Button 5: Change loop banks (1-4 or 5-8.) Hold to enter preset mode.
• Special Functions:
• Button 1: Hold for Tuner Mute
• Button 4: Hold to save the current loop settings to a preset

Configuration Options:

Hold Buttons at boot to change settings.

• Buttons 1+5: Factory Reset
• Buttons 1+4: Reset config only (retains presets)
• Buttons 1+2: Firmware Update Mode
• Button 1: Enable MIDI channel learning / autoconfig. Works with DMC-6D / 7D, DPC-5 as master
• Button 2: Change startup mode. DPC-8EZ starts in either preset mode or direct access mode
• Button 3: Enable / disable Stereo Link
• Button 4: Change MIDI output from THRU to MERGE - DPC-8EZ sends program changes in MERGE mode.
• Button 5: Enable or disable Automatic Noise Reduction - ANR mutes the output while switching to eliminate pops or clicks

DPC-8EZ Insert Connector

The DPC-8EZ Insert allows the controller to function as two separate switching systems with separate audio paths

• Split the paths to place loops 1-4 in the preamp of your amp, 5-8 in the effects loop
• Split the paths to switch effects in two separate amplifiers or signal chains
• Place a volume pedal after your drive pedals / before your modulation and time-based effects
• Use the Stereo Link feature to have the left stereo channel use loops 1-4 and the right stereo channel use loops 5-8

MIDI Functions

The DPC-8EZ features a limited but powerful MIDI implementation. Selecting a preset on the DPC-8EZ will send a MIDI program change message to any other connected MIDI devices (MERGE mode.) This program sending is fixed per preset, and may be disabled. If the MIDI sending / MERGE is disabled, the MIDI input still acts as a MIDI thru.

Each loop on the DPC-8EZ may also be controlled by a MIDI CC (continuous controller) message. The DMC-7D, DMC-6D, and DPC-5 can control the DPC-8EZ as a slave device. This allows the DMC or DPC-5 to select saved presets on the DPC-8EZ and still pass MIDI control data to any other MIDI pedals on your board. The DPC-8EZ does not support multiple MIDI channel control or program mapping like the DPC-5 or DMC-6D / DMC-7D.

Features:

• Compact size – 10″ x 2.6″ x 2″ excluding switch caps and jacks.
• No special power supply required – uses less than 120mA, 9V from a Pedal Power 2 or similar.
• 5 footswitches for preset selection or manual effects loop control.
• 48 presets accessible by foot, arranged in four folders with three banks of four presets each.
• 128 presets accessible using an external MIDI controller
• Full MIDI control of presets and effects loops
• 8 effects loops with a custom-designed switching matrix
• Dedicated insert connection between loops 4 and 5
• Always-on tuner out with tuner mute.
• New Z-MODE buffer allows you to tailor the impedance to work pefectly with fuzz, vibe, wah, and other impedance-sensitive pedals