The FP-CH8 is an electronic chime generator that produces eight different synthesized chimes. Each chime can consist of up to 3 tones and 3 harmonics selected to produce sonically natural effects. Certain chimes are single tones and some are a sequence. Each of the 8 chimes is triggered by an individual external closure to ground. A momentary closure to ground is required to start a chime. A single additional CONT (continuous) terminal is also provided. Each chime plays once unless the CONT terminal is grounded. The continuous function causes a chime strike or sequence to repeat until the CONT terminal is ungrounded. This function causes tone chimes (Chimes 4 and 8) to be extended in duration until the CONT terminal is released. Background music or paging audio may be connected to the MUSIC IN input. When a chime plays, the music source will be quickly faded to a level set on the front-panel DUCKING trimmer. The ducking fade depth may be adjusted from 0 dB to fully off, allowing chimes to be mixed with the music or to interrupt the music. The front-panel CHIMING indicator illuminates while music is ducked and a chime is playing. WAIT and IGNORE terminals are provided to prevent or delay chiming action.

Chime patterns are: single strick, double strick, triple strick, tone ring, manual strick, descending triple strick, eurosiren and multi-tone alert.