User manual FISHMAN ACOUSTIC BASS BLENDER

[. . . ] OWNER'S MANUAL ACOUSTIC BLENDER ® ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT PREAMP ACOUSTIC BASS BLENDER ® ACOUSTIC BASS PREAMP ACOUSTIC BLENDER SYSTEM INTRODUCTION: THE BLENDER SYSTEM Thank you for your purchase of a FISHMAN product. If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to call our PRODUCT INFORMATION LINE at 978-988-9665. The Acoustic BLENDER is a dedicated 2 channel preamp that addresses the specific needs of acoustic stringed instrument players. The BLENDER System combines the sounds from a pickup and instrument-mounted mini-microphone. [. . . ] The Phantom Power is ON (switch is OUT). NOTE: Under battery power, the STEREO IN jack must be plugged in to turn on the BLENDER. 12 ACOUSTIC BLENDER SYSTEM 4) PIEZO AND MAGNETIC PICKUP A) Signal from piezo pickup is sent through a mono instrument cable to the STEREO IN jack. B) Signal from magnetic pickup is sent through a mono instrument cable to the AUX / MIC IN jack. Phantom Power must be turned OFF ( switch pushed IN ). NOTE: Both signals may be routed through a stereo instrument cable. (See example #1) 5) UNDER-THE-SADDLE PICKUP AND SURFACE-MOUNT PIEZO PICKUPS A) Signals from both pickups are sent through a stereo instrument cable to the STEREO IN jack. B) Under-saddle pickup signal (Tip) is sent to the TRANSDUCER Channel. C) Surface-mount pickup signal (Ring) is sent to the MICROPHONE Channel. Phantom Power must be turned OFF (switch pushed IN). NOTE: Both signals may be routed through two mono instrument cables. NOTE: If your instrument has an onboard battery, and you want to route both pickup signals through a stereo instrument cable, you may need to install a Fishman SMART SWITCH for the system to operate. (See Page 22) 6) PICKUP AND DYNAMIC MIC A) Signal from pickup is sent through mono instrument cable to the STEREO IN jack. B) Signal from dynamic mic (possibly for vocals) is sent through a mono instrument cable to the AUX / MIC IN jack. Phantom Power must be turned OFF (switch pushed IN). NOTE: Any signal appearing at the Ring of the STEREO IN jack (such as a mini-mic) will be overridden by a signal appearing at the AUX / MIC IN jack. 13 ACOUSTIC BLENDER SYSTEM SUGGESTED OUTPUT OPTIONS 1) 1/4" MIX OUTPUT JACK CONNECTED TO INSTRUMENT AMPLIFIER Connect the 1/4" MIX output to the input of your instrument amplifier. The amp will see a blended signal - both microphone and pickup. 2) XLR MIX OUTPUT JACK CONNECTED TO PA SYSTEM Connect the XLR MIX output to the input of your PA System. This is a great way to control exactly what the soundman has to work with and what the audience will hear. 3) XLR MIX AND TRANSDUCER OUTPUTS CONNECTED TO PA . . . TRANSDUCER SENT TO STAGE MONITORS Connect the XLR MIX output to the input of your PA System. Having the transducer signal on stage without the microphone signal can help control feedback. 14 ACOUSTIC BLENDER SYSTEM 4) USING MULTIPLE OUTPUTS All of the Acoustic BLENDER's outputs can be used simultaneously. This offers virtually any combination of signal routing and interfacing options to accommodate a wide variety of performance and recording situations. 15 ACOUSTIC BLENDER SYSTEM EFFECTS LOOPS EFFECTS LOOPS The BLENDER has three Effects Loops; one each for the MICROPHONE, TRANSDUCER and MIXED signals. The Sends can be used as additional outputs and the Returns can be used as alternate inputs. The TRANSDUCER EFFECTS Send provides a perfect output signal for electronic tuners. 16 ACOUSTIC BLENDER SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE SYMPTOM TYPICAL CAUSE SOLUTION NO SIGNAL WHEN USING AUX / MIC IN JACK ONLY WITH BATTERY POWER STEREO IN JACK MUST BE PLUGGED IN FOR POWER TO BE ON WHEN USING BATTERY POWER INSERT A 1/4" PLUG OR UNUSED INSTRUMENT CABLE INTO THE STEREO IN JACK DISTORTED OR NO MIC SIGNAL WITH ACTIVE PICKUP (BATTERY ON INSTRUMENT) MIC IS GROUNDED-OUT BY THE INSTRUMENT'S ONBOARD PREAMP MUTE SWITCH IN INSTALL A FISHMAN SMART SWITCH OR USE SEPARATE CABLES FOR MIC AND PICKUP SET MUTE SWITCH TO OUT POSITION REMOVE BATTERY AND RE-TENSION TERMINALS BY PULLING THEM UP WITH YOUR FINGER NO SIGNAL WITH BATTERY POWER LOOSE BATTERY COMPARTMENT TERMINALS DEVICE APPEARING AT MIX EFFECTS RETURN IS BREAKING THE SIGNAL PATH REMOVE PLUG FROM EFFECTS RETURN AC ADAPTER IS DAISY-CHAINED TO OTHER DEVICES REMOVE OTHER DEVICES FROM BLENDER's POWER SUPPLY SET MUTE SWITCH TO OUT POSITION REMOVE PLUG FROM EFFECTS RETURN NO SIGNAL MUTE SWITCH IN WITH AC POWER DEVICE APPEARING AT MIX EFFECTS RETURN IS BREAKING THE SIGNAL PATH PHANTOM POWER IS OFF ( SWITCH IS IN ) TURN PHANTOM POWER ON ( SWITCH IS OUT ) MICROPHONE CHANNEL DEAD WITH MINI-MIC CONNECTED TO STEREO IN JACK WHEN SENDING MIC SIGNAL THROUGH STEREO IN JACK, ANY SIGNAL CONNECTED TO THE AUX / MIC IN JACK OVERRIDES THE MIC DEVICE APPEARING AT THE MIC EFFECTS RETURN IS BREAKING THE SIGNAL PATH MIC AND PICKUP ARE WIRED TO STEREO OUTPUT JACK BACKWARDS ( MIC TO TIP AND PICKUP TO RING ) PHANTOM POWER IS ON ( SWITCH IS OUT ) DISCONNECT SIGNAL FROM AUX / MIC IN JACK REMOVE PLUG FROM MIC EFFECTS RETURN MIC IS DEAD AND PICKUP APPEARS IN MICROPHONE CHANNEL PIEZO / MAGNETIC PICKUP OR DYNAMIC MIC DEAD OR LOW LEVEL IN MIC CHANNEL WIRE PICKUP TO TIP AND MIC TO RING OF STEREO OUTPUT JACK TURN OFF PHANTOM POWER ( SWITCH IS IN ) PLUG INTO STEREO IN JACK AND PUSH IN BATTERY LOW SWITCH; IF LED LIGHTS UP REPLACE BATTERY LOWER TRIM CONTROL(S) UNTIL DISTORTION DISAPPEARS LISTEN TO INSTRUMENT ACOUSTICALLY TO ISOLATE NOISE TIGHTEN ALL PLUG HARDWARE LOW BATTERY NOISE OR DISTORTION FROM EITHER CHANNEL TRIM CONTROL(S) SET TOO HIGH MECHANICAL NOISE FROM INSTRUMENT MECHANICAL NOISE FROM INSTRUMENT CABLE DISTORTION FROM EXTREMELY `HOT' SIGNALS SUCH AS EXTERNAL PICKUP INPUT CLIPS WITH TRIM CONTROL ALL THE WAY DOWN CONSULT FISHMAN TECH SUPPORT LINE AT 978-988-9665 USE ONLY FISHMAN 910-R OR ROLAND PSA SERIES AC ADAPTERS USE ONLY QUALITY FULLY SHIELDED INSTRUMENT CABLES USE ONLY 15' OR SHORTER INSTRUMENT CABLES WITH PASSIVE PICKUP HUM PIEZO HIGH FREQUENCY LOSS USE OF AN UNREGULATED POWER SUPPLY WILL CAUSE THE BLENDER TO HUM UNDER AC POWER POORLY SHIELDED OR UNSHIELDED CABLE INSTRUMENT CABLE IS TOO LONG 17 ACOUSTIC OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES · A/C ADAPTER: FISHMAN 910-R regulated 9V power supply. BLENDER SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS Nominal Input Level: Input Overload: Input Stage Impedance: Transducer: Microphone without Phantom Power: Microphone with Phantom Power: Phantom Power: Output Type: -20 dBV (20 Hz - 20 kHz) -14dBV 10 Megohms 1. 0 Megohms 2. 2 kilohms 4. 5 Volts, 2 mA Electronically Balanced XLR and unbalanced 1/4" 220 Ohms -11 dBV 8 dBV -3. 5 dBV 0 dBV 1 kilohm 47 kilohms 125mW @ 1% THD (32 ohm headphones) ± 8 dB Shelving ± 13 dB Shelving 10 dB . 2 % at 1 kHz, - 14 dBV input 81 dB (A-weighted, referred to nominal -20 dBV input) 9V regulated, or single 9V alkaline battery (estimated 15 hours continuous use) 30 m Amps 8. 5" X 1. 75" X 7" 2 lbs 3 oz · CROWN GLM-200 MINI-MIC: Ships without jack; ready to be wired to the jack of your choice. · UNIVERSAL MIC MOUNT: Allows you to mount a mini-mic to your instrument. · INTERNAL MIC MOUNT: Allows you to mount a mini-mic to the X-brace of your guitar. · BASS MIC ASSEMBLY: Mounts to the bridge foot of an acoustic bass. · STEREO ENDPIN JACK · STEREO BASS JACK: Mounts on the A and D strings between bridge and tailpiece. · TRANSDUCERS: We make a full line of quality transducers for many types of acoustic stringed instruments. · BP-100-M: Bass pickup and mini-mic pre-wired to stereo bass jack. [. . . ] When a microphone and pickup are out of phase the bass frequencies cancel out to some extent. The resulting sound is somewhat unnatural and unbalanced compared to in phase. It is especially important for the microphone and pickup to be in phase when recording to attain the fullest and most natural sound. 21 ACOUSTIC BLENDER SYSTEM APPENDIX III: THE FISHMAN SMART SWITCH If your instrument has an active pickup/preamp and you are going to route electret microphone and pickup signals through a single stereo cable, you may need to install a SMART SWITCH for the system to operate. WHAT DOES THE SMART SWITCH DO? The Smart Switch takes over the preamp power switching duty and frees up the RING terminal on the output jack for the microphone signal. The Smart switch takes its cue by electronically sensing phantom power, sent from the Blender and in turn switching on the preamp. [. . . ]