Owners Guide for the Owners Guide for the Bass Amplifier 33Hz 80Hz 150Hz 300Hz 600Hz 900Hz 2kHz 5kHz 9kHz +8dB INPUT BRT GAIN HI BASS MIDRANGE FREQUENCY TREBLE MASTER TUBE GAIN MUTE +12dB POWER 0 LEVEL -15dB PEAK / MUTE LO EQ -12dB ON -10dB ON ® Ampeg ® is Proudly Made in America SVT-3 PRO Bass Amplifier TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Important Safeguards and Precautions . . . . . . . . . .2 The Front Panel Controls and Their Use . . . . . . .3,4 The Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,5 Some Suggested Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Rack Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover Features In the world of high performance bass amps, Ampeg's SVT amplifiers stand alone. In true Ampeg tradition, the SVT-3 PRO offers you more power, performance and flexibility than any other bass amplifier in its class. Below are some of the outstanding features of your new amplifier - features which set it apart from the competition! · 5-POSITION MIDRANGE SELECTOR: Take your pick from the five center frequency points available to get just the right midrange voice (page 3). · TUBE GAIN: Control the dynamics of tonal response characteristics from the power amp; from punchy to compressed (page 3). · 9-BAND GRAPHIC EQ: Use as a "second channel" for bass solos, or to shape your sound to your own exacting standards. An independent level control lets you adjust the Graphic EQ volume (page 3). · TRANSFORMER BALANCED LINE OUTPUTS: Independent level control. One balanced XLR and one balanced/unbalanced 1/4" jack to patch into house consoles, mixing boards, or external power amplifiers (page 4). · EFFECTS LOOP: Connect your effects here for increased intensity and quieter operation (page 5). · POWER AMP IN AND PREAMP OUT: A separate preamp may be connected to the Power Amp In jack, and the Preamp Out jack may be connected to a slave amp. (page 5). An Introduction to your new Ampeg SVT-3 PRO Bass Amplifier The harmonically rich sound and legendary performance of the AMPEG SVT are redefined in the SVT-3 PRO. This compact yet dynamically powerful bass amplifier delivers a searing 450 watts of unsurpassed quality, offering the classic vibrance of tubes as well as contemporary features. All of the features and controls of your SVT-3 PRO are covered in detail within the pages of this owner's guide. We recommend that you go over them before you use the amplifier. Important Safeguards and Precautions All Ampeg products are designed for continuous safe operation, as long as common sense is used and steps are taken to help avoid certain problems. Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage to your amplifier, yourself and others. · The amplifier is equipped with a three-pronged AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, NEVER remove or otherwise attempt to defeat the ground pin of the power cord. · Connect the amplifier ONLY to a properly grounded AC outlet of the proper voltage for your amp. · Avoid sudden temperature extremes, rain and moisture. Also, avoid sudden and intense impact. (If the unit has been subjected to any of the preceding abuses, have it looked at by an authorized service center.) · NEVER set the amplifier on a support that might give out under its weight. · Whenever using tall or stacked speaker cabinets, use them ONLY on a level surface. NEVER set tall or stacked cabinets on a surface with more than a five degree incline since tipping or falling could occur, possibly causing serious injuries. · Always keep the total speaker impedance at or above the rated load. · Unplug the amplifier before cleaning it. NEVER spray liquid cleaners onto the amplifier. Wipe it with a slightly dampened, lint-free cloth to remove dirt and film. · Don't use the amplifier if it has sustained damage to the chassis, controls, or power cord. Refer the unit to an authorized service center for inspection. · Amplifiers capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inflicting permanent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure to such levels is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and irreversible! CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. ATTENTION RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS OUVRIR ATTENTION: POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE. VORSICHT ELEKTRISCHE SCHLAGGEFAHR NICHT OFFENEN VORSICHT: ZUR MINIMIERUNG ELEKTRISCHER SCHLAGGEFAHR NICHT DEN DECKEL ABENHMEN. INTERNE TEILE KONNEN NICHT VOM BENUTZER GEWARTET WERDEN. DIE WARTUNG IS QUALIFIZIERTEM WARTUNGSPERSONAL ZU UBERLASSEN. THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND RELIABLE OPERATION. IN ORDER TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE UNIT AND PREVENT ACCIDENTAL DAMAGES OR INJURY, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES: WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN CHASSIS; DO NOT DEFEAT OR REMOVE THE GROUND PIN OF THE POWER CORD; CONNECT ONLY TO A PROPERLY GROUNDED AC POWER OUTLET. CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. CAUTION: NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. CAUTION: OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME. The chart below shows the U.S. Government Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations which were in effect at the time of this publication for permissible noise exposure, per 29CRF1910, Table G-16. SOUND LEVEL dBA SLOW RESPONSE 90 92 95 97 100 DURATION PER DAY IN HOURS 8 6 4 3 2 SOUND LEVEL dBA SLOW RESPONSE 102 105 110 115 DURATION PER DAY IN HOURS 1-1/2 1 1/2 1/4 or less According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of those listed above could result in some hearing loss. EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS: "DANGEROUS VOLTAGE" "IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL" 2 = "DANGER HAUTE TENSION" "GEFAHLICHE SPANNUNG" = "REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION" "UNBEDINGT IN DER BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG NACHSCHLAGEN" SVT-3 PRO Bass Amplifier The Front Panel Controls and Their Use 33Hz 80Hz 150Hz 300Hz 600Hz 900Hz 2kHz 5kHz 9kHz +8dB INPUT BRT GAIN HI BASS MIDRANGE FREQUENCY TREBLE MASTER TUBE GAIN MUTE +12dB POWER 0 LEVEL -15dB PEAK / MUTE LO EQ -12dB ON -10dB ON 1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 1. INPUT: The signal output from an instrument (active or passive) or a line level signal may be connected here by means of a shielded instrument cable. 2. BRIGHT: This switch, when depressed, adds a more lively top end response to the input signal. 3. -15dB: This switch, when depressed, attenuates the input signal by 15dB. Attenuation allows the Gain control (#5) to be used over a larger portion of its range. If clipping is indicated with the Gain control way down, attenuation is needed. 4. PEAK LED: This LED flashes when the signal level into the preamp (excluding the graphic EQ) approaches clipping. Adjust the Gain control (#5) until a strong signal from your instrument causes this LED to flicker. NOTE: If the LED flashes frequently with the Gain at a low setting, use the -15dB switch (#3) to attenuate the input signal and readjust the Gain. 5. GAIN: This serves as the input level control for the amplifier. For the best signal to noise ratio set this control so the Peak LED (#3) flashes when you strike a string fairly hard. 6. ULTRA HIGH: This switch, when depressed, enhances the amount of high frequency output by 6dB at 5kHz. 7. ULTRA LOW: This switch, when depressed, greatly enhances the amount of low-end bass tones which you can feel and hear, especially the low E and low B strings (of a 5-string bass). 8. BASS: This is the primary low frequency control which allows for 12dB of cut or boost at 50Hz. 9. MIDRANGE: This is the primary midrange control which allows for 15dB of cut or boost at the center 1. ENTRADA: Conecte aquí su guitarra de bajos utilizando un cable blindado para instrumentos. 2. BRILLANTE: Este interruptor, cuando se encuentre ADENTRO, añade a la señal de entrada una respuesta más viva en la parte alta. Usted puede experi-mentar el uso de diferentes posi-ciones del EQ con este interruptor. 3. -15dB: Este interruptor, cuando se encuentre ADENTRO, atenuará en 15dB la señal de entrada. Si su bajo tiene circuitos electrónicos activos, usted tal vez quiera usar este interruptor. 4. DIODO LED DE PICOS: Este LED se iluminará cuando el nivel de preamplificación esté cerca del nivel de aplanamiento "clipping", lo que indicaría una posición de ganancia óptima. frequency selected by the Frequency control (see #10). 10. FREQUENCY: This control allows you to select the center frequency for the midrange control, giving you a choice of five "voices" for the midrange. The numbers correspond to the following center frequencies: 1=220Hz, 2=450Hz, 3=800Hz, 4=1.6kHz, 5=3kHz. 11. TREBLE: This is the primary high frequency control which allows for 19dB of cut or 14dB of boost at 5kHz. 12. MASTER: Set the overall output level of the amplifier with this control. 13. TUBE GAIN: The tube gain control varies the high voltage supply to the power amp tubes. This allows a variety of tonal response characteristics from the power amp and replaces the limiter found on typical solid state power amps. At "10" the voltage is at maximum, providing a dynamic, highly responsive tone. At "0" the voltage is at minimum, offering a thickened, more compressed tone. This tone can also be distorted, depending on volume level. In between settings are best for preventing harsh distortion when driving the power amp to its limits. The effect of this control increases from moderate to dramatic as the power amp is driven harder. NOTE: When adjusting the tube gain control from "10" to "0" rapidly, a low frequency hum as well as muting of the output signal occur simultaneously. This is due to shifting of the DC bias point of the tubes, and is no cause for concern. Adjusting the control quickly from "0" to "10" brings a moderate delay due to the power supply capacitors charging. 14. MUTE: Use this switch to mute all outputs except the Tuner Out (rear panel #28). The footswitch can 5. GANANCIA: Esto controla la ganancia del preamplificador. 6. ULTRA AGUDOS: Cuando se oprime hacia ADENTRO, este interruptor realza la cantidad de la salida de frecuencias altas en 6dB a 5kHz. 7. ULTRA GRAVES: Al oprimirse este interruptor hacia ADENTRO, se realza en gran forma la cantidad de tonos bajos de la parte grave que usted puede sentir y oír, en especial de las cuerdas de E bajo y B bajo (en un bajo de 5 cuerdas). 8. BAJOS: Es el control primordial para las frecuencias bajas. Permite 12dB de recorte (totalmente a la izquierda) ó refuerzo (totalmente a la derecha) a 50Hz. La salida de frecuencias graves queda plana en la posición central. also control muting, if the Mute switch on the front panel is left in the "out" position. (The front panel switch is still active with the footswitch connected. This is excellent for tuning your bass with an electric tuner without having to adjust any levels to turn down your sound.) 15. GRAPHIC EQ: This switch, when depressed, enables the 9-band Graphic EQ (see #17 & #18). A footswitch overrides this switch. 16. ACTIVE LED: This LED illuminates when the EQ is on. 17. 9-BAND GRAPHIC EQ: These sliders control the output frequencies indicated above each control. The center position of each control is flat (no boost or cut). The Graphic EQ can be used in two ways: 1) To fine tune your sound, make small adjustments at the desired frequencies and leave the EQ on throughout the entire session. (This is great for adapting to varying room acoustics when going from club to club, etc.) 2) For a completely different sound, make larger adjustments and only activate the EQ when you want a "second channel" sound (such as during bass solos). 18. LEVEL: This slider is the output volume control for the Graphic EQ and only affects the signal when the EQ is engaged. If the EQ'd signal is too soft, slide the Level control up; if it's too loud, slide this control down. 19. ON LED: This LED illuminates when the Power is ON. 20. POWER: This heavy-duty ...