PREFIXTM PLUS-T USER GUIDE Thank you for choosing Fishman. Our goal is to provide you with the finest acoustic amplification products available; products that will compliment your style and let you sound your very best onstage. Please read these instructions carefully. You can also turn on the tuner if the guitar is unplugged. It will automatically shut down after about 30 seconds at idle to conserve battery power. The "in tune" indicator will flash several times before the tuner shuts down. Note that the tuner is calibrated to A = 440. Flashes when the note is below pitch Lights up when note is in tune Flashes when the note is above pitch A B CD E Overview The Prefix Plus-T preamp offers the tonal variety and feedback-fighting capabilities of Fishman's deluxe Prefix Plus onboard preamp system, with the addition of a high-quality chromatic tuner and a streamlined new look. The preamp module incorporates a unique flip-top compartment for easy battery access. Bass, treble, brilliance & semi-parametric "Contour" EQ let you quickly dial in your personal tone. For real-world playing conditions, a problem solving phase switch and notch filter help keep acoustic feedback under control. A convenient low battery indicator rounds out the preamp features. The Fishman Acoustic MatrixTM pickup used in the Prefix Plus-T is regarded as the industry-standard acoustic transducer. A unique proprietary co-polymer sensing material is the secret to the Acoustic Matrix' excellent sensitivity and dynamic range. The transducer is fully EMI shielded and is comprised of a multi-layer sandwich of co-polymer strips that run the length of the pickup. The continuous length design allows the pickup to sense the motion of the entire saddle length, for superb string to string balance and sensitivity to both the strings and soundboard. VOLUME Set this as high as possible (without causing your amp or mixer to distort) for the cleanest signal. NOTCH and PHASE These controls work hand in hand to suppress two adjacent ranges of acoustic feedback. When you set them properly, you can play your instrument as loud as you like, feedback free. Tune the NOTCH filter to scoop out the lowest range of feedback when you play bass notes between the open low E string and (up to and including) the fourth fret G sharp on the same string. Low frequency "cavity resonance" feedback can usually be squelched by setting the NOTCH control between one o'clock and two o'clock on the dial. Note that the NOTCH can be defeated by moving the dial to the OFF (seven o'clock) position. Push the PHASE switch in and out until you find the position that sounds best and subdues mid-bass feedback. Midbass feedback generally occurs when you play bass notes above the fourth fret G sharp on the low E string. F G # Lights up when the note is raised 1/2 step Plug and Play! Plug a standard 1/4 inch instrument cable between the endpin jack and a stage amp, a direct box or an unbalanced input on a mixer. When you plug in, the Prefix Plus-T switches on. To conserve the battery, unplug the instrument when you finish playing. Note: Turn down the volume on the amp or mixer before you plug in, to protect your speakers (and your ears) from loud pops. Lower Feedback Range NOTCH Setup Battery Compartment Pull the small tab at the top of the Prefix Plus-T toward you. The body of the preamp will swing out, revealing the battery compartment. Observe the polarity marks on the battery compartment and install a fresh 9V alkaline battery accordingly. (E to G#) Upper Feedback Range (A and above) OFF 300 Hz PHASE BASS A boost here will add depth and weight to the sound the instrument. BATTERY Indicator Plug into the endpin jack and the BATTERY indicator will flash momentarily, indicating the power is on. When the BATTERY indicator stays on, it is time to change the battery. CONTOUR EQ Two sliders (CONTOUR and FREQUENCY) make up this EQ. The FREQUENCY slider lets you tune in on the specific range of sounds that you can boost/cut with the CONTOUR (level) slider. With the Contour EQ you can boost or cut a wide range of frequencies, from gutsy low midrange (250 Hz) to brilliant, high treble (10 kHz). Often your instrument will benefit from a slight midrange cut. Controls TUNER Depress the TUNER button to turn the circuit on and off. This digital chromatic tuner accommodates all standard and alternate tunings. For your convenience, the tuner button also acts as a mute switch. The tuner circuit devours battery power, so turn it off when you finish tuning. www.fishman.com PREFIXTM PLUS-T USER GUIDE CONTINUED To cut mids, boost the CONTOUR control and then sweep the FREQUENCY control until you find the band of frequencies that are brash and nasal sounding (usually around the center of the FREQUENCY slider's travel). Then move the CONTOUR slider below its detent to taste. TREBLE A boost here will help to "cut through the mix". Conversely, cutting the TREBLE will mellow and subdue your amplified tone. BRILLIANCE When boosted, the BRILLIANCE control can add presence to your sound or brighten up dead strings. Specifications Nominal Input Level: Input Overload: Input Impedance: Output Impedance: Nominal Output Level: THD: Signal to Noise Ratio: Battery Life: Preamp only, tuner off: Tuner on, no signal: Tuner on, with signal: Power Supply: 160hrs. @ 3.8mA 71hrs. @ 7mA 25hrs. @ 20mA 9V Alkaline battery (estimated 160 hours continuous use with low battery indicator at 6.5V) Notch Filter Range: Bass Control Range: Treble Control Range: Contour Control Range: Brilliance Control Range: 30Hz ­ 300Hz (-15dB) ± 12dB at 60Hz ± 12dB at 10kHz ± 12dB (adjustable from 250Hz to 10kHz) Q = 0.5 ± 9dB at 10kHz ± 3dB Bandwidth 5kHz 82dB (A-weighted referred to nominal -20dBV input) -20dBV (20Hz - 20kHz) -2dBV 20MOhm Less than 3.5kOhm -12dBV Less than .04 %, -20dBV input Suggested EQ Settings Mid Cut You can scoop out harsh midrange by setting the FREQUENCY slider slightly above center with the CONTOUR Level cut to taste below the center detent. You can also cut midrange by boosting the BASS and TREBLE sliders to realize an "implied" mid cut at 800 Hz. PLUS-T OFF + 12 dB 300 Hz + 12 dB + 12 dB + 9 dB BRILLIANCE CONTOUR TREBLE BASS - 12 dB 250 Hz - 12 dB FREQUENCY 10 kHz - 12 dB - 9 dB PLUS-T OFF + 12 dB All specifications subject to change without notice. 300 Hz + 12 dB + 12 dB + 9 dB Fingerstyle This setting will add fullness to the bass and definition to the treble. BRILLIANCE CONTOUR TREBLE Cut Through For cutting through a live band mix at high volumes. BASS - 12 dB 250 Hz - 12 dB FREQUENCY 10 kHz - 12 dB - 9 dB PLUS-T OFF + 12 dB 300 Hz + 12 dB + 12 dB + 9 dB BRILLIANCE CONTOUR TREBLE BASS - 12 dB 250 Hz - 12 dB FREQUENCY 10 kHz - 12 dB - 9 dB www.fishman.com 513-000-002 RevA 11-04 ...