3-CHANNEL GUITAR PREAMPLIFIER Hughes & Kettner Musical Instruments GmbH Magdeburgerstr.6 6690 St.Wendel Telefon ( 0 68 51 ) 20 21 Telefax ( 0 68 51 ) 48 86 WE AT HUGHES & KETTNER WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR CHOICE OF THE ATTAX PREAMP! The HUGHES & KETTNER ATTAX preamp is designed to meet the rigorous demands placed on contemporary musicians: superior sound quality, flexibility, and userfriendly operating define the ATTAX as a valuable tool in your quest for the ultimate sound. The streamlined operating and control concept enables you to immediately dial in hot sounds. No fuss, no endless knob twiddling.This Operator's Manual introduces you to the ATTAX's features and options. 3 CHANNELS - THE STANDARD OF THE 9 0 ' s The ATTAX features three separate channels: One solid state CLEAN for vintage and contemporary clean tones. The two tube channels, CRUNCH and LEAD, are carefully tuned for a broad overdrive spectrum, from a slight crunch to heavy duty shred. TWO EFFECTS LOOPS! The ATTAX features two separate loops for effects/multi-effects devices: a standard MONO FX LOOP with SEND and RETURN jacks and a STEREO LOOP with a SEND and two RETURN jacks (Left/Right). STEREO SETUP - NO PROBLEM! The output, effect, and master sections feature stereo circuits enabling stereo setups, o. g. with a stereo power amp and two cabinets. Stereo effects processors can be added through the STEREO LOOP for optimum effects utilization. FREQUENCY-CORRECTED RECORDING OUT JACKS The two Recording Out jacks feature frequency-corrected signal paths that simulate the sound of a miked 4 x 12" cabinet, an ideal tool for home recording, studio situations, and on stage DI to the mixer. MIDI - THE ULTIMATE CONTROL FEATURE! The MIDI option requires no soldering. Installation is simple, and offers the ATTAX user all the comfort of MIDI capabilities. All three channels and the effects loop can be called via MIDI program change messages. We hope you have fun and enjoy success with your ATTAX! THE SOLID STATE CLEAN CHANNEL This channel utilizes innovative solid state circuitry that is capable of producing warm, dynamic vintage tones, as well as contemporary, hi-fi clean sounds. The HUGHES & KETTNER "SOFT CLICK" circuitry delivers the soft clip of a vintage tube amp at high volumes, except that you don't have to alienate your neighbors to get that warm tone. It "feels" like a vintage amp; the preamp's dynamics and response are true to classic tube performance criteria. ATTAX CRUNCH - THE VINTAGE TUBE CHANNEL The ATTAX CRUNCH tube channel covers the tonal spectrum from clean to overdrive. The emphasis on attack response in this channel enables you to control overdrive levels with your guitar's volume pot. At higher gain settings, your tone is carried by lengthy sustain ideal for a singing blues tone with superior dynamic punch. AT-TAX LEAD - HOT-RODDED HEAVY TUBE OVERDRIVE The LEAD channel's extreme gain reserves deliver the distinct performance characteristics of modified tube amps: fat, searing tube overdrive at any volume, ideal for modern lead playing and heavy-duty power chord chunk. v SELECTING THE THREE CHANNELS: CLEAN / CRUNCH / LEAD Channel switching is executed via the switch on the FRONT PANEL or the included STAGEBOARD. The CLEAN /TUBE SWITCH (5) activates either the SOLID STATE (CLEAN channel), or the TUBE ( CRUNCH/LEAD ) sections. The CRUNCH /TUBE SWITCH (12) activates either the CRUNCH or LEAD channel in the tube section. An LED DESIGNATES the currently ACTIVE CHANNEL.: CLEAN = GREEN, CRUNCH = YELLOW, LEAD = RED 1. INPUT 1/4" instrument input jack. ( M ) MIDI LEARN BUTTON MIDI OPTION installation is a prerequisite to MIDI capability. Upon MIDI OPTION installation, press the MIDI LEARN BUTTON on the ATTAX'a front panel to save the current sound/effect parameter settings. Installation is a matter of just a few minutes, it requires no soldering. Talk to your HUGHES & KETTNER DEALER for the details. 2. (CLEAN ) VOLUME Regulates the CLEAN channel's volume. Depending on your instrument's pickups, a setting of 7 - 8 is the clip threshold (SOFT CLICK). 3. GREEN CLEAN LED The GREEN LED illuminates when the solid state 4. CLEAN / BASS / TREBLE The THREE-BAND, PASSIVE VOICING section defines the ATTAX's tonal characteristics in the CLEAN channel. Precise tuning and balance of filter frequencies enable you to quickly and efficiently dial in diverse sounds. ( CLEAN ) section is active. v SETTING VOICING PARAMETERS Dial in the standard setting (BASS, MID, TREBLE in the 12 o'clock position), and then modify the settings to suit your requirements. 5. CLEAN / TUBE SELECTOR SWITCH Activates either the SOLID STATE ( CLEAN channel ), or the TUBE SELECTION ( CRUNCH and LEAD channels). 6. CRUNCH GAIN The CRUNCH GAIN POT regulates the CRUNCH channel's input sensitivity. Try different settings to achieve everything from ultra-clean sound to vintage tube overdrive. 7. CRUNCH LED The YELLOW LED illuminates when the CRUNCH channel is active. 8. LEAD GAIN The LEAD GAIN pot regulates the amount of disortion in the tube preamp's LEAD channel. The intensity of the compression effect inherent in tube technology increases parallel to the amount of overdrive. 9. LEAD LED The RED LED illuminates when the LEAD channel is active. 10. CRUNCH AND LEAD TUBE CHANNELS VOICING SECTION The two tube channels' tone controls are a combination of active and passive circuits designed to respond in a more musical manner. For instance, the active bass filters provide mid-range characteristics and provides additional presence (without unnecessary bending of frequency bands). The voicing section follows the tube section in the amp's circuitry. v SETTING VOICING PARAMETERS Dial in the standard setting (BASS, MID, TREBLE in the 12 o'clock position), and then modify the settings to suit your requirements. In addition to the tree channel's respective VOLUME and/or GAIN controls, the CRUNCH and LEAD channels each incorporate a MASTER control (CRUNCH MASTER / LEADMASTER). The overall output of the ATTAX is defined via the STEREO MASTER VOLUME knob (15). These features allow for an optimum volume balance between the three channels, an essential feature for gigs. 11. CRUNCHMASTER Regulates the CRUNCH channel's volume in relation to the CLEAN and LEAD channel's respective volumes. 12. CRUNCH / LEAD SELECTOR SWITCH Activates either the ATTAX's CRUNCH or LEAD channel. page 5 13. LEADMASTER Regulates the LEAD channel's volume in relation to CLEAN and CRUNCH channels' respective volumes. 14. FX-MIX The FX MIX pot regulates the original signal's volume and its relationship to that of the processed signal, i. e. the one sent from the effects device connected to the STEREO EFFECTS LOOP. DRY = original signal only, WET = processed signal only. You can dial in any signal blend between these two extreme settings. NOTE: If no signal procession is connected to the STEREO LOOP, then the FX-MIX pot can be used as a master volume. The FX-MIX has no influence on overall ATTAX output when it is set to DRY (refer to the "Activating a Second MASTER VOLUME" paragraph on the following page ). 15. MASTER VOL The ATTAX's overall output is defined via the MASTER VOLUME knob. It influences all outputs. 16. PHONES 1/4" head phone jack. The PHONES output jack delivers a speaker-simulated signal, so the ATTAX sounds similar to your stage setup at headphone volumes. 17. MAIN SWITCH: AC mains power switch 18. MAINS The included Euro-norm mains cable is connected to this socket. Ensure the voltage selector is set to the correct voltage (refer to the safety guidelines). 19. FUSE Use a screwdriver to unlock and unscrew the FUSE holder. Ensure replacement fuses' specifications are identical to the original. The ATTAX is factory-set to the European norm of 230 V. 20. RECORDING OUT JACKS The RECORDING OUT jacks deliver a frequency-corrected STEREO SIGNAL, comparable to a that of a miked 4 x 12" cabinet, ideal for home recording, studio, and DI-to-mixer applications. 21. MONO FX LOOP Serial signal path for external effects processors. Connect the ATTAX'S LOOP RETURN to the device's OUTPUT jack. The output signal's dry/wet mix is regulated at the processor. 22. STEREO FX LOOP The parallel STEREO EFFECTS LOOP's dry/wet mix is regulated via the FX MIX pot (14). The effects signal can be activated via the STAGEBOARD or MIDI messages. Connect the ATTAX's LOOP SEND jack to the device's INPUT, and the ATTAX's LOOP LEFT/RIGHT RETURN jacks to the device's LEFT/RIGHT OUTPUT jacks. Use the ATTAX STEREO LOOP'S RIGHT RETURN jack for mono signal processors. The LOOP sends a mono signal if only the RIGHT RETURN jack is connected. TIP 1: You can connect other instruments/sound generation equipment to the ATTAX via the STEREO LOOP'S RETURN jacks instead of a signal processor/effects device. A second guitar, keyboard, drum machine, tape player, etc. can be used for rehearsals / practice sessions. v Adding a STEREO SIGNAL (tape deck, keyboard, etc.): l Connect the device's LEFT /RIGHT OUTPUTS to the ATTAX STEREO LOOP'S LEFT / RIGHT INPUTS. Step on the STAGEBOARD'S FX footswitch (the loop is activated). Regulate the device's volume via the FX MIX pot located on the front panel (to the left towards DRY = volume down, to the right towards WET = volume up). l l TIP 2: You can also use the loop to activate an additional MASTER VOLUME, provided you do not connect a signal processor. v Activating the additional MASTER VOLUME l l Step on the STAGEBOARD'S FX footswitch (the LED illuminates). Dial in a separate MASTER VOLUME setting for the ATTAX via the FX MIX pot (to the left towards DRY = volume up, to the right towards WET = volume down). l You can switch back and forth between the two MASTER VOLUMES via the FX footswitch. Upon MIDI option installation, you can also call MASTER VOLUME changes via MIDI messages. 23. LINE OUT ( LEFT / RIGHT ) The two LINE OUT jacks (Left/Right) feed the preamp's signal to a power amp(s). Use a single LINE OUT jack to drive a mono power amp and speaker cabinet. page 7 24. STAGEBOARD JACK Connect the included ATTAX STAGEBOARD to this MULTIPIN jack. Your ATTAX preamp package includes the STAGEBOARD which enables you to activate the 3 CHANNELS and the STEREO EFFECTS LOOP via footswitches. NOTE: Ensure the CLEAN /TUBE and CRUNCH / LEAD SELECTOR SWITCHES on the FRONT PANEL are set to OFF (not pushed in) when operating the ATTAX in the STAGEBOARD footswitch mode. A combination of the two operating modes recommended. ( footswitch /front panel ) is not QUICK ACCESS TO THE CHANNELS VIA THE STAGEBOARD. When you switch from the solid state preamp section to the tube section via the STAGEBOARD, it is advisable to pre-select the channel via the LEAD /CRUNCH SELCECTOR SWITCH. You can then switch channels in one motion. LEDs are integrated in the STAGEBOARD to give you a clearer picture of the channel switching status for on-stage applications. These LEDs tell you w i h of the two CRUNCH / LEAD channels is preset. The front hc panel LEDs denete the currently active channel. TA EFFECTS LOOP SWITCHING VIA THE A T X STAGEBOARD In addition to channel selection feature, the STAGEBOARD can also be used activate/deactivate the STEREO EFFECTS LOOP via the FX ON / OFF SWITCH. The appropriate LED illuminates when the LOOP is active. Circuitry: Channels: 1 Solid-State CLEAN ,2 Tube preamps CRUNCH / LEAD CLEAN: CRUNCH: LEAD: Volume, Volume, > Bass, Mid, Treble < Volume, Lead Master Bass, Mid, Treble - Master Volume - Crunch Master Jacks: Input, Phones, Recording Out ( Left / Right ), Mono Loop ( Send / Return ), Stereo Loop ( Send / Return Left - Return Right ), Line Out ( Left / Right ), Footswitch. 19" / 1 HU Dimensions: HUGHES & KETTNER ATTAX Line Out Left Line Out Right CF 200 n._-,zm.,".__ --- - POWERAMP E:G: HUGHES & KETTNER CF 200 / VS 250 Input Left Input Right Stereo Speaker Outs Left Right -&LawInput Input HUGHES & KETTNER GL 112/GL 212/GL-GR 412 > Line Out L / R Poweramp / Cabinets Recording Out L / R Signal for Recording / Studio Applications Mono FX Send Mono FX Return Effect / Tuner In Effect Output Stereo Send L / R Stereo Return L / R Input L / R Output L / R Phones Stageboard Phones Stageboard page 9 The above examples are just hat examples. Your sound is ulimatly dependant on the type of instrument and the playing style you use. Nevertheless, these settings will give you a general impression of the ATTAX's sound spectrum. V O L. B A S S MID TREBLE C R. G A I N L E A. G A I N BA S S MID TREBLE CFIMAST.~ CEA.MASY j VOL. BASS MID TREBLE C R. G A I N LE A . GAIN- BASS- AMID TR E B L E C R. MAST. LEA.MAST.] VOL. I---- BASS MID TREBLE CR.GAlN LEA.GAlN BASS MID TREBLE CR. MAST. LEA. MAST. VOL. BASS MID TREBLE CR. GAIN LEA. GAIN BASS MID TREBLE CR. MAST. LEA. MAST. B EFORE CONNECTING,READ . Read all of these instructions . . . . . Save these instructions for later use Follow all warnings and ins ...