User manual HUGHES & KETTNER BASSKICK 505

BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG BASSIUCK 505 200 WATTS BASSAMPLIFIER BASSKICK 707 250 WATTS BASSAMPLIFIER SOUND MATRIX /-i-J GAIN BASS MID EQ FIIQUINCY LEVEL TREBLE MASTER \/.!&.., II MAINS m-----w-------m-----s-------~~~----~~------ Z MANUAL BASS TECHNOLOGY BASSKICK-MANUAL hlka!k 1 .O CONNECTIONS AND CONTROL FEATURES GAIN: Controls the input sensitivity of the BassKick's preamp, enabling you to adjust it to match your instrument's output level. Higher gain settings produce punchy rock sounds. SATURATION LED: Indicates the BassKick's prearnp is being overdriven. For ultra-clean sounds, set the GAIN control so that this LED does not illuminate. f&ASWl#?z Defines the BassKick's stage volume; the LINE OUT jack's output signal remains unaffected by this control. The DYNACLIP power amp circuitry kicks in at higher volume levels, adding some "tube growl" to your bass tone. PHONES: Pfug your headphones into this jack. The BassKick's speaker output circuit is muted automatically when this jack is accessed. SOUNDMATRIX: Use this rotary pot to dial in diverse basic sounds. MID FREQ: Use this knob to select the mid-range frequency you want to tune. The frequency you select via this control is then modified by any adjustment you make via the MID LEVEL control. TREBLE: Controls the upper frequencies and subsequently the crispness and overtone content in your bass sound. For a warmer sound, this control is situated right after the input stage in the signal chain. In other words, it also influences traditional basses featuring passive pickups and circuitry to this input. remains active. frequency is boosted or tapered. MAINS: AC power switch SPEAKERS: Use this output to connect external speakers/cabinets. Ensure the overall impedance is not lower than 4 ohms. For the combo version, you can connect one 8 ohm cabinet, and for the head, a maximum of two 8 ohm speaker cabinets in parallel. FX RETUIRN: Connect this jack to the FX processor's OUTPUT jack. FX SEND: Connect this jack to the FX processor's INPUT jack. MAINS SOCKET: Connect the included Euro-norm mains cable to this socket. The fuse bracket is integrated in the socket; ensure you use specified replacement fuses only! LINE OUT: Use this balanced output to send signals to a mixing console or additional power amp. The signal routed to this jack is affected by the voicing section but not the MASTER control. I FOOTSWITCH: Connect a standard footswitch here to remotely switch the SOUNDMATRIX function located on the front panel. 4 BASSKICK-MANUAL ..,,4=% + 2.0 STANDARD SETUP /CABLE CONNECTIONS Mixing Console FOOTSWITCH FX Devices El I LINE OUT t MATRIX ON/OFF SEND RETURN t1 OUT A Phones BassKick 505 / 707 Sound II: 3.0 OPERATING THE BASSKICK 505/507 3.1 THE SOUNDMATRIX The SOUNDMATRIX is a new type of sound filtering system that lets you dial in diverse basic tonal settings while ensuring the frequency response is always musical. Additionally, it enables you to quickly and comfortably access these basic sounds. You would have to set up a 32-band graphic equalizer as depicted to achieve the SOUNDMATRIX'S basic sounds. In practice though the SOUNDMATRIX will always sound a bit better; its filters deliver a more harmonic, homogeneous result with less noise. BassKick 505 / 707 Sound I: The typical slap sound - well-defined and precise. BassKick 505 / 707 Sound III: This sound delivers the warmth and tone for finger-style playing, especially when used with fretless basses. Slight preamp overdrive adds to the flavor. BassKick 505 / 707 Sound IV: The modern all-round sound, suitable for all playing styles. The ideal basic setting for a growling, aggressive rock bass attack (SAT LED). 5 - BASSKICK-MANUAL Jhka?!k Activate the SOUNDMATRIX via the front panel switch or an external footswitch. The BassKicks's voicing section also remains active. With a bit of practice, you can tune an attenuated frequency range, but keep in mind that for the human ear, attenuated frequencies are generally more difficult to discern. 3.2 THE INPUT AND VOICING SECTIONS While the SOUNDMATRIX enables you to quickly and effectively select drastically modified sounds, the BassKicks's voicing section is primarily designed to adapt your bass setup to the venue and/or stage as well as the instrument you are using. Of course you can also use the voicing section to dial in any type of sound you desire. In this case, you should occasionally switch the SOUNDMATRIX on to compare sounds to ensure the best results when you do select another sound during your set. Two factors have a major influence on the sound of your BassKick's 1. The gain setting: The BassKick preamp's response depends largely on the type of instrument you are using, its pickups, and its output signal level. The SATURATION LED is a tool that helps you adjust the gain properly for a given instrument. When this LED illuminates, your amp will deliver a slightly overdriven, tube-like tone. If the LED illuminates with every note you play, the BassKick's preamp is saturated. In this case, adjust the gain and/or treble controls to a lower setting. 2. The midrange setting: The following procedure is especially effective for dialing in the desired midrange tone: - To tune the midrange, turn the MID LEVEL control all the way up so you can hear the desired frequency bandwidth properly. - Select the desired frequency via the MID FREQ. control. Yqu will hear a wah-wah effect as you are turning the knob; the selected frequency range is also amplified. - Now you can use the MID LEVEL control to amplify or attentuate the desired frequency range. If you leave the MID LEVEL control in the 12 o'clock position for a given frequency, that frequency will not be influenced. 3.3 THE BASSKICK 505 TWEETER The BassKick combo is equipped with a 15" woofer and a dynamic tweeter. This tweeter is precision-tuned to produce contemporary bass sounds replete with loads of upper register harmonics. The"TREBLE" control's center frequency was selected to enable you to dial in exactly the amount of brilliance you want in your sound. You can also activate and deactivate the tweeter as desired via the "HF-HORN ON/OFF" switch. The switch is located on the right side of the combo, above the speaker, and is accessible through an opening in the speaker grille. 4.0 SERVICE AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE The BassKick amps do not require service of any type. However, there are a few precautions you should heed. - Ensure all peripheral devices, cords and cables are in a state of good repair. Defective speaker cables (shorted cables, loose connections) are by far the most common cause of power amp failure. Poor cables are also noisy. - Ensure air can circulate around your amp's ribbed ventilation ducts, especially when you have installed the amp in a rack. - Avoid mechanical shocks and exposure to extreme heat, dust and especially moisture. -When connecting peripheral devices, always heed the proper safety precautions. Never connect speakers with inadequate impedances (ohms), and never connect devices with high output signal levels (e.g. power amps) to your amp's input. - Ensure you have the correct AC power rating available before you plug in the amp. If in doubt, ask the venue's sound technician or stage hand. - Refrain from DIY repairs! You should also have a qualified technician replace internal fuses. Use a brush to clean the flock covering (combo version), and a soft damp cloth for all metal parts. BASS-KICK-MANUAL 5.0 POSSIBLE ERROR SOURCES/ TROUBLE-SHOOTING The BassKick is not getting any power: - Check the mains cable to see if it is connected properly. - The mains fuse is defective. Replace the fuse with another identical fuse. If this fuse also blows, consult your Hughes & Kettner dealer. BassKick 707 only: The amp's output level seems too low. - The overall impedance of the connected cabinets is well above 4 ohms. In order to access the amp's full output power, connect an additional cabinet in parallel or have a technician rewire the cabinet. Ensure the overall impedance is never below 4 ohms. - A device connected to the effects loop is reducing the signal level. Adjust the signal level via the device's input/output control. The BassKick is connected properly, but no sound is audible. - The GAIN and/or MASTER controls are turned all the way down. Dial in a higher setting. - You have patched in an effects processor and you either connected the cords incorrectly or the device is off. Check out the FX signal chain. - You have plugged into the headphones jack, which automatically switches the internal speaker off. Disconnect the headphones. BassKIck 505 only: The amp's output level seems too low. - A device connected to the effects loop is reducing the signal level. Adjust the signal level via the device's input/output control. - If you have connected an additional 8-ohm cabinet and the output level is still too low, you can patch the signal to an additional power amp/cabinet system via the LINE OUT jack. When accessed, the LINE OUT jack causes annoying hum. - The connected device's input circuit is unbalanced and an electrical or magnetic field is causing interference. Use a balanced input or situate the cables to reduce interference to a minimum. - The grounding of the connected devices are causing a ground loop. Do not sever the ground of the connected devices under any circumstances! Attempt to solve the problem by severing the ground on one side of the balanced cable you are using to connect the devices (line cable). If this doesn't eliminate the noise, you must ensure the connection is galvanically separated by routing the signal through a DI box. You have patched the LINE OUT signal to a mixing console, but the sound coming through the PA or recording device is totally distorted. - The mixing console's balanced input is not set to line level. Set the level accordingly at the mixing console. If for some reason this is not possible, patch the signal to an unbalanced line input at the mixing console or use a connecting cable featuring an integrated voltage divider (available from your local dealer or PA service company). 7