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. Please read these instructions carefully. 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 signal is controlled by the TRANSDUCER Channel. Under battery power, turn the Phantom Power OFF (switch pushed IN) to save battery life. 3) MINI-MIC ALONE Microphone signal is sent through a mono instrument cable to the AUX / MIC IN jack. The signal is controlled by the MICROPHONE Channel. 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. This signal is controlled by the TRANSDUCER Channel. B) Signal from magnetic pickup is sent through a mono instrument cable to the AUX / MIC IN jack. This signal is controlled by the MICROPHONE Channel. 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. The PA will see a blended signal - both microphone and pickup. 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. The Mains will see a blended signal - both microphone and pickup. Send only the transducer signal to the stage monitors. 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. [. . . ] 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. [. . . ]