Ashdown Engineering AFTER 8 Manuel Utilisateur page 12

USER MANUAL
ABM
Front Panel
INPUT
There is a single instrument input provided linked to a PAssIvE/ACTIvE selector switch. The Passive input (switch out) is high sensitivity and also
high impedance to suit the output from PAssIvE basses. The Active input (switch in) is low sensitivity and lower impedance to suit the output from
ACTIvE basses.
INPUT CONTROL
The INPUT control sets the signal level through the preamp in conjunction with the INPUT LEvEL vU Meter. This is adjusted to give a reading of 0vU
on the meter for average playing dynamics with occasional peaks into the red region. Please note that the setting of this may have to be re-adjusted
after modification of the EQ controls.
PUsH FLAT / sHAPE
With this button in its OUT position a fixed E.Q. is superimposed on the preamp to give a bright but punchy character to the sound. Pushing this
button IN returns the preamp to a Flat frequency response.
This function may also be controlled from a footswitch. For the footswitch to operate this button must be in its OUT position.
vALvE dRIvE
This routes the signal either through a clean solid state amplification section (control on zero) or through a dual Triode Tube amplification/overdrive
section in order to add either tonal character i.e. warmth with the control set at 9 o'clock, a slight edge in the sound at 12 0'clock through to an
increasing degree of Tube distortion/overdrive as the control is advanced to maximum.
A Mix of these two amplification sections can be achieved with this control.
N.B. The degree of tube distortion provided by this control will also depend on the setting of the INPUT control.
vALvE dRIvE IN/OUT
This push button switches the valve drive section IN or OUT. This function may also be controlled from the Ashdown 4 way footswitch. For the
footswitch to operate this button must be in its OUT position.
E.Q. IN / OUT - This push button switches the Equalisation section IN or OUT i.e. the Bass, Middle and Treble controls plus the two sets of sliders
placed between each of these.
This function may also be controlled from the Ashdown 4 way footswitch. For the footswitch to operate this button must be in its OUT position.
EQUALIsATION
This consists of BAss, MIddLE and TREBLE controls with two sliders placed between each control. This can be used in a number of ways:
Firstly as a very simple Bass, Middle and Treble tone control section as found on older traditional amplifiers. This is done by leaving the two sets of
sliders interposed between these controls set in their centre positions and using only the BAss, MIddLE and TREBLE controls to alter the overall tone.
secondly, if more control is required then the sliders can also be used to tailor the E.Q. in the regions between the main tone controls. This provides
a very versatile Equalisation section, it is simple to understand and operate, yet provides a wide degree of variation. It retains the simplicity of a
three- control tone section but provides the flexibility of a graphic equaliser.
COMPREssION
Adding a small amount of compression gives a fat bottom end to the sound and allows a greater volume of amplification to be used without the
playing peaks distorting the amplifiers output stage. You will also find that this will add definition to your playing bringing out notes within a run
more clearly as it evens out the dynamics of your playing.
A large amount of compression can be used as an effect but it will tend to reduce the dynamics in your playing to such an extent that the volume of
the note will be the same no matter how hard or soft you hit the string. Compression also adds sustain to notes making them longer before they die
away.
The Compression Level control adjusts the degree of compression applied to the bass signal. For this to function correctly the Input Level must be
correctly set as described in the INPUT CONTROL section (left).
When the Input Level is correctly set there will be hardly any difference in volume between Compression IN and Compression OUT. This is because
the amplifier automatically compensates for the reduction in level that would be apparent when Compression is added by increasing the overall gain
to restore the volume to its pre compression level, because of this you may notice an increase in background noise with high compression settings.
COMPREssION IN/OUT
This push button switches the Compression IN or OUT. This function may also be controlled from the Ashdown 4 way footswitch. For the footswitch
to operate this button must be in its OUT position.
Ashdown Amplifiers reserve the right to change specifications without notice. E & O E. All contents © Ashdown 2011.
www.ashdownmusic.com
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