Ashdown Engineering 22-Head Shavo Odadjian Signature Bass Amp Head User Manual
- June 10, 2024
- Ashdown Engineering
Table of Contents
Ashdown Engineering 22-Head Shavo Odadjian Signature Bass Amp Head
Ashdown Engineering Amplifier User Manual
Thank you for purchasing your Ashdown Engineering Amplifier.
This amplifier is designed to provide great tone and service for years to
come, but it does require proper care and maintenance.
Please read through this user manual carefully to get the most out of your new
Amp and keep it running as long as some of our happiest and very famous
customers.
Register Your Product Online
Please register your product online to receive years of customer support through our friendly in-house service center. Visit http://www.ashdownmusic.com/pages/register-your-product to register your product.
Product Features
Input
The Ashdown Engineering Amplifier features a single instrument input linked to a PASSIVE/ACTIVE selector switch. The Passive input (switch out) is high sensitivity and 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 Plus
This feature 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. 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.
9 Band Equalisation
This feature consists of BASS, MIDDLE and TREBLE controls with three sliders placed between each control. This can be used in a number of ways:
- 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 center positions and using only the BASS, MIDDLE and TREBLE controls to alter the overall tone.
Product Usage Instructions
To use your Ashdown Engineering Amplifier:
-
Connect your bass guitar to the input jack, selecting either the Passive or Active input based on your instrument.
-
Adjust the INPUT control to set the signal level through the preamp. Aim for a reading of 0VU on the meter for average playing dynamics with occasional peaks into the red region.
-
To add tonal character, use the Valve Drive Plus feature. Set it to zero for clean Solid State amplification or adjust it up to add warmth, edge or tube distortion/overdrive. The degree of tube
distortion provided by this control will depend on the setting of the INPUT control. -
Use the Push Flat/Shape button to switch between a fixed E.Q. and a flat frequency response. This can also be controlled using a footswitch.
-
Adjust the Bass, Middle and Treble controls to alter the overall tone. Use the three sliders placed between each control to fine-tune your sound.
-
Use the Valve Drive In/Out and E.Q. In/Out buttons to switch between using these features or not. These can also be controlled using a footswitch.
Remember to register your product online for years of customer support through our friendly in-house service center.
THANK YOU
Thank you for purchasing your Ashdown Engineering Amplifier and welcome to the
family! We really think you’ve made the right choice and know that this
amplifier will give you years of great tone and service.
It is a machine though and needs to be looked after, please read through this
user manual which will help you get the most out of your new Amp and keep it
running as long as some of our
happiest and very famous customers.
REGISTER ONLINE
Please register this product online so we can make sure we give you years of
customer support through our friendly in-house service centre.
Here is where you need to visit to register your product:
http://www.ashdownmusic.com/pages/register-your-product
Features
-
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 PLUS – 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. -
9 BAND EQUALISATION – This consists of BASS, MIDDLE and TREBLE controls with three 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. -
DYNAMIC 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.
-
SUB HARMONICS – This section produces Sub Harmonics an octave below the notes being played. The level of these Sub Harmonics relative to the straight bass sound can be adjusted using the LEVEL control.
This is very effective in thickening the sound and you will find in use that only a small degree of this lower octave is required to really fill out the sound and provide a character that is not possible by any other means. The degree of Sub Harmonics is also dependant on the setting of the BASS control. -
DIRECT INJECT (D.I.) – A balanced D.I. Is provided on a latching XLR socket. This has a push button placed below it that allows the user to choose either a Pre E.Q. Signal (button pushed IN) or a Post E.Q. Post Sub and effects signal (button OUT).
The output signal from this XLR socket is set to a level and impedance suitable for connecting directly into the Microphone input of a mixing desk for either Direct Injection into the PA system or for recording. This must ONLY be used into a Balanced Microphone input, it is not intended for any other type of connection.
This has a floating ground that is referenced to the mixing console it is plugged into and should not need ground lifting. It is also unaffected by Phantom Powering on the Microphone input.
Make sure your XLR plug does not have the shell of the plug internally connected to signal ground or this will connect the system to chassis ground of the 22-HEAD and may cause problems with hum. -
PUSH TO MUTE – When pushed IN this button mutes the output from the preamp to the power amp, mutes the output from the D.I. Socket and mutes the output from the LINE Out socket as well. This leaves the output from the TUNER socket still available to allow muted tuning.
A blue LED is provided next to this switch to indicate when the amplifier is muted. This function operates only from the front panel MUTE push switch. i.e. pressing this button mutes all sound from the amplifier and allows a tuner connected to the TUNER socket to operate for silent tuning. Release the button and you are back in action again. -
TUNER OUT – This output socket provides a line level signal that can be used for a permanent connection to a tuner.
The signal from this socket remains when all other outputs from the amplifier are Muted allowing all sound from the amplifier to be silenced while tuning is in progress. -
LINE OUT -This output socket provides a line level/post Output Level control signal for connection to an external power amplifier driving additional speaker cabinets.
-
OUTPUT LEVEL – The OUTPUT control adjusts the overall level of the amplifier. Adjust this for your preferred overall stage playing volume. On the 22-HEAD we have implemented a second VU meter to register the output level as a visual reference.
-
LINE INPUT – The rear panel has a Line Input socket for connection of other signal sources into the system. This can be used for plugging a CD, Tape or MP3 player into the amplifier for practising, rehearsing or for connection of a second pre-amp into the system.
-
EFFECTS SEND / RETURN – A serial effects loop is provided at a level of 0dB. The EFFECTS SEND socket can also be used as a Line Out socket if required as the signal path through the preamp is only broken when a jack plug is inserted into the EFFECTS RETURN socket.
The EFFECTS SEND is situated after the EQ, the Valve section the Compression and the Sub Bass Processor. -
4-WAY FOOTSWITCH SOCKET – For the 4 way footswitch to operate it is essential that the corresponding front panel push buttons be in the OUT position.
This is a mono jack socket for connection of the Ashdown 4 way footswitch (sold separately) only. Always connect this prior to turning on the power to the amplifier as the footswitch derives its power from the amplifier and sends a serial data stream to the amplifier in order to operate the various functions.
Each of the 4 facilities available for selection is indicated by an LED that will light when that facility is selected from the footswitch. -
SPEAKER OUTPUT – The Speaker Output sockets are also situated on the rear panel of the unit. The 22-HEAD has one power section rated at 600 Watts RMS with two Neutrik combi speakon out-puts. You can either use Speakons or Jack Speaker cables to connect to your cabinet. Each Power section has a minimum load of 4 ohms.
SPECIFICATIONS
- INPUTS
- High Input Impedance 3.9M Ohms Input range 150mV to 20V p-p
- Low Input Impedance 10K Ohms Input range 300mV to 40V p-p
- Line Input Impedance 22K Ohms Input level 0dBu nominal
- Effects Return Impedance 22K Ohms Input level 0dBu nominal
- OUTPUTS
- Tuner Output Impedance 1K Ohms Level 0dBu nominal
- Line Output Impedance 10K Ohms Level 0dBu nominal
- Effects Send Impedance 22K Ohms Level 0dBu nominal
- D.I. Output 600 Ohms balanced Level -20dBu nominal
- EQUALISATION
- Shape (Push Flat) +8dB @ 50Hz & 4kHz, -8dB @ 400Hz, filter slope – 6dB/octave
- Bass +/-15dB @ 45Hz
- Middle +/-15dB @ 660Hz
- Treble +/-15dB @ 7kHz shelving
- Slider1 +/-15dB @ 100Hz
- Slider 2 +/-15dB @ 180Hz
- Slider 3 +/-15dB @ 340Hz
- Slider 4 +/-15dB @ 1.3kHz
- Slider 5 +/-15dB @ 2.6kHz
- Slider 6 +/-15dB @ 5kHz
- Frequency Response -3dB at 17Hz and 22KHz
- Speaker Outputs Minimum impedance 4 Ohms
- Output Power 600watts RMS into 4 ohms. Per Power Section