Ampeg V3 Venture Bass Amplifiers User Guide

Ampeg V3 Venture Bass Amplifiers

Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity 47 CFR § 2.1077 Compliance Information
Unique Identifiers: Ampeg® Venture® V3, V7, and V12 Bass Amplifiers

Responsible Party – U.S. Contact Information: Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. 26580 Agoura Road Calabasas, CA 91302-1921 818-575-3600 https://ampeg.com/

FCC Compliance Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

There are various types of fuses, and replacing them with different types may cause malfunction, electric shock, or fire. Be sure to confirm you are replacing the correct fuse with electrical rating and specifications. Each number and symbol represent the following:

Example: T3AL250V

1. T, 2 • A, 3 L, and 4 ■V are shown below.
2. A symbol indicating relative fusing time / current characteristics T: Time lag type, F: Fast-acting type.
3. • A: Rated current.
4. A symbol indicating the blocking capacity L: Low cutoff capacity, E: Medium cutoff capacity, H: High cutoff capacity.
5. ■V: Rated voltage.

2023 Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Ampeg, the Ampeg logo, Venture, Portaflex, SVT, SGT, and Super Grit Technology are trademarks or registered trademarks of Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other jurisdictions. Neutrik and speakON are registered trademarks of Neutrik AG Corporation. The Model and Serial numbers can be found on the product label. Please record these numbers below and retain this document for your records.

• Model Number:
• Serial Number:

What’s in the Box

Ampeg® Venture® V3, V7, or V12 Amplifier, Power Cable, Quick Start Guide.

Hookup Example

Note that the Preamp Out, Poweramp In, and additional Speaker Out features are available only on the Venture V7 and V12 amplifier models.

Getting Started

1. Read and understand the included Important Safety Instructions.
2. Make sure the Power switch is off before making any connections.
3. Insert the included line cord securely into the amplifier’s IEC connector. Plug the line cord into a grounded AC outlet. The amplifier will accept the appropriate voltage as indicated on the rear panel.
4. Connect an instrument to the Input jack with a 1/4″ (shielded) instrument cable.
5. With all controls fully off, turn the amplifier on by flipping the Power switch to “On.”
6. While playing the instrument, adjust the Volume knob to the preferred level.
7. Adjust the EQ knobs and switches to taste.

Front Panels

Front Panel Descriptions

1. 0 dB / -15 dB Input Switch: Use this switch to configure the optimal input level. Typically, you’ll want to use the -15 dB setting with instruments that include high-output pickups or active electronics, or if you frequently see the Peak LED [13] light up.

2. 1/4″ Input: Connect a passive or active instrument to the Input jack. Use the 0dB / -15dB switch [1] to set your preferred input level.

3. Compressor: (V7 and V12) Adjust the knob clockwise to add compression to your signal, up to a 10:1 voltage ratio at maximum. Set the knob to a minimum to turn the compressor off. The LED at the right lights indicates whenever your input level exceeds the compressor’s threshold and gain reduction is applied.

4. SGT™ (Super Grit Technology™) Circuit: Use the SGT to add classic Ampeg overdrive to your signal. On/Off Switch: Toggles the SGT circuit on/off. (Alternatively, the SGT can be toggled via the rear panel’s Switch jack—when a footswitch is connected, this front panel switch is disabled.)
   SVT/B15 Switch: Toggles between two “flavors” of overdrive, based on the character of either the legendary SVT® or Portaflex® B-15 tube amplifiers.
   SGT Grit/Level Knob: This dual-concentric knob offers independent adjustment over the amount of grit (the inner control), and output level of the circuit (the outer control).

5. Power/Mute Indicator LED: This LED bar lights up blue when the amplifier is powered on, and lights up red when the Mute switch [14] is engaged.

6. Gain: Use to adjust the signal level driving the preamp.

7. Bass: Use to adjust the low-frequency level of the amplifier for up to 14 dB of boost or cut at 40 Hz. The low-frequency output is flat at the center position.

8. Midrange Frequency/Level: Use the dual-concentric knob’s outer control (Freq) to select the midrange frequency and the inner control (Level) for up to 14 dB of boost or cut.

9. Treble: Use to adjust the high-frequency level of the amplifier for up to 17 dB of boost or –14 dB of cut at 4 kHz. The high-frequency output is flat at the center position.

10. Volume: Use to control the amplifier’s overall output level. It affects the Speaker, Phones, and Preamp outputs.

11. Ultra Lo 3-way Switch: Push the left side of the switch to cut the low-frequency output –20 dB at 40 Hz. Push to the center position to disengage Ultra Lo. Push the right side to enhance the amount of low-end with a 2 dB boost at 40 Hz and –10 dB cut at 500 Hz.

12. Ultra Hi 2-way Switch: Push the right side of the switch to engage and enhance the amount of high-frequency output by 9 dB at 8 kHz.

13. Peak LED: This LED lights up whenever your input signal is too high.* (You can use the -15 dB switch

[1] to reduce your input level, if needed.)

14. Mute Switch: Flip this switch left to mute the amplifier’s outputs—see the table below for mute behaviors. The Power/Mute Indicator LED [5] illuminates red when this switch is engaged. (Mute can optionally be toggled via the rear panel’s Switch jack.)

MUTE BEHAVIORS

Outputs Muted

| Speaker Out FX Loop Send DI Out| Speaker Outs FX Loop Send DI Out Preamp Out

Output Not Muted

| The Aux Input signal at the Headphones Out

(All other input signals are muted at the Headphones Out)

Rear Panels

Rear Panel Descriptions

1. IEC Power Cable Connector: Plug in your included IEC power cable here and connect it to a properly grounded outlet for AC power.

2. Power Switch: Use this switch to toggle the amplifier’s power on (I) and off (O).

3. Speaker Output:
   IMPORTANT! Venture series amplifiers include several protective features to safeguard against overtemperature, overcurrent, and high-frequency bursts, to ensure the safe, reliable, and prolonged operation of your amplifier for years to come.
   If the unit goes into its protective mode, it will recover automatically within 10 seconds.. Speaker Out (V3): Connect from the Neutrik® speakON® – 1/4″ combination jack into an external speaker cabinet. It is preferred to use the NL2 speakOn cable connection between your amplifier and cabinet, due to the secure locking connection and superior high-current, low-noise performance. You can optionally use a standard unshielded, 1/4″ TS cable connection. Make sure the total speaker impedance load is 4 Ohms or greater. Speaker Outputs (V7 and V12): Connect from the speakON jack(s) into external speaker cabinets using NL2 speakOn-type cables. The two outputs are wired in parallel, and you can use either one or both. To avoid damage to your Venture amplifier, the total speaker impedance load must be 4 Ohms or greater. For example, you could connect: Two 16 Ohm speakers (an 8 Ohm load), Two 8 Ohm speakers (a 4 Ohm load), or one 4 Ohm speaker.
   NOTE: Always use speaker cabinets with equivalent nominal impedance when connecting multiple cabinets. Please also see the Ampeg Venture Speaker Cabinets’ documentation, available at ampeg.com/support/manuals/.

4. Phones: Connect your headphones to this 1/4″ TRS stereo output to monitor a mix of the line-level signals reaching the amplifier and audio from the front panel’s Input jack.
   IMPORTANT! Always turn the amplifier’s Volume knob down to a minimum before connecting headphones to avoid potential hearing damage.
   TIP: If you want to listen and practice through headphones “silently,” disconnect the Speaker Outputs [3]. There is no harm caused to your Venture series amplifier by using it without speakers connected.

5. Aux In: Connect the audio output from line-level sources, such as a mobile device, MP3, or CD player, to this analog, 1/8″ TRS stereo input so you can play along to a practice track as you listen with headphones. The Aux In signal is heard only on the Phones output. Adjust the output of your source device for optimal Aux In level.

6. Preamp Out: (V7 and V12) Use this 1/4″ unbalanced jack to route the preamp circuit’s output signal into an external power amp. Connect to this jack using a shielded TS instrument cable.

7. FX Loop: The FX Loop Send and Return are line level.
   Send: Use a 1/4″ unbalanced TS cable to connect to the input of an external FX processor. The Send output is affected by all controls except the Volume. Use the FX Loop Return jack [7] to feed the returned processed signals into the power amplifier.
   Return: Use a 1/4″ unbalanced TS cable to connect to the output of an external FX processor. Alternatively, you can connect the output of a preamp or other signal source to only the Return jack to route into the Venture power amp circuit.*

NOTE: When using the Return as an input with nothing connected to the Send, the front panel Input jack, Gain, Comp, SGT, and EQ knobs and switches are disengaged. Mix: (V7 and V12) Turn this knob to adjust the mix between the direct (Dry) and the effects (Wet) signals when the FX Loop is used. Adjust to minimum for a purely direct signal (no effect) and to maximum for a purely effected signal (no direct). The fully clockwise position is equivalent to a serial effects loop.

NOTE: Venture V3 amplifiers include a fixed, serial configuration FX Loop, therefore, no FX Mix control is necessary.

1. DI Balanced Output & Switches: Use this XLR balanced jack to route your amp’s output directly into the input of an external mixer or a recorder—or to an external power amplifier or powered loudspeaker. This DI output is not affected by the amp’s Volume knob. Use the Pre/Post, Pad, and Ground/Lift switches to configure the DI Output.
   Pre/Post Switch: Toggle this switch to configure the DI Balanced Output to be tapped from either Pre or Post specific amplifier controls and components, as follows:

   • In the Pre position (up) – the DI Out signal excludes, and is not affected by, the -15 dB input pad, tone controls, SGT settings, and the FX Loop.
   • In Post position (down) – the DI Out signal includes, and is affected by, the -15 dB input pad, Gain, tone controls, SGT settings, and the FX Loop. 0 / -20 dB Pad Switch: Toggle this switch down to reduce the output of the DI Balanced Output by 20 dB. Ground/Lift Switch: Toggle this switch up to engage the Ground Lift, if necessary, to help eliminate hum at the DI Balanced Output.

2. Switch (TRS): Connect a 1/4″ TRS dual footswitch, such as the Ampeg AFP-2 or AFS2, to remotely toggle the SGT circuit (tip) and Mute (ring) on/off. If you connect a TS single footswitch, such as the Ampeg AFP-1, it will toggle the SGT on/off.* (Alternatively, most manufacturers’ “latching” type footswitches will also work.)
   NOTE: The front panel SGT On/Off switch is disabled when a footswitch is connected to the Switch jack. (The front panel Mute switch remains functional when a footswitch is connected.)
   When using a 2-button footswitch, a TRS cable is required. When using a 1-button footswitch, a TS cable is recommended for proper functionality. If using a 1-button footswitch with a TRS cable, a problem can occur where, upon insert of the TRS cable, the Mute circuit is engaged and cannot be overridden.

3. Poweramp In: (V7 and V12) Use this 1/4″ unbalanced jack to route the output of an external preamp directly into the Venture power amp. Connect to this jack from the output of your external preamp using a shielded TS instrument cable. The internal preamp signal is disconnected when a plug is inserted into this jack.

Technical Specifications

VENTURE BASS AMPLIFIERS

Output Power Rating @ 1% THD

(@ 4 Ohm)

| ****

100-240 VAC = 310W

| ****

100-240 VAC = 700W

| 100 VAC = 1032W

100-240 VAC = 1220W

(The output delta is less than

1 dB between the two outputs at 100V and 240V, respectively.)

Power Amp| Class D – ICE power (switching)

Power Requirements

| 100-240 VAC

50-60Hz

450W Max

| 100-240 VAC

50-60Hz

1000W Max

| 100 VAC

100-240 VAC

50-60Hz

1600W Max

Size (H x W x D)| 2.56 x 9.09 x 10.52 in

65.1 x 231 x 267.1 mm

| 3.07 x 11.42 x 10.78 in

78.1 x 290 x 273.8 mm

| 3.07 x 14.57 x 10.78 in

78.1 x 370 x 273.8 mm

Weight| 3.9 lbs

1.77 kg

| 6.12 lbs

3.10 kg

| 8.3 lbs

3.76 kg

All specifications are subject to change. Venture amplifiers are intended to be used in an open area on top of a speaker cabinet or other hard surfaces for optimal performance and proper venting. By enclosing the unit during operation in a rack, box, or other container, you do so at your own risk.

WARRANTY AND SUPPORT

Visit WWW.AMPEG.COM to…

1. Identify warranty coverage provided in your local market. Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place.
2. retrieve a full-version, printable OWNER’S MANUAL (English only) for your product.
3. REGISTER your product.
4. CONTACT Technical Support or call 818-575-3600.

www.ampeg.com Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. 26580 Agoura Road, Calabasas, CA 91302-1921 USA Part No. 40-00-0557 Rev B

References

• Ampeg
• Ampeg
• Ampeg
• Ampeg
• Ampeg :: Product Manuals
• Ampeg (@ampeg) • Instagram photos and videos

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