Trance Audio VT, DV Amulet Ultra True Stereo User Guide
- July 17, 2024
- TRANCE AUDIO
Table of Contents
Trance Audio VT, DV Amulet Ultra True Stereo
Product Information
Specifications
- Product Name : Amulet Ultra True Stereo
- Model : VT and DV
- System Components : Upgrade Kits (preamp & endpin assembly with a pickup input adapter)
- Controls : VT – Master Volume and Tone control, DV – 2 Volume controls
Product Usage Instructions
- Preamp Controls:
- Each Amulet Ultra True Stereo Preamp has specific controls. VT has Master Volume and Tone control for high-end roll-off, while Ultra DV has 2 Volume controls for individual pickup volume adjustment.
- Adjusting Volume:
- Set the volume thumbwheel to a lower or off position when plugging into an amplifier to avoid sudden loud sounds. Adjust to desired volume gradually.
- Mounting the Preamp:
- To mount the preamp, use the Velcro supplied. Ensure a secure attachment to the bass side of the soundhole. Create a proper mounting location by applying Velcro surfaces and securing with wire clips to prevent cable noise during performance.
- Connecting Endpin and Pickup Plugs:
- Endpin and Pickup Plugs have a keyed design for correct orientation. The silver stripe on top of the connector should face up when installing to ensure proper connection.
- Power Slide Switch:
- Set the power slide switch on the side of the preamp to your preferred mode of operation.
First of all, thank you for purchasing what we feel is the finest acoustic
guitar pickup system available today. As you use your Amulet Ultra, we’re
quite sure you’ll feel the same way!
The Amulet Ultra True Stereo VT & DV complete systems consist of:
- Acoustic Lens Pickup (pair) assembly plus install items (see the Acoustic Lens pickup installation guide for details)
- Soundhole-mounted Ultra Dual Mono Preamp
- Endpin/Battery Clip assembly
- Cable clips
- Battery bag
- Custom Shop Options : Amulet Ultra True Stereo VT & DV Upgrade Kits (preamp & endpin assembly with a pickup input adapter)
Please read through all of these instructions before installing your system and contact us with any questions!
Each Amulet Ultra True Stereo Preamp has 2 thumbwheel controls – VT has Master
Volume plus a Tone control (high-end roll off), Ultra DV has 2 Volume controls
that give you on the fly control of the volume of each pickup separately (see
Page 4). We recommend that you make sure the volume thumbwheel is set to a
lower (or off) position when plugging into an amplifier, and then adjust to
your desired volume to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Amulet Ultra system inside your guitar
Install the battery bag on or near the neck block for easy battery access
INSTALLING YOUR AMULET ULTRA SYSTEM
For detailed pickup installation instructions, please see our guide at
https://tranceaudio.com/support/
It is very important to prepare the surface of the guitar in any spot where
you are going to apply adhesives, whether it is the Velcro patch used for the
battery bag and preamp, the stick-on cable clips, or the pickups themselves.
The surfaces inside a guitar collect dust and dirt, and the process of
finishing a guitar will often leave behind sawdust as well as lacquer or other
types of spray.
After deciding where the adhesive parts are going to be placed, prepare these
surfaces by lightly sanding them with 100 grit sandpaper on a small sanding
block to remove any surface contamination. Blow out any dust using compressed
air if possible, and wipe these surfaces with a small clean cloth that has
been very lightly moistened with water or Windex to pick up any remainder. Let
these areas dry completely (at least a half an hour) before applying the
adhesive items. Not cleaning and preparing the surface will cause premature
failure of the adhesive.
MOUNTING THE PREAMP
The Amulet Ultra preamp module is extremely lightweight, and so it’s fairly
easy to securely mount it to the bass side of the soundhole on most guitars
using the Velcro supplied with the system. Most guitars will have a brace
mounted near the soundhole, and this brace varies a lot in size and location.
Some braces are flat and thin, while others are rounded or taller, and some
may be quite close to the soundhole, while others are located farther away.
The preamp does not need to grip the entire surface of the Velcro to create a
firm attachment, so you can easily use the surface of the brace to help tip
the preamp thumbwheels toward the outer surface of the soundhole, bringing the
wheels closer to the top of the instrument at a slight angle which makes them
easier to access while playing.
The ideal mounting situation is to have the Velcro on the front of the preamp
attached at the front of the soundhole, while the middle or back of the preamp
is attached to the Velcro covering the soundhole brace, tipping the preamp
thumbwheels toward the edge of the soundhole.
Once the two Velcro surfaces are mated, wiggling the preamp back and forth and
twisting it slightly will create a better connection between the Velcro hooks
and loops and a more secure mounting for the preamp.
The preamp modules have the hook portion of the Velcro already applied, so the
loop portion of the Velcro is applied at the soundhole; the loop material is
much softer and more pliable, so it is easier to apply and mold over the
inside top and braces around the soundhole to create a proper surface to
securely mount the preamp module.
Once you’ve created a proper mounting location for the preamp, you can plug the endpin connector and the input connector into their respective locations (see Page 9), set the power slide switch on the side to your preferred mode of operation (see Page 12), and install the preamp module securely in place. Wiggle and twist it a bit to help lock the Velcro together, and use the provided wire clips to secure the cables so they don’t rattle around and create noise during your performance.
The Pickup Input Assembly and Endpin/Battery Clip Assembly jacks have a keyed design so that it only plugs in correctly with the plug oriented in ONE DIRECTION.
This is called a polarized connector, and it insures that all of the cable wires get hooked up correctly during installation. To ensure that you can easily and correctly install the endpin and pickup plugs, they each have a silver stripe printed on top of the connector. Make sure this stripe is facing up when you install the connectors to correctly orient them into the preamp jacks.
The endpin connector socket is easily visible at the left rear of the unit,
while the input connector socket for the pickups is recessed somewhat inside
the unit, directly lined up with the
“INPUT” label on the top cover of the unit.
You can use the colored heatshrink tubing at the connector as a handle to help
guide it into place inside the unit, directly over the printing on the top
cover. When correctly aligned, you will feel the connector slide into place
and lock. It helps to practice this a few times with the pickup and endpin
assemblies before they are installed in the instrument to get a a sense of how
the connectors feel when properly installed.
To unplug the connectors , pull gently on the heatshrink handles near the
connectors and wiggle them back and forth lightly until the connector unlocks
and is removed.
TRIM CONTROL
Each preamp channel has its own easily accessible gain trimmer that allows you to set the perfect balance between the pickups. These can also be used to match the level of your instrument to your amplification system, and even match levels between multiple instruments allowing for smooth transitions between instruments during a performance.
This control can be adjusted using the provided 3mm Phillips head screwdriver
or a small flat-bladed screwdriver or a (up to) #1 size Phillips head
screwdriver. Like any regular trimmer, there are mechanical stops at each end
of the rotation, so take care when adjusting not to try to force it past its
limits, or you will damage it. The gain trimmers for the pickups are easily
accessible at the edge of the soundhole, allowing for quick and easy
adjustments even after the system has been installed.
- Turning the trimmer to the right (CW) will increase the gain, and turning to the left (CCW) will decrease the gain
- Careful adjustment will allow you to tune in the exact balance between the bass and treble strings of your instrument
- The adjustment range is typically 18db, which is wide enough to set any desired balance between pickups
- Trimmer 1 adjusts the Channel 1 (bass side/blue) pickup, and Trimmer 2 adjusts the Channel 2 (treble side/red) pickup.
Note : The frequency response of the preamplifier channels is identical, and the blue/red pickups can be used on either bass/treble with no change in performance, if preferred.
The Trimmers are set at the factory to the center position, which is typically a good starting point. With the thumbwheel volume control(s) set to maximum volume, you can adjust the trimmers up or down to the desired balance and overall volume for your particular setup.
POWERING THE SYSTEM
Battery/Phantom Power Switch
Your Amulet Ultra preamp can be powered by a single 9V battery when the switch
is set to B (towards the thumbwheel controls), or by 48v Phantom power when
set to P (towards the rear of the preamp). Once a new battery is attached to
the battery cable, make sure it is secured in the battery bag with the Velcro
closure securely fastened, so it won’t come loose inside the instrument while
performing. Note: If you have a battery installed, you do not need to remove
it when using the Phantom power option; the battery will be shut off when the
switch is in the Phantom position.
The Ultra Stereo system goes into your mixer as 2 separate channels.
You have several cabling choices:
Cable for Battery Power – use a 1/4” TRS to Dual 1/4″ Male Mono insert
cable to plug into your mixer.
Cable for Phantom Powe r – use a 1/4” TRS to Male XLR cable with a y-splitter that is Female XLR to dual unbalanced Male XLR to your mixer with 48V Phantom power supplying power to the Ultra system. 1/4″ TRS to Dual XLR Male Y-Splitter stereo breakout cables can be used as well.
Alternatively, you can use the 1/4″ TRS to XLR into a Phantom power box, and use the Y-Splitter cable on the output of that to go into your mixer. Please contact us with any questions about suitable cables, and about our Custom Shop cables and Phantom power boxes.
The Amulet Ultra preamp is designed to work with 48 volt phantom power. The preamp will not work with lower phantom power voltages such as 24 or 12 volts. While this lower voltage might be useful for some types of small microphones, it will not power the Amulet Ultra correctly, so be sure and check the manufacturer’s info for any unit that you are considering for use with our system. See Page 18 for more info on phantom power.
ENDPIN JACK INSTALLATION
The endpin jack serves as the audio output of the system, the power on/off
switch, and also as the strap button where you can secure the back of the
strap for your instrument. When using a battery to power the system, be sure
to unplug the cable when not in use to preserve battery life.
PLEASE NOTE : For installation of the Amulet Ultra endpin jack, your
guitar must have a standard size endpin jack hole (1/2”). If your guitar does
not already have an endpin jack hole, this must be added by a professional
luthier or an experienced guitar repair technician as damage to your
instrument can result if done incorrectly.
- The Amulet Ultra’s endpin can accommodate an endblock depth up to 7/8″. This isn’t an issue for most modern guitars, but some older instruments may have thicker endblocks. If needed, you can check the endblock depth yourself.
- Remove the Strap Nut, the Small Hex Nut and the Small Flat Washer from the Amulet Ultra endpin assembly.
- From inside the guitar, insert the endpin assembly through the endblock hole, making sure not to allow the Large Flat Washer and the Locking Washer to fall off. Adjust the Large Hex Nut so the larger threads are about 1⁄16″ shy of the outside of the endblock.
- Thread the Small flat Washer and Small Hex Nut, then insert a 3⁄32″ (2.3 mm) or smaller diameter shaft through the small hole at the front of the endpin shaft (a small screwdriver or drill bit should work well for this).
- Tighten the nut with a 1/2″ open end or crescent wrench while you hold the jack in place and keep it and the preamp from turning with the small screwdriver, drill bit, etc. Then install and hand tighten the Strap Nut.
Note : When properly installed, the end of the jack will be flush or slightly ahead of the strap nut, so when a plug is inserted, it will snap securely in place. If the end of the jack is recessed too much, the cable plug will not plug in all the way and engage properly, and may even fall out.
Adjust the Large Hex Nut to achieve a proper fit of the Strap Nut when installed.
Once the endpin is properly installed, screw the Endpin Jack Cover on as far as it will go to lock it in place and keep it from rattling.
ULTRA UPGRADE
If you’re upgrading your old Amulet system or using another manufacturer’s
pickups, you’ll have an input adapter assembly with jacks for you to plug your
pickups into. Plug the input adapter assembly connector into the preamp input
(see Page 9 for details on the keyed plug design).
To keep the plugs from your pickups and the jacks of the input adapter
assembly from rattling around in your guitar, attach the jack and plug
assembly to the inside back of your guitar using velcro.
PHANTOM POWER
Most modern mixers have 48 volt phantom power built into their microphone preamp channels. This means that you can plug the Amulet Ultra directly into the mic input of your mixer, turn on 48V phantom power and play. Some devices advertise phantom power capabilities, but actually have lower phantom voltages which will not power our system, so be sure to carefully examine any manufacturers literature for any device you are considering for this purpose. There are also instances where a device may provide 48 volt phantom power, but at a much lower than usual current capability (just enough to power a small microphone) and will not properly power our system.
This is usually only the case with very inexpensive gear. If you’re not using a mixer or other device that has the necessary 48 volt phantom power, there are low-cost standalone phantom power supply units that are available from a variety of sources. These typically have an input and output XLR connector, a connector for a plug in power adapter, and internal electronics to supply phantom power.
The Trance Audio Custom Shop offers refurbished Rolls or Sterling Phantom power boxes with some added features, as well as 10 foot right angle 1/4″ TRS to Male XLR cables, and Female XLR to dual unbalanced Male XLR y-splitter cables. Please contact us for details!
THE AMULET ULTRA Warranty
This warranty covers all defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
one (1) year from the date of purchase by the original owner. Cases may arise
where our Service Department or one of Trance Audio’s authorized service
centers will ask for a copy of your sales receipt to facilitate warranty
service. Please keep your purchase receipt in a safe place.
Trance Audio does not cover:
- Damages due to improper or inadequate maintenance, accident, abuse, misuse, alteration, unauthorized repairs, tampering, or failure to follow normal operating procedures as outlined in the owner’s manual.
- Damages occurring during any shipment of the product for any reason.
- Any product that has been modified by anyone other than Trance Audio, Inc. Limitation of Implied Warranties
The warranty described in this one year warranty shall be in lieu of any other
warranty, expressed or implied, including but not limited to, any implied
warranty of merchantabilty or fitness for a particular purpose.
Exclusion of Certain Damages
Trance Audio’s liability for a product found defective is limited to repair or
replacement of the unit, at our option. In no event shall Trance Audio be
liable for damages based on inconvenience, whether incidental or
consequential, loss of use of the unit, loss of time, interrupted operation or
commercial loss, or any other consequential damages.
Some states do not allow limitation of the duration of implied warranties or
the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.
How To Obtain Warranty Service
All Trance Audio products are manufactured with the highest standards of
quality. If you find that your transducer or preamp does require service, it
may only be done by the Trance Audio service center. Please contact Trance
Audio at – Tel: 1(831)688-9699 email:
info@tranceaudio.com.
When returning a product to the factory, you will be issued a Return
Authorization number. Please label all cartons, shipping documents and
correspondence with this number. CAUTION
Trance Audio recommends that Acoustic Lens and Amulet Ultra installation be
done by a professional luthier or guitar repair technician.
Installers: Please read the install instructions carefully, and please contact
us by phone or email with any questions. We will not be responsible for any
damage to the guitar or personal injury resulting from installation of this
product.
2024 Trance Audio, Inc. USA All Rights Reserved Tel: 831-688-9699 email: info@tranceaudio.com | tranceaudio.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I adjust the tone on the VT model?
The VT model features a Tone control for high-end roll-off. You can adjust
this control to tailor the tone to your preference.
Where should I install the battery bag for easy access?
Install the battery bag on or near the neck block of your guitar for
convenient battery access.
How do I ensure correct installation of the endpin and pickup plugs?
The plugs have a silver stripe that should be facing up when installing to
correctly orient them into the preamp jacks.