CARVIN audio BX-1 Bass Preamp Instructions
- June 3, 2024
- CARVIN audio
Table of Contents
CARVIN audio BX-1 Bass Preamp
INTRODUCTION
The BX1 Bass Preamp offers classic, natural bass tone with unprecedented tonal control and extended headroom. The BX1 begins with a b outique flat response, then we add extensive tone control allowing you to carve out your signature sound. Harmonic content increases as you turn up the INPUT GAIN control, producing the rich harmonics you desire from your preamp. Lightweight, compact design, bullet-proof construction and a l ist of indispensable features assure the BX1 will be the heart of your tone for years to come.
BX1 FEATURES
- Preamp GAIN and master VOLUME controls
- BLEND control adjusts the EQ/dry mix
- Mid-sweep semi-parametric EQ
- COMPRESSOR: Threshold and Strength controls
- Effects Loop
- True Bypass
- Switchable MUTE
- DIRECT OUT balanced X LR and 1 /4-inch
- Switchable Ground Lift f or AC g round is olation
- THRU/TUNER output jack independent of MUTE switch
- -12dB attenuation switch
- Solid metal s haft controls with threaded metal bushings mounted to top panel
- 9V P ower supply i ncluded. 90-230VAC, 50-60Hz
- Battery compartment f or 9V battery operation
BX1 SPECIFICATIONS
- Frequency Response: 25Hz-18kHz
- Input Gain: 1 3dB
- Input Impedance: 2 .2M
- Maximum Input: -6dB
- Maximum Output: MAIN + 6dB, EFF SND/RTN + 4dB, THRU/ TUNER – 6dB
- Tone controls: +/-10dB BASS ( 25Hz-100Hz) MID(semi-parametric sweep 100Hz-2.5kHz) TREBLE(3kHz-18kHz), ,
- Power requirement: 9VDC / 5 0mA. Polarity: Center Negative Plug + –
- 9V Power supply included: 90-230VAC, 50-60Hz
- Dimensions: 6 ”W x 5 .5”D x 2 .5” H W t. 2 lbs.
BX1 CONTROLS
- THRU/TUNER JACK (UNMUTED)
- The TH RU/ TUNER jack is an ono 1 /4-inch jack designed for connecting a tuner or sending the bass signal to another device. This output is unaffected by the M UTE an nd an ll other functions of the B X 1 s o you may tune y our b ass quietly while using the MUTE.
- INPUT JACK
- The 1 /4-inch phone jack is a high Impedance instrument input designed to handle both active and passive basses in conjunction with the – 1 2dB attenuation switch
- PWR/CLIP
- When the LED is green, this indicates the unit is powered on. When the LED flashes red, this indicates your signal is nearing clipping. Solid Red indicates your signal is clipping and distortion will be heard at the outputs.
- – 12dB ATTENUATION SWITCH
- This switch attenuates the input by 12dB when in the up position. This is useful when the incoming signal is too strong and is causing distortion to be heard even with the input gain a t 0.
- LED INDICATORS
- These LED indicators let the user know the status of each feature. COMPRESSOR- Green(ON), Red (OFF ). MUTE-Red(On). B YPASS -Red(Pedal bypassed), Green(Signal flows through the preamp.)
- BYPASS
- Sends the signal around the EQ Tone preamp. The INPUT GAIN, – 12dB attenuation, COMPRESSOR, VOLUME, and GND LIFT still affect the signal . The LED color indicates t he following. Green(ON), Red(OFF ).
- 7&8. EFFECTS LOOP
- The SEND jack is the output of the preamp and is designed to deliver the proper level for the input of an external effects processor. The SEND signal source is after the TONE CONTROLS and BLEND. and before the BYPASS and MUTE. The RETURN jack is designed to receive signals from the output of an external effects processor. When a signal is plugged into the RETURN. it breaks the connection between the preamp and the internal power amp. The RETURN signal goes through the COMPRESSOR and VOLUME control to the outputs. The RETURN signal is before the BYPASS. When BYPASS is on (green), the signal does not pass through to the output.
- MUTE
- The MUTE switch turns off the output of the pedal. A red LED indicates the MUTE switch is on. The MUTE switch is ideal for changing basses and silent tuning on-stage. The THRU/TUNER and EFF SND outputs are never muted.
- DC IN Battery Operation
- Use the included 9V power supply to power the BX1. The BX1 can als operate on a 9V battery. When using a battery. the BX1 will NOT TURN ON until there is a 1/4-inch plug inserted into the input. Leaving the BX1 plugged in when not using will drain the battery.
- COMPRESSOR
- Turns the COMPRESSOR on and off.
- 1/4-INCH Output
- Connect this output to your amplifier.
- 13&14. XLR OUTPUT JACK and GROUND LIFT
- The DIRECT OUT XLR jack provides a balanced output for going direct to the main PA or to a recording input. The output level is adjusted from the VOLUME level. GND/LFT – If a hum occurs when connecting the XLR to a mixer. try using the GND LIFT switch. The GND LIFT switch lifts the ground pin 1 of the XLR.
- BLEND
- This control directs some or all of the signal into the EQ tone section. When set to FLAT. no signal passes into the EQ tone section.
- VOLUME
- This is the master VOLUME.
- 17&23. BASS and TREBLE TONE CONTROLS
- The BASS and TREBLE Controls are custom-shaped tone controls designed to deliver punchy lows and crisp highs for a variety of bass tones. When a control is turned tO the right it boosts the signal and when turned to the left cuts the signal. The affected frequencies for the BASS start at 25Hz and can deliver a great deal of gains. Be careful not to distort the output. The affected frequency for the TREBLE control begins at 3kHz.
- 18 & 21. SEMI-PARAMETRIC MID SWEEP (200-2kHz)
- The FREQ control does not function if the GAIN control is set in the center “0” position. To demonstrate. turn the GAIN to the right for full boost. Now play your bass and turn the FREQ control from left to right and notice how the added mids change frequency. Now turn the GAIN to the full left and turn the FREQ control again and notice the mids disappear at different frequencies. The mid sweep system controls can be very effective to fine tune your overall sound.
- 18 & 20 COMPRESSOR
- This feature is designed to limit the peaks so the volume level is more constant. Ihis allows greater average power to your speakers without your power amp (distorting). The COMPRESSOR has two knobs. THRESHOLD and STRENGTH. The THRESHOLD control knob sets the point where the compressor kicks in. Rotating this control in the clockwise direction lowers the level where the compressor turns on. The STRENGTH knob is used to set the amount of compression once the threshold has been reached. When this knob is swept all the way counter clockwise (left) the unit is set for a mild compression. As the knob is rotated clockwise (right) the compression increases.
- 22. INPUT GAIN
- The INPUT GAIN control increases the sensitivity of the 1/4-inch inputs. Turn up the gain to compensate for instruments with low outputs. For low volume situations or to get the best dynamics from high output instruments adjust the INPUT GAIN control to a low setting
WARRANTY
This CARVIN product is guaranteed in normal use to be free from electrical and mechanical defects for a period of 1 year from date of purchase. Retain proof of purchase. This warranty is in lieu of any and all other guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied. There shall be no recovery for any consequential or incidental damages.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
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