Ada MB-1 Owner's Manual

MIDI PROGRAMMABLE TUBE BASS PRE-AMP

OWNER’S MANUAL MB-1 (version 2)

Originally written by ADA SIGNAL PROCESSORS, INC. Scanned and edited by Jur at 28th of november 2002.
Original ADA logo edited and rendered by Barend Onneweer of Raamw3rk
copyrighted and may not be sold or placed on a website without permission of the editor.

Release No.1 for http://www.adadepot.com

.) The version of this manual is

ADA MB-1 owners manual version 2

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
FEATURES
PRECAUTIONS
QUICK SET -UP

SETUP

AUDIO PATCH
EFFECT LOOP PATCH
MIDI PATCH
SYSTEM POWER UP
ACCESSING PROGRAMS

PROGRAMMING

FUNCTIONS & PARAMETERS
SET CODE
EDITING & STORING PROGRAMS
COPY PROGRAM
LOAD ONE PRESET PROGRAM
LOAD ALL PRESET PROGRAMS

MIDI

SELECT MIDI CHANNEL
OPTIONAL MC-l REMOTE
MIDI MAPPING
ONE TO ONE MIDI MAPPING
MIDI SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE (SAVE/LOAD)
MEMORY PROTECT

TECHNICAL

FRONT PANEL CONTROL FUNCTIONS
DICTIONARY -HIDDEN COMMANDS
REAR PANEL CONTROL FUNCTIONS
SOFTWARE VERSION
SELF DIAGNOSTICS(ERROR CODES)
BATTERY REPLACEMENT
TUBE REPLACEMENT
SPECIFICATIONS

APPLICATION NOTES

PROGRAMMING
BACKUP/DOCUMENT

RETURNING UNITS FOR SERVICE

WARRANTY
OPTIONAL EXTENDED WARRANTY

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ADA MB-1 owners manual version 2

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the ADA MB-1 MIDI Programmable Tube Bass Preamp. You now
own the most tonally flexible and technologically advanced bass guitar amplification device
available. Your
MB-1 will store 256 programs of exactly the right tone, no matter what kind of music you play.
To properly set-up and familiarize yourself with the MB-1, read and follow these operating
instructions completely. If you can't wait and want to jump right into the MB-1, go to the
QUICK SET-UP section of this manual. We hope that the unlimited tonal possibilities and
unmatched technological capabilities of your MB-1 will inspire you to great things.
IMPORTANT: Please take this time to fill-out and return the enclosed warranty card so that
we may provide you with information on future software updates.

FEATURES

• Complete digital control

• Complete analog signal path

• Two low noise 12AX7 A tubes

• Contour filter for Tube and Solid State circuits

• ADA user-friendly programming software

• On line help dictionary

• 256 user programs

• Two programmable gain stages for each program

• Five band programmable semi-parametric EQ

• Fully programmable analog chorus

• Two programmable effects loops each with send and return levels

• Adjustable crossover

• Adjustable LF. limiter

• Full range, Bi-amp, and Direct outputs

• 1/4" instrument level input on front panel for easy access

• Output level knob on front panel for fast volume adjustment without affecting tone

• Programmable compressor

• MIDI In, Out, and Thru

• MIDI Mapping

• MIDI System Exclusive Save and Load

• MIDI System Exclusive parameter programmability

• MIDI System Exclusive enable/disable

• Front panel lock-out

• Self-diagnostic check during power up

• One year parts and labor warranty

• Optional extended three year warranty available

• Optional MC-l MIDI FOOT CONTROLLER provides instant random access to any

program for on-stage control.

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ADA MB-1 owners manual version 2

PRECAUTIONS

WARNING: To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this appliance to rain or

moisture. Keep the MB-1 out of direct sunlight. Avoid locations subject
to vibration, excessive dust, heat, or cold.

CAUTION: To prevent electric shock, do not remove cover. No user serviceable

parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS: Keep this manual for future reference.
CLEANING: Do not clean your MB-1 with chemical solvents. Use only a

clean, dry cloth.

QUICK SET -UP
Note: The MB-1 is a preamp and must be connected to a power amp in order to drive loud
speakers.
Note: If you are using the complete ADA Bass Amplification System (MB-1, B500B,
BASSLINE 15, and BASSLINE HX), set all rear panel controls to the points indicated by
white dots.

INITIAL PREPARATION:

1. Connect bass guitar output to front panel input jack.

2. Connect MB-1 output(s) to input(s) on power amplifier(s)

3. Connect power amp output(s) to speaker cabinet(s) input(s), Note: use speaker
cable(s) for this connection.

4. Turn MB-1 power switch ON.

5. Turn power amp on.

6. Adjust volume with Output level control.

SELECT PROGRAM NUMBER:

1. Use the up and down arrow buttons to scroll thru the memory numbers 1 thru79.
These are the Factory Preset Programs.

2. Select a bank by pressing the BANK button, use the up or down arrow button to
select bank 0 thru 7, followed by any button 0 thru 9 for program number within the
selected bank, (1 thru 9 in bank 0).

SELECT MIDI CHANNEL:

1. Press MIDI CHANNEL button.

2. Use up and down arrows to select MIDI channel from 1 to 16, ALL (OMNI), or OFF
(MIDI reception off.)

3. Press MIDI CHANNEL button to store channel selection and exit to play mode.

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ADA MB-1 owners manual version 2

SETUP

AUDIO PATCH

For best results always use high quality cables. Keep all cables as short as possible, and
route cables neatly. Keep AC, MIDI, and audio cables as far apart from each other as
possible. Note: Always use surge protected A.C. power.

1. Connect your bass guitar to the INPUT jack on the front panel.

2. If you are using a full range power amp and speaker cabinet configuration, connect
the MB-1's Full Range output to the input on your power amp. Using a 12 to 16 gauge
speaker cable, connect the power amp output to your speaker cabinet input. If your
full range system is a "combo" type (pre amp, power amp, and speaker cabinet all in
one), connect the MB-1' s Full Range output to the combo amp's effect return or
power amp in jack, if it has one. If not, use the front panel input. Note: For best signal
to noise ratio when using the MB-1 with a combo amp, bypass the combo amp's
preamp stage using the above patch configuration.

3. If you are using a Bi-amp power amp and speaker cabinet configuration, connect the
MB-1’s low output to the low input on your power amp. Connect the MB-1's Hi output
to the hi input on your power amp. Using 12 to 16 gauge speaker cable, connect the
hi and low outputs from your power amp to the corresponding inputs on your speaker
cabinets.

4. The MB-1's Balanced Direct output may be used alone or in conjunction with the Full
Range or Bi-amp outputs. It is switchable pre or post preamp and the ground is
liftable. Set the Direct output pre/post switch to the desired position, (pre = tone direct
from bass guitar, post = tone from MB-1.) The "PRE" is at line level output and
"POST" is at instrument level output. Using an XLR type cable, connect the MB-1 's
Balanced Direct output to an instrument level input on the recording or P.A. console.
If using the Balanced Direct output in the Post position, connect to a line level input. If
a ground loop buzz occurs, set the MB-1 ’s Direct out Ground Lift Switch up to
eliminate the loop.

EFFECT LOOP PATCH

The MB-1 has two effects loops, A and B. They may be used together or independently.

1. Connect the MB-1 's EFFECT SEND" A" to the input of your first or only effect device.

2. Connect the mix output of your effect device to the MB-1 's EFFECT RECEIVE" A".

3. If using booth loops, connect your second effect device to loop "B" using the above
patch.

MIDI PATCH

1. Connect the MIDI out from your optional MC-1 MIDI foot switch or other MIDI
controller to the MB-1's MIDI IN jack. If using the standard 5 pin MIDI cable make
certain the 5 pins in the cable line up with the correct 5 sockets of the MB-1 's 7 pin
MIDI IN jack.

2. If your system includes MIDI controlled effects, connect a MIDI cable from the MB-1's
MIDI THRU to the MIDI IN jack on your effects device. You may chain multiple MIDI
controlled effects using the above method.

3. If you are using the MB-1 as the first MIDI device in your system, and you are
changing programs from the front panel of the MB-1, connect the MB-1' s

MIDI OUT jack to the MIDI IN jack on your MIDI effects unit.

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ADA MB-1 owners manual version 2

SYSTEM POWER-UP

With any audio system you should apply AC power to components in the order of signal flow.
Turn on the first device in the audio chain first and the last device in the audio chain last.
When turning your system off, use the reverse procedure!

1. Turn the MB-1 power switch to the "ON" position.

2. Turn on any effects units you have connected

3. Turn on your power amp

4. Select program number 1 on your MB-1

5. Set volume controls on MB-1, any connected effects, and power amp to the desired
playing level. In order to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio throughout your system you
should adjust the input and output level controls to get as much signal to each unit as
possible without overloading.

6. If using Bi-amp outputs adjust the crossover. Turn off the LO side of your power amp,
set crossover point for the desired amount of lows emanating from your HI speaker
cabinet, then bring the LO side of your power amp back up.

7. If your power amp's rated output is greater than your low frequency speaker handling
capability, set the Low Frequency Limiter (L.F. Limiter) on rear panel. Using the
IN/OUT switch (to A-B signal against limited signal) while playing the low string, turn
the LF. Limiter knob clock wise until the desired amount of limiting is achieved.

ACCESSING PROGRAMS
The MB-1 is shipped from the factory with 79 preset programs. Preset programs are
accessible when the PRESET button is lighted. The MB-1 has storage capacity for 256 user
programs. User programs are accessible when the INTERNAL PRGM button is lighted or
through the MIDI IN port (see MIDI Mapping section of this manual.) The MB-1's MIDI PRGM
section holds MIDI Mapping information only, no programs (preset or user) can be stored in
these registers. Please note that tone and amount of overdrive in any program will depend
on the type of pickups in your bass guitar, and any other equipment in your amplification
system.

1. To change program number within a bank press the desired ones digit button from 0
to 9.

2. To change bank and program number press the bank button. Next use the up or
down arrow buttons to select the desired bank number 0 to 25. Once the desired
bank is selected, press the desired ones digit button from 0 to 9. The MB-1 will not
change the program number until the ones digit has been pressed.

3. You may also scroll up or down through programs by pressing the up or down arrow
buttons. The MB-1 's program number range is from 1 to 256.

Note: The MIDI specification allows for 128 program change commands, thus the MIDI bus will give you access to
the first 128 programs in your MB-1. You may use either the "copy program" or "MIDI Mapping" feature (described
later in this manual) to access programs 129 thru 256.

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ADA MB-1 owners manual version 2

PROGRAMMING

FUNCTIONS AND PARAMETERS
The MB-1 has six programmable functions, each of which is controlled by one or more
parameters. The functions and their parameters are:

1. Tube Pre-amp:

Tube Input Level
Tube Contour
Tube Overdrive
Tube Master Level

2. Solid State Pre-amp:

Solid State Input Level
Solid State Contour
Solid State Master Level

3. Compressor:

Compressor Ratio
Compressor Threshold
Compressor Gain

4. Equalizer:

Lo EQ Cut & Boost
Lo Mid EQ Cut & Boost
Lo Mid EQ Frequency
Mid EQ Cut & Boost
Mid EQ Frequency
Hi Mid EQ Cut & Boost
Hi Mid Frequency
Hi EQ Cut & Boost

5. Chorus:

Chorus Depth
Chorus Rate

6. Effect Loops:

Effect Loop Control

On the rear panel are adjustable, but not programmable functions: a Crossover, a
Low Frequency Limiter, Effect Loops send and receive levels, and a Balanced Direct
Output. These functions are manually adjustable by rear panel controls. They are
usually set once to match your amp and speaker system. The dots indicate how they
should be set when using an ADA B500B power amp and ADA Bassline HX &
Bassline 15 speakers. Additionally, a 20Hz. high pass filter in the signal path
prevents damaging subsonics from reaching your power amplifier.

Tube and Solid State Pre-amp Sections
The Tube and Solid State Pre-amp sections provide gain functions which are optimized to
provide a wide range of tone, sustain, and distortion. Both sections have Input Level,
Contour, and Master Level parameters, while the Tube section has an additional Overdrive
parameter.

The Input Level parameters set how much signal from your bass guitar pickup(s) gets
passed to the Contour section. This will affect the sensitivity of the Pre-amp.

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