A-designs HM2 EQ User Manual

HM2 EQ

HAMMER

™

Owner’s Manual

W

ARNING!

Before you start your new HAMMER-EQ please read the following:

ANY real tube product is sensitive to a high SPL environment. This may cause microphonics in a recording situation. Make sure you are able to shock

mount and or place the unit in isolation if need be. Direct light will also affect tubes as well.

PLEASE be sure to have at least one rack space between any tube products from the product above and below the unit. This will ensure your tube unit

will not over heat. Over heating will cause damage to the tubes and shorten their life span. If possible, place the HAMMER unit in the top rack space to

allow air flow.

If you have received your unit via UPS/Fed-Ex/DHL, or any other courier, your HAMMER should have been double boxed for protection. If it was not

double boxed, please contact your dealer and return the unit to them for a replacement.

We demand ALL our units to be double boxed to help prevent damages during shipping.

Thank you,

Peter Montessi

President

A Designs Audio

LEGAL

Fill out and Return Warranty Card to A Designs Audio, Inc. Warranty begins the day of purchase. Your name will be placed on our mailing list

(unless otherwise requested) for future updates and new product announcements.

A Designs Audio, Inc. reserves the right to make improvements or changes at any time to this product.

Published by: A Designs Audio, Inc.

P.O. Box 4255

West Hills, CA 91304 U.S.A. Edition 1.0 2004

Copyright 2013 A Designs Audio, All Rights Reserved.

W ARNING:

One Year Limited Warranty Internal Parts, 30-Day Limited Warranty Labor, 30-Day Limited Warranty Tubes

A Designs Audio, Inc. warrants that our hardware conforms substantially to the specifications contained in this manual when used in accordance these

specifications for a period of one year from the date of original purchase from A Designs Audio, Inc. or its authorized dealers. In case of a valid warranty

claim, your sole and exclusive remedy and A Designs’ entire liability under any theory of liability will be, at its option, to repair or replace the product

without charge, or, if not possible, to refund the purchase price to you. The warranty is not transferable and applies only to the original purchaser of the

product.

For warranty service, contact A Designs Audio, Inc. at 818-716-4153 to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. After obtaining the

RMA number, ship defective product to A Designs Audio, P.O. Box 4255, West Hills, CA 91304. Write RMA number on outside of shipping box. Be

sure to include your name, address, phone number, copy of original sales invoice and detailed description of the problem. A Designs Audio, Inc. will

not accept responsibility for loss or damage in shipping.

Warranty is void if product serial numbers have been removed or if the product has been damaged by abuse or unauthorized modification and repair.

There are no user serviceable parts inside.

NOTICE:

Removing Cover

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THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL WARRANTIES WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. A DESIGNS AUDIO, INC.

MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF

MERCHANT ABILITY, UNLESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. PURCHASERS SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY

UNDER THIS WARRANTY SHALL BE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN.

IN NO EVENT WILL A DESIGNS AUDIO, INC. BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCREMENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL

DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND, TO THE EXTENT

PERMITTED BY LAW, DAMAGE FOR PERSONAL INJURY, EVEN IF A DESIGNS AUDIO HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITIES OF SUCH

DAMAGES.

A Designs, A Designs Audio, and HM2EQ HAMMER are trademarks of A Designs Audio, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.

Introduction

Welcome to the Analog Sound of the HAMMER-EQ. This is an all tube product, so there are some basics you need to
understand before using this product for the first time.

Tubes are a component that have specialized and unique features. If you are a “pre” or baby boomer, born before 1957,
you may recall using tubes in various products, such as radios, amplifiers, and televisions. So, this is just to refresh your
memory. If you are a “post” baby boomer, this could be your first experience with tubes, so please pay close attention!
(You will be tested at the end of this manual).

Tubes are most efficient and effective when “warmed up.” This means, upon starting the HAMMER-EQ, you should allow
the tubes to become fully heated before attempting to operate. The minimum amount of warm up time is approximately 15
to 20 minutes.

Set up your instrumentation layout before powering up the HAMMER-EQ. Plug in your instrument or microphone while the
unit is off. This will prevent unwanted noise such as “pops.” The same applies when you shut down. Allow a minimum of
25 seconds for the power to drain from the tubes properly. Then you can unplug your instrument or microphone.

When placing the HAMMER-EQ in a rack, we recommend using the first tier or allow one x space in order to properly
ventilate. Avoid overheating! Too much heat will reduce the life-span of your tubes. We also recommend strongly that
you observe SPL and shock mount any tube product.

A Designs Audio, Inc. has scoured the earth for the perfect combination of tubes for this unique quality sound. Go
ahead, get started. Read the following pages carefully to become acquainted with the warmth and clarity that the
HAMMER-EQ can deliver to your recordings.

Please feel free to email A Designs via the website with any creative applications for the use of the HAMMER-EQ. We
have included a few applications in this manual. We may just include your suggestion on our website!

Congratulations on the purchase of your HAMMER-EQ! Most of all, have fun!

Peter Montessi, President

A Designs Audio, Inc.

™

Owner’s Manual

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3HM2 EQ Hammer

Features

• Vacuum-tube design hybrid

• 2 Hard Pass Switches

• Two (2) High Cut Switches

• Two (2) Low Cuts Switches

• Two (2) Mono Three Band EQ Sections

• Milled Aluminum Face Plate

• Blue Jewel Lamp (Power Indicator)

• Two (2) XLR Input Connectors

• Two (2) XLR Output Connectors

• Two (2) U-Rack Space

• Two (2) 12AT7 Tubes

• Clean and airy high end

• Warmth, transparency, and quality sound

• Toroid Power Transformer

• Metal Casing

• Milled Aluminum Knobs

• Heavy Duty Carling Toggle Power Switch

In line with our company policy of continuous development, the above features are subject to change without notice.

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HM2 EQ Hammer

™

Owner’s Manual