Thank you for choosing the amp one out of the AER bottom-lineseries.
This series has been specially developed for the modern bass player
who values performance, versatility and easy handling.
Please take a few minutes to read through these instructions. We
want you to understand just what the amp one can do and how to
set it up so that you can get maximum benet out of it.
The amp one is an „all-rounder“, designed for the „Top 40“ bassist
who is used to switch between several styles and who sets value on
weight, dimensions and easy operation. The 10-inch high performance bass-loudspeaker supports this versatility whilst simultaneously adding some tube-like compression. The design of the power-amp
especially supports the impulse response and provides impressive po-
wer at short term, exceeding signicantly the specied 200 W on 8
ohm, which you can clearly hear.
Amp one is professionally and richly equipped and, of course, it produces the unmistakeable AER sound character. Technically speaking,
the amp one is designed for high-impact and extreme dynamics.
From the musical point of view, the bass combo is clear, differentiated, assertive, punchy and inspiring.
At this point we would like to thank Paul Sips for his „final bles-sings“.
Read on and have fun with your amp one!
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2. Safety Instructions
The following instructions help to minimize the risk of
injury through re and electric shock.
1. Read these safety instructions carefully prior to using
the device.
2. Keep these safety instructions in a safe place.
3. Do not install or use your device in close proximity to
water, liquids or with wet hands!
4. Use your device in a safe place where nobody can
step on cables or trip over them – damaging the cables,
the device or themselves!
5. Pay attention to air ow and cooling – never obstruct any air vents or grilles or cover it and allow it to
overheat.
6. Unplug from the mains before cleaning the device.
Use only a dry cloth for cleaning – no detergents or
cleansers – ensure that no liquid ever enters the unit.
7. Never install your device close to devices with strong
electromagnetic elds such as large mains transformers, electrical motors, neon illumination etc. Do not
lay signal cables parallel to power current cables.
8. There are no user-serviceable components inside
your device. To avoid the hazard of an electric shock,
the unit must not be opened. All maintenance, adjust-
ment and repair work must be performed by qualied
technicians only. Any unauthorized tampering will void
the 2-year warranty.
9. To comply with the EMV requirements, shielded
cables with correctly tted connectors must be used for
all signal connections.
10. Please connect audio connections before powering
the unit.
3. Controls and Connections
4
2
138111315141016
5
697
12
18
19
17
21
20
3.1 Front Side
input signal input - socket für 6.3 mm mono jackplug
9)
aux-in stereo input socket for additional signal sources (e.g. for CD player)
10)
tuner tuner output socket
11)
aux level aux signal level control
12)
DI pre/post DI signal sequence switch pre post equalizer
13)
DI-level DI signal level control
14)
DI-out signal output, symmetrical, XLR socket
15)
power on power on/off switch with fuse holder (ref. to technical data: mains fuse)
16)
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4. Starting up
4.1 Cabling and Switching on
Before connecting to the mains, please ensure that
your local mains voltage is suitable for the voltage of
the device (e.g. 120V in the USA, 230V in Europe).
The relevant specs and safety symbols are printed
on the rear side of the
unit.
Connect all cables as desi-
red and switch the amplier on. The green power
control LED indicates operational readiness.
4.2 Level Adjustment
Note: Level adjustment
By setting the level correctly we mean the signal level
in one or several devices in a signal chain is neither
too high nor too low. This applies equally to all components of a unit (e.g. equalizer, tone balance, com-pressor).
Consequently, care must be taken that no part of the
circuit is overloaded or that distortion is unintentionally added to the signal. We have carefully designed
the circuit to achieve this objective whilst also providing controls (gain, master, level) for manual intervention.
Just like the gain control, the high/low switch (attenuator de-/activation) also serves to adjust the signal. Start
at high with the switch not pressed down. If the input signal is too strong and you cannot avoid clipping
even when you adjust with the gain control, then select the low setting.
When you have adjusted the sound level, then you
can set the desired nal volume with the master con-
trol.
First ensure, that the mute
switch is deactivated and
the master level control is
zeroed (over to far left),
so that the signal passes
but does not reach the loudspeaker, while you are adjusting the level.
Turn the gain control clockwise until the red clip indi-
cator ashes momentarily when playing with a strong
attack. Thus you make sure that your signal source
(e.g. instrument) provides the input-stage of the amp-
lier with the necessary input level.
An illuminated clip-LED indicates an overload. A short
icker is no danger to AER devices. During operation
a short icker can be accepted, to be on the safe side
you should reduce the gain slightly to achieve an optimal and distortion-free performance.
through the electronics
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5. Functional Characteristics
5.1 Mute
The mute switch turns the appliance to mute as required. The function can also be activated by a standard
footswitch (on/off switch).
5.2 Tone Control Networks
As with all AER products, the amp three is tted with
an excellent basic tone thanks to the selection of components, circuits and pre-equalizations. In addition, various equalizer networks enable you to adjust the basic tone to suit your personal requirements. With amp
three you can activate xed lters (colour, bass boost)
and two adjustable lter networks (equalizer and tone
balance).
Note:
Basically, instruments reproduce their typical frequency
spectrum, but this is not necessarily what you want, or
there are some sounds you want, which the instrument
doesn’t „naturally“ reproduce or can play, but not in
the appropriate ratio. There are all kinds of electronics
can make these things possible, but in certain circumstances the price you have to pay can be a bad signalto-noise ratio.
In this case the advice is quite simple: in general, go
easy with the many equalizer possibilities. Sometimes
less is more!
Note:
A parametric equalizer is a lter network in which all
the parameters of a lter (amplitude/level i.e. increase
or decrease; frequency i.e. tone pitch, Q-factor/bandwidth i.e. lter quality) are adjustable.
This means that increase and decrease, position and
width of the frequency range can be adjusted independently and over a wide range.
In this way, the parametric equalizer enables you to
equalize frequency response errors – hence the name
equalizer – and to combat feedback and resonance ri-
ses. On the other hand you can use it as a exible tool
to change specic tones.
5.2.4 Tone balance –
How does it work?
The tone balance is served by the
two controls balance and intensity.
The intensity control determines the
degree to which bass and treble are
increased simultaneously and are
mixed to the original signal (parallel mode). If the intensity control is
far over to the left (min), then the
original signal is not inuenced (flat). (see g. above)
Turning the control to the right (--> mid --> max) mixes
the relevant bass and treble mix to the original signal.
5.2.1 Colour
The colour switch activates a xed, pre-set contouring
„voicing“-lter, which reduces mids slightly at 360 Hz
and strongly emphasises trebles at 3.8 KHz.
5.2.2 Bass Boost
The bass boost strengthens the low frequencies at
55Hz. This gives the amp three enormous sound pres-
sure, so that it produces rich bass tones both when it is
placed on the ground and on a stand.
5.2.3 Parametric Equalizer
With the amp three 3-band equalizer, bass and treble are xed, the sensitive mids band can be adjusted
in the frequency range of 200 Hz to 2 kHz. The bandwidth is adjustable between 1 octave resp. 1.6 octaves.
It remains constant whatever the selected frequency.
The balance control inuences the relationship between bass and treble. If it is in middle setting, bass and
treble are balanced. The tone balance is now in equation. (siehe Fig. 1)
level
max
mid
intensity
min
1 kHz100 Hz10 kHz
balance in middle
(at)
frequency
Fig. 1
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If you turn the balance control to the left (Fig. 2), the
bass range is further increased, but the treble is decrea-
sed by max. 0dB.
level
max
5.3 Compressor
A compressor is an electrical
circuit (a device) which you
can use to inuence the dynamic behaviour of a signal. The
aim can be, for example, to
minimise the risk of distortion.
In use the signal level change can be kept constant at
a set ratio from a set threshold. The following gure
illustrates the correlation.
mid
intensity
min
1 kHz100 Hz10 kHz
balance in left position
frequency
Fig. 2
A turning to the right (Fig. 3) affects an increase in treble
whilst at the same time reducing the bass.
level
max
intensity
mid
min
100 Hz
1 kHz
balance in right position
10 kHz
frequency
Fig. 3
In its function and signal path the tone balance is deliberately designed as a somewhat „different“ equalizer.
It offers a comfortable way of giving the original signal
more zip without distorting it. Especially on those occasions, when the equalizer has to be used to suppress resonance or feedback.
dB
OUT
1
threshold
1
IN
ratio 1:1
ratio 2:1
ratio 4:1
ratio ∞ : 1
dB
On axes the input level (X axis = IN) and the output
level (Y axis = OUT) are shown in dB.
Along the 45° line the input and output levels are the
same – that means a compression (ratio) of 1:1 – therefore: no compression.
A compression of e.g. ratio 4:1 means that further increase in level above the threshold will be maintained
at a constant ratio of 4:1. In other words: if the input
level increases by a factor 4, then the output level only
increases by a factor 1.
This means that loud signals are mufed and the overall signal level becomes quieter. This difference in level
can mostly be compensated by increasing the master
setting without any difculty. Then the signal is louder
and more compressed in total, because soft and loud
signals come closer together.
For a compression ratio of „innite“ to 1 (ratio ∞ : 1)
we no longer talk about compression, but about limiting. Die AER compressor switch here offers compression ratios of 1:1 to 5:1.
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2
3
1
468
5
7
10
14
12
9
11
13
15
5.4 Rear Side Features
1) gnd lift
The ground lift switch separates the earth conductor
from the signal ground and suppresses humming.
2) headphones
This output enables you to connect stereo headphones and switches the loudspeaker over to mute. The
device is a quality stereo headset amplier which
outputs 2 x 50 mW and 32 Ohm.
!!!
Warning: Only use
headphones with stereo
jack plugs in this output
socket!!!
3) line out
The line out provides the pre-amp signal for conduc-
tion to other appliances with 0 dbV.
4) sub out
This socket provides a frequency-adjusted output signal for operating an active subwoofer.
5) footswitch
The footswitch socket enables the connection of a
stereo footswitch (on/off switch) which can be used
to switch the amplier to mute or to switch the ef-
fect loop on or off. The switches are: TIP = mute,
RING = effect loop.
6) send
This socket connects the amp three to the input of
an external effect device. Together with return, send
forms an effect loop path. The effect can be switched
on or off via a footswitch.
7) return
Being part of the effect loop path, return represents
the input for an external effect device (from the output of the effect device). Return on it’s own may also
be used as quasi auxiliary signal input (-10 dbV).
8 and 9) insert pre eq / insert post eq
Insert pre/post eq are two more effect loop paths to
etc.) inzo the signal path, either pre or post equalization.
10 and 12) aux in / aux level
The aux in is an additional stereo-input for connection of external signal sources (e.g. CD-player). With
the aux level control you adjust the signal strength
of the aux signal.
11) tuner
Output socket (-6 dbV) with pre master signal to connect an external tuner to the amp three.
13, 14 and 15) DI
The DI-out (XLR socket) delivers a symmetrical preamp signal pre master. The DI-Level control adjusts
the signal output level and with the DI pre/post
switch you can choose between pre- and post-equalizer signal.
Power on
Combined mains switch with
mains socket and integrated
fuse holder to switch your
amp three on and off.
P.S.: For questions or suggestions contact us:
tachauch@aer-amps.com
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6. Technical Data
TD20110627
Technical data
Inputs (notes 1, 4)
input
aux in Stereo jack, ¼ “ (6.35 mm)
return Return for external, parallel effect loop
Outputs (note 2)
headphones Headphones output. When connected,
line out Preamp output, post master (note 6)
sub out Subwoofer output wit hout filter
send Send for parallel effect loop
tuner Tuner output, not affected by mute
DI out Balanced XLR output, pre-master,
Insert points
insert pre eq Insert loop before tone controls and
switchable pre or post tone controls /
effect / aux (note 6).
Output voltage (adjustable): 33…330 mV (–
30 dBV … –10 dBV)
compressor
Stereo jack, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Output voltage: 800 mV (–2 dBV)
tip = send, ring = return
Stereo jack, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Output voltage: 760 mV (–2 dBV)
tip = send, ring = return
tip = switch for input muting
ring = on/off switch for external effect
end and return)
loop (s
sleeve = common (ground)
ute switch disabled when footswitch is
m
plugged in
9 dB at 80 Hz
15 dB at 200…2000 Hz (adjustable)
Bandwidth (switchable, note 3):
ide: 1.6 octaves
w
n
arrow: 0.6 octaves
12 dB at 6 kHz
tone balance Flat if intensity is set fully anticlockwise.
Compressor (note 5)
Characteristics Soft-knee, RMS-responding, gain reduction
Threshold
a
djustment range
Ratio adjustment
ange
r
RMS Time
c
onstant
Indicator LED Lights up at ca. 1 dB gain reduct ion.
Power
Power amp 200 W / 8 ohms, discrete bipolar transistor
Limiter threshold 160 W
Analog signal
p
rocessing
Speaker system 10" (250 mm) woofer, bass reflex enclosure
Mains power Mains volt age (depending on model): 100,
Mains fuse 5 x 20 mm
General
Cabinet 15 mm (0.59") birch plywood
Finish waterbased acrylic, black spatter finish
Dimensions 325 mm (12.8“) high
Weight 13.5 kg (29.8 lbs)
Notes:
. Input sensitivities refer to 160 watts into 8 ohms at full gain and
1
volume settings, neutral tone control settings (i
anticlockwise), and 1 kHz sine-wave test signal.
2
. Output levels refer to –25dBV (56.2 mV) / 1 kHz at instrument
input, unless stated otherwise.
Earlier models have a D
. Bandwidth of tone controls refers to one-half of gain at center
3
frequency, in decibels. For example, if a tone control has 15 dB
center gain, then bandwidth refers to the 7.5 dB points.
4
. Equivalent input noise voltage obtained by measuring noise
voltage at speaker output and dividing by the voltage gain of the
amplifier for white noise. Full gain and volume settings, neutral
tone control settings, input shorted, frequency range 20 Hz – 20
kHz.
Dynamic range of power amplifier is defined as ratio of output
voltage at limiter threshold to A-weighted noise voltage at m
volume in zero position.
. Compressor threshold refers to 1 dB gain reduction and input gain
5
fully clockwise, ratio refers to 20 dB gain reduction. Ratio varies with
gain reduction due to soft-knee compression.
6
. If required, aux in and return signals can be disconnected from DI
ut by an internal jumper even in the post switch position.
o
ine out can be made master-independent by an internal jumper.
l
Specifications and appearance subject to change without notice.
The following values apply if i
set fully clockwise:
alance left:
b
+12 dB at 50 Hz
alance center:
b
+9 dB at 50 Hz, and
+10 dB at 10 kHz
b
alance right:
–2 dB at 50 Hz, and
+11 dB at 10 kHz