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user manual
Compact 603
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Compact 603
user manual
Contents Page
1. Introduction 3
2. Important safety instructions 4
3. Controls and connections 5
3.1 Front side 5
3.2 Rear side 6
4. Starting up 7
4.1 Cabling and switching-on 7
4.2 Level adjustment 7
5. Functional characteristics 7
5.1 Equalization 7
5.2 Eects 8
5.3 Footswitch 8
5.4 Phantom powering 8
6. Technical specications 9
7. Circuit diagram 10
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1. Introduction
Welcome to B!
Thank you for choosing the Compact 603.
The Compact 603 is a professional, compact and
powerful amplier system. Especially developed
for the enhancement of acoustic instruments it is
nonethe-less suitable for other instruments, even
electrical ones.
Our design concept was focused on the singer-/
songwriter who requires outstanding reproduction
of his/her instrument and vocals yet needs a handy
unit with gigbag which is easily portable (even via
public transport). We sought to produce an amp that
would accomplish this while astonishing audiences
as well as sound-engineers through excellent sound
and professional instrumentation.
All AER-systems are subtly dynamically controlled,
which ensures absolute reliability in full load operation despite strikingly small sizes and little weight.
Read on and have fun using your Compact 603!
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2. Important Safety Instructions
The following guidelines shall help minimize the risk of injury through re or electric shock.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
ATTENTION
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
The lightning ash with
the arrow head symbol
within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of unisolated
´dangerous voltage´ within this
product´s enclosure that may
be of sucient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock
to persons.
1. Carefully read these safety notes before you
use the device!
2. Keep these safety notes in a safe place.
3. Pay attention to all warnings, instructions and
additional texts on the unit.
4. This device was only designed for operation
under normal climatic conditions (temperate
climate).
5. Do not install or use your amp in close proximity to water or if you are wet yourself.
6. Do not subject your device to sudden and
severe temperature changes. This could cause
moisture condensation inside the unit, which
could damage it. In the event of moisture
condensation allow the device to dry out completely before use.
7. Use your amp in a safe place where nobody can
step on cables or trip over and damage them.
8. Pay attention to an unhindered air circulation
around the amp, never obstruct the air vents or
grilles.
9. Always pull the mains plug before cleaning
your amp or when left unused for a long period
of time. Use only a dry cloth for cleaning. Avoid
the use of detergents and do not let any liquids
seep into the unit.
10. Use only the right fuses with the same current
rating and trigger characteristic as replacements. Never mend fuses! Pull the mains plug
before replacing a fuse. Should a fuse blow
again after a short while, the device needs to
be checked.
11. Never install your amp close to devices with
strong electromagnetic elds such as large
mains transformers, revolving machines, neon
illumination etc. Do not lay signal cables parallel to power current cables.
12. There are no user-serviceable components
inside the unit. To avoid the risk of an electric
4
The exclamation point
within an equilateral
triangle is intended to
alert the user to the presence
of important operating and
maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature
accompanying this product.
shock, the unit must not be opened. All maintenance, adjustment and repair works should
be carried out by qualied sta only. Any
unauthorized tampering will void the 2-year
warranty.
13. In keeping with the EMV regulations screened
cables with correctly tted connectors must be
used for all signal connections.
14. Always use an earthed power supply with the
correct mains voltage. If you are in doubt about
the power outlet ground, have it checked by a
qualied technician.
15. Cable up your amp only when it is powered o.
16. This device should be installed near the socket
outlet and disconnection of the device should
be easily accessible. The mains plug of the
powersupply shall remain readily operable.
Protect the power cord from being walked on
or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles and the point where they exit from
the apparatus.
17. This product may cause permanent hearing
loss. Do not operate for long periods of time
at a high volume level or at any level that is
uncomfortable. If you experience any hearing
loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult
an audiologist.
18. The product should be located away from heat
sources such as radiators, heat registers or
other products that produce heat.
19. Do not place any open sources of re, like
candles, on the device.
20. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall
onto the device and liquids are not spilled into
the enclosure through openings. Ensure that
no objects lled with liquids, such as vases, are
placed on the device.
21. Do not place this device on an unstable cart,
stand, tripod, bracket or table. The device
may fall, causing serious injury to you and
serious damage to the device itself.
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3. Controls and connections
1
IF_Compact603_20120529
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11 12 13 14 15
Compact 603
3.1 Front side
1) input (ch. 1) signal input, socket for 6,3 mm mono jackplug
2) high/low input sensitivity switch, attenuator = o = on
3) clip overload indicator
4) gain input level control
5) colour tone colour lter activation switch = not active = active
6) bass bass frequency level control
7) middle middle frequency level control
channels 1 + 2
8) treble treble frequency level control
9) input (ch. 2) signal input, combo-socket for 6,3 mm mono jackplug and
XLR-connectors
10) line/mic signal source selector switch: line (only via jackplug)
for instruments (pickup) and other line level sources,
mic (only via XLR-connector) for microphones
11) pan e ect signal distribution control
12) select e ect select switch
13) level level control internal e ect
efx
14) power on/o status indicator
15) master master level control
mains & master
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Compact 603
twin channel acoustic amplifier
ATT EN T IO N
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
line out
headphones
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
NE PAS OUVRIR
12345
send
tuner
footswitch
return
tip = int. efx
ring = ext. efx
on/off
power on
7
6
DI-out
1 = gnd
2 = pos
3 = neg
8
Made in Germany by
IB_Compact603_20120529
3.2 Rear side
1) line out
The line out supplies a pre-amp signal taken
after tone-control, e ects and master for forwarding to other appliances.
2) headphones
This output enables you to connect stereo head-
phones and mutes the loudspeaker.
Warning: Only use
!!!
headphones with stereo
jackplugs in this output
socket!!!
3) send
Send is an output to connect to an external
e ect device and in conjunction with return
(input) forms a loop here designed as external
e ect loop. The e ect can be switched on or o
via footswitch.
4) return
Return as part of the e ect loop operates as
B
signal input from an external e ect device (from
output of the e ect device). The e ect can be
switched on or o via footswitch. Return on its
own can also be used as quasi auxiliary signal
input (-10 dbV).
5) tuner
The tuner output supplies a pre-master signal
(-9 dbV) to connect an external tuner to the
Compact 60
3.
6) footswitch
Connection socket for a double-footswitch (on-/
o -switch, tip = internal e ect/ring = external
e ect on/o ).
7) DI-out
Preamp-output with symmetrical signal, after
tone-control, pre master, without e ects.
8) power on
Combined mains switch with mains socket and
fuse holder.
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4. Starting up
colour bass middle treble
4.1 Cabling and switching on
Before connecting to 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 sym-
bols are printed on the rear side of the unit.
Connect all cables according to your application
and switch the ampli er 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
nei-ther too high nor too low. This applies equally
to all circuits in a complete circuit design (EQs,
preamps etc.)
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 for
„manual“ intervention.
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.
Finally set the desired overall volume level with the
master level control.
5. Functional characteristics
5.1 Equalization
The triple-/dual-band equalizer of your Compact
603 provides you with an active and high quality
sound interaction tool that supports the natural
tone of instruments and voice whilst simultaneously o ering you the possibility of a controlled
accentuation.
With all controls in mid position the lters are set to
produce a very pleasing and natural sound impression that you can „colour up“ by using the colour
lter with the e ect of lowering the mids and
lifting the trebles. The tone becomes more open
and light and is especially suited for ngerpicking
techniques.
The equalization can support or soften the e ect of
the colour lter and allows a di erentiated midsaccentuation.
A: with colour- lter (switch pressed)
reduce treble to soften possible sharpness
colour bass middle treble
channel 1
First ensure, that the master level control is zeroed
(over to far left), so that when you are setting the
sound level, the signal passes through the electronics only and does not reach the loudspeaker.
By pressing the high-/low- (attn.) resp. line-/mic-
switches you can adapt the ampli er to your signal
sources (guitar pickups, microphone etc).
Turn the gain control clockwise until the red clip
indicator 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 ampli er with the necessary input.
The clip-LED indicates an overload. A short icker
is of no danger to AER devices. During operation a
channel 2
B: without colour- lter (switch not pressed)
boost treble to brighten the sound
Note:
The active equalization of the Compact 603 e ects
the signal adjustment. If you spot an intensi ed
ickering of the clip indicator, level the signal level
with the gain control (s. 4.2 Level adjustment).
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5.2 Eects
The Compact 603 has a built-in (internal) digital ef-
fect processor, with the select-switch you can choose
between 4 dierent eects:
1 = reverb 1 (short)
2 = reverb 2 (long)
3 = delay (320 ms)
4 = chorus
The efx-level-control determines the intensity of
the internal eects (left stop = no eect).
Furthermore an additional eects unit (external
eect) may be connected to the Compact 603. For
this purpose use the send and return sockets on
the rear side of the amplier (send goes to input,
return to the output of the external eects device).
The intensity of the eect is adjusted at the external
eects unit.
With the efx-pan control the dierent eects are
blended with the original signal. The efx-pan works
as follows:
left stop: internal eect on channel 1
external eect on channel 2
mid position: internal eects on channels 1 + 2
external eects on channels 1 + 2
right stop: internal eects on channel 2
external eects on channel 1
5.3 Footswitch
A standard double-footswitch (on-/o-switch)
can be plugged into the footswitch-socket on the
rear side of the amplier via stereo cable. By this
footswitch the internal and external eects can be
switched on and o.
We wish you lots of fun playing your Compact603!
P.S.: For questions or suggestions contact us:
tachauch@aer-amps.com
5.4 Phantom power
Microphones requiring 48V phantom power can be
connected to the XLR-socket of channel 2 directly.
Factory-provided phantom power is activated but, if
required, may be deactivated by an internal jumper.
In contrary 9V phantom power, if required, can
additionally be activated in channel 1 by an internal
jumper.
Please note: For both alterations the device must
be opened, therefore only qualied service personnel may carry out the modications concerning the de-/activating of phantom power.
General Note: Use of 48V or 24V phantom power
(Phantom power = remote supply, here: powering
an audio device via the connected audio line)
Turn on the phantom power only if the unit connected to an XLR socket is designed to handle it!
In general, suitable units are e.g. condenser
microphones, active DI-boxes and other special
audio devices, whose power supply is drawn from
the phantom power. Such devices are also labelled
accordingly; please heed the permissible power
consumption (max.10mA).
High-quality dynamic microphones with a balanced
signal need no phantom power, but can handle it
anyway.
Other devices, which have not been designed
explicitly for phantom power operation, can suer
from considerable malfunctions and damage may
result as well.
Examples of devices that may be damaged by
incorrect application of phantom power include:
Low-cost dynamic microphones with a mono jackplug (unbalanced signal) that were tted afterwards
with an XLR connector.
Audio devices with a balanced XLR output (e.g.
DI-boxes, eects devices, instrument preamps with
a DI output etc.) which are not protected against
phantom power applied to their XLR output. (The
DI connectors on AER products are protected
against applied phantom power.)
Other audio devices (such as preamps, eects
pedals etc.) whose unbalanced line output was
replaced by an XLR socket.
If in doubt please consult the manufacturer of the
device you are using.
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6. Technical speci cations Compact 603
TD20120605
Technical data
g
Inputs (notes 1, 2, 4)
channel 1 High impedance, unbalanced input for
channel 2
clip indicators
for ch. 1 and 2
return Input from external parallel effect loop, or
instruments (pick-ups) and line-level sources
Mono jack socket, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Sensitivity: 22 mV (–33 dBV)
High/low (attenuator) switch: –10 dB
Impedance: 2.2 Meg
Equivalent input noise, A-weighted:
1 uV (–120 dBV)
Phantom power (optional): 9 V DC / max. 100 mA,
short-circuit protected
Switchable instrument or microphone input
Combo socket, XLR + jack ¼” (6.35 mm)
line mode
High impedance, unbalanced input for
instruments (pick-ups) and line-level sources
Jack socket only
Sensitivity: 27 mV (–31 dBV)
Impedance: 1 Meg
Equivalent input noise, A-weighted:
2.4 uV (–112 dBV)
ic mode
m
XLR (balanced), stereo jack (balanced), or mono
jack (unbalanced) input
Sensitivity: 3.3 mV (–50 dBV)
Impedance (balanced mode): 1.2 k
Impedance (unbalanced mode): 2.7 k
Voice filter: –10 dB at 270 Hz (referred to 10 kHz)
Equivalent input noise, A-weighted:
0.8 uV (–122 dBV)
Phantom power (XLR only): 48 V, max. 10 mA,
short-circuit protected
Headroom: min. 8 dB
supplementary input, before master volume
Mono jack, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Sensitivity: 320 mV (–10 dBV)
Impedance: 20 k (note: impedance changes to 5 k
while external effect is switched OFF by
footswitch)
Outputs (note 3)
phones Headphones output. When plugged in, internal
tuner Tuner output
line out Preamplifier output after tone controls, with
DI-out Balanced XLR output before master, after tone
send Output to external parallel effect loop
Footswitch connector
footswitch Stereo jack socket ¼” (6.35 mm) for a dual
speaker is muted.
Stereo jack socket, L/R connected, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Max. output power: 2 x 100 mW / 1000 ohm
Input sensitivity for 2 x 50 mW / 1000 ohm:
23 mV (–33 dBV) at channel 1 input
Impedance: 470 ohm (common for L and R)
ote: Suitable for headphones with stereo jack.
N
Does not work with mono jacks.
Mono jack socket ¼” (6.35 mm)
Output voltage: 340 mV (–9 dBV)
effects, and after master volume
Mono jack, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Output voltage: 1.4 V (+3 dBV)
controls, without effects
1 = ground
2 = positive
3 = negative
Differential output voltage: 140 mV (–17 dBV)
Before master, after tone controls
Mono jack, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Output voltage: 1.4 V (+3 dBV)
footswitch
Tip = internal effect on/off
Ring = external effect on/off
Sleeve = common (
round)
Tone controls
ch. 1 colour –3 dB at 700 Hz, +10 dB at 8 kHz
ch. 2
Effects
Internal effects 1 Reverb 1
External effect Parallel effect loop (see also send and return).
eff. pan Blends both internal and external effects
Power
Power amp 60 W / 4 ohm, DMOS, monolithic I.C.
Limiter
t
hreshold
Analog signal
p
rocessing
Speaker system 8” (200 mm) twin cone full-range speaker, bass
Mains power Mains voltage (depending on model):
Mains fuse 5 x 20 mm
General
Cabinet 12 mm (0.47”) birch plywood
Finish Waterbased acrylic, black spatter finish (standard
Dimensions 260 mm (10.2“) high
Weight 6.5 kg (14.3 lbs)
Notes:
. Sensitivity
1
Input sensitivities refer to 50 W into 4 ohm, full gain and master settings,
neutral tone control settings, and 1 kHz sine-wave test signal.
2
. Noise and dynamic range
Equivalent input noise voltages are typical values obtained by measuring
noise voltage at speaker output and dividing by the voltage gain of the
amplifier for white noise. Full gain and master settings, neutral tone
control settings, input shorted, measuring bandwidth 20 Hz – 20 kHz.
Dynamic range of power amplifier: Ratio of between output signal at
limiter threshold to A-weighted output noise with m
position.
. Output levels
3
Output levels refer to 50 mV / 1 kHz sine-wave test signal at channel 1
input, full gain and master settings, neutral tone control settings, send
fully clockwise.
4
. Options
Gain of channel 2 in mic mode can be decreased by 4.6 dB by an internal
jumper.
48 V phantom power can be deactivated by an internal jumper.
9 V phantom power for channel 1 can be applied by an internal jumper
to the “ring” terminal of the input jack. C
care. Read the operating instructions.
Specifications and appearance subject to change without notice.
Effect is OFF when the footswitch is ON.
b
ass 8 dB at 100 Hz (shelf type)
iddle 6 dB at 800 Hz
m
t
reble 8 dB at 10 kHz (shelf type)
ass 8 dB at 100 Hz (shelf type)
b
t
reble 11 dB at 10 kHz (shelf type)
2 Reverb 2
3 Delay
4 Chorus
between channels 1 and 2, with reverse direction
of rotation for the external effects.
Dynamic range, A-weighted: 92 dB (note 2)
50 W
Dedicated equalizer, subsonic filter, adaptive
peak limiter
reflex enclosure
100, 120, 230, or 240 V AC, 50–60 Hz
Power consumption: max. 120 W
T 1 A L / 250 V for 230 and 240 V models
T 2 A L / 250 V for 100 and 120 V models
model)
325 mm (12.8“) wide
235 mm (9.25“) deep
aster in zero
aution: Use this option with
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Compact 603 - 150205_GB
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7. Circuit diagram Compact603
TUNER
DI
1
2
3
SEND
F/S
T R
EFF. RETURN
SELECT
FX
EFFECT PAN
TREBLEBASS
LINE OUT
RETURN
MASTER
BASS TREBLE
PHONES
B090216C_20110401
T R
DUAL CONE SPEAKER
470R
POWER AMP
SUBSONIC LIMITER
CLIP
Clip detect
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Compact 603 - 150205_GB
10
CLIP
Clip detect
OFF/ON
COLOUR MIDDLE
GAIN
+9V
9V Phantom Power
PAD
TR
CH 1
GAIN
MIC
LINE
MIC GAIN H/L
PREAMP
VOICE
PREAMP
MIC
LINE
2
TR
3
1
CH 2
+48V
48V Phantom Power
6k8
6k8
Page 11
notes
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Compact 603 - 150205_GB
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