Aguilar The TONE HAMMER Preamp Owners Manual

The TONE HAMMER Preamp/DI

Congratulations on your purchase of the preamp/direct box so powerful it could only be
called the TONE HAMMER! Designed to be more than just a preamp and with more
functionality than a standard DI, the TONE HAMMER is an essential tool for every bassist.

In addition to the warm, organic sound that Aguilar is known for, the TONE HAMMER
provides three bands of EQ with fully sweepable midrange frequencies for maximum
tonal sculpting. Separate GAIN and MASTER controls allow you to dial in just the right
gain structure for any instrument.

To give this tone shaping unit the ultimate flexibility we are introducing our proprietary
Adaptive Gain Shaping circuitry (AGS). AGS modifies the gain structure and EQ,
making it easy to go from modern slap sounds to vintage warmth or overdriven tones at
the stomp of a button. 18-volt operation gives plenty of headroom to reproduce the most
dynamic playing styles. With all this and the TONE HAMMER's pristine DI you are ready
to hit the studio or stage.

— 3-band EQ with fully sweepable midrange
— Adaptive Gain Shaping circuitry (AGS)
— DI with selectable pre/post operation
— 18-volt operation via batteries, phantom power or optional power supply

Owner’s Manual

Manual Version 3.1

1. Top Panel Controls and Functions

GAIN: Controls input sensitivity level
TREBLE: +/- 18 dB @ 4 kHz
BASS: +/- 18 dB @ 40 Hz
MID FREQ: 180 Hz to 1 kHz
MID: +/- 17 dB of cut or boost
MASTER: Controls output level
ENGAGE footswitch: toggles between on/bypass (blue LED indicates on)
AGS footswitch: toggles AGS on/off (orange LED indicates on)

2. Side Panel Controls and Functions

IN: ¼” instrument input
DC IN: Input for external power supply
PRE/POST: This will place the DI signal either pre or post EQ.

• Pre: Your signal goes to the DI XLR output before your GAIN, AGS and EQ
settings. Leave the switch out for this function.

• Post: GAIN, AGS, EQ and MASTER settings will be sent to the DI XLR output jack.
Push the switch in for this function.

DI: Balanced XLR output
GND/LIFT: If there is a hum when using the DI, there may be a ground loop. In many

cases, pushing in the GND/LIFT button can fix this problem.

OUT: ¼” instrument output

3. Specifications

Input impedance: 1meg Ohm
¼” output level: 4VRMS maximum
XLR output level: 8VRMS maximum balanced
¼” output noise: -95dBu ‘A’ weighted
XLR output noise: -98dBu ‘A’ weighted
Current consumption: 7mA

Power Requirements: Two 9-volt batteries, phantom power or an external DC power
supply: 18-20V 0.3A, 2.1mm plug, center terminal polarity is negative. We recommend
the Aguilar PSU2 for best results.

4. Basic Setup

1. Plug in your instrument, the TONE HAMMER, and your amplifier. With MASTER

volume down, bring the GAIN control to 12 o’clock.

2. Turn on your amplifier and engage the TONE HAMMER.

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