Alesis Spitfire 30, Spitfire 60 User Manual

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User Manual

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Table Of Contents

 

Chapter 1: Introduction ..............................................

3

About the Spitfire.....................................................................

4

Spitfire Basics ..........................................................................

5

How to Use This Manual .........................................................

7

Chapter 2: Hookup Diagram ......................................

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Chapter 3: A Tour of the Spitfire.............................

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Front Panel.............................................................................

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Rear Panel ..............................................................................

15

Chapter 4: Selecting Programs................................

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Chapter 5: Editing Programs ...................................

19

Chapter 6: Storing & Copying Programs ..............

21

Chapter 7: Using the Tuner ......................................

23

Chapter 8: Deferred Program Change...................

25

Chapter 9: Stereo-Linking Two Amplifiers...........

27

Chapter 10: EFFECT Knob Settings .......................

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Chapter 11: Troubleshooting ...................................

41

Chapter 12: Specifications........................................

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Chapter 13: Contact Information............................

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Table of Contents

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1 Introduction

Welcome!

Thank you for making the Alesis Spitfire a part of your setup. Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative tools for the audio community. We believe in our products, because we've heard the results that creative people like you have achieved with them. One of Alesis' goals is to make high-quality music equipment available to everyone, and this user manual is an important part of that. After all, there's no point in making equipment with all kinds of capabilities if no one explains how to use them. So, we try to write our manuals as carefully as we build our products.

The goal of this manual is to get you the information you need as quickly as possible, with a minimum of hassle. We hope we've achieved that. If not, please drop us an email and give us your suggestions on how we could improve future editions of this manual.

We hope your investment will bring you many years of creative enjoyment and help you achieve your musical goals.

Sincerely,

The people of Alesis

For more effective service and product update notices, please register your Spitfire online at http://www.alesis.com/ support/warranty.htm.

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1 Introduction

About the Spitfire

Our Spitfire guitar amplifiers are compact and light, but extremely powerful. Perfect for both practicing and performing onstage, all three Spitfire models are endowed with the same professional-quality amplification system and features that make this line of amplifiers unique. Just take a look:

Spitfire Key Features

Three models: Spitfire 15 (15W RMS and 8” speaker),

Spitfire 30 (30W RMS and 10” speaker) and Spitfire 60 (60 W RMS and 12” speaker)

On-board stereo effect processor with 9 effect modules that provide multiple selectable effects

80 preset effect patches that you can fully edit, store and restore to the factory default settings

Over 40 different effects with adjustable parameters and innumerable effect combinations

Built-in auto-chromatic tuner

Bass and Treble control knobs for direct EQing of the audio signal (Spitfire 60 only)

Drive knob for direct control over the DRIVE parameter found in the effects processor (Spitfire 30 and Spitfire 60 only)

Speaker Output for connecting to an external 8-ohm speaker

Stereo Link Output for connecting to the input of a second amplifier for true stereo output

Input for an optional expression pedal for controlling effect parameters

Input for optional footswitches for changing user programs

Headphones jack for quiet, private playing in stereo

AUX Input for a CD player or other line-level device—play along to your favorite songs!

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Introduction 1

Spitfire Basics

Benefits of an On-Board Effect Processor

If you use guitar effects, you probably do so by linking pedals together into a chain or by using a multi-effect processor. All this extra equipment can cost a fortune and crowd your playing space. The Spitfire, however, simplifies things because it includes all the effects you need right in your amplifier. Instead of tripping over extra wires and turning knobs and pushing buttons on pedal after pedal, with the Spitfire you have full control over dozens of effects without the need for an external processor!

Effect Modules

If you were to think of the Spitfire’s effect processor as a series of individual pedals linked together, then each pedal in that series would be considered an effect module. The Spitfire has nine separate effect modules, as shown below:

You can assign one effect to each of these modules and adjust its parameters accordingly. For more on the Spitfire’s effect modules, see chapter 10.

Effect Types

When we use the word “effect” in this manual, we’re usually referring to an effect type. Each module provides you with a selection of effect types, only one of which may be chosen for each module. For example, the DIST module allows you to select which type of distortion you want (ACOUSTIC, TUBE CLEAN, RHYTHM and others). The behavior of each of these effect types may be adjusted in one or more ways to produce variations of the effect.

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1 Introduction

Parameters

A parameter is a control that changes the characteristics of an effect. When we use the word “parameter,” we are referring to the “direct control” parameter available to the DIST, FX1, FX2 and FX3 modules. DIST’s parameter is called DRIVE, and the parameters for FX1, FX2 and FX3 are labeled PARAM. The characteristic controlled by a parameter varies from effect to effect.

Programs

A program is a combination of effect modules and their respective settings. In PLAY mode, you have quick access to the Spitfire’s eighty programs via the

Program Up and Down buttons, optional footswitches and the VALUE knob. The programs are divided up into banks A – H and are

identified by a bank letter and a program number on the display.

Playing in Stereo

The Spitfire outdoes most other guitar amplifiers by providing stereo output instead of the standard mono. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the wonderful benefit this provides for your sound, because many of the Spitfire’s excellent effects will sound even better when you listen to them in stereo. See chapter 9 for instructions on how to connect a second amplifier to the Spitfire using the STEREO LINK OUTPUT. If you don’t have a second amplifier, you can immediately enjoy the stereo effects simply by listening with headphones.

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Introduction 1

How to Use This Manual

This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions and applications for the Spitfire. While it's a good idea to read through the entire manual once carefully, if you already have general knowledge about guitar amplifiers and effects, you should use the table of contents to look up specific functions.

Chapter 2: Hookup Diagram shows you how to get the Spitfire connected and turned on.

Chapter 3: A Tour of the Spitfire describes all the controls and features of the unit. This chapter features labeled diagrams of the front and rear panels. The paragraphs that follow the diagrams provide more in-depth explanations of these features.

Chapters 4 through 9 include step-by-step instructions for using the Spitfire, including how to select and edit programs, use the tuner function, store and copy programs, use the Defer Program Changes feature, and stereo-link two amplifiers.

Chapter 10: Effects Knob Settings explains the Spitfire’s effect modules and types, as well as other settings controlled by the EFFECT and VALUE knobs.

Chapter 11: Troubleshooting can give you a hand if you’re experiencing problems with the Spitfire. You’ll find that most issues can be resolved simply and quickly.

Chapter 12: Specifications is full of information for the more technical users.

Chapter 13: Contact Information lets you know the best way to reach us if you have any questions or comments.

Helpful tips and advice are highlighted in a shaded box like this.

When something important appears in the manual, an exclamation mark (like the one shown at left) will appear with some explanatory text. This symbol indicates that this information is vital when operating the Spitfire.

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1 Introduction

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Alesis Spitfire 30, Spitfire 60 User Manual

2 Hookup Diagram

The first thing we’ll show you is how to get your Spitfire up and running. The following diagram shows you the most common method of hooking up your Spitfire, but you certainly aren’t limited to the devices you see here. For example, you may want to connect a tape player to the AUX inputs instead of a CD player. And you can even use the Spitfire to amplify keyboards or other instruments.

Although you can experiment with different types of instruments, the Spitfire performs best with a guitar, as it was made specifically to handle that instrument’s frequency range.

Spitfire's Front Panel

 

Headphones

 

External 8-Ohm

Expression Pedal

Speaker Cabinet

Guitar

Spitfire's Rear Panel

Footswitches

CD Player or Other Audio Source Additional Amplifier

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2 Hookup Diagram

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3 A Tour of the Spitfire

The diagrams in this section illustrate the features you’ll find on the Spitfire’s front and rear panels. The text that follows the diagrams explains those features.

Front Panel

Some of the front-panel features described here are not available on all Spitfire models. Refer to the diagram below to determine exactly which features are found on the model that you possess.

 

Input

 

Display

VALUE Knob BASS Knob MASTER VOLUME Knob Power Switch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Up/Down EFFECT Knob DRIVE Knob TREBLE Knob HEADPHONES Jack

Input Display VALUE Knob MASTER VOLUME Knob Power Switch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program

 

Up/Down

EFFECT

 

Knob

 

 

 

 

HEADPHONES Jack

 

 

DRIVE Knob

 

 

 

 

Input

 

 

Display

VALUE Knob

HEADPHONES Jack

Program Up/Down

EFFECT Knob

MASTER VOLUME Knob

Power Switch

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3 A Tour of the Spitfire

Input

Plug in your guitar here using a guitar patch cord. You can also plug in another amplifier’s line output in order to

create a stereo link with that amplifier (refer to chapter 9 for details). You should use a 1/4” tip-sleeve (TS) cable.

Program Up/Down

While in PLAY mode, the Program Up button increments the program number, and the Program Down button decrements the program number. When you press both buttons together, the Spitfire goes into BYPASS mode, in which the audio signal from your guitar simply passes through the Spitfire without being affected. When you hold both buttons down for longer than half a second, the Spitfire goes into MUTE mode, in which no signal at all leaves the amplifier. When you are in BYPASS or MUTE mode, the tuner is activated.

You may use optional footswitches to perform the same functions as the Program Up and Down buttons. The Spitfire works with both normally open (NO) and normally closed (NC) footswitches.

Display

This LED display is made up of two digits and two decimal points. In PLAY mode the digits indicate the current bank letter and program number. When you turn the EFFECT knob to a module or parameter, the two digits display the setting of the selection. Descriptions of settings for each mode and parameter are in chapter 10.

The Display also contains two decimal points, each to the right of one of the digits. The # decimal point is used by the Spitfire’s tuner to help indicate the pitch of a note you’re playing, and the EDITED decimal point lights up when you have changed the settings of the current program. You can read more about these in chapter 5 “Editing Programs” and chapter 7, “Using the Tuner.”

Make sure the amplifier is turned off before you connect your guitar or any other instrument to the Spitfire.

Footswitches must be plugged in and not pressed when you turn on the Spitfire. Otherwise, the switches may not function properly.

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A Tour of the Spitfire 3

EFFECT Knob

The EFFECT knob is used for selecting effect modules, parameters and other settings to edit. Around the knob, you’ll see the names of sixteen different settings, including nine effect modules, four effect parameters (DRIVE and the three PARAMs) and two programlevel settings (LEVEL and ROUTE). The PLAY setting is what you’ll want to be in while playing your guitar through the Spitfire.

Refer to chapter 10 for descriptions of the possible values for the effect modules and parameters.

VALUE Knob

In PLAY mode, this knob lets you select a program. When you make a selection other than PLAY with the EFFECT knob, you are in edit mode, and the VALUE knob allows you to change the setting of the mode, parameter or global setting you have selected. Also, you can press this knob to store changes you have made to a program.

DRIVE Knob (Spitfire 60 and 30 only)

This knob gives you direct control of the DRIVE value, which is the parameter for the DIST module. Increasing the DRIVE value boosts the level of distortion and increases the loudness of the audio signal.

When an effect program is recalled, the DRIVE value is also recalled from that program regardless of the position of the DRIVE knob. But once you turn the DRIVE knob, the program will jump to the new DRIVE setting, and the program will be edited, which is evidenced by a lit EDITED decimal point on the display.

When you turn the DRIVE knob, the DRIVE value will appear on the display for a few seconds. You may also modify the DRIVE setting by turning the EFFECT knob to DRIVE and using the VALUE knob to change the amount of drive.

If you turn the DRIVE knob when the DIST module is turned off, the display will show “--” and the audio signal will not be affected.

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