User’s Guide
for the
B1RE
Bass Amplifier
Made in the U.S.A. by
INPUT
PAD
GAIN
PEAK -12dB
BASS ULTRA
MID
TREBLE MASTER
LIMIT
POWER
ON
2
T
ABLE OF CONTENTS
Important Safeguards and Precautions . . . . . . . . . .2
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
The Front Panel Controls and Their Use . . . . . . . .4
The Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Some Suggested Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Rack Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• READ, FOLLOW, HEED, AND KEEPALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.
• DO NOT OPERATE NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCE AND DO NOT BLOCK ANY VENTILATION OPENINGS ON THIS APPARATUS. FOR PROPER OPERATION, THIS UNIT REQUIRES 3”
(75CM) OF WELL VENTILATED SPACE AROUND HEATSINKS AND OTHER AIR FLOW PROVISIONS IN THE CABINET.
• DO NOT USE THIS APPARATUS NEAR SPLASHING, FALLING, SPRAYING, OR STANDING LIQUIDS.
• CLEAN ONLY WITH LINT-FREE DAMP CLOTH AND DO NOT USE CLEANING AGENTS.
• ONLY CONNECT POWER CORD TO A POLARIZED, SAFETY GROUNDED OUTLET WIRED TO CURRENT ELECTRICAL CODES AND COMPATIBLE WITH VOLTAGE, POWER, AND
FREQUENCY REQUIREMENTS STATED ON THE REAR PANEL OF THE APPARATUS.
• PROTECT THE POWER CORD FROM DAMAGE DUE TO BEING WALKED ON, PINCHED, OR STRAINED.
• UNPLUG THE APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.
• ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS, ACCESSORIES, STANDS, OR BRACKETS SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR SAFE OPERATION AND TO AVOID INJURY.
• WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK OR FIRE, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
• SERVICE MUST BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
• OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMA-
NENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME.
• WARNING: THIS UNIT REQUIRES A SAFETY GROUNDED OUTLET WIRED TO CURRENT ELECTRIC CODES HAVING THE LINE SUPPLY VOLTAGE, POWER, AND FREQUENCY
IDENTIFIED ON THE REAR OF THE UNIT. THE OUTLET MUST REMAIN ACCESSIBLE TO DISCONNECT THE UNIT IF A FAULT SHOULD ARISE WHILE IN USE. THIS UNIT SHOULD
BE UNPLUGGED WHEN NOT IN USE.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
PRECAUCION
RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO
NO ABRA
PRECAUCION: PARA REDUCIR EL RIESGO DE INCENDIOS O DESCARGAS ELECTRICAS, NO PERMITA QUE ESTE APARATO QUEDE EXPUESTO A LA LLUVIA O LA HUMEDAD. PARA DISMINUOIR EL
RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO. NO ABRA LA CUBIERTA. NO HAY PIEZAS ADENTRO QUE EL USARIO
PUEDO REPARAR DEJE TODO MANTENIMIENTO A LOS TECHNICOS CALIFICADOS.
ATTENTION
RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION: PROTÉGEZ CET APPAREIL DE LA PLUIE ET DE L'HUMIDITÉ AFIN D'ÉVITER TOUT
RISQUE D'INCENDIE OU D'ÉLECTROCUTION. POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS ENLEVER
LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE
REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.
"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
“ES NECESARIO QUE EL USUARIO SE REFIERA AL MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES.”
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"
EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:
EXPLICACION DE SIMBOLOS GRAFICOS:
EXPLICATION DES SYMBÔLES GRAPHIQUES:
"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
“VOLTAJE PELIGROSO”
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"
=
=
Declaration of Conformity
Manufacturer’s Name: SLM Electronics
Corporate Headquarters: 1901 Congressional Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63146
Primary Production Facility: 700 Hwy 202 W, Yellville, Arkansas, 72687
Product Type: Audio Amplifier
Products meet the regulations for compliance marking under:
ETL standards UL6500, UL60065, or UL813
CSA standards E60065 or C22.2 No.1-M90
CE safety standard EN60065
CE EMC standards EN55103 or EN55013 and EN61000
FCC standards 47CFR 15.107 and 15.109 Class A
C-tick designation Level 2, ABN #56748810738, ARBN# N222
KETI standard K60065 (limited model approval)
Compliance Support Contact: SLM Electronics, Attn: R&D Compliance Engineer
1901 Congressional Drive, St Louis, Missouri, 63146 • Tel.: 314-569-0141, Fax: 314-569-0175
B1RE Bass Amplifier
3
Thank you for making one of the best choices you will ever make for your musical career – choosing one of the
finest bass amplifiers available, the Ampeg B1RE.
Your new B1RE bass amplifier provides many outstanding features in a compact package that takes up only two
standard rack spaces. Three hundred watts of pure bass energy, total tone control and rugged construction help
make this a true performer’s bass amp.
In the world of high performance bass amps, Ampeg amplifiers stand alone. In true Ampeg tradition, the
B1RE offers you more power, performance and flexibility than any other bass amplifier in its class. The outstanding features of your new amplifier, features which set it apart from the competition, are listed below.
• THREE ROTARY EQ CONTROLS: For quickly dialing in the tone you need.
• BALANCED LINE OUTPUT: XLR with independent level switch (20dB pad). Patch into house
consoles, mixing boards, or external power amplifiers.
• EFFECTS LOOP: For increased intensity and quieter operation of external effects.
• POWER AMP IN and PREAMP OUT: Allows direct access into the power amp and a signal tap
from the preamp section for even greater versatility.
• MUSICIAN MADE IN THE U.S.A.
An introduction To Your New Ampeg B1RE Bass Amplifier
Features
B1RE Bass Amplifier
4
The Front Panel Controls and Their Use
PEAK -12dB
GAIN
PAD
BASS ULTRA
MID
TREBLE MASTER
LIMIT
INPUT
ON
POWER
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1. INPUT: Use this jack to connect your
instrument to the amplifier by means of a
shielded instrument cable.
2. -12dB PAD: This switch, when depressed,
attenuates the input signal by 12dB.
Attenuation allows the Gain control (#4) to be
used over a larger portion of its range. If clipping is indicated with the Gain control near
minimum, attenuation is needed.
3. PEAK: This LED illuminates when the
signal level into the preamp approaches
clipping. Adjust the Gain control (#4) until a
strong signal from your instrument causes
this LED to flash.
NOTE: If the LED flashes frequently with
the Gain at a low setting, use the -12dB
Pad (#2) to attenuate the input signal and
readjust the Gain.
4. GAIN: Use this control to adjust the input
signal level. For the best signal to noise
ratio, adjust this control until the Peak LED
(#3) flashes on strong signals.
5. BASS: This is the primary low frequency
control which allows for 13dB of boost or
14dB of cut at 40Hz.
6. ULTRA-MID: This is the primary
midrange control. Rotate the control to the
left of center for a “contoured” sound (more
distant, less midrange output) or to the
right of center for a pronounced (more upfront) tone.
7. TREBLE: This is the primary high frequency control which allows for 18dB of
boost or 23dB of cut at 8kHz.
8. MASTER: Set the overall output level of
the amplifier with this control. The Effects
Loop and Bal. Out (#18,19,22) are not
affected by the Master control.
9. LIMITER: The B1RE uses an internal
Optocoupler Limiter to assist in keeping the
power amplifier’s output “clean” at extreme
volume levels. (All amplifiers begin to clip
their output signals as they approach maximum output levels, resulting in distortion
which may damage your speakers.) To
engage the Limiter, depress the Limit
switch. Whenever the amplifier is at full
power, the adjacent Limit LED will flash.
This is an indication that the limiter is keeping peak signals from clipping the output.
NOTE: Playing at full power with the Limiter
off will give you increased output power, but
the sound may be distorted. Use discretion
when playing without the Limiter.
10. ON: This LED indicator illuminates
when the POWER switch (#11) is ON.
11. POWER: This heavy-duty rocker switch
applies the power to the amplifier. The amp
is ON when the top of the switch is
depressed, OFF when the bottom of the
switch is depressed.
B1RE Bass Amplifier
5
The Rear Panel
MADE IN THE U.S.A. BY
SLM ELECTRONICS
1400 FERGUSON AVENUE
ST. LOUIS, MO 63133
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS:
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE.
NE PAS OUVRIR.
WARNING:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION
175W @ 8 OHMS
300W @ 4 OHMS
#98689
1312 20 2214 15 16 21191817
12. FAN: This temperature controlled, vari-
able speed fan draws cool air into the
amplifier, which forces heat out through the
exhaust vents. Never block the vent holes
or the fan opening.
13. FUSE: This protects the unit from damage due to overload conditions or power
line surges. If the fuse blows, replace it
only with the same size and type.
14. AC LINE IN: The grounded power cord
should only be plugged into a grounded
power outlet that meets all applicable electrical codes and is compatible with the voltage, power and frequency requirements
stated on the rear panel. Do not attempt
to defeat the safety ground connection!
15. SPEAKERS: Use these jacks to con-
nect the amplifier to your speaker(s) using
high quality speaker cables terminated with
1/4” connectors.
NOTE: When connecting multiple
speaker cabinets to the B1RE, keep the
overall impedance at or above four
ohms! The following chart shows the total
impedance load when connecting speaker
cabinets in parallel:
16. POWER AMP IN: This mono jack
allows you to feed the preamp output of
another amplifier to the input of the B1RE’s
internal power amp. This bypasses the preamp circuitry of the B1RE.
WARNING: This jack goes directly into
the power amplifier. DO NOT connect
high level signals to it!
17. PREAMP OUT: A post-EQ signal may
be taken from this jack and sent to the
house mixing board, recording console or
external power amplifier.
18. EFFECTS LOOP RETURN: To use an
external effects device, connect the OUTPUT of the device to this jack by means of
a shielded cable. This feeds the processed
signal into the Master section of the B1RE.
19. EFFECTS LOOP SEND: Connect the
output from this jack to the INPUT of your
effects by means of a shielded cable. This
sends a post-EQ signal to your effects.
20. -20dB/0dB: This switch sets the output
level at the Bal. Out jack (#22). The control
works independently from the front panel
Master control. Depressing the switch
activates the 20dB pad. The result is a
signal that is more compatible with the
microphone inputs on a mixer.
21. POST/PRE: You can select either Pre
or Post EQ for the signal at the Bal. Out
jack (#22) with this switch. With the switch
in the OUT position, the signal at the jacks
will be Pre-EQ. This is a direct output not
affected by any EQ or boost settings. With
the switch depressed, the signal is PostEQ and is controlled and modified by the
tone controls and Effects Loop.
22. BAL. OUT: This XLR-type connector
supplies a balanced preamp output signal
for connecting to a house mixing board,
recording console or external amplifiers
with balanced inputs. The signal can be set
to Pre or Post EQ by the back panel
Pre/Post switch (#21). The level can be
adjusted for either mic or line type inputs
using the -20dB/0dB switch (#20).
Cabinet # of Total
Impedance Cabs Impedance
8Ω 24Ω
16Ω 28Ω
16Ω 44Ω
WARNING: The speaker output of this unit can
exceed 10 Watts and could be a shock injury.
Connection to speakers should be performed by a
skilled person in compliance with local building
codes. Class 2 wiring is required for speaker
cables. Use of external speakers outside the rat-
ings stated at the speaker jack may result in a
shock injury or damage to the unit.
B1RE Bass Amplifier
6
Some Suggested Settings
Rack Mounting:
JAZZ:
ROCK:
COUNTRY:
FUNK “POPPING:”
The setting of the Gain control depends on your particular instrument. The
Master should be set to produce the appropriate output volume level. The
Graphic EQ can be used to tailor the amplifier to your speaker cabinets, to
compensate for room acoustics and to “fine tune” your sound.
When mounting the B1RE into a rack, the four bottom feet should be removed to maintain the two rack space height of the amplifier. Be
sure to keep the feet and their attachment bolts for future use. If the feet are reinstalled, never use screws which will protrude farther
into the amplifier than the original hardware.
The rack must be a high quality enclosure capable of securely supporting the weight of the amplifier. Tighten the mounting screws
securely through the amplifier’s face plate, into the rack rails. Check the rack and mounting screws occasionally to ensure a continually safe and secure installation.
B1RE Bass Amplifier
PAD
PEAK -12dB
PAD
PEAK -12dB
GAIN
GAIN
BASS ULTRA
BASS ULTRA
MID
MID
TREBLE MASTER
TREBLE MASTER
GAIN
PAD
PEAK -12dB
BASS ULTRA
MID
TREBLE MASTER
GAIN
PAD
PEAK -12dB
BASS ULTRA
MID
TREBLE MASTER
7
Troubleshooting
In the unlikely event that your B1RE should malfunction, take a few minutes to troubleshoot it before you call for service.
You can save yourself a lot of time and sometimes money by doing it yourself, and often the cure for the problem is something quite simple.
If the problem isn’t covered above, or if the steps lead you here, then contact your Ampeg dealer for service information. Also, you should refer your amp to an authorized service center for servicing if it gets dropped, has liquid spilled
into it, or sustains damage to its power cord.
B1RE Bass Amplifier
System Block Diagram
R
NO SOUND
LEDs LIGHT
Check amp controls, check
LEDs DON'T LIGHT
Check AC outlet
POOR SOUND
Check bass, cables
POOR SOUND
SOUND OK
for signal from bass
NO SOUND
SOUND OK
Listen for hum
NO HUM HUM
Check speaker Unplug bass,
Check power cord,
fuse, power switch
NO POWEROUTLET OK
Check house fusebox
or circuit breaker
OK
Check speaker(s)
SPEAKER(S) OK,
POOR SOUND
POOR SOUND SOUND OK
SPEAKER(S)
DEFECTIVE
Replace speaker(s)
touch tip of cable
Speaker OK
NO CHANGE
SOUND OK
Replace cable
NO CHANGE
LOUD HUM
Check inst. pickup
SOUND OK
SEE BELOW SEE BELOW
PRE
INPUT
POST
-12dB
PAD
GAIN
-20dB
BASS
PEAK
BAL. OUT
TREBLEULTRA MID
POWER
AMP
COOLING
FAN
LIMIT
LED
LIMIT
MASTER
PROTECTION
RELAY
THERMAL
SHUTDOWN,
LOW VOLTAGE,
DC PROTECT
SPEAKER
OUTPUT
SPEAKE
OUTPUT
POWER
AMP IN
PREAMP
OUT
EFFECTS
LOOP
RETURN
EFFECTS
LOOP
SEND
Ampeg reserves the right to change specifications without notice.
Ampeg is proudly Made in America. ©2004 SLM Electronics, 1400 Ferguson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63133 U.S.A.
P/N 47-843-01 • 111604
B1RE Bass Amplifier
Technical Specifications
OUTPUT POWER RATING 300 Watts RMS, 4 ohm load
175 Watts RMS, 8 ohm load
POWER REQUIREMENTS
Domestic: 120VAC, 60Hz, 300VA
Export: 100/120VAC, 50/60Hz, 300VA
230-240VAC, 50/60Hz, 300VA
TONE CONTROL RANGE
Bass: +14/-13dB @ 40Hz
Ultra Mid: +5/-11dB @ 350Hz
Treble: +18dB/-23dB @ 8kHz
GAIN 72dB
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO 80dB typical
SIZE AND WEIGHT 19” W x 3.25” H x 10” D; 18 lbs.
www.ampeg.com
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