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I n s t r u c t i o n M a n u a l
Punch
Phantom Powered
Genuine
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Notice
Aphex reserves the right to continually
improve our products. This is an updated
manual covering the improved pedals built
after February 2004.
Model upgrades include:
1. The ability to run from phantom power
2. Increased protection from breakdown
caused by ground differences
3. Increased external power voltage limits
Pedals manufactured prior to 2/04 do not have
phantom power capability. Those units are
clearly marked on the bottom cover to indicate that applying phantom power to the D.I.
output is not recommended. Due to substantial
technical modifications, older units cannot be
upgraded.
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Instruction Manual
I n s t r u c t i o n M a n u a l
Aphex P/N 999-4280 Rev. 4/17/04
1404 Punch Factory™
Contents
1. Hook-up ............................
2. Controls ............................
3. Tune-Up.............................
4. Theory................................
5. Specifications....................
6. Limited Warranty...............
7. Service Information...........
Copyright 2004 Aphex Systems Ltd.
All Rights Reserved.
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9
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16
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Hook-Up
1
3
2
Hot
Instrument
Power
Instrument
Input
Active (In)
Passive (Out)
Output
a. Direct By-Pass
When the unit is switched “off” (no effect) your instrument is routed directly to the output jack and does
not pass through any electronics.
b. Input
When plugging in, make sure you set the input
active/passive switch to match your instrument’s
pickup. This assures the optimum level and impedance match. The power is automatically switched
Wet(In)
Dry(Out)
Ground
Grounded(In)
Lifted (Out)
D.I. Balanced
150Ω Output
Mic Level
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on or off by inserting or removing the plug from
the input jack. Simply removing the plug from
your instrument does not turn off the Aphex unit.
c. Instrument Output
Connect this output to your amp’s input jack using
a good quality guitar cord. Use the same jack and
active/passive settings on your amplifier as you
would use if plugging the instrument directly into the
amp. That way, you’ll get normal volume and tone
when you switch the effect off, and your instrument
passes directly through the box to your amp’s input.
d. D.I. Output
Yes, your pedal comes with a super quality balanced D.I. output! Pin 2 of the XLR is hot while pin 3
carries a balancing impedance to set up a true balanced line. Pin 1 is grounded through the groundlift switch. The D.I. output can be connected to the
microphone input of any preamp or sound mixer and
runs a level of typically -50 to -60 dBu depending on
your instrument’s volume setting. You can switch the
D.I. output to either wet (with effect) or dry (without
effect) buffered balanced output. The D.I. output
should normally be grounded. Don’t lift the ground
unless it actually eliminates hum or buzz.
e. External Power
When external power is used, the internal battery
becomes disconnected and will not experience a
power drain. A wide range of both a.c. and d.c.
supply voltages is acceptable for power (see specifications) and it does not matter whether the center
pin is positive or negative. Almost any existing foot
pedal or stomp box power unit will work as long as
the plug fits the jack. The power jack fits a standard
6MM x 2MM power plug as used by most
popular stomp boxes.
f. Phantom Power
With all pedals built after February 2004,
phantom power applied to the D.I. will supply
reliable power. Do NOT operate the ground lift
switch when running on phantom power. It makes
a horrendous click like plugging in a mic!
g. 9V Battery
You can use any type of 9V battery that fits the snap
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connector. You can use rechargables, but the Aphex
unit does not supply a charging circuit. You must
remove the discharged battery to recharge it with
an external charger. We recommend using long life
alkalines. The internal battery is replaced by removing 4 screws holding the bottom cover. You can
expect from 100 to 150 hours of continuous use from
a fresh alkaline battery. Useful life is ended when the
battery voltage drops below 5.5 volts.
To extend battery life, always unplug the input
when the unit is not in use.
Battery Location
Controls
e d
c
a. Foot Switch
Turns the effect on or off. When the effect is off, your
instrument is patched directly through to the output
jack. In other words, it’s a straight bypass. No electronics are in the line at that point.
b
a
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b. LED
Glows when the effect is on. Dark when the effect
is off.
If the LED does not operate, then the battery is
dead, or no plug has been inserted into the input
jack to turn on the unit’s power.
c. Drive
Drives the compression to greater or lesser depth. As
you increase the drive, the compression increases,
and the sound is more compressed. The output
volume will slightly increase as the sound is made
fatter by more compression drive.
d. Volume
Adjusts the output volume when the foot switch is on
so you can equalize the volume versus when the foot
switch is off. You may need to adjust the volume a
little whenever you increase or decrease the Drive.
e. dB Bar Graph Meter
Shows you the gain changing action of the compres-
sor. It is calibrated in dB (decibels) of gain reduction.
Tune-Up
a. The Rules
There’s just one rule: Setting up your Punch Factory
is easy!
b. Getting It Going
While in bypass, adjust your instrument’s volume
and tone controls as you normally would. Then,
switch the Punch Factory on and adjust the Drive
control to get some amount of compression as indicated on the dB Bar Graph Meter. Adjust the Punch
Factory’s Volume so the sound is where you want it
with the foot switch on versus off.
The setting of the Drive control is not really critical.
You’ll start loving it immediately. However, the more
you use it the better you will know when it is set just
the way you like it best.
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Theory
It you are reading this, congratulations! Not everyone will stop here to learn exactly how the Punch
Factory works. We’ll keep this description light and
not too technical, however. We want as many musicians as possible to get a basic grasp of how this
product works.
a. Compressors - What They Do
The basic idea is that a wide range of input levels
is automatically “compressed” into a lower range of
output levels. After compression, sounds that were
low in volume are higher in volume. One could also
argue that loud sounds are made lower in volume.
b. What Is a Compressor Good For?
When used well, a proper compressor will extend
the sensitivity of an instrument, bringing up the
tonal nuances that contain the sensuality of your
music. That goes just as well for basses as guitars. Your music will be more consistent, filling the
volume envelope more fatly, making the track stand
out better in a mix. Similarly, in live music, you will
fill better and your playing will be more apparent
among the band.
Sustain
Typically, compression gathers more sustain. When
you play, you hear the notes last longer because the
compressor keeps raising the level automatically
until it runs out of gain. Every time you hit a chord
or note, the compressor “attacks” on the sound
envelope and reduces its volume, then the volume
“releases” back up as the sound dies out.
Punch
When the compressor attacks on the sound, it does
so in a particular way that is different with different
compressors. Too fast an attack will suck the life out
of your music while too slow loses effectiveness.
One of the good things about the Punch Factory
is that it has a complex attack characteristic that
adapts to the sound, letting it emerge enhanced, or
subtly exaggerated. This creates “Punch”, aiding the
articulation of the sound and creating a lush and full
sound.
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Expression
You will discover more great sounds on your instrument, and certain musical genres will become more
playable. An example is blues. The Punch Factory
will blend the notes musically, making every note
audible without sucking out any of the feeling. Rich
sustains will not fade into oblivion.
Optical Compression - What Is It?
There are many, many ways to build a compressor. Various devices can be used to create the core
circuit that controls the gain of the compressor in
response to a control signal. Each type of device
has its own advantages and disadvantages. Every
available technology has produced popular compressors over the years. However, one of the most
beloved types of compressors is the “optical compressor”.
An optical compressor is created from the combination of a light sensitive resistor called a photocell,
and a controllable light source such as a small light
bulb or LED. Devices called optocouplers combine a
photocell and light source inside a light-proof package. The photocell changes its resistivity depending
upon the intensity of the light.
Attack, Release & Memory
Compressors are said to be in “attack” when they
are in the act of reducing the gain and in “release”
when the gain is recovering, or rising back up
after an attack. Photocells exhibit a function called
“memory”. When just a few brief attacks have
been experienced, the photocell recovers quite
fast, bringing back the level more quickly. However,
after repeated and constant attacking, the photocell
builds up a memory of the light pulses and recovers
more gradually. This helps to smooth out the compression and preserve the quality of the sound.
The optocoupler used in the Punch Factory is
designed especially for audio and is produced
exclusively for Aphex. It has special characteristics
unusually well suited to music instrument compression. This means the Punch Factory is unique. No
other compressor sounds like this one.
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Model 1404 Punch Factory
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Specifications
Model 1404
Input Z Active: 50KΩ
Output Z Instrument: 1KΩ
Maximum Input Level Passive:1.5V RMS
Frequency Respomse 10Hz - 30kHz +/- 1dB
SNR (Typical) 70dB
Compression Ratio 3.7:1
Maximum Gain 30dB
Max Compression Range >30dB
Power Drain 5mA
Battery Type 9V
External Power 5-32VAC
Aphex reserves the right to continually improve our products. All specifications
are subject to change without notice.
Passive: 10MegΩ
D.I.: 150Ω
Active: 6V RMS
7-48 VDC
+48V Phantom
Limited Warranty
PERIOD
One year from date of purchase
SCOPE
All defects in workmanship and materials. The following are not covered:
a. Voltage conversions
b. Units on which the serial number has been defaced, modified, or removed
c. Damage or deterioration:
1. Resulting from installation and/or removal of the unit.
2. Resulting from accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, unauthorized product modification or failure to follow instructions contained in the User’s Manual.
3. Resulting from repair or attempted repair by anyone not authorized by Aphex
Systems.
4. Occurring from shipping (claims must be presented to shipper).
WHO IS PROTECTED
This warranty will be enforceable by the original purchaser and by any subsequent owner(s) during
the warranty period, so long as a copy of the original Bill of Sale is submitted whenever warranty
service is required.
WHAT WE WILL PAY FOR
We will pay for all labor and material expenses for covered items. We will pay return shipping
charges if the repairs are covered by the warranty.
LIMITATION OF WARRANTY
No warranty is made, either expressed or implied, as to the merchantability and fitness for any particular purpose. Any and all warranties are limited to the duration of the warranty stated above.
EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES
Aphex Systems’ liability for any defective unit is limited to the repair or replacement of said unit, at
our option, and shall not include damages of any other kind, whether incidental, consequential, or
otherwise.
Some States do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from
State to State.
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Model 1404 Punch Factory
Service Information
1. If it becomes necessary to return this unit for
repair, you must first contact Aphex Systems, Ltd. for
a Return Authorization (RMA number).
2. Pack the equipment in a strong carton containing
at least 2 inches of padding on all sides. Be sure the
unit cannot shift around inside the carton. Include a
letter explaining the symptoms and/or defect(s). Be
sure to reference the RMA number in your letter and
mark the RMA number on the outside of the carton.
3. If you believe the problem should be covered
under the terms of the warranty, you must also
include proof of purchase.
4. Insure your shipment and send it to:
Aphex Systems, Ltd.
11068 Randall Street
Sun Valley, CA. 91352
PH: (818) 767-2929 FAX: (818) 767 -2641
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About Us
Aphex is a leading manufacturer of products for
recording, broadcast, and sound reinforcement. Be
sure to ask your dealer about professional Aphex
products or visit our website.
“Punch Factory” is a trademark of Aphex Systems
Ltd. All rights reserved.
Look for the other high quality music instrument
effects pedals in the 1400 Series at music stores
near you.
Aphex Systems Ltd.
11068 Randall St.
Sun Valley, CA 91352
Tel 818-767-2929
techsup@aphex.com | sales@aphex.com
www.aphex.com
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