Atomic 50-212, 50-112 User Manual

Reactor 50-112 / 50-212

Owners Manual

Copyright 2006 by G66 GmbH

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Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of an Atomic Reactor 50 112/212, a major step in
bringing vacuum tube analogue musicality to the digital world. The Reactor 50
112/212 is an extremely versatile musical instrument that provides a live
performance platform for your modeling tools and instrument processors. The
Reactor 50 112/212 is clearly different from other guitar amplifiers. What we would
like to accomplish in the following pages is to bring you up to speed on exactly how
and why we made it that way.

Product Summary

The Amplifier / Speaker

The Reactor 50 112/212 is made up of two systems: the main system which can
stand alone is an 50 watt RMS tube audio power amplifier that is joined with a very

high efficie ncy 12 ” tu n ed sp eak e r system . Th e p o w e r am plifier em ploys top g rade

components like all polypropylene capacitors, a tube phase inverter (12AX7) plus
two top-grade, 6L6GC tubes to deliver full-rated power over a very wide frequency

resp o n se, flat o u t p ast 2 0 k H z a t ve ry lo w d isto rtion . It w on ’t color or a lte r the ton e

created by a modeler, preamp, processor or effects device.

C o up le d to th e R ea cto r’s am plifier sectio n is A to m ics’ own, high efficiency, custom
designed, 12-inch speaker(s). The speakers is (are) mounted in a precisely tuned
birch ply cabinet. This gives the Reactor 50 112/212 a speaker system that is wide
range and smooth (no sharp peaks or ragged response). The cabinet features a
unique dual flared port and a closed back. The unique design of the speaker cabinet
coupled with the dynamic abilities of both the amp and speaker can give a level of
performance that you would expect to hear from an amp with two times the power
capabilities of the Reactor 50 112/212. More importantly, the way the amp and
speaker system have been designed, they are able restore to the input signal,
especially a digitally created model, the musical dynamics and feel that we usually
expect to hear produced by a well designed analog tube amp.

Docking System

Early in the development of the Reactor 50 112/212 we decided that in addition to
providing a world class sonic solution for taking digital amp modeling tools live, we
would also tackle that other monster inherent to all digital technology. Having seen
what happens to the value of all things digital, we designed the Reactor to be able
to easily adapt to changes in technology or modeler brand popularity. This is the
motivation behind the second part of the Reactor 50 112/212, The “D S -1” d ock in g
system (Patent Pending). The DS-1 acts as a universal mount for many types of
modelers and preamps. The principle components in the DS-1 are the docking unit,
the docking bay and the Reactor Series Template Kits.

Combined with the appropriate template kit, the DS-1 can accommodate most
popular desktop modelers that are available today. As new modelers are developed,
we are able to make available new template kits.

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Once a modeler is installed in the DS-1, all of the signal input and output as well as
the power supply connections are made. No wall wart or external power is required,
the Reactor automatically selects and sends the correct power / voltage to the
modeler loaded DS-1. Installation and de-installation is quick and requires no tools.
The DS-1 is then easily loaded into the Reactor 50 112/212. A blank template is
also available for people who wish to use rack mount modelers and other choices for

prea m p s, in clud in g th e g row in g n u m ber of pe op le u sing flo or base d “pe dal sty le”

amp mod elin g prod u cts. T h e R e acto r’s classic d esign w ill lon g o u tlive cu rren t d ig ital
technology with value, versatility, and the elegance of a classic.

Getting Started

Unpacking

If you are reading this manual you have probably already opened your Reactors
shipping carton. Now would be a good time to familiarize yourself with the things
that are inside the carton.

W h at’s in th e B o x

Every Reactor 50 112/212 comes from the factory shipped complete with a DS-1
docking unit and the following items:

1. Owners Manual

2. Product Registration Card

Packed with the DS-1

1. One (1) AC line cable for proper usage in the country of purchase.

2. Three (3) mushroom head bumper caps

3. The wiring harness to connect a desktop style modeler into the DS-1.

Important

The 50 112/212/50 or the 212/50 Atomic Reactor only have one controller. Not
because we forgot something or because the money ran out, but because the amp
modeler takes care of all the sound adjustments. It's not a bug, it's a feature!

The Input jack next to the On/Off switch (Red) and the Stand-By switch (Blue)
should be used as Guitar Input when Modelers like a Pod, V-Amp, ToneLab or Black
Box with the docking station DS-1 and the appropriate Template Kit are fitted in the
Atomic Reactor.

All other Modelers – especially all Floor Pedals – should be connected to the Return
Jack of the Atomic Reactor amplifier, the guitar is then connected to the Input jack
of the Modeler. The docking station DS-1 should then be closed with the blank
template kit, on which no drinks or food should be placed, even though the
temptation may be great. Your amp will not like drinks, they could kill him; liquids
are not good for a high voltage tube system.

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The Atomic Reactor is a full range system, its special loudspeakers can handle
frequencies up to 18 KHz, which is the same as a normal PA system. You can switch

th e ou tp u t m od e from „S tu dio/D ire ct“, „D ire ct M od e“, „R ecordin g O u t“ o r „D irect
O u t“, so th at th e rig h t sp eak er, bo x a nd m icroph on e m ode ls a re activa ted .

The output signal of the Modelers can be sent direct to a Mixer via the Send Jacks
(left/right) on the rear side of the Atomic Amps, for an absolute professional PA or
Recording sound.

Turning On and Off

Like most Tube Amps, the Atomic Amps have a Stand-By switch. It's important to
use this switch. This means; first use the Red Power switch to turn the Atomic
Reactor on at the mains, wait 30 seconds and then use the Stand-By switch to be
ready to play. When turning the Amplifier off, start with the Stand-By switch and
then turn the Power switch off. It's important to use this sequence for turning on
and off.

Special information for owners of Line6 POD or POD xt, Behringer V-Amp,
VOX ToneLab and M-Audio Black Box

For th ese so calle d „D eskto p M od ele rs“ w e h ave specia l frame templates and power
cords. You should have received the right Template-Kit for your modeler. This Kit,
together with the Docking Station DS-1 and your Desktop Modeler will form a
complete unit. The power and audio connections follow internally; Floorboards, Midi­Pedals, USB-Tools can also be connected to the rear side of the Amp.

The DS-1

A to m ics’ philosophy is to afford it’s customers the opportunity to choose the brand
of modeler or preamp that they prefer, and thus enjoy the sonic characteristics that
they demand. The DS- 1 allows Atomic Reactor Series amplifiers to act as a
platform for select digital amp modelers and other types of related equipment.
When using a modeler installed in the DS-1, all of the signal input and output as
well as the power supply connections are made. No wall socket or external power is
required, the Reactor automatically selects and sends the correct power / voltage to
the modeler loaded into the DS-1. Installation and de-installation requires no tools.
The DS-1 is then loaded into the Reactor 50 112/212. The DS-1 design gives the

user th e ab ility to “qu ick sw ap ” (you do n ’t h ave to tu rn th e R eactor o n or o ff and

wait for the tubes to come up to speed) the Dock into and out of the Reactor. With
th e “qu ick sw a pp ab le ” cap ability designed into the DS-1 you can quickly change
Dock/modeler combination.