Carvin BR610, BX1200, BX600, BR615 Owner's Manual

CARVIN ENGINEERING DATA OPERATING MANUAL

76-42500A 072506

The

BBXX

Series Bass Amplifier Heads offer classic natural bass tone with unprecedented tonal

control and extended headroom. The

BBXX660000

mono block with the same front end features deliv-

ers 225w at 8 ohms, 400w at 4ohms and 600w at 2ohms. The

BBXX11220000

“dual” mono block

amplifier delivers 2x275w at 8ohms, 2x400w at 4ohms and 2x600w at 2ohms.

Four discrete Class A input stages produce the harmonic basis for the preamp right from the input jack. It begins with a boutique flat response, then we add extensive tone control allowing you to carve out your signature sound. Harmonic content increases as you turn up the DRIVE control producing rich harmonics at maximum settings. Solid design, bullet-proof construction and a list of indispensable features assure the BX600 or BX1200 will be the heart of your rig for years to come.

• Discrete Class A input stages

• Preamp DRIVE and master VOLUME controls

• 3 mid sweep semi-parametric EQ, BASS, and TREBLE

• 9-band Graphic EQ with front panel switch (also by optional FS22 footswitch)

• Signal MUTE front panel switch (also by optional FS22 footswitch)

• EFFECT LOOP front panel bypass switch (also by optional FS22 footswitch)

• DIRECT OUT balanced XLR with independent LEVEL control, switchable "Pre-Post" and "Ground Lift", DC isolated

• TUNER output jack independent of MUTE switch

• Single knob optical COMPRESSOR

• High current SPEAKON

combo connectors or 1/4” steel speaker jacks

• Metal shaft controls with threaded metal bushings mounted directly to front panel

• Circuit boards are MIL SPEC, double sided, FR-4 glass epoxy

• Lightweight design

• BX1200 -19" 2U all steel chassis, BX600 - aluminum chassis

GGEETTTTIINNGG SSTTAARRTTEEDD QQUUIICCKKLLYY

If you are like most players, you probably want to plug in your new amp and get started play-

ing right away. Before you start, be sure your amp is plugged into the correct AC voltage.

1. With POWER off, connect a speaker cabinet to one of the rear SPEAKER OUTPUTs.

2. Set the DRIVE, MASTER volume, and the two amp volumes (BX1200 only) to “0” and set the ACTIVE INPUT switch for your type of bass.

3. Set all tone controls to their center “0” position and the CONTOUR to FLAT. This is the “FLAT” setting for the amp. For now, turn off the graphic EQ.

4. Now, turn the amp ON. Turn up the volume on your bass guitar. Gradually increase the amp VOLUME control to the desired level. If no sound is heard, turn down the VOLUME control and check the MUTE switch.

5. Increasing the DRIVE control will add harmonic richness to your sound. Turning up the DRIVE also increases volume. Re-adjust the MASTER volume after adjusting the DRIVE.

6. Adjust the tone controls to your liking. Keep in mind that turning up a tone control isn’t always the answer. Sometimes turning down one of the MID controls will get you the sound you want.

7. Need more volume? There is a limit to the amount of volume a speaker can produce and driving a speaker beyond it’s limit can damage it. Even though these are powerful amplifiers, adding more speakers is the only way for substantially more output. Every time you double your speakers, you increase your acoustic output by a factor of four.

Hopefully, this will help you get started. Have fun exploring the features and sounds of the

BX600/BX1200. Take the time with your new amp to realize it’s full potential.

BX1200 / BX600 / BR610 / BR615 / BASS AMPLIFIERS

RECEIVING INSPECTION—read before getting started

INSPECT YOUR UNIT FOR DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping. If damage

is found, please notify the shipping company and CARVIN immediately.

SAVE THE CARTON & ALL PACKING MATERIALS. In the event you have to re-ship your unit, always use the original carton and packing material. This will provide the best possible protection during shipment. CARVIN and the shipping company are not liable for any damage caused by improper packing.

SAVE YOUR INVOICE. It will be required for warranty service if needed in the future.

SHIPMENT SHORTAGE. If you find items missing, they may have been shipped separately. Please allow several days for the rest of your order to arrive before inquiring.

RECORD THE SERIAL NUMBER on the enclosed warranty card for your records. Keep your

portion of the card and return the portion with your name and comments to us.

USA customers register online at: www.carvin.com/registration All other countries register online at: www.carvinworld.com/registration

SPECIFICATIONS:

MODEL BX600 BX1200 Output Power

8ohms, THD <1.0% 225w 2x 275w 4ohms, THD <1.0% 400w 2x 400w 2ohms, THD <1.0% 600w 2x 600w 8ohms bridge NA 800W 4ohms bridge NA 1200W Speaker Impedance: 4 Ohms total (BR610 and BR615 only)

Input Impedance: >200K Tone Controls: TREBLE 10K, BASS 50Hz , 3 semi-parametric MIDs,

CONTOUR, and 9-band Graphic EQ

Drive Control: Varies input gain and harmonic content AC Requirements: 120VAC 60 Hz or 240VAC 50 Hz optional models Power Requirements: BX600: 500VA, BX1200: 1100VA Dimensions

BX1200(no cabinet): (2U) 3.5”H x 19”W x 10”D BX600(only in cabinet): (2U) 5.7”H x 21.6”W x 12”D BR610 & BR615: 23.8”H x 20.7”W x 18.5”D

Weight : BX600: 20 lbs. BX1200: 23 lbs net

BR610: 64 lbs. BR615: 61 lbs net

Warranty: One year parts and labor

12340 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

800-854-2235

www.carvin.com

BX1200

BX600

BR610

BR615

MADE IN

USA

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

INPUT JACK

The 1/4" phone jack is a high impedance instrument input designed to handle both active and passive

basses in connection with the ACTIVE switch.

2. BLUE JEWEL LIGHT AND POWER SWITCH

The power switch turns on the amplifier and is indicated by the large blue jewel light over the input jack.

3. DRIVE CONTROL

The DRIVE control adjusts the input level to the class A preamps. The DRIVE control serves two purposes. DRIVE can be used to adjust the input sensitivity for the differences in bass pickups. DRIVE will also change the harmonic content of your sound. Turning the knob closer to 10 will create a more overdriven tone. The DRIVE will also change the volume of the amplifier, so use it in combination with the MASTER control to achieve the desired volume.

4. MUTE SWITCH

The MUTE switch turns off the output of the amplifier. A blue LED indicates the MUTE switch is on. The

MUTE switch is ideal for changing basses and silent tuning on stage, since the rear tuner output is never muted. The mute feature can also be switched with an FS22 footswitch.

5. ACTIVE SWITCH

Flip the ACTIVE switch to the DOWN position for standard bass pickups. If your bass uses a battery with an onboard active preamp, put the switch in the UP position. A blue LED indicates the ACTIVE switch is on.

6. CONTOUR CONTROL

The CONTOUR control provides a variable mid range scoop. When this control is set to “FLAT” there is no change to the mid range frequencies. As you turn the contour control clockwise, the mid range is scooped at the center frequency at 250Hz. When the CONTOUR control is set to maximum the mid-range is cut by -9dB at 300Hz.

7. BASS AND TREBLE TONE CONTROLS

The BASS and TREBLE controls are custom shaped tone controls designed to deliver punchy lows and crisp highs for a variety of bass sounds. When a control is turned to the right it boosts the signal and when turned to the left cuts the signal.

The affected frequencies for the BASS start at 80Hz and can deliver a great deal of volume. Be careful not to distort the output or overpower the low end of your speakers.

The affected frequency for the TREBLE control begins at 5kHz.

8. SEMI-PARAMETRIC MID SWEEP TONE CONTROLS (LEVEL & FREQ)

These three EQ’s can take some time to learn how to use. Start with the LO MID sweep. The FREQ control does not function if the GAIN control is set in the center “0” position. To demonstrate, turn the GAIN to the right for full boost. Now play your bass and turn the FREQ control from left to right and notice the how the added mids change frequency. Now turn the GAIN to the full left and turn the FREQ control again and notice the mids disappear at different frequencies. Try this with the MID and HI MID also. As you can hear, there are many variables, so write down some of the settings for future reference. The mid sweep system controls can be very effective to fine tune your overall sound.

9. COMPRESSOR (COMP)

For some people, a compressor is a new feature. What it basically does is reduce the volume of the incoming signal as it reaches a preset maximum level. As the COMP knob is turned up (clockwise), the compressor lets a lower percentage of peak signals to pass through. This percentage is called the “compression ratio”. When the knob is at the off position (full counter-clockwise) the ratio is 1:1, where all of the input signal passes through the compressor without being affected. At the MAX setting, the compression ratio is 3:1.

The advantage of a compressor is to the reduce peaks and other sudden loud parts (transients) of your playing so you can increase your overall volume. For example, in slap bass playing, the plucked notes can put out peaks that would distort the amplifier at normal playing volumes. If the amp’s volume was adjusted for these peaks, the rest of the notes would be too quiet to hear with the band. When the compressor is adjusted to where the LED comes on for loud peaks, the amplifier can be played louder without distortion. It’s like having someone re-adjusting the volume of the amplifier to prevent distortion when the peaks occur.

The compressor circuit in the BX series is also internally connected to the power amplifier. When the

amplifier reaches peak clipping levels it activates the compressor and reduces the output signal. This helps prevent the amplifier from clipping and protects the speakers.

10. 9 BAND GRAPHIC EQUALIZER

The 9 band graphic EQ has been designed with center frequencies most requested by professional bass players. This EQ can be used to fine tune the tonal content of the amps output. Since the graphic EQ is switchable with either the optional FS22 footswitch or the EQ switch on the front panel, it can be used during passages of a song when the bass needs to punch through the mix. Musicians that play more than one bass on stage will also find this useful to get the sounds they desire out of each instrument. The BLUE LED located above the GRAPHIC EQ IN switch signifies when the graphic EQ is working. NOTE: When the front panel GRAPHIC EQ switch is off, it cannot be turned on with the footswitch.

11. EFFECTS LOOP SWITCH

The green LED above the front panel EFFECTS switch indicates when the EFFECTS LOOP is active. When the EFFECTS switch is off the EFFECTS LOOP is bypassed. The signal is still present at the SEND jack, but the RETURN is not active. The EFFECTS LOOP can also be switched using the optional FS22 footswitch. NOTE: When the EFFECTS switch is off, the loop cannot be turned on with the footswitch.

12. ELECTRONIC CROSSOVER (BX1200 ONLY)

The electronic X-OVER is used for a bi-amped speaker configuration. When the X-OVER switch is ON, the BX1200 is in bi-amp mode and the BLUE LED above it will be lit. To select the crossover frequency, rotate the FREQ control knob until the desired frequency is obtained. Low frequencies go to AMP1, and high frequencies go to AMP2. This allows speakers designed for specific frequencies to be utilized to their fullest potential, and allows the user even greater control over the tone of thier rig. To start, try setting the FREQ at 300Hz.

NOTE: BI-AMPING does not necessarily deliver the most volume from your system.

BX1200

BX600

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