Crate RFX120 Owner's Manual

Guitar Amplifier with

Digital Effects

User’s Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

The Top Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,5

The Bottom Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

The DSP Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Storing Your Own Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Restoring the Factory Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

More About The Save/Tap Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Using the Footswitch for More Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

DSP Factory Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,11

Suggested Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12,13

DSP “Fill in the Blanks” (for User Presets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover

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
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.: [phone], Fax: [phone]

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequen­cy energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interfer­ence to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a par­ticular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Changes or modifications to this device not expressly approved by SLM Electronics could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.

Guitar Amplifier

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Congratulations!

You are now the proud owner of the Crate RFX120 three-channel guitar amplifier
with Advanced Digital Signal Processing. This rugged amplifier combines outstanding
features with serious clean and distorted sounds. Dual DSP controls provide 15 “Multi”
effects and 15 Delay effects which can be combined for a wide variety of sounds. The
Save/Tap button allows you to manually set the tempo of many of the effects and to
save new DSP presets in the amplifier’s non-volatile memory. A separate Reverb
control adds even more to the array of effects. Front panel RCA CD Input jacks
allow you to play along with your favorite CD or tape. The rear panel Insert Jack allows
you to connect your effects for greater flexibility. Channel switching and DSP may be
controlled by means of a footswitch, which also allows access to two DSP presets on
each of the three channels. The top-mounted electronic tuner lets you get tuned and
stay in tune any time the amplifier is on.

Like all Crate products, your RFX120 amplifier is designed by musicians, and built
using only the best components. Extensive testing confirms that this amplifier is the
absolute best it can be.

In order to get the most out of your new amplifier, we strongly suggest that you read
the information contained in this guide before you begin playing.

And thank you for choosing

CCRRAATTEE

.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

• READ, FOLLOW, HEED, AND KEEP ALL 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” (75mm) 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 OPERA-

TION 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 PERMANENT 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.

"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"

=

=

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.

Guitar Amplifier

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The T

op Panel:

SOLO RHYTHM

INPUT

SOLO

RHYTHM

CLEAN

RHYTHM /

SOLO

VOLUMESHAPE GAIN LOW MID HIGH LEVELLEVELGAIN

1 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 1562 7 13 14

1: INPUT: Use this jack to connect your guitar to the amplifier by means of a shielded instrument

cable.

SOLO/RHYTHM CHANNELS: High gain channels giving you sounds with serious overdrive.

2: SOLO LED: This LED illuminates when the Solo channel is selected.
3: GAIN: Use this control to adjust the amount of distortion produced by the Solo channel.
4: SHAPE: Use this control to “dial in” the tone for the Solo channel. Rotating the control counter-

clockwise enhances the mid frequencies, while rotating the control clockwise enhances the low and
high frequencies.

5: LEVEL: Use this control to adjust the output level of the Solo channel.
6: SOLO/RHYTHM: Use this switch to select the Solo or Rhythm channel. When this switch is

depressed, the Solo channel is selected. With the switch in the out position, the Rhythm channel is
selected. This switch is active only when the Solo/Rhythm/Clean switch (#13) is depressed.

7: RHYTHM LED: This LED illuminates when the Rhythm channel is selected.
8: GAIN: Use this control to adjust the amount of distortion produced by the Rhythm channel.
9: LOW: Use this control to adjust the low frequency level of the Solo/Rhythm channel.
10: MID: Use this control to adjust the midrange frequency level of the Solo/Rhythm channel.
11: HIGH: Use this control to adjust the high frequency level of the Solo/Rhythm channel.
12: LEVEL: Use this control to adjust the output level of the Rhythm channel.
13: SOLO/RHYTHM/CLEAN SELECT: Use this switch to select the Clean channel or the Solo and

Rhythm channels. With the switch in the out position, the Clean channel is selected. When the switch
is depressed, either the Solo or Rhythm channel is selected, depending on the setting of the
Solo/Rhythm switch (#6).

CLEAN CHANNEL: A normal gain channel designed to give you crystal clean sounds.

14: CLEAN LED: This LED illuminates when the Clean channel is selected.
15: VOLUME: Use this control to adjust the output level of the Clean channel.
16: LOW: Use this control to adjust the low frequency level of the Clean channel.

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17: MID: Use this control to adjust the midrange frequency level of the Clean channel.
18: HIGH: Use this control to adjust the high frequency level of the Clean channel.
19: CD INPUT: Use these RCA jacks to connect the output from a CD player or tape deck to the

amplifier. The signal at these jacks is combined into a mono signal which is sent to the internal power
amp circuit. Use the CD or tape player’s output level control to adjust the signal for the proper mix
with your guitar.

20: MULTI: Use this control to select one of the fifteen “Multi” digital effects. Complete information
about the DSP effects is on page 7.

21: DELAY: Use this control to select one of the fifteen Delay digital effects. Complete information
about the DSP effects is on page 7.

22: SAVE/TAP: Use this pushbutton to set the tempo of many of the effects by tapping the button
repeatedly in time with the desired tempo. The Save/Tap button is also used to save DSP presets
and to restore the factory default DSP settings. Additional information about the Save/Tap button is
on pages 7 and 8.

23: SAVE/TAP LED: This LED flashes in time with the tempo set by the Save/Tap button (#22), and
serves as a status indicator for certain DSP activities (see page 8).

NOTE: For some of the DSP effects, the Save/Tap LED remains illuminated. The Save/Tap LED does not
illuminate when the DSP knobs are set to the Bypass position.

24. REVERB: Use this control to adjust the amount of digital reverb effect. In its fully counterclock­wise position the signal will be “dry” (without any reverb). As you rotate the control clockwise the
amount of reverb increases.

25: POWER: Use this switch to turn the amplifier on (top of the switch depressed) and off (bottom of
the switch depressed). The switch illuminates when the power is on.

NOTE: When the amplifier is turned on, the Save/Tap LED flashes for one second before the amplifier is
operational.

26: ELECTRONIC TUNER (cabinet top, not shown): The electronic tuner is active whenever the amplifier is
turned on, providing constant, “real-time” tuning. The bottom row of LEDs indicate which note (string) is being
tuned. The top row of LEDs provides directional queues to facilitate quick and precise tuning of your instrument.
The indicated note (string) is properly tuned when only the center LED is illuminated.

POWER

CLEAN

CD INPUT

DSPDSP

SAVE / TAPSAVE / TAP

CHORUSCHORUS

FLANGEFLANGE

PHASERPHASER

VIBVIB

OO

TT

RR

EFXEFX

ECHOECHO

SINGLESINGLE

TAPETAPE

LOW MID HIGH

REVERBREVERBMULTIMULTI DELAYDELAY

16 17 2118 24 252019 22 23

Guitar Amplifier