Owner’s Guide
for the
BFX-220H
Bass Amplifier
with Digital Signal Processing
Congratulations!
You are now the proud owner of the innovative Crate BFX-220H Bass Amp with Digital Signal
Processing. The BFX-220H offers a wide selection of Digital effects designed especially for the bass guitar, each of which are easily accessed with the simple turn of a control knob. (No programmer’s degree
required!)
Like all Crate products, your BFX-220H is designed by musicians and built using only the best componenets. Extensive testing at many stages of its production, including a final “audition” by a skilled
musician, insures that your BFX-220H bass amp is the best it can be.
In order to get the best possible performance, please read this manual before you use the amplifier.
And thank you
for choosing
BFX-220H Bass Amplifier with Digital Signal Processing
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.
• THIS APPARATUS DOES NOT OPERATE NORMALLYAND REQUIRES SERVICE WITH ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE FROM IMPACT OR ANY EXPOSURE TO 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 ATHIGH VOLUME.
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"
=
=
Contents:
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Important Safeguards and Precautions . . . . . .3
The Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
The Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Some Suggested Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . .back cover
2
BFX-220H Bass Amplifier with Digital Signal Processing
3
Introduction:
Crate’s new BFX-220H Bass Amp with Digital Signal Processing is a feature-packed, professional-strength
powerhouse which can deliver incredible bass sounds. Rugged construction, reliable American craftsmanship and
solid state electronics add up to create one very roadworthy, stage-ready piece of gear.
The BFX-220H packs solid state performance and easily accessible digital effects into a compact head unit,
housed in a rugged Tolex
®
covered cabinet. Its side-mounted handle and heavy duty rubber feet on two sides (not
just the bottom, but also on the end you set it down on in real life situations) increase its value to those performers
who are always on the go.
The BFX-220H delivers 220 watts into 4 ohms and 150 watts into 8 ohms. Several of the amplifier’s outstanding
features are listed below.
Features:
• Solid state circuitry for reliable service and incredible tones
• Crate’s APM (Automatic Power Maximizer) limiter circuit for the most output without distortion
• Variable input gain control with -15dB pad switch and 3 input icon LEDs for the best match
between your bass and the amplifier
• Switchable Contour control
• 8-band graphic equalizer for optimum tone control
• Digital Signal Processing – nine digital effects designed for the bass guitar, with level control –
can be turned on and off by means of the supplied single button footswitch
• Balanced line out jack with level control and pre/post-EQ switch
• Headphones jack with level control for practicing in private
• Effects loop for noise-free connection of your favortie processors and effects
• Rugged Tolex
®
covered cabinet for durability, nickel and chrome plated hardware for high cos-
metic appeal
• Crate’s exclusive 5-year warranty (U.S. only – see your dealer in other areas for warranty information)
Important Safeguards and Precautions:
All Crate products are designed for continuous safe operation, as long as common sense is used and steps are taken to help avoid certain prob-
lems. Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage to your amplifier, yourself, and others.
• The amplifier is equipped with a three-pronged AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, NEVER remove or otherwise
attempt to defeat the ground pin of the power cord.
• Connect the amplifier ONLY to a properly grounded AC outlet of the proper voltage for your amp.
• Avoid sudden temperature extremes, rain and moisture. Also, avoid sudden and intense impact. (If the unit has been subjected to
any of the preceding abuses, have it looked at by an authorized service center.)
• NEVER set the amplifier on a support that might give out under its weight.
• Always keep the total speaker impedance at or above the rated load.
• Unplug the amplifier before cleaning it. NEVER spray liquid cleaners onto the amplifier. Wipe it with a slightly dampened, lint-free
cloth to remove dirt and film.
• Do not use the amplifier if it has sustained damage to the chassis, controls, or power cord. Refer the unit to an authorized service
center for inspection.
• Amplifiers capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inflicting permanent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure
to such levels is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and irreversible! Consider using quality hearing protection devices.
BFX-220H Bass Amplifier with Digital Signal Processing
4
The Front Panel:
1. INPUT: Use this jack to connect your
instrument to the amplifier by means of a
shielded signal cable.
2. GAIN: Use this control to adjust the input
signal level. For the best results, the “OK”
LED (#4) should illuminate when playing at
normal levels. If the “Decrease Gain” LED illuminates with the Gain control at low levels,
depress the -15dB switch (#3) and adjust the
Gain control accordingly.
3. -15dB SWITCH: This switch, when
depressed, attenuates the input signal by
15dB. If your bass has active electronics or
“hot” pickups, or if the “Decrease Gain” LED
(#4) illuminates with the Gain control (#2) at
low levels, depress this switch.
4. LEVEL LEDS: Use these LEDs to properly set the Gain control (#2) by following the
above instructions until the “OK” LED illuminates when playing at normal levels.
5. CONTOUR: Use this control to adjust the
tone of your instrument. This control is active
only when the Contour On/Off switch (#6) is
depressed.
6. CONTOUR ON/OFF: This switch, when
depressed, activates the Contour control (#5).
7. GRAPHIC EQUALIZER: Use these eight
sliders to adjust the frequencies indicated
beneath each one to custom-tailor your
sound or to compensate for room acoustics.
8. MASTER LEVEL: Use this control to
adjust the output level of the amplifier. This
control affects the signal level at the
Headphones jack (#14), the Preamp Out jack
(#19), and the Speaker jacks (#22).
9. LIMIT LED: This LED illuminates whenever the internal limit circuitry is activated. The
limiter prevents the output from sounding distorted even at high volume levels. Under normal playing conditions, this LED will flash
occasionally. If this LED remains illuminated,
reduce the Master Level control (#8) until the
LED flashes.
10. LINE OUT LEVEL: Use this control to
adjust the signal level at the Balanced Line
Out jack (#23).
11. POST EQ/PRE EQ SWITCH: This
switch, when depressed, sends a post-EQ
signal to the Balanced Line Out jack (#23).
The post-EQ signal is affected by the settings
of the Gain control (#2), the Contour control
(#5), the Graphic Equalizer (#7), and the DSP
controls (#15, #17). With the switch in the out
position, the signal at the Line Out jack is preEQ and is not affected by any of the aforementioned controls.
12. EFFECTS BLEND: Use this control to
adjust the amount of effect applied to the signal from the external effects loop (#24, #25).
With the control fully counter clockwise, no
effects are applied to the signal. As you rotate
the control clockwise the amount of effects
applied to the signal increases. Setting the
control to the 12 o’clock position (“5”) gives a
50/50 blend of dry signal and effects.
13. HEADPHONES LEVEL: Use this control
to adust the signal level at the Headphones
jack (#14).
14. HEADPHONES: Use this jack to connect
a pair of stereo headphones, for listening in
private. The signal at this jack is post Gain,
post EQ, and post Effects. The signal level at
this jack is adjusted by the Headphones Level
control (#13). Using the Headphones jack
does not affect the signal at the Speaker jacks
(#22). This jack may also be used to send a
signal to a tuning device.
15. DSP LEVEL: Use this control to adjust
the level of the Digital Signal Processing
applied to the signal.
16. FOOTSWITCH: Use this jack to connect
the supplied single button footswitch for
remote on/off control of the DSP effects.
17. DSP SELECTOR: Use this control to
select the type of digital effect(s) applied to
the signal. The effects are described as follows:
DELA Y: Slapback delay effect
ECHO: Long delay effect with
regeneration
CHORUS: Moderate chorus effect
FLANGE: Light flange effect
FUNK-WAH: Touch-sensitive wah-wah
(“T-W ah”)effect
OCTAVE: Adds a secondary signal one
octave lower than the original
signal
CHO/HALL: Moderate chorus effect with
a large hall reverb effect
RM: Small room reverb effect
HALL: Large hall reverb effect
18. POWER: Use this switch to turn the
amplifier on (top of the switch depressed)
and off (bottom of the switch depressed).
This switch illuminates when the amplifier is
turned on.
1 3 4 72 65 98 11 12 17 1810 1413 1615
BFX-220H Bass Amplifier with Digital Signal Processing
5
The Rear Panel:
19. AC LINE CORD: This grounded power
cord is to be plugged into a grounded
power outlet, wired to current electric
codes and compatible with voltage, power,
and frequency requirements stated on the
rear panel. Do not attempt to defeat the
safety ground connection.
20. PREAMP OUT: Use this 1/4” jack to
send a preamplified, line level signal to an
external amplifier, powered monitor,
recording console, mixing board or effects
processor. The signal at this jack is unbalanced: tip = signal +, sleeve = signal –.
21. POWER AMP IN: Use this jack to send
a line level signal into the BFX-220H’s
internal power amplifier. When a connection is made into this jack, the signal from
the input jack is interrupted.
22. SPEAKERS: Use these jacks to connect the amplifier to your speaker cabinet(s) using heavy duty speaker cables.
These jacks are wired in parallel. Avoid
speaker combinations which result in
impedance loads below 4 ohms. The following chart shows acceptable parallel
load combinations:
CAB
IMP. #
CABS TOTALIMP.
8 ohms 2 4 ohms
16 ohms 2 8 ohms
16 ohms 4 4 ohms
23. BALANCED LINE OUT: Use this XLR
jack to send a preamplified, line level signal to an external amplifier, powered monitor, recording console, mixing board or
effects processor. The signal at this jack is
balanced, and its level is controlled by the
Line Out Level control (#10, front panel).
The signal may be post or pre-EQ,
depending on the Post-EQ/Pre-EQ switch
(#11, front panel).
24. EFFECTS LOOP SEND: Use this 1/4”
jack to send an unbalanced line level signal to the input jack of an external efects
processor.
25. EFFECTS LOOP RETURN: Use this
1/4” jack to connect the signal from the
output jack of an external effects device
into the amplifier.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS:
RISQUE DE CHOC
ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR.
WARNING:
TO REDUCE THE
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.
BFX220H
MODEL:
XXXX0000000000
SERIAL:
120 60
LINE: V ~ Hz
550
WATTS: MAX
MADE IN THE U.S.A.
BY SLM ELECTRONICS
1400 FERGUSON AVE.
ST. LOUIS, MO 63133
19
20 21
PREAMP
OUT
PWR AMP
IN
EFFECTS
LOOP
RETURN
SEND
25
24
S
P
E
150W @ 8 OHMS
A
220W @ 4 OHMS
K
MIN. LOAD
E
R
S
BALANCED
LINE OUT
23
22
BFX-220H Bass Amplifier with Digital Signal Processing
6
Some Suggested Settings:
ROCK:
JAZZ:
COUNTRY:
FUNK:
AS NEEDED "OUT"
AS NEEDED "IN"
AS NEEDED "IN"
AS NEEDED "IN"
BFX-220H Bass Amplifier with Digital Signal Processing
7
System Blcok Diagram:
S
S
INPUT
-15dB PAD
SWITCH
FOOT
GAIN
LEVEL
LEDS
CONTOUR
ON / OFF
DSP
LEVEL
8 BAND
GRAPHIC
∑
MASTER
POST
PRE
EFFECTS
BLEND
LIMIT
LED
LINE OUT
LEVEL
POWER
AMP
EFFECT
SEND
EFFECT
RETURN
BALANCED
LINE OUT
PREAMP
OUT
POWER
AMP IN
SPEAKER
OUT
SPEAKER
OUT
HEADPHONE
LEVEL
HEADPHONES
BFX-220H Bass Amplifier with Digital Signal Processing
©2001 SLM Electronics • 1400 Ferguson Avenue • St. Louis, MO 63133 U.S.A.
www.crateamps.com
Technical Specifications:
Maximum Input Signal Level Accepted 17 volts peak to peak (-15dB switch depressed)
Input Impedance 500k ohms (-15dB switch out), 75k ohms (-15dB switch depressed)
Signal to Noise Ratio 75dB typical
Output Power Rating 160 watts RMS @ < 5% THD, 8 ohm load, 120VAC line
220 watts RMS @ < 5% THD, 4 ohm load, 120VAC line
Gain @ 1kHz 67dB with EQ flat, Contour off
EQ Section 20dB range (±10dB) @ 40Hz, 100Hz, 225Hz, 625Hz, 1.6kHz, 4kHz,
8kHz and 16kHz
Power Requirements 110-120VAC, 60 Hz250VA
110-115VAC, 50/60 Hz250VA
230VAC, 50/60 Hz250VA
Size and Weight 7-1/8” H x 19-1/2” W x 12” D, 30 lbs
Crate continually develops new products, as well as improves existing ones. For this reason,
specifications and information in this manual are subject to change without notice.
47-589-52 • 08/01
Declaration Of Conformity
#34, Effective 01-01-2001
Manufacturer’s Name: SLM Electronics
Production Facility: 11880 Borman Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146, USA
Production Facility: 700 Hwy 202 W, Yellville, AR 72687, USA
Shipping Facility: 1400 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133, USA
Office Facility: 1400 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133, USA
Product Type: Audio Amplifier
Complies with Standards:
LVD: 92/31/EEC, 93/68/EEC, & 73/23/EWG
Safety: EN60065
EMC: EN55013, EN55020, EN55022, EN61000-3-2,
& EN61000-3-3
Supplementary information provided by your local Sales & Services Office or:
SLM Electronics - R & D Engineering
1901 Congressional Drive, St Louis, MO 63146, USA
Tel.: 314-569-0141, Fax: 314-569-0175
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