ENGL E1060 BASS RACKHEAD engl-e1060-bass-rackhead-manual.pdf

RACKHEAD

1060

Dual Tube/Solid-State Channel Bass Amp

Please read this manual and the enclosed safety pamphlet carefully before

operating the amp!

Technical specifications subject to change without notice.

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Table of Contents

Welcome...........................................................................................................................................................................................................4

Features............................................................................................................................................................................................................5

Front Panel.......................................................................................................................................................................................................6

Channel A (tube-driven)....................................................................................................................................................................................7

Channel B (solid-state).....................................................................................................................................................................................8

For Both Channels Shared Switches................................................................................................................................................................9

Rear Panel......................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Hands-Free Remote Control...........................................................................................................................................................................10

S.A.C.Port ( Z-17 Footswitch)....................................................................................................................................................................10

One Bass into Channel A (SWAP not depressed → Channel A on).........................................................................................................11

One Bass into Channel B (SWAP depressed → Channel A on)...............................................................................................................11

One Bass into Channel A (SWAP depressed → Channel B on)...............................................................................................................11

One Bass into Channel B (SWAP not depressed → Channel B on).........................................................................................................11

Two bass guitars → Channel A and B on..................................................................................................................................................12

Footswitch ( Z-4 Pedals).............................................................................................................................................................................12

Tuner Out........................................................................................................................................................................................................12

Bi-Amping.......................................................................................................................................................................................................13

Slave Out (Channel A and Channel B)...........................................................................................................................................................16

Line Out Balanced..........................................................................................................................................................................................16

Speaker Output ..............................................................................................................................................................................................16

External Input..................................................................................................................................................................................................19

FX Loop (effects)............................................................................................................................................................................................19

Technical Specifications.................................................................................................................................................................................21

Channel A (tube driven)..............................................................................................................................................................................21

Channel B (solid-state)...............................................................................................................................................................................22

Power Amplifier.........................................................................................................................................................................................23

Fuses..........................................................................................................................................................................................................24

Logic-Control System.................................................................................................................................................................................24

Logic-Control System.................................................................................................................................................................................24

Power Requirements..................................................................................................................................................................................24

Size and Weight.........................................................................................................................................................................................24

Notes:.........................................................................................................................................................................................................25

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Preface

Thank you for purchasing this bass amp; we certainly appreciate your confidence in us.
Here’s wishing you lots of fun and musical success in the rehearsal room and on stage!

Your Engl-Team

Welcome

The RACKHEAD 1060 is a dual-channel bass amp. Its two-space (2RU) rack-mount chassis houses two
preamps and one stereo power amp.

This design gives you quite a few options:

• TWO SEPARATE AMPS IN ONE HOUSING for two instruments and/or two bass players. We call this

dual mode.

• A/B OPERATION using two SEPARATE PREAMP STAGES with a stereo power amp with the two

channels bridged to achieve maximum output. This is called bridge mode.

• BI-AMPED OPERATION via an ACTIVE CROSSOVER

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Features

• One TUBE CHANNEL featuring DRIVE and BASS BOOST→ Channel A

• One SOLID-STATE CHANNEL with an EQUALIZER and COMPRESSOR→ Channel B

• STEREO POWER AMP

• Balanced ¼” (6.35 mm) TUNER OUT

• SPEAKON®/ ¼” (6.35 mm) COMBO JACK for speakers

• GROUND-LIFT switchable for DIRECT OUT, PRE/POST, XLR ♂

• Balanced ¼” (6.35 mm) PREAMP (SLAVE) OUT / EXTERNAL POWERAMP IN

• REMOTE CONTROL

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Front Panel

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Channel A (tube-driven)

Input A ¼” (6.35 mm) input jack for Channel A

-12dB (switch) Attenuates input gain for hot pickups & active basses
Bright (switch) Adds high-frequency boost to the input signal

Gain (knob) Adjusts input sensitivity.
Clip (red LED) The Clip LED may flash now and then, but not light up constantly while playing.

Drive (knob) Adjusts the mix of regular and boosted (Drive) signals
Drive (switch) Activates an additional power amp

Equalizer Four-band voicing section (Bass, Lo Mid, Hi Mid, Treble) with a Presence knob
Bass Boost (switch) Boosts low frequencies

Ultra Bright (switch) Boosts high frequencies
Volume (knob) Adjusts Channel A’s volume

Preamp A (blue LED) Lights up to indicate Channel A is on

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Channel B (solid-state)

Input B ¼” (6.35 mm) input jack for Channel B

-12dB (switch) Attenuates input gain for hot pickups & active basses
Gain (knob) Adds high frequencies to the input signal

Shape (switch) Activates the midrange filter
Clip (red LED) The Clip LED may flash now and then, but not light up constantly while playing

Shape (knob) Adjusts the midrange filter’s frequency and intensity

Equalizer (four knobs) Two parametric equalizers for adjusting the upper and lower mids

Bass (knob) Boosts/cuts low frequencies
Treble (knob) Boosts/cuts high frequencies

Volume (knob) Adjusts Channel B’s volume
Preamp A (blue LED) Lights up to indicate Channel B is on

Equalizer (switch) Activates the equalizer
Compressor (switch) Activates the compressor (not adjustable)

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For Both Channels Shared Switches

Mute Preamp A+B
(switch)

Mutes both channels; Tuner Out remains on

Effect A (switch)

Each switch activates and assigns the FX loop directly to the given channel. They
are mutually exclusive: enabling one disables the other.
The Balance knob on the rear panel adjusts the mix of wet (effects) and dry signals.

Effect B (switch)

Swap Preamp

(switch)

Flips the two inputs, assigning jack A to channel B and jack B to channel A

Bridged Poweramp

(switch)

Bridges the stereo power amp (default setting); LED lights up to indicate bridged
mode

The power amp is now a mono block delivers 1000W at 8 ohms for both channels!

Master (knob) Adjusts the volume of the power amp

Protect/Limiter

(red LED)

Protect/Limiter-LED lights for about 2 seconds after switching on the amplifier and
goes out afterwards.
It may flash now and and then.
Constant lightning shows that the limiter of the power amplifier is working to limit
the output power.
This has to be avoided otherwise the power amplifier can be damaged.

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Rear Panel

Hands-Free Remote Control

The amp may be controlled remotely using a Z-17 pedal or one, two or three footswitchs such as the

Z-4.

S.A.C.Port ( Z-17 Footswitch)

The switches on the Z-17 pedal operate specific functions. These
assignments depend on which amp input is in use (Input A or B) and
whether or not SWAP is depressed.

Function 1 (Mute) and function 2 (Swap) are always assigned to the
same switch because they are used for both channels.

The assignments of functions 3 to 6 vary according to the currently active channel (as indicated by the blue
LED on the amp).

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One Bass into Channel A (SWAP not depressed → Channel A on)

One Bass into Channel B (SWAP depressed → Channel A on)

Switch Function Assigned Channel Remarks

Function 1 Muting

Both channels

LED indicates function

Function 2 Swap

Function 3 Drive

Channel A only

Function 4 Bass Boost

Function 5 Ultra Bright

Function 6 Effect Ch A

One Bass into Channel A (SWAP depressed → Channel B on)

One Bass into Channel B (SWAP not depressed → Channel B on)

Switch Function Assigned Channel Remarks

Function 1 Muting

Both channels

LED indicates function

Function 2 Swap

Function 3 Shape

Channel B only

Function 4 Effect Ch B

Function 5 Equalizer

Function 6 Compressor

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Two bass guitars → Channel A and B on

Switch Function Assigned Channel Remarks

Function 1 Muting

Both channels

LED indicates function
Function 2 Swap
Function 3 Drive

Channel A only

Function 4 Bass Boost
Function 5 Equalizer

Channel B only

Function 6 Compressor

Footswitch ( Z-4 Pedals)

The RACKHEAD 1060 may be remote-controlled using up to three Z-4 pedals.

The three stereo jacks are wired as follows::
TIP: Swap TIP: Compressor TIP: Drive

RING: Mute RING: Equalizer RING: Shape

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Tuner Out

This stereo jack patches out a balanced composite of the two input signals. This circuit is
always enabled regardless of the Mute setting.
Tapping its signal using a cord equipped with mono ¼” (6.35 mm) jack plugs will not harm
the amp.

Bi-Amping

Use a Y adapter with one stereo and two mono jack plugs to
bi-amp the RACKHEAD 1060.

Bi-Amping Out:

TIP: Low-Out
RING: High-Out

Twist the Crossover Frequency knob to dial in your preferred corner frequency.

Using the internal stereo power amp (Hi and Lo Out):

1. Press the Bridged Poweramp switch

2. Insert the Y cord’s stereo plug into Bi-Amping Out

3. Insert one each mono plug into Ext. Input A and B

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4. Adjust the volume with the Master knob

Figure 1: Bi Amping using the internal stereo power amp

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Driving an outboard power amp with Low Out and using the onboard stereo power amp for the
fullrange signal:

1. Press the Bridged Poweramp switch.

2. Insert a mono plug into Bi-Amping Out.

3. Connect the mono ¼” (6.35 mm) cord to the external power amp’s input.

Figure 2: Bi Amping using an external power amp

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Slave Out (Channel A and Channel B)

These two balanced stereo jacks patch out the two channels’ signals. Turn the Volume
(A or B) knob to adjust the volume.

Line Out Balanced

This balanced output provides a composite of the two channels’ signals.

Turn the Level knob to adjust the volume.

The signal may be tapped before (pre = raw input signal) or after
(post = processed signal) the tone controls and FX loop.

Speaker Output

To drive two cabinets, connect one each to SPEAKON® ports A and
B and press the Bridged Poweramp switch. Each speaker
cabinet’s impedance may be no less than 4 ohms.

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Dont't use the center SPEAKON® port.

Figure 3: Mono-Block (bridged stereo power amp) with two speaker cabinets or two-channel mode

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A cabinet connected to the center SPEAKON® port must be rated for 8 ohms impedance and able to handle
at least 1000 watts!

Figure 4: Mono-Block (bridged stereo power amp) with one speaker cabinet

A 4-ohm cabinet connected to the center SPEAKON® port, when operated at high volume levels, may
overload, shut down or even destroy the power amp. This is something you really want to avoid.

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External Input

The External Input lets you patch a signal directly to the power amp.

This external signal has priority!

FX Loop (effects)

Connect the Send jack to your effects processor's input and the
Return jack to the processor’s output.

Dial in the desired mix of dry and wet signals using the Balance knob.

Use the Effect A and Effect B switches to assign the FX loop to the desired channel.

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Figure 5: Block diagram

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APPENDIX

Technical Specifications

Model: RACKHEAD 1060 (with automatic voltage range adjustment)
Series: Power Amplifier
Dual-channel amp with two preamps and two power amps. The two power amps can be bridged and

operated in mono.

Channel A (tube driven)

Input sensitivity............... 12 mV (-36dBu)

Input pad......................... 12 dB (switchable)

Bright.............................. Boosts input signals’ top end

Gain................................ Adjusts preamp’s input sensitivity

Drive............................... Adjusts mix of regular and boosted signals

4-band voicing section:

Bass......................... ±15 dB at 80 Hz

Lo-Mid...................... ±15 dB at 400 Hz

Hi-Mid...................... ±15 dB at 800 Hz

Treble....................... ±15 dB at 6.5 kHz

Präsenz.................... ±15 dB at 3.3 kHz

Volume Preamp A..... Adjusts Channel A’s volume

LED (blue)................ Indicates Channel A is on

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Switches:

Ultra Bright............... +10 dB at around 10kHz

Bass Boost............... +10 dB at around 120 Hz

Treble Boost............. +12 dB at around 6.5kHz

Channel B (solid-state)

Input sensitivity............... 12 mV (-36dBu)

Input pad......................... 12 dB (switchable)

Gain................................ Verstärkung Channel B

Shape............................. -3 bis -12 dB at 550 Hz (switchable)

2-band tone controls and parametric equalizer:

Bass......................... ±15 dB at 60 Hz

Lo-Mid...................... ±15 dB at 200 - 2500 Hz (switchable)

Hi-Mid...................... ±15 dB at 2.5 - 6.8 kHz (switchable)

Treble....................... ±15 dB at 6.5 kHz

Volume Preamp B............ Adjusts Channel B’s volume

LED (blue)........................ Indicates Channel B is on

Master............................. Adjusts power amp’s output level

Slave Out A: ................... +4 dBu, balanced

Slave Out B: ................... +4 dBu, balanced

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Direct-Out (XLR ♂):......... Pre/Post EQ switchable, Ground Lift

Effekt Send/Return: ........ Assignable to Channels A or B via front panel switches

External Input:................. Balanced power amp input, volume Master knob,

+4 dBu at max.

Bi-Amping High/Low: ..... +4 dBu, (Ring: High-Out, Tip: Low-Out)

Crossover frequency: ..... 100 - 1000Hz, variable

Power Amplifier

Bandwidth..................................... 10 Hz - 25kHz

Power (continous)......................... 8 Ohms = 225 W

(both channels, 1 kHz 1% THD).. . 4 Ohms= 455 W

Power (EIA, IHF A-202)................ 8 Ohms = 253 W

(both channels, 1 kHz 1% THD).. . 4 Ohms = 498 W

Power (EIA, IHF A-202)................ 8 Ohms = 994 W

(bridged, 1 kHz 1% THD)

SPEAKON®/¼” (6.35 mm) combo jacks:

CH. A........................ min. impedance: 4 Ohm

CH. A+B................... min. impedance: 8 Ohm

CH. B........................ min. impedance: 4 Ohm

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Fuses

Mains..................................... T 10 AH

Power Amplifier (internal)...... T 10 AL

Logic-Control System

Processor..............................Atmega8515

Logic-Control System

Serial Amp Control (S.A.C.). . . specific, asynchronous data protocol

Power Requirements

110 - 230 V, 50 - 60 Hz, 1.2 kVA

Size and Weight

19" (W) x 3.8" (H, with feet) x 15.5" (D); 19.1 lbs

Gerätebau GmbH

Internet: www.engl-amps.com

Text, draft, graphics und layout

Bernhard Schmied, bass amp designer

SPEAKON® is a registered trademark of Neutrik AG.

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Notes:

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