Engl E610II, E630II, Savage 60 II, Savage 120 II Operator's Manual
E610II Savage 120 II
E630II Savage 60 II
Operator´s Manual
A FEW WORDS FROM THE AMP DESIGNER
„The SAVAGE tube amp heads are among the most popular amps in the ENGL product range and the
SAVAGE 120 head equipped with a few brand new unique features has set new standards in the early nine-
ties concerning guitar tube amp technology. For the SAVAGE Mark II series I have undertaken big efforts
during the R&D phase in order to usefully enhance some of the proven features to a top notch level. Furt-
hermore I equipped these superb amps with a few new features like two mid range control knobs for main
channel I that gives the player additional freedom concerning individual sound creation plus a Noise Gate
for Crunch and Lead channels. And last but not least I spent again many hours in intense sound tuning
sessions, my favorite labour at ENGL Amps. I hope you will enjoy the results of all my efforts: not even only
take my words but rather give my new amp creation a trial - plug in your guitar and play it!.“
Horst Langer
INTRODUCTION
The Engl Savage Mark II is the reincarnation of the legandary Engl Savage 120. With many great improvements and additional functions you now own one of the most advanced versatile amp heads available
today! This sophisticated guitar amp marries the unrivalled tone of all-tube technology to the awesome
sound-shaping might of control features powered by state-of-the-art microchip circuitry. This elegant
combination puts at your ngertips a vast range of great fundamental tones and an all but inexhaustible
reservoir of compelling variations all of which may be controlled remotely via MIDI. In addition, the amplier
has a variety of hip and practical features like the Input Lo / Hi switch, the Preshape switch, the Mid Lean /
Bold function and many more that are explained in more detail on the following pages.
Input LO/HI Switch
This feature denes the input sensitivity for all Channels. The red LED above the button lights up to indicate
when Input Hi is activated. The Input LO/HI function can also be switched via MIDI program change, MIDI
Controller #20, or the ENGL Z9. When activated, the level in Channels Clean and Crunch I gets boosted for
approx. 10 dB. The level in Channels Crunch II and Lead I gets boosted for approx. 4 dB.
A TIP FROM THE DESIGNER: use this feature to reduce the input sensitivity for guitar pickups that delivers
a high output level, eg. Humbuckers or active systems. In order to avoid an overdiven preamp input stage
you can choose the Lo Input setting when using stomp boxes that delivers output levels in the 0 dB range
or above.
Another very useful application for the INPUT LO/HI feature in order to obtain an additional Clean tone with
a slightly different tonal response compared to the Clean Channel: the afore-mentioned sound character
can be achieved through the combination “Lo Input“ with the activated Crunch I channel at lower Crunch I
Gain control settings; set the Gain knob somewhere between the 8 and the 1 o‘clocks position.
Bright Switch
Alters the EQ by boosting the upper treble range; effectiveness decreases at higher Gain settings; the Bright
feature affects all channels. The red LED above the button lights up to indicate when Bright is activated:
Clean Gain
Gain control for the Clean Channel. This knob determines the preamp‘s input sensitivity when Clean Channel
is selected and, by extension, the preamp signal´s saturation level.
Preshape Switch
The PRESHAPE lter lowers a certain mid range spectrum thus the lower end and the upper frequency
range gets emphasized stronger when this function is activated.
The Preshape sound option can also be switched via MIDI program change, MIDI Controller #21, or the ENGL
Z9. The red LED above the button lights up to indicate when PRESHAPE is activated.
A TIP FROM THE DESIGNER: this pecisely tuned preshape lter system is ideally suited to inuence the
fundamental tonal response in the preamp circuit in order to get different favoured sound results. In conjunction with the CONTOUR feature and the two Mid control knobs MID LEAN and MID BOLD you get mighty
control over a broad mid range spectrum which greatly enlarges the tonal exibility for the two Channels
Clean and Crunch I.
Crunch I Gain
Gain control for the Crunch I Channel. This knob determines the preamp‘s input sensitivity when Crunch I
Channel is selected and, by extension, the preamp signal´s saturation level.
Contour Switch
The CONTOUR feature alters some parameters and the efciency of the EQ system in Clean / Crunch I and
mainly becomes audible in the lower mid range area between 300 and 700 Hz and to some degree in the
upper frequency range between 1.5 and 3 KHz. Activate CONTOUR for a pronounced mid range spectrum.
The Contour sound option can also be switched via MIDI program change, MIDI Controller #27, or the ENGL
Z9. The red LED above the button lights up to indicate when CONTOUR is activated.
A TIP FROM THE DESIGNER: in a certain acoustical way, the CONTOUR feature inverses the job of PRESHAPE
but it inuences different mid frequencies compared to the preshape lter. From the technical aspect the
coutour function inuences the operation mode of the EQ system, mainly the mid control range. If you desire to get a strong mid frequency notch with a massive but dened bottom end and focused treble activate
PRESHAPE and leave CONTOUR off and at the same time use the MID LEAN control to adjust the amount of
mid frequecy portions in the tonal mix. For a pronounced mid frequency range leave PRESHAPE off, activate
CONTOUR and the MID BOLD control knob.
Bass
This is the preamp voicing section´s passive low-frequency EQ for Clean and Crunch I.
Mid Lean
This mid control of the passive EQ in Clean and Crunch I - can be selected via the MID LE./BO. button, at
setting „off“. The MID LEAN control inluences a different accentuated mid frequency range compared to the
MID BOLD control thus the tonal results are unequal at identical control knob settings.
Mid Bold
This mid control of the passive EQ in Clean and Crunch I - can be selected via the MID LE./BO. button, setting
„on“. The MID BOLD control inluences a different accentuated mid frequency range compared to the MID
LEAN control thus the tonal results are unequal at identical control knob settings.
Treble
This is the preamp voicing section´s passive high-frequency EQ for Clean and Crunch I.
Mid Le./Bo. Switch
With this button you can select one of the two mid range controls MID LEAN or MID BOLD. The MID BOLD
control knob is selected at the activated MID LE./BO. function. The red LED above this button lights up to
indicate the MID LE./BO. function is on; i.e. the MID BOLD control knob is currently controlling the mid range.
The MID LE./BO. switching function can also be switched via MIDI program change,
MIDI Controller #28, or the ENGL Z9. The red LED above the button lights up to indicate when Contour is
activated.
A TIP FROM THE DESIGNER: I decided to assign different frequency ranges and bandwidths to the two MID
LEAN and MID BOLD knobs to give you the greatest possible latitude for shaping sounds as you see t. In
practice, this means identical settings on the two knobs yield different tonal results. If you like scooped
mids, try dialing in lower settings for Clean and Crunch I‘s MID LEAN knob. Set to lower values, this voicing
control cuts big slices of mids from the sonic pie. Conversely, if you activate MID BOLD, you will boost the
low mids markedly, which can have a huge effect across the full frequency spectrum of some sounds. These
two knobs‘ different sound-shaping properties together with the Preshape and Contour button‘s effect on
voicing give you many different ways of shaping the midrange on the y using MIDI commands.
Clean Vol.
Volume control for the Clean Channel (pre-FX Loop, inuences the send level). Use this knob to dial in the
desired balance of levels with Channels Crunch I, Crunch II and the Lead Channel.
Clean Switch
Press this button to activate preamp Clean Channel at the amp. The green LED to the right of the Clean
Channel Volume knob lights up to indicate it´s active. The Clean Channel may also be activated via MIDI
program change, the ENGL Z9, or a conventional 6.3 mm (¼“) TRS dual footswitch.
Crunch I Vol.
Volume control for the Crunch I Channel (pre-FX Loop, inuences the send level). Use this knob to dial in the
desired balance of levels with Channels Clean, Crunch II and the Lead Channel.
Crunch I Switch
Press this button to activate preamp Crunch I Channel at the amp. The yellow LED to the right of the Crunch
I Channel Volume knob lights up to indicate it´s active. The Crunch I Channel may also be activated via MIDI
program change, the ENGL Z9, or a conventional 6.3 mm (¼“) TRS dual footswitch.
Noise Gate Switch
Press this button to activate an onboard and suppress excess noise in Crunch I, Crunch II and Lead channels. Control the Noise Gate using the Level Threshold knob on the back of the amp. The LED above the
button lights up to indicate the Noise Gate is activated. Note that the Noise Gate does not operate during
the Clean channel is selected. This feature can also be switched via MIDI program change MIDI Controller
#24, or the ENGL Z9.
IMPORTANT NOTE, PLEASE READ AND HEED: The Noise Gate may open up inadvertently when it is activa-
ted, a high-gain channel is selected, and the volume exceeds the Threshold knob setting. At very high volume
and gain settings, this may generate instant feedback, particularly if your guitar is facing the speakers.
Rather than musical and controlled, this is the shrill, unpleasant and potentially harmful variety of feedback
squealing that sends your audience and fellow musicians packing. Though the amp is not more susceptible
to feedback when the Noise Gate is activated, the fact that it suppresses extraneous noise means you can‘t
hear those telltale signs that feedback is swelling and consequently can‘t take measures to suppress it. For
this reason, make an extra effort to be careful when the Noise Gate is activated: Before you approach the
amp and speaker cabinet with your guitar in hand, turn the guitar‘s volume knob to the far left position (to 0
so that no signal is audible) to prevent the pickups and speakers from interacting! Noise is a denite no-no
in many situations. For example, studio etiquette demands that you keep a lid on extraneous noise during
short breaks. It‘s in the nature of highgain rigs to generate undesirable peripheral noise in overdriven
channels. This is attributable to the physical properties of an amp‘s constituent components, in particular
its active components. That‘s right; those cherished tubes are the culprits.
The Noise Gate is a tool that lets you silence this noise during breaks by way of signal mute circuit. Note that
electric guitars pick up interference signals, and these are amplied tremendously at high gain levels in Hi
Gain mode. The most common source of noise is 50 or 60 hertz mains hum, particularly when the guitar is
positioned near transformers and power units. Because in worst-case scenarios this humming can attain
extremely high levels, the Noise Gate can hardly distinguish between the musical signal and noise. This
makes it hard to nd the right Threshold setting. It is entirely possible for this humming and other noise to
rise to a level that deactivates the Noise Gate and therefore becomes audible. My advice is to stay as far
away from transformers and power units as space allows.
A Few Comments On The Noise Gate:
The advantage of a Noise Gate that is installed in and matched to the amp is that it lets you ne-tune its
threshold with extreme precision, thereby separating the useful, musical signal from useless background
noise. Indeed, this was designed to address the signal the most benecial spot in the signal chain - the
preamp - to make it more effective. First and foremost, it is designed to suppress ambient noise such
as hissing and humming during breaks when the Preamp is in Hi Gain mode. For this reason, I tuned its
threshold (that‘s the level at which the gate triggers) range to suit this amp mode, and then adjusted it for
Lo Gain congurations.
To get acquainted with how the Noise Gate works, I suggest you start by setting the Threshold knob to the
far left (Noise Gate opens at low signal levels) and slowly twist it clockwise to gradually raise the gate‘s
trigger threshold. When the knob arrives at the far right position, the Noise Gate will not trigger until the
signal reaches a very high level. This means that the preamp must amplify the guitar signal considerably to
open up (or deactivate) the Noise Gate. In practice, your best bet for suppressing loud noise when running
channels Crunch I, Crunch II and Lead at high Gain levels is to set the Threshold knob higher than 12 o‘clock.
If you‘re doing the low-gain thing in Lo Gain mode, dial in a lower Threshold setting (below 12 o‘clock) to
prevent the gate from throttling notes (that is, the musically useful sounds) as they decay, particularly if
you like to work the guitar‘s volume knob.
Presence A
Power amp Presence A knob. This knob determines the power amp‘s high frequency response when is
activated. The red LED next to the knob lights up to indicate Presence A is active.
Depth Boost Switch
Push the Depth Boost button to beef up the bottom end by about 6 dB. The red LED above the button lights
up to indicate the power amp Depth Boost feature is activated. Depth Boost can also be activated remotely
via MIDI program change or ENGL Z9.
Pres. A / B Switch
Switches back and forth between Presence A and Presence B. The LED next to the given Presence control
lights up to indicate it is on; red signies is on; green signies is on. Presence A / B may also be switched
via MIDI program change or ENGL Z9.
Presence B
Power amp Presence B knob. This knob determines the power amp‘s high frequency response when is
activated. The green LED next to the knob lights up to indicate Presence B is active.
Input (Jack)
6.3 mm (¼“) unbalanced input jack. Plug your guitar in here using a shielded cord.
Crunch II Gain
Gain control for the Crunch II Channel. This knob determines the preamp‘s input sensitivity when Crunch II
is selected and, by extension, the preamp signal´s saturation level.
Gain Lo / Hi Switch
Pressing this button ups the gain factor, thereby increasing the amount of distortion in both Crunch II
and Lead modes. The LED above this button lights up to indicate Hi Gain is active. This feature can also be
switched via MIDI program change MIDI controller #22 or the ENGL Z9.
A TIP FROM THE DESIGNER: When activated, the Hi Gain setting supercharges the amplication factor,
switching from Soft Crunch to Heavy Crunch or from Soft Lead to Heavy Lead and putting both channels into
high gear. The Soft Crunch or Lead setting sufces for highoutput pickups - even for playing leads - so you
can leave the GAIN LO/HI function off if your guitar is shred-approved. But by all means, for scorching ultra
highgain lead sounds with truckloads of sustain or for power chords with a pronounced but clearly dened
bottom-end, go for the Heavy Lead variant with the GAIN LO/HI function activated.
Lead Gain
Gain control for the Lead Channel. This knob determines the preamp‘s input sensitivity when Lead Channel
is selected and, by extension, the preamp signal´s saturation level.
Contour Switch
The CONTOUR feature alters some parameters and the efciency of the EQ system in CRUNCH II / LEAD and
mainly becommes audible in the lower mid range area between 300 and 700 Hz and to some degree in the
upper frequency range between 1.5 and 3 KHz. Activate CONTOUR for a pronounced mid range spectrum.
The Contour sound option can also be switched via MIDI program change, MIDI Controller #29, or the ENGL
Z9. The red LED above the button lights up to indicate when CONTOUR is activated.
A TIP FROM THE DESIGNER: From the technical aspect the CONTOUR function inuences the operation
mode of the EQ system, mainly the mid control range. If you desire to get a strong mid frequency notch (a
very heavy sound style) with a massive but dened bottom end and focused treble leave CONTOUR off. For
a pronounced mid frequency range and an assertive sound response activate CONTOUR.
Bass
This is the preamp voicing section´s passive low-frequency EQ for Crunch II and Lead.
Middle
This is the preamp voicing section´s passive midrange-frequency EQ for Crunch II and Lead.
Treble
This is the preamp voicing section´s passive hi-frequency EQ for Clean Crunch II and Lead.
Tone Balance
This additional EQ control knob is activated in Smooth mode only. Starting from the center position (12
o‘clock that is) of the TONE BALANCE control, a certain lower mid frequency range is emphasized if the
knob is turned counterclockwise. If turned clockwise an additional portion of treble is added to the sonic
scenario.
Rough / Smooth Switch
Switches between two completely unique overdrive characteristics in Crunch II and Lead:
ROUGH: pronounced bottom end and at the same time strong emphasis on the upper frequency range; high
efciency of BASS, MIDDLE and TREBLE controls;
SMOOTH: strong emphasis on the mid frequency range; noticeably lower efciency of BASS, MIDDLE and
TREBLE controls, TONE BALANCE control is activated;
The red LED above this button lights up to indicate the SMOOTH mode is activated.
The ROUGH/SMOOTH switching function can also be switched via MIDI program change,
MIDI Controller #15, or the ENGL Z9.
A TIP FROM THE DESIGNER: The ROUGH sound mode is the right choice for heavier styles with fewer mi-
drange frequencies in the mix but plenty of low and high end frequencies. Choose the SMOOTH sound mode
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