ENGL TUBE PREAMP 530 Operator´s Manual

TUBE PREAMP 530

modern Rock

Operator´s Manual

Please, first read this manual carefully!

The 530 "modern Rock" an all-tube preamplifier delivers stunning
professional quality tube sounds in a modern, exceptionally compact 19"
rack-mountable package (1 rack space). The two main channels Clean and
Lead feature dedicated voicing sections, gain pots and volume controls for
precision sound shaping and fine-tuning. The Gain Lo/Hi switch converts
the Clean channel to a Crunch channel and, in the Lead channel, the
sound spectrum encompasses everything from Heavy Crunch to Ultra Gain.
With a 4-band voicing section featuring two midrange bandwidths and a
Contour switch that can be accessed via footswitch or the optional
MIDI Switcher Z-11, the Lead channel is amazingly versatile. Another
handy feature is the Defeat function, which bypasses the preamp and
routes the guitar signal directly to the output. This feature enables you to
connect two preamps in series and this option enlarges the tonal
spectrum. The variable Stereo Line Out and a frequency compensated Line
Out give you a wide range of application options, for instance you can
patch the preamp signal directly to a mixing console or recording device
and simultaneously drive an stereo power amp. For this purpose, the
all-tube stereo poweramp 840 or the ultra-modern 930/60 (120),
which is equipped with an impressive array of high-tech features that
deliver a wide range of devastating sounds, come highly recommended.
The integrated 2 x 1, 5 Watt stereo poweramp is suitable for three
different applications:
1, practicing with stereo headphones,

2. practising with hi-fi stereo speakers, and
3, practicing with a conventional guitar speaker cabinet.
This preamp is defined by the effort and materials that went into it:
intelligent design features, superior craftsmanship, impeccable finishing
and quality components. However keep in mind, that a few precautions
will radically extend tube life (see handling and care guidness).
The entire -Team would like to thank you for your faith in our
product; we hope you derive a great deal of joy and satisfaction from
your TUBE PREAMP 530.
PLEASE NOTE: Read the Operator's Manual carefully and thoroughly,
especially the Handling and Care section as well as the guidelines in
bold-face type. Avoid operating errors and potential damage to the
preamp by heeding the guidelines and cautionary remarks in this manual.
The footnotes also cover a few convenient pointers and interesting tips on
several functions. These are listed on side 3 of the manual.

Gain settings depend on what type of pickups are installed in your guitar. The
recommended setting for humbuckers or active pickups lies between the 10 and 1

TIP1

o’clock positions and 12 to 3 o’clock for single coils for a pure clean response.

For a crisp glassy tone, set the Bright switch to the On position. This setting boosts
the treble response of muddy pickups.

TIP2

To get an idea of this preamp's capabilities in the Clean-Mode, we suggest you set the
tone control pots Bass (5), Middle (6) and Treble (7) to the 12 o'clock position.

TIP3

To get Crunch or heavy Rhythm sounds, set this control between the 10 and 1 o´clock´s
position (depending on the type of pick-up) and leave the Gain Boost (15) pusbutton

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in the Off-position.

To get an idea of this preamp's Lead sounds, we suggest you set the tone control pots
Bass (9), Lo Mid (10), Hi Mid (11) and Treble (12) to the 12 o'clock position. The Treble

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control is important when operating the preamp in combination with a poweramp that
does not feature a Presence control: Set the Treble pot between the 7 and 12 o´clocks
position it suppresses the gritty upper frequencies.

All functions that can be accessed via footswitch can also be switched via the ENGL MIDI
Switcher Z- 11. Simply connect the two 1/4" stereo jacks (22) and (23) to the stereo inputs

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of the Switcher via two cables equipped with 1/4" stereo plugs. You can control switching
functions via the buttons on the Switcher. The respective functions (e, g. Lead, Hi -Gain,
Contour active, Defeat off) are saved to the desired MIDI program locations. The ENGL
MIDI Footswitch Z-12 is ideal for activating MIDI programs. When used in conjunction
with the ENGL MIDI Switcher Z-11, this durable footswitch does not require a separate
AC power pack. The requisite power is routed via the MIDI cable.

The integrated miniature stereo poweramp delivers maximum output of 2 x 1. 5 Watts
at 4 ohms. However, you can connect diverse systems with impedances of 4, 8 and

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16 ohms as well as headphones with 200 ohms. To the achieve the desired audio result,
it is essential that the Selector switch (24) located on the rear panel is set to the proper
position. The volume level of the poweramp is determined by the volume level settings
for the two channels and the setting of the LINE LEVEL control (29). If the LINE LEVEL
pot is turned up fairly high, then the setting for the two volume controls (7) and (14)
must be reduced substantially so that the poweramp is not saturated!
PLEASE ENSURE YOU HEED THE FOLLOWING: If you are using the amp to drive just
one speaker cabinet, connect only one stereo channel via a 1/4" stereo plug. A mono
1/4" plug will short-circuit the poweramp's second channel. If you operate the amp
under these conditions at high volumes for a longer period of time, this may destroy
the amp or other components!

The LINE outputs (25) and (26) provide signals that emulate the response of a 412 guitar
cabinet, The signal level is nominally identical to the level at the LINE outputs (27) and (28).

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However in practice, the level deviates slightly due to frequency compensation. When the
preamp is active, the output level of the LINE outputs depends on the following factors:
the input level (Gain), the Volume control settings for the respective channels, and in some
measure, the voicing section control settings. This is why we recommend that you dial in
the desired sound via the front panel control features, set a desired FX level (if you have
connected a processor) and then use the LINE LEVEL pot (29) to dial in a suitable level.
The following is another conceivable practical application: Patch the outputs (27) and (28)
to a stereo poweramp (e.g. ENGL 830/50) to drive two cabinets (e.g. ENGL 412G or S)
and the two frequency compensated LINE outputs to the PA mixing console. The emulated
412 signal can be used for the FOH sytem so you do not have to mic your guitar cabinets.
The filter stages, integrated LINE amp and the headphones amp can also be used for
external application, depending on how you route the signals. Use the two FX LOOP
RETURN jacks (30) and (31) as signal inputs. The preamp signal is interrupted when a
1/4" jack is inserted. (refer to the Signal Routing Plan).