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
TIP4
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
TIP5
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
TIP6
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
TIP7
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).
TIP8
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).
Front
TUBE PREAMP 530
CLEAN
INPUT
BRIGHT
GAIN
BASS
MIDDLE TREBLE
CLEAN
VOLUME
LEAD
GAIN
BASS LO MID
HI MID TREBLE
CONTOUR
LEAD
VOLUME
CLEAN
GAIN
PREAMP
STEREO HEAD
PHONES
POWER
LEAD
LO / HI
DEFEAT
1
2 3
INPUT
1
Unbalanced 1/4" (main) input jack.
CLEAN GAIN
2
Input sensitivity control for the Clean channel
TIP1
BRIGHT
3
Alters the EQ by boosting the upper treble
range; (above 2 kHz).
TIP2
BASS
4
Bottom end voicing control for the
Clean Channel.
TIP3
MIDDLE
5
Mid-range voicing control for the
Clean Channel.
TIP3
TREBLE
6
Upper range voicing control for the
Clean Channel.
TIP3
CLEAN VOLUME
7
Volume control for the Clean channel.
LEAD GAIN
8
Gain control for the Lead channel, controls the
amount of distortion in the Lead mode.
TIP4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
4
CAUTION: Extremely high gain and volume
levels in the Lead mode can produce strong
feedback. Avoid feedback squeals, they lead
to hearing loss and damaged speakers!
BASS
9
Bottom end voicing control for the
Lead Channel.
TIP5
LO MID
10
Lo Mid-range voicing control (at 500 Hz)
for the Lead Channel.
TIP5
HI MID
11
Hi Mid-range voicing control (above 1 kHz)
for the Lead Channel.
TIP5
TREBLE
12
Upper range voicing control for the
Lead Channel.
TIP5
CONTOUR
13
Press this button to alter the mid-EQ. When the
button is pressed, mids between 300 & 500 Hz
TIP6
and mids between 1 & 2 kHz are boosted
slightly; the red LED indicates Contour active.
This function can also be activated via a
footswitch connected to jack (23). Once a
footpedal is connected, the channel selector
pushbutton is deactivated.
14 15
12 13
LEAD VOLUME
14
Volume control for the Lead channel.
GAIN LO / HI
15
This button increases the gain levels for both
channels. When you activate it, the Clean
TIP6
channel responds more like a Crunch channel,
1617
18 19
and the Lead channel delivers a hi-gain lead
sound. You can also activate this function via
footswitch (Jack 22), the Gain Boost pushbutton
is then no longer functional. The LED
illuminates to indicate Hi-Gain mode is active.
CLEAN / LEAD
16
Channel selector pushbutton for Clean and
Lead modes, red LED indicate Lead mode;
TIP6
This function can also be activated via a
footswitch connected to jack 22. Once a footpedal is connected, the channel selector pushbutton is deactivated.
PREAMP DEFEAT
17
This feature bypasses the preamp when the
button is depressed. In this case the guitar
TIP6
signal is routed to the Instrument Output
jack (32) .
You can also activate this function via
footswitch (at Jack 23), the Preamp Defeat
pushbutton is then no longer functional.
The LED above the button illuminates to
indicate the preamp is bypassed.
STEREO HEAD PHONES
18
1/4" stereo output designed for stereo
headphones. you can also connect
TIP7
hi-fi speakers or guitar cabinets. When you
connect a conventional guitar cabinet set the
selector switch (24) to ,,Routed to Guitar
Cabinet."
CAUTION! Ensure You Heed The Following:
Always use a 1/4 stereo plug. If you use a
mono plug, it may short-circuit and destroy
the poweramp!
POWER
19
AC power on/off.
Rear Planel
VOLTAGE FUSED
100-12
0 V
220-240 V
WIRED FOR:
230 VOLT
630 MA
315 MA
REPLACE FUSE
ONLY WITH SAME
TYPE AND RATING !
SERIAL NUMBER:
097530
F
OOTSWITCH
PREAMP DEFEAT
CLEAN / LEAD
GAIN LO / HI CONTOUR
H
EADPHONES
O
ROUTED TO
HEADPHONES
OR HIFI CAB.
ROUTED TO
GUITAR CAB.
UTPUT
F
L
RIGHT
REQ.
C
INE OUTPUT
OMP.
L
INE OUTPUT
LEFT
LEFTRIGHT
L
INE LEVEL
0 dB 15 dB
FX L
OOP RETURN
NSTRUMENT
I
NPUT
O
UTPUT
FX L
OOP SEND
LEFTRIGHT
Tube Guitar Preamp
TYPE E530
TYPE E540
Design by Horst Langer
MADE IN GERMANY
CAUTION !
DO NOT OPEN !
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK !
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT
TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE !
!
A
UXILIARY
I
20 21 22
AC Socket
20
Connect AC cord here.
CAUTION: Ensure you use an intact AC
cord with an insulated plug only! Before
you power the amp up, ensure the voltage
value printed beside the AC socket
corresponds to the available current.
AC Fuse Box
21
Contains mains fuse (rear chamber) and
spare fuse (front chamber).
NOTE: Ensure replacement fuses bear
identical ratings (refer to the table)!
FOOTSWITCH:
22
CLEAN/LEAD; GAIN LO/HI
1/4" stereo jack for connecting a dual
footswitch (e.g. ENGL Z-11) or a MIDIswitching system (e.g. ENGL Z-11).
The following functions can be executed:
1.Channel switching Clean - Lead
(mono terminal)
2.Gain Lo - Hi (stereo terminal).
FOOTSWITCH:
23
PREAMP DEFEAT; CONTOUR
1/4" stereo jack for connecting a dual
footswitch (e.g. ENGL Z-11) or a MIDIswitching system (e.g. ENGL Z-11).
The following functions can be executed:
1.Preamp Defeat / Bypass
(mono terminal).
2.Contour switching (stereo terminal).
24
HEADPHONES OUTPUT:
A) Routed To Headphones Or HiFi Cab.
B) Routed To Guitar Cab.
Rear panel selector switch for front panel
headphones jack. Set the switch to the left
position A) when you connect stereo
headphones or hi-fi speakers and to the
right position B) when you connect a
guitar cabinet to ensure proper frequency
compensation for the respective systems.
FREQUENCY COMPENSATED LINE
25
OUTPUT: RIGHT
Line Out for the preamp's right frequency
TIP8
compensated signal (1/4" unbalanced jack).
This signal can be patched directly to a
mixing console or a recording device.
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
FREQUENCY COMPENSATED LINE
26
OUTPUT: LEFT
Line Out for the preamp's left frequency
TIP8
compensated signal (1/4" unbalanced jack).
This signal can be patched directly to a
mixing console or a recording device.
LINE OUTPUT: RIGHT
27
Line Out for the preamp's right channel
(1/4" unbalanced jack).
TIP8
This signal can be routed to a poweramp
or a FX device via a shielded cable.
LINE OUTPUT: LEFT
28
Line Out for the preamp's left channel
(1/4" unbalanced jack).
TIP8
This signal can be routed to a poweramp
or a FX device via a shielded cable.
LINE LEVEL
29
This control feature determines the level of
the LINE outputs 25, 26, 27 and 28. The
instrument output (32) signal can also be
amplified to 15 dB if required.
FX LOOP RETURN: RIGHT
30
Signal input right stereo channel for the
FX Loop. Connect this input to a signal
processor’s right output/send jack via a
shielded cable with 1/4" plugs.
FX LOOP RETURN: LEFT
31
Signal input left stereo channel for the
FX Loop. Connect this input to a signal
processor’s left output/send jack via a
shielded cable with 1/4" plugs.
INSTRUMENT OUTPUT
32
FX LOOP SEND
Output for patching the preamp signal to a
TIP9
poweramp input or the input of a another
preamp or signal processor/FX device.
Ensure you use a short shielded cable for
this signal circuit.
AUXILIARY INPUT
33
Supplentary preamp input. This circuit is routed
in series with the input located on the front
panel and is used for patching the setup to a
19" rack. The front panel input has priority. In
other words, when you insert a plug into the
front panel jack (1), the signal routed in via the
Aux. Input (33) is interrupted.
The INSTRUMENT OUTPUT (32) delivers a signal similar to the one generated by a guitar's
pickups when the preamp is active (PREAMP DEFEAT switch Off), i.e. a high-ohm signal at about
TIP9
the same level as a guitar signal. This feature is relevant when you want to establish the
same conditions via a bypass circuit (guitar signal to the INSTRUMENT OUTPUT) for further
signal processing, for instance by an FX device, another Preamp connected in series or a
poweramp.You can connect a signal processor between the INSTRUMENT OUTPUT (32) and
the FX LOOP RETURN jacks (30) and (31) or directly between the LINE OUTPUTS (27) and
(28) and a stereo poweramp's inputs. There is a substantial difference between these two
applications:
When you connect the Processor to the FX LOOP, the send signal is identical to the guitar
signal when the preamp is in defeat mode and the preamp signal when the defeat mode
is off. The send level only is influenced by the settings of the volume controls in this case.
The level of the master output signal routed to the LINE outputs can be increased via the
LINE LEVEL (29) pot.
However, when you connect the Processor between the LINE outputs and the poweramp,
the input (Send) signal to the FX device can be increased via the LINE LEVEL (29) pot and you
have two Send signals (left, right) available. This option is recommended for low impedance (0 dB)
FX devices that are not equipped with a variable input.
Technical Data
INPUT: -20 dB max. -3 dBInput level
(0 dB => 1Veff)
Output level
(0 dB => 1Veff)
INSTRUMENT: -10 dB max. 0 dB
LINE OUT: -10 dB max.15 dB
2 x 1,5 Watts at 4 OhmsHeadphones poweramp:
Tubes:
V1 => ECC83/12AX7 FirstQuality
V2 => ECC83/12AX7 selected
Power Consumption: approx. 16 Watts max.
Fuses
AC Mains:
external:
230 Volts
200 mAM
100 & 120 Volts
400 mAM
changed!
internal:
250 mAT
M => medium, T => slow
Caution: Replace fuses only with others of the same rating!
Dimensions:
Weight:
500 mAT
19", 1 rack spaces, depth: 260 mm
approx.4 kg
Internal Signal-path:
INPUT (1)
AUXILLARY
INPUT (33)
FX LOOP
RETURN
RIGHT (30)
FX LOOP
RETURN
LEFT (31)
PREAMP
DEFEAT (17)
LINE
LEVEL
LINE
LEVEL
GAIN, EQ, VOLUME
RIGHT LINE
PREAMP &
BUFFER
LEFT LINE
PREAMP &
BUFFER
CLEAN
LEAD
CLEAN /
LEAD
TUBE
PREAMPLIFIER
PREAMP
DEFEAT (17)
INSTRUMENT
OUTPUT (32)
LINE OUTPUT
RIGHT (27)
LINE OUTPUT
LEFT (28)
ROUTED TO
HEADPHONES
OR HIFI CABINET
ROUTED TO
GUITAR CABINET
HEADPHONES
OUTPUT
SIGNAL
SELECTOR
(24)
SOLID STATE
POWER
AMPLIFIER
RIGHT LINE
EQ. & BUFFER
LEFT LINE
EQ. & BUFFER
FREQU. COMP.
LINE OUTPUT
RIGHT (25)
FREQU. COMP.
LINE OUTPUT
LEFT (26)
STEREO
HEADPHONES
(18)
Handling and Care
Protect the preamp from mechanical knocks (tubes!).
Let the preamp cool down before you transport it (approx. 10 minutes).
Tubes need about 20 seconds to warm up after you switch the power on.
Avoid storing the preamp in damp or dusty rooms, they are hard on jacks,
switches and potentiometers.
Replace tubes with select replacement tubes (special selection
criteria) to avoid microfonic properties, undesireable noise and feedback.
Attention! Please read the following!
Leave tube replacement and repair service to qualified professional.
Be sure the unit is switched off and unpluged!
Caution! Tubes can get very hot and cause skin burns.
Always use high quality cables.
Never operate the amp through an ungrounded outlet!
Never bridge a defective fuse and be sure replacement fuses feature
identical ratings!
Never open the chassis or attempt repairs to your own. Consult
qualified service personnel!
Never expose the preamplifier to extreme humidity or dampness!
Please read the instructions carefully before operating the unit!
Only operate the preamplifier in a manner it is designed for and
therefore note this operational instructions!
ENGL Gerätebau GmbH, Germany;
Internet: http://www.engl-amps.com
Text, design, grafics and layout by Horst Langer
We reserve the right to make
unannounced technical upgrades!
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