U S E R ’ S |
G U I D E |
TM
ONBOARD
BLENDER
WARNING!
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE PREAMP CONTROLS BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO PERFORM WITH THE ONBOARD BLENDER. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN WAVES OF EAR-SPLITTING FEEDBACK AT HIGH LEVELS. (see Quick Start on page 3.)
FISHMAN PREFIX™ ONBOARD BLENDER
This fine instrument is equipped with a FISHMAN PREFIX™ ONBOARD BLENDER™. Please read these instructions carefully. If you have any questions or problems, please call our CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE at (978) 988-9665.
The ONBOARD BLENDER™ is a guitar mounted preamp that combines the sounds from a supplied FISHMAN ACOUSTIC MATRIX™ under-saddle pickup and a preamp mounted miniature electret condenser microphone.
The microphone, shock-mounted on the underside of the preamp chassis, captures the elusive natural ambience and resonance of the guitar's sound chamber. The ACOUSTIC MATRIX™ pickup delivers a clear, articulate sound with emphasis on string definition and attack. When combined, the two signals produce a powerful and cohesive acoustic guitar tone that is much greater than the sound of either microphone or pickup alone.
The ONBOARD BLENDER™'s preamp module incorporates a unique "flip-top" battery compartment for easy access. Levels are set by the master VOLUME and BLEND controls. A variable NOTCH filter, shelving BASS & TREBLE, semi-parametric CONTOUR and a PHASE switch are included for precise tone shaping and feedback control. The ONBOARD BLENDER™ can be plugged into any instrument-level audio input with excellent results.
THE PICKUP
The included ACOUSTIC MATRIX™ pickup is made with a unique co-polymer sensing material available exclusively from FISHMAN. This technology is not available from any other manufacturer. The sensing material exhibits a sensitivity and dynamic range that far surpasses all other known materials. The ACOUSTIC MATRIX™ transducer is a fully EMI shielded, multi-layer sandwich of co-polymer strips that run the length of the pickup. This design allows the pickup to sense the motion of the entire saddle length, providing superb string to string balance, as well as sensitivity to both the strings and top of the instrument.
THE MICROPHONE
The microphone, in conjunction with PHASE, NOTCH and CONTOUR controls (see page 6), will provide very high level sound reproduction before feedback. Conveniently shock-mounted to the back of the preamp case, the microphone is acoustically isolated inside the instrument, providing freedom of movement as well as minimal leakage from other instruments on stage.
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ACOUSTIC GUITAR SYSTEM
QUICK START
To successfully combine microphone and pickup signals, it is best to start by presetting the microphone EQ to control feedback, then mixing in the pickup. The PREFIX™ ONBOARD BLENDER™ features three ways to control feedback; a PHASE switch, NOTCH filter and semi-parametric CONTOUR controls.
Follow these steps to achieve a strong, feedback-free microphone response.
1.Before plugging in, set all controls as follows:
•NOTCH and VOLUME fully counter-clockwise
•All EQ sliders at center position
•BLEND slider at MIC position
2.Plug in the instrument (see THE PREAMP section) with your amplifier set as desired.
3.Slowly increase the VOLUME until the guitar and speaker are approximately the same level. Play the lower strings and flip the PHASE switch. Leave the switch in the position that sounds the deepest and clearest. (See page 8)
4.Slowly increase the volume until the instrument starts to rumble or howl with low to mid level feedback (100-200 Hz).
5.Adjust the NOTCH filter until the feedback is eliminated.
6.Slowly increase the VOLUME again, until you hear a squeal (high frequency feedback).
7.Lower the CONTOUR Level all the way down. Slowly adjust the Contour FREQUENCY slider until the feedback is eliminated. Raise the CONTOUR Level slider (if possible) to just below the threshold of feedback.
8.Gradually mix in the pickup signal by adjusting the BLEND slider.
The pickup signal will add significant attack and definition to your sound.
9.Adjust the BASS and TREBLE controls as desired.
Please note that these controls will affect pickup signal only.
10.Double check the PHASE switch position until you find the clearest response.
11.Play your guitar as loud as you want.
See diagram on page 6
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FISHMAN PREFIX™ ONBOARD BLENDER
PREAMP FUNCTIONS
BATTERY COMPARTMENT |
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Pull the small tab at the top |
MICROPHONE |
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of the ONBOARD |
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TRIM |
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BLENDER™ toward you. The |
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body of the preamp will |
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swing out, revealing the BAT- |
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TERY COMPARTMENT. |
9V BATTERY |
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Insert a fresh 9V alkaline |
PREFIX™ SERIES PREAMP |
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battery. |
GUITAR BODY |
MICROPHONE TRIM CONTROL
A small circular potentiometer is located on the underside of the preamp just below the battery compartment. This control is used to calibrate the microphone gain in relation to the pickup. To use this control, set the BLEND slider to the center position and, with a small screwdriver, adjust the potentiometer until both the microphone and pickup levels are balanced.
ENDPIN JACK
The ONBOARD BLENDER™ has no ON/OFF switch. It is turned on only when an instrument cable is plugged into the endpin jack. To conserve the battery, remove the instrument cable from the endpin jack when the unit is not being used.
NOTE: Plug an instrument cable into the endpin jack before you plug into the sound equipment. Doing so will prevent loudspeaker damage.
BATTERY LOW LED
When plugging into the endpin jack, the LOW BATTERY light will flash momentarily, indicating that the power is on. When the LOW BATTERY light stays on, it is time to change the battery.
CONTROLS
NOTCH FILTER
This is a fixed level, variable-frequency filter for eliminating feedback or unwanted resonance. The affected frequency is variable from 50 to 900 Hz. The
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