Fender Power Stage 100 User Manual

POWERED MONITORS

From Fender Pro Audio

Owner's Manual for
Power Stage 100

P/N 049810

REV B

Fender Musical Instruments
7975 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 U.S.A.

Fender knows the importance of sound reinforcement. From the simple box-top mixer
to today's professional touring concert systems, the need to communicate, to make the
connection between the performer and the audience is foremost in Fender's mind.

Perhaps no other single piece of gear can make or break your band's sound. You see,
your sound system is more than just a combination of dials, wires and speakers. It is
an integral part of the audio chain and should be treated with special care and attention
to detail.

At Fender, we know what building quality musical instruments and sound reinforcement
equipment is all about. In fact, many of the world's best sounding electric musical
instruments and sound reinforcement equipment proudly wear the Fender name.

Whether you need a simple box top powered mixer for your Saturday afternoon jam, or
a professional full-size concert system, Fender has the sound reinforcement equipment
to meet your needs. Likewise, your decision to purchase Fender pro audio gear is one
you will appreciate with each performance for years to come.

Wishing you years of enjoyment and a heartfelt thank you,

Bill Schultz
Chairman
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation

INTRODUCTION

POWERST

POWERST

PROFESSIONAL POWERED

PROFESSIONAL POWERED

MONITOR SYSTEM

MONITOR SYSTEM

AGE 100

AGE 100

Detachable Wired Remote Control Panel
Variable Corner Low Pass Frequency

Filter and Two Variable Center
Frequency Notch Filters

1/4 inch Stereo Headphone Jack
Bass/Treble Boost with Bypass Switch
Phantom Power
Both 1/4 inch Phone TRS and 3-Pin XLR

Female Input Connectors
Insert Patch Point for Signal Processing

Devices
1/4 inch Phone Output Jack for the

Optional PowerStage Xpander
Coaxial Speaker System
Tough Metal Grille
Carpet Covered Cabinet with Three

Angles of Orientation 45º, 25º and 0º

The PowerStage 100: a 100 watt powered monitor
and general purpose compact sound system from
your friends at Fender®Pro Audio. We are sure you
will find the PowerStage 100 to be both a unique
and effective sound reinforcement product,
providing years of trouble-free service.

Enclosed in a quasi-trapezoidal floor monitor style
cabinet, the PowerStage 100 includes a 3 channel
preamp, a power amp, a power supply and a full­range coaxial speaker system. With three angles of
orientation, inputs for microphones and a variety of
musical instruments, the PowerStage 100 is suitable
for nearly every monitoring application. The
PowerStage 100 also features a unique detachable
wired remote control panel. All volume levels and
frequency shaping can be controlled via the remote
panel allowing for adjustments from the
"performance position".

The versatile input panel and detachable remote
control unit combined with the 100 watt power
amplifier makes the PowerStage 100 the perfect
general purpose compact sound system. With
phantom power, 1/4 inch phone TRS and 3-Pin XLR
female input connectors and a stereo RCA input
connection, the PowerStage 100 can accommodate
almost any input signal. By connecting a multi­effects unit through the insert jack and adding the
optional PowerStage Xpander 100, you now have a
PA system ready for any small club or intimate
setting.

WARNING:

- TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE.

- NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE, REFER

SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONAL ONLY.

- THIS UNIT MUST BE EARTH GROUNDED.

3

CONTROL PANEL FUNCTIONS

Designed for maximum flexibility, the wired remote
control section is the "brain" of the PowerStage 100.
Whether hand held or mounted to a mic stand, the
wired remote control unit governs all volume levels,
frequency shaping and features a 1/4 inch
headphone jack for personal monitoring.
Constructed from rugged 18 gauge electro­galvanized steel and secured in place via ball stud
and Tinnerman clips, the remote unit handles the
most demanding, day to day setup and performance
situations.

A. MIC 1 - The Mic 1 volume

A

control. Rotating the knob
clockwise increases volume.
Because the Mic 1 input and
the Mic 1 output connections
are "daisy chained", adjusting
the volume control will not
affect the Mic 1 output signal to
the main mixing console.

B

B. MIC 2 / INST - The Mic 2 /

Inst volume control. Rotating
the knob clockwise increases
volume. Any adjustments to
this control will affect both the
Mic 2 and the Inst output

C

D

rotating the knob clockwise increases volume. If the
optional PowerStage Xpander 100 is connected to
the system, the master level also controls the output
volume for the other unit.

volume.
C. LINE - The Aux Line / Stereo

Line volume control. Rotating
the knob clockwise increases
volume. Any adjustments to
this control will affect both the
Aux Line and the Stereo Line
volume.

D. MASTER LEVEL - Adjusts
the overall volume level of the
PowerStage 100. Again,

E. LOW CUT - Designed to attenuate low frequency
noise or "stage rumble", the LOW CUT knob is a
variable corner (shelving) frequency control. By
slowly rotating the knob, any undesirable low
frequency noise, such as rumbling of a rocking
microphone stand, can be diminished.

F. LOW NOTCH ­Designed to
attenuate
feedback or

E

G

F

attenuates frequencies between 200Hz and 2kHz.
By slowly rotating the knob to locate the feedback
frequency, it can be diminished.

G. HIGH NOTCH - Designed to attenuate feedback
or other bothersome hums, the HIGH NOTCH control is
a constant Q, variable center frequency filter. The
control attenuates frequencies between 600Hz and
6kHz. By slowly rotating the knob to locate the
feedback frequency, it can be diminished.

H. LEVEL - Adjusts
the volume level of
the headphone
output. Caution:

Prolonged listening
at high volume levels
may be hazardous
to your hearing and
could possibly cause
hearing damage.

H

other
bothersome
hums, the LOW

control is a

NOTCH

constant Q,
variable center
frequency filter.
The control

J

I

I.

- A 1/4 inch

stereo output jack for use with headphones.
J. ENHANCE - Pressing this button in provides an

increase in the bass and treble response of the
PowerStage 100.

4

INPUT PANEL FUNCTIONS

A. PHANTOM - When this button is
pressed, a +15 V D.C. Phantom
Power supply is activated,
necessary for some condenser style
microphones. Before plugging or
unplugging any microphone, make
sure the Phantom Power supply is
off.

A

B

B. MIC 1 IN - Plug your

microphone in here. This three pin
XLR balanced female input
connector is intended for input
signals from low impedance
microphones.

C. MIC 2 IN - An additional
balanced microphone input for the
PowerStage 100. Both the MIC 2 IN
and the INST jack can be used
simultaneously, however, any
adjustments to the MIC 2 / INST
control knob will affect the volume of
both the Mic 2 and Instrument inputs.

D. AUX. LINE - A 1/4 inch TRS
balanced input jack suited for use
with items having a line level output.
Both the AUX LINE and the STEREO

LINE

simultaneously but remember, any
adjustments to the AUX LINE / STEREO

LINE

volume of both the AUX LINE / STEREO

LINE

E. INSERT - A 1/4 inch unbalanced
TRS input / output phone jack
designed for use with signal
processing devices, such as a digital
delay or a reverb unit. A special "Y" line cord (stereo
to 2 mono) is required to use this jack. On the
PowerStage 100, the tip is the send and the ring is
the return.

jack can be used

control knob will affect the

inputs.

C

D

E

F. PHANTOM POWER LED - This

LED illuminates when the phantom
power supply is on.

F

G

H

I

J

K

G. POWER LED - This LED

illuminates when the PowerStage
100 is on.

H. MIC 1 OUT - This three pin XLR
balanced male output connector is
used to send the MIC 1 input signal
unmodified out to a mixing console.

I. INST - A 1/4 inch TS unbalanced
input jack suited for use with
instrument level signals such as an
acoustic guitar, a keyboard or a drum
machine. Remember, any
adjustments to the MIC 2 / INST
control knob will affect the volume of
both the Mic 2 and Instrument
inputs.

J. STEREO LINE - These are
unbalanced phono (RCA) input jacks
designed for use with a stereo tape
player, CD player, etc. These jacks
produce a mono signal out and are
useful for playing prerecorded
music. Adjustments to the AUX

/STEREO LINE control knob will

LINE

affect the volume of both the AUX

/ STEREO LINE inputs.

LINE

K. LINE OUTPUT - A 1/4 inch TRS
unbalanced output jack designed to
feed the optional PowerStage
Xpander 100.

POWER SECTION

L

L. SUPPLY CORD JACK - The

supply cord connects here. This is a
grounding type supply cord to
reduce the possibility of shock
hazard. Be sure to connect it to a
grounded receptacle. DO NOT

ALTER THE AC PLUG.

M

5

M.POWER SWITCH - Turns the
AC power ON and OFF. When
the switch is in the OFF position,
the PowerStage 100 is
completely shut down.

WIRING AND CONNECTIONS

SETTING UP THE POWERSTAGE 100

The PowerStage 100 utilizes a variety of
connectors on its input panel. Below is
a chart listing the various types of
connectors on the PowerStage 100.

Jack

MIC 1

IN

MIC 1

OUT

MIC 2

IN

INST 1/4" TS Tip = Input Signal

AUX

LINE

STEREO

LINE

INSERT 1/4"

LINE

OUTPUT

Style Connection Pin Out

XLR

Female

XLR

Male

XLR

Female

1/4"
TRS

Dual
RCA

TRS

1/4"
TRS

Balanced

Input

Balanced

Output

Balanced

Input

Unbalanced

Input

Balanced

Input

Unbalanced

Input

Unbalanced
Input/Output

Unbalanced

Output

Pin 1 = GND
Pin 2 = POS
Pin 3 = NEG

Pin 1 = GND
Pin 2 = POS
Pin 3 = NEG

Pin 1 = GND
Pin 2 = POS
Pin 3 = NEG

Sleeve = GND
Tip = POS Signal

Ring = NEG Signal
Sleeve = GND

Inner Ring = Signal
Outer Shell = GND

Tip = Send (output)
Ring = Return (input)
Sleeve = GND

Tip = Signal Output
Ring = Terminated
100Ω to GND
Sleeve = GND

Before using the PowerStage 100,
please read and follow the steps listed
below:

1. Heed all safety warnings when operating the

PowerStage 100.

2. Make sure the power switch is in the OFF position

and all volume levels are in the Min position.

3. Plug the female end of the supply cord into the

Supply Cord Jack (item L page 5) of the PowerStage

100. Next, plug the supply cord into a power source

with the correct voltage.

4. Connect the cord(s) from your microphone or

other signal source(s) to the PowerStage 100's input
jack(s).

5. If you have a PowerStage Xpander 100, connect

it to the PowerStage 100 via the 1/4" Line Output
Jack (item K).

6. First, turn all outboard gear, instruments and other

equipment ON, then the PowerStage 100.

7. Adjust volume levels to the appropriate levels,

listening for feedback or other ringing.

8. If feedback is encountered, rotate the appropriate

(LOW or HIGH band) frequency notch filter control
down to its lowest position. Next, slowly turn the
frequency control knob to pinpoint the location of
the problem frequency and cancel it.

9. Steps 7 and 8 may need to be performed more

than once if several feedback problems occur.
For more detail on setting up your PowerStage 100,

please refer to the diagrams on pages 8 thru 11.

6

TROUBLESHOOTINGGROUNDING AND HUMS

Ground loops are probably the most
common cause of hum and buzz in
sound reinforcement systems and other
audio products. A ground loop usually
occurs if the separate pieces of

equipment are plugged into different AC
circuits. Also, if the audio wiring is placed too close
to the power cords, hums or buzzes can bleed into
the system. Still, improperly maintained power and
audio cables are yet another cause of bothersome
noise. In order to help minimize stray hums and
buzzes, here are some helpful hints.

1. Keep all electronics connected to the sound

system on the same electrical circuit.

2. Keep audio signals cables away from the AC

power cords.

3. Use balanced cables when applicable.

4. Always plug the PowerStage 100 into a

grounded AC electrical outlet.

5. Be sure to use properly maintained cords and

cables with the PowerStage 100.

CARPET COVERING CARE

The PowerStage 100 is covered in a

tough, soil resistant synthetic

indoor/outdoor carpet for long life and

lasting good looks. To clean the

carpeted cabinet, use a brush to wipe
away any smudges or dirt. For stubborn stains, a
sponge with a light soapy solution may be used.
Avoid spilling liquids on the operating surface, heat
sink, grille, volume and tone controls, switches and
speakers. ALWAYS unplug the PowerStage 100
before cleaning it and wait until it has dried before
plugging in the PowerStage 100.

If the PowerStage 100 is set up but
does not function, please check the
following items:

• Is the PowerStage 100's power cord properly
plugged into an electrical outlet?

• Is the power cord properly plugged into the Power
Stage 100's Supply Cord Jack?

• Is there power at the outlet?

• Does your instrument have power?

• Are the volume control knobs on the Power
Stage turned above the Min position?

• Are the volume control knobs on your instruments
turned above their minimum position?

• Is the mic/instrument properly plugged into the
Power Stage 100?

• Is the mic/instrument turned on?

• Are your audio cables frayed, cut or damaged?

• If using a condenser mic, is the phantom power
turned on?

• If using an effects processor, is the "Y" line cord
properly connected?

If after checking all of the above the PowerStage
100 is still not performing correctly, consult your
authorized Fender Service Center.

7

SIMPLE MONITOR SET UP

1. Connect your microphone to the Mic 1 IN.

2. Next, connect a cord from the Mic 1 out jack to your
main mixing console. This is a mic level signal.

3. Your PowerStage 100 monitor is a dry signal. Any
reverb or other signal processing heard through the
main P.A. will NOT be heard in the PowerStage 100.

4. Remember, turning up the Mic 1 Volume will NOT
affect the output of the main P.A. system.

8

FULL MIX MONITOR SET UP

1. Connect your microphone to the Mic 1 In.

2. Connect a cord from the Mic 1 Out jack to your
main mixing console. This is a mic level signal.

3. Next, connect a cord from the monitor out on your
mixing console back to the Aux Line In jack on the
PowerStage 100. You now have a full monitor mix
with all effects from your mixing console in the
PowerStage 100. To turn up the full monitor mix,
turn up the Line volume (item C page 4).

4. Remember, turning up the mic 1 volume will
NOT affect the output of the main P.A. system,
but it will affect how much of your "dry" signal
you will hear.

9

FULL MONITOR WITH AN INSTRUMENT

1. Connect your instrument to the Inst jack on the
PowerStage 100 and to the line in on your mixer.

2. Connect a cord from the Instrument’s line output
jack to your main mixing console.

3. Next, connect a cord from the monitor out on
your mixing console back to the Aux Line in jack on
the PowerStage 100. You now have a full monitor
mix with all effects from your mixing console in the
PowerStage 100. To turn up the full monitor mix,
turn up the Line volume (item C page 4).

4. Remember, turning up the Mic 2 / Inst volume
WILL NOT affect the output of the main P.A.
system. It WILL determine how much of your
"dry" signal you will hear.

10

MINI PA SET UP (A ONE PERSON BAND)

1. Connect your microphone to the Mic 1 In jack,
your instrument to the Inst jack and a tape or CD
player to the Stereo Line jack.

2. Connect a cord from the line output jack to a
PowerStage Xpander 100 (optional).

3. Next, an effects unit may be used by connecting a
"Y" line cord to the insert jack (item E page 5).

4. Headphones out (item I page 4) on the detachable
remote unit may be used for monitoring purposes.

11

SPECIFICATIONS

DESIGNATION TYPE PR 306
PART NUMBER 071-0100-000 (120 V)

071-0100-030 (240 V) Aust
071-0100-040 (230 V) UK
071-0100-060 (230 V) Euro

POWER SPECIFICATION 120 V version: 120 VAC, 60 Hz 360 W

230 V version: 230 VAC, 50 Hz 360 W
240 V version: 240 VAC, 50 Hz 360 W

PREAMP

Ch. 1 System Gain Mic 1 0 dB to +90 dB

Preamp Gain Mic 1 0 dB to +60 dB
Input Level Nominal Mic 1 -28 dBV

Minimum Mic 1 -60 dBV

Maximum Mic 1 0 dBV
Input Impedance Mic 1 2 kΩ
Phantom Voltage Mic 1 +15 V

Ch. 2 System Gain Mic 2 0 dB to +90 dB Inst 0 dB to +75 dB

Preamp Gain Mic 2 0 dB to +60 dB Inst 0 dB to +47 dB
Input Level Nominal Mic 2 -28 dBV Inst -24 dBV

Minimum Mic 2 -60 dBV Inst -47 dBV

Maximum Mic 2 0 dBV Inst +13 dBV
Input Impedance Mic 2 2 kΩ Inst 220 kΩ
Phantom Voltage Mic 2 +15 V

Ch. 3 System Gain Aux Line 0 dB to +60 dB Stereo line 0 dB to +70 dB/side

Preamp Gain Aux Line 0 dB to +28 dB Stereo line 0 dB to +33 dB/side
Input Level Nominal Aux Line -21 dBV Stereo line -26 dBV/side

Minimum Aux Line -28 dBV Stereo line -33 dBV/side

Maximum Aux Line +20 dBV Stereo line +5 dBV/side
Input Impedance Aux Line 20 kΩ Stereo line 25 kΩ/side

THIS EQUIPMENT CONFORMS TO
THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIVES :
EMC 89/336/EEC AND LV 73/23/EEC

LOW CUT Corner Frequency -3 dB @ 30 Hz to 270 Hz
FILTER Slope -12 dB / Octave

LOW NOTCH Center Frequency 200 Hz to 2 kHz
FILTER Depth -20 dB

Q5

HIGH NOTCH Center Frequency 600 Hz to 6 kHz
FILTER Depth -20 dB

Q5

ENHANCE Low Boost +9 dB @ 100 Hz

High Boost +5 dB @ 4 kHz

HEADPHONES Maximum Output 14 mW into 8 Ω, 1% THD + Noise

165 mW into 300 Ω, 1% THD + Noise

POWER AMP Nominal Power 100 W into 8 Ω, <0.05% THD+Noise @ 1kHz

Maximum Power 108 W into 8 Ω, <0.1% THD+Noise @ 1 kHz
Frequency Response +0 dB, -3 dB 20 Hz to 40 kHz @ Nominal Power
THD + Noise <0.05% @ 1 kHz, 100 W into 8 Ω
Output Impedance 0.2 Ω @ 1 kHz, 0.02 Ω @ 100 Hz
Input Sensitivity 1 V RMS, 0 dBV

DIMENSIONS (At 25º) Height: 18 in 45.7 cm

Width: 23.5 in 59.7 cm
Depth: 12 in 30.5 cm
Weight: 45 lbs 20.4 kg

A PRODUCT OF:

FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORP.

CORONA, CA 91720 USA

Product specifications are
subject to change without notice.