Fishman ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO User Manual
OWNER'S MANUAL
ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO
INTRODUCTION CONTENTS
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Thank you for your purchase of a FISHMAN product. Please read this manual carefully. If you have
any further questions please call our PRODUCT
INFORMATION LINE at 978-988-9665.
Bringing a guitar, violin, banjo, mandolin, or any
other traditionally “unplugged” instrument to the
stage requires much more than simple amplification. Keeping the rich tone intact, eliminating feedback, and making sure that the audience gets the
right sound from your instrument entails a different
approach from the typical amplifier designed for,
say, an electric guitar.
The Fishman Acoustic Performer Pro is therefore
much more than a simple amplifier. It’s actually a
compact performance system and professional P.A.
system in a small enclosure. It includes two channels for instrument pickups or microphones (from
one or two instruments), as well as an input for a
vocal microphone. It also has a built-in digital
reverb, with its tone and reverberation characteristics tailored to accentuate your music. Phase
switches and an anti-feedback notch filter help to
maintain clarity without annoying squeals and
howls. And the Acoustic Performer Pro has a multitude of inputs and outputs that make it easy to connect to larger P.A. systems, recording gear, and signal processors such as pitch transposers and digital delays.
PACKING INFORMATION
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
QUICK START
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FRONT PANEL FEATURES
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REAR PANEL FEATURES
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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS:
Front Panel Channel 1
8 Front Panel Channel 2
10 Reverb
12 Master Section
13 Rear Panel Channel 1
15 Rear Panel Channel 2
17 Rear Panel Mix Section
18 Rear Panel Power Section
19 Input Options
20 Using the Effects Loops
Using the Sends
21-POSITIONING THE ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
PRECAUTIONS AND CARE
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BLOCK DIAGRAM
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SPECIFICATIONS
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OTHER FINE FISHMAN PRODUCTS
LIMITED WARRANTY
Please fill in the following information for future reference:
MODEL NUMBER:
SERIAL NUMBER:
DEALER’S NAME:
DEALER’S ADDRESS:
DATE OF PURCHASE:
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ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS QUICK START
although we recommend that you do read it in order to get
the most out of your Acoustic Performer Pro. Here’s what you
need to do if you want to “plug in and play.”
CAUTION!
THE FISHMAN ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO IS A DUAL
VOLTAGE AMPLIFIER. ALWAYS USE THE PROPER FUSE
FOR THE VOLTAGE SELECTED. REFER TO PAGE 18 FOR
INFORMATION ON VOLTAGE SELECTION AND CHANGING FUSES.
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There are no user-serviceable parts inside.
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Therefore, don’t open it up or try to modify it.
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Always refer servicing to qualified personnel.
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Always replace the line cord (AC mains supply) with the
same type and rating.
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Always turn off the amplifier before making or unplugging
any AC connections.
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Do not operate this amplifier in the rain or where excessive
moisture is present.
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This amplifier is very loud. Never operate it with your ear in
front of the speaker.
1) Plug the AC cord into the Acoustic Performer Pro.
2) Make sure that the voltage selector switch, next to the
3) Plug the other end of the AC cord into an electrical outlet
4) Insert the plug from an acoustic instrument’s pickup (or
5) Make sure Channel 1’s Level 1 knob, Channel 2’s Level 2
6) Turn the amp on; the switch is in the lower portion of
7) Turn up the Master section’s Level to about the 12:00
PACKING INFORMATION
UNPACKING
After you unpack your Acoustic Performer Pro amplifier,
check it for any damage. We tested and inspected your amp
before we packed and shipped it, but in the unlikely event
that something was damaged before it reached you, contact
your dealer to remedy the situation. Do not use your amp if it
appears damaged.
8) Slowly turn up the Level 2 knob and strum or pluck the
9) Adjust the Level controls and Bass, Mid, and Treble EQ
AC receptacle, is set to the correct voltage for your area.
with the appropriate AC voltage.
1/4” plug from a shielded cord) into the Pickup In jack on
the Acoustic Performer Pro’s rear panel.
knob, and the Master section’s Level knob are turned all
the way down (fully counterclockwise).
the Acoustic Performer Pro’s back, next to the AC
receptacle.
position.
strings on your instrument (if the instrument has a volume
control, make sure it’s turned up).
NOTE: If your instrument is plugged into the Inst. Mic In
jack, then turn up Level 1 instead of Level 2.
controls to suit your taste.
PACKING MATERIALS
Save the original packing materials and the box that your
Acoustic Performer Pro came in. Should you ever need to
ship it, the box and its inserts will protect it.
You don’t have to read this manual to get up and running,
QUICK START
SETTINGS
ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO OWNER'S MANUAL
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That’s the basic setup. It’s only the tip of the iceberg for this
extremely versatile amplifier / sound reinforcement system,
and you should read through the rest of the manual to find
out how you can get the maximum sonic benefits from your
Acoustic Performer Pro.
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ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO
FRONT PANEL FEATURES
CHANNEL 1 LEVEL (See page 6)
1)
AUX LEVEL (See page 6)
2)
CHANNEL 1 CLIPPING INDICATOR
3)
(See page 6)
CHANNEL 1 EFFECTS LEVEL
4)
(See page 6)
CHANNEL 1 PHASE REVERSAL
5)
SWITCH
CHANNEL 2 LEVEL (See page 9)
6)
CHANNEL 2 EFFECTS LEVEL
7)
(See page 9)
CHANNEL 2 CLIPPING INDICATOR
8)
(See page 8)
(See page 7)
REVERB PROGRAM (See page 11)
11)
MASTER EFFECTS LEVEL (See page 12)
12)
MASTER VOLUME LEVEL (See page 12)
13)
POWER INDICATOR (See page 12)
14)
CHANNEL 1 EQ (See pages 7 - 8)
15)
PHANTOM POWER INDICATORS
16)
(See page 8)
CHANNEL 2 EQ (See page 10)
17)
REVERB CHANNEL ASSIGN
18)
(See page 11)
MUTE SWITCH (See page 11)
19)
NOTCH FILTER FREQUENCY CONTROL
20)
CHANNEL 2 PHASE REVERSAL SWITCH
9)
(See page 9)
REVERB LEVEL (See page 11)
10)
(See page 12)
NOTCH FILTER DEPTH CONTROL
21)
(See page 12)
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ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO
REAR PANEL FEATURES
REAR PANEL FEATURES
TWEETER LEVEL (See page 17)
1)
MUTE FOOTSWITCH JACK (See page 17)
2)
CHANNEL 2 INPUT (See page 15)
3)
CHANNEL 2 TRIM (See page 15)
4)
STEREO TAPE / CD INPUT (See page 16)
5)
TUNER OUTPUT JACK (See page 15)
6)
GROUND LIFTS (See pages 14, 15 and 17)
7)
BALANCED OUTPUT - POST EQ (See page 17)
8)
MASTER EFFECTS LOOP (See page 17)
9)
VOLTAGE SELECT (See page 18)
10)
POWER SWITCH (See page 18)
11)
FUSE HOLDER (See page 18)
12)
AC RECEPTACLE (See page 18)
13)
CHANNEL 2 EFFECTS LOOP (See page 16)
14)
CHANNEL 1 EFFECTS LOOP (See page 14)
15)
BALANCED OUTPUTS - PRE-EQ (See pages 14 and 15)
16)
AUX / MIC INPUT (See page 14)
17)
48V PHANTOM POWER SELECT (See page 14)
18)
CHANNEL 1 TRIM (See page 13)
19)
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CHANNEL 1 INPUT (See page 13)
20)
15V PHANTOM POWER SELECT (See page 16)
21)
STEREO INPUT (See page 16)
22)
ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO OWNER'S MANUAL
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ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
FRONT PANEL
CHANNEL 1
Channel 1 is different from Channel 2 in a few ways. First, it has a 1 Megohm impedance when the 15V Phantom Power is off; when it is on, it has
the ability to power a guitar’s internal microphone. Second, it has an XLR auxiliary input that lets you plug in a vocal mic or other piece of gear that is
electrically balanced.
CLIP LED
This LED glows only when incoming signal levels from an instrument exceed the point at which the input stage or power amp
distorts, a sure sign that the signal level is too “hot”. Set the rear panel’s Trim control so that the Clip LED only glows when you
whack your instrument’s strings exceptionally hard (of course if you tend to always whack them very hard, ignore that suggestion, and instead adjust the Trim control so that it never glows). You may find that you must also set the Level 1 knob to keep
the Clip LED from glowing.
LEVEL 1
This knob sets the volume of the signal coming from your instrument to the Channel 1 preamp section of the Acoustic
Performer Pro. It also adjusts Channel 1’s volume relative to the Auxiliary Input’s level, and the level of Channel 2.
NOTE: Before you adjust Level 1, check the Master section’s Level control. If it’s set all the way down, no sound will come out
of the amp, regardless of how you adjust Level 1. Conversely, if the Master Level is set extra-high, then turning up Level 1 can
result in hair-raising loudness. Think of Level 1 and the Master section’s Level as operating in tandem.
LEVEL AUX
This knob sets the volume of the signal coming from a vocal microphone or external source that’s input through the Rear Panel
XLR jack labeled AUX/MIC IN. Always check the setting of the Master section’s Level control before adjusting the Level Aux
knob’s position.
EFFECTS
When you place an external signal processor (also called an effect, stomp box, etc.) into Channel 1’s effects loop, you can
blend the effect with your acoustic instrument’s sound. Fishman designed the Effects Loop to run in parallel with your main signal. Why? Most Effects Loops require sending the entire signal through the Effects Loop, thereby making it vulnerable to the
introduction of extraneous noise; it can also noticeably degrade the signal, especially if the signal processor isn’t as clean as
the Acoustic Performer Pro, or its frequency range is limited. The Acoustic Performer Pro’s strategy ensures a solid, dynamic,
straight sound and then blends the effect much the way a professional mixing console approaches effects blending.
NOTE: For the best sound quality and lowest noise, adjust the signal processor’s mix control (if it has one) so that its output
contains only a “wet” (effect-enhanced) signal.
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ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO
FRONT PANEL - CHANNEL 1 Continued
PHASE
When a signal is out of phase with another signal, it can cause cancellation, which (as its name implies) results in something missing. The opposite is true when two signals are in phase; the combined signals can be solid or absolutely overpowering, depending
on the sounds and how much “in phase” they are. Using the phase relationship between two sounds can be a powerful tool for fighting feedback or making multiple sound sources (such as a pickup and a built-in microphone) sound better together.
The Phase switch can accomplish a couple of different things. If you are using an instrument equipped with only one pickup or internal microphone, it can invert the signal’s phase, which can, in some cases, be a remedy for feedback. If your instrument has a builtin mic as well as a pickup, one of the signals may be out of phase in relation to the other, so employing the Phase switch on one
channel of the Acoustic Performer Pro corrects that, providing a stronger signal, often with better tone.
NOTE: When a pickup and an internal mic are used, try using the phase switches on both channels to check for correct phase relationships between the two sound sources. Also, if your instrument has only one pickup or microphone, try the Phase switch in both
its in and out positions, to be sure the best sound is being produced.
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FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE TO MAKE BEST USE OF THE PHASE SWITCHES
If you have a microphone in your setup, it is best to begin getting a sound from that.
With the Master Level at 3/4 of its maximum volume, bring the microphone’s volume up to the desired level. In the event that the
mic begins to feed back, adjust the volume lower or use the Bass, Mid, or Treble EQ controls to eliminate the feedback. Determine
the location onstage where you are going to play, and set the phase switch on the mic channel to the sound that is most pleasing.
Since the characteristics of microphones and their placement play a big part in the sound achieved, this would also be a good time
to adjust or aim the mic in your instrument to get the most appropriate sound. Keep in mind that given the nature of acoustic instruments and how they interact with amplifiers, once the phase is set, if you move more than 5 or 6 feet from your playing location, the
phase will reverse itself 180 degrees.
With the microphone volume on, adjust the transducer’s level until it is approximately equal in volume to the microphone. Next, flip
the transducer’s Phase switch and you will immediately hear what is correct. If it’s the incorrect phase relationship, you will get a
tremendous amount of bass loss because the bass frequencies cancel.
After taking these steps to determine the correct phase settings, make note of their relative positions. These settings between the
mic and transducer will remain the same from performance to performance, with the exception that each may need to be reversed
together in some instances. In other words, if you determine that the phase of the mic is in and the phase of the pickup is out, there
may be a case where you will need to set the mic to out and the pickup to in.
BASS
The Bass control governs the low-end equalization of your sound. The control provides a range of +/-10 dB of boost and cut, covering a range of approximately 20 Hz to 300 Hz. Using this control, you can shape the bottom end so that your instrument sounds
thumpy or solid or even thin (when you excessively cut the bass). The Bass knob can also be helpful in eliminating low-end feedback, especially in guitars equipped with internal microphones.
MID
The Mid control affects the midrange frequencies from approximately 750 Hz to 1,500 Hz, with a boost/cut range of +/-10 dB.
Midrange is a very important component of an instrument’s tone; especially with guitars, cellos, and banjos, in which a great deal of
their energy comes from this range. Boosting midrange can accentuate the “meat” in an instrument’s tone, while cutting it can give a
“scooped-out” tone that makes acoustic guitars, in particular, sound boomy yet bright.
ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO OWNER'S MANUAL
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ACOUSTIC PERFORMER PRO
FRONT PANEL - CHANNEL 1 Continued
TREBLE
The Treble control allows you to shape the high-frequency content of your sound. It governs the range from 3,000 Hz to 20,000
Hz and has a boost/cut range of +/-10dB. Overly bright instruments (12-string guitars, mandolins, etc.) can be tamed with a
slight roll-back on the Treble control. Of course, if you want an edgier sound, or need more highs, you can also boost the highs.
Be careful with how much treble you add, since it’s easy to overdo it. Very often, your ears will gradually tune out extra brightness, even if your audience doesn’t. In addition, if the Acoustic Performer Pro is on the floor, or facing away from you, you may
not be aware of just how bright the tone is. Finally, boosting the treble by exaggerated amounts can increase the noise in
effects and preamplifiers and also increase the likelihood of feedback, especially if you stand very close to the Acoustic
Performer Pro.
NOTE: If you need more treble than the Treble control can provide, you may need to adjust the Tweeter Level control on the
rear panel of the Acoustic Performer Pro.
PHANTOM POWER 15V & 48V INDICATORS
Some pickups and microphones require external, or “phantom” power. When the Rear Panel switches are turned on to provide
this power (15 volts DC to the 1+2 Blend 1/4” jack and the 1/4” mic jack, and 48 volts DC to the Aux/Mic In XLR jack), the
Phantom LEDs glow. Check your pickup’s or microphone’s manual, or consult its manufacturer to determine whether it needs
phantom powering.
FRONT PANEL
CHANNEL 2
Channel 2’s input has an impedance of 10 Megohms, which is extremely high and well-suited to piezo bridge transducers and magnetic pickups. It’s
also a good match for stick-on pickups. Unlike Channel 1, it has only one input, and therefore has no Level Aux control. It also does not have phantom powering for its input.
CLIP LED
This LED glows only when incoming signal levels from an instrument exceed the point at which the buffer amplifier or power
amp distorts, a sure sign that the signal level is too “hot.” Set the rear panel’s Trim control so that the Clip LED only glows when
you whack your instrument’s strings exceptionally hard (of course if you tend to always whack them very hard, ignore that suggestion, and instead adjust the Trim control so that it never glows). You may find that you must also set the Level 2 knob to
keep the Clip LED from glowing.
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