Fishman POCKET BLENDER User Manual

User Guide

Pocket Blender

Acoustic Instrument Preamp

®

Pocket Blender

20

dB 0

-30

-10

-20

-30

-20

-10

100 1k 10k 20k

FIG. 1

20

dB 0

-30

-10

-20

-30

-20

-10

100 1k 10k 20k

FIG. 2

20

dB 0

-30

-10

-20

-30

-20

-10

100 1k 10k 20k

Thank you for choosing the Fishman Pocket Blender. Our goal is to provide you with acoustic amplification
products that will simply let you sound your best. With our long-standing commitment to quality, you can
feel confident that your Fishman gear will produce great sound and trouble-free performance for years to
come. Please take a few minutes to read this guide and familiarize yourself with the system. Your satisfaction
is very important to us. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at [e-mail] or
by phone at 978-988-9665.

CONTENTS

Introduction ...................................................................... 1

Install pickup/Microphone on the instrument ................... 1

Quick Start ....................................................................... 1

Features ........................................................................... 1

Power Options.................................................................. 1

Front Panel

Microphone Channel ............................................ 1

Transducer Channel ............................................ 1

Master Section ..................................................... 1

Rear Panel ....................................................................... 1

Suggested Input Options .................................................

Suggested Output Options ..............................................

Outputs/Effects Loops .....................................................

Trouble Shooting .............................................................

Optional Accessories .......................................................

Specifications ...................................................................

Block Diagram ................................................................

Appendix - The Microphone ...........................................

2
3
4
5
6

6
7
8

8
10
12
13
14
15
15
16
17

INTRODUCTION: THE BLENDER SYSTEM

The Fishman Pocket Blender is a compact yet full-featured
2-channel outboard mixer/preamp designed for acoustic
stringed instruments. It is specifically set up for blending a
pickup with an onboard miniature microphone.

1 - Microphone and Pickup (Transducer)

Everyone loves the way a microphone captures the natural
ambience and resonance of an acoustic instrument. But
microphones have a downside; they feedback when you
crank up the volume and tend to get lost in the mix when
there are other amplified instruments onstage. Pickups
deliver a balanced high output signal with low feedback,
but they can sound somewhat dry compared to
microphones.

MINI-MICROPHONE MOUNTED ON

2

X-BRACE NEAR SOUNDHOLE

UNDER-SADDLE PIEZO

TRANSDUCER

Pocket Blender

Shield to

Sleeve

Pickup Signal

to Tip

Microphone to Ring

Zener Diode

between Ring & Sleeve

Ring

Tip Sleeve

Stereo PlugStereo Jack

The Pocket Blender allows you to combine the benefits of both pickup and microphone signals to achieve results not
available by simply using one or the other. With this system, a microphone rounds out the dry, direct sound of a pickup

- while the "bite" of a pickup adds focus and definition to the microphone sound.
We recommend (and sell) the Crown GLM-200 mini-microphone for the Pocket Blender. Electret microphones made

by other manufacturer's can be modified for use with the Pocket Blender (contact the manufacturer for specific wiring).

2 - Stereo Instrument Cable

For convenience, we use a TRS
stereo instrument cable to get the
individual microphone and pickup
signals from the instrument into the
Pocket Blender. The Pocket Blender
supplies a 9-Volt bias voltage through
the ring connection that in turn
powers the mini-microphone.

3 - The Pocket Blender

Each channel of the Pocket Blender is set up for the particular signal conditioning requirements of microphone and
pickup. Once the pickup/microphone signals are blended, the composite signal can be routed to amplification,
recording gear or signal processing equipment via XLR and 1/4" outputs. An effects loop is also included for each
channel.

INSTALLING A PICKUP / CROWN GLM 200 MICROPHONE
COMBINATION ON YOUR INSTRUMENT

Before you begin using your Pocket Blender, have a repair professional install the appropriate pickup and
microphone combination for your instrument.

Note:

The Pocket Blender is also compatible with other manufacturers' mini-electret microphones. Consult the manufacturer
for specific minimum power requirements, wiring configuration and instrument mounting systems (the Fishman microphone
mounts are dedicated to the Crown GLM series).

Three Common Scenarios:

1 - WIRING A PASSIVE PICKUP & MICROPHONE

A passive pickup is any transducer (piezo or magnetic) that works without a battery.

Note:

To minimize crosstalk with a passive pickup, use a "2-pair" premium stereo cable (Fishman part # ACC-BLE-15C) with
separate shields for both the pickup and microphone signals.

1.

Connect red microphone wire to ring terminal.

2.

Connect white and shield microphone wires to sleeve.

3.

Connect pickup signal wire to tip and pickup shield to sleeve.

4.

Connect supplied zener diode in place between red wire (ring) and ground (sleeve).
Note that banded side of diode must be closest to red wire.

3

Pocket Blender

Shield to

Sleeve

Pickup Signal

to Tip

Microphone to Ring

Zener Diode

between Ring & Sleeve

Ring

Tip Sleeve

Stereo PlugStereo Jack

2 - WIRING TO ACOUSTIC MATRIX NATURAL I & II

1.

Remove shielding cap to expose preamp circuit board.

2.

Connect red microphone wire to ring pad on circuit board.

3.

Connect white and shield microphone wires to "G" pad adjacent to ring pad.

4.

Connect supplied zener diode in place between red wire and sleeve. Note that banded side of the zener diode
must be closest to red microphone wire.

3 - WIRING THE MIC & PICKUP WITH SEPARATE CONNECTORS

The advantages to wiring the microphone and pickup to separate mono connectors are:

a. Microphone is interchangeable with other instruments.
b. Less cross talk between passive pickups and the microphone.

Typically, classical guitarists and double bassists find this arrangement convenient for sharing the microphone with
several different instruments. Classical guitarists can install the microphone without drilling holes in the instrument. In
this configuration, the microphone can also be removed without disturbing the pickup.

1.

Connect red microphone wire to tip terminal on a ¼" mono plug.

2.

Connect white microphone wire and shield to sleeve terminal the same plug.

3.

Solder supplied zener diode in place between red wire and sleeve.

Note:

The banded side of the diode must be closest to the red wire. For use with the Pocket Blender, plug the mic into the
RING jack of a stereo "Y" cable (available from Fishman).

Warning: Installation by a qualified repairperson is strongly recommended. Fishman Transducers Inc. will not be responsible
for any damages due to improper installation.

QUICK START

To get up and running you'll need these components:

•

Pocket Blender

•

9-Volt alkaline battery

•

Pickup and mini-microphone connected to a stereo jack (See Page 3)

•

Stereo instrument cable

•

XLR cable or 1/4" instrument cable

1.

Install a fresh 9-Volt alkaline battery.

2.

Connect the stereo cable between the instrument and the input of the Pocket Blender.

3.

Set the Mute, Lo and Hi switches to the out position. Set the phantom power switch on the rear panel to the in
position. Set both channel volume controls fully counter clockwise. Set the Master level to 3:00. Set all the bass
and treble controls to 12:00.

4.

Run a cable from one of the outputs on the rear panel of the Pocket Blender to your amp or PA.

5.

Adjust the trim controls - See Page 7

6.

With the Pocket Blender's Master Level at 3:00, adjust both the microphone and transducer volume controls to
approximately the same level.

7.

Set the phase switches - See Page 6

4

volume volume

trim

phase mute

bass bass volume

TRANSDUCER

MICROPHONE

treble treble

battery

low

POCKET BLENDER

input

microphone - ring
transducer - tip

phantom

power

ground

lift

9V

effects loop

send

microphone

Made in the USA

transducer

return send return

output

AC ADAPTERS

FISHMAN 910-R,

ROLAND PSA SERIES

26

2

10

17

3

11

18

4

12

19 20 21 22 23

5

13

6

14

24

7

15

98

16

25

1

trim

phase hi lo

Located on top

Pocket Blender

FEATURES

FRONT PANEL

1) BATTERY COMPARTMENT

2) MICROPHONE VOLUME

3) MICROPHONE BASS CONTROL

4) MICROPHONE TREBLE CONTROL

5) TRANSDUCER VOLUME CONTROL

6) TRANSDUCER BASS CONTROL

7) TRANSDUCER TREBLE CONTROL

8) BATTERY LOW LED

9) MASTER VOLUME CONTROL

10) MICROPHONE TRIM CONTROL

11) MICROPHONE PHASE SWITCH

12) MICROPHONE HI CUT SWITCH

13) MICROPHONE LO CUT SWITCH

14) TRANSDUCER TRIM CONTROL

15) TRANSDUCER PHASE SWITCH

16) MUTE SWITCH

FEATURES

REAR PANEL

17) 9-VOLT PHANTOM POWER SWITCH

18) 1/4” INPUT JACK (TRS)

19) MICROPHONE EFFECTS SEND

20) MICROPHONE EFFECTS RETURN

21) TRANSDUCER EFFECTS SEND

22) TRANSDUCERS EFFECTS RETURN

23) 1/4” UNBALANCED OUTPUT

24) GROUND LIFT SWITCH

25) XLR BALANCED OUTPUT

26) AC ADAPTER INPUT

5

Pocket Blender

POWER OPTIONS

9-Volt Battery

Lift the lid on top of the Pocket Blender and insert a fresh 9-Volt alkaline battery. Observe the correct
polarity. Battery life is an estimated 60 hours of continuous use.

9-Volt AC Adapter Input

Use only a well filtered and regulated 9-Volt AC adapter. We recommend a Fishman Model-910 or
Roland PSA series regulated AC Adapter. Use of an unregulated adapter will not only void the warranty,
but may damage the unit.

Input Jack

Plug in a TRS stereo cable here. The input will accept two separate signals via a stereo instrument cable.

(Tip = Transducer Channel, Ring = Microphone Channel)

Engage the Mute switch before you plug into the
input to avoid a loud pop through the speakers. When you plug in here the battery turns on. To save the
battery remember to unplug the input when you're not using the Pocket Blender.

MICROPHONE CHANNEL

Use the Microphone Channel for a mini-electret microphone (switch 9-Volt phantom on rear panel on) or
with a second pickup (9-Volt phantom off).

Volume Control

Normally set the volume for the microphone at around 12:00 (see Trim instructions below).

Bass And Treble

These shelving style tone controls provide basic equalization for the Microphone Channel. Set them at
12:00 for no cut or boost (flat).

Phase Switches

Prevent feedback and match up the pickup and microphone signals for a stronger amplified sound.

How to kill feedback in the Microphone Channel:

•

Adjust the Master volume level to 3:00 and turn the Transducer volume off (7:00).

•

Adjust the Microphone Channel volume to just below the threshold of feedback. Play your instrument and
toggle the Microphone Channel phase switch. Leave the switch where it feeds-back the least.

How to get the pickup in phase with the microphone:

•

After you perform the above step, raise the Transducer Channel volume until it is about the same level as
the Microphone. Play a sustained note or chord on your instrument and toggle the Transducer Channel
Phase switch. Leave the switch in the position that sounds strongest and feeds-back the least.

•

Once the pickup and Microphone are in Phase, make note of the relative position of the two switches.
They will be either in the same position, or one in and one out. To keep pickup/mic in phase, push both
switches anytime you adjust the overall polarity.

6