Fishman PREFIX PRO BLEND User Manual
User Guide
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User Guide
Prefix Pro Blend
Acoustic Guitar System
Warning! We strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the
preamp's controls before you attempt to perform with this system.
Failure to do so can produce painful acoustic feedback (see Quick Start
on page 3). Please take a few minutes to read this guide and familiarize
yourself with the Pro Blend's controls.
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Stereo Blender
Stereo Blender
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Thank you for choosing a Fishman equipped instrument. Our goal is to provide you
with the finest acoustic amplification products available-systems that simply let you
sound your best. With our long-standing commitment to quality, you can feel confident that your Fishman gear will provide great sound and trouble free performance
for years to come.
Your satisfaction is very important to us. If you have any questions, please contact
us on the web at tech@fishman.com; or by telephone at 978-988-9665.
Featured for the Pro Blend is the acclaimed Acoustic Matrix under-saddle pickup. It
delivers a clear, articulate sound with emphasis on string definition and attack. To
compliment and contrast this pickup, a miniature electret microphone (mounted to
the underside of the preamp chassis) captures the guitar's elusive natural ambience and sound chamber resonance. Blend the pickup and Microphone together for
a powerful and cohesive acoustic guitar tone that is deeper and more "filled out",
than the sound of either the microphone or pickup alone.
The Prefix Pro Blend preamp module incorporates a unique flip-top battery compartment for easy access. Levels are set by the master volume and blend controls.
Traditional shelving-style bass & treble, plus a semi-parametric "Contour" EQ are
included so you can shape your guitar's tone exactly to taste. To complete the
package, we include a phase switch and an adjustable notch filter, both essential for
fighting feedback.
THE PICKUP
The system's under-saddle pickup is the industry standard Fishman Acoustic
Matrix. It is made with Fishman's exclusive co-polymer sensing material. This proprietary material reproduces your acoustic guitar sound with a sensitivity and
dynamic range that surpasses all other known materials (including piezo-ceramic
and so called "piezo-film" pickups).
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At the heart of the pickup is a multi-layer sandwich of co-polymer strips. These
strips sense motion across the entire length of the saddle for unparalleled performance. Compared ceramic pickups with individual elements, the Acoustic Matrix'
"unitary" co-polymer design provides a more natural and balanced response, with
sensitivity to both the strings and the soundboard. The transducer is fully enclosed
in a shielded foil wrap for dead quiet performance and total EMI noise rejection.
THE MICROPHONE
This quality electret-condenser microphone will provide very high level sound reproduction before feedback when used in conjunction with the unit's Phase, Notch and
Contour EQ (see page x). Conveniently shock-mounted to the underside of the preamp chassis, the microphone is strategically isolated inside the instrument. For
stage use, the Microphone's interior location affords you unprecedented freedom of
movement as well as minimal bleed through from other instruments.
QUICK START
We recommend that you preset the system EQ to locate and eliminate microphone
feedback before you mix in the under-saddle pickup.
1. Set all controls as follows:
2. Slowly increase the volume and play the notes from the open low E, up to the
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Notch and Volume fully counter-clockwise
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All EQ sliders at center position
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Blend slider at lowest position (B = microphone)
fourth fret G sharp until the instrument starts to rumble or howl with feedback on
one or more of these notes. Adjust the Notch control until this feedback is eliminated (usually between one and two o'clock on the dial).
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3. Increase the volume some more and play (on the low E string) the fifth fret A
and above. Flip the phase switch to the position that eliminates feedback in this
region.
4. Slowly increase the Volume again, until you start to hear a high squeal.
5. Lower the Contour slider all the way down and adjust the Frequency slider until
the squealy feedback is eliminated. Raise the Contour slider (if possible) to just
below the threshold of feedback.
6. Move the Blend slider up to mix in the pickup signal (A).
7. Adjust the Bass and Treble controls as desired. Note that these controls do not
affect the microphone signal.
8. Play your guitar as loud as you like.
Stereo Blender
Stereo Blender
See diagram on page 9
SETUP
Battery Compartment
Pull the small tab at the top of
the Onboard Blender™ toward
you. The body of the preamp
will swing out, revealing the
battery compartment. Observe
the polarity marks on the battery clip and install a fresh 9V
alkaline battery accordingly.
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