Fishman Prefix Stereo Blender User Manual
User Guide
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User Guide
Prefix Stereo Blender
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 Stereo Onboard Blender's controls.
Stereo Blender
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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 - 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 Stereo Blender 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 Stereo Blender 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.
IMPROVEMENTS
For the Stereo Blender we have updated and upgraded our top-of-the-line Prefix preamp. With
the flick of a switch, you can now choose between stereo or mono signal paths for the system's
under-saddle pickup and integral miniature microphone. This new feature expands your options
for routing both signals.
We have also improved the performance of our notch filter by fine tuning its response to give you
better control over your sound. In addition, a completely new circuit improves EMI and RF rejection for even quieter performance than its predecessor.
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 stack 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 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 pages 7-
8). 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:
• Notch and Volume fully counter-clockwise
• All EQ sliders at center position
• Blend slider at full left position (A = microphone)
2. Slowly increase the volume and play the notes from the open low E, up to the
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).
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.
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Stereo Blender
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9 Volt Battery
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Quick Start Cont’d ...
4. Slowly increase the Volume again, until you start to hear a high squeal.
5. Lower the Contour Slider (level) all the way down and adjust the Frequency slid-
er until the squealy feedback is eliminated. Raise the Contour slider (if possible)
to just below the threshold of feedback.
6. Move the Blend slider to the right to mix in the pickup signal (B).
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.
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.
Microphone Trim Control
A small circular potentiometer is located on the underside of the preamp just below
the battery compartment. This is a "set it and forget it" control. Use it to initially calibrate the microphone balance in relation to the pickup. Set the Blend slider to the
center position and with a small slotted screwdriver, adjust the Trim Control until
both the microphone and pickup levels are balanced to your taste.
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