Johnson Amplification J-STATION User Manual

J-STATION

USER’S

GUIDE

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Manufacturer’s Name: Johnson Amplification Manufacturer’sAddress: 8760 S. Sandy Parkway

Sandy, Utah 84070, USA

declares that the product:

Product Name: J-Station Product Options: All (requires a Class II power adapter that conforms to the requirements of

EN60065,EN60742,or equivalent.)

conforms to the following Product Specifications:

Safety: EN 60065 (1993)

IEC 65 (1985) with Amendments 1, 2 & 3

EMC: EN 55013 (1990)

EN55020 (1991)

Supplementary Information:

The product herewith complies with the requirements of the LowVoltage Directive 73/23/EEC and EMC Directive 89/336/EEC as amended by Directive 93/68/EEC.

Johnson Amplification

Vice-President of Engineering 8760 S. Sandy Parkway Sandy, Utah 84070, USA Tel:801-566-8800 Fax:801-566-7005

Effective March 31, 2000

European Contact: Your Local Johnson Amplification Sales and Service Office or

Harman Music Group 8760 S. Sandy Parkway Sandy, Utah 84070, USA Tel.801-568-7638 Fax 801-568-7642

Warranty

We at Johnson Amplification are proud of our products and back-up each one with the following

warranty:

1.The warranty registration card must be mailed within ten days after purchase date to validate this warranty.

2.Johnson Amplification warrants this product, when used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service.

3.Johnson amplification liability under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing defective materials that show evidence of defect, provided the product is returned to Johnson amplification WITH RETURN AUTHORIZATION, where all parts and labor will be covered up to a period of one year.A Return Authorization number may be obtained from Johnson amplification by telephone.The company shall not be liable for any consequential damage as a result of the product's use in any circuit or assembly.

4.Proof-of-purchase is considered to be the burden of the consumer.

5.Johnson amplification reserves the right to make changes in design, or make additions to, or improvements upon this product without incurring any obligation to install the same on products previously manufactured.

6.The consumer forfeits the benefits of this warranty if the product's main assembly is opened and tampered with by anyone other than a certified Johnson amplification technician or, if the product is used with AC voltages out side of the range suggested by the manufacturer.

7.The foregoing is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, and Johnson amplification neither assumes nor authorizes any person to assume any obligation or liability in connection with the sale of this product.In no event shall Johnson amplification or its dealers be liable for special or consequential damages or from any delay in the performance of this warranty due to causes beyond their control.

NOTE:The information contained in this manual is subject to change at any time without notification.Some information contained in this manual may also be inaccurate due to undocumented changes in the product or operating system since this version of the manual was completed.The information contained in this version of the owner's manual supersedes all previous versions.

III

Table of Contents

Safety Information ..................................................................................I

Declaration of Conformity ..................................................................II

Warranty ..................................................................................................III

Table of Contents ..................................................................................IV

Section One - Introduction

Congratulations ......................................................................................1

Included Items ........................................................................................1

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

Quick Start ..............................................................................................2

A Guided Tour ........................................................................................3

The Front Panel..................................................................................3

The Rear Panel ..................................................................................5

The Side Panels ..................................................................................5

Getting Started........................................................................................6

Making Connections..............................................................................6

Mono/Stereo........................................................................................6

S/PDIF Digital Output ......................................................................6

Applying Power ..................................................................................6

About the J-Station ................................................................................7

The Presets..........................................................................................7

Bypass Mode........................................................................................7

Edit Mode ............................................................................................7

Tuner Mode ........................................................................................8

Utility Mode ........................................................................................8

Section Two - Editing Functions

Editing/Creating Presets........................................................................9

Top Level Editing ....................................................................................9

Selecting an Amp Model ..................................................................9

Amp Model Editing............................................................................9

Amp Controls ....................................................................................10

Effects Editing......................................................................................10

Delay Editing........................................................................................11

Reverb Editing ....................................................................................11

Compressor Editing ..........................................................................11

Noise Gate Editing ............................................................................11

Deep Level Editing..................................................................................12

Storing/Copying a Preset......................................................................15

Section Four - Tutorial

Guided Example......................................................................................24

Choose a Preset ....................................................................................24

Turn the Compressor Off....................................................................24

Select the Amp Model ..........................................................................24

Adjust the EQ..........................................................................................24

Adjust the Noise Gate..........................................................................25

Select the Phaser....................................................................................25

Turn the Delay Off ................................................................................26

Adjust the Reverb..................................................................................26

Set the Preset Level ..............................................................................26

Store the Preset......................................................................................26

Section Five - Other Functions

Utilities......................................................................................................27

Assign Menu........................................................................................27

Output Mode......................................................................................28

Dry Track ............................................................................................28

Digital Output Level..........................................................................28

Global Cabinet Emulator..................................................................28

MIDI......................................................................................................29

MIDI Loop Back ................................................................................29

MIDI Channel......................................................................................29

Sysex Dump........................................................................................29

Continuous Control..........................................................................30

Factory Reset......................................................................................30

Foot Controller Options......................................................................31

Editor/Librarian ......................................................................................31

Section Six - Appendix

Factory Preset List ................................................................................32

MIDI Implementation ............................................................................32

Specifications............................................................................................33

Section Three - Effects

About the Effects....................................................................................16

Effects Definitions ..................................................................................16

Compressor........................................................................................16

Wah Wah..............................................................................................17

Amp Modeling ....................................................................................18

Cabinet Emulator ..............................................................................19

Noise Gate..........................................................................................19

Effects....................................................................................................20

Chorus ............................................................................................20

Flanger ............................................................................................20

Phaser..............................................................................................21

Tremolo ..........................................................................................21

Rotary Speaker..............................................................................21

AutoWah........................................................................................22

Pitch/Detune..................................................................................22

Delay ....................................................................................................22

Reverb ..................................................................................................23

Congratulationson your purchase of the Johnson J-Station! You now have one of the most

powerful studio tools available anywhere.The J-Station is a professional guitar amp modeling, bass amp modeling,and effects processing system, complete with a digital output for direct recording.There is no other direct recording device quite like the J-Station in the world.The J-Station includes 14 of the most popular guitar amp models,3 bass amp models, 2 acoustic guitar models,and 12 different effects to choose from.The simple user interface provides intuitive controls and an obvious operating system.Although the operating system is extremely simple, carefully reading this User’s Guide will help you get the most satisfaction out of your J-Station.

Included Items

The utmost care was taken as your J-Station was being manufactured.Everything should be included and in perfect working order. Please make sure that you have received the following items:

• J-Station

• PS0913B or PSS3 Power Supply

• Editor/Librarian Software for Windows

• User’s Guide

•Warranty Registration Card

Please take a moment to complete the Warranty Card.It is your safe guard in the unlikely event that your J-Station malfunctions. Save all packing materials and use them to return your J-Station should a problem arise.

Features

• 14 Guitar Amp Models

• 3 Bass Amp Models

• 2 Acoustic Models

• 12 Studio Quality Effects

• S/PDIF Digital Output

• Full MIDI Implementation

• 24 bit Processing

• Chromatic Tuner

• Editor/Librarian Software

• Dry Track Capability

• External Power Supply

• 30 Factory/30 User Presets

• Foot Control Options: J3 and J8

Quick Start

We have included this handy Quick Start guide for those of you who are anxious to get started and prefer to play now and read later.

Making Connections:

Connect your instrument to the input jack on the right side of the J-Station.Connect the Left and/or Right Outputs to the input(s) of your mixer.

Apply Power:

Turn the Master Volume knob on the front panel of the J-Station all the way down (fully counter clockwise).Connect the plug of the power supply to the power jack on the J-Station.Connect the other end of the power supply to an AC outlet.Turn the power switch located on the left side of the J-Station to the on position.Turn your mixer’s power switch to the on position and adjust the volume(s) to their nominal position (0 dB). Gradually increase the J-Station’s Master Volume knob to achieve the desired volume.Be sure that the input(s) of your mixer are not clipping.If clipping occurs, reduce the level of the J-Station’s

Master Volume.

Select the Desired Output Mode: Select either Mono or Stereo Output Mode.To do this, press the Shift button.Then press the

Tuner/Utility button. Press the Tap-It (>) button until St shows in the Display.Rotate the Data knob to

select On for Stereo Mode, or OF for Mono Mode. Press the Tuner/Utility button again to exit the Output Mode selection.

Select Preset:

The J-Station comes loaded with 30 pre-programmed Factory Presets, and 30 User Presets. From the factory,the User Presets are exact duplicates of the Factory Presets.This allows you to experiment without running the risk of losing any of the original sounds contained in the J-Station.Use the Data knob to select different Presets.Once you have found Presets that suit your taste,you can alter the sounds to your specific needs.

CustomizeYour Sound:

Rotate the Gain knob to adjust the amount of distortion.The Treble,Mid, and Bass knobs will adjust the EQ,and the Level will adjust the volume of the Preset. Rotate the Select knob to change Amp Models.The Comp button turns the Compressor on and off, and the Compression Ratio can be adjusted by pressing and holding the Compressor button and rotating the Data knob.The Compressor Gain can be adjusted by pressing the Shift button, and then pressing and holding the Compressor button and rotating the Data knob.The Gate button turns the Noise Gate on and off,and the Gate Threshold can be adjusted by pressing and holding the Gate button and rotating the Data knob.The Gate Attack Time can be adjusted by pressing the Shift button, then pressing and holding the Gate button and rotating the Data knob. Successive presses of the Effect Type button will select the Modulation/Pitch Shift Effect, which will be indicated by the Effect name lighting on the left side of the J-Station console.The level of these Effects can be adjusted with the Effects knob,and the speed, pitch or sensitivity (depending on the type of Effect selected) may be adjusted by pressing the Shift button and rotating the Effect/Speed knob.The Delay Level can be adjusted with the Delay knob,and the feedback is adjusted by pressing the Shift button and rotating the Delay/Feedback knob.Repeated presses of the Tap-It button will set the Delay time to the rate at which it is tapped.The Reverb knob will adjust the level of Reverb.

Remember that you are not at risk of losing any sounds the J-Station came with because the User Presets are duplicates of the Factory Presets.So,don’t be afraid to experiment.

Guided Tour

Front Panel

1.Shift - This button is used to access alternate functions for various editing functions.Pressing and holding

this button for 3 seconds will access the Deep Level editing mode. See page 12 for more information on Deep Level editing.

2.Effect Type - This button is used to select the type of Modulation or Pitch Shifting effect in the currently active Preset.Successive presses of this button will advance through all of the available Modulation or Pitch Shifting effects.The Effects button is also used to select the previous menu (<) in the Deep Level editing mode and Utility functions.

3.Comp - This button turns the Compressor on and off.Pressing and holding this button accesses the

Ratio. It is also used in conjunction with the Shift button to access the Compressor’s gain parameter.

4.Tap-It - This button is used to synchronize the Delay repeats with the tempo of the music.Tapping this

button will set the Delay Time at the rate in which it is tapped. It is also used to select the next menu (>) in the Deep Level editing mode and Utility functions.

5.Gate - This button turns the Noise Gate on and off.Pressing and holding this button provides access to

the Noise Gate’sThreshold.It is also used in conjunction with the Shift button to access the Noise Gate’s Attack Time Parameter.

6.Tuner/Utility - This button is used to activate and deactivate the Tuner.It is also used in conjunction with

the Shift button to access the Utility functions.

7. Store -This button is used to save custom settings to the User Presets.Pressing this button once allows

you to choose the User Preset where the custom settings will be stored,and the second press of the Store button saves the settings to the selected User Preset.

8.Tuner Indicators - These LEDs provide a visual reference while the Tuner is active.The arrow on the left indicates the note is flat.The arrow on the right indicates the note is sharp, and the green LED in the middle lights when the note is in tune.

9.Numeric Display -The Display shows the currently active Preset number while in Performance mode, and Parameter values during certain editing functions.

10. Model Matrix - The Model Matrix provides a visual indication as to which Amp Model is currently active.The name of the currently active Amp Model will light.

11. Model Select - This knob is used to select the desired Amp Model.

12.Master Volume - The Master Volume adjusts the output level of all Presets.

13. Level - This knob adjusts the individual volume level of the currently active Preset.

14. EQ Knobs - These knobs adjust the amount of Treble, Midrange, and Bass frequency enhancement for

the model in the currently active Preset.

15. Gain - This knob adjusts the amount of drive or distortion content in the model in the currently active

Preset.

16. Data - This knob is used to select Presets,and to increase or decrease the value of a selected

Parameter.

17. Reverb -This knob adjusts the amount of Reverb effect added to the currently active Preset.

18. Delay/Fback -This knob adjusts the amount of Delay effect added to the currently active Preset.It is

also used in conjunction with the Shift button to adjust the number of repeats (Feedback) the Delay will produce.

19. Effects/Speed -This knob is used to adjust the level of Modulation or Pitch Shifting effect in the currently active Preset.It is also used in Conjunction with the Shift button to adjust the Speed of the Modulation Effects,the Amount of the Shifted Pitch or Detune, and the Sensitivity of the Auto Wah.

20. Effects Matrix - The Effect Matrix provides a visual indication of the selected type of Modulation or

Pitch Shifting Effect in the the currently active Preset.

Rear Panel

1. Left/Right Outputs - Connect one of these jacks to a channel input on your mixer for mono

applications,or both of these jacks to two channel inputs on your mixer for stereo applications. Be sure to select the desired output mode from the Utility menu.See page 28 for more information on selecting the output mode.

2.MIDI In/J8 Selector Switch - This switch is used to select whether the 5 pin DIN jack will be used for

the Johnson J8 Foot Controller, or as a MIDI input. Push this switch to the right for MIDI applications, and to the left for J8 use .

3.MIDI In/J8 Jack - Connect either the J8 Foot Controller, or the MIDI Out of your computer to this jack

for remotely controlling,or programming the J-Station. Be sure to set the MIDI In/J8 selector switch to MIDI before connecting any MIDI device.

4.MIDI Out/Thru - Connect from this jack to either the MIDI Input on your computer for sending

information from the J-Station to the computer, or to the MIDI Input on other MIDI devices you wish to control.

5. Footswitch Jack - Connect the J3 Footswitch to this jack for Bank Up,Bank Down, and Preset select.

6. S/PDIF Digital Output -This is the digital output from the J-Station.The signal at this output is in a

stereo digital format, and is to be connected to a digital S/PDIF input such as those found on digital recording devices.

ATTENTION: Do not connect the S/PDIF output to analog auxiliary, CD,phono,or tape inputs on consumer

electronic devices.It is not compatible with these inputs.

7.Power Jack - Connect only the provided PS0913B or PSS3 power supply to this jack.

Side Panels

1. Input - Connect your instrument to this jack.

2. Headphone Output - Connect stereo headphones to this jack. Do not connect a mono plug here as

doing so may damage the output driver.

3. Power Switch - This switch is used to turn the J-Station on and off.

Getting Started

Making Connections

Before connecting the J-Station, make sure that the power amplifier for your speakers is turned off,and that the power switch on the J-Station is off.

There are several different connection options available when using the J-Station.You may run mono into one channel, stereo into two channels, connect digitally to the input of a digital recorder or mixer,or a combination of these.The following diagrams show the connections for some of these options.

Mono/Stereo Set Up

Connect your instrument to the input of the J-Station.Connect the Left (for mono) or Left and Right (for stereo) outputs of the J-Station to the line inputs of a mixer. Connect the provided Power Supply from the Power Jack on the J-Station to an AC outlet.

S/PDIF Digital Set Up

The J-Station includes a S/PDIF digital output eliminating multiple A/D and D/A conversions when recording digitally. Connect from the S/PDIF output of the J-Station to the S/PDIF input on your digital mixer or recorder.You must have S/PDIF inputs on the receiving device in order to use this output.You may use the analog and digital outputs of the J-Station simultaneously. Be sure to use a 75 ohm or RCA video cable to connect from the Digital Output to a recording device.

ATTENTION: Do not connect the S/PDIF output to analog auxiliary,CD,phono,or tape inputs

on consumer electronic devices. It is not compatible with these inputs.

Applying Power

Once the audio connections have been made,turn the Master Volume all the way down (counterclock- wise). Turn the Power Switch located on the left side of the J-Station to the on position.Select your desired Output mode in the Utility menu.See page 28 for more on selecting the Output mode .Turn your mixer and the power amp for your speakers to the on position. Set the channel faders of your mixer to the nominal level (0 dB).Turn the Master Volume of the J-Station up to achieve the desired volume level.

About the J-Station

The Presets

Presets are numbered locations of programmed sounds which reside in the J-Station. Presets can be recalled with the Data knob.The J-Station comes with 30 Factory and 30 User Presets available.The Factory Presets will not allow you to store any changes to them.The User Presets are locations where your creations may be stored. From the factory, the 30 User Presets are exact duplicates of the 30 Factory Presets.This allows you to make your own Presets without the worry of losing any of the sounds that the J-Station came with. When you first turn your J-Station on,it will default to the last preset that had been selected.When you select a Preset, the number of the Preset will be shown in the Display. An LED in the right corner of the Display indicates whether you are in a User Preset or a Factory Preset.

To select a preset, simply rotate the Data knob located in the center of the front panel.The numeric display will change with each click of the Data knob to indicate the current preset.The Presets are arranged in 10 User Banks and 10 Factory Banks with 3 Presets in each Bank.The left number in the Display indicates the Bank and the right number indicates the Preset.

After selecting a Preset, all Parameter values will relate to the values of the knobs at the time the Preset was stored.The current position of the knobs will not reflect the values that you are hearing.The knobs must be turned at least one whole number before the J-Station will update the Parameter value to the position of the knob.

Bypass Mode

The J-Station does not have a total bypass function. Some effects can be bypassed, other effects can in essence be bypassed by turning the level down,but the Amp Modeling will always be active.

Edit Mode

The J-Station allows you to customize Presets to suit your particular needs and applications.Editing functions allow you to replace,or modify several aspects of the effects which make up the Preset.When a Preset is selected on the J-Station,the settings which were stored to that particular Preset will be recalled.There are 2 different levels of Edit Mode:Top Level and Deep Level. Top Level editing provides quick access to commonly adjusted Parameters. Deep Level edit mode provides access to all Parameters.Pressing any buttons (except Tuner or Store), or turning any knobs will access the Top Level Edit Mode. Pressing and holding the Shift button will access the Deep Level Edit Mode. Editing functions are also accomplished through the use of a computer and the J-Station Editor/Librarian software.No edits will be stored to the Preset unless the Store function is performed. See page 9 for more information on editing functions.

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