Lehle Sunday Driver
Operating instructions
Lehle GmbH • Grenzstr. 153 • D-46562 Voerde • Germany • Tel +49 (0) 2855 850070
www.lehle.com
Dear Musician!
Thank you for purchasing the Lehle Sunday Driver!
I have been building units that switch, split and route signals with
no technical compromises and with maximum musical fidelity since
1999. Your new Lehle Sunday Driver comprises only the very best
components. Every assembly of your Lehle Sunday Driver has
been made and tested in Germany.
Your Lehle Sunday Driver is of extremely robust design and
construction, to make sure that you get absolutely years and years
of enjoyment from it. If you should nonetheless have a problem, or
simply a question, just mail me or a member of the Lehle team at:
support@lehle.com
I wish you the very greatest pleasure and success using your Lehle
Sunday Driver!
Burkhard Georg Lehle
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 2
Technical data ...........................................................................................................................3
General description ................................................................................................................... 4
Typical uses
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as a cable driver ............................................................................ 8
as a line driver .............................................................................. 9
as a booster ................................................................................ 11
as a switch-in booster .................................................................. 12
as a recording preamp ................................................................ 14
as a recording preamp combined with the Lehle P-Split II ............... 15
as a preamp for mixer inputs........................................................ 17
1
The Lehle Sunday Driver is equally suitable for
preamplification of both electric and acoustic instruments. This preamp allows electric guitars and
basses, acoustic guitars, and also other stringed
instruments of any type (e.g. violins, cellos and
double basses) to show their full sound coloration.
The Lehle Sunday Driver is a handy, compactformat high end preamp. Equipped with modern
JFET circuitry, the Lehle Sunday Driver features
two alternative modes of operation: in mode D for
“Driver“ (switcher pressed), the incoming signal is
amplified totally neutral, i.e., with absolutely no
modification, to eliminate the signal losses which
can occur as a result of long cable runs and effects cascades. The signal is kept strong and clear,
and retains its full dynamics. Mode S for “Sunday“
(switcher not pressed) features a quadrupled input
impedance; previously hidden details now suddenly become audible and, as gain increases, the
sound takes on the unmistakable, characteristic
warmth that gives the Lehle Sunday Driver
its name a sound as mellow as a warm Sunday
2
afternoon! There is no signal distortion at any
time, and the signal remains clean even at the
maximum gain setting of 15 dB and thanks to
its studio-quality signal-to-noise ratio of more
than -100 dB, the Lehle Sunday Driver is totally
free of background noise. A high-quality switch
featuring gold-plated contacts is used to select the
required mode.
To permit exploitation of the dynamics of tube
amplifiers to the full, the input voltage is rectified,
filtered, stabilized and then doubled to 18V after
the power-supply socket.
The compact format of the Lehle Sunday Driver
opens up a large range of potential applications
for this new preamp: it can be used, for example,
as a cable driver for large stages, or in complex
effects set-ups. In the studio, it is used, thanks to its
wide transmission range of 20 to 100,000 Hz, as
a recording preamp. The Lehle Sunday Driver
is universally utilizable, whether operating as a
battery-powered stand-alone device, or integrated
into an existing pedal board and not just Sundays,
any other day, too...!
Technical data
Weight: 356 g (without Battery)
Length: 9 cm
Width: 9.2 cm
Overall height: 3.9 cm
Voltage range: 9 - 20 V AC or DC, or 9V PP3 battery
Max. power take-up: 9 mA
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 100 kHz (in mode D)
Distortion: 0.001 % at 1kHz, 0 dBU
Impedance, Input D: 1 MOhm
Impedance, Input S: 4 MOhm
Impedance, Output: 150 Ohm
Signal-to-noise ratio: -103 dB at 1 kHz , 0 dBU (A-weighted)
Max. level: 5.7 V RMS (approx. 17 dBU)
Max. gain: 15 dB
3
General description
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1. Input socket
Connect your instrument to this socket.
The Lehle Sunday Driver processes signals
from electric and acoustic stringed instruments,
such as electric guitars and basses, western
guitars, classical guitars and all kinds of stringed
instruments. This new, compact preamp has no
trouble balancing out low signal levels, and eliminating sound losses caused by long cables and
treble pickups.
Note: In battery mode, the battery circuit is automatically activated when a cable is connected to
the input socket so always ”pull the plug” when
you’ve finished your session, or are taking a
longer break!
2. S/D-selector switch
Use this switch to select the mode you want.
This gold plated-contact switch enables you to
change between the two sound modes. Mode
D for ”Driver” (switcher pressed) selects neutral
amplification, and the incoming signal is amplified at the input impedance of a guitar amp, of 1
MOhm, efficiently eliminating sound losses caused
by long cables and/or effects cascades. The signal
remains strong and clear, and retains its dynamics. In mode S for ”Sunday” (switcher not pressed),
the input impedance is multiplied by four, to 4
MOhm, making previously unsuspected details
suddenly audible and imparting an unmistakable
and characteristic warmth to the sound when the
gain knob is turned up.
3. Output socket
Connect your target device here.
For instance, an amplifier, a mixer panel, a stagebox or a soundcard.
4. External power supply
Connect a power-pack for a voltage of 9 to 20 V
here, when needed.
The Lehle Sunday Driver can be operated optionally with a 9 V PP3 (”block”) battery or from an
external power supply, which should provide not
less than 9 and not more than 20 Volts. Polarity is
not important here, and both AC and DC sources
can be used. The supply voltage is internally rectified, filtered, stabilized and then doubled to 18
V. A connector for the Lehle Sunday Driver’s
power-supply socket is included in the pack; if
5
desired, this connector can also be soldered on to
your power-pack mains cable.
The cover must be unscrewed and removed to
permit installation of a 9V (PP3) ”block” battery. To
do this, simply unscrew the four screws holding the
cover, and draw the cover off.
Note: The Lehle Sunday Driver automatically
switches via a gold-plated-contact relay to battery
operation if power supply voltage drops below 9
Volt. So always make sure that the Lehle Sunday
Driver has a charged battery if you want the extra
security of knowing that it will continue to operate
trouble-free even if the power supply fails.
5. Gain controller
Use the gain controller to adjust the intensity of
the preamp from a slight ”refresh sound” level up
to a powerful boost.
The gain control knob consists of black anodized
aluminium and is recessed into the housing. It
can be easily turned by placing your fingertip in
the top depression, with the great advantage that,
thanks to the recessed design, the setting cannot
be inadvertently disturbed on stage or during
transportation. The Lehle Sunday Driver with its
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JFET-based circuitry performs two functions simultaneously, reducing signal impedance, on the one
hand, and boosting the signal, on the other.
The Lehle Sunday Driver as an impedance
converter:
When the gain controller is at the left-hand stop
(in the ”0” or ”seven o’clock” position), it operates
purely as an impedance converter. With the knob
in this position, the sound is refreshed, in order to
compensate for sound losses that can occur when
long cables or effects cascades are used.
The Lehle Sunday Driver as a booster:
A buffer starts to amplify the signal when the
gain controller is turned further in the clockwise
direction. Tube amplifiers, preamps and distortion
pedals can thus be driven slightly beyond the limit.
To make sure that the resultant overdrive distortion
sounds harmonious, the Lehle Sunday Driver
in ”S” mode amplifies less treble as “Boost” rises.
The result can range from a pleasant sound, with
no shrillness, up to a silky warm, harmonious
overdrive distortion on tube amplifiers.
6. Base and fixing
You can use the fixing screws supplied with the
Lehle Sunday Driver to fix it to a base plate (or
to a pedal board, for example).
Tip: in case you prefer a velcro solution for your
pedalboard we recommend to write down the
serial number of the pedal before covering it for
eventual support matters.
Thanks to its ready-to-go fixing system, the Lehle
Sunday Driver can be mounted without difficulty
on a base plate.
To do this, undo the four housing screws and detach the cover. Then fix the device base to a base
plate using the two screws, the washers and the
spacers supplied. Replace the cover and tighten
the four housing screws - done!
Typical uses
The Lehle Sunday Driver’s universal properties make it equally suitable for live use on stage
and in the concert hall, and for studio recording
sessions. The following few pages show a number
of typical applications in which the Lehle Sunday
Driver is a rational addition to your gear!
7
Live
Long cable runs and complex effects cascades on
stage or in the concert hall can cause sound losses
from the signal. Where electric guitars are used
with tube amplifiers, an additional boost is often
necessary, to generate a harmonious distortion.
The Lehle Sunday Driver is designed to
perform both tasks perfectly.
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The Lehle Sunday Driver as a cable driver
The use of long connecting-cable runs on stage
involves the danger of significant and audible
losses of sound quality. You can eliminate such
losses by positioning the Lehle Sunday Driver
as a cable driver in the signal path directly after
your instrument. The Lehle Sunday Driver has
a low-impedance output, which is thus insensitive
to sound losses caused by over-long cable runs.
The full sound quality stays in the signal even at
cable runs of 20 meters and more.
Device connection
Input (1) Instrument
Output (3) Amplifier (long cable)
What to do:
1. Connect your instrument to the Input socket (1)
of the Lehle Sunday Driver.
2. Connect a long cable from the Send socket (3)
of the Lehle Sunday Driver to the amplifier
input.
3. Switch the S/D selector (2) in the D position, for
“Driver“.
4. Turn the Gain controller (5) to the left limit (“7
o’clock position“).
5. Done!
The Lehle Sunday Driver as a line driver
Electric guitarists and bassists like to use a large
range of effects switched one after the other, to get
exactly the sound they want. There is, however, a
danger here that the signal will lose clarity, treble
and pressure significantly due to the array of effects. With long cable runs and the large number
9
of contact crossings on connectors and sockets,
these sound losses can even occur if the effects
pedals are equipped with a True Bypass. It’s easy
to get an idea of how much sound you’re losing
- firstly connect your instrument directly to the amplifier, and then via the effects rig up. This sound
loss can be eliminated by positioning your Lehle
Sunday Driver as a line-driver before the
effects cascade in the signal path.
Device connection
Input (1) Instrument
Output (3) Input of the first effect
device in the chain
What to do:
1. Connect your instrument to the Input socket (1)
of the Lehle Sunday Driver.
2. Connect the first effect device in the serial chain to
the Send socket (3) of the Lehle Sunday Driver.
3. Switch the S/D selector (2) in the D position, for
“Driver“.
4. Turn the Gain controller (5) to the left limit (“7
o’clock position“).
5. Done!
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Notes:
The sound characteristics of some effects (e.g.
Treble Booster, Fuzz, Vintage Chorus and Vintage
Echo) may be modified by positioning the Lehle
Sunday Driver before them in the line. The
remedy in such cases is to use one or more Little
Lehle II or Lehle D.Loop SGoS, so that the
effects can be switched passively and without loss
into the signal path, thus retaining their true sound
characteristics.
Hum loops occurring between individual effects
from the effects cascade, or also in conjunction
with an amplifier, can be eliminated by using a
Lehle P-Split II, which, thanks to the Lehle
LTHZ high end transformer, causes electrical
isolation of the signal.
The Lehle Sunday Driver as a booster
The Lehle Sunday Driver can be used as a
booster to provide your sound with rather more
punch and presence on stage. Experience demonstrates that electric guitars and basses can sound
significantly better in combination with the amplifier connected if the signal is boosted slightly. With
a low gain setting, the sound generated is
pleasant, with absolutely no shrillness, whereas
an increasing gain level results in a silky-warm,
harmonious overdrive distortion. Please also take
a look at Section 5: the Lehle Sunday Driver as
a booster.
Device connection
Input (1) Instrument
Output (3) Amplifier
What to do:
1. Connect your instrument to the Input socket (1)
of the Lehle Sunday Driver.
2. Connect your amplifier to the Send socket (3) of
the Lehle Sunday Driver.
3. Switch the S/D-selector (2) in the S position, for
“Sunday“.
4. Turn the Gain controller (5) as much to the right
till you hear the sought of sound that is exactly
what you wanted.
5. Done!
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The Lehle Sunday Driver as a switch-in booster
The addition of a Little Lehle II enables you to
effectively use the Lehle Sunday Driver as a
switch-in booster. This combination is interesting in
a number of ways, particularly, for example, if you
want to increase volume for your solo at the push
of only one button. With gain turned up, you can
12
also boost a tube amplifier, to increase its distortion level. Take a look, too, at Section 5: the Lehle
Sunday Driver as a booster.
Device connection
Lehle Sunday Driver:
Input (1) Send of the
Little Lehle II
Output (3) Return of the
Little Lehle II
What to do:
1. Connect your instrument to the Input socket of
the Little Lehle II.
2. Connect the Send socket of the Little Lehle II
with the Input socket (1) of the Lehle Sunday
Driver.
3. Connect the Output socket (3) of the Lehle
Sunday Driver with the Return socket of the
Little Lehle II.
4. Connect your amplifier to the Output socket of
the Little Lehle II.
5. Switch the S/D-selector (2) of the Lehle Sun-
day Driver in the S position, for “Sunday“.
`
Little Lehle II:
Input Instrument
Send Input (1) of the
Lehle Sunday Driver
Return Output (3) of the
Lehle Sunday Driver
Output Amplifier
6. Turn the Gain controller (5) of the Lehle
Sunday Driver as much to the right till the
Boost-Level corresponds to your needs.
7. Done!
Notes:
Please read the instruction manual of the Little
Lehle II if you are not accustomed to its function.
13
In the studio
The Lehle Sunday Driver gives top performances not only on stage and in the concert hall,
but also in the recording studio. Its wide 20 to
100,000 Hz transmission range and extremely
good signal-to-noise ratio makes it the ideal
recording preamp.
14
The Lehle Sunday Driver as a recording
preamp
PCs featuring either integrated or external sound
cards, and even Digital Audio Workstations
(DAWs), in many cases lack the high-impedance
instrument input necessary for direct recording
from an instrument. Connecting the instrument to
the standard line input of such devices generally
fails, because the instrument’s signal level is too
low. The result is a significant sound discoloration,
due to the incorrect input impedance of the line
input. Here, you can use the Lehle Sunday
Driver to amplify your instrument’s sensitive
signal through its high-impedance input to make
the signal low-impedance and thus compatible
with your sound card or DAW, while all the time
retaining your instrument’s original sound.
Device connection
Input (1) Instrument
Output (3) Mixer input, PC,
Stagebox etc.
What to do:
1. Connect your instrument to the Input socket (1)
of the Lehle Sunday Driver.
2. Connect your recorder to the Output socket (3)
of the Lehle Sunday Driver.
3. Switch the S/D selector (2) in the D position, for
“Driver“.
4. Adjust the Gain controller (5) so that the signal
is optimal for your recording equipment.
5. Done!
Tip:
If you want to re-amp a signal recorded “dry”,
connect the Lehle P-Split II to your sound card
or DAW for the mix, reduce the volume on the
sound card or DAW a little, and connect the ISO
output of the Lehle P-Split II to an amplifier.
The Lehle Sunday Driver as a recording
preamp combined with the Lehle P-Split II
It can be useful during a recording session to hear
your instrument via an amplifier simultaneously,
while recording. This enables you to play your
instrumental part with your accustomed sound,
while your “dry” signal is recorded, a technique
that has positive benefits for performance feel,
and therefore also for the recording. Combination
of the Lehle P-Split II and the Lehle Sunday
Driver makes this method possible - connect the
output from the Lehle Sunday Driver to the
input of the Lehle P-Split II; then connect your
amplifier to the DIR socket and the sound card or
DAW to the ISO output.
15
Device connection
Lehle P-Split II:
Input Output (3) of the
Lehle Sunday Driver
DIR socket Amplifier
ISO socket Mixer input, PC,
Stagebox etc.
16
Lehle Sunday Driver:
Input (1) Instrument
Output (3) Input socket of the
Lehle P-Split II
What to do:
1. Connect your instrument to the Input socket (1)
of the Lehle Sunday Driver.
2. Connect the Output socket (3) of the Lehle
Sunday Driver with the Input socket of the
Lehle P-Split II.
3. Connect your amplifier to the DIR socket of the
Lehle P-Split II.
4. Connect your recorder to the ISO socket of the
Lehle P-Split II.
5. Switch the S/D selector (2) of the Lehle Sunday Driver in the D position, for “Driver“.
6. Adjust the Gain controller (5) so that the signal
is optimal for your recording equipment.
7. Done!
Note:
The Lehle P-Split II also has other functions as,
for example, inverting the phase at the ISO output
or an extra galvanic separation of the signal to get
rid of ground-loop noise. Please read the Lehle
P-Split II operating manual for a precise explanation of the use and effects of those features.
The Lehle Sunday Driver as a preamp for
mixer inputs
Due to their input impedance of around 10
KOhm, the line inputs on mixers are not suitable
for level-matched recording of high-impedance
signals from magnetic pickups (e.g. the single
coil and humbucker pickups on guitars and
electric basses). The signals from piezo pick-ups,
like those used on acoustic instruments, are also
too weak for the line inputs of a mixer. As in the
case of recording, the Lehle Sunday Driver is
again an ideal tool here, for making a high-impedance instrument signal into a low-impedance
instrument signal and amplifying it adequately
for the line input of a mixer. The Lehle Sunday
Driver, with its input impedance of 1 MOhm (or
4 MOhm in S mode) amplifies the sensitive signal
of such instruments so that their sound arrives at
the mixer totally true to the original and complete
with all its details.
17
Device connection
Input (1) Instrument
Output (3) Mixer input, PC,
Stagebox etc.
What to do:
1. Connect your instrument to the Input socket (1)
of the Lehle Sunday Driver.
18
2. Connect your mixer to the Output socket (3) of
the Lehle Sunday Driver.
3. According to the sensitivity of the connected
instrument, switch the S/D selector (2) in position D or S.
4. Adjust the Gain controller (5) so that the signal
is optimal for your mixer.
5. Done!
Tip:
In S mode and with a gain setting of between 11
and 12 o’clock or more, instruments with piezo
pickups, which can otherwise often sound very
harsh and shrill, take on a pleasantly warm and
silky tone.
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