Bob Weir’s Real Deal
User’s Guide
All contentscAbsara Audio LLC 2018
Contents
Contents 1
1 Welcome to The Real Deal 2
1.1 Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Thank You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Anatomy and Functions 4
2.1 The Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Jacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Knobs and Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3 Getting Started 9
3.1 Basic Hook Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2 Guided Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Single Source Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Dual Source Mode (TRS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dual Source Mode (External Mic with Phantom Power) 11
4 Pigtronix Limited Warranty 13
1
1. Welcome to The Real Deal
Thank you for entering the realm of Pigtronix. Bob Weir’s Real Deal
pedal is an acoustic preamp. This pedal is capable of re-structuring
the sonic characteristics of an acoustic guitar, producing a rich sound
for any scenario.
The Real Deal pedal has two primary input channels, one for a microphone, and another for a guitar’s piezoelectric pickup. The microphone
channel goes through a high pass filter, and the pickup through a low
pass filter. These filters then meet at the same crossover frequency
effectively giving you all the high end of the microphone and all the
low end of the pickup. Each channel has a volume control before each
filter, as well as full control over their relative phase and crossover
frequency. The internal +48V Phantom Power allows for the use of
both dynamic and condenser microphones, however the Real Deal can
be used without a microphone as well. With the DUAL SOURCE
mode turned off, the Real Deal can be used with just a single pickup,
splitting the input signal to both channels. Bob Weir’s Real Deal effectively provides full dynamic and harmonic control over your acoustic
guitar, with or without a microphone.
In keeping with Pigtronix tradition, the controls on the Real Deal have
been tuned to provide the cleanest acoustic tone and an adept range
of musical possibilities. The Real Deal is based off a studio technique
that Bob Weir commonly used to mic acoustic guitar and is an idea
that he came to us with. In a collaboration between Bob Weir and
Pigtronix we are happy to bring you Bob Weir’s Real Deal Acoustic
Preamp.
We hope that the Real Deal will provide you with years of creative
satisfaction.
Pigtronix
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CHAPTER 1. WELCOME TO THE REAL DEAL 3
1.1 Safety Precautions
The safety precautions listed below are intended to ensure your safety whenever you use the Real Deal.
NEVER OPEN THE CASE - Never try to separate the two pieces of the
chassis from one another and/or modify the equipment. Opening this device will effectively void the warranty.
STOP USE IN CASE OF PROBLEM - Stop using the equipment if ever
you should notice smoke or a strange odor coming from it.
Contact Koltai@pigtronix.com for service.
AVOID HIGH TEMPERATURES & HEAT BUILD UP - Never cover the
power supply with cloth or other objects. Built up heat creates a danger
of equipment deformation and fire. Do not expose the Real Deal to direct
sunlight, heating devices, or other extreme temperatures.
USE SPECIFIED POWER ADAPTER ONLY - Be sure to use only the 18Volt DC 300mA Adapter that came with your Pigtronix Real Deal.
DO NOT EXPOSE TO WATER/BEER - To reduce the risk of fire or electric
shock, do not expose your Real Deal to rain or moisture. If water gets inside
the unit, turn off the power.
Thank You
The Real Deal represents a decade of continuous R&D involving some of the
top minds in the audio industry. Pigtronix would like to formally thank the
following individuals for their help in creating the Real Deal Acoustic Preamp:
Thomas Elliott, Nick Cote, Howard Davis, Steve Turnidge, David Buchter,
Fischer Mao, Michael McGinn, AJ Santella, Matt Maher, Liz Norris, and
Bob Weir.
−David Koltai
2. Anatomy and Functions
2.1 The Interface
Jacks
1. DC 18V - Use only the 18-Volt, 300mA, negative tip power
supply that came with your Pigtronix Real Deal. Using the
wrong power supply is likely to result in a damaged pedal.
2. OUTPUT - Effect output. Plug in your amp, mixer, or DI box
here.
3. INPUT (TS/TRS) - Audio input, plug in your instrument here.
The INPUT jack on the REAL DEAL is capable of accepting TS
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CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 5
mono inputs as well as TRS Dual Source inputs which carry separate audio signals on the TIP and RING with a shared Ground on
the SLEEVE. The TIP of the INPUT jack goes to the PICKUP
channel while the RING of the INPUT jack goes to the MICROPHONE channel.
Note: Put the DUAL SOURCE switch in the DOWN position
when using a TRS input with separate audio signals on the TIP
and RING.
4. EXT MIC (TRS) - This jack is a dedicated TRS input for a
balanced microphone connection.
Note: When the PHANTOM switch is in the DOWN position,
+48V Phantom Power is supplied to the EXT MIC jack. The
audio from the EXT MIC jack is always sent to the MICROPHONE channel.
Note: Put the DUAL SOURCE switch in the DOWN position
when using the EXT MIC input.
CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 6
Knobs and Switches
CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 7
5. ENGAGE - This footswitch turns the filter section of the Real
Deal on and off. When the engage light is turned off, the high
and low pass filters are bypassed. In bypass, the preamp stages
and summing stages remain active, allowing both the INPUT
(TS / TRS) and EXT MIC inputs to be combined with no tonal
coloration.
Note: When the filters are bypassed, the CROSSOVER knob
will have no effect.
Note: When the filters are bypassed, the output volume of the
REAL DEAL will increase. Use the VOLUME knob to compensate as necessary.
6. VOLUME This knob sets the master output level of the pedal.
7. PICKUP This knob controls the gain of the pickup channel
before the low pass filter.
8. CROSSOVER This knob controls the frequency at which the
high pass and low pass filters overlap. This knob is calibrated
such that the crossover frequency can be set anywhere between
300Hz - 3kHz.
9. MICROPHONE This knob controls the gain of the microphone
channel before the high pass filter
10. DUAL SOURCE This toggle determines whether the signal on
the TIP or the RING of the INPUT jack is sent to the microphone
channel. When in the down position, DUAL SOURCE MODE is
ON. The audio on the RING of the INPUT jack, as well as the
signal from the EXT MIC input, are sent to the MICROPHONE
preamp channel. In DUAL SOURCE MODE, the audio on the
TIP of the input jack is sent to the PICKUP preamp channel.
The DUAL SOURCE mode is intended for a variety of pickup
and microphone configurations:
• Active or passive on-board guitar electronics that provide
separate audio signals on the TIP and the RING of a TRS
connection should be plugged into the INPUT jack with a
TRS cable.
CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 8
• DUAL SOURCE mode is also intended for use with a standard (TS) instrument cable feeding the INPUT jack along
with a external MICROPHONE feeding the EXT MIC jack.
• Using DUAL SOURCE mode, it is also possible to combine
both a TRS input carrying two audio sources with a third
audio signal feeding the EXT MIC jack.
• When in the up position, the DUAL SOURCE function is
turned OFF and the INPUT jack expects a TS input. This
is called SINGLE SOURCE MODE.
Note: In SINGLE SOURCE MODE the audio on the TIP
of the INPUT jack is sent to both the PICKUP and MICROPHONE channels.
11. PHASE This toggle determines the phase of the mixed microphone channel. When in the down (IN PHASE) position, the
microphone channel is in phase with the pickup channel. When
in the up position, the microphone channel is out of phase with
the pickup channel. Regardless of what mode the pedal is set
to, whatever signal is sent through the microphone channel is
effected by the PHASE toggle.
12. PHANTOM This toggle determines whether the internal +48V
Phantom Power is applied to the EXT MIC jack. This is for use
with any microphone that requires +48V Phantom power to
operate. When in the down position, PHANTOM is ON. When
in the up position, PHANTOM is OFF.
Note: Many small form-factor condenser microphones require
external power that is lower than 48V. Please consult the documentation for any given microphone to determine the proper
power solution to safely use the microphone with industry standard +48V phantom power.
3. Getting Started
3.1 Basic Hook Up
1. Unpack your Real Deal and place it on a flat, stable surface.
2. Make sure you are using the 18-Volt DC (negative center)
power supply that came with your Pigtronix Real Deal.
3. Plug the power cord into the 18VDC jack on the back of the
Real Deal and then plug the power adapter into an electrical
socket.
The Real Deal is now powered up. To turn the device off, unplug it from the wall or turn off the power going to the 18VDC
supply.
We recommend that you do not leave your Real Deal powered up for long periods of time when it is not in use.
3.2 Guided Tour
The following steps will guide you through the sonic palette of the
Real Deal and show you how to access the range of tones that it has
to offer.
Single Source Mode
This mode is used for instruments which have a single, mono output.
In this mode, your signal is split to both the high pass and low pass
filters, each with their own gain knob.
1. Plug your instrument into the INPUT jack, and plug your amplifier into the OUTPUT jack.
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CHAPTER 3. GETTING STARTED 10
2. Set the volume knob fully counter-clockwise. Turn the PICKUP
and MICROPHONE knobs to noon.
3. Set the DUAL SOURCE switch to the UP position (SINGLE
SOURCE).
4. Set the PHASE switch to the DOWN position (IN PHASE).
5. Set the PHANTOM switch to the UP position (OFF).
6. Slowly turn up the VOLUME knob until you have a good volume
on your amplifier. Press the foot switch to engage the filter.
7. Adjust the PICKUP knob to increase or decrease the gain of
the low pass filter, and the MICROPHONE knob to increase or
decrease the gain of the high pass filter.
8. Sweep the CROSSOVER knob to change the point where the
high pass and low pass filters meet.
9. Experiment with the PHASE switch position to find the best
sound.
10. Adjust the VOLUME control as needed.
Dual Source Mode (TRS)
This mode can accommodate a guitar with two output signals, on a
TRS cable. Typically, this would be a piezo or magnetic pickup on
the TIP, and a microphone on the RING of the TRS output. In this
case, the TIP signal will be affected by the low pass filter only, while
the RING signal will be affected by the high pass filter.
1. Plug your instrument into the INPUT jack, using a TRS cable,
and plug your amplifier into the OUTPUT jack.
2. Set the volume knob fully counter-clockwise. Turn the PICKUP
and MICROPHONE knobs to noon.
3. Set the DUAL SOURCE switch to the DOWN position (DUAL
SOURCE).
CHAPTER 3. GETTING STARTED 11
4. Set the PHASE switch to the DOWN position (IN PHASE).
5. Set the PHANTOM switch to the UP position (OFF).
6. Turn up the VOLUME knob until you have a good volume on
your amplifier. Press the foot switch to engage the filter.
7. Adjust the PICKUP knob to increase or decrease the gain of
the low pass filter, and the MICROPHONE knob to increase or
decrease the gain of the high pass filter.
8. Sweep the CROSSOVER knob to change the point where the
high pass and low pass filters meet.
9. Experiment with the PHASE switch position to find the best
sound.
Dual Source Mode (External Mic with Phantom Power)
This mode can accommodate a guitar with a pickup (magnetic or
piezo) at the INPUT, and a microphone on the EXT MIC (TRS) input.
In this case, as above, the pickup will be affected by the low pass filter
only, while the microphone will be affected by the high pass filter. In
addition, the EXT MIC input can provide 48v phantom power. Since
the EXT MIC input and the RING of the TRS input are in parallel, up
to three signals may be utilized.
1. Plug the piezo output of your instrument into the INPUT jack,
using a TS cable, and plug the microphone output of your instrument into the EXT MIC input.
2. Plug your amplifier into the OUTPUT jack.
3. Set the volume knob fully counter-clockwise. Turn the PICKUP
and MICROPHONE knobs to noon.
4. Set the DUAL SOURCE switch to the DOWN position (DUAL
SOURCE).
5. If your microphone requires phantom power, set the PHANTOM
switch to the DOWN (ON) position.
CHAPTER 3. GETTING STARTED 12
Note: The Real Deal provides 48VDC @ 20mA. Be sure the
device you are attempting to power is designed for industry
standard +48VDC
6. Set the PHASE switch to the DOWN position (IN PHASE).
7. Turn up the VOLUME knob until you have a good volume on
your amplifier. Press the foot switch to engage the filter.
8. Adjust the PICKUP knob to increase or decrease the gain of
the low pass filter, and the MICROPHONE knob to increase or
decrease the gain of the high pass filter.
9. Sweep the CROSSOVER knob to change the point where the
high pass and low pass filters meet.
10. Experiment with the PHASE switch position to find the best
sound.
4. Pigtronix Limited Warranty
Your Pigtronix effect pedal comes with a 1-year limited warranty on
parts and workmanship. During the warranty period we will repair
or replace, at our option, defective parts or pedals free of charge,
and return them to the owner. Warranty service does not include
damaged, modified, or misused pedals and such pedals will be subject
to a standard repair charge.
What you must do: First, contact us directly via email and describe
the problem to us. If the problem cannot be resolved we will have you
send the pedal directly to us for servicing.
How to contact us for warranty service:
Email: tech@pigtronix.com
Phone: 631-331-PIGS (7447)
Warranty Limitations: This warranty does not cover defects resulting
from improper or unreasonable use, accident, unauthorized tampering
or modifications; and, warranty shall be considered void if the Real
Deal chassis has been opened. Please consult the instructions and
warnings in this manual for proper use. Warranty is only valid if your
Real Deal has been properly registered within 30 days of original purchase date, and upon warranty registration, will be valid for 12 months
from original purchase.
To validate your 1-year, limited warranty, please register
your Real Deal, within 30 days of purchase, on the
web at:
www.pigtronix.com/warranty
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