Dedicated to the needs of the acoustic musician, the
AP 13 Acoustic Preamplifier is a full-featured package specifically suited for instruments with two pickups. e AP 13 provides
two signal processing paths: one optimized for piezo pickups and
one for microphone pickups. e piezo path features very high
input impedance for extended low bass response; while the mic
processing channel offers two choices of phantom power voltages
satisfing most electret condenser mic pickups. Additionally, either channel accepts dynamic pickups or line-level outputs from
outboard preamps. A convenient front panel slide switch allows
choice of which pickup is wired to the tip or the sleeve of the
stereo ¼" input jack. Handy Pickup Gain Trim controls feature
large openings for quick changes using guitar picks, fingernails
or coins. And separate pickup Overload indicators make gain
set-up easy.
Each pickup signal path contains an Invert switch, an adjustable Low Cut filter, a 7-band graphic equalizer, a Pan control and
a separate Level amplifier, all logically arranged along the front
panel using smooth-acting oil-damped sliders for the ultimate in
convenience and graphical feedback. e Invert switch solves the
AP 13
ACOUSTIC PREAMPLIFIER
annoying (and too common) problem of what to do with pickups
wired out-of-phase. e sliding Low Cut filter helps eliminate
troublesome thumping, rumbling, rubbing and other unwanted
infrasonic frequencies. e graphic equalizers give you separate
timbre control over each individual pickup. e Pan and Level
controls mix both pickups into one smooth stereo signal ready to
drive the Send/Return Effects Loop, or the in-line Inserts. Two
pair of high-current cross-coupled balanced stereo line drivers,
with Mono switch, complete the processing chain. Choose between the stereo ¼" line-level outs for amplifier feed or the stereo
XLR mic-level outs for direct console patching, or use them both.
A powerful Headphone amplifier and Master Mute switch
allow private auditioning and practice. e Tuner Output lets
you leave your tuner attached for quick checks or changes during
performance. When an auxiliary output is necessary, the separate
Piezo Output with Level control perfectly satisfies the need.
e AP 13 Acoustic Preamplifer is all you ever dreamed of
for perfect control of your acoustic instrument (years of practice
not included).
Features
• Advanced Preamp for Instruments Using Piezo & Mic Pickups
• Selectable Phantom Power Voltages for Condenser Mics
• Signal Processor for Each Pickup:
• Low Cut Filter 15-250 Hz
• 7-Band Graphic Equalizer
• Phase Invert Switch
• Level & Pan Controls
• Stereo Send/Return and Insert Loops
• Switchable Tip/Ring Input Wiring
• Direct Tuner and Piezo Outputs
• Main Output Muting with Indicator
• Main Output Stereo/Mono Switch
• Fully Balanced Mic/Line Level Outputs
• Stereo Headphone Amplifier
• UL/CSA/CE and 100/120/230 VAC Remote Power Supplies
Frequency Response15-40 kHz+0/-3dBLow Cut set minimum
THD+Noise0.03.01
Equivalent Input Noise (EIN)1202dBInst Mic In to Send, 60 dB gain
115
Signal-to-Noise Ratiore +4 dBu, 20 kHz BW
..........Return In to Main Out88 / 812dBUnity/Max gain
..........Instrument In to Main Out81
Crosstalkgreater than 70 at 2 kHzmindB50 dB at 20 kHz
Mic Pickup Phantom Power+6 or +155%VDCSwitch on rear
Input Impedances: Mic Pickup20k (1.8k w/Phantom Power)1%
..........PZO Pickup5 Megmin
..........All Others20k1%ΩInsert, Return & Expand
Maximum Input Levels
..........Instrument Pickups+12
..........All Others+221dBu(9.76 Vrms)
7-Band EQ: Center Frequencies40/100/250/630/1.6k/4k/10k3%Hz
..........Bandwidth2.03%oct
..........Boost/Cut Range±12
Low Cut: Frequency Range15-25010%HzSlope = 12 dB per octave
Maximum Available GainInput to Main Output (Line-level)
..........Instrument Pickups86
..........Headphones101dB
..........Return or Insert16
Output Impedances
..........Main Line-level501%
..........Main Mic-level1001%ΩBalanced
..........Headphones901%
..........Effect or Insert Sends1001%ΩUnbalanced
Maximum Output Levels
..........Main Line-level+221dBuBalanced into 600 Ω
CE (safety)LV directive 73/23/EEC
Power Supply Input18 VAC w/center tap10%VrmsRane RS 1 (supplied)
Maximum Current Consumption200mA
Unit: Size1.75" H x 19" W x 5.3" D (1U)(4.4 cm x 48.3 cm x 13.5 cm)
..........Weight5 lb(2.3 kg)
Shipping: Size4.25" x 20.3" x 13.75"(11 cm x 52 cm x 35 cm)
..........Weight9 lb(4.1 kg)
Note: 0 dBu=0.775 Vrms
2dBInst PZO In to Send, 60 dB gain
2dBMax gain except PU gains 50%
1dBu(3.09 Vrms)
1dB
2dB
2dB
1dBuUnbalanced into 2 kΩ
%+4 dBu, 20-20k Hz
Ω
Ω1 kHz
ΩBalanced
ΩUnbalanced
Ω headphones
Data Sheet-2
Block Diagram
INPUT
INSTRUMENT
SWITCH
TIP/RING
GAIN
PIEZO
TRIM
MIC
GAIN
TRIM
PHANTOM
POWER
(O
FF, 6V, 15V )
6-60 dB
6-60dB
GRAPHIC
7-BAND
INVERT
LO
W
FILTER
15-250 Hz
EQ ±12 dB
15-250 Hz
7-BAND
GRAPHIC
EQ ±12 dB
FILTER
LO
W
OVERLOAD
PZ
O
PIEZO
OUTPUT
TUNER
OUTPUT
10 dB
OUT
PIEZO
PIEZO
10 dB
LEVEL
R
MIC
OVERLOAD
R
MIC
LEVEL
10 dB
PA
N
PIEZO
PAN
MIC
SEND A
0 dB
SEND A
A(LEFT)
B(RIGHT)
SEND B
0 dB
SEND B
RETURN A
RETURN
RETURN B
0 dB
INSERT
A
EXPAND IN
A
INSERT
B
EXPAND IN
B
0d
B
0 dB
0 dB
0d
B
MONO
10 dB
10 dB
HEADPHONES
L
R
B
A
MAIN
10 dB
10 dB
OUT
B
OUT
A
MAIN
MAIN
OUT
MUTE
OVERLOAD
MAIN
R
6 dB
6 dB
OUT
A
MAIN
MAIN
OUT
B
40dB
PA
D
40dB
PA
D
SWITCH
INVERT
SWITCH
+
+
+
+
Application Information
Several interesting things distinguish the AP 13 from other
acoustic preamplifiers.
AP 13
ACOUSTIC PREAMPLIFIER
STEREO ¼" INPUT
Referring to the block diagram above, note the convenience
of having an input switch that automatically reverses the role
of tip and ring on the ¼" Input jack. is saves the trouble of
having to rewire your plug just because it follows one tradition
or another. Next, the three-position Phantom Power (T-Power)
selector switch allows you to choose between 6 volts or 15 volts
DC to power your electret or other condenser pickup. T-Power
is similar to phantom power except only two conductors are
required instead of three (voltage and hot are tied together). is
should cover just about every case – check with the factory for
your mic if in doubt, or read the RaneNote
, “Microphones for the
AP 13”. e Off choice lets this Input accommodate standard
electric guitar type pickups (magnetic coil designs – humbucking
or otherwise). In fact, either Input handles this type of pickup
directly, or accepts the line-level outputs of outboard preamps
(belt or instrument mounted).
TUNING
e fixed Tuner Output connects to the piezo processing side
since that is the one that gives the most accurate tuning informa
tion. is output is not affected by the graphic EQ. e Piezo
Output is similar except located post-EQ and has it’s own Piezo
Output Level control. Neither of these outputs are affected by
the Piezo Level control.
EFFECTS LOOPS
Two different kinds of effects loops live in the AP 13. e
first is the standard Send/Return loop used to mix a wet (pro
cessed) signal back with the dry (unprocessed) signal. Choose
between stereo or mono Send and Return paths. Individual Send
A/B controls exist along with a ganged stereo Return control.
e second is the direct in-line type known as an Insert. Here all
the signal exits, passes through the outboard processor and reenters, all using the same ¼" TRS jack, wired per the Tip=Send,
Ring=Return convention.
EXPANDING & OTHER INPUTS
e Expand Input jacks provide a means for either expanding the AP 13 to allow two instrument use, or as a means to mix
line-level signals with that of the AP 13. Such things as drum
machines and synthesizers often find themselves plugged into
these jacks. Mono or stereo sources may be used.
MAIN OUTPUTS
e AP 13 uses high-current cross-coupled differential
line drivers for each of its balanced outputs. Normal balanced
line-level applications use the ¼" output jacks with 3-wire cable
terminated with ¼" TRS plugs. Unbalanced line-level intercon
nection uses standard mono ¼" TS plugs without gain change
or signal loss. For direct console connection, the XLR outputs
provide a low-noise mic-level balanced signal.
Architectural Specifications
-
e Inputs shall contain two channels accomodating both
a microphone and piezo instrument pickup, terminated in a
single ¼" TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) connector. Switchable phantom
power shall be provided for the microphone input. Each input
shall have an overload LED, input trim control, phase invert
switch, low cut filter, seven-band graphic equalizer, pan and level
controls. e main outputs shall implement a stereo level control
and mute switch, terminated in balanced 3-pin.and ¼" TRS
connectors. An output mono switch shall be provided.
Stereo send and return connectors with level controls shall
be provided. A ¼" TS tuner output, ¼" piezo output, ¼" TRS
insert connectors and ¼" TS expand input connectors shall also
be provided. A headphone amplifier shall be built-in with it's
own level control.
e unit shall be a Rane AP 13 Acoustic Preamplifier.
Data Sheet-3
-
AP 13
Basic Two Pickup System (no battery in guitar) Two Pickup Sytem with Separate Piezo Pickup for Each String
Two Electric Guitar Magnetic PickupsSingle Pickup with Preamp
Elec tret
Conde nser Mic
0.6 mV - 1 V max
3 mV - 5V m ax
Ring
Ti
p
Sleev
e
Piezo
Pickup
Tie together if they exit the mic separately — see notes below.
Ring
Ti
p
Sleeve
Mic or
Magnetic
Pickup
Segmente
d
Piezo
Picku p
Commo n
Ring
Tip
Sleeve
Pickup #1Pickup #2
Pickups may be active or passive, typic al “electric
guitar”
picku ps or simil ar magnet & coil transducers.
Existing p
reamp m ay be built into the guitar,
or in an external “s
tomp box.”
Tip (or
Ring)
Sleeve
An
y
Picku p
Existing
Preamp
6V 15VOFF
SIG GN
D
LIFT
CHASSIS
GND
(PIEZO)
CLASS 2 EQUIPMENT
MI
C
LINELINE
MIC
(TIP=SEND RING=RETURN)
RANE CORP
.
ACN001.187.837
SLEEVE=#1=SIG GN
DTIP=#2=POSITIVERING=#3=NEGATIVE
MADE IN U.S.A.
AP 13
MIC
PHANTOM
TUNER
OUTPUT
SENDRETURN
PIEZO
OUTPUT
BA
(MONO)
BBBAAA
(MONO)
POWER
INSERTEXPAND IN
MAIN
OUTPUTS
(MONO)
MONO
A
600mA
POWER
ACOUSTIC PREAMPLIFIER
Rear Panel
Application Information
Recommended Microphones
Almost any miniature dynamic or condenser mic may be
used with the AP 13. Several compatible miniature microphones
are made by AKG, Audio-Technica, Barcus Berry, Beyerdynamic, Countryman, Crown, CT Audio, Donnell, ElectroVoice,
Fishman, Frap, Sennheiser, Seymour Duncan, Shure, Sony, and
Mic Wiring in General: e red wire is usually the hot wire
and should be connected to the tip or ring; the other wire and
shield tie together at the sleeve. Consult the mic maker or Rane
Tech Support for more specific information on wiring microphones from other manufacturers.
Telex. Consult the RaneNote, “Microphone Options for the AP 13,” available at the Rane website: www.rane.com/ap13.html.
SP 13
e SP 13 is a version of the AP 13 optimized for Stick musicians. It is available exclusively from Stick Enterprises. www.stick.com