Rocktron Taboo Twin User Manual
TUBE-DRIVEN PROGRAMMABLE 24-BIT DSP GUITAR AMPLIFIER
User's Manual
May be covered by one or more of the following: U.S. Patents #4538297, 4647876, 4696044, 4745309, 4881047, 4893099, 5124657,
5263091, 5268527, 5319713, 5333201, 5402498, 5493617 and 5638452. Other patents pending. Foreign patents pending.
PRECAUTIONS
Note: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THIS SECTION TO PROVIDE YEARS OF
TROUBLE FREE USE. THIS UNIT REQUIRES CAREFUL HANDLING.
• All warnings on this equipment and in the operating instructions should be adhered to and
all operating instructions should be followed.
• Do not use this equipment near water. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and
liquids are not spilled into the unit through any openings.
• The power cord should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of
time.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THIS EQUIPMENT. THIS EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE SERVICED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY. DO NOT MAKE ANY INTERNAL ADJUSTMENTS OR ADDITIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT AT ANY TIME. DO NOT TAMPER WITH
INTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AT ANY TIME. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS MAY VOID THE WARRANTY OF THIS EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS CAUSING
SHOCK HAZARD.
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
Do not expose this unit to excessive heat. This unit is designed to operate between 32° F and 104° F (0° C
and 40° C). This unit may not function properly under extreme temperatures.
Your Taboo™ Twin has been tested and complies with the following Standards and Directives as set forth by the European Union:
Council Directive(s): 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility
Standard(s): EN55013, EN50082-1
This means that this product has been designed to meet stringent guidelines on how much
RF energy it can emit, and that it should be immune from other sources of interference
when properly used. Improper use of this equipment could result in increased RF emissions, which may or may not interfere with other electronic products.
T o insure against this possibility , always use good shielded cables for all audio input and
output connections. Also, bundle audio cables separately from the AC power cables. These
steps will help insure compliance with the Directive(s).
For more information about other Rocktron products, please see your local dealer or one of
our importers closest to you (listed on the enclosed warranty sheet).
Copyright ©1997 Rocktron Corporation.
All rights reserved.
Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Quick Setup .................................................................................................................................. 3
3. Front Panel ................................................................................................................................... 4
4. Rear Panel .................................................................................................................................... 8
5. Connections ............................................................................................................................... 12
Connecting a guitar to the Taboo Twin .................................................................................................. 12
Using the Taboo Twin's Direct Outputs with a mixing console .............................................................. 13
Using the Effects Loop .......................................................................................................................... 14
Using the Taboo Twin with a powered cabinet for wide stereo separation ............................................. 15
Using the Taboo Twin with a powered cabinet in a stacked configuration ............................................. 17
6. General Operating Format ......................................................................................................... 19
Taboo Twin Presets .............................................................................................................................. 19
Changing the Preset Sounds ................................................................................................................. 19
Menu and Instant Access Editing Modes .............................................................................................. 20
Taboo Twin Functions and Parameter Descriptions .............................................................................. 22
GLOBAL Function ................................................................................................................................. 23
MIXER Function .................................................................................................................................... 24
HIGH GAIN Function ............................................................................................................................. 25
LOW GAIN Function .............................................................................................................................. 26
HUSH® Function ................................................................................................................................... 27
PRE EQ (EXPERT) Function ................................................................................................................ 28
POST EQ (EXPERT) Function .............................................................................................................. 29
COMPRESSOR Function ...................................................................................................................... 30
WAH-WAH Function .............................................................................................................................. 31
PHASER Function ................................................................................................................................. 32
FLANGER Function ............................................................................................................................... 33
TREMOLO Function .............................................................................................................................. 34
PITCH SHIFT Function ......................................................................................................................... 35
CHORUS Function ................................................................................................................................ 37
DELAY Function .................................................................................................................................... 38
REVERB Function ................................................................................................................................. 40
7. Operating the Taboo Twin ......................................................................................................... 41
Selecting a preset ................................................................................................................................. 41
Changing preset parameters not provided by Instant Access controls ..................................................42
Storing changed preset parameters ....................................................................................................... 43
Editing a preset title .............................................................................................................................. 45
Controller Assignments ......................................................................................................................... 47
Tap Delay .............................................................................................................................................. 50
Program Changes .................................................................................................................................. 53
MIDI Channels ....................................................................................................................................... 55
MIDI Dump/Load ................................................................................................................................... 57
Factory Restore ..................................................................................................................................... 63
Restoring a single factory preset: ..........................................................................................63
Restoring a single factory preset: ..........................................................................................65
Restoring the T aboo T win controller assignments: .................................................................66
Using the Taboo Twin with a Rocktron All Access® in REMOTE mode ............................................... 67
9. Appendix .................................................................................................................................... 70
ERROR MESSAGES ............................................................................................................................ 70
MIDI IMPLEMENTATION ..................................................................................................................... 71
TECHNICAL DATA ................................................................................................................................ 72
1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Rocktron
The T aboo Twin is a 24-bit DSP professional tube guitar amplifier providing 12 unparalleled effect algorithms and superb sound quality never before heard from a digital tube guitar
amp. Complete programmability and full MIDI implementation are coupled with a user friendly
operating format to ensure that designing unique and useful preset sounds is as simple as
possible.
In addition, the T aboo Twin also features:
• High-quality Digital Effects, including:
- Reverb - Phasing - T remolo - Flanging
- Pitch Shifting - Compression - Chorus - Delay
• Full parametric Pre and Post EQ gives the user complete EQ
control over each preset.
• HUSH® Noise Reduction reduces noise while playing and provides complete silence when not.
• "Variac" Simulation, like a conventional Variac, adjusts the level
at which the preamp begins to distort. This provides more gain in
high-gain applications, and allows for full-bodied cleaner presets
which just begin to distort when the strings are attacked harder .
T aboo™ Twin
!
• Internal Wah-Wah allows the player to use an expression pedal
for Wah-Wah effects instead of running long audio cables out to a
conventional Wah-Wah pedal.
• XLR Outputs for direct mixer input.
• Advanced Speaker Simulation on the XLR outputs provides a
realistic approximation of a miked speaker cabinet at line-level for
direct mixer input or headphone listening.
This manual will detail the various features and functions of the T aboo Twin. After read-
ing it, please keep it for future reference.
1
OPERATING PRECAUTIONS
NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPOR TANT THA T YOU READ THIS SECTION T O PROVIDE
YEARS OF TROUBLE FREE USE. THIS UNIT REQUIRES CAREFUL HANDLING.
All warnings on this equipment and in the operating instructions should be adhered
to and all operating instructions should be followed.
Do not use this equipment near water . Care should be taken so that objects do not
fall and liquids are not spilled into the unit through any openings.
The power cord should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long
period of time.
DO NOT A TTEMPT TO SER VICE THIS EQUIPMENT . THIS EQUIPMENT SHOULD
BE SERVICED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONL Y. DO NOT MAKE ANY INTERNAL ADJUSTMENTS OR ADDITIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT A T ANY TIME. DO
NOT T AMPER WITH INTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS A T ANY TIME.
FAILURE T O FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MA Y VOID THE WARRANTY OF
THIS EQUIPMENT , AS WELL AS CAUSING SHOCK HAZARD.
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
Do not expose this unit to excessive heat. This unit is designed to operate between
32° F and 104° F (0° C and 40° C). This unit may not function properly under
extreme temperatures.
2
2. Quick Setup
SELECTING A PRESET
1 Turn the PRESET control to the desired preset. It will be recalled
automatically.
QUICKLY CHANGING PRESET SOUNDS
1 Make sure the Menu button is not lit. (This allows for T aboo Twin
parameters to be edited in Instant Access mode.)
2 Use the controls in the Instant Access control group, as well as those
labeled E
preset sounds.
FFECT LEVEL, D ELAY LEVEL and REVERB LEVEL to quickly edit
3 Any
4 Any combination of these effects may be selected at any time.
one of these effects may be selected at any time.
3
3. Front Panel
1PRESET control
This control is used to scroll through the successive Taboo Twin presets. Each preset is
automatically recalled when displayed.
2 Effects group (one selection only)
This group of buttons provides in/out switching to six of the Taboo Twin's effects
(Chorus, Flange, Pitch, Tremolo, Phaser and Wah).
Note that this group of effects is mutually-exclusive, meaning that only one of the effects
in this group can be switched in at any given time. Switching in one of these effects
when another in the group is already active will automatically switch out the effect that
was previously selected.
3 Effects group (multiple selections allowed)
This group of buttons provides in/out switching to the remaining Taboo Twin effects
(T ap Delay, High Gain, Reverb, Delay, Bypass).
4
G
The EFFECT LEVEL control
provides instant access to
the level parameter of the
effect selected in the
mutually-exclusive group
of six effects (see item 2).
Note that any of the functions within this group can be switched in or out of the signal
path independent of the others (i.e., multiple selections can be made).
4MENU button
The MENU button determines the current editing mode of the Taboo Twin. The Taboo
Twin provides two modes for editing preset sounds — Menu mode and Instant Access
mode.
Menu mode
Menu mode allows access to all of the functions and parameters that the Taboo Twin
provides. Since this mode allows access to more parameters than Instant Access mode,
it provides more control over the overall sound of a preset.
When this switch is lit, Menu mode is active and all functions and parameters can be
edited via the F UNCTION SELECT, PARAMETER SELECT and PARAMETER ADJUST controls. See
Section 6, General Operating Format, and Section 7, Operating the Taboo Twin, for
detailed descriptions of these controls. Note that all controls included in the front panel
Instant Access group are still enabled when Menu mode is active.
Instant Access mode
When the MENU switch is not lit, Instant Access mode is the active editing mode. In
this mode, the controls located in the front panel Instant Access group provide immediate access to the most significant level parameters of the current preset — thus
allowing the user to avoid scrolling through numerous menus and parameters to edit a
desired level. These controls include B ASS, M ID, MID-F REQ, TREBLE, GAIN and LEVEL .
In addition, the FUNCTION SELECT, PARAMETER SELECT and PARAMETER ADJUST controls
provide secondary functions in this mode to provide direct access to additional level
parameters. These are R EVERB LEVEL, DELAY LEVEL, and E FFECT LEVEL, respectively .
5STORE button
The STORE button is used to save any changes made to a preset into the Taboo Twin
memory. (Changing and saving presets is discussed further in Section 7, "Operating
the Taboo Twin" .)
5
G
When a parameter value
has been altered from its
original value, the S
button will light to indicate
that the preset has
changed. The S
will then stay lit until either
the altered preset is stored,
a new preset is selected, or
all parameters for the
current preset are returned
to their original values.
TORE
TORE button
6 Dual function controls
The function of each of these controls is dependent upon the current status of the
MENU button. The upper label denotes the function of the control when Menu mode is
active, while the lower label denotes the function of the control in Instant Access mode.
PARAMETER ADJUST / EFFECT LEVEL control
When Menu mode is active (i.e., the MENU button is lit), this control is used to adjust a
displayed parameter value.
When the active edit mode is Instant Access (i.e., the MENU button is not lit), this
control is used to determine the level of the chorus, phaser, tremolo, wah, flange or pitch
effect (whichever is currently active).
PARAMETER SELECT / DELAY LEVEL control
When the MENU button is lit, this control is used to scroll through the available
parameters under the current function heading.
When in the Title Edit function, this control is used to scroll through the available
character locations to be edited.
When the MENU button is not lit, this control is used to determine the overall delay
level for the current preset. Turning this control will automatically display the Delay
Level parameter.
FUNCTION SELECT / REVERB LEVEL control
In Menu mode, this control is used to access each of the primary functions of the
Taboo Twin. These functions include:
Global Pre EQ Phaser Delay Footswitch
Mixer Post EQ Flanger Reverb Program Changes
High Gain Compressor Tremolo MIDI Channels Controller Assign
Low Gain Pitch Shift Title Edit MIDI Dump/Load HUSH
Wah-Wah Chorus Factory Restore
Once a function has been selected, the parameters for the function are accessible via
the PARAMETER SELECT control.
When the MENU button is not lit, this control is used to determine the overall reverb
level for the current preset. Turning this control will automatically display the Reverb
Level parameter.
6
7 Instant Access control group
When the Taboo Twin is in Instant Access mode (i.e. MENU button not lit), these
controls provide instant access to selected post-distortion parameters of the current
preset. These include:
Bass Level Mid Level Mid-Freq Treble Level Gain Level Level Level
When the MENU button is lit, these controls are still enabled.
8LOOP L.E.D.
When lit, indicates that the effects loop is currently active.
9OUTPUT LEVEL control
This control is used to adjust the master output level of the unit.
10 INPUT LEVEL control and meter
The Input Level control adjusts the Taboo Twin's gain to match the signal level applied
to the input of the unit. This gain can be adjusted from -12dB to +12dB.
The Input Level meter provides visual indication of the peak level of the input signal.
For the optimal signal-to-noise ratio, it is best to adjust the input level so that the last
LED (0dB) is rarely lit. This will guard against the possibility of overdriving the unit.
10 INPUT jack
This standard unbalanced ¼" jack provides input to the Taboo Twin.
7
4. Rear Panel
1TUNER jack
G
The signal fed to the rear
panel T
UNER jack is not part
of the signal path. There-
fore, a dead battery or other
malfunction in the tuner will
not affect the sound of the
amplifier .
2 Direct Output LEVEL control
This ¼" mono jack provides a signal tapped from the front panel input that can be fed to
a guitar tuner.
This control determines the output level of the direct signal fed through the adjacent
LEFT and RIGHT Direct Outputs XLR connectors.
3LEFT and R IGHT Direct Outputs connectors
These connectors provide left and right signals that can be fed directly into a mixing
console or recording device. Note that both of these outputs feature speaker simulation
circuitry.
8
!
It is important to note that
the effects loop
used in a stereo configura-
tion (i.e., only stereo RTS
connections can be made to
the rear panel S
ETURN jacks.
R
must be
END and
4 Global EQ BASS and TREBLE level controls
The Global EQ controls provide instant adjustment of the bass and treble frequencies of
the Taboo Twin across all presets. This feature is useful when a particular venue
provides acoustic characteristics which would require readjustment of the EQ parameters of all the presets. Rather than tediously changing the relevent parameters within
each preset, the Global EQ controls allow for quickly increasing or decreasing the bass
and treble for all presets when necessary.
5 Effects Loop SEND and RETURN jacks
The effects loop is provided to allow for a chain of external stereo (L/R) effects devices
to be inserted in the signal path. Note that the effects loop must be used in a stereo
configuration. This means that only stereo RTS connections can be made to the rear
panel SEND and RETURN jacks. The connection of ¼" mono plugs to these jacks will
cause improper operation when the effects loop is switched in, and may damage the
unit. Improper use may also void the warranty.
The ¼" stereo RTS SEND jack provides left and right post-distortion outputs to the left
and right inputs of the first device in the effects chain, while the ¼" stereo RTS RETURN
jack accepts the left and right outputs from the last device in the effects chain.
Each of the jacks are configured as follows:
Tip (T) = Right
Ring (R) = Left
Sleeve (S) = GND
The effects loop can be activated or bypassed via the Loop I/O parameter.
9
6TAP DELAY jack
This ¼" mono jack allows for the connection of a momentary footswitch to control the
Tap Delay feature of the Taboo Twin. The Tap Delay function allows for the current
delay time to be set (or reset) by tapping the footswitch connected to the TAP DELAY
jack. The new delay time will be based on the length of time between two taps.
The Tap Delay function is discussed further in Chapter 7, Operating the Taboo Twin.
7REMOTE jack
This 7-pin DIN connector is provided for the connection of a Rocktron All Access
MIDI footswitch, which can be configured to act as a dedicated remote footswitch for
the Taboo Twin. This feature provides access to Taboo Twin functions and parameters
via the remote footswitch.
8PHANTOM POWER jack
This 2.5mm PIN jack provides the ability to power Rocktron MIDI foot controller from a
7-pin MIDI cable which connects from the MIDI Mate to the MIDI IN jack on the rear
panel of the Taboo Twin, thus eliminating the need to find an AC outlet near where the
footpedal would be placed during a performance—or the need to run an extension cord
out to the foot controller.
Instead of inserting the adaptor into the Rocktron foot controller's POWER jack, plug it
into the P HANTOM POWER jack on the Taboo T win. This will power the foot controller
through pins 6 and 7 of the MIDI cable connecting the two units. A 7-pin MIDI cable
must be used for this feature and is available through your Rocktron dealer.
®
10
9 MIDI IN jack
This 7-pin DIN connector receives MIDI information from the device which is
transmitting the MIDI commands for the T aboo T win to execute.
G
Inherently in MIDI there is a
limit to the number of
devices which can be
chained together (series
connected). With more than
three devices, a slight
distortion of the MIDI signal
can occur (due to signal
degradation) which can
cause an error in MIDI
signal transmission. Should
this problem arise, a MIDI
box can be used which
connects directly to the
MIDI device which transmits
MIDI information and has
multiple connectors for the
multiple devices receiving
MIDI. MIDI cables should
not exceed 50 feet (15
meters) in length.
10 MIDI THRU/OUT jack
This standard 5-pin DIN connector passes on the MIDI information that is received at
the MIDI IN jack to other MlDI-compatible devices via a MIDI cable. It also outputs
MIDI data when performing a memory dump.
11 POWER switch
12 POWER INLET module
This module provides a connection for the power cord and also houses the main fuse of
the unit.
11
5. Connections
Connecting a guitar to the Taboo Twin
12
Using the Taboo Twin's Direct Outputs with a mixing console
13
Using the Effects Loop
14
• It is important to note that the effects loop must be used in a stereo configuration (i.e.,
only stereo RTS connections can be made to the rear panel SEND and RETURN jacks.
Using the Taboo Twin with a powered cabinet for wide stereo separation
The T aboo T win can be used with a powered speaker cabinet to provide
wide stereo separation. In the configuration shown below , both speakers of
the T aboo T win provide the left channel output, while both speakers of the
powered cabinet provide the right channel output.
To operate in this configuration, the
G
(found in the
The necessary connections between the T aboo T win and powered
cabinet are shown on the following page.
Global
function) must be set to "LEFT".
Output
parameter
* Note that this configuration requires a specially configured cable. The wiring for this
cable is described on the following page.
15
Taboo Twin / Powered Cabinet connections:
Cable wiring required for this configuration:
A Ring of stereo RTS S END plug to Ring of stereo RTS
RETURN plug
B Tip of stereo RTS SEND plug to Tip of mono R INPUT plug
C Tip of stereo RTS S END plug to Tip of stereo RTS RETURN
plug
D Ground of stereo RTS SEND plug to Ground of stereo
RTS RETURN plug
E Ground of stereo RTS SEND plug to Ground of mono R
INPUT plug
16
Using the Taboo Twin with a powered cabinet in a stacked configuration
The T aboo T win can also be used with a powered speaker cabinet in a
stacked configuration. In the configuration shown below , the T aboo T win
and powered cabinet each provide left and right channel outputs.
To operate in this configuration, the
G
(found in the
The necessary connections between the T aboo T win and powered
cabinet are shown on the following page.
Global
function) must be set to "STEREO".
Output
parameter
* Note that this configuration requires a specially configured cable, and is described on
the following page.
17
Taboo Twin / Powered Cabinet connections:
Cable wiring required for this configuration:
A Ring of stereo RTS SEND plug to Tip of mono L INPUT
plug.
B Ring of stereo RTS SEND plug to Ring of stereo RTS
RETURN plug
C Tip of stereo RTS SEND plug to Tip of mono R INPUT plug
D Tip of stereo RTS S END plug to Tip of stereo RTS RETURN
plug
E Ground of stereo RTS SEND plug to Ground of stereo
RTS RETURN plug
F Ground of stereo RTS S END plug to Ground of mono R
INPUT plug
G Ground of stereo RTS SEND plug to Ground of mono L
INPUT plug
18
6. General Operating Format
Taboo Twin Presets
The T aboo T win provides 128 stored sounds called
can be called up at any time via the front panel PRESET control, or by a remote MIDI
footswitch.
Each T aboo T win preset is divided up into individual blocks called
"Mixer", "Reverb", etc.). Within each function is a set of
manipulate various aspects of that function. It is the setting of each of the parameters
which determines the overall sound of each Taboo Twin preset.
Each of the T aboo T win's 128 preset locations can be edited, copied over and restored to original factory state as many times as necessary. These tasks, and many
others, are described in detail in section 7,
Changing the Preset Sounds
The sound of each preset is determined by the effects that are selected as well as
the settings of their respective parameters. Effects are selected and deselected by
pressing their relevant buttons on the front panel.
Some effects can be inserted into the audio path regardless of any others that are
currently selected, while others require that some other effect is switched out before
becoming active. For this reason, the effects are grouped into two separate sections on
the front panel, as shown below.
presets
parameters
"Operating the T aboo T win"
. Any of the 128 presets
which allow you to
functions
.
(such as
Only one of the above effects may be selected at any given time...
...while any combination of these effects can be selected.
19
Menu and Instant Access Editing Modes
T o provide widest array of sounds possible, the Taboo Twin provides
many
parameters
for the various effects and functions that the amplifier provides. Occasionally , however , it
is much more quick and convenient to have a set of controls that directly access specific
often-edited parameters immediately, rather than paging through numerous menus,
functions and parameters to find the desired parameter to edit.
For this reason, the T aboo T win provides two modes for editing preset sounds. The
currently active mode is determined by the front panel MENU button.
Menu Mode
In Menu mode (i.e. MENU button lit), the Taboo Twin is set up to allow you to first
access each function (via the FUNCTION SELECT control), then the parameter list for the
selected function (via the P ARAMETER SELECT control) and finally the adjustable value for the
displayed parameter (via the PARAMETER ADJUST control).
20
Step 3:
Turn to alter the value of
the selected parameter.
Step 2:
Turn to select a parameter
within the selected function.
Turn to select a function.
Step 1:
Controls used to access and edit Taboo Twin parameters in Menu mode.
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