Tech 21 Acoustic FLY RIG User Manual

POWER REQUIREMENTS

Utilizes included 9V DC, 100-240V universal auto-switching power
supply, 200mA, center negative.

NOTE: See page 2 for instructions how to change the prong
assembly.

Tech 21 Model #DC9.

For replacements, contact your local dealer/distributor, or Tech 21.
Maximum power consumption: approx 100mA.

ARNINGS:

W

* There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Attempting to repair unit is

not recommended and may void warranty.

* Missing or altered serial numbers automatically void warranty. For

your own protection: be sure serial number labels on the unit’s back
plate and exterior box are intact, and return your warranty
registration card or register online.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to com­ply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to pro-

vide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communica­tions. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interfer­ence to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to cor­rect the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

WARRANTY:

ONE YEAR LIMITED. PROOF OF PURCHASE REQUIRED.

Manufacturer warrants unit to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for one (1) year from date of purchase to the original
purchaser and is not transferable. This warranty does not include dam­age resulting from accident, misuse, abuse, alteration, or incorrect cur­rent or voltage. If unit becomes defective within warranty period, Tech
21 will repair or replace it free of charge. After expiration, Tech 21 will
repair defective unit for a fee.

REPAIRS:

ALL REPAIRS for residents of U.S. and Canada: Call Tech 21 for
Return Authorization Number. Manufacturer will not accept

packages without prior authorization, pre-paid freight (UPS preferred)
and proper insurance.

FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANCE & SERVICE:

Contact Tech 21 weekdays 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, EST: 973-777-6996.

Hand-built in the U.S.A. using high-quality components
sourced domestically and around the globe.

T: 973-777-6996 • F: 973-777-9899
E: [e-mail] • W: tech21nyc .com
©2017 Tech 21 USA, Inc.

OWNER’S MANUAL

TECH 21, THE COMPANY

Tech 21 was formed by a guitarist possessing the unusual combination
of a trained ear and electronics expertise. In 1989, B. Andrew Barta
made his invention commercially available to players and studios around
the world. His highly-acclaimed SansAmp™ pioneered Tube Amplifier

mulation in professional applications for recording direct and per-

E
forming live, and created an entirely new category of signal processing.
There have since been many entries into this niche, yet SansAmp contin­ues to maintain its reputation as the industry standard.

With a full line of SansAmp models, Tech 21 also offers effect pedals
and MIDI products, as well as “traditional” style amplifiers for guitar

nd bass. Each product is thoughtfully and respectfully designed by B.

a
Andrew Barta himself with the player in mind. Our goal is to provide
flexible, versatile tools to cultivate, control, refine and redefine your
own individual sound. Tech 21 takes great pride in delivering consistent
quality sound, studio to studio, club to club, arena to arena.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The Acoustic Fly Rig is more than a pedalboard. In a single pedal. And no
board. Less than 13 inches long and weighing just over 20 oz., this sleek,
compact unit embodies an entire rig. At its heart is the all-analog
SansAmp, which makes it possible to go direct to a PA or mixer. For ef­fects, you have the essentials and fun stuff, too: a compressor, a powerful
boost, a tap tempo delay/chorus and reverb. No crackling patch cables,
dying batteries or ground loops. No stinkin’ van, heavy flight cases, cable
spaghetti, and no dead weight.

THE INS AND OUTS

1/4” INPUT: 1megOhm instrument level. For normal operation, sig­nal level to Input should be close to that of a standard guitar (approxi­mately -10dBm / 250mV).

1/4” UNIVERSAL OUTPUT: Unbalanced low Z output. This
output can be connected to High Z amplifiers (or effects) as well as Low
Z mixer and computer inputs. Output level is unity gain when pedal is in bypass
mode. It also drives long cables without loss of signal integrity, even in bypass.

ALANCED XLR OUTPUT & GROUND CON-

B
NECT SWITCH: Balanced low Z output. When the

Ground Connect switch is engaged, the ground connects.
Disengaged, the ground of your stage system and other inter­connected gear is lifted (isolated) from the ground of the
mixing console.

GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START

ALL-ANALOG IN-LINE SIGNAL PATH

With the Acoustic Fly Rig, you can relax. For fly gigs across the globe,
jamming at the local hang, and last minute sessions, you’ll be the first one
ready to go. You can stop stressing over what to pack and agonizing over
what to leave behind. You can stop dreading cheesy backline loaners and
being at the mercy of a revolving cast of soundpeople. Just pop your
Acoustic Fly Rig into your guitar case and head for the door. (Be sure to
wipe that smile off your face when the rest of the band shows up sweat­ing and out of breath.)

APPLICATIONS

For LIVE PERFORMANCES DIRECT to the P.A. and
DIRECT RECORDING. All of the tone shaping you need is already

incorporated into the SansAmp section of the pedal. The Acoustic Fly
Rig automatically converts your instrument signal to Low Z allowing
you to plug into a variety of inputs that would normally load down
your guitar’s signal. It can be plugged into mixers (live and studio),
workstation/recorders, and even directly into the sound card on a
computer.

As a PRE-AMP for Guitar or Bass. You can connect the
Acoustic Fly Rig in-line to your amp just as you would a standard pedal.
If the pre-amp of your amplifier is imparting too much of its own char­acter on the pedal, plug into the low level input and set the pre-amp as
clean and neutral as possible.

Also, be aware that most tube amps have a tone stack. When every­thing is on max, they tend to cut the mid-range. So don’t be surprised
to find that the flattest sound is achieved with bass and treble at mini­mum, and mid at max. Since most tube amp passive tone stacks work in
a similar fashion, we recommend this as a good starting point and ad­justing to taste.

You can also plug into the effects loop return (if the amp has one). This
will disable the entire pre-amp of the amp for a more accurate repre­sentation of the Acoustic Fly Rig’s sound.

1

SET LEVEL CONTROLS FOR UNITY GAIN

Set the level controls so you have the same volume coming from your
speaker/monitor whether the pedal is active or in bypass. This ensures
the next device in the signal chain won't get slammed by a much hotter
signal than what would normally come from the instrument. Similarly,
you wouldn't want a drop in volume, either, which would force the next
device to struggle for enough signal.

CLIP WARNING

The EFX section provides a built-in clip warning in the E. Level control.
Like a VU meter, the E. Level LED will flash red to warn you if the
Acoustic Fly Rig is being overloaded. To check the cause, shut off all
the effects. Play your instrument. If the clip warning stays lit, lower the
level of your instrument, as it may be sending too hot a signal. Other­wise, when those sections are engaged, trim the corresponding Level
control accordingly (Comp, Boost, SansAmp).

Bear in mind that occasional blinks (peaks) are okay and can be expected
when you dig into your strings, but it should not be continuously lit.

UNIVERSAL POWER SUPPLY

The Acoustic Fly Rig is shipped with a US prong assembly. To change
the prong assembly, be sure the power supply is

UNPLUGGED.

Press the PUSH switch to release the
prong assembly. Slide the assembly up
(about halfway) to align the side tabs of
the prong assembly with the slots of
the power supply housing. Then pull up
to remove the assembly. Choose the
new prong assembly, align the side tabs
with the slot of the housing and slide
down until it clicks into position.

NOTE: You cannot slide the
prong assembly all the way out
or in.

2