Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig Owner`s Manual

POWER REQUIREMENTS

Utilizes included 9V DC power supply, 200mA, center negative.

North America: Model #DC4-US
International: Model #DC4-D

Note: International power supplies are auto-switching with appropri­ate corresponding plugs for each host country.
For replacements, contact your local dealer/distributor, or Tech 21.
Maximum power consumption: approx 100mA.

ARNINGS:

W

* 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

provide 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: info@tech21nyc. com • www.tech21nyc .com
©2016 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
you with 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 Bass 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, an octaver, a fuzz, a filter and a chorus. No crackling patch cables,
dying batteries or ground loops. No stinkin’ van, heavy flight cases, cable
spaghetti, and no dead weight.

With the Bass 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
overheating at the mere thought of your touring rig going down. Just
pop your Bass 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.)

THE INS AND OUTS

1/4” INPUT & IN PAD SWITCH:

4.7megOhm instrument level to deliver the full sound of piezos. For
normal operation, signal level to Input should be close to that of a stan­dard bass guitar (approximately -10dBm / 250mV).
The In Pad switch for active basses pads the input by -10dBm.

!! WARNING !!

DO NOT RUN THE SPEAKER OUTPUT

OF ANY AMP

directly into a Fly Rig/SansAmp input.

Severe damage to the amp and the Fly Rig/SansAmp will result.

1/4” UNIVERSAL OUTPUT: Unbalanced low Z output. This
output can be connected to High Z bass 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.

BALANCED XLR OUTPUT & GROUND CONNECT
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

SIGNAL FLOW OF THE BASS FLY RIG

APPLICATIONS

As a PRE-AMP or STOMPBOX with a bass amp. You can
connect the Bass Fly Rig in-line just as you would a standard distortion
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 pre­amp 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 true representa­tion of the sound.

For DIRECT RECORDING or DIRECT to PA. All of the tone
shaping and cabinet emulation needed is already incorporated into the
SansAmp section of the pedal. The Bass Fly Rig automatically converts
your bass 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.

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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.

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GUIDE TO FUNCTIONS and CONTROLS

OMP Section

C

(in order of signal flow)

SANSAMP Section

Comp utilizes old school, all-analog, FET-based technology from the ‘50s
and ‘60s, which is inherently warmer, more transparent and more musical
than other methods of compression.

COMP: A single, continuously variable control to dial in just the right
amount of compression you need. A little goes a long way, from soft
and barely noticeable to super squashy, infinite sustain.

TONE: As compressors typically darken your guitar signal, the Tone
control provides a pre-compression tonal boost in the frequency range
of 2-3 kHz to preserve high-end string attack and clarity. Experiment
with lower settings for warmer, rounder, more jazzy tones.

LEVEL: Adjusts the output level of the Comp section.

BOOST Section

PRE/POST BOOST: Foot-switchable boost modes, up to 10dB.

Pre-Boost interacts with the SansAmp sec-

tion to beef up drive and distortion.

Post-Boost mode increases the overall vol­ume to punch up fills and solos.

The all-analog SansAmp technology enables the Bass Fly Rig to run di­rectly into mixers of recording desks and PA systems, as well as augment
your existing amplifier set-up. It can also be used to enhance previously
recorded tracks. The SansAmp section focuses on clean tones within the
tube amplifier sound spectrum. To dirty things up, you have the flexibility
of using the Drive control, the Character control, or you can add distor­tion with the Fuzz in the Octa section, or via the Boost section. Or all
four! Each method achieves different tones.

Speaker simulation is an integral part of the circuitry. It is designed for a
smooth, even response as would be achieved by a multiply-miked cabinet,
without the peaks, valleys, and notches associated with single miking. The
shape of the speaker curve will not adversely effect or interfere with the
frequency response of your own cabinet. The speaker simulation works in
tandem with the EQ controls to custom tailor the overall sound.

DRIVE: Adjusts the overall amount of gain and overdrive, similar to
when the output section of a tube amp is being pushed. The first half of
the rotation will increase the volume as well as the overdrive.

CHARACTER: Sweeps through an entire range of tonal possibilities.
In addition to modifying the frequency response, Character also influ­ences the attack and drive characteristics. Therefore, you may need to
adjust your gain and tone settings after tweaking the Character control.

Below 12 o’clock serves up vintage ‘70s powerhouse attitudes.

Around 12 o’clock will introduce you to classic studio tones.

Above 12 o’clock increases the gain and crunch for less polite,

modern rock, indie bass sounds.

Full up gives you full-tilt distorted bass tones.

LOW, MID, HIGH: On-board post-EQ section gives you full con­trol, like having a studio mixing board at your fingertips. Unlike passive
tone controls that only cut, these active controls cut and boost. At 12
o’clock, they are flat.
LOW is tuned to ±12dB @ 80 Hz.
MID is tuned to ±12dB @ 1 kHz.
HIGH is tuned to ±12dB @ 3.3 kHz.

LEVEL: Adjusts the output level of the unit when the SansAmp sec­tion is engaged. This control has an exceptionally wide range for maxi­mum compatibility with a variety of equipment.

BITE Switch: Engaged (in position), Bite activates a presence boost
to the SansAmp tube amplifier emulation circuitry to provide extra
clarity to the top end. It enhances your attack in distorted settings and
adds definition to your notes when playing in clean settings.

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