Tech 21 RK5 User manual

POWER REQUIREMENTS

Utilizes included 12V DC power supply, 150mA, center negative.
Individual power supplies are provided for specific voltages
(100V, 117V, 230V, 240V) with corresponding plugs appropriate for each
country. For replacement Tech 21 power supply, please contact your
local dealer/distributor, or Tech 21.
Maximum power consumption: approx 100mA.

WARNINGS:

* 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.

DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN THE U.S.A.

T: 973-777-6996 • F: 973- 777-9899
E: info@tech21nyc. com • www.tech21nyc .com
©2014 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 Richie Kotzen RK5 Signature Fly Rig®is not simply another version
of the Fly Rig 5 with his name slapped on it. This version was devel­oped in close collaboration with Richie, whose input was invaluable.
Meticulous about every facet of his playing, singing, songwriting and
tone, Richie’s attention to the details of this pedal was nothing less.

The RK5 is 11.5 inches long and weighs just over 18 oz. While Richie
primarily uses his RK5 live in conjunction with his standard amp rig, this
sleek, compact unit embodies an entire rig on its own. 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: a reverb, a delay with tap
tempo, a powerful boost, and Richie’s Signature OMG overdrive.

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 RK5 into your guitar case
and head for the door.

APPLICATIONS

As a PRE-AMP or STOMPBOX with a guitar amp. You can
connect the RK5 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 pre-amp as
clean and neutral as possible. As most amps tend to be on the bright
side, you may need to start with High in the SansAmp section below
12 o’clock and adjust as necessary.

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 truer 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 RK5 automatically converts your
guitar 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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THE INS AND OUTS

1/4” INPUT: 1megOhm instrument level. For normal operation, sig-

al level to Input should be close to that of a standard electric guitar

n
(approx -10dBm / 250mV). The input is designed with the same sensi­tivity and loading characteristic as a tube amp.

!! WARNING !! DO NOT RUN THE SPEAKER OUT-

PUT OF ANY AMP directly into a SansAmp input.

Severe damage to the amp and the SansAmp will result.

/4” UNIVERSAL OUTPUT: Unbalanced 1kOhm Low Z instru-

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ment level output. This output can be connected to High Z guitar 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.

GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START

RELATIONSHIP OF THE LEVEL CONTROLS

Signal flow is right to left, from the input to the output. Therefore, the
Level controls follow in the same order, from Boost to OMG Level to
SansAmp Level.

Be aware that the “last” level in the signal path will determine the over­all output level. For instance, when the OMG and SansAmp sections
are engaged, the SansAmp Level determines the overall output level of
the unit. If only the Boost and OMG are engaged, the OMG Level de­termines the overall output level of the unit.

The DLA Level control only affects the mix level of the delay, not the
overall output level.

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.

SET ALL OTHER CONTROLS AT NOON, just to get started.

CLIP WARNING

The Level control in the DLA section has a built-in clip warning. Like a
VU meter, the DLA’s Level control will flash red to warn you if the cir­cuit is being over loaded.

You can then trim the corresponding control accordingly: Boost, OMG
Level or SansAmp Level. 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.

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