Telonics TCA-500 User Manual

Telonics TCA-500

Combo Amp

User Manual

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY 2014.04.11

CAUTION Risks of electrical shock – DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove from cabinet. No user serviceable

parts inside. Refer Servicing to qualified service personnel.

WARNING To prevent electrical shock or fire hazard, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. Before using appliance, read the operating guide for further warnings.

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

The Telonics TCA-500

RONT PANEL

EAR PANEL

Congratulations on purchasing one of the world’s finest professional instrument combo amplifiers! The TCA-500 combo amplifier is a state of the art audiophile quality unit designed and built with the latest and best sounding technologies. It has been carefully engineered to provide every function and convenience possible within its cost/benefit ratio, for the professional musician. There is a reason for every function provided. The user is encouraged to read this manual in order to achieve the highest level of performance provided by these capabilities.

The TCA-500 combo amplifier gives you dramatically better control of your sound. The result is transparent smooth clean sound, tight bottom end and silky highs. It is designed to accommodate many different instruments and as such, its controls cover a wider range of options than previously offered to the professional musician. Accordingly, for any given instrument, the controls may ‘feel’ more sensitive when adjusted for a specific instrument. For this reason, the user is encouraged to make smaller adjustments while listening carefully. Final adjustments should always be made with the ear, without regard to where one “expects” the knob to be.

(

BLACK AND WHITE OPTION SHOWN

)

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp Features:

• Superb string separation at all volume levels. No muddiness!

• All pure analog, main signal chain. No digitization of your sound thru A/D or D/A

converters.

• Pre EQ Insert for EQ or 3-wire Pot Pedal hook-up.

• Warm tube-like, even-order harmonic sound with crystal clear highs.

• Ultra low noise – studio quality.

• Exceptionally high headroom.

• High output level available on demand.

• 500 Watt Power Amp section.

• Studio Pre-EQ parallel effects loop with adjustable SEND and RETURN levels to

accommodate any EFX unit(s) (rear panel mounted).

• Built in electronic reverb with front panel level control and remote control jack.

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

ELONICS

• Overload LED indicator.

• Master Wet/Dry fader control – controls internal effects and parallel EFX loop.

• Built-in “TBro” effect with remote control jack.

• Pedal Switch jack on rear panel allows switching “TBro” and Reverb remotely.

• Special “Blend” EQ control for personalizing your tone or adjusting for venue. (Once

properly adjusted, Master volume and Blend are generally the only adjustments used).

• Auxiliary AC power outlet, switched with main power switch.

• Special Power On/Off circuit to minimize “pops” and speaker damage.

• Built in high output headphone amp with separate volume control.

• Super quiet Mute circuit with LED indicator.

• Digital Thermal Management System.

• 24 volt DC jack to power Telonics 24 VDC FP-100 foot pedal.

TCA-500 C

ONTINUED

)

OMBO AMP FEATURES:

• Balanced XLR Direct stereo output for stage and studio use. Includes ground lift switch.

• Analog modeling for Direct Out for live venue or studio use, with preset modeling.

• Buffered tuner output (jacks on both front and rear panels) - active full-time, even when

mute is ON.

• Auxiliary stereo input (on rear panel) for home practice or solo gigs with front panel level control. For CD/mp3 players or for use as a second effects RETURN. Also routed to DI for recording.

• Front Mounted Power Amplifier On/Off switch for preamp-only use in Studio.

• Highest Quality Telonics NEO Speaker (12 or 15 inch).

• 1U rack space provided which may be used for EFX Units, tuners, etc.

• Built-in cabinet-wide LED lighting for low light venues with back panel switch to control

On/Off and brightness level.

• Highly abrasion-resistant outer surface, durable Baltic Birch plywood construction throughout. Made for years of trouble free use.

• International versions available for export.

• Proudly made in the U.S.A. by musicians and engineers.

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

TCA-500 C

24VDC Output

Red Overload

RONT PANEL

Input

Input Gain

and

LED

OMBO AMP CONTROL FUNCTIONS, JACKS, & INDICATORS

This socket provides an isolated 24 volts DC to power up the FP-100 foot pedal. It accepts a special twist lock plug for a secure connection of power to the pedal. A power lead with locking connectors is supplied with the TCA-500 Amplifier.

High impedance (1Meg Ohm) instrument input - will not load down your guitar pickup or adversely affect your tone. It accepts a standard 1/4 inch type TS plug for guitar level signals.

This control sets the gain for the first amplification stage. And is used in conjunction with the MASTER LEVEL control, it also affects the level for the Pre EQ Pedal insert “To/Send” jack and the maximum level to the EFX Send jack (both of which are on the rear panel). Start at 3 or 4 and adjust as needed.

It’s important to understand the function of this control as its setting impacts other controls and the overall sound. When a guitar signal is fed into the amplifier, it is necessary to increase the signal level to minimise noise that might be added in the following stages. Typically, guitar pickups with a high output require a lower gain setting and pickups with a low output required a higher gain setting.

In the lower right-hand corner of the Input Gain box is a red (Input/EQ Overload) LED that indicates an overload is occurring in the preamplifier stage. If this LED flashes on frequently, or stays on while the guitar is played, the Input Gain is setting is too high and should be reduced in order to avoid distortion of your sound.

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

TCA-500 C

RONT PANEL (CONTINUED

Input Gain

and

Red Overload

LED

(continued)

OMBO AMP CONTROL FUNCTIONS, JACKS, & INDICATORS

)

The following text describes how the Input Gain should be set with a typical arrangement:

i) We assume that in most cases, the output of your guitar connects to

your volume pedal input and the output of your volume pedal connects to your amplifier (Note; always use good quality leads for these

connections and try to ensure they’re no longer than they need to be to reach the jacks. Make sure they are not a trip hazard).

ii) With the Master Level control set to 1, your volume pedal set to

maximum and Input Gain control set to 1, play some nice big chord groups slightly harder than you would normally play; slowly increase the Input Gain control until the Overload LED just starts to occasionally flash, then reduce the Input Gain control until it ‘just’ ceases to flash as you strike the chords.

iii) You have now set the optimum level for the Input Gain control. You

should not need to adjust the Input Gain control unless you change your guitar or volume pedal. We suggest you note this setting.

A common mistake is to see players using the Input Gain to control output volume. The problem with this is the Input Gain control affects the level sent to the effects unit.

Always use the Master Level to control output volume after the Input Gain control has been adjusted as outlined above.

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

TCA-500 C

RONT PANEL (CONTINUED

Bass Level

Mid Level

OMBO AMP CONTROL FUNCTIONS, JACKS, & INDICATORS

)

Controls low frequency response. Turning clockwise will boost the bass up to +22dB. Turning counter clockwise will decrease the level down to -16dB. Start at 0 (flat) and adjust to taste. Note that it is a common error to boost the bass excessively, as this dulls the character of the strings. Remember that it is always best to use “Subtractive Equalization” as discussed later in this manual. i.e., instead of boosting the Bass, reduce the Mids and/or Treble. A simple check for excessive bass boost is to listen closely as you strike a lower string repeatedly. Start with the Bass Level control set at -4 or -5. While listening to the character of the string, advance the Bass Level control slowly clockwise. At some point (usually around +1 to +3, the character of the sound will change and will sound like more of a “thud” and have a muted quality. For most people, that is too much bass boost, so back off the control counterclockwise slightly until the sound is once again clear and clean. It is necessary that the user understand that the Mid Level and Mid Frequency controls work ‘together’.

mid range frequency shaping; they are perhaps the most important tone

shaping controls and they ‘must’ be set properly to achieve a balanced sound. These controls allow the player to compensate for the ear’s normal

increase in sensitivity to mid range frequencies and the guitar’s resonance around those frequencies.

The Mid Level control determines the amount of effect which the Mid Frequency control has on your sound. It sets a boost or cut in the mid-range frequencies, which are selected by the Mid Frequency control. Mid Level is adjustable from -20dB cut to +5dB boost. If you were to set the Mid Level control to Zero dB (3 o’clock knob position), the Mid Frequency control would ‘do nothing whatsoever” to your sound, it would have NO effect on your tone.

These two controls are used together to set up the

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

TCA-500 C

RONT PANEL (CONTINUED

Mid Level

(continued)

Mid Frequency

OMBO AMP CONTROL FUNCTIONS, JACKS, & INDICATORS

)

Since the mid-range frequencies are tiring to the human ear, it is almost always necessary to CUT or reduce them. The Mid Frequency control allows the user to choose the center frequency at which the mid frequencies are reduced, to suit his or her ear.

The following text describes how the Mid Level and Mid Freq controls should be set for steel guitar:

i) We assume the Input Gain control has already been set. Set the Bass

Level control to 0, the Treble Level control to 0, the Blend control to 0 and the Master Level control to 2. All effects should be OFF.

ii) Now set the Mid Level control fully clockwise (+5) and set the Mid Freq

midway (600 Hz). Note when you pick a string the Overload LED may flash; don’t adjust the Input Gain control. Note that the overload monitoring circuitry monitors both the output of the gain section and the EQ section; because we’ve set the Mid Level control to full boost it causes the overload.

iii) Ensure the combo speaker is pointed towards your ear. Pick one or two

strings in the center string grips and slide the bar over the normal range of the fret board you would use. As you are doing this, tweak the Mid Freq control up and down around the 400 to 800 region; it’s handy to have a friend rotate the Mid Freq control as you play. At one point over the region you might possibly notice, no matter where you are on the fretboard, a ‘honky’ midrange sound is heard that’s a little unpleasant on the ear. It does take practice and time to learn how to detect this point, so don’t be concerned if it’s not clear the first time you attempt this. Note the Overload LED may help detect this point, quite often it flashes more as you hit area’s where’s there’s more resonance.

Once you have found the honky, excessive ‘middle’ sounding frequency, rotate the Mid Level control to around the 10 o’clock position (-12dB). As you play your guitar tweak the Mid Level control up and down around this point until it sounds balanced in the mid range. Generally, the most suitable setting is between -15 dB and -12 dB for most people. Don’t worry about setting the bass and treble controls until you’re happy that the mid range is the best it can be.

Always, Always, make the above adjustments with the Bass and treble controls at zero.

Sets the frequency at which the Mid Level control has an effect. Several frequency intervals between 375 Hz and 1400 Hz are marked. Its effect is determined by the setting of the Mid Level control. Proper adjustment is achieved

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

Treble Level

Only set this control after you have set

all

the o

ther tone control

Blend

as outlined above.

Adjusts the high frequency level of the sound generated by your instrument. Start at 0 (flat) and adjust to taste. Turning clockwise boosts the level of highs up to +16dB, turning counterclockwise cuts the level of highs down to -16dB.

Note: We always recommend using the minimum amount of bass and treble tone shaping to achieve the sound you desire. These controls are very powerful; they can greatly cut or boost the gain of the lower and higher frequencies. If an extreme setting of this control is required to achieve a balanced sound you may have an issue with your Mid Level and Mid Frequency control settings, or, with your guitar pickup, leads, volume pedal.

After setting the Bass Level, Mid Level, Mid Freq and Treble Level controls we suggest you note the settings.

This is to be used as a sonic “shading” control and, like any seasoning, a little goes a long way. Start at 12 o’clock. Clockwise yields a “Mooney” bright aggressive sound; counter clockwise gives you a mellow, darker tone.

The Blend control is initially one of the most confusing settings to understand… until you start using it. After using the combo for a few gigs you may find it’s the only tone control you need! Once the bass, mid and treble controls have been set the amplifier might be considered as calibrated to your style and guitar sound.

As you rotate the Blend control clockwise you’ll notice the treble increases and the bass decreases.

As you rotate the Blend control anti-clockwise you’ll notice the treble decreases and the bass increases.

This control is like ‘one stop shop’ compensating for the affect the room acoustics has on the overall sound. It’s quite remarkable how a small tweak of this control can sweeten up your sound in a gigging situation. And being a single control it’s easy to remember where you started before you started tweaking.

Normally, players leave this control at zero and only adjust it slightly between +1 or -1 to compensate for the venue (room size, crowd size, bandstand configuration (even for relative humidity changes, as sound propagates differently with humidity changes).

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

TCA-500 C

RONT PANEL (CONTINUED

Master Level

BRO

Reverb Level – Rev ON button

OMBO AMP CONTROL FUNCTIONS, JACKS, & INDICATORS

)

Sets the overall output level of the Combo Amp. Adjust this after you have set the Input Gain and EQ. This is your main volume control knob – to be adjusted as necessary as you play a gig. For normal size venues, the customary range is between 6 and 8 or less.

The Master Level control sets the overall signal level sent to the power amplifier (PA). Adjustment of this control will not affect the Direct Out level. This allows players to adjust their own stage level without affecting the signal level sent to the mixing desk – a handy feature!

This switch will activate a “TBro” type effect. The green “TBro” ‘ON’LED will light when TBro is active. The Foot Switch connector on the rear panel can be used to turn the TBro function Off and On if the TBRO pushbutton switch on the front panel is pushed On (in). If either this switch or an external switch is in the Off position, the effect will remain Off. (When an external/remote switch is not used, the default is On. (See back panel Foot Switch)

The Reverb Level control determines how much of the internal reverb signal is applied to the Wet/Dry Fader control. The input level to the reverb circuit is affected by the Input Gain control level (as mentioned earlier). The reverb input is a combination of the dry input after the EQ controls and the Post EQ EFX Return signal (rear panel).

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

TCA-500 C

RONT PANEL (CONTINUED

Reverb Level – Rev ON button

(continued)

OMBO AMP CONTROL FUNCTIONS, JACKS, & INDICATORS

)

The Rev switch will activate the internal reverb circuit. The green LED will light when the reverb is active. The Foot Switch connector on the rear panel can be used to turn the internal reverb Off and On if the Rev pushbutton switch on the front panel is pushed On (in). If either this switch, or an external switch, is in the Off position, the reverb will remain Off. When an external remote switch is not used, the default is On. (See back panel Foot Switch)

The built-in reverb is useful if you don’t have an effect processor installed. It can be switched On/Off from the front panel using the Rev ON button or by remote control using the Footswitch jack on the rear panel. The reverb sound has been preset to a general ambience algorithm; the Reverb Level control adjusts the amount of reverb introduced.

The built-in reverb signal is added to the signal returning from the EFX Return jack that feeds the Wet side of the DRY/WET Fader. This means, the DRY/WET Fader must have a proportion of Wet signal set or the built-in reverb will not be heard. i.e. if the DRY/WET Fader is set fully Dry no reverb will be heard.

If the TCA-500 is used with a 19” rack effects processor, (such as a Lexicon MX-200, a T.C. Electronics G-Major/II, or other 1U space multieffects unit), we would recommend the built-in reverb be turned off and patches set up on the effects processor; the reverb algorithms of a good quality effects processor should be superior to the built-in reverb.

1U 19” Rack Space – The TCA-500 has a built in rack space below the main amplifier chassis. If no effects processor is fitted in this space a blanking plate should be fitted. On the rear panel an IEC switched outlet is provided to power up the effects processor; 50W max. Although the general thought behind providing this space is to enhance the reverb and delay effects, almost any 1U unit no more than 8 inches or 200mm deep could be installed in this space.

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

TCA-500 C

Reverb Level – Rev ON button

(continued)

DRY/WET Fader

OMBO AMP CONTROL FUNCTIONS, JACKS, & INDICATORS

RONT PANEL (CONTINUED

)

An optional remote switch box for steel guitar (and a remote foot switch for other instruments) is available for rapid remote control of the TBro and Reverb functions. The usage of these optional accessories is outlined later in this manual. A TRS three-conductor coaxial cable is necessary to connect most multi-effect units to an external control box or foot pedal.

This fader controls the ratio of “dry” (without effects) and “wet” (with effects) signals sent to the Master Level control. Counter clockwise is dry, clockwise is wet.

DRY/WET FADER – EFX SEND + LEVEL (rear panel) - EFX RETURN + LEVEL (rear panel) – The Dry/Wet Fader and rear panel

effects loop is a very powerful feature that allows effects to be added to the analog signal chain in a number of ways.

The level sent out to the effects unit can be adjusted using the EFX Send Level on the rear panel. This is adjustable to drive effect inputs from, 30dB to +4dB ; the +4dB setting generates the highest output. It’s very important to ensure the TCA-500 Overload LED just starts to blink BEFORE the effects processor input level reaches its maximum input level or clipping point. The average user can easily ensure the correct and proper EFX send level by looking up the preferred level in the manual for the appropriate multi-effects units and setting the EFX RETURN and EFX SEND controls on the TCA-500 to specified levels. Normally these levels will be -10 dBu, -8 dBu, -4 dBu, 0 dBu or +4 dBu. The TCA-500 provides the ability to match virtually any high quality EFX units.

The level returned from the effects unit can be reduced or boosted using the EFX Return Level on the rear panel. This is adjustable over the range from, -30dB to +4dB ; the +4dB setting applies the highest gain to the returned signal. This level should be adjusted so the effects processor output doesn’t cut or boost the signal; we call this ‘unity’ gain. A good way to check this is to set the effects processor to ‘bypass’: Then set the DRY/WET Fader fully Wet and then fully Dry, you should notice virtually no change in volume; adjust the EFX Return Level to achieve this.

Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp

PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY

+ 25 hidden pages

Telonics TCA-500 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual