YORKVILLE XS400, YS1027, XS400t, XS400h Owner's Manual

TYPE: YS1027

OWNER'S MANUAL

MANUEL de L'UTILISATEUR

TYPE: YS1027

INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK

OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK,

OR INJURY TO PERSONS.

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO

NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).

NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED

SERVICE PERSONNEL.

Read Instru ctions:

The

Owner’s Manual

should be read and understood
before opera tion of your unit . Please, save these
instructions for future reference.

Packaging:

Keep the box and packaging materials, in case the unit
needs to be retu rned for service.

Warning:

When usin g electric products, basic precautions should
always be followed, including the foll owing:

Power Sources:

Your unit should be connected to a power source only of the
voltage specified in the owners manual or as marked on the unit.
This unit has a polarized plug. Do not use with an extension cord or
receptacle unless the plug can be fully inserted. Precautions should
be taken so that the grounding scheme on the unit is not defeated.

Hazards:

Do not place thisproduct on an unstablecart, stand, tripod, bracket or
table. Theproduct may fall, causing serious personal injury and serious
damage to the product. Useonlywithcart, stand, tripod, bracket,or table
recommended by the manufacturer or sold with the product.Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions when installingthe product and use mounting
accessories recommended by the manufacturer.

The apparatus should not be exposed to dripping or splashing
water; no objects filled with liquids should be placed on the
apparatus.

Terminals marked with the “lightning bolt” are hazardous live;
the external wiring connected to these terminals require installation
by an instructed person or the use of ready made leads or cords.

No naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, should be
placed on the apparatus.

Power Cord:

The AC supply cord should be routed so that it is unlikely that it will
be damaged. If the AC supply cord is damaged

DO NOT

OPERATE THE UNIT

.

Service:

The unit should be serviced only by qualified service personnel.

INSTRUCTIONS RELATIVES AU RISQUE

DE FEU, CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE, OU

BLESSURES AUX PERSONNES.

AVIS:

AFIN DEREDUIRE LES RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE,

N’ENLEVEZ PAS LE COUVERT(OULE PANNEAU

ARRIERE). NE CONTIENT AUCUNE PIECEREPARABLE

PAR L’UTILISATEUR.

CONSULTEZ UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE

POUR L’ENTRETIENT.

Veuillez lire le manuel:

Ilcontient des informationsquidevraient êtrescomprises avant
l’opérationde votreappareil.Conservez S.V.P.cesinstructions
pour consultationsultérieures

Emballage:

Conservez la boite au c as ou l’appareil devait ê tre
retourner pour réparation.

Attention:

Lors de l’utilisation de produits électrique,
assurez-vous d’adhérer à des précautions de bases
incluant celle qui suivent:

Alimentation:

L’appareil ne doit être branché qu’à une source d’alimentation
correspondant au voltage spécifié dans le manuel ou tel qu’indiqué
sur l’appareil. Cet appareil est équipé d’une prise d’alimentation

polarisée. Ne pas utiliser cet appareil avec un cordon de
raccordement à moins qu’il soit possible d’insérer complètement les
trois lames. Des précautions doivent êtres prises afin d’eviter que le
système de mise à la terre de l’appareil ne soit désengagé.

Risque:

Ne pas placer cet appareilsur un chariot, un support,un trépied ou une
table instables. L’appareil pourrait tomber et blesser quelqu’un ou subir des
dommagesimportants. Utiliserseulementun chariot,un support, un trépied
ou une table recommandés parle fabricant ou vendus avecle produit.
Suivre lesinstructions du fabricant pourinstallerl’appareil et utiliser les
accessoires recommandés par le fabricant.

Il convient de ne pas placer sur l’appareil de sources de flammes

nues, telles que des bougies allumées.

L’appeil ne doit pas être exposé à des égouttements d’eau ou des

éclaboussures et qu’aucun objet rempli de liquide tel que des vases
ne doit être placé sur l’appareil.

Les dispositifs marqués d’une symbole “d’éclair” sont des parties
dangereuses au toucher et que les câblages extérieurs connectés à
ces dispositifs de connection extérieure doivent être effectivés par un
opérateur formé ou en utilisant des cordons déjà préparés.

Cordon d’alimentation:

Évitez d’endommager le cordon d’alimentation.

N’UTILISEZ PAS

L’APPAREIL

si le cordon d’alimentation est endommagé.

Service:

Consultez un technicien qualifié pour l’entretien de votre appareil.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

safety-4v0.pdf 04/29/03

The Bassmaster xs400/xs400t/xs400h

Hz

POWER

15

+

15

-

15

+

15

-

15

+

15

-

15

+

15

-

Tip: Drive

Ring: Effects

0

d

B

-

6

d

B

P

a

r

a

m

e

t

r

i

c

M

i

d

in

out

TUBE

D.I.
line

active

mute

out

in

W

E

T

D

R

Y

0 0 0 0 0

C

u

t

B

o

o

s

t

M

A

S

T

E

R

1.5 k150

max

wetdry

off

ScoopTrebleHi-MidLow-MidBass

TUBE

Drive

TUBE

Gain

T

U

B

E

D

r

i

v

e

L

i

m

i

t

e

r

D

.

I

.

O

u

t

p

u

t

M

u

t

e

A

c

t

i

v

e

I

n

p

u

t

F

o

o

t

s

w

i

t

c

h

T

u

n

e

r

O

u

t

P

a

s

s

i

v

e

I

n

p

u

t

E

f

f

e

c

t

s

R

e

t

u

r

n

F

r

e

q

u

e

n

c

y

C

o

m

p

r

e

s

s

o

r

D

r

i

v

e

M

i

x

0

4

6

1

3

7

9

2 8

5

10

M

A

X

M

I

N

M

A

X

M

I

N

O

F

F

M

A

X

Thank you for choosing the Bassmaster xs400. You'll discover this advanced bass amplifier has
the potential for delivering a huge spectrum of performance characteristics. More importantly, it has
the ability to sound "right" with a minimum amount of knob twirling.

Additionally, when you need the extras, they're all here:

• Inputs for either passive or active basses

• A tube preamp for warmth with and a solid-state output stage for definition

• Separate

• The

TUBE

Gain and

TUBE

Drive circuit can be activated by the switch on the front panel or the footswitch.
There's a Blend control to add clarity as well as a Tweeter Auto-Mute* (with active/disabled but­ton) to soften the highs in overdrive

• A Scoop control lets you precisely tailor your sound uniquely and shape your tone

• Five-band tone shaping includes a sweepable parametric mid

• Effects patching and blending facilities include a Return level control and footswitch jack

• A single-control Compressor circuit lets you regulate preamp clarity and sustain

• A separate, defeatable Limiter circuit counters output-stage distortion

• A Tuner Out jack lets you keep your tuner connected and available for quick reference and
adjustments while the Mute button lets you ensure that the audience doesn't hear you tuning

• Balanced ¼-inch TRS and XLR line outs selectable between
¼-inch and Speakon™ speaker outputs (all jacks are in parallel, min 4 ohm load)

* xs400/xs400t combos only

Please take a little time to read the following instructions.

TUBE

Drive controls let you dial-in the perfect blend of warmth and overdrive.

TUBE

D.I. and typical Line Out, also

Then, plug in, switch on and enjoy your flight…

1

230V

50Hz

1.5A

120VAC

60Hz

3.0A

TYPE: YS1027

Z589/1v0

SPEAKER OUTPUTS

Min 4 ohms

Line
Out

Amp
In

EFX
Send

EFX
Rtn

S P E AK O N ™

P i n

DESIGNED & MANUFACTURED BY

YORKVILLE SOUND • TORONTO, CANADA

1+/1–

SPEAKER OUTPUTS

Min 4 ohms

Line
Out

Amp
In

EFX
Send

EFX
Rtn

Tweeter

Auto-Mute

S PE A K O N ™

P i n

DESIGNED & MANUFACTURED BY

YORKVILLE SOUND • TORONTO, CANADA

1+
1–

active

disabled

Line
Out

Tweeter

Auto-Mute

active

disabled

Line
Out

Tweeter

Auto-Mute

active

disabled

Hz

POWER

15

+

15

-

15

+

15

-

15

+

15

-

15

+

15

-

Tip: Drive

Ring: Effects

0

d

B

-

6

d

B

P

a

r

a

m

e

t

r

i

c

M

i

d

in

out

TUBE

D.I.

line

out

in

W

E

T

D

R

Y

0 0 0 0 0

C

u

t

B

o

o

s

t

M

A

S

T

E

R

1.5 k150

max

wetdry

off

ScoopTrebleHi-MidLow-MidBass

TUBE

Drive

TUBE

Gain

T

U

B

E

D

r

i

v

e

L

i

m

i

t

e

r

D

.

I

.

O

u

t

p

u

t

M

u

t

e

A

c

t

i

v

e

I

n

p

u

t

F

o

o

t

s

w

i

t

c

h

T

u

n

e

r

O

u

t

P

a

s

s

i

v

e

I

n

p

u

t

E

f

f

e

c

t

s

R

e

t

u

r

n

F

r

e

q

u

e

n

c

y

C

o

m

p

r

e

s

s

o

r

D

r

i

v

e

M

i

x

0

4

6

1

3

7

9

2 8

5

10

M

A

X

M

I

N

M

A

X

M

I

N

O

F

F

M

A

X

active

mute

2 3

e

1 95

6

7

8

0 q w r t

u

i

o

p

y 3

4

Tweeter Auto-Mute feature as shown on xs400/t combos

1. Tube Gain Control

2. Compressor

3. TUBEDrive and TUBEDrive Switch

4. 5-Band Tone Controls

5. Semi-Parametric Mid Tone Control

6. Scoop Control

7. Effects Return Control

8. Master Control

9. Blue Power LED and Power Switch

10. Passive and Active Input Jacks

11. Mute Switch

12. TUBE D.I. / Line Selector Switch

Passive 0dB and Active -6dB Input Jacks

These are the instrument inputs. Use the Passive (0dB) Input for bass guitars that use passive elec­tronics such as single-coil, split-coil and Humbucking pickups. Use the Active (-6dB) Input for hot or
active pickups. These inputs are not intended for connecting more than one instrument at a time.

Tip: use the -6dB Input if your bass is hot, whether passive or active and you play your bass at full

gain and you pluck the strings hard, this will reduce input clipping when not desired.

Tube Gain Control

The Tube Gain Control is a volume adjustment for the tube preamp, which features a single 12AX7A
Dual Triode preamp tube. The Tube Gain Control should normally be set around the middle, which
should be the optimal position for most basses. If your bass has an unusually low output, increase
the Tube Gain Control to a desired level, and for higher output basses use a lower setting. Increasing
the Tube Gain Control also affects the level of drive when the Tube Drive feature is engaged.

13. Activatable Limiter

14. TUBEDrive and Effects Return
Footswitch

15. Tuner Out

16. Amp In and Line Out Jacks

17. 1/4-inch & Speakon™ Speaker Output
Jacks

18. Effects Send and Return Jacks

19. Tweeter Auto-Mute Activator Switch*

20. AC Power connector

* xs400 & xs400t combos only

2

Tube Drive Control

This feature controls the amount of tube overdrive, or saturation, in your signal. The tube overdrive is
powered by the 12AX7A Dual Triode preamp tube and is engaged by the Tube Drive mode switch.
Pushing in the Tube Drive button either from the front panel or with the optional footswitch will activate it.
The green LED, above the Tube Drive Switch, will illuminate indicating the Tube Drive mode is active. To
obtain even higher levels of overdrive, increase the Tube Gain Control at the tube preamp stage. If you
want your overdrive level to go beyond the usual threshold into absolute meltdown, increase the Tube
Drive control fully clockwise. Instead of stopping at 10 we made the Tube Drive control go beyond into
uncharted territories of overdrive. Nudge the knob just a little bit into the extreme of MAX and listen to
the gain level take off. Naturally, there will be a little extra noise coming out of the amplifier at this high a
setting, this is normal, and is a perfectly acceptable tradeoff when achieving so much overdrive.

Tip: Many unique sounds can be obtained by changing some controls in conjunction with the Tube
Drive control. Some bassists prefer minimal distortion with a lot of Scoop, while others may prefer
massive overdrive and lots of midrange growl. Others may go for deep dry bass. These sounds can be
achieved by adjusting the Scoop, the Tube Drive control and the Tube Drive's channel Mix control.

Drive Mix Control

The Mix control is active in the Tube Drive mode. This blend control adds an additional clean tone
underneath the overdriven tone. In the Dry (counter-clockwise) setting, the clean signal is allowed
to dominate with no overdrive. If you begin to rotate it clockwise into the Wet region you will begin
to hear the Drive sound become dialed-in. The Drive will continue to increase as you rotate the mix
control until it is the dominant sound in the mix (fully overdriven position). This helps you achieve
the perfect Wet/Dry blend between a completely clean and a completely saturated overdrive tone.
This is a unique and handy feature that allows you unheard of levels of tonal control.

Drive Switch

The Drive switch is located on the front panel and is used to activate the Drive (overdrive/distortion)
circuit. The Drive circuit can also be activated by an optional footswitch (TFS-2). When the drive
circuit is activated a green LED, located directly above the Drive switch, will illuminate.

Note: Tweeter Auto-Mute. When the Drive feature is activated an internal circuit disables the output to
the tweeter (XS400 combo only). For those who want the tweeter on while in the Drive mode, push in the
bypass switch, located on the rear panel. This will activate the tweeter so that it is active in both the clean
and Drive mode. If you do not want the tweeter active in the clean mode, simply switch to the Drive mode,
turn the Drive mix control all the way to dry and activate the bypass switch at the rear of the unit.

Compressor

To increase the consistency of your tone and further the performance of the power amplifier, we have
included an adjustable compressor. This compressor is fairly simple to use, with only a simple Threshold
control. The ratio is preset at 2:1, and the attack and release time are also preset for optimum flexibility.

Tip: To use the Compressor, rotate the control Clockwise until the desired threshold is reached. It will
be audibly apparent to you as well as visually. A red LED, located to the right of the control, will turn
on and off as the compressor limits the signal to the level the threshold has been set to. The LED will
also indicate the how much compression is being applied by its intensity and duration.

Tone Controls

Each tone control permits a wide range of sonic adjustment. The five overlapping controls cover
the entire audio band. The center setting on all the tone controls is neutral, with an available boost
and/or cut of 15 db.

Tip: When starting out, it's a good idea to center all tone controls. While you play, adjust them until
you achieve the desired sound. Remember, if the Midrange level control is set at 0, rotating the
Frequency control will have no effect.

The Bass control adjusts the level of the lowest note frequencies, Low Mid the next range up from
that, Mid controls the mid frequencies (variable between 150 - 1500 Hz, more on this below), Hi

3

Mid covers the highest notes and middle harmonics and Treble regulates the upper harmonic
range. The Semi-Parametric Mid controls the midrange frequency parametrically. Adjustment of the
Frequency control selects which frequencies to cut or boost ranging from 150 Hz to 1500 Hz.

Tip: To set this control, adjust the position of the Mid level control to cut or boost, then rotate the
Frequency control until the desired frequency range is found. Once the frequency range is chosen adjust
your level to the desired cut or boost level. One thing to keep in mind about the Parametric Mid is that
it's also used to further adjust the Scoop effect by either boosting or cutting frequencies in the midrange.
If you like the added bottom of the Scoop but wish to soften the midrange at 1Kz but still maintain the
higher frequencies, adjust the frequency control to 1.0Kz, cut as much as you need until satisfied.

Scoop Control

The Scoop shapes high and low frequencies giving a distinctive tone and presence to your bass
guitar. You will find that this feature greatly enhances the natural sound of any bass. It also helps
bring out the subtleties of the strings by shaping bottom-end fundamentals and high frequency bril­liance that you can clearly hear and feel.

Tip: It's recommended to initially set it at the mid point and adjust it slowly either way until the desired
tone is achieved.

The Scoop shapes specific upper and lower frequencies while notching particular mid frequen­cies. It utilizes a variable tone curve that reacts differently depending on where it is set. The result
is a greatly expanded tonal range and control over the tone. Its fundamental use is like the tradi­tional Scoop control found on our other popular Yorkville Bassmaster amplifiers, but with greatly
expanded dimension and tonal control.

Tip: Combine the Scoop with the Drive and Drive Mix for unparalleled levels of tonal control. Activate
the Drive and the Drive Mix to their maximums and play your bass while slowly turning the Scoop
from its off position to its maximum, you'll find the variation in the effect to be quite dramatic and yet
very musical at the same time.

EFX Return Blend Control

A Dry, un-effected signal is sent out through the EFX Send jack to any effects unit you hook-up, then
returns back to the amplifier through the EFX Return jack. The Effects Blend control then determines how
much of the wet signal is blended back with the dry signal. This can range from totally dry to mostly wet.

Tip: The total signal level can also be controlled by the output signal from the chosen effects unit.
Therefore you might want to set the output high if you want to achieve an almost totally wet signal.

Dual Footswitch Jack (Drive and EFX-RTN)

The Dual Footswitch Jack is used to switch the Drive and the EFX-Return on and off. Insert a
Stereo ¼-inch patch cord into a dual footswitch (TFS-2) and into the amplifier. When either effect
is switched on, both the LED's on the amplifier and on the foot switch will turn on and off together.
The EFX-RTN is only switchable by the footswitch, but the Tube Drive is switchable by both the
footswitch and by the switch on the front panel.

Note: The footswitch will override the front panel switch if used.

Tuner Out and Mute

The Tuner Out ¼-inch jack, located on the right side of the front panel, sends the signal from your
bass guitar to an outboard instrument tuner. Simply connect one end of a ¼-inch shielded cable to
the Tuner jack and the other to the instrument tuner. Pressing in the Mute button will mute the out­put to the speakers as well as to the lineout.

Tip: Leave your tuner connected to the Tuner Out jack and Mute the signal any time you wish to tune
in silence. A very handy feature when onstage and the unpleasant sound of tuning is not something
you wish the audience to hear.

Line / Tube D.I. Line Out.

This is a balanced output that can be used to run a balanced lineout to a Front-of-House or recording console.
There are two lineout modes, Tube DI and Line, which are selectable via the mode switch. This allows you to
select either a pre EQ (Tube DI) or post EQ/EFX (Line) signal to go to the rear-mounted XLR connector.

4

Note: when the mute switch is engaged, a signal will NOT be sent to the mixing console through the

SPEAKER OUTPUTS

Min 4 ohms

Line
Out

Amp
In

EFX
Send

EFX
Rtn

Tweeter

Auto-Mute

SPEAKON™ Pin

Conf iguratio n

DESIGNED & MANUFACTURED BY

YORKVILLE SOUND • TORONTO, CANADA

1+
1–

active

disabled

L ne
Out

Tweeter

Auto-Mute

active

disabled

L ne
Out

Tweeter

Auto-Mute

active

disabled

XLR output. Again, a very handy feature when onstage and the unpleasant sound of tuning is not
something you wish the audience to hear amplified through the sound system.

Selectable Limiter, In and Out

In order to prevent hard clipping of the power amplifier, a selectable limiter is provided.

Master Volume Control

The master volume control allows you to adjust the overall signal level of the amplifier.

Rear Panel

XLR Balanced Line Out Jack

Located at the rear, this jack is used to connect directly to a mixing console, live or in the studio.
There are two lineout modes, Tube DI and Line, which are selectable via the mode switch on the
front panel. This allows you to select either a pre EQ (Tube DI) or post EQ/EFX (Line) signal.

Effects Send ¼-inch Jack

The signal from this balanced jack is post-EQ. The signal from this output is provided to allow
external Effects units to be used with this amplifier. This output can also used as an additional line
out to another power amplifier.

Effects return ¼-inch Jack

This balanced jack is used to return the audio signal that's been processed by external effects units
back into the XS400. Once connected, adjust the amount of wet (processed) signal returning to
the XS400 with the Effects control located on the front panel. This input can also be used for other
external signals that you might want to mix in such as pre-recorded audio.

Amp input ¼-inch Jack

Connect an external source directly to the XS400's power amplifier, bypassing the tube-preamp
completely. The Master control will then control the overall output level.

Output Jacks ¼-inch

These jacks are used to connect extension speaker cabinets, keep in mind that the Minimum
impedance is 4 ohms.

NOTE: all output connectors are connected in parallel.

Output Speakon™ Jack

Some high power Bass speaker extension cabinets use Speakon™ connectors. A Speakon™ out­put jack has also been provided to connect to similarly configured extension speaker enclosures.

Tweeter Auto-Mute

Engage the switch when you want to enable the tweeter
while in the overdrive mode. In bypass mode, normal oper­ation of the tweeter is defeated by the Auto-Mute circuitry.

Tip: If you wish to disable the tweeter in the Normal (clean)
mode, simply use the Drive mode, turn the Drive Mix control
to the dry setting (and make sure that the "Tweeter Auto­Mute" (on the rear of the unit) is set in the OUT position.

Preamp Tube Replacement

Use only Yorkville Sound part number “12AX7SORTED”
when replacing preamplifier tubes as they have been
specifically selected for this product. Please refer to the

Service Manual for more information.

5

Specifications

Power @ min. impedance (Watts)

250 @ 8 ohms / 400 @ 4 ohms

Minimum Impedance (ohms)

4

Burst Power - 2 cycle

400 Watts @ 8 ohms / 725 Watts @ 4 ohms

Speaker Configuration - LF (Size / Power)

xs400 combo: 15-inch / 250 W

xs400t combo: 2 x 10-inch / 150 Watts each

Speaker Configuration - HF (Size / Power)

xs400 combo: Motorola 3.5-inch Tweeter / 70 Watts

xs400t combo: Motorola 3.5-inch Tweeter / 70 Watts

Frequency Response

20 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 3dB

Hum and Noise (dB)

-90dB Unweighted / -94 Aweighted

Input Channels

1

Channel 1 - inputs

2 x 1/4-inch (0 dB and -6 dB)

Channel 1 - controls

Tube Gain, Tube Drive (w/mix), Compressor,

5-Band EQ, Parametric Mid, Scoop, Effects Rtn & Master

Channel 1 - switches

Mute, DI/Line Output, Tube Drive & Limiter

Input Sensitivity

0 db = 40mV

Line Out (type / configuration)

Balanced XLR, Pre / Post EQ

Line Out Sensitivity (Vrms)

<1

Effects Loop / Location

Rear

Effects Return Sensitivity (Vrms)

<1

LED Indicators

blue Power, Compressor, Mute, Tube Drive & Effect Rtn

Protection

Thermal, Short Circuit

Limiter / Switchable

Yes / Yes

External speaker output / location

2x 1/4-inch & 1x Speakon™

Dimensions (DWH, inches)

xs400h: 15.5 x 19 x 3.5; xs400: 15.5 x 20.75 x 23.5

Dimensions (DWH, cm)

xs400h: 39.4 x 48.2 x 8.9; xs400: 39.4 x 52.7 x 59.7

Weight (lbs / kg)

xs400h: 21 / 9.53; xs400: 80/36.3