Product Overview - Tech 21 Q/STRIP 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 Emulation in
professional applications for recording direct and performing live, and cre-
ated an entirely new category of signal processing. There have since been
many entries into this niche, yet SansAmp continues to maintain its repu-
tation as the industry standard. Tech 21 takes great pride in delivering
consistent quality sound, studio to studio, club to club, arena to arena.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The '60s and '70s are widely recognized as the heyday for professional record-
ing console design. The EQ and preamp sections of these near-mythical vintage
consoles are highly sought after, even to this day. Some of the most iconic gui-
tar and bass tones in the history of recorded audio were tracked "direct"
straight into these consoles' channel strips.
The Q\Strip was designed with sophisticated features that enable you to take
these highly-coveted tone shaping circuits with you, whether you're heading to
a live gig or tracking in the studio or into your DAW. It's compact, extremely
cost-effective and in an ultra-convenient DI format.
The 100% analog MOSFET circuitry in the heart of the Q\Strip provides the
warmth, girth and larger-than-life tones for which vintage consoles are
revered. Its versatility and flexibility are suitable for any instrument and multi-
ple applications. The Q\Strip is limited only by how far you are willing to push
your creativity and how much of that juicy vintage tone you crave.
APPLICATIONS
FOR RECORDING DIRECT OR DIRECT TO P.A. SYSTEM:
Plug the XLR or 1/4" Output directly into the input of a mixer/DAW. Work with
the input trim control on the mixer/recorder and be sure not to overload its
input. If the Level of the Q\Strip is below 12 o'clock and is overloading the
board, use the respective output level switch to reduce the output:
If using 1/4-inch: +10dB disengaged (out position).
If using XLR: -20dB engaged (in position).
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WITH AN INSTRUMENT AMP:
•As a Stomp Box: Run the 1/4" Output into the front input of your amp.
For best results, keep the Q\Strip's Level close to unity gain so as not to
overload the amp's input --unless that's what you want to do!
•As a Pre-Amp: Run 1/4" Output of the Q\Strip directly into the power amp
input, a.k.a. "effects return" (if applicable) of an amp, which will bypass the
amp's tone-coloring pre-amp section and defeat the amp's master volume.
So, be sure your instrument's volume knob is down, BEFORE you turn on
the amp. If a power amp input is not available, use the cleanest channel with
the amp's EQ flat and maximum headroom. For best results, keep the
Q\Strip's Level close to unity gain to not overload the amp's input (which
could yield undesirable distortion).
TO DRIVE A POWER AMP:
Run the 1/4" Output or XLR Output to the
corresponding input of a power amp, and adjust your stage volume with the
Level control of the Q\Strip.
NOTE: When running into the power amp input of an amp or a power amp
alone, make sure to set the Output Level Switches as follows:
If using 1/4-inch: +10dB engaged (in position).
If using XLR: -20dB disengaged (out position).
If you are so inclined, this is the time to crank it --as long as the power amp
volume is close to or at max.
WITH INSTRUMENTS:
Use with acoustic and electric guitars and
basses, upright bass, keyboards, violin, drums, sax, harmonica, and even vocals.
But don't stop there. Try your own experimentation.
WITHOUT INSTRUMENTS:
Insert the Q\Strip in your mixing board and use it as an outboard processor to
warm up a particular channel or enhance existing tracks in the mix-down
process.
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