Quickset Up; Using The Microcab Ii - Ada Microcab II Owner's Manual

QUICKSET UP

The MlCROCAB II Miked Guitar Cabinet Emulator is designed to accept preamp/effects
and poweramp output levels. DO NOT UNPLUG YOUR TUBE POWER AMPLIFIER
OUTPUTS from your speakers or load box when using the MlCROCAB II !
1. Connect stereo inputs (A & B) on rear panel of MlCROCAB II to (he outputs of your
preamp or effects device using shielded 1/4" phone cables. Or connect 1/4"
unshielded phone speaker cables to your power amplifier output(s).
2. Use your choice of the MlCROCAB II's 1/4" or XLR (balanced) outputs to connect
the MlCROCAB II to the inputs of your recording or sound reinforcement mixing
console. For stereo operation, connect outputs A & B to separate inputs on your
mixing console.
3. Use ground lift switch if necessary to eliminate any line noise or hum that may be
present from poorly-balanced power sources or ground loops in your system.
NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD TONE FIRST! SET YOUR PREAMP AND EFFECTS
TO GET YOUR BEST TONE USING YOUR WHOLE RIG, INCLUDING THE GUITAR
CABINETS, BEFORE PATCHING IN THE MlCROCAB II.

USING THE MICROCAB II

The MlCROCAB II can be used in the recording studio to quickly capture "that right tone" just
as it sounds coming out of your guitar cabinets. The MlCROCAB II is also used for live sound
reinforcement to get the exact tone on stage into the house system, without much of the
hassle involved in lengthy sound checks and mike placement trial and error, while providing
absolute isolation from other instruments on-stage.
Since guitar speaker cabinet systems don't have a flat frequency response, some outboard
EQ is essential to simulate the characteristic tone and presence of a "live" speaker cabinet.
The ADA MlCROCAB II is designed to emulate the presence, tone and coloration found in a
variety of modern and vintage speaker cabinets. Further, since the signal at the speaker
cabinet is normally brought to your mixing console via a microphone, and not through a direct
box (this would sound terrible), the microphone's frequency response must be taken into
account. The MlCROCAB II emulates this characteristic, delivering the "feel" and tone that
has become an integral part of the sound of amplified guitar.
Additionally, the ADA MlCROCAB II is capable of emulating the close-miking characteristics
of the Shure SM57 microphone—the industry standard for guitar miking in the studio and live
sound reinforcement. The SM57 is well-noted for its "proximity effect," or low frequency boost
at 180 Hz when placed very near the sound source (see Huber, Microphone Manual, Focal
Press, 1988, p. 258), further enhancing the "thump" effect of the British-style 4x12 cabinet.
Also note, on the next page, that the high frequency response from the Shure SM57 when
placed off-axis is greatly attenuated. The shallow comb filter nodes across the mid-frequency
band, shown on page 8, is another "live miking" characteristic emulated by the MlCROCABII.
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