Gain Control; Tone Controls; Low Expander Control; Aux Input - Traynor Small Block 106 Manual

4. Gain Control

The Small Block Gain control allows you to set the level of the signal before it's sent to the tone controls. This con-
trols the tonal 'sensitivity' or 'definition' of the amplifier. Higher Gain settings will give more 'growl' to your bass.

5. Tone Controls

A wide-range of sonic adjustment is achieved by using the four overlapping active tone controls. These tone controls
have a range of ±15db covering the audio spectrum. The center position of each control denotes a neutral or nomi-
nal setting. The Bass control adjusts the level of the low frequency; Low Mid, the next frequency range up; the Hi
Mid covers a higher frequency range and the Treble regulates the upper frequency range.
User Tip: When starting out, it's a good idea to center all tone controls. Adjust these controls while playing until
you achieve the desired tone. Keep in mind that all tone and EQ circuits are gain-related, which means it may
be necessary to re-adjust the Gain control once the desired tone is achieved. This will help you to retain the
amount of clarity or 'growl' you desire.

6. Low Expander Control

The low expander shapes the tone of the bass by contouring the gain throughout the mid frequencies around 400 Hz while
expanding the low frequency. Re-shaping the frequency response in this manner provides an expanded tonal palette.

7. AUX Input

The 1/8-inch jack can be used an input for an external sound source such as a digital audio player or smart phones
etc. A stereo source will be summed electronically when fed into the AUX Input jack using a TRS (stereo jack). The
AUX Input is fed to the signal flow after the tone controls, which does not affect its tonality.

8. Phones Jack

The Phone jack has been provided for connecting headphones which allows practice or recording without
making any audible sound through the speakers. When you plug headphones in the Small Block, the amplifier
is disconnected from the speaker/s.
Note: When the Phones jack is used, the XLR Line Out, Tuner jack and Effects Send jack are active and still function.

9. Tuner Out Jack

Connect your instrument tuner here using a standard shielded (e.g. guitar) cable.

10. Line Out EQ Switch

This feature routes the preamp signal destined for the balanced Line Out XLR either through the amp's tone con-
trol and Scoop circuits, or around them. Depress the button (Post-EQ setting) to have the same sound as your
amp going to the PA or recording mixer, or leave it in the out position (Pre-EQ setting) to send the instrument's
original, non-EQ'd signal to the board.
11. & 12. Line Out XLR and Lift/GND
The Line Out allows the user to connect the Small Block preamp directly to a mixing console when performing live or
recording in the studio. Use a standard XLR mic cable, or an XLR female to a 1/4-inch TRS patch cable, depending
on the mixer's available inputs (it is usually best to use a 1/4-inch TRS line-level input on the board to match gain
levels). In the Lift setting, the button disconnects Pin 1 of the XLR to help reduce ground loop hum when routing
signals directly to other equipment or mixing consoles. However if ground loop hum is not audible, you may get su-
perior shielding from outside noise sources with the button in the GND setting.
User Tip: When using the XLR Line out for recording direct-to-computer, we would recommend you insert a suitable
device between the amp and computer such as A.R.T.'s TubeMP with USB for extra gain control and USB conversion.

13. Speaker Out

The amp's minimum load is 4 ohms overall therefore you can connect a total of one 4 ohm speaker cabinet or two 8
ohm speaker cabinets in parallel (by daisy chaining from one cabinet to the other).
Note: The 200 watt rated power output (@ 4 ohms) is measured with the amp's Gain and tone controls adjusted
for minimal distortion. When shopping for a single 4 ohm cabinet, look for one with a program power rating of
approximately 250 watts, this will provide some added capacity for handling "crunch" distortion.
2