Ashdown AFTER 8 User Manual page 6

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Front Panel

INPUT

There is a single instrument input provided linked to a PASSIVE/ACTIVE selector switch. The Passive input (switch out) is high sensitivity and also

high impedance to suit the output from PASSIVE basses. The Active input (switch in) is low sensitivity and lower impedance to suit the output from

ACTIVE basses.

INPUT CONTROL

The INPUT control sets the signal level through the preamp in conjunction with the INPUT LEVEL VU Meter. This is adjusted to give a reading of 0VU

on the meter for average playing dynamics with occasional peaks into the red region. Please note that the setting of this may have to be re-adjusted

after modification of the EQ controls.

PUSH FLAT / SHAPE

With this button in its OUT position a fixed E.Q. is superimposed on the preamp to give a bright but punchy character to the sound. Pushing this

button IN returns the preamp to a Flat frequency response.

This function may also be controlled from a footswitch. For the footswitch to operate this button must be in its OUT position.

VALVE DRIVE

This routes the signal either through a clean Solid State amplification section (control on zero) or through a Dual Triode Tube amplification/overdrive

section in order to add either tonal character i.e. warmth with the control set at 9 o'clock, a slight edge in the sound at 12 0'clock through to an

increasing degree of Tube distortion/overdrive as the control is advanced to maximum.

A Mix of these two amplification sections can be achieved with this control.

N.B. The degree of tube distortion provided by this control will also depend on the setting of the INPUT control.

VALVE DRIVE IN/OUT

This push button switches the valve drive section IN or OUT. This function may also be controlled from the Ashdown 4 way footswitch. For the

footswitch to operate this button must be in its OUT position.

E.Q. IN / OUT - This push button switches the Equalisation section IN or OUT i.e. the Bass, Middle and Treble controls plus the two sets of sliders

placed between each of these.

This function may also be controlled from the Ashdown 4 way footswitch. For the footswitch to operate this button must be in its OUT position.

EQUALISATION

This consists of BASS, MIDDLE and TREBLE controls with two sliders placed between each control. This can be used in a number of ways:

Firstly as a very simple Bass, Middle and Treble tone control section as found on older traditional amplifiers. This is done by leaving the two sets of

sliders interposed between these controls set in their centre positions and using only the BASS, MIDDLE and TREBLE controls to alter the overall

tone.

Secondly, if more control is required then the sliders can also be used to tailor the E.Q. in the regions between the main tone controls. This provides a

very versatile Equalisation section, it is simple to understand and operate, yet provides a wide degree of variation. It retains the simplicity of a three-

control tone section but provides the flexibility of a graphic equaliser.

COMPRESSION

Adding a small amount of compression gives a fat bottom end to the sound and allows a greater volume of amplification to be used without the

playing peaks distorting the amplifiers output stage. You will also find that this will add definition to your playing bringing out notes within a run more

clearly as it evens out the dynamics of your playing.

A large amount of compression can be used as an effect but it will tend to reduce the dynamics in your playing to such an extent that the volume of

the note will be the same no matter how hard or soft you hit the string. Compression also adds sustain to notes making them longer before they die

away.

The Compression Level control adjusts the degree of compression applied to the bass signal. For this to function correctly the Input Level must be

correctly set as described in the INPUT CONTROL section (left).

When the Input Level is correctly set there will be hardly any difference in volume between Compression IN and Compression OUT. This is because

the amplifier automatically compensates for the reduction in level that would be apparent when Compression is added by increasing the overall gain

to restore the volume to its pre compression level, because of this you may notice an increase in background noise with high compression settings.

COMPRESSION IN/OUT

This push button switches the Compression IN or OUT. This function may also be controlled from the Ashdown 4 way footswitch. For the footswitch

to operate this button must be in its OUT position.

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USER MANUAL

ABM 400 - 500 - 900 - 1000

SUB HARMONICS

This section produces Sub Harmonics an octave below the notes being played. The level of these Sub Harmonics relative to the straight bass sound

can be adjusted using the LEVEL control.

This is very effective in thickening the sound and you will find in use that only a small degree of this lower octave is required to really fill out the sound

and provide a character that is not possible by any other means.

The degree of Sub Harmonics is also dependant on the setting of the BASS control.

DIRECT INjECT (D.I.)

A balanced D.I. is provided on a latching XLR socket. This has a push button placed below it that allows the user to choose either a Pre E.Q. signal

(button pushed IN) or a Post E.Q. Post Sub and effects signal (button OUT).

The output signal from this XLR socket is set to a level and impedance suitable for connecting directly into the Microphone input of a mixing desk for

either Direct Injection into the PA system or for recording. This must ONLY be used into a Balanced Microphone input, it is not intended for any other

type of connection.

This has a floating ground that is referenced to the mixing console it is plugged into and should not need ground lifting. It is also unaffected by

Phantom Powering on the Microphone input.

Make sure your XLR plug does not have the shell of the plug internally connected to signal ground or this will connect the system to chassis ground of

the ABM and may cause problems with hum.

PUSH TO MUTE

When pushed IN this button mutes the output from the preamp to the power amp, mutes the output from the D.I. socket and mutes the output from

the LINE Out socket as well. This leaves the output from the TUNER socket still available to allow muted tuning. An LED is provided next to this switch

to indicate when the amplifier is muted. This function operates only from the front panel MUTE push switch. i.e. pressing this button mutes all sound

from the amplifier and allows a tuner connected to the TUNER socket to operate for silent tuning. Release the button and you are back in action

again.

TUNER OUT

This output socket provides a line level signal that can be used for a permanent connection to a tuner.

The signal from this socket remains when all other outputs from the amplifier are Muted allowing all sound from the amplifier to be silenced while

tuning is in progress.

LINE OUT

This output socket provides a line level/post Output Level control signal for connection to an external power amplifier driving additional speaker

cabinets.

OUTPUT LEVEL

The OUTPUT control adjusts the overall level of the amplifier. Adjust this for your preferred overall stage playing volume.