Tech Talk - Gallien-Krueger Backline Series Owner's Manual

Tech Talk

Current Output & Bass Response:
When a power amplifier is pushing several speaker cones
and a high-power transient, like when a string slap comes
along, the amp has to tap into a large power reserve to
maintain cone control. If the amplifier doesn't have this
ability, the sound is unresponsive and less out front. The
amp loses it's punch and feel at higher playing levels.
Instead of responding to your every command, the
amplifier simply cuts those transients off, leaving you with
the feeling that something is missing in your sound.
Since most amplifiers have limited output current
capacity, they need "current limiting circuits" to protect
against self-destruction. High-power transients trigger
these circuits, which rob the amplifier of it's ability to
control speaker cones. This creates a mushy, unresponsive
feel to your sound.
The Backline 350/210 has an extremely high current
capacity, over fifty amps, so it doesn't need current
limiting circuits for overload protection.
There is nothing in the Backline 350/210 power amps to
come between you and your sound except faithful, raw
power.
Equalization:
Standard tone controls and graphic equalizers give you
plenty of variation, but they don't provide what the
instrument really needs. The fact is, graphic equalizers
are intended for room equalization. The equalization in
Gallien-Krueger amplifiers reflects 30 years of continuous
development and refinement. The GK equalizer is unique
to the industry, it's not just a normal four band equalizer,
each section is a special circuit optimized to perform a
Bass specific job in its range of operation. These sections
are wired in series, so they add to one another creating a
tremendously flexible equalizer, that doesn't sound weird
at any setting. Now it is possible to obtain the sound you
desire.
Backline Series Backline Series Backline Series Backline Series Backline Series
Contour:
Contour is used to completely revoice the amplifier.
The Contour control tunes between two different shaping
circuits, with greatly different response. With the control
all the way up, the low end is slightly boosted, the mids
are dropped and the high end is pushed up. This is only
found in GK amplifiers.
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As in all GK pre-amps, the Backline Series pre-amp
incorporates what we call G.I.V.E (Gate Induced Valve
Effect) Technology. We use field effect devices with the
gate biased in a way that emphasizes the optimum
harmonic content of the signal.
Overdrive:
The Overdrive channel in your Backline unit provides
truly distinct distortion and sustain sounds. It is not a
simple clipping circuit but utilizes FET's connected in our
exclusive G.I.V.E. configuration. This is an added flexibil-
ity unheard of in this class of product.
Smart Protection Circuitry:
The Backline Series protection circuitry constantly
monitors for unsafe operating conditions such as short
circuits, miswired speaker cables, blown speakers, im-
proper ventilation and incorrect speaker configurations.
In addition, protection is provided during power up/power
down. If the Backline unit senses any unsafe operating
conditions, the output signal is immediately muted and
the power light changes from Green to Red. The amplifier
will remain muted until the fault is removed. If the
protection circuit activates while playing, turn the
amplifier off and check the amplifier speaker output
connections. Be sure that you are not exceeding the
maximum recommend load described in this manual. If
the problem persists, contact GK directly for technical
advice.
In Closing:
You should now have a thorough understanding of how
your new Backline unit works and what advantages it can
offer you in getting "your" sound. We thank you for
reading the Owner's Manual and wish you the best of
times! Please send us your comments via www.gallien-
krueger.com or email us at sales@gallien.com.
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