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MANUAL May be covered by one or more of the following: U.S. Patents #4538297, 4647876, 4696044, 4745309, 4881047, 4893099, 5124657, 5263091, 5268527, 5319713, 5333201, 5402498 and 5493617. Other patents pending. Foreign patents pending.
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Your UTOPIA G300 has been designed to comply with the following Standards and Directives as set forth by the European Union: Council Directive(s): 89/336/EEC, 73/23/EEC, 76/769/EC, 1994/62/EC, 2000/ 53/EC, 2002/95/EC Standard(s): EN55022, EN50082-1, EN60065 This means that this product has been designed to meet stringent guidelines on how much RF energy it can emit, and that it should be immune from other sources of interference when properly used.
CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Quick Reference 3. UTOPIA G300 Top and Back Panels 4. Connections 5. Operating Format 6. UTOPIA G300 Functions and Parameter Description GLOBAL Function MIXER Function PREAMP Function HUSH® Function SPEAKER Simulator Function COMPRESSOR Function EFFECTS LOOP Function...
The G300 is packed with plenty of great sounds ready to transform any Guitar amplifier into a Power- house of Rock. Simply put the G300 between you and your amp and let your inspiration flow! Rocktron stands alone with amazing tone generation and effects in the G300 - everything you need to create your own signature sound and define a new generation of playing.
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PRECAUTIONS NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THIS SECTION TO PRO- VIDE YEARS OF TROUBLE FREE USE. THIS UNIT REQUIRES CAREFUL HAN- DLING. • All warnings on this equipment and in the operating instructions should be adhered to and all operating instructions should be followed. •...
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2. Quick Reference..continued... STEP 1 Turn ON the UTOPIA G300. STEP 2 Select your desired preset by pressing any button 0-9 to select presets. You may also do this by following STEP 6. NOTE - the G300 starts with preset number 1, preset 0 does not exist.
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This button is used to store values into the G300's memory when altered. See "Storing Changed Preset Parameters" for more information on this procedure. 6 FUNCTION SELECT control This knob allows access to each function of the UTOPIA G300 depending on which configura- tion is currently recalled. 7 PEDAL ACTIVE LED This LED will light when the built-in expression pedal is active or on.
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UTOPIA G300 Top and Back Panels..continued..Press the UP button once to move one preset bank up or press and hold down the button to auto- scroll UP. Note that once you have reached your desired preset, the preset name on the screen will be flashing but NOT recalled.
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You can add an additional expression pedal or footswitch to the G300 using this jack and a RTS ¼ jack [stereo] cable. You can assign any parameter in the G300 to be adjusted by this pedal. We recommend the following (sold separately) Rocktron Utopia Expression pedal, Rocktron HEX Pedal or Rocktron VSF1 Footswitch.
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This standard, mono 1/4" jack is used to provide input to the unit. 26 OUTPUT RIGHT jack This 1/4" jack provides the right output of the UTOPIA G300 for use in stereo situations, such as direct recording, plugging into a PA system, two Guitar amplifiers, etc.
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UTOPIA G300 Top and Back Panels..continued..33 POWER jack This 4-pin DIN connector accepts power from the 9V/AC adaptor supplied with the G300. 34 POWER Switch Use this switch to turn the UTOPIA G300 On and Off.
5. Operating Format The G300 provides 128 stored sounds called presets. Any of the 128 presets can be called up at any time via the PRESET knob, or by using the BANK UP/DOWN buttons and PRESET switches. Each preset has the following effects available at all times: Effects Loop (use to control on/off status of any outboard gear connected to the G300) Compressor Wah Wah...
These controls are called parameters. It is the setting of each of the parameters which determines the overall sound of each preset. The UTOPIA G300 is set up to allow you to first access each function (via the FUNCTION SELECT knob), then the parameter list for each function (via the PARAMETER SELECT knob) and finally the adjustable value for each parameter...
(i.e. the settings stored for these parameters are the same for all presets). The PARAMETER SELECT knob will allow you to access these Global parameters: The OUTPUT parameter determines whether the output of the UTOPIA G300 is OUTPUT a stereo (left and right) signal or two mono signals.
6. MIXER Function The next function displayed after turning the FUNCTION SELECT knob clockwise is the Mixer function. The Mixer function parameters are included in all presets -- regardless of which configuration is currently recalled -- although the parameter values stored in this function are only for the currently recalled preset.
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The VARIAC ADJUST parameter adjusts the level at which the preamp stage in VARIAC ADJUST the UTOPIA G300 begins to distort. A Variac is a voltage attenuating device that plugs into an AC wall outlet and adjusts the voltage level to any device which is plugged into it.
Guitar and the A/D converter. This ensures a quiet input signal to the preamp section. Be- cause the preamp section of the UTOPIA G300 is digital, it is virtually noise-free (even for the high-gain channels). Therefore, a quiet input signal to the preamp will result in a quiet output signal.
6. SPEAKER SIMULATOR Function The SPEAKER Simulator function is included in all presets and provides a realistic approximation of a miked speaker cabinet for applications involving connecting the UTOPIA G300 directly to a mixing board, recording system or other full range system.
6. COMPRESSOR Function The COMPRESSOR function is available in all configurations. This function allows you to com- press the signal prior to the distortion stage. Compression is often used to maintain an even level when using clean tones, and also to increase sustain when using distorted tones. The PARAMETER SELECT knob will allow you to access these COMPRESSOR parameters: The COMPRESSOR IN/OUT parameter determines whether the compressor is COMPRESSOR...
6. EFFECTS LOOP Function The EFFECTS LOOP function allows you to determine if the Effects Loop is ON or OFF for each Preset. The PARAMETER ADJUST knob will allow you to adjust this parameter: The EFX LOOP control allows you to insert return audio from the device con- EFX LOOP nected to the Effects Loop into the audio path before any processing.
The WAH-WAH function is available only in configurations which display "WAH" in the configura- tion title. The UTOPIA G300 has an internal wah-wah which allows for the built-in expression pedal to be used as a wah-wah pedal when selected in the Pedal Controllers function. To do this, you will need to activate this in the "PEDAL CONTROLLERS"...
6. PHASER Function The PHASER function is available only in configurations displaying "PHA" in the configuration title. Phase shifting involves splitting the input signal into two signals, then shifting the phase of different frequencies of one signal and mixing it back with the original signal. The PARAMETER SELECT knob will allow you to access these PHASER parameters: The PHASER IN/OUT parameter determines whether the Phaser is active for the PHASER...
6. MODULATION EFX Function The MODULATION EFX function allows you to select a MODULATION effect for each preset. The PARAMETER ADJUST knob will allow you to select a Modulation Effect: Using the parameter adjust knob you can select one of the following MODULA- Available TION EFFECT: Selections...
The CHORUS function is available if you have selected it in the MODULATION EFX Function. The Chorus effect in the UTOPIA G300 is produced by using two delayed signals (Voice 1 and Voice 2), detuning these delayed signals (slightly changing their pitch), then modulating the detune effect so that the amount of pitch detune is constantly varying.
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6. CHORUS Function Continued..The LEVEL 2 parameter determines the volume of Voice 2 in relation to Voice 1 LEVEL 2 PAN 2 parameter allows you to pan Voice 2 to the left or right channel. PAN 2 The DEPTH 2 parameter adjusts the amount of modulation of the Voice 2 signal. DEPTH 2 A lower depth setting will produce a more subtle detune effect, while a higher set- ting will produce a more extreme detuning of Voice 2.
6. FLANGER Function The FLANGER function is available if you have selected it in the MODULATION EFX Function. Flanging involves splitting the input signal into at least two individual delayed signals (Voice 1 and voice 2), then modulating these delayed signals so that, when summed back with the direct signal, phase cancellations will occur at some frequencies while peaks in the response will occur at others.
6. TREMOLO Function The TREMOLO function is available if you have selected it in the MODULATION EFX Function. The Tremolo effect continuously varies the volume of the signal. The PARAMETER SELECT knob will allow you to access these TREMOLO parameters: The TREMOLO IN/OUT parameter determines whether the Tremolo is active or TREMOLO I/O bypassed for the current preset.
The PAN parameter allows you to pan the shifted signal to the left or right chan- nel. The PITCH parameter selects what harmony note the UTOPIA G300 will PITCH produce based on the input note. The value displayed for this parameter represents the number of cents that the signal will be shifted (adjustable in 20-cent increments).
6. PITCH SHIFT INTERVALS PARAMETER CORRESPONDING VALUE INTERVAL +1200 1 Octave +1100 Major 7th +1000 minor 7th +900 Major 6th Voices above the input signal +800 minor 6th +700 perfect 5th +600 diminished 5th +500 perfect 4th +400 Major 3rd +300 minor 3rd +200...
Delay is a reproduction of the input signal, occurring at a prescribed time (usually expressed in milliseconds) following the input signal. The UTOPIA G300 provides two discrete delays (Delay 1 and Delay 2), each of which has its own parameters to determine its particular characteristics.
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6. DELAY Function Continued..The SOURCE 2 parameter is used to select whether the Source 2 input will be SOURCE 2 the VOICE 2 output from the previous effect in the signal chain or the direct signal (DIR). The DELAY HIGH FREQUENCY DAMPING parameter controls the amount of DLY HF DAMP high frequency content in the delayed and regenerated signals.
6. TAP QUANTIZING Function The TAP QUANTIZING function allows you to select a TAP rate for the delay preset. When in 2nd Function Mode you can use the Tap Button (Preset button 4) to set the rate of the delay. This is ideal when playing live and you would like to change the delay rate in real time without missing a beat! The Tap Quantizing can be set (or fixed) for each preset.
6. REVERB Function Reverb is a multitude of echoes spaced so close together that, to the human ears seem as a single continuous sound. These echoes gradually decrease in intensity until they are ultimately absorbed by the boundaries and obstacles within a room. As the sound waves from the sound source strike the boundar- ies of a room, a portion of the energy is reflected away from the obstacle while another portion is ab- sorbed into it - thereby causing both the continuance of sound as well as the decaying or "dying out' of the sound.
7. Function - Parameter - Range List FUNCTION PARAMETER LIST RANGE (via FUNCTION SELECT) (via PARAMETER SELECT) (via PARAMETER ADJUST) GLOBAL OUTPUT (Output Level) Stereo, Mono SPKR SIM (Speaker Simulator Lock) Unlock, Lock Off, Lock L, Lock B HUSH OFFSET -10(dB) to +30(dB) MASTER VOLUME -40(dB) to +6(dB)
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7. Function - Parameter - Range List continued..FUNCTION PARAMETER LIST RANGE (via FUNCTION SELECT) (via PARAMETER SELECT) (via PARAMETER ADJUST) MODULATION MODULATION EFX Chorus, Flanger, Tremolo Pitch Shift CHORUS CHORUS (Chorus In/Out Status) Out, In LEVEL 1 (Voice 1 Level) OFF to +4(dB) PAN 1 (Voice 1 Panning) L <0 to 100>...
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7. Function - Parameter - Range List continued..FUNCTION PARAMETER LIST RANGE (via FUNCTION SELECT) (via PARAMETER SELECT) via PARAMETER ADJUST) TAP QUANTIZING DELAY 1 Sixteen, Eighth, Triplet, Quarter, Half, Whole, None DELAY 2 Sixteen, Eighth, Triplet, Quarter, Half, Whole, None REVERB REV INPUT (Reverb Input Status) Muted, Active...
8. Operating the UTOPIA G300 8. Display Description The LCD display on the Utopia G300 provides you with the information about the preset you are in: When in PRESET MODE the LEDs will be lit "GREEN" and the display will show the following: Top line of display will show: BANK - Displays the Preset Bank you have selected.
8. Selecting a preset: There are two ways to select a preset on the UTOPIA G300. You can either turn the PRESET knob to the desired preset you wish to recall. The display will show the selected preset number. b 0 4 S c o r c h c h o r u s 4 1 c h r - d l y - r e v The second way to select a preset with the UTOPIA G300 is to use the footswitches.
8. Preset Banks: The Utopia G300 has 13 banks of 10 presets each (note that there is no preset "0" or preset "129") for a total of 128 presets. This is an ideal setup for live situations as you can arrange your sounds in each bank to your suit your needs.
8. Changing preset parameters: Turn the FUNCTION SELECT knob to select the function heading which contains the Step 1 parameter(s) you wish to change. * * * * R E V E R B * * * * R E V I N P U T M U T E D Turn the PARAMETER SELECT knob to the specific parameter you wish to change.
8. Storing changed preset parameters: 1,3,4 While viewing a function or parameter title, press the STORE button to start the store Step 1 procedure. The display will now alternate between the destination preset number and title and "STORE AT PRESET." b 0 4 S c o r c h c h o r u s b 0 4 S c o r c h c h o r u s 4 1 c h r - d l y - r e v...
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8. Storing changed preset parameters continued..: If you would like to copy the title - press the store button. The display will briefly Step 4 flash "STORED" and return to PRESET MODE. If you do NOT want to copy the title simply turn the Parameter Adjust one click and the title will not be stored.
8. Operation Mode The Utopia G300 has two OPERATION MODES - Preset and 2nd. When in Preset mode you can select any preset you would like in the various banks. When in 2nd Mode you are in the 2nd function mode of the selected preset.
8. Selecting a Modulation Effect Step 1 Turn the FUNCTION SELECT knob to MODULATION EFX * m O D U L A T I O N e f x * C H O R U S Turn the PARAMETER ADJUST knob to select Chorus, Flanger, Tremolo or Pitch Step 2 Shift Note: When changed, the EFFECT will turn to a preset starting condition for you to...
8. MUTE/Harmonic Tuner Function The Utopia G300 provides a built-in harmonic tuner which can be activated 2 different ways at any time. This will MUTE the output of the G300 allowing you to tune in silence. Use 12th fret harmonics to tune.
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8. MUTE/Tuner Function continued..Here is a note that is slightly above C (i.e. slightly sharp) FLAT SHARP Here is a note that is slightly below C (i.e. slightly flat) FLAT SHARP As you tune the string, the displayed asterisk will move closer to the displayed note Step 3 on the top line.
USB host. 8. MIDI IN The MIDI IN in the Utopia G300 will allow you to update your G300 with new presets directly from a computer using any MIDI interface device. Follow the connection steps in the CONNECTIONS SEC- TION of this manual.
8. MIDI CHANNELS - MIDI RECEIVE The G300 can receive MIDI commands from other MIDI transmitting devices. In order for this func- tion to operate properly, the G300's MIDI receive channels must be set to correspond to the MIDI Channel that the other devices are sending MIDI messages on. The MIDI RECEIVE channel options are 1-16, OMNI and OFF.
8. MIDI CHANNELS - MIDI Transmit The G300 can transmit MIDI commands to other MIDI receiving devices. You must however assign a MIDI Transmit channel in order to do so. In the next section [ PROGRAM CHANGES ] you will learn how to send program changes to your favorite piece of rack gear.
8. Program Changes: PROG CH TX ON, MAP, OFF DEFAULT = OFF 1 -TX-PC-> 127 [PROGRAM TRANSMIT MAP] Note: The TRANSMIT CHANNEL must be assigned found in MIDI CHANNELS function so the G300 can send out MIDI MESSAGES. The G300 can send PROGRAM CHANGES to another MIDI capable device through the MIDI OUT/ THRU jack whenever you recall a preset .
Any or all of the G300's presets may be dumped to another G300 a sequencer or MIDI utility program using a PC midi interface to create a ( .syx ) file. This file may be uploaded to the Rocktron website to share with other users.
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8. MIDI DUMP/LOAD continued..: On the transmitting G300, press the STORE button to dump the preset. The transmit- Step 5 ting G300 will display "DUMPED" M I D I D U M P / L O A D d u m p e d To BULK DUMP all presets to another G300 or upload them to a Sequencer or Step 6 Computer using a PC MIDI interface along with a MIDI Utility program, use the...
The IPED selection in the PEDAL CONTROLLERS section options let you assign up to three different parameters that can be adjusted in real time by using the optional Rocktron Utopia Expression pedal (sold separately) or the Rocktron HEX Expression pedal or the Rocktron VFS2 footswitch.. The default setting of this controller is mapped to off.
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8. Pedal Controllers continued..To access the Pedal Controller function, turn the FUNCTION SELECT knob clockwise to Step 1 "PEDAL CONTROLERS". p e d a l c o n t r o l e r s Step 2 Turn the PARAMETER SELECT knob for the first parameter of the Controller Assign func- tion.
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1 0 0 NOTE: The UTOPIA G300 allows you to select an upper and lower value limit which the parameter cannot exceed. For example, if a parameter has a value range from 0 to 127, yet you would like the range of the parameter to vary from only 50 to 127, you may set a lower limit of 50 and an upper limit of 127 via the Upper (ULIM) and Lower Limit (LLIM) parameters.
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8. Pedal Controllers..continued..... Selecting a lower limit value that is greater than the upper limit value will invert the response of the controller - i.e. the toe position of the expression controller will provide the minimum value, while the heel position will provide the maximum value. To make changes to the second Pedal Controller turn the PARAMETER SELECT Step 10 knob clockwise one click.
The PEDAL STATUS is for use with the built-in expression pedal. By setting the RUN STAT pa- rameter to ON, the UTOPIA G300 will track the position of the expression pedal (assuming the expres- sion pedal is presently or had been previously assigned to "PEDAL VOLU") and vary the preset volume accordingly from preset to preset.
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8. Pedal Status..continued..... Step 2 Turn the PARAMETER ADJUST knob to select ON for the RUN STAT parameter. p e d a l s t a t u s r u n s t a t Turn the PARAMETER SELECT knob one step clockwise to the IPED/VOL param- Step 3 eter.
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8. Pedal Status..continued..... You now must store your changes. If you have made any changes to any parameter, the LED Step 5 above the "STORE" button will light. Press the STORE button to save the changes you have made. "STORE AT PRESET" will flash intermittently with the current preset. If you would like to save this change to the current preset, press the STORE button again.
8. Foot SW Mapping (Footswitch Mapping) The "FOOT SW MAPPING" function allows you to select what effect will be used in the 2ND FUNCTION MODE when accessing the EFFECT ON/OFF (Second Function button number 7) and what CHANNEL you will "toggle" to when accessing the CHANNEL TOGGLE (2nd Function button number 6).
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8. Foot SW Mapping (Footswitch Mapping) continued..Turn the PARAMETER SELECT knob to select TOGGLE. Step 4 f o o t s w m a p p i n g t o g g l e C l e a n Use the PARAMETER ADJUST knob to select Clean, Texas, British, Mega or Scorch.
The Factory Restore function allows you to restore presets 1-64 that you may have altered to their original condition as shipped from the factory. Either the entire UTOPIA G300 memory can be restored or a single preset can be restored. Note that you do NOT need to restore presets 65 to 128 as these are factory preset that can not be altered and stored.
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A L L R E S T O R E A specific code number must be entered to restore the UTOPIA G300 memory Use the Step 3 PARAMETER ADJUST knob to enter the number "22".
To begin the Title Edit function, turn the FUNCTION SELECT knob clockwise until Step 1 the UTOPIA G300 displays "TITLE EDIT". * * t i t l e e d i t Turn the PARAMETER SELECT knob clockwise to initiate the Title Edit mode.
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NOTE: The STORE button must be pressed to save the new title. Exiting the Title Edit func- tion before pressing the STORE button will erase any editing that was done in Title Edit. Also, after flashing "STORED", the UTOPIA G300 will exit the title edit mode and return to the main preset number.
C H R - D L Y - R E V In the above example, preset 7 has been saved so that when you turn the UTOPIA G300 on in the future, preset 7 will be the preset that is recalled.
9. SPECIFICATIONS Specifications Input Impedance 1M Ohm Maximum Input Level 0 dBu Input Jack ¼" mono Maximum Output Level +4 dBu Output Jacks ¼" Left and Right. Headphone Jack 1/8" Stereo (Load Impedance 32 Ohm Min) Important: Listening to any sounds at levels above 85 dBu may cause hearing damage! Due to high output capabilities present in the HEADPHONE OUTPUTS it is recom-...
10. Utopia G300 Preset Listing Preset Name What it does Pedal Heel Utopia Rocks Scorch Distortion w/Delay Volume Zero Volume Full Volume Clean Strat Clean w/Reverb Volume Zero Volume Full Volume Wammy Man British Distortion w/Delay Pitch Actual Pitch Octave Higher...
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10. Utopia G300 Preset Listing Preset Name What it does Pedal Heel Utopia Rocks Scorch Distortion w/Delay Volume Zero Volume Full Volume Clean Strat Clean w/Reverb Volume Zero Volume Full Volume Wammy Man British Distortion w/Delay Pitch Actual Pitch Octave Higher...
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Rocktron -A Division of GHS Corporation 2813 Wilber Avenue Battle Creek MI 49037 Rocktron Phone: 1-(269)-968-3351 Email: info@rocktron.com Check us out on the web at: www.rocktron.com 2007-0001 Rev. 12/02/07...
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