Ashdown ABM EVOII Manual

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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

ABM/RPM-1 Amplifier Heads and ABM Combos

#17669 - Manual 2005_ABM 18/4/05 12:21 pm Page 3

Thank you for purchasing your Ashdown Engineering Amplifier. If you live in the UK, please register yourpurchase by completing this form and return it to the following address:

Ashdown Engineering, The Old Maltings, Hall Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex CM9 4NJ, England

(Alternatively you can register online at http://www.ashdownmusic.com)

If you live outside the UK, the local Ashdown distributor may have included a specific registration formfor your country.

Your Ashdown Engineering product details:

Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tested by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 YEAR WARRANTY

Your Ashdown Engineering amplifier has been manufactured to the highest standards, using the best-selected materials. To ensure its optimum performance, please ensure your amplifier is regularly

serviced. This product carries a one year warranty, against defects in materials and workmanship, for theoriginal purchaser. Ashdown Engineering will, at their discretion, replace or repair any product or partthereof, which is found by Ashdown Engineering to be defective. This warranty shall not apply to thedamage of covering, fittings or finishes when affected by carelessness, accident or extreme climate

changes. Nor does it apply to normal wear and tear of parts such as valves, fuses, light bulbs, speakers,controls etc.

Please complete the lower section of this warranty and return it within 10 days of purchase to AshdownEngineering Ltd. at the above address. In the unlikely event of any defect, please contact an authorised

Ashdown Engineering dealer. All transport charges are to be pre-paid by the Owner. Unless theregistration card is returned normal country warranty laws apply.

Please complete and return this warranty within 10 days of purchase. Include any comments if possible.

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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IMPORTANT - REGISTRATION CARD


BASIC PRECAUTIONS

WARNING - When using electrical products,basic precautions should be followed,including the following:

1. Read all the instructions before using theproduct.

2. Do not use this product near water – forexample, near a bathtub, washbowl,kitchen sink, in a wet basement or near aswimming pool.

3. This product may cause permanenthearing loss. Do not operate for longperiods of time at a high volume level orat any level that is uncomfortable. If youexperience any hearing loss or ringing inthe ears, you should consult anaudiologist.

4. Make sure nothing interferes with theventilation of the product when in use.

5. The product should be located awayfrom heat sources such as radiators, heatregisters, or other products that produceheat.

6. The product should be connected to apower supply of the type described inthe operating instructions or as markedon the product.

7. The power supply cord of the productshould be unplugged from the outletwhen left unused for a long period oftime.

8. Care should be taken so that objects donot fall and liquids are not spilled intothe enclosure through openings.

9. The product should be serviced byqualified personnel when:

a. The power supply cord or the plughas been damaged; or

b. Objects have fallen, or liquid has beenspilled into theproduct: or

c. The product has been exposed to rainor moisture: or

d. The product does not appear tooperate normally or exhibits markedchange in performance: or

e. The product has been dropped, or theenclosure damaged.

10. Do not attempt to service the product.All servicing should be referred toqualified service personnel.

11. For continued protection against the riskof fire, replace fuses only with those ofthe same type and rating as indicated onthe back of the product.

WARNINGS USED ON THE EQUIPMENT

The lightning flash with thearrow head symbol within anequilateral triangle is intendedto alert the user to the presence

of uninsulated ‘dangerous voltage’ within thisproduct’s enclosure that may be of sufficientmagnitude to constitute a risk of electricshock.

The exclamation point within anequilateral triangle is intendedto alert the user to the presenceof important operating and

maintenance (servicing) instructions in theliterature accompanying this product.

GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

This product must be grounded (earthed). Ifit should malfunction or break down,grounding provides a path of least resistancefor electric current to reduce the risk ofelectric shock. This product is equipped witha supply cord having an equipmentgrounding conductor and a grounding plug.The plug must be plugged into anappropriate outlet that is properly installedand grounded in accordance with the localcodes and ordinances.

DANGER - Improper connection of theequipment grounding conductor can resultin a risk of electric shock. Check with aqualified electrician or serviceman if you arein doubt as to whether the product isproperly grounded. Do not modify the plugprovided with the product – if it will not fitthe outlet, have a suitable outlet fitted.

The wires in this mains cord are coloured inaccordance with the following code:

Green & Yellow - EarthBlue - NeutralBrown - Live

CE MARK FOR EUROPEANHARMONISED STANDARDS

The CE mark which is attached to theseproducts means it conforms to EMCDirective (89/69/EEC), CE mark Directive(93/68/EEC) and Low Voltage Directive(72/23/EEC).

Important Safety Instructions


This is a NO COMPROMISE design using thebest parts available wherever possible.

Some examples of this are as follows:

• Gold plated jack sockets for reliability andlong life.

• Full metal XLR sockets for strength andtheir positive latching facility.

• Powerful output stages for extraheadroom (rated in English RMS realpower and not MUSIC or PEAK power asthese can claim to be 2 or 3 times theactual real power of the amplifier).

• Doubling up of the cooling fans forreliability and reduced fan noise (2 fanscan run at half the speed to provide thesame cooling capacity and as aconsequence generate only half the noiseof one fan running at twice the speed).

• Speed controlled fan drive circuit. Againthis reduces the amount of fan noise asthe fans run slow when the unit is cooland increase in speed with output powerdemands.

• Powerful TOROIDAL mains transformer.This is more expensive than a laminatedstack transformer but has betterregulation, i.e., provides more power ondemand without sagging out and alsohas a minimal external magnetic fieldwhich means that single coil pick upbasses are less likely to pick up mainshum from the amplifier.

• FET input circuit to the preamp for‘Warmth’ even when using the CLEANinput mix setting.

• D.C. heaters for the TUBE section for lownoise operation.

• Switch on delay for silent power up.

• Thermal trip for output protection.

• Relay switched speaker output lines forsilent power down.

• Sub Bass output and Sub Harmonicsfacility for really serious bottom end.

Everything possible has been done to makethis a reliable, top of the range, minimumservice, high quality, long lasting powerfulbass amplifier.

We know you will appreciate the effort thathas been put into the design andmanufacture of this unit and you will berewarded in your choice of bass amplifier bylong life and reliability.

ABM Design Philosophy

ABM/RPM-1


Front Panel Facilities

INPUTS - A single instrument input isprovided, linked to a PASSIVE/ACTIVE selectorswitch (switch out=PASSIVE, switchin=ACTIVE). In PASSIVE mode, the input ishigh sensitivity and also high impedance tosuit the output from PASSIVE basses. In activemode, the input is low sensitivity and lowerimpedance to suit the output from ACTIVEbasses.

INPUT CONTROL - The INPUT control setsthe signal level through the preamp inconjunction with the INPUT LEVEL VU Meter.This is adjusted to give a reading of 0VU onthe meter for average playing dynamics withoccasional peaks into the red region. Pleasenote that this setting may require re-adjustment after modification of the EQcontrols.

PUSH FLAT / SHAPE - With this button in itsOUT position a fixed E.Q. is superimposed onthe preamp to give a bright but punchycharacter to the sound. Pushing this buttonIN returns the preamp to a Flat frequencyresponse. This function may also becontrolled from a footswitch. For thefootswitch to operate, this button must be inits OUT position.

VALVE DRIVE - This routes the signal eitherthrough a clean Solid State amplificationsection (control on zero) or through a DualTriode Tube amplification/overdrive sectionto add either tonal character, i.e. warmth withthe control set at 9 o’clock, a slight edge inthe sound at 12 o’clock, through to anincreasing degree of Tubedistortion/overdrive as the control isadvanced to maximum. A Mix of these twoamplification sections can be achieved withthis control. N.B. The degree of Tubedistortion with this control will also dependon the setting of the INPUT control.

VALVE DRIVE IN/OUT - This push buttonswitches the valve drive section IN or OUT.This function may also be controlled from afootswitch. For the footswitch to operate thisbutton must be in its OUT position.

E.Q. IN / OUT - This button switches theEqualisation section IN or OUT, i.e., the Bass,Middle and Treble controls and the two setsof sliders placed between these. This facilityis footswitchable via a socket on the rearpanel. For the footswitch to operate thisbutton must be in its out position.

EQUALISATION - This consists of BASS,MIDDLE and TREBLE controls with two slidersplaced in between. This can be used in anumber of ways:

• Firstly as a very simple Bass, Middle andTreble tone control section as found onolder traditional amplifiers. This is done byleaving the two sets of sliders set in theircentre positions and using only the BASS,MIDDLE and TREBLE controls to alter theoverall tone.

• Secondly, if more control is required, thenthe sliders can also be used to tailor the E.Q.in the regions between the main tonecontrols.

This provides a very versatile Equalisationsection that is simple to understand andoperate, yet provides a wide degree ofvariation. It retains the simplicity of a three-control tone section but provides theflexibility of a graphic equaliser.

SUB HARMONICS - This section consists ofan IN / OUT switch and a LEVEL control. Whenswitched IN, Sub Harmonics an octave belowthe notes being played are produced. Thelevel of these Sub Harmonics relative to thestraight bass sound can be adjusted usingthe LEVEL control. This is very effective inthickening the sound and you will find in usethat only a small degree of this lower octaveis required to really fill out the sound andprovide a character to the sound that is notpossible by any other means. The degree ofSub Harmonics is also dependant on thesetting of the BASS control. This facility isfootswitchable on the ABM/RPM-1 range viaa socket on the rear panel. For the footswitchto operate the Sub Harmonics must first beswitched into circuit with the front panelpush button.

DIRECT INJECT (D.I.) - A balanced D.I. isprovided on the front panel rugged metallatching XLR socket. The ABM/RPM-1 featuresa push button placed below the XLR thatallows the user to choose either a Pre E.Q. /Pre Sub signal or a Post E.Q. / Post Sub andEffects signal (the Pre E.Q. signal also includesthe Shape facility, if this is switched intocircuit). The output signal from this XLRsocket is set to a level and impedancesuitable for connecting directly into theMicrophone input of a mixing desk for eitherDirect Injection into the PA system or forrecording. This must ONLY be used into a

Balanced Microphone input. It is notintended for any other type of connection.This has a floating ground that is referencedto the mixing console it is plugged into andshould not need ground lifting. It is alsounaffected by Phantom Powering on theMicrophone input. Make sure your XLR plugdoes not have the shell of the plug internallyconnected to the ground signal or this willconnect the system to the chassis ground ofthe amplifier and may cause problems withhum.

PUSH TO MUTE - When pushed IN thisbutton mutes the output from the preamp tothe power amp, mutes the output from theD.I. socket and mutes the output from theSub Out socket as well. This leaves the outputfrom the TUNER / LINE socket still available toallow muted tuning. An LED is provided nextto this switch to indicate when the amplifieris muted. This operates only from the frontpanel MUTE push switch, i.e. pressing thisbutton mutes all sound from the amplifierand allows a tuner connected to the TUNER /LINE socket to operate for silent tuning.Release the button and you are back inaction again.

TUNER / LINE OUT - This output socketprovides a line level signal that can be usedeither for a permanent connection to a tuneror a line output to slave up to other poweramplifiers. Please note that if this socket isused as a slave output to other poweramplifiers that the MUTE button will notmute the signal to the external poweramplifiers.

SUB OUT - This output socket provides a LowPass filtered output for connection to apower amplifier driving a sub unit foradditional extra-low bottom end. This mayalso be used to drive other power amplifiersto provide additional low bottom end to thesystem. The Low Pass filter is fixed at 160Hz.

OUTPUT LEVEL - The OUTPUT controladjusts the overall level of the amplifier.Adjust this for your preferred overall stageplaying volume.


Rear Panel Facilities

300 / 500 Watt ABM Head / Combo

900 Watt ABM Head / Combo

RPM1 rack-mount preamp

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54

32

1

0 10

98

7

6 5852

4742

39

35 150

12095

75

65


Rear Panel Facilities

LINE INPUT - The rear panel has a Line Inputsocket for connection of other signal sourcesinto the system. This can be used forplugging a CD, Tape or MiniDisc player intothe amplifier for practising or rehearsing orfor connection of a second preamp into thesystem.

EFFECTS SEND / RETURN - A serial effectsloop is provided at a level of 0dB. TheEFFECTS SEND socket can also be used as aLine Out socket if required. The signal paththrough the preamp is only broken when ajack plug is inserted into the EFFECTSRETURN socket. The EFFECTS SEND is situatedafter the EQ, Valve section and Sub BassProcessor.

FOOTSWITCH SOCKETS - Two stereo jacksockets marked SUB/VALVE and EQ/SHAPEare provided for connection of 2-way pushon/push off type foot switches. The SUBfootswitch mutes the Sub Harmonics whenclosed. For this to operate the Sub Harmonicsmust already be activated with the frontpanel push switch. For all other footswitchesto operate, the corresponding front panelpush buttons must be in their OUT position.

CROSSOVER AND OUTPUTS (Rack PreampRPM-1 only) - The BASS MAGNIFIER RACKPREAMP RPM-1 has a built in high precisionCROSSOVER with separate jack socketoutputs for the HIGH PASS and LOW PASSsignals. Crossover frequency is adjustable

from 35Hz to 160Hz with a level control forthe LOW PASS output to adjust the balancebetween LOW and HIGH outputs signals.There is also a FULL RANGE jack line outputprovided. This section is provided withswitched output levels for simplifiedconnection to power amplifiers that requireeither a 0dB or +4dB signal level. Thisswitches the levels of all three outputs.

SPEAKER OUTPUT (except Rack PreampRPM-1) - The Speaker Output sockets are alsosituated on the rear panel of the unit. TheABM provides both jack and speakonconnectors.


Specifications

INPUTSHigh Input Impedance 3.9M Ohms Input range 150mV to 20V p-pLow Input Impedance 10K Ohms Input range 300mV to 40V p-pLine Input Impedance 22K Ohms Input level 0dBu nominalEffects Return Impedance 22K Ohms Input level 0dBu nominal

OUTPUTSTuner Output Impedance 22K Ohms Level 0dBu nominalSub Output Impedance 22K Ohms Level 0dBu nominalEffects Send Impedance 22K Ohms Level 0dBu nominalD.I. Output 600 Ohms balanced Level -20dBu nominalLow Pass (RPM-1 only) Impedance 1K Ohms Level switched 0/+4dBUHigh Pass (RPM-1 only) Impedance 1K Ohms Level switched 0/+4dBUFull Range (RPM-1 only) Impedance 1K Ohms Level switched 0/+4dBUSpeaker Outputs Minimum impedance 4 Ohms

EQUALISATION Shape (Push Flat) +8dB @ 50Hz & 4kHz, -8dB @ 400Hz, filter slope - 6dB/octaveBass +/-15dB @ 45HzMiddle +/-15dB @ 660HzTreble +/-15dB @ 7kHz shelvingSlider1 +/-15dB @ 110HzSlider 2 +/-15dB @ 340HzSlider 3 +/-15dB @ 1.3kHzSlider 4 +/-15dB @ 2.6kHz

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONFrequency Response -3dB at 17Hz and 30KHzRack Preamp RPM-1 Crossover Variable between 35 and 160HzPower Requirements 230 / 115V


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Ashdown ABM EVOII Manual