Accusound AMA-1 User manual

Acoustic Amplifier Handbook
Thank you for purchasing the Accusound AMA-1 acoustic amplifier. Please read the
enclosed information. This will help you to understand the product in which you have
invested and enable you to get the most out of it.
Please take note of the safety warnings and as with all electrical goods, do not attempt to
open the product under any circumstances. There are no user serviceable parts. All
remedial work should be referred back to Accusound.
Always protect your amplifier from damp. Any moisture on the cabinet should be
immediately dried using a cloth to prevent any from entering the product through
connector sockets or other points.
This unit must only be used with mains supply that has a protective earth connection.
AMA-1mk ii 100watt acoustic amplifier
172 Wadsley Lane, Sheffield, UK. S6 4EE 07774 782503
Contents:
Amplifier Use 2
Master, Tone & Reverb 3
Output Clip, Reverb Table 4
Quick Start 5
Technical Spec 8

Amplifier use AMA-1 mk11 (Quick start on Page 4)
Before switching on your amplifier, ensure all volume controls are at minimum and
connect all inputs and outputs.
Your instrument or microphone should be connected to input 1 or 2, each have the
same facilities so you may chose either and achieve the full use of the amplifier.
All the connectors are on the left of the amplifier, and all the controls on the right.
Input 1 & 2 connectors:
These XLR/Jack input connectors will
accept either 3pin male XLR connectors or
1/4" (6.35mm) jack plugs. The input
sensitivity is the same whichever
connector is used. Phantom power may be
applied to the XLR connector, no effect will
be noticed if the phantom power button is
on when you use the 1/4" jack connection.
Gain, Level and Phantom Power:
This control section changes the level of
the input signal taken from your
instrument or microphone.
The Input Clip LEDs show when there is a
good signal level and when the level is too
high. With a low level input signal these
LEDS may not illuminate. With a good
signal level they will flash or remain constant Green. When the signal is too high the
LEDS will remain constant Red. When the LEDS are mostly Green and only
occasionally flash Red, then the signal level is at its optimum level. To set these input
the signal to the amplifier at the highest level that is likely to be used. This means if
you are playing an instrument, play it loudly, if singing then sing loudly. Adjust the
Green Gain knob until the LEDs are Green with only occasional Red flashes. Do not be
afraid to use the green control as maximum, it is designed to operate at that level.
Whilst performing this setting point, the White Level knobs will do nothing. To get
the most out of your amplifier it is best to use the Gain control at as high a level as
possible whilst still maintaining the sound you want.
Pressing the black Phantom buttons, applies 12v phantom to Channel 1 or 2, the LED
will illuminate Red when Phantom is present. Phantom Power only appears on XLR
connections.
The level knobs allow the user to balance the two channels and should be used, if
possible, above 4 or 5.
2

Master Level Control:
The Master Level control, situated
at the bottom right of the amplifier
panel, controls the overall output
level of the amplifier. This control
should be used at any level to
produce the required output level.
Treble/Mid/Bass:
These yellow knobs provide 3
bands of tone control. Turning any
knob anti-clockwise will reduce the
level of that band, Treble, Mid or
Bass, rotating it clockwise increases
the level in that band. Note that
increasing these controls could
cause overload, if this happens
simply reduce the level by
decreasing the Level using the
White knobs at the top of the
panel.
Reverberation:
There are 16 different types of
reverberation available on each
channel. It has to be the same type
of reverberation on each channel
but the level of this reverberation
can be adjusted individually on
each channel from zero to max. The large Red knob, Effects Select, allows any
one of the 16 types of reverberation to be selected. There is a list of the reverb
styles associated with each number on the back of the amplifier. The Red
knobs, one on each side, allow the level of reverberation to be adjusted that is
applied to each channel. The smaller Red knob below the Effects Select knob
called Effects Parameter allows adjustment of one characteristic of each
individual reverberation. The parameter that is adjustable is indicated in the
next table, but it can be such characteristics as reverberation decay time, chorus
depth, flanger rate etc
3

Output Clip:
The Output Clip LED indicates when
too much signal is being fed through
the amplifier. If only short flashes of
Red are visible then the level is near
maximum if the LED becomes
constantly Red then there will be
distortion form the speaker and the
level is too high. The Master level
control should be turned anti-
clockwise to reduce the output level.
Reverberation Parameters:
Reverberation Description
Parameter
Spring Reverb
Reverb Delay Time
Room Reverb
Reverb Delay Time
Slapback Reverb
Reverb Delay Time
Hall Reverb
Reverb Delay Time
Chorus Reverb
Reverb Delay Time
Chorus
Chorus Depth
Delay
Delay Time
Delay Reverb
Delay Time
Octave
Octave up/down
Rotary Speaker
Rotation Speed
Reverb Tremolo
Tremolo Rate
Rotary Speaker
Rotation Speed
Flanger
Flanger Rate
Phaser
Phaser Rate
Tremolo
Tremolo Rate
LFO Wah
Wah Rate
4

This is written specifically for the harp play, please substitute your instrument
where ever it says “harp”
Please start by turning the knobs to the positions shown in the picture.
Connect your harp pickup to the input called “Channel 1", top left of the picture.
The input will accept either 3 pin male XLR or 1/4" jack plug.
Connect the mains cable to the mains socket, bottom left and press the top of the
illuminating switch next to it, the switch should illuminate, if not check you have
connected the mains cable correctly and that you have switched on the power at
the mains socket.
If your pickup requires phantom power, please press the small black button to the
left of the red LED under the word “Phantom” at the top right of the picture.
The red LED should now illuminate, if you do not require phantom power please
ignore this step.
Next turn the green knob, top right under “Channel 1 Gain” to position “3".
Now play your harp quite vigorously and see that the LED under the words “Input
Clip” illuminates green. Continue to turn the green gain knob and
Amplifier AMA-1 MKII Quick start 5

playing your harp until the LED starts to illuminate RED. Now turn the green
knob slightly anti-clockwise so the LED only illuminates green, perhaps with a
very occasional red flash. Don’t be concerned if the LED does not flash Green, it
simply means that your instrument has a low, but probably useable signal.
Next turn the white “Master” knob, bottom right, to 4 or 5 and turn the white
knob just under the green “Gain” knob to 3 or 4.
Now play your harp, sound should be coming from the amplifier.
If it is too quiet or you cannot hear any sound, turn the white knob under the
green “Gain” knob to 5 or 6 or further until you can hear yourself play.
If you need to turn this knob to 8 or above, then also turn the “Master” white
knob to 5 or 6 or above until you get the level of sound you require.
You are now setup.
It is better to have the Green and/or White knob at the top high and the white
“Master” knob low rather than the other way round.
If you are using two instruments then do the same with the other instrument,
plugging it into Channel 2.
Use the white knobs at the top right to balance the level between the two
instruments and the white “Master” knob at the bottom right to increase or
decrease the overall level.
6

The yellow knobs give 3 bands of tone control, turn anti-clockwise to decrease the
band and turn clockwise to increase the band. There is a centre notch to locate the
neutral position.
The red knobs are for the reverberation. The large knob indicates the type of
reverberation being used and the two red knobs, “Effects Level”, either side of the
large knob adjust the amount of reverb applied to each channel.
The red knob “Effects Parameter” changes some of the characteristics of the reverb
chosen, this should be adjusted to hear the changes, some are very subtle. Which
parameter is changed is listed on page 3, this is also listed on the back of the
amplifier.
Please now experiment and learn how the amplifier will work for you.
Call or email if you need help or assistance.
[email protected], or 07774 782503
7

8
Amplifier: 100watts class D amplifier.
Speaker: Full range dual cone 8" 4ohm 50Hz - 19kHz.
Speaker out: Output socket to connect passive aux speaker.
Dimensions: 24cm(depth) x 26.5cm(height) x 34cm(width)
Weight: 8kg
Finish: Black splatter effect.
Mains: 3 pin IEC socket with on/off switch and fuse.
Inputs: 2 identical channels; balanced XLR or unbalanced 1/4" jack
Phantom power: 12v switchable on both channels.
Tone controls: Both channels identical;
Bass +/-10dB 120Hz;
Mid +/- 10dB 800Hz;
Treble +/-10dB 10kHz.
Reverberation: 16 programs available on both channels,
level independently adjustable.
DI Output: Balanced, switchable pre/post control.
Phones: Mono feed signal with independent level control.
Power: 240AC 50 200VA IEC socket, UK lead supplied.
Must only be used with mains supply that has a protective earth connection.
Technical specifications and dimensions