AER Compact Slope User manual

1
Compact Slope
user manual
Register your
Compact Slope:
www.aer-amps.com
> product registration

2
Compact Slope
user manual
Contents Page
1. Introduction 3
2. Important safety instructions 4
3. Controls and connections 5
3.1 Front side 5
3.2 Rear side 6
4. Starting up 7
4.1 Cabling and switching-on 7
4.2 Level adjustment 7
5. Functional characteristics 7
5.1 Equalization 7
5.2 Eects 8
5.3 Footswitch 8
5.4 Phantom powering 8
6. Technical specications 9
7. Circuit diagram 10

3
1. Introduction
Welcome to B
Thank you for choosing the Compact Slope.
The Compact Slope is a professional, compact and
powerful amplier system. Especially developed
for the enhancement of acoustic instruments it is
nonetheless suitable for other instruments, even
electrical ones.
Our design concept was focused on the singer-/
songwriter who requires outstanding reproduction
of his instrument and vocals and prefers the sound
source on the oor addressing him in an angle. (45°)
The Compact Slope accomplishes this by combining
well approved Compact 603with a wedge design
cabinet.
All AER-systems are subtly dynamically controlled,
which ensures absolute reliability in full load opera-
tion despite strikingly small sizes and little weight.
Read on and have fun using your Compact Slope!

4
2. Safety Instructions
The following guidelines shall help minimize the risk of injury through re or electric shock.
1. Carefully read these safety notes before you
use the device!
2. Keep these safety notes in a safe place.
3. Pay attention to all warnings, instructions and
additional texts on the unit.
4. This device was only designed for operation
under normal climatic conditions (temperate
climate).
5. Do not install or use your amp in close proximi-
ty to water or if you are wet yourself.
6. Do not subject your device to sudden and
severe temperature changes. This could cause
moisture condensation inside the unit, which
could damage it. In the event of moisture
condensation allow the device to dry out com-
pletely before use.
7. Use your amp in a safe place where nobody can
step on cables or trip over and damage them.
8. Pay attention to an unhindered air circulation
around the amp, never obstruct the air vents or
grilles.
9. Always pull the mains plug before cleaning
your amp or when left unused for a long period
of time. Use only a dry cloth for cleaning. Avoid
the use of detergents and do not let any liquids
seep into the unit.
10. Use only the right fuses with the same current
rating and trigger characteristic as replace-
ments. Never mend fuses! Pull the mains plug
before replacing a fuse. Should a fuse blow
again after a short while, the device needs to
be checked.
11. Never install your amp close to devices with
strong electromagnetic elds such as large
mains transformers, revolving machines, neon
illumination etc. Do not lay signal cables paral-
lel to power current cables.
12. There are no user-serviceable components
inside the unit. To avoid the risk of an electric
shock, the unit must not be opened. All main-
tenance, adjustment and repair works should
be carried out by qualied sta only. Any
unauthorized tampering will void the 2-year
warranty.
13. In keeping with the EMV regulations screened
cables with correctly tted connectors must be
used for all signal connections.
14. Always use an earthed power supply with the
correct mains voltage. If you are in doubt about
the power outlet ground, have it checked by a
qualied technician.
15. Cable up your amp only when it is powered o.
16. This device should be installed near the socket
outlet and disconnection of the device should
be easily accessible. The mains plug of the
powersupply shall remain readily operable.
Protect the power cord from being walked on
or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles and the point where they exit from
the apparatus.
17. This product may cause permanent hearing
loss. Do not operate for long periods of time
at a high volume level or at any level that is
uncomfortable. If you experience any hearing
loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult
an audiologist.
18. The product should be located away from heat
sources such as radiators, heat registers or
other products that produce heat.
19. Do not place any open sources of re, like
candles, on the device.
20. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall
onto the device and liquids are not spilled into
the enclosure through openings. Ensure that
no objects lled with liquids, such as vases, are
placed on the device.
21. Do not place this device on an unstable
cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table. The
device may fall, causing serious injury to you
and serious damage to the device itself.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
ATTENTION
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
The lightning ash with
the arrow head symbol
within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of unisolated
´dangerous voltage´ within this
product´s enclosure that may
be of sucient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock
to persons.
The exclamation point
within an equilateral
triangle is intended to
alert the user to the presence
of important operating and
maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature
accompanying this product.

5
channels 1 + 2
efx
mains & master
3.1 Front side
1) input (ch. 1) signal input, socket for 6,3 mm mono jackplug
2) high/low input sensitivity switch, attenuator = o  = on
3) clip overload indicator
4) gain input level control
5) colour tone colour lter activation switch = not active = active
6) bass bass frequency level control
7) middle middle frequency level control
8) treble treble frequency level control
9) input (ch. 2) signal input, combo-socket for 6,3 mm mono jackplug and
XLR-connectors
10) line/mic signal source selector switch: line (only via jackplug)
for instruments (pickup) and other line level sources,
mic (only via XLR-connector) for microphones
11) pan eect signal distribution control
12) select eect select switch
13) level level control internal eect
14) power on/o status indicator
15) master master level control
3. Controls and connections
IF_Compact603_20120529
Compact 603
12
3 3
4 4
5
6 6
78 8
9
10
11 12 13 14 15

6
power on
line out
headphones
send
return
tuner
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AT T EN TI ON
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
Made in Germany by B
Compact 603
twin channel acoustic amplifier
tip = int. efx
ring = ext. efx
on/off
1 = gnd
2 = pos
3 = neg
DI-out
footswitch
IB_Compact603_20120529
1
2
3
4
57
8
6
3.2 Rear side
1) line out
The line out supplies a pre-amp signal taken after
tone-control, eects and master for forwarding to
other appliances.
2) headphones
This output enables you to connect stereo head-
phones and mutes the loudspeaker.
!!!
Warning: Only use
headphones with stereo
jackplugs in this output
socket!!!
3) send
Send is an output to connect to an external eect
device and in conjunction with return (input) forms
a loop here designed as external eect loop. The
eect can be switched on or o via footswitch.
4) return
Return as part of the eect loop operates as signal
input from an external eect device (from output
of the eect device). The eect can be switched on
or o via footswitch. Return on its own can also be
used as quasi auxiliary signal input (-10 dbV).
5) tuner
The tuner output supplies a pre-master signal
(-9 dbV) to connect an external tuner to the Compact
Slope.
6) footswitch
Connection socket for a double-footswitch (on-/
o-switch, tip = internal eect/ring = external eect
on/o).
7) DI-out
Preamp-output with symmetrical signal, after tone-
control, pre master, without eects.
8) power on
Combined mains switch with mains socket and fuse
holder.

7
4. Starting up
4.1 Cabling and switching on
Before connecting to mains, please ensure that your
local mains voltage is
suitable for the voltage
of the device (e.g. 120V
in the USA, 230V in
Europe). The relevant
specs and safety sym-
bols are printed on the rear side of the unit.
Connect all cables according to your application
and switch the amplier on. The green power con-
trol LED indicates operational readiness.
4.2 Level adjustment
First ensure, that the master level control is zeroed
(over to far left), so that when you are setting the
sound level, the signal passes through the elect-
ronics only and does not reach the loudspeaker.
By pressing the high-/low- (attn.) resp. line-/mic-
switches you can adapt the amplier to your signal
sources (guitar pickups, microphone etc).
Turn the gain control clockwise until the red clip
indicator ashes momentarily when playing with a
strong attack. Thus you make sure that your signal
source (e.g. instrument) provides the input-stage of
the amplier with the necessary input.
colour bass middle treble
colour bass middle treble
Note: Level adjustment
By setting the level correctly we mean the signal
level in one or several devices in a signal chain is
nei-ther too high nor too low. This applies equally
to all circuits in a complete circuit design (EQs,
preamps etc.)
Consequently, care must be taken that no part of
the circuit is overloaded or that distortion is unin-
tentionally added to the signal.
We have carefully designed the circuit to achieve
this objective whilst also providing controls for
„manual“ intervention.
channel 1
IF_Compact603_20120529
Compact 603
channel 2
IF_Compact603_20120529
Compact 603
The clip-LED indicates an overload. A short icker
is of no danger to AER devices. During operation a
short icker can be accepted, to be on the safe side
you should reduce the gain slightly to achieve an
optimal and distortion-free performance.
Finally set the desired overall volume level with the
master level control.
5. Functional characteristics
5.1 Equalization
The triple-/dual-band equalizer of your Compact
Slope provides you with an active and high quality
sound interaction tool that supports the natural
tone of instruments and voice whilst simultane-
ously oering you the possibility of a controlled
accentuation.
With all controls in mid position the lters are set to
produce a very pleasing and natural sound impres-
sion that you can„colour up“ by using the colour
lter with the eect of lowering the mids and
lifting the trebles. The tone becomes more open
and light and is especially suited for ngerpicking
techniques.
The equalization can support or soften the eect of
the colour lter and allows a dierentiated mids-
accentuation.
A: with colour-lter (switch pressed)
reduce treble to soften possible sharpness
B: without colour-lter (switch not pressed)
boost treble to brighten the sound
Note:
The active equalization of the Compact Slope
eects the signal adjustment. If you spot an
intensied ickering of the clip indicator, level
the signal level with the gain control
(s. 4.2 Level adjustment).

8
5.3 Footswitch
A standard double-footswitch (on-/o-switch)
can be plugged into the footswitch-socket on the
rear side of the amplier via stereo cable. By this
footswitch the internal and external eects can be
switched on and o.
We wish you lots of fun playing your Compact Slope!
P.S.: For questions or suggestions contact us:
[email protected]
5.4 Phantom power
Microphones requiring 48V phantom power can be
connected to the XLR-socket of channel 2 directly.
Factory-provided phantom power is activated but,
if required, may be deactivated by an internal
jumper. In contrary 9V phantom power, if required,
can additionally be activated in channel 1 by an
internal jumper.
Please note: For both alterations the device must
be opened, therefore only qualied service per-
sonnel may carry out the modications concer-
ning the de-/activating of phantom power.
General Note: Use of 48V or 24V phantom power
(Phantom power = remote supply, here: powering
an audio device via the connected audio line)
Turn on the phantom power only if the unit connec-
ted to an XLR socket is designed to handle it!
In general, suitable units are e.g. condenser
microphones, active DI-boxes and other special
audio devices, whose power supply is drawn from
the phantom power. Such devices are also labelled
accordingly; please heed the permissible power
consumption (max.10mA).
High-quality dynamic microphones with a balanced
signal need no phantom power, but can handle it
anyway.
Other devices, which have not been designed
explicitly for phantom power operation, can suer
from considerable malfunctions and damage may
result as well.
Examples of devices that may be damaged by
incorrect application of phantom power include:
Low-cost dynamic microphones with a mono jack-
plug (unbalanced signal) that were tted afterwards
with an XLR connector.
Audio devices with a balanced XLR output (e.g.
DI-boxes, eects devices, instrument preamps with
a DI output etc.) which are not protected against
phantom power applied to their XLR output. (The
DI connectors on AER products are protected
against applied phantom power.)
Other audio devices (such as preamps, eects
pedals etc.) whose unbalanced line output was
replaced by an XLR socket.
If in doubt please consult the manufacturer of the
device you are using.
5.2 Eects
The Compact Slope has a built-in (internal) digital
eect processor, with the select-switch you can
choose between 4 dierent eects:
1 = reverb 1 (short)
2 = reverb 2 (long)
3 = delay (320 ms)
4 = chorus
The efx-level-control determines the intensity of
the internal eects (left stop = no eect).
Furthermore an additional eects unit (external ef-
fect) may be connected to the Compact Slope. For
this purpose use the send and return sockets on
the rear side of the amplier (send goes to input,
return to the output of the external eects device).
The intensity of the eect is adjusted at the external
eects unit.
With the efx-pan control the dierent eects are
blended with the original signal. The efx-pan works
as follows:
left stop: internal eect on channel 1
external eect on channel 2
mid position: internal eects on channels 1 + 2
external eects on channels 1 + 2
right stop: internal eects on channel 2
external eects on channel 1

9
6. Technical specications Compact Slope
TD20150224
Technical data
Technical dataTechnical data
Technical data
Inputs
InputsInputs
Inputs (notes 1, 2, 4)
channel 1
channel 1channel 1
channel 1
High impedance, unbalanced input for
instruments (pick-ups) and line-level sources
Mono jack socket, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Sensitivity: 22 mV (–33 dBV)
High/low (attenuator) switch: –10 dB
Impedance: 2.2 Meg
Equivalent input noise, A-weighted:
1 uV (–120 dBV)
Phantom power (optional): 9 V DC / max. 100 mA,
short-circuit protected
Switchable instrument or microphone input
Combo socket, XLR + jack ¼” (6.35 mm)
line mode
line modeline mode
line mode
High impedance, unbalanced input for
instruments (pick-ups) and line-level sources
Jack socket only
Sensitivity: 27 mV (–31 dBV)
Impedance: 1 Meg
Equivalent input noise, A-weighted:
2.4 uV (–112 dBV)
channel 2
channel 2channel 2
channel 2
mic mode
mic modemic mode
mic mode
XLR (balanced), stereo jack (balanced), or mono
jack (unbalanced) input
Sensitivity: 3.3 mV (–50 dBV)
Impedance (balanced mode): 1.2 k
Impedance (unbalanced mode): 2.7 k
Voice filter: –10 dB at 270 Hz (referred to 10 kHz)
Equivalent input noise, A-weighted:
0.8 uV (–122 dBV)
Phantom power (XLR only): 48 V, max. 10 mA,
short-circuit protected
clip
clip clip
clip indicators
for ch. 1 and 2
Headroom: min. 8 dB
return
returnreturn
return
Input from external parallel effect loop, or
supplementary input, before master volume
Mono jack, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Sensitivity: 320 mV (–10 dBV)
Impedance: 20 k (note: impedance changes to 5 k
while external effect is switched OFF by
footswitch)
Outputs
OutputsOutputs
Outputs (note 3)
phones
phonesphones
phones
Headphones output. When plugged in, internal
speaker is muted.
Stereo jack socket, L/R connected, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Max. output power: 2 x 100 mW / 1000 ohm
Input sensitivity for 2 x 50 mW / 1000 ohm:
23 mV (–33 dBV) at channel 1 input
Impedance: 470 ohm (common for L and R)
Note:
Note: Note:
Note: Suitable for headphones with stereo jack.
Does not work with mono jacks.
tuner
tunertuner
tuner
Tuner output
Mono jack socket ¼” (6.35 mm)
Output voltage: 340 mV (–9 dBV)
line out
line outline out
line out
Preamplifier output after tone controls, with
effects, and after master volume
Mono jack, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Output voltage: 1.4 V (+3 dBV)
DI
DIDI
DI-
---out outout
out
Balanced XLR output before master, after tone
controls, without effects
1 = ground
2 = positive
3 = negative
Differential output voltage: 140 mV (–17 dBV)
send
sendsend
send
Output to external parallel effect loop
Before master, after tone controls
Mono jack, ¼” (6.35 mm)
Output voltage: 1.4 V (+3 dBV)
Footswitch connector
Footswitch connectorFootswitch connector
Footswitch connector
footswitch
footswitchfootswitch
footswitch
Stereo jack socket ¼” (6.35 mm) for a dual
footswitch
Tip = internal effect on/off
Ring = external effect on/off
Sleeve = common (ground)
Effect is OFF when the footswitch is ON.
Tone controls
Tone controlsTone controls
Tone controls
ch. 1
ch. 1ch. 1
ch. 1
colour colourcolour
colour –3 dB at 700 Hz, +10 dB at 8 kHz
bass
bassbass
bass ±8 dB at 100 Hz (shelf type)
middle
middlemiddle
middle ±6 dB at 800 Hz
treble
trebletreble
treble ±8 dB at 10 kHz (shelf type)
ch. 2
ch. 2ch. 2
ch. 2
bass
bassbass
bass ±8 dB at 100 Hz (shelf type)
treble
trebletreble
treble ±11 dB at 10 kHz (shelf type)
Effects
EffectsEffects
Effects
Internal effects
Internal effectsInternal effects
Internal effects
1 Reverb 1
2 Reverb 2
3 Delay
4 Chorus
External effect
External effectExternal effect
External effect
Parallel effect loop (see also send sendsend
send and return
returnreturn
return).
eff.
eff.eff.
eff. pan
pan pan
pan
Blends both internal and external effects
between channels 1 and 2, with reverse direction
of rotation for the external effects.
Power
PowerPower
Power
Power amp
Power ampPower amp
Power amp
60 W / 4 ohm, DMOS, monolithic I.C.
Dynamic range, A-weighted: 92 dB (note 2)
Limiter
Limiter Limiter
Limiter
threshold
thresholdthreshold
threshold
50 W
Analog signal
Analog signal Analog signal
Analog signal
processing
processingprocessing
processing
Dedicated equalizer, subsonic filter, adaptive
peak limiter
Speaker system
Speaker systemSpeaker system
Speaker system
8” (200 mm) twin cone full-range speaker, bass
reflex enclosure
Mains power
Mains powerMains power
Mains power
Mains voltage (depending on model):
100, 120, 230, or 240 V AC, 50–60 Hz
Power consumption: max. 120 W
Mains fuse
Mains fuseMains fuse
Mains fuse
5 x 20 mm
T 1 A L / 250 V for 230 and 240 V models
T 2 A L / 250 V for 100 and 120 V models
General
GeneralGeneral
General
Cabinet
CabinetCabinet
Cabinet
12 mm (0.47”) birch plywood
Finish
FinishFinish
Finish
Waterbased acrylic, black spatter finish (standard
model)
Dimensions
DimensionsDimensions
Dimensions
259 mm (10.19“) high
331 mm (13.03“) wide
137 / 326 mm (5.39“ / 12.84”) deep
Weight
WeightWeight
Weight
7.2 kg (15.87 lbs)
Notes:
Notes:Notes:
Notes:
1. Sensitivity
1. Sensitivity1. Sensitivity
1. Sensitivity
Input sensitivities refer to 50 W into 4 ohm, full gain and master settings,
neutral tone control settings, and 1 kHz sine-wave test signal.
2. Noise and dynamic range
2. Noise and dynamic range2. Noise and dynamic range
2. Noise and dynamic range
Equivalent input noise voltages are typical values obtained by measuring
noise voltage at speaker output and dividing by the voltage gain of the
amplifier for white noise. Full gain and master settings, neutral tone
control settings, input shorted, measuring bandwidth 20 Hz – 20 kHz.
Dynamic range of power amplifier: Ratio of between output signal at
limiter threshold to A-weighted output noise with master
mastermaster
master in zero
position.
3. Output levels
3. Output levels3. Output levels
3. Output levels
Output levels refer to 50 mV / 1 kHz sine-wave test signal at channel 1
input, full gain and master settings, neutral tone control settings, send
fully clockwise.
4. Options
4. Options4. Options
4. Options
Gain of channel 2 in mic mode can be decreased by 4.6 dB by an internal
jumper.
48 V phantom power can be deactivated by an internal jumper.
9 V phantom power for channel 1 can be applied by an internal jumper
to the “ring” terminal of the input jack. Caution:
Caution: Caution:
Caution: Use this option with
care. Read the operating instructions.
Specifications and appearance subject to change without notice.

10
7. Circuit diagram Compact Slope
B090216C_20110401
LINE
MIC
MIC
LINE
+9V
GAIN COLOUR MIDDLE
OFF/ON
SUBSONIC LIMITER POWER AMP
FX
DUAL CONE SPEAKER
TUNER
TREBLEBASS
BASS TREBLE
CLIP
Clip detect
CLIP
Clip detect
SEND
EFF. RETURN
MASTER
LINE OUT F/S RETURN
PHONES
470R
DI
GAIN
+48V PREAMP VOICE
6k8
6k8
EFFECT PAN
PREAMP
MIC GAIN H/L
SELECT
9V Phantom Power
48V Phantom Power
PAD
CH
1
CH
2
TR
T R T R
1 2
3
1
2
3
TR

11

12
12
www.aer-amps.com
Compact Slope - 150224_GB