Alvarez System 600T MK II User manual

Alvarez Instruments
ADivision of St. Louis Music, Inc.
1400 Ferguson Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63133
Tel: [phone]
www.alvarezgtr.com

INTERNAL CHASSIS
CONTROLS/CONNECTIONS
With the chassis removed from the mounting ring, you will notice
connections on the rear panel, next to the battery compartment. The
connection marked (1) OUTPUT is for the signal being sent to the
output jack. There are two INPUT jacks, labeled (2) PIEZO and
(3) AUX. The PIEZO input should already be connected to the
under-saddle bridge pickup. The AUX input is included for use with an
additional Alvarez ASP50 MK II sound hole pickup or an Alvarez
ACM50 condenser microphone. Power for the ACM50 is supplied
through the ring of the AUX jack.
On the side of the chassis are two trim pots, labeled (4) LOW and
(5) HIGH. These trim pots are used to adjust the gain of the BASS
and TREBLE sliders on the front panel. These
adjustments are used to “fine tune” the System
600T MK II to the sonic characteristics of the
particular guitar being used.
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
The System 600T MK II is powered by
a 9 Volt battery mounted in the bottom of
the control chassis. Access the battery
compartment by removing the two front panel
thumb screws and lifting the chassis from the
mounting ring. Further, the System 600T
MK II can be phantom powered on
instruments equipped with an optional XLR
switching jack via the 3-pin connector on the
rear of the chassis.
Refer to the front panel diagram on the next page
to familiarize yourself with the various control
functions of the Alvarez System 600T MK II.
CONTENTS
Internal Chassis Controls / Connections ..................................2
Diagram of System 600T MK II ..............................................3
Digital Tuner Function..............................................................5
Specifications............................................................................6
The Alvarez System 600T MK II Preamp/Eq is designed to offer the
finest acoustic guitar tone reproduction available. The System 600T MK
II provides a broad range of sonic control, mixing capability for different
combinations of piezo/magnetic/microphone transducers, and features an
on-board digital chromatic tuner. We recommend that you take a few
minutes to read this manual in order to familiarize yourself with the
many advanced features and capabilities of the System 600T MK II.
This guitar is equipped with a piezo pickup mounted under the bridge
saddle. This pickup is connected to the PIEZO input of the System 600T
MK II, and the guitar will perform perfectly with this pickup/preamp
combination. The System 600T MK II is capable of mixing an additional
Alvarez ACM50 condenser mic or an Alvarez ASP50 MK II sound hole
pickup with the piezo pickup for a wider range of sonic possibilities.
Some features of the System 600T MK II will only operate when an
additional pickup/microphone is used.
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S YS T E M 6 00 T M K I I OW N E RS G U ID E1 2
You have chosen the finest acoustic
Preamp/Eq System available.
CONGRATULATIONS!

SY S TE M 6 0 0 T M K I I O W N ER S G U ID E
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1) BAT Battery Indicator: When a guitar cable is connected to the
output jack, the BAT LED will light, and the System 600T MK II
preamp/Eq functions are activated. (Please note that the digital tuner
function can be activated without connecting
a cable to the output jack). To prevent
excessive battery consumption, unplug your
cable from the output jack when the System
600T MK II is not in use. When the battery
is wearing out, the LED will become dim,
and the signal will become distorted. If the
LED does not light, remove the chassis and
replace the battery.
2) PIEZO: This control adjusts the level
of the under-saddle bridge piezo pickup.
3) AUX: This control adjusts the level of
the auxiliary input, either an Alvarez ASP50
MK II sound hole pickup or an Alvarez
ACM50 condenser microphone.
4) LEVEL: This switch adjusts the
input level of the AUX input. When using
a magnetic sound hole pickup or condenser
mic, this switch should be set in the -20dB
position. When a dynamic microphone
is used, this switch should be set in the
0dB position.
5) PHASE: This switch reverses the
polarity of the PIEZO input relative to the
AUX input. If the polarities of the different
inputs are “out of phase”, a noticeable loss of
low frequencies (bass) will occur. If there is
a loss of fullness, or low end when two input
signals are mixed, reverse the position of this
switch (In/Out) to correct the polarity.
Note: If only one input is used, this switch will have no effect.
6) TREBLE: This slider provides +/- 15 dB of boost/cut at 10kHz.
In its center position, there will be no effect.
7) BASS: This slider provides +/- 15dB of boost/cut
at 100Hz. In its center position, there will be no effect.
8) MID: This slider works in conjunction with the MID
FREQ control. It provides +/- 15 dB of boost/cut at the
center frequency determined by the MID FREQ control.
9) MID FREQ: This control adjusts the center
frequency of the MID slider, variable from 600Hz to
1.2kHz. If the MID slider is set to its center position, no
effect will be heard. Maximum effect of this control can
be heard as the MID slider is set for boost or cut.
Note: The main Eq system (TREBLE/MID/MID FREQ/
BASS) controls will only affect the piezo input signal.
These controls have no effect on the AUX input signal.
10) MASTER: This control is the Master Volume,
which adjusts the overall output of the System 600T MK
II, including both the PIEZO and AUX inputs.
11) NOTCH: This switch engages a notch filter,
which is used to control feedback in live performance
applications. When the switch is in its IN (down) position
a deep, narrow band of frequencies is cut from the signal,
depending on the position of the FREQ control. This
notch filter is located “post Eq” in the circuit and will
affect the combined PIEZO and AUX input signals.
12) FREQ: This control adjusts the center frequency
of the “anti-feedback notch”. With the NOTCH switch
engaged, turn the MASTER control up until feedback is
heard. Adjust the FREQ control until the feedback
disappears.
The Alvarez System 600T MK II has been designed to accurately reproduce
the natural sound of an acoustic guitar when used with a wide variety of
sound reinforcement and recording equipment. Sound is very subjective.
We urge you to experiment with the many control capabilities of the
System 600T MK II in order to “dial in” the sound that is right for you.
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FRONT PANEL CONTROLS AND FEATURES

DIGITAL TUNER
The System 600T MK II features a built-in chromatic digital tuner.
The tuning function can be accessed at any time, whether the guitar is
plugged in, or not. To engage the tuner, press the TUNER ON/OFF
switch located between the MID FREQ and MASTER control knobs. A
sequence of note indicator LED’s will light, indicating that the tuner is
functional. Plucking a string will result in a note indicator LED lighting
to represent the nearest pitch. Above the note indicator LED’s are a
center (Green) and left and right (Red) LED’s. When the note is flat
relative to the indicated pitch, the left (Red) LED will blink. If the note
is sharp, the right (Red) LED will blink. When the correct pitch is
achieved, the center (Green) LED will light. Repeat this procedure for
all strings. Pressing the TUNER ON/OFF switch will disengage the
tuner function. To prevent unwanted battery consumption, an automatic
“shut-off” feature will turn the tuner off after 3 minutes of use.
Note: When the guitar is connected to an amplifier, mixer, or PA
system, engaging the tuner will mute the output for silent tuning during
performance.
SPECIFICATIONS
Input Impedance: 2.2 M Ohm
Output Impedance: 1k Ohm
Frequency Response: 40Hz-15kHz, +/- 2 dB w/ Eq at center position
S/N Ratio: Greater than -90 dB
Amplification:
Piezo Input: +8dB
Aux Input: +20 dB (Level switch IN)
+37 dB (Level switch OUT)
Distortion: 0.05%
Power Consumption: 2.2mA(Tuner OFF)
8.5mA- 12.5mA(Tuner ON)
Power Supply: 9V or Phantom Power via optional XLR switching jack
Controls: Master Volume
Piezo Gain
Aux Gain
Treble: +/- 15dB @ 10kHz
Mid: +/- 15dB
Mid Freq: 600Hz - 1.2kHz, Variable
Bass: +/- 15dB @ 100Hz
Notch Freq: 45 Hz - 2.2kHz, Variable
(Q: 12.5 @ 1kHz, 10 @ 300Hz)
Internal Trim Pots: High: +/- 5dB @ 10kHz
Low: +/- 5dB @ 100Hz
Switches: Tuner ON/OFF (Auto Power OFF in 3 minutes)
Notch IN/OUT
Aux Level IN/OUT
Piezo Phase IN/OUT
Connections: Piezo Input - 2.5mm Phone - Mono
Aux Input - 3.5mm Phone - Stereo
Output - 2.5mm Phone - Stereo
Phantom Power - 3-pin connector for optional
phantom power via switchable XLR connector
Dimensions: 106mm H x 58mm W
Weight: 170g w/ battery
©2004 Alvarez specifications subject to change without notice.
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