Ashdown Guy Pratt INTERSTELLAR-600 User manual

USER MANUAL

Thank you for purchasing your Ashdown Engineering Amplier and welcome
to the family! We really think you’ve made the right choice and know that this
amplier will give you years of great tone and service.
It is a machine though and needs to be looked after, please read
through this user manual which will help you get the most out of
your new Amp and keep it running as long as some of our
happiest and very famous customers.
Please register this product online so we can make sure we give you years of
customer support through our friendly in-house service centre.
Here is where you need to visit to register your product:
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INTERSTELLAR-600 USER GUIDE
FRONT PANEL
REAR PANEL

USER GUIDE
INTERSTELLAR-600
FRONT PANEL
INPUT - There is a single instrument input provided linked to a PASSIVE/
ACTIVE selector switch. The Passive input (switch out) is high sensitivity and
also high impedance to suit the output from PASSIVE basses. The Active
input (switch in) is low sensitivity and lower impedance to suit the output
from ACTIVE basses.
INPUT CONTROL - The INPUT control sets the signal level through the
preamp in conjunction with the INPUT LEVEL VU Meter. This is adjusted
to give a reading of 0VU on the meter for average playing dynamics with
occasional peaks into the red region. Please note that the setting of this may
have to be re-adjusted after modication of the EQ controls.
PUSH FLAT / SHAPE - With this button in its OUT position a xed E.Q. is
superimposed on the preamp to give a bright but punchy character to
the sound. Pushing this button IN returns the preamp to a at frequency
response.
TUBE DRIVE (THE BIG KNOB!) - This routes the signal either through a
clean Solid State amplication section (control on zero) or through a Dual
Triode Tube amplication/overdrive section in order to add either tonal
character i.e. warmth with the control set at 9 o’clock, a slight edge in the
sound at 12 0’clock through to an increasing degree of Tube distortion/
overdrive as the control is advanced to maximum.
A Mix of these two amplication sections can be achieved with this control.
N.B. The degree of tube distortion provided by this control will also depend on the setting of the
INPUT control.

USER GUIDE
INTERSTELLAR-600
TUBE DRIVE ON/OFF - This toggle switches the valve drive section ON or
OFF.
This function may also be controlled from the Ashdown 4 way footswitch.
For the footswitch to operate this button must be in its OFF position.
E.Q. ON / OFF - This toggle switches the Equalisation section ON or OFF
i.e. the Bass, Middle and Treble controls plus the two sets of sliders placed
between each of these.
This function may also be controlled from the Ashdown 4 way footswitch.
For the footswitch to operate this button must be in its OFF position.
9 BAND EQUALISATION - This consists of BASS, MIDDLE and TREBLE
controls with three sliders placed between each control. These can be used
in a number of ways:
Firstly as a very simple Bass, Middle and Treble tone control section as found
on older traditional ampliers. This is done by leaving the two sets of sliders
interposed between these controls set in their centre positions and using
only the BASS, MIDDLE and TREBLE controls to alter the overall tone.
Secondly, if more control is required then the sliders can also be used to
tailor the E.Q. In the regions between the main tone controls. This provides
a very versatile equalisation section, it is simple to understand and operate,
yet provides a wide degree of variation. It retains the simplicity of a three -
control tone section but provides the exibility of a graphic equaliser.

USER GUIDE
INTERSTELLAR-600
PUSH TO MUTE - When pushed IN this button mutes the output from the
preamp to the power amp, mutes the output from the D.I. Socket and mutes
the output from the LINE Out socket as well.
A blue LED is provided next to this switch to indicate when the amplier is
muted. This function operates only from the front panel MUTE push switch.
i.e. pressing this button mutes all sound from the amplier and allows a
tuner connected to the TUNER socket to operate for silent tuning. Release
the button and you are back in action again.
PRE / POST DI - This is a push button that allows the user to choose either a
Pre E.Q. Signal (button pushed IN) or a Post E.Q. Post Sub and effects signal
(button OUT).
FULL RANGE OUTPUT - This output socket provides a line level signal that
can be used for a permanent connection to a tuner, alternative monitoring
source or front of house.
The signal from this socket remains active when all other outputs from the
amplier are muted allowing all sound from the amplier to be silenced
while tuning is in progress.

USER GUIDE
INTERSTELLAR-600
LINE LEVEL OUTPUT -This output socket provides a line level/post Output
Level control signal for connection to an external power amplier driving
additional speaker cabinets.
OUTPUT LEVEL - The OUTPUT control adjusts the overall level of the
amplier. Adjust this for your preferred overall stage playing volume. On the
INTERSTELLAR-600 we have implemented a second VU meter to register
the output level as a visual reference.

REAR PANEL
4-WAY FOOTSWITCH SOCKET - For the 4 way footswitch to operate it is
essential that the corresponding front panel push buttons be in the OUT
position. This is a mono jack socket for connection of the Ashdown 4 way
footswitch (sold separately) only. Always connect this prior to turning on the
power to the amplier as the footswitch derives its power from the amplier
and sends a serial data stream to the amplier in order to operate the
various functions.
Each of the 4 facilities available for selection is indicated by an LED that will
light when that facility is selected from the footswitch.
N.B The amp features Compression & Sub Harmonics and can be turned on
using the footswitch, there are no controls on the front panel and the FX are
pre-set to Guy’s preferred settings.
TAURUS INPUT - The rear panel has a Line Input socket tuned for
connecting to a Moog Taurus bass pedal. This can also be used for plugging
a CD, Tape or MP3 player into the amplier for practising, rehearsing or for
connecting a second pre-amp into the system.
USER GUIDE
INTERSTELLAR-600

FX SEND / RETURN - A serial effects loop is provided at a level of 0dB. The
EFFECTS SEND socket can also be used as a Line Out socket if required
as the signal path through the preamp is only broken when a jack plug is
inserted into the EFFECTS RETURN socket.
The EFFECTS SEND is situated after the EQ, the Valve section the
Compression and the Sub Bass Processor.
SPEAKER OUTPUT - The Interstellar-600 has one power section rated at
600 Watts RMS with two Neutrik combi speakon out-puts. You can either
use Speakon or Jack Speaker cables to connect to your cabinet. The power
section has a minimum load of 4 ohms.
DIRECT INJECT (D.I.) - A balanced D.I. Is provided on a latching XLR socket.
The output signal from this XLR socket is set to a level and impedance
suitable for connecting directly into the Microphone input of a mixing desk
for either Direct Injection into the PA system or for recording. This must
ONLY be used into a Balanced Microphone input, it is not intended for any
other type of connection.
This has a oating ground that is referenced to the mixing console it is
plugged into and should not need ground lifting. It is also unaffected by
Phantom Powering on the Microphone input.
Make sure your XLR plug does not have the shell of the plug internally
connected to signal ground or this will connect the system to chassis ground
of the INTERSTELLAR-600 and may cause problems with hum.
USER GUIDE
INTERSTELLAR-600

SPECIFICATIONS
INPUTS
High Input Impedance 3.9M Ohms Input range 150mV to 20V p-p
Low Input Impedance 10K Ohms Input range 300mV to 40V p-p
Line Input Impedance 22K Ohms Input level 0dBu nominal
Effects Return Impedance 22K Ohms Input level 0dBu nominal
OUTPUTS
Tuner Output Impedance 1K Ohms Level 0dBu nominal
Line Output Impedance 10K Ohms Level 0dBu nominal
Effects Send Impedance 22K Ohms Level 0dBu nominal
D.I. Output 600 Ohms balanced Level -20dBu nominal
EQUALISATION
Shape (Push Flat) +8dB @ 50Hz & 4kHz, -8dB @ 400Hz, lter slope - 6dB/octave
Bass +/-15dB @ 45Hz
Middle +/-15dB @ 660Hz
Treble +/-15dB @ 7kHz shelving
Slider 1 +/-15dB @ 100Hz
Slider 2 +/-15dB @ 180Hz
Slider 3 +/-15dB @ 340Hz
Slider 4 +/-15dB @ 1.3kHz
Slider 5 +/-15dB @ 2.6kHz
Slider 6 +/-15dB @ 5kHz
Frequency Response -3dB at 17Hz and 22KHz
Speaker Outputs Minimum impedance 4 Ohms
Output Power 600watts RMS into 4 ohms. Per Power Section
USER GUIDE
INTERSTELLAR-600