Ashdown ROOTMASTER EVO II Series User manual

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ROOTMASTER EVO II USER GUIDE
RM-800-EVO II

313mm
78mm
ROOTMASTER EVO II USER GUIDE
Weight - 3.5Kgs - 7lbs
RM-500-EVO II

ROOTMASTER EVO II USER GUIDE
RM-300-EVO II

ROOTMASTER EVO II USER GUIDE
RM-C210T-500-EVO II

ROOTMASTER EVO II USER GUIDE
RM-C115T-500-EVO II

USER GUIDE
Inputs
There are two choices of instrument input, these are marked passive and
active. The passive input is high sensitivity and high impedance to suit
passive bass instruments. The active input is much lower sensitivity and
impedance to accurately match the signal from active bass instruments
i.e. Those with a built in battery powered pre-amp.
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 E.Q. controls.
Shape
With this button in a xed E.Q. is superimposed on the pre-amp to give a
bass & high boost to the sound. This gives +8db at 50hz and gives +10db
at 10khz.
E.Q.
This button switches the equalisation section in or out i.e. the Bass, Mid-
dle and Treble controls and the two rotary controls placed between these.
ROOTMASTER EVO II

USER GUIDE
ROOTMASTER EVO II
Equalisation
This consists of bass, middle and treble controls with two more rotary
controls placed in-between. This 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 340hz
and 1.6Khz 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 340hz and 1.6Khz controls
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.
Compression
Adding a small amount of compression gives a fat bottom end to the
sound and allows a greater volume of amplication to be used without
the playing peaks distorting the ampliers output stage.
You will also nd that this will add denition to your playing bringing
out notes within a run more clearly as it evens out the dynamics of your
playing. A large amount of compression can be used as an effect but it
will tend to reduce the dynamics in your playing to such an extent that the
volume of the note will be the same no matter how hard or soft you hit
the string. Compression also adds sustain to notes making them longer
before they die away.

The compression level control adjusts the degree of compression applied
to the bass signal. For this to function correctly the input level must be
correctly set as described in the input control section above. When the
input level is correctly set there will be hardly any difference in volume
between compression in and compression out. This is because the
RM automatically compensates for the reduction in level that would be
apparent when compression is added by increasing the overall gain to
restore the volume to its pre compression level, because of this you may
notice an increase in background noise with high compression settings.
Compression is switched in/out with the push button adjacent to the
compression level control.
Overdrive
This is a valve/tube emulated overdrive that is variable from a slight ‘edge’
or ‘warmth’ through to a fairly aggressive overdrive/distortion effect. The
actual degree of overdrive applied to the bass signal is also dependent
on the setting of the input level control. The higher this is set, the greater
level of overdrive can be applied using the overdrives own rotary control.
Overdrive can be switched in with the push button above and to the
right of the overdrive rotary control. The amount of drive applied to the
overdrive circuit is adjusted using this rotary control. The over-driven bass
signal is applied in parallel with the dry bass signal to ensure you never
lose the full bottom end from your bass. Overdrive is situated after the
compression allowing for a sustained over-driven bass signal to be pro-
duced by adding a degree of compression along with the overdrive itself.
USER GUIDE
ROOTMASTER EVO II

Sub harmonics
This section produces sub harmonics an octave below the notes being
played. The level of these sub harmonics relative to the straight bass
sound can be adjusted using the level control. This is very effective in
thickening the sound and you will nd in use that only a small degree
of this lower octave is required to really ll out the sound and provide a
character that is not possible by any other means.
The degree of sub harmonics is also dependant on the setting of the bass
control.
Sub harmonics are switched in/out with the push button below and to the
left of the sub harmonics level control.
Output level
The output control adjusts the overall level of the amplier. Adjust this for
your preferred overall stage playing volume.
Line Mix
The line mix is an output control adjusts the overall level of the amplier
vs the Line input signal. Adjust this for your preferred overall mix if using
a line input such as a backing track.
D.I.
A balanced D.I. Is provided on the rear panel xlr socket. This provides a
post E.Q. Post effects signal.
The output signal from this xlr socket is set to a level and impedance suit-
able for connecting directly into a balanced microphone input of a mixing
desk for either direct injection into the pa system or for recording.
USER GUIDE
ROOTMASTER EVO II

Effects send/return
A serial effects loop is provided at a level of 0db. The effects send and
return sockets for this are on the rear panel above the d.I. Socket.
The effects send socket can also be used as a line out socket if required.
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 E.Q.
Line In
This input socket provides a line level signal that can be used in conjunc-
tion with the Line in Level control on the front panel for connecting a line
level instrument of playback device.
FS-2 Output
The FS-2 Output is for use with a double latching foot-swtich, this controls
the Sub Harmonics and also the Drive for ease of access (foot-switch sold
separately).
Headphone Output
There is a 32 ohm headphone output on the rear panel for use in silent
practice.
Speaker Outputs
There are two speakon out sockets located on the rear of the amp for use
with appropriate cabinets. Min load of 4 ohms. All speaker connections
used must be of the speakon type and fully insulated. These ampliers
USER GUIDE
ROOTMASTER EVO II

USER GUIDE
ROOTMASTER EVO II
operate in full Bridge mode which means that both terminals are live
at ALL times and must not be allowed to come into contact with the
amplier case or connected to anything other than a stand alone speaker
cabinet!
MAINS
For use with the supplied IEC mains connector. Mains fuse is located
beneath socket, please check rear of model for specic fuse ratings.
Everything possible has been done to make these reliable, minimum
service, high quality, long lasting powerful bass ampliers.
We know you will appreciate the effort that has been put into the design
and manufacture of this unit and you will be rewarded in your choice of
bass amplier by long life and reliability.

USER GUIDE
ROOTMASTER EVO II
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
Effects Return Impedance - 22k ohms Input level 0dbu nominal
Line Input Impedance - 22k ohms Input range 300mV
Outputs
Effects Send Impedance - 22k ohms Level 0dbu nominal
D.I.Output 420 ohms balanced pre ground lift Level -20dbu nominal
Speaker Outputs Minimum Impedance - 4 ohms
Frequency Response -3db at 22hz and 25khz
Headphone Output 3.5mm Jack output @ 32Ohms
Equalisation
Bass +/- 15db @ 100hz
Lo Mid +/- 15db @ 340hz
Middle +/- 15db @ 660hz
Hi Mid +/- 15db @ 1.6Khz
Treble +/- 15db @ 7khz shelving
Shape + 8db @ 50hz + 10db @ 10khz
Signal to Noise Better than 80db (E.Q. Flat)
Distortion Less than 0.5% Thd
Output Power RM-800-EVO II - 802watts into 4 ohms
RM-500-EVO II - 507watts into 4 ohms
RM-300-EVO II - 304watts into 4 ohms

USER GUIDE
ROOTMASTER EVO II
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