Crate CA30 User manual

Congratulations!
You are now the proud owner of one of Crate’s latest contributions to the world of acoustic
amplification, the CA30/30D. This compact amplifier delivers a strong 30 watts of clear musical
power and incorporates two inputs (each with a gain control), three bands of equalization, plus
Crate’s Contour control for added tonal flexibility. The CA30 features a switchable chorus, while the
CA30D features Crate’s DSP digital reverb and effects. Both models also feature front panel Insert
(effects loop) and Line Out jacks. An 8” Polypropylene cone coaxial speaker delivers smooth clear
sound with excellent projection and fidelity.
Your CA30/30D is Musician Made in the U.S.A., using only the best components. Extensive test-
ing at the hands (and ears) of skilled technicians and musicians insures you that this amplifier is the
absolute best it can be.
In order to get the most out of your new amplifier, we strongly urge you to go over the infor-
mation contained in this manual before you begin playing.
And thank you for choosing
CA30/30D
ACOUSTIC AMPLIFIER
OWNER’S GUIDE
Power
CA30D
Gain 1 Input 2Input 1 Gain 2 Low Mid Contour High
Mode Level
Insert Line Out
Delay Cho/Hall
Slap Room
Bypass Hall
Echo ChorusRotary
0 10 0 10 0 10
500Hz 1.2kHz
0
–15 +15
0
–15 +15
0
–15 +15

1,3: Input 1, Input 2. The signal output from your acoustic instrument, tape player, rhythm
machine. high-Z microphone or other source may be connected to either or both of these
jacks by means of a shielded signal cable. Each of the input jacks is governed by its cor-
responding gain control (#2 for Input 1, #4 for Input 2). The signals from these two jacks
are summed together after their gain stages.
2,4: Gain 1, Gain 2. Use these controls to set the input gain level for the corresponding input
jack. These controls set the level of the input signal and serve as the amplifier’s volume
controls.
5: Low. This serves as the bass control for both channels. Adjust this control to get the best
sounding bass response for your instrument. Excessive boost of the low control can cause
an unnatural howling (acoustic feedback from your instrument) and should be avoided.
6: Mid. This serves as the midrange control for both channels. Adjust this control to get the
best projection and midrange tones for your instrument. The center point of the mid con-
trol is chosen by the setting of the contour control (#7).
7: Contour. Use this control to set the center point of the mid control. This control should
be set at the frequency which gives you the most natural midrange tones.
8: High. This serves as the treble control for both channels. Adjust this control so your high
notes and harmonic overtones are lively but not overpowering.
9A: DSP Mode (CA30D only). Use this control to select the type of digital signal processing
applied to the output signal. (See the section entitled “The DSP Control” for more information.)
CA30/30D Acoustic Amplifier
Gain 1 Input 2Input 1 Gain 2 Low Mid
0 10 0 10 50
0
–15 +15
0
–15 +15
Gain 1 Input 2Input 1 Gain 2 Low Mid
0 10 0 10 50
0
–15 +15
0
–15 +15
1 2 3 4 5 6
The Front Panels:

9B: Chorus (CA30 only). This switch, when depressed, applies the internal chorus effect to
the output signal. The rate and depth of the chorus have been optimized for use with
acoustic instruments.
10A:DSP Level (CA30D only). Use this control to adjust the amount of digital signal pro-
cessing applied to the output signal.
10B: Reverb Return (CA30 only). Use this control to adjust the amount of reverberation
applied to the output signal.
11: Insert. Use this jack to add external effects to the signal. The ring = send (line out), tip =
return (line in), sleeve = ground. This jack can also be used to “chain” multiple ampli-
fiers together, since connecting to this jack does not interrupt the signal going to the
amplifier. (See the illustrations on the panel to the right for more information.)
12: Line Out. Use this jack to connect a high impedance, unbalanced line level signal to a
house sound board, a recording console or another amplifier.
13: Power. Use this switch to apply power to the amplifier: the amp is on when the top of
the switch is depressed, off when the bottom of the switch is depressed. The switch illu-
minates when the amp is on.
14: AC Line Cord. (Rear panel, not shown) Connect the male end of this cord to a suitable
source of AC line voltage. Refer to the voltage information on the back of the amplifier
for its voltage and current requirements. Note: This is a grounded plug. To avoid the
possibility of electric shock, DO NOT defeat the ground connection in any way!
CA30/30D Acoustic Amplifier
Power
CA30D
Contour High
Mode Level
Insert Line Out
Delay Cho/Hall
Slap Room
Bypass Hall
Echo ChorusRotary
0 10
500Hz 1.2kHz
0
–15 +15
Power
CA30
Contour High Insert Line Out
500Hz 1.2kHz
0
–15 +15
Reverb
Return
0 10
Chorus
7 11 12 138 9
A
B
A
B
10

Connecting to the Insert jack:
The Insert jack (#11) lets you patch external effects into the amplifier just prior to its power amp stage. To
connect the effect to the insert jack use Crate’s CYC6MS stereo-to-mono Y-cord, or an adapter such as Crate’s
CA11Y and two shielded signal cables terminated with 1/4” tip/sleeve connectors as shown below.
“Chaining” Amplifiers:
The Line Out jack of one CA30/30D can be connected to the Insert jack of another, to chain the amps
together as shown below. (This frees up the Input jacks of the second amplifier.) Use a shielded signal
cable terminated with 1/4” tip/sleeve connectors as shown below.
CA30/30D Acoustic Amplifier
Power
CA30D
Level
Insert Line Out
0 10
INPUT
JACK
OUTPUT
JACK
CYC6M5
For short runs,
use Crate's CYC6M5
6" insert adapter
to connect an effect
to the Insert jack:
TIP = RETURN
TIP/RTN
RING/SND
SLEEVE = GROUND
RING = SEND
Power
CA30D
Level
Insert Line Out
0 10
INPUT
JACK
OUTPUT
JACK
CA11Y
For longer runs,
use Crate's CA11Y
1-stereo-to-2-mono
1/4" adapter and two
mono 1/4" signal cables
to connect an effect
to the Insert jack:
TIP = RETURN
TIP/RTN
RING/SND
SLEEVE = GROUND
RING = SEND
Power
CA30D
Level
Insert Line Out
0 10
AMP 1:
Power
CA30D
Level
Insert Line Out
0 10
AMP 2:
AMP 2:
INSERT
AMP 1:
LINE OUT

CA30/30D Acoustic Amplifier
The DSP Control:
The CA30D features Crate’s DSP digital signal processing. Use the DSP Mode control (#9, CA30D
only) to select which type of effect will be applied to the amp’s output signal. Use the DSP Level con-
trol (#10, CA30D only) to adjust the level of the effect.
The chart below lists the names of the effects as they appear on the amplifier and a description of their
settings:
System Block Diagram:
Mode Level
Delay Cho/Hall
Slap Room
Bypass Hall
Echo ChorusRotary
0 10
Mode Level
9 10
Name Description
Bypass Signal processing is turned off
Slap Short slapback w/out regen
Delay Medium slapback w/regen
Echo Long delay w/regen
Chorus Light chorus, med-slow speed
Name Description
Rotary Simulated “Leslie speaker” tremolo
Cho/Hall Light chorus w/moderate
reverberation
Room Moderate reverberation
Hall Heavy reverberation
INSERT LINE
OUT
REVERB
RETURN
POWER
AMP WOOFER
TWEETER
CH. 2
INPUT
LOW
LEVEL
MODE
MID
CONTOUR HIGH
CHORUS
GAIN
CH. 1
INPUT
GAIN
CHORUS
(CA-30 ONLY)
(CA-30D ONLY)
∑
DSP

CA30/30D Acoustic Amplifier
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TO PROVIDE SAFEAND RELIABLE OPERATION. IN ORDER TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE
UNIT AND PREVENT ACCIDENTAL DAMAGES OR INJURY, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES:
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN CHASSIS; DO NOT DEFEAT OR REMOVE THE GROUND PIN OF THE POWER
CORD; CONNECT ONLY TO A PROPERLY GROUNDED AC POWER OUTLET.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION: NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION: OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE
LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS
OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
“ES NECESARIO QUE EL USUARIO SE REFIERA AL MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES.”
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"
"UNBEDINGT IN DER BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG NACHSCHLAGEN"
EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:
EXPLICACION DE SIMBOLOS GRAFICOS:
EXPLICATION DES SYMBÔLES GRAPHIQUES:
"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
“VOLTAJE PELIGROSO”
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"
"GEFAHLICHE SPANNUNG"
==
ATTENTION
RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION: POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS
ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE
PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN
TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.
VORSICHT
ELEKTRISCHE SCHLAGGEFAHR
NICHT OFFENEN
VORSICHT: ZUR MINIMIERUNG ELEKTRISCHER SCHLAGGEFAHR NICHT
DEN DECKEL ABENHMEN. INTERNE TEILE KONNEN NICHT VOM
BENUTZER GEWARTET WERDEN. DIE WARTUNG IS QUALIFIZIERTEM
WARTUNGSPERSONAL ZU UBERLASSEN.
Crate continually develops new products, as well as improves existing ones. For this reason,
the specifications and information in this manual are subject to change without notice.
©1999 SLM Electronics • A Division of St. Louis Music Co.
1400 Ferguson Avenue • St. Louis, MO 63133
Output Power Rating: 30 watts RMS @ 1% distortion
Low: +/-15dB @ 80Hz
Mid: +/-15dB @ 400–1.2kHz
High: +/-15dB @ 10kHz
Input Impedance: 1.5M ohm
Input Sensitivity: 20mV RMS
Sens. to Line out: 20mV
Max Input Signal: 10v RMS (28v peak to peak)
Insert Jack: Line Out .7v RMS, Line In .7v RMS
Insert Jack Input Impedance: 44k ohm
Insert Jack Outptu Impedance: 2.2k ohm
Line Out Output Impedance: 2.2k ohm
Internal Speaker: 8” Poly cone coaxial with dome tweeter; 4 ohms; 50 watts;
1” voice coil
Power Requirements: 120VAC, 60Hz, 50VA
100/115VAC, 50/60Hz, 50VA
230VAC, 50/60Hz, 50VA
Size and Weight: 12-3/8”H x 13-1/2”W x 10-1/2”D, 28 lbs.
To keep the CA-30 looking its best, avoid abrasive cleansers. Wipe the cabinet clean with a slightly dampened cloth.
Never use brass cleaners on the hardware since they could damage their protective coatings.
P/N 47-939-01
09/99