FAME ML-20R User manual

ELECTRIC GUITAR AMP
Owner‘s Manual
ML-20R

2
Congratulations!
We would like to thank you for purchasing the ML-20R Electric Guitar Amplifier.
It has been specially designed and developed for the use with electric guitars.
Before using your new amplifier, we advise to read the following pages carefully.
Taking care of your ML-20R
Safety Warnings
We want you to be aware of certain safety aspects,
for reasons of product safety and liability. With all
due respect, please read the following before
operating your new Fame amplifier.
• Do not use or store your amplifier in or near
moist or wet areas.
• Make sure that voltage shown on the back of
the amplifier is the correct voltage for the
location you are using it. The ML-20R can
never be used at different voltages than shown.
• Opening the amplifier housing must
only be done by authorized personnel. No
user serviceable parts inside.
• The power amp is configured to deliver
maximum tone at normal volume levels. We
advise for your own good not to expose
yourself to very high volume levels for long
periods of time. It can lead to hearing damage.
Transporting the ML-20R
• The ML-20R is a solid state instrument
amplifier. The built-in circuits are sensitive to
hits, especially when hot. To avoid damaging
the unit, we recommend using care during
setup and tear down of the unit.
• Allow the amplifier to adjust to the ambient
temperature before operating, 10 minutes
should be sufficient in all cases. Especially the
change between a cold vehicle and, in most
cases, warm stages can cause condensing
fluid inside the electrical circuit. This can lead
to circuit shorts.
• For continued road use, please protect the
amplifier with a professional flight case. Trans-
port only in operating position. Do not trans-
port upside down or on its side.
Daily use
• Never be rough with knobs, connections
or other parts of the amplifier.
• Be careful while pulling out cables. Pulling
plugs quickly can cause damage.
• Disconnect all cables before transporting
the unit.
• Avoid physical shocks, such as hits or drops.
• You should never put any heavy items on top
of the ML-20R.
Cleaning the ML-20R
• Usually it is sufficient to wipe down the
outside of the amplifier with a slightly moist
cleaning rag.
• Do not use any abrasive cleaning chemicals.
• Sometimes a vacuum cleaner can be used to
remove dust and dirt from nooks and crevices.
• Avoid putting any vinyl on top of the unit. It
glues and discolours the surface.
Electric enviroment
• This amplifier contains electric circuits, which
can cause interference when operating near
Radio or TV units. If you notice any abnormal
noise, we recommend to put the amplifier
away from such devices.
• Blown fuses can only be replaced with fuses
of equal values. The use of incorrect fuses is
prohibited and can cause severe injury or
damage of the amplifier.
• Only use a grounded power cable in good
condition.

3
Content
Setting up the ML-20R.................................................................................................... 4
Peripheral Connections.................................................................................................. 5
Preamp Section ............................................................................................................... 5
Controls & Switches........................................................................................................ 6
Special Gimmicks............................................................................................................ 7
Specifications ................................................................................................................... 8

4
Setting up the ML-20R
WARNING!
To avoid electrical shock or any other damage, make sure that the ML-20R
and all other devices are switched off before you start connecting them to the
amplifier!
Power Connections/Mains
Before connecting to a grounded power outlet,
make sure the power switches are in the off position
(facing down). The ML-20R is set up for 230 V of line
voltage. Once the amplifier is plugged in, you can
get started!
Connecting an electric guitar
The input jack on the left side of the frontpanel
receives your electric guitar signal by means of
a shielded guitar cord with 1/4” mono style plug.
Make sure the master volume of the amplifier is set
to the lowest position to avoid disturbing noise while
connecting.
Speaker protection
The ML-20R has a built-in 6,5” speaker. It can be
damaged by heavy feedbacks of the connected
instruments. You should always keep a sufficient
distance to the amplifier to avoid such feedbacks.
This will extend the life of the speaker and the power
amp.
Travelling Abroad
If travelling to countries outside the EU, always check
their local voltage before operating the ML-20R.
Mismatched voltages can and most likely will destroy
your amplifier. Should you encounter voltages and
frequencies other than those indicated, a transformer
must be used between the power socket and the
ML-20R. This transformer must be able to transform
the voltage and frequency to one of the indicated
settings.
Main Fuse
The main fuse is situated in a little drawer which is
part of the power input jack. This sliding fuse holder
also hides a spare fuse. For 230 V, the fuse must be
a 0,5 AT slow blow. It is crucially important to use the
specified fuse values only.
Maintenance
All checkups and repairs must be undertaken by
authorized service personnel. With the right treat-
ment, the electric circuit and the power amp will not
need any kind of maintenance at all.

5
Periphal Connections/Preamp of the ML-20R
Signal In Jack
The ML-20R has a mono style input jack on the left
side if the front panel. To connect an electric guitar,
please use a 1/4” mono style cable.
Headphones
For quiet practicing at home you can also use
optional headphones. For best performance and a
brilliant sound, we recommend our Fame DT 290
studio headphones. Please note that the overall
volume of the amplifier will influence the master
volume of your headphones.
CONNECTIONS ON THE BACK
Mains
This jack is used to connect the ML-20R to a grounded
power outlet.
PREAMP SECTION OF THE ML-20R
Clean
When the “Overdrive“ switch of the ML-20R is
inactive (not pushed in), the amplifier works in the
clean mode. The volume knob controls the overall
volume of the ML-20R.
Overdrive
The “Overdrive“ mode produces a distorted
lead sound. The gain knob controls the amount
of distortion.
Reverb
The ML-20R features a reverb function, where small
and big rooms will be simulated. You should be
careful when using this effect, because it can also
change the sound to something intransparent.
Your guitar cord is an important part of your signal chain and it‘s quality and
construction type clearly affects the overall tone of your rig. Try and buy the
best quality cord you can or want to afford for maximum sound!

6
Controls and Switches
We suggest you start exploring the channels with all controls set to 12 o‘clock
and the master volume slightly cracked open.
Gain
This knob controls the preamp level the ML-20R. In the
Overdrive mode it controls the amount of distortion.
Overdrive
This switches between Clean and Overdrive mode of
the ML-20R. If pushed in, the amplifier works in the
distorted mode. You will receive a clean sound when
inactive.
Volume
Controls the overall volume of the ML-20R.
Treble, Middle, Bass
These three knobs are the main equalization of the
amplifier. Bass adjusts the lower frequencies, while
Middle and Treble are responsible for the medium
and high levels.
Reverb
This controls the rate of reverb in the overall sound
of the amplifier. It is recommended to adjust from the
lowest setting and slowly turn the knob to the desired
amount.
Mains
This switches the ML-20R on or off.

7
External Effects
We are convinced that the basic sound of the Fame
ML-20R will fit the demand of most guitar players.
Although, the usage of external effect devices can provide
a variety of new and interesting sounds. These are divided
into:
• Level-related effects are: Compressor, Limiter
or Noise Gate
• Time-based effects are: Delay/Echo, Chorus
or Flanger
• Volume-based effects are: Tremolo, Auto-Volume
or Pan
• Filtering-related effects are: Equalizer, Phaser,
Rotary or Vibe
Due to the fact that the ML-20R does not feature an fx
loop, you will have to connect external effects devices
always between your guitar and the amplifier. To make
sure that all effects will be well heard in the overall sound,
we recommend the following signal chain:
At first: WahWah, Compressor, Overdrive or Distortion
Right behind: any kind of modulating effect
At last: time- or level-bases effects (Delay, PitchShifter)
How to choose the right device
High-quality effects like a vibrato or time-based units like
delays can round up the sound, when placed in the fx loop
of an amplifier. But the final sound is depending on the
choice of the specific unit.
A multieffects processor i.e. digitalizes the incoming sig-
nal by using an AD-converter and inverts it after adding
several effects. Depending on the used model, the sound
can be influenced in a negative way.
Expensive units contain very capable converters, which
keep the signal in it’s original value and even improve the
sound quality.
Analogue units will not harm the signal’s quality, but they
are also limited and normaly produce only one overall
sound.
Special Gimmicks
We came up with the following advice and “wisdom“ according to our
personal experiences. This will help you to improve the performance of your
ML-20R.

8
Specifications
Power Output: 15 Watts
Speakers: 6,5“ Special Design
Switches: Channel Switch (Overdrive), Mains
Equalization: Bass, Middle, Treble
Effects: Reverb
Connection Jacks: Input
Headphones
Dimensions: 33 x 30 x 17 cm
Weight: 6 kg
Accessories: Owner‘s Manual, Power Cable
Optional: -

ML-20R
2007