FAME ML-30R User manual

ELECTRIC GUITAR AMP
Owner‘s Manual
ML-30R

2
Congratulations!
We would like to thank you for purchasing the ML-30R 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-30R
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 the voltage shown on the back
of the amplifier is the correct voltage for the
location you are using it. The ML-30R 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 best
tone at normal volume levels. We advise you
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-30R
• The ML-30R 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-30R.
Cleaning the ML-30R
• 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.

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Content
Setting up the ML-30R.................................................................................................... 4
Peripheral Connections.................................................................................................. 5
Preamp Section ............................................................................................................... 5
Controls & Switches........................................................................................................ 6
Special Gimmicks............................................................................................................ 7
Specifications ................................................................................................................... 8

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Setting up the ML-30R
WARNING!
To avoid electrical shock or any other damage, make sure that the ML-30R
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-30R 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 jacks on the left side of the frontpanel
receive 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-30R has a built-in 8” 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-30R.
Mismatched voltages can and most likely will destroy
your amplifier. Should you encounter voltages and
frequencies other than those indicated, a transfor-
mer must be used between the power socket and the
ML-30R. 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.

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Periphal Connections/Preamp of the ML-30R
Signal In Jacks
The ML-30R has two mono style 1/4” input jacks
for the connection of your electric guitar. They are
named with “High” and “Low” and will transmit the
output level of your guitar to the preamp of the am-
plifier. When using an instrument with a high output
(i.e. built-in humbuckers), you should use the “Low”
input for best performance. An electric guitar with
low output should be connected to the “High” input.
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-30R to a grounded
power outlet.
PREAMP SECTION OF THE ML-30R
Clean
When the “Overdrive“ switch of the ML-30R is
inactive (not pushed in), the amplifier works in the
“Clean“ mode. The Volume/CH1 knob controls the
overall volume of the ML-30R.
Overdrive
The “Overdrive“ mode produces a distorted lead
sound. The gain knob controls the amount of
distortion, while the Volume/CH2 knob controls the
overall volume of the channel.
Reverb
The ML-30R 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!

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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.
CH1/Volume
This knob controls the preamp level of the ML-30R.
Overdrive
This switches between Clean and Overdrive mode of
the ML-30R. If pushed in, the amplifier works in the
distorted mode. You will receive a clean sound when
inactive.
CH2/Volume
Controls the overall preamp level of the second
channel.
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.
Master
Controls the overall volume of the ML-30R.
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-30R on or off.

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External Effects
We are convinced that the basic sound of the Fame
ML-30R will fit the demands 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-30R does not feature an fx
loop, you will have to connect external effects devices
between your guitar and the amplifier. In order for all
effects to be well heard in the overall sound, we recom-
mend 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
signal 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 normally 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-30R.

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Specifications
Power Output: 25 Watts
Speakers: 8“ Special Design
Switches: Channel Switch (Overdrive), Mains
Equalization: Bass, Middle, Treble
Effects: Reverb
Connection Jacks: Input
Headphones
Dimensions: 37,5 x 37,5 x 20,5 cm
Weight: 10 kg
Accessories: Owner‘s Manual, Power Cable
Optional: -

ML-30R
2007