Fender Downtown Express User manual

DOWNTOWN EXPRESS

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1. Mute Footswitch & LED
2. Equalizer Footswitch & LED
3. Overdrive Footswitch & LED
4. Compressor Footswitch & LED
5. Master
6. Bass (Equalizer)
7. Middle (Equalizer)
8. Treble(Equalizer)
9. OD/Comp Switch
10. Level (Overdrive)
11. Tone (Overdrive)
12. Drive (Overdrive)
13. Blend (Compressor)
14. Gain (Compressor)
15. Gain Reduction LED
16. Threshold(Compressor)
17. Input Jack
18. Tuner Output Jack
19. Outut Jack
20. XLR Output
21. Ground Lift
22. Signal Path Switch
23. DC Power Connector
24. LED Kill Switch
2423
DOWNTOWN EXPRESS
LEVEL
EQUALIZERMUTE OVERDRIVE COMPRESSOR
BASS TREBLEMIDDLE
DRIVE
EQUALIZER
G.R.
TONE
OVERDRIVE
BLEND THRESHOLD
MASTER
GAIN
COMPRESSOR
OD COMP
COMP OD
SIGNAL PATHXLR OUTPUTINPUT TUNER
OUTPUT
OUTPUT
GROUND
LIFT
9V DC
INPUT
LEDs
86
15

Thanks for purchasing the Downtown Express—
Your one-stop shop for bass tone-shaping. The
Downtown Express bass multi-effect puts
everything you need for killer bass tone right at
your feet. All the bass essentials are there—
compressor, 3-band EQ and overdrive—each
switchable on its own, or you can use the Mute
switch to kill the signal for silent tuning. The Direct
Output makes it easy to integrate this pedal into
any performance situation—stage or studio. We
recognize that a truly powerful signal chain
needs to be flexible, so we included a switch that
lets you reorder the compressor and overdrive
circuits to taste.
DOWNTOWN EXPRESS
DESIGNED IN CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

Mute Footswitch & LED
This footswitch mutes your bass’ signal from passing through the
outputs. The LED is illuminated when the Downtown Express is muted.
Equalizer Footswitch & LED
This footswitch bypasses the Equalizer section on the Downtown
Express. The LED is illuminated when the effect is active.
Overdrive Footswitch & LED
This footswitch bypasses the Overdrive section of the Downtown
Express. The LED is illuminated when the effect is active.
Compressor Footswitch & LED
This footswitch bypasses the Compressor section of the Downtown
Express. The LED is illuminated when the effect is active.
Master
This control adjusts the overall volume level.
Bass (Equalizer)
This controls the pedal’s low-frequency response when the Equalizer is
active.
Middle (Equalizer)
This controls the pedal’s midrange response when the Equalizer is
active.
Treble (Equalizer)
This controls the pedal’s high-frequency response when the Equalizer
is active.
OD/Comp Switch
This switch allows you to change the signal path of the Downtown
Express. OD COMP places the Overdrive before the Compressor.
COMP OD places the Compressor before the Overdrive.
Level (Overdrive)
This control adjusts the output volume of the Overdrive section of the
Downtown Express.
Tone (Overdrive)
This control affects the amount of high-frequency (treble) content in
your instrument’s signal. Counter-clockwise sounds are darker, while
the clockwise sounds are brighter.

Drive (Overdrive)
The Drive control adjusts the saturation added to your instrument’s
signal. The overdrive is voiced with Speaker Simulation to create warm,
amp-like drive even when using the XLR Output directly into a console
or playing through a speaker cabinet with a horn.
Blend (Compressor)
The Blend control changes what the player hears when the compressor
section is active. In fully counter-clockwise position, it provides the
original unaffected signal. In fully clockwise position, it provides the
output of the compressor section only.
Gain & Gain Reduction LED (Compressor)
The Gain control affects how much of your bass’ signal is fed into the
compressor circuit. The Gain Reduction LED indicator will change when
gain reduction or compression is occurring.
Threshold (Compressor)
The Threshold control adjusts when the compressor starts to affect the
signal.
Input Jack
This is a high-impedance input ideal for basses, but also suitable for
electric guitars, acoustic guitars with pickup systems, keyboards and
other instruments.
Tuner Output Jack
The Tuner Output Jack lets you keep your tuner active without
interrupting your signal path.
Output Jack
This is a low-impedance output jack that connects to the amp or to the
next effect pedal in a mono signal chain.
XLR Output
This is a balanced output that connects to mixing boards, recording
consoles, or recording interfaces.
Ground Lift
The Ground Lift button lifts the ground in the XLR output to remove any
hum that may be created by unwanted ground loops.
DI Signal Path Switch
This switch lets you decide when your instrument’s signal reaches the
XLR output.

Product specifications subject to change without notice
Specifications
IMPEDANCES:
POWER SUPPLY:
POWER REQUIREMENTS:
DIMENSIONS:
WEIGHT:
INPUT: 1MΩ OUTPUT LOAD: >10kΩ
9VDC regulated adapter,
5.5 x 2.1 mm barrel connector, center negative
400mA @ 9VDC
7.4” x 4.9” x 2.5” (187.9mm x 124.5mm x 63.5mm)
1.2lbs (.54kg)
THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF FCC RULES. OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO
THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS: (1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL
INTERFERENCE, AND (2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED,
INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION.
A PRODUCT OF:
FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
CORONA, CALIFORNIA, USA
Fender® is a registered trademark of FMIC.
Copyright © 2019 FMIC. All rights reserved.
P/N 7715387000 - REV A
Important Safety Instructions
•WARNING: To prevent damage, fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit or its AC
power to rain or moisture.
•Do not alter the AC plug of the connected power adapter
•Do not drip or splash liquids on the unit.
•No user serviceable parts inside, refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
• WARNING: The unit must only be connected to a safety agency certified, regulated,
power source (adapter), approved for use and compliant with applicable local and
national regulatory safety requirements.
• Unplug the AC power adapter before cleaning the unit exterior. Use only a damp cloth
for cleaning and then wait until the unit is completely dry before reconnecting it to power.
• Amplifiers and loudspeaker systems, and ear/headphones (if equipped) are capable
of producing very high sound pressure levels which may cause temporary or permanent
hearing damage. Use care when setting and adjusting volume levels during use.
Additional Languages
Manual available in additional languages at:
www.fender.com/support

NOTES:

© FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 2019