Fishman PLATINUM PRO EQ User manual

USER GUIDE
PLATINUM PRO EQ
www.fishman.com

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Welcome
Thank you for making Fishman a part of your acoustic experience. We
are proud to offer you the nest acoustic amplication products avail-
able; high-quality professional-grade tools to empower you to sound your
very best. We are condent that Platinum Pro EQ will both enhance and
inspire your music making.
Quick Start
Power – Install a fresh 9V battery (not included) or connect a Fishman
power adaptor.
Set the controls – Volume at minimum and all other controls as
shown. When using Platinum Pro EQ with bass instruments, set the EQ
Mode to bass. Set EQ Mode to guitar for all other instruments.
Plug in – Use standard ¼-inch and XLR shielded instrument cables.
Set trim – Play hard and adjust the input trim (on the right side) so the
level LED ashes only occasionally.
Tune up – Step on the tuner footswitch to tune with the output muted.
Kill feedback – If feedback starts, change the position of the phase
switch. If feedback persists, set the notch switch to in and slowly rotate
the notch knob to “dial out” the feedback.

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Making Connections
Playing live
For the best sound reproduction when performing live, connect to an
acoustic instrument amp, PA system, powered monitor or other full-range
audio system. The balanced XLR D.I. output eliminates an outboard D.I.,
providing a high quality, noise free signal.
Going direct
For direct recording, there is no better solution than using Platinum Pro
EQ’s balanced XLR D.I. or 1/4” output.

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Front Panel Controls

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Front Panel Controls
Volume & Level
The volume control affects the overall output level coming from the 1/4”
output; the XLR D.I. output is always at a xed level to prevent unwanted
gain changes at the F.O.H. mixer. For the cleanest signal, set the volume
as high as possible without clipping the next device in the signal chain.
The level LED monitors distortion at many points in the signal chain. If it
lights frequently, reduce the input trim control on the right side of the
device.
Compressor
As you turn this knob clockwise, your overall playing dynamics become in-
creasingly limited, making softer notes louder and controlling loud spikes
in your playing. This can be helpful in performances where you desire a
more even level to your playing.
The compressor control adjusts the threshold of
the automatic leveling circuit that follows the
preamp section. The compression ratio, attack
time, and release time are xed.
The active LED monitors the strength of the compressor circuit:
•The LED lights green when the signal reaches compression threshold.
•The LED lights yellow when the signal over threshold is being reduced
as much as 6dB.
more
dynamics
less
dynamics

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Front Panel Controls
EQ Mode
Platinum Pro EQ’s EQ Mode switch offers tone shaping exibility not
commonly found in an instrument preamp.
•When this control is set to guitar, the tone controls are voiced to be
most useful for recording or amplifying acoustic guitar and most other
instruments.
•When this control is set to bass, the tone controls are adjusted to be
most suitable for recording or amplifying acoustic and electric bass.
Tone Controls
Low Cut: a variable high-pass lter, labeled low cut, can be used to
remove sub-sonic frequencies present in some passive pickups.
Bass: A boost here will add depth and weight to the sound of an instru-
ment with light bass response. Cut the bass a few dB to tighten up the
big boomy tone of a dreadnought or jumbo guitar.
Middle: Two controls (level and frequency) make up this EQ circuit.
The frequency control lets you tune in on a specic mid-frequency
range which you can boost or cut with the middle control.
Treble: A boost here will help to “cut through the mix.” Conversely, cut-
ting the Treble will mellow and subdue your amplied tone.
Brilliance: This control can add shimmer and sparkle to your sound or
reduce excessive nger noise and fret buzz.

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Front Panel Controls
Notch & Phase
These controls work to suppress two adjacent
ranges of acoustic feedback. We use guitar
as an example, but the Notch lter and Phase
switch are compatible with all acoustic instru-
ments.
The notch control is a variable frequency notch
lter designed to subdue a resonant peak on
the instrument which is prone to feedback.
Turning the control adjusts the center frequency
of the lter, ranging from 45Hz to 1kHz at full
clockwise. Turn the control to “dial out” the of-
fending frequency.
The in/out switch can be used to bypass the
notch lter altogether.
The phase switch ips the polarity of your instrument signal from posi-
tive to negative, changing its relationship to the sound coming from the
amplier. One phase setting usually provides better resistance to feed-
back than the other and will vary depending on the instrument and play-
ing environment. Another approach to determining optimal phase is the
selection which sounds or feels most natural when playing.
In certain playing environments the Phase switch may not have an audible
impact.
Lower Feedback
Range notch
phase
Upper Feedback
Range

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Front Panel Controls
Boost
The boost foot switch creates an increase in volume only when the LED
above the foot switch is lit. The range of volume boost can be set from
3dB to 12dB using the boost level control found on the right side
panel.
Tuner
Platinum Pro EQ features an integrated digital tuner with selectable tun-
ing modes and reference tuning frequency adjustment. To activate the
tuner, press the tuner foot switch: the tuner LED will light and the audio
outputs will be muted.
Tune mode: ve tuning modes are available: fully-chromatic, ukulele,
bass, guitar, violin. When in these modes, the display will indicate string
number as well as degree of tune.
Tune ref.: pressing this button changes the reference tuning frequency
for situations that do not call for an A note reference of 440Hz.
Battery
The battery indicator will light steadily when it is time to change the
battery. Open the battery door underneath the pedal and install a fresh
9V alkaline or lithium battery. When the battery LED comes on you have
approximately one hour of remaining battery life.

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Left Side Panel
Amp Output
Use a standard ¼-inch instrument cable to connect the amp output to
your amplier, mixer or effect devices. You can also connect this output to
an unbalanced input on a recording system.
FX Loop
The 1/4 inch effect send and effect return jacks allow you to insert
external devices into the signal chain just prior to the 1/4” and XLR D.I.
outputs. The overall output level will still be affected by the volume
control.