Fishman PREFIX PRO User manual

TM
PRO
PRO
PREFIX
PREFIX
USER’SGUIDE

This fine instrument is equipped with a FISHMAN PREFIX™ PRO
ACOUSTIC GUITAR SYSTEM. Please read these instructions carefully.
If you have any questions or problems, please call our CUSTOMER
SERVICE LINE at [phone].
The PREFIX™ PRO is an instrument-mounted pickup / preamp system
that offers total control of your amplified guitar sound.
The Pickup
The PREFIX™ PRO ACOUSTIC GUITAR SYSTEM includes a FISHMAN
ACOUSTIC MATRIX pickup; made with a unique co-polymer sensing
material, available exclusively from FISHMAN. This technology is not
available from any other manufacturer. The sensing material exhibits a
sensitivity and dynamic range that far surpasses all other known sens-
ing materials.
The ACOUSTIC MATRIX transducer is a fully EMI shielded, multi-layer
sandwich of co-polymer strips that run the length of the pickup. This
design allows the pickup to sense the motion of the entire saddle length,
providing superb string to string balance, as well as sensitivity to both
the strings and top of the instrument.
The Preamp
The PREFIX™ PRO preamp module incorporates a unique "flip-top"
battery compartment for easy access. Level is set by the VOLUME con-
trol. Shelving BASS & TREBLE and resonant style MIDDLE & BRIL-
LIANCE controls are included for precise tone-shaping. A LOW BAT-
TERY indicator lets you know when it’s time to change the battery.
F ISHMAN P REFIX ™P RO
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P REAMP F UNCTIONS
BATTERY COMPARTMENT
Pull the small tab at the top of the PREFIX™ PRO preamp toward you.
The body of the preamp will swing out, revealing the BATTERY COM-
PARTMENT. Insert a fresh 9V alkaline battery.
POWER
The PREFIX™ PRO has no ON/OFF switch. It is turned on only when
an instrument cable is plugged into the endpin jack. To conserve the
battery, remove the instrument cable from the endpin jack when the unit
is not being used.
NOTE: Plug an instrument cable into the endpin jack before you plug
into the sound equipment. Doing so will prevent loudspeaker damage.
BATTERY LOW LED
When plugging into the endpin jack, the LOW BATTERY light will flash
momentarily, indicating that the power is on. When the LOW BATTERY
light stays on, it is time to change the battery.

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C ONTROLS
NOTCH FILTER
This is a fixed level, variable-frequency filter for eliminating feedback or
unwanted resonance. The affected frequency is variable from 40 to 500
Hz. The NOTCH FILTER is effectively off in the full counter-clockwise
position.
VOLUME CONTROL
The Volume control goes from very quiet to very loud.
BASS, & TREBLE CONTROLS
These are boost/cut shelving tone controls. The center detent yields a
flat response.
MIDDLE & BRILLIANCE CONTROL
These are resonant style boost/cut filters. When boosted, the BRIL-
LIANCE control can add presence to your sound or brighten up dead
strings. When cut, the MIDDLE control “scoops” out harsh midrange fre-
quencies.
PHASE SWITCH
The PHASE switch compensates for acoustic phase differences that
often occur between instrument and speaker. It can be used as a tone
filter at low volume levels or a feedback filter at high levels. The PHASE
switch can correct any electrical phase difference between the PREFIX
PRO system and an outboard instrument microphone. Flip the PHASE
switch several times and use your ear to find the optimum setting. The
best position for the PHASE switch may change, depending on the
sound system and/or venue acoustics.

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S UGGESTED EQ S ETTINGS
These settings are meant to be used as a starting point for building your sound.
MID CUT
This is a good all-around setting.
Cut the MIDDLE Level to taste.
You can also cut midrange by boosting the
BASS and TREBLE sliders to realize an
implied mid-cut at 800 Hz.
BRILLIANCE
If you are playing through a guitar ampli-
fier or have dead strings on the instru-
ment, you can brighten up your sound
with this setting.

F ISHMAN P REFIX ™P RO
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S UGGESTED EQ S ETTINGS , C ONTINUED
CUT THROUGH THE MIX
For cutting through a live band mix at
high volumes.
FINGERSTYLE
This setting will add fullness to the bass
and definition to the treble.

SPECIFICATIONS
Nominal Input Level: -20 dBV
Input Overload: (20 Hz - 20 kHz) +2 dBV
Input Impedance: 20 M Ohms
Output Impedance: Less than 3.5 k Ohms
Nominal Output Level: -12 dBV
THD: Less than .04 %, -20 dBV input
Signal to Noise Ratio: 77 dB
(A weighted referred to nominal
-20 dBV input)
Current Drain: Less than 3.5 mA
Power Supply: 9V Alkaline battery
(estimated 160 hours continuous use with
low battery indicator at 6.5V)
Notch Filter Range: 40Hz - 500 Hz (-15 dB)
Bass Control Range: ± 12 dB at 60 Hz
± 3 dB at 350 Hz
Treble Control Range: ± 12 dB at 10 kHz
± 3 dB at 2.4 kHz
Mid Control Range: ± 12 dB at 1 kHz
± 3 dB Bandwidth 1.1 kHz
Brilliance Control Range: ± 12 dB at 10 kHz
± 3 dB Bandwidth 7 kHz
All specifications subject to change without notice.
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TM
PRO
PRO
PREFIX
PREFIX

INSTALLATION BY A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL REPAIRMAN IS STRONGLY
RECOMMENDED. FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY
DAMAGES THAT MAY RESULT FROM IMPROPER INSTALLATION.
The FISHMAN PREFIX™ PRO ACOUSTIC GUITAR SYSTEM is warranted to function for a
period of One (1) Year from the date of purchase. If the unit fails to function properly within
the warranty period, free repair and the option of replacement or refund in the event that
FISHMAN is unable to make repair are FISHMAN’s only obligations. This warranty does not
cover any consequential damages or damage to the unit due to misuse, accident, or neglect.
FISHMAN retains the right to make such determination on the basis of factory inspection.
Products returned to FISHMAN for repair or replacement must be shipped in accordance
with the Return Policy, as follows. This warranty remains valid only if repairs are performed
by FISHMAN. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other
rights which may vary from state to state.
RETURN POLICY
To return products to FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS, you must follow these steps...
1. Call FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS at 978-988-9199 for a Return Authorization Number
(“RAN”).
2. Enclose a copy of the original Bill of Sale as evidence of the date of purchase, with
the product in its original packaging and a protective carton or mailer.
3. FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS’ technicians will determine whether the item is covered by
warranty or if it instead has been damaged by improper customer installation or other
causes not related to defects in material or workmanship.
4. Warranty repairs or replacements will be sent automatically free of charge.
5. If FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS determines the item is not covered by warranty, we will
notify you of the repair or replacement cost and wait for your authorization to proceed.
FISHMAN TRANSDUCERS
®
340-D Fordham Road Wilmington MA 01887 USA
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
www.fishman.com
009-089-003 5-99
L IMITED W ARRANTY