Furman SPB-8 User manual

2-0128
Furman Sound, Inc.
1997SouthMcDowellBlvd.
Petaluma,California 94954-6919 USA
Phone:[phone]
Fax:[phone]
www.furmansound.com
E-mail:[email protected]
SPB-8 Features
lThePedalBoardisasolid,nonslipbaseforupto8pedal
effects that lets you leave everything powered up and patched
together as you like it
lPedal effects attach securely to a 12” x 25” Velcro pad
lSturdy,roomy,paddedtravel case fits the Pedal Boardplus
attachedeffects,includesshoulderstrapandzipperedpouch
lStereoeffectsreturn,effectsloop, and amplifier outputs
lEight individually protected 9VDC outlets, with 8 included
powercords
lThreewidely spaced 120VAC, 15A outlets allow enoughroom
for "wall warts" (E Version 230VAC, 10A outlets)
lALLpowerandsignaljacksareinsulatedandisolated,
eliminatingnoisyground loops
lFurman'squalityspikeandsurgesuppressionandEMI/RFI
filteringassurescleanpower
lToroidaltransformerforultralow-noiseperformance
lRuggedconstructionwillwithstandyearsofon-stage useand
abuse
lVery long 10-foot AC cord (E Version needs Plug Attachment)
IntroductionIntroduction
CongratulationsonyourpurchaseoftheFurman SPB-8/E—
thefirstPedalBoarddesignedwiththeworkingguitarplayer,bass-
ist, and keyboard player in mind. The SPB-8/E is the most rug-
ged, versatile, and useful board available anywhere. It features
heavydutyconstructionthatwillhandlethemostforcefulstomps
you can offer, as well as stand up to the rigors of the road. The
first stereo board on the market, it is also the first to feature the
high level of power conditioning that Furman is famous for.
At the heart of the SPB-8/E Stereo Pedal Board is a light yet
ruggedpolycarbonateplatformincombinationwithasteelchassis
andanample12"x24"Velcrosheet,ensuringsecure,noiseless,
flexfree, nonslipperformanceforup toeight(ormore, depending
onpowerrequirements) effectsboxesandpedals.
TheSPB-8/E’sstereopatchbaycontainsseven1/4"switching
phone jacks and three non-switching jacks, connected in two
stereo loops. This allows a single guitar or instrument input to
feed multiple mono and stereo effects boxes, send and return
fromremoteeffects,andfeeduptotwoamplifierssimultaneously.
From modest to highly complex patching demands, the SPB-8
allowsnearly unlimited setup flexibility.
Poweringyourpedals,amps and other gear, the SPB-8/Eof-
ferstwolevelsofsurgeandshort circuitprotection,aswellasRF
and EMI filtering. The SPB-8/E is quiet, powering both AC and
DC pedals without hum, due to the high quality toroidal trans-
Stereo Pedal Board
MODELSPB-8/E
Instruction Sheet
former employed. Each DC output is rated at 100 mA, as well as
beingindividuallyprotectedagainst shorts — guaranteeing that if
one pedalgoesout,therestarestillprotectedandwillcontinueto
function.
TheSPB-8/Emakespack-upsimpleandconvenient.Unpatch-
ingseveraleffectsboxesandpedalsisnolongerrequired,since
thelargeVelcrosheet and included mating strips firmlysecures
allofyourpedalsinplace.A sturdy,paddedcaseisincludedand
comes with a handle, a detachable shoulder strap, and two zip-
pered pouches for storing cables, wall warts, and AC cords.
Using the SPB-8/EUsing the SPB-8/E
When fully set up, the SPB-8/E will save you many hours of
plugging,unplugging,packing,andunpackingpedalsandeffects.
However, to fully realize the simplification it offers, you must do
someplanningandpreparation.
1. Prepare Pedals: Most pedal effects have rubber feet on
their bottoms. These must first be removed to allow them to be
attached to the SPB-8/E. Some may be attached with screws;
others may be stick-on types that must be pried off. Once the
rubber feet are off, they should be replaced with the adhesive-
backed Velcro supplied with the SPB-8/E. Cut suitably-sized
pieces with a pair of scissors, peel off the protective backing to
exposetheadhesive,andstickthemtothebottomsofyourpedal
effects.Ifyouwishtorepositionyourpedals,severalsmallerpieces
ofVelcromayalloweasierremovalthanonelargepiece,though
the larger the area you cover, the more firmly the pedal will be
attached.
2. Create a layout:Lay out your pedal effects in the desired
order,givingthoughttosuchissuesaskeepingsignallevelshigh
to minimize hum and noise, and ease of access to all foot
switches. The Velcro system of attachment allows pedals to be
repositionedif necessary.Individualpedalsshouldbeconnected
inasignalchainusingshortpatchcords(notsupplied).Theinput
to the first pedal should be patched to theTo Pedal (Input) jack
ontheSPB-8/E;theoutputofthe lastpedalshouldbepatchedto
either of theFromPedals jacks(bothshouldbeusedifthe pedal
hasastereooutput).Seethenext sectionformoreontheSPB-8/
E’spatching capabilities.
3. Provide Power:The SPB-8/Ecanpoweralmostanypedal
made,usingoneofitsfourpoweroptions.Threeoftheseprovide
9 VDC power, and the fourth is 120 VAC “wall” power (E Version
230 VAC Wall outlet).
9 VDC Power is typically used in pedals that can run off bat-

teries, or off battery eliminators. The SPB-8/E provides eight 9
VDC power outlets, all of which use 3.5 mm “miniplug” connec-
torson the pedal board end. On thepedals themselves, several
connectortypes maybeused, themostcommon ofwhichis called
“P205L”or “DCconnector”.This mayeasilybe recognizedasa 5
mmroundhole (often in a block ofblackplasticinsulatingmate-
rial), with a single metal pin in the center. Eight miniplug-to-DC
cables are provided with the SPB-8/E. Some 9V pedals use a
miniplugconnectorinsteadof a DC connector. One miniplug-to-
miniplug cable is provided with the SPB-8/E for such pedals. Fi-
nally, a few pedals have no provision for any form of power other
thanbatteries.Shouldyouencounteroneofthese,oneminiplug-
to-battery-clipcableisalsoprovided.Touseit,simplyremovethe
battery and connect the pedal’s battery clip to the one on the
cable.
EachoftheSPB-8/E’sDCpoweroutputsisindividuallyfused
and protected against shorts, so pedals can plugged in without
risk even while the pedal board is powered up. Each output can
supply up to 100 mA, which should be adequate for virtually any
pedal. Because the SPB-8/E is protected by Furman’s famous
power conditioning capability, your valuable pedals will be pro-
tectedfrom damage fromspikesandsurges.
120 VAC Power may be needed for a few pedals. Three
grounded,15A outletsareprovided.These mayalsobeused for
non-pedaleffects, suchasthosemountedinracks.
Tokeep the powercablesneatandtidy, they maybecoiledto
takeup excesslengthandbundled witheachother,using plastic
cable ties or even grocery-store twist ties.
4. Packing up:Onceall pedals have been positioned, linked
in a signal chain, and powered, the SPB-8/E is ready for use on
stage. After use, the entire unit with pedals and all cabling at-
tached may be slipped into its padded Cordura case and trans-
ported.An internalstrapholds thepedalboard inplace.The case
hasboth ahandleand adetachableshoulder strapforeasy car-
Example 1: Mono Pedals, Single AmpExample 1: Mono Pedals, Single Amp
Inthisexample, two pedals are linkedtogetherwithashortcablegoing from the output ofthefirsttotheinputof the second. Since
there is only one amp, only the Left/Mono channel is used.
rying. There are also two internal zippered pouches for cables
andother accessory items.
Sample HookupsSample Hookups
The SPB-8/E offers very flexible patching options that will al-
low easy connection of mono and/or stereo pedal effects, rack
effects, and instruments and amps. Several examples are pre-
sentedheretoillustrateitscapabilities.Tounderstandthepatch
bay,consider the“normal”signalflow throughit,indicatedby the
dottedlineswitharrowsshowingdirection:
Note that there are two channels, Left/Mono and Right. If
nothing is plugged into the switching jacks (marked “S”), signal
willflowunimpededfromthefirst jack (FromGuitar,forLeft/Mono,
or From Pedals, for Right) to the last jack (Amplifier, for both
Left/Mono and Right) in each channel. Each of the three jacks
marked“U”isunswitchedandmaybeusedtotakea“tap”offthe
signalpathwithoutbreakingit,providedthejacktoitsimmediate
leftis unused.
All hookups begin by connecting the guitar or other instru-
ment into theFrom Guitar jack, and the input to the first pedal in
the pedal chain to theTo Pedal (Input) jack. From there, the ex-
act hookup used depends on whether the pedals have mono or
stereooutputs, whetherrackeffectsas wellaspedalsare used,
andwhetheroneortwoamps are used.

Example 2: Mono Pedals, Two AmpsExample 2: Mono Pedals, Two Amps
This example is similar to the first except there are two amps. Both the Left/Mono and Right channels are used, and receive
identical signals to send to their respective amps. The feed to theRight channel is split off from the Left/Mono signal path using the
Left/Mono Rack Effects Send jack, because plugging in to either of the Send jacks allows a “tap” to be taken without breaking the
correspondingsignalpath.
Example 3: Mono Pedals, Stereo Rack Effects, Two AmpsExample 3: Mono Pedals, Stereo Rack Effects, Two Amps
Thisexampleissimilartothepreviousoneexceptarackeffectisaddedwhichhasoneinputandtwo(stereo)outputs.Again,both
channels are used, but the left/right split is generated by the stereo rack effect.

Three Year Limited WarrantyThree Year Limited Warranty
TheFurman SPB-8/EStereoPedal Boardis warrantedagainst failuresdue todefective partsorfaulty workmanshipfor aperiod ofthree years
afterdeliverytotheoriginalowner.Duringthisperiod,Furmanwillmakeanynecessaryrepairswithoutchargeforpartsorlabor.Shippingchargestothe
factoryorrepair stationmustbeprepaid bytheowner. Thiswarrantyappliesonly totheoriginal ownerandisnot transferable.Also,it doesnotapply
torepairsdoneother than bytheFurmanfactory orAuthorizedRepairStations.
Thiswarranty may becancelled byFurman at itssole discretion ifthe unithas been subjectedto physical abuse(including, butnot limited to,
connectiontoimproperAC orDCvoltages),orhas beenmodifiedinany waywithoutwrittenauthorization fromFurman.Furman’sliabilityunder this
warrantyislimitedtorepairorreplacementofthedefectiveunit.
Furmanwillnotberesponsibleforincidentalor consequentialdamagesresultingfromtheuseormisuseof itsproducts.Somestatesdonotallow
theexclusionofincidental orconsequentialdamages,sothis limitationmaynotapplyto you.Thiswarrantygivesyou specificlegalrights,andyou may
alsohave otherrights whichvary from stateto state.
Warrantyclaimsshouldbeaccompaniedbyacopy oftheoriginalpurchaseinvoiceshowingthepurchasedate (ifaWarrantyRegistrationCardwas
mailedin atthe time ofpurchase, thisis not necessary).Before returningany equipment forrepair, pleasebe sure thatit isadequately packed and
cushionedagainstdamageinshipment,andthatitisinsured.Pleaseencloseanotegivingyourname,address,phonenumberandadescriptionofthe
problem.
Service: Allequipmentbeingreturnedforrepairmust have aReturnAuthorization(RA)Number.Togetan RANumber,pleasecalltheFurman
ServiceDepartment, [phone]ext. 40,between 8 a.m.and 5 p.m.U.S. PacificTime, or faxto [phone].Please displayyour RA Number
prominently on the front of the package.
Example 4: Mono Pedals, Mono Rack Effects, Two AmpsExample 4: Mono Pedals, Mono Rack Effects, Two Amps
Inthisexample, both thepedalsandtherackeffect are mono, sotheleft/rightsplittofeed the two ampsisaccomplishedsimilarly
to Example 2, in which aRack Effects Send jackwasusedtotapoffacopyofthesignal.Notethatinthiscasethepedalchain’soutput
is plugged to the Right channel, so it is theRight Rack Effects Sendthat is the splitting element.Becausethe jumper cable from the
Right Rack Effects Send is plugged into theLeft From Pedals jack, the “normal” signal path through the left channel is broken and
replaced with the signal from the right channel. Also, note that while the pedal effects are heard in both channels, the rack effects
would only be heard in the left channel.
A Note On The Current Requirements Of Pedal EffectsA Note On The Current Requirements Of Pedal Effects
Eachof the SPB-8/E’s 9VDC outletshas a maximum current ratingof 100 mA, yet certainpedals state power requirements
of200mAormore.Mostof thetime,thesespecificationsaremoreindicativeof adesiredlevelofregulationfromawall wartthan
an actualconstantcurrent requirement.Typically,theactual currentdrawisno morethan50mA,sotheSPB-8/E’s supplywillin
factbe more than adequate. Toconfirm this, try it! Thereis no harm in tryingone of the SPB-8/E’s 9VDCoutlet s onanypedalor
box. If the constant current draw actually exceeds 100 mA, the PTC (solid state fuse) will shut off, without damage, until the
excessiveloadisremoved. Ifthisoccurs,simplyunplug thedeviceanduseoneoftheSPB-8/E’sACoutletswithanappropriate
wall wart supply. To further illustrate this point,consider this: If a battery-powered device were actually to draw 300 mA continu-
ously at 9VCD, it would consume a new alkaline battery every six minutes.