Hughes & Kettner ATTAX User manual

3-CHANNEL GUITAR PREAMPLIFIER
Hughes &Kettner Musical Instruments GmbH Magdeburgerstr.6 6690 St.Wendel
Telefon
( 0 68
51 ) 20 21 Telefax (0 68
51 ) 4886

WE AT HUGHES & KETTNER WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE
YOU ON YOUR CHOICE OF THE ATTAX PREAMP!
The HUGHES & KETTNER ATTAX preamp is designed to meet the rigorous demands
placed on contemporary musicians: superior sound quality, flexibility, and user-
friendly operating define the ATTAX as a valuable tool in your quest for the ultimate
sound.
The streamlined operating and control concept enables you to immediately dial in
hot sounds. No fuss, no endless knob twiddling.This Operator’s Manual introduces
you to the
ATTAX's features and options.
3 CHANNELS - THE STANDARD OF THE 90's
The ATTAX features three separate channels: One solid state CLEAN for vintage and
contemporary clean tones. The two tube channels, CRUNCH and LEAD, are carefully
tuned for a broad overdrive spectrum, from a slight crunch to heavy duty shred.
TWO EFFECTS LOOPS!
The ATTAX features two separate loops for effects/multi-effects devices: a standard
MONO FX LOOP with SEND and RETURN jacks and a STEREO LOOP with a SEND
and two RETURN jacks (Left/Right).
STEREO SETUP
- NO PROBLEM!
The output, effect, and master sections feature stereo circuits enabling stereo setups,
o. g. with a stereo power amp and two cabinets. Stereo effects processors can be
added through the STEREO LOOP for optimum effects utilization.
FREQUENCY-CORRECTED RECORDING OUT JACKS
The two Recording Out jacks feature frequency-corrected signal paths that simulate
the sound of a miked 4x
12" cabinet, an ideal tool for home recording, studio
situations, and on stage DI to the mixer.
MIDI
- THE ULTIMATE CONTROL FEATURE!
The MIDI option requires no soldering. Installation is simple, and offers the ATTAX
user all the comfort of MIDI capabilities. All three channels and the effects loop can
be called via MIDI program change messages.
We hope you have fun and enjoy success with your ATTAX!

THE SOLID STATE CLEAN CHANNEL
This channel utilizes innovative solid state circuitry that is capable of producing
warm, dynamic vintage tones, as well as contemporary,
hi-fi clean sounds.
The HUGHES
& KETTNER “SOFT CLICK” circuitry delivers the soft clip of a vintage
tube amp at high volumes, except that you don’t have to alienate your neighbors to
get that warm tone. It “feels” like a vintage amp; the preamp’s dynamics and response
are true to classic tube performance criteria.
ATTAX CRUNCH
- THE VINTAGE TUBE CHANNEL
The ATTAX CRUNCH tube channel covers the tonal spectrum from clean to
overdrive. The emphasis on attack response in this channel enables you to control
overdrive levels with your guitar’s volume pot. At higher gain settings, your tone is
carried by lengthy sustain ideal for a singing blues tone with superior dynamic punch.
AT-TAX LEAD
- HOT-RODDED HEAVY TUBE OVERDRIVE
The LEAD channel’s extreme gain reserves deliver the distinct performance character-
istics of modified tube amps: fat, searing tube overdrive at any volume, ideal for
modern lead playing and heavy-duty power chord chunk.
v SELECTING THE THREE CHANNELS: CLEAN / CRUNCH / LEAD
Channel switching is executed via the switch on the FRONT PANEL or the
included STAGEBOARD.
The CLEAN /TUBE SWITCH (5) activates either the SOLID STATE (CLEAN channel),
or the TUBE
( CRUNCH/LEAD ) sections.
The CRUNCH /TUBE SWITCH (12) activates either the CRUNCH or LEAD channel
in the tube section.
An LED DESIGNATES the currently ACTIVE CHANNEL.:
CLEAN = GREEN, CRUNCH = YELLOW, LEAD = RED

1. INPUT
1/4" instrument input jack.
( M ) MIDI LEARN BUTTON
MIDI OPTION installation is a prerequisite to MIDI capability. Upon MIDI OPTION
installation, press the MIDI LEARN BUTTON on the ATTAX'a front panel to save the
current sound/effect parameter settings. Installation is a matter of just a few minutes, it
requires no soldering. Talk to your HUGHES &KETTNER DEALER for the details.
2. (CLEAN ) VOLUME
Regulates the CLEAN channel’s volume. Depending on your instrument’s pickups, a
setting of 7
- 8 is the clip threshold (SOFT CLICK).
3. GREEN CLEAN LED
The GREEN LED illuminates when the solid state
( CLEAN ) section is active.
4. CLEAN
/ BASS / TREBLE
The THREE-BAND, PASSIVE VOICING section defines the
ATTAX's tonal charac-
teristics in the CLEAN channel. Precise tuning and balance of filter frequencies enable
you to quickly and efficiently dial in diverse sounds.
v SETTING VOICING PARAMETERS
Dial in the standard setting (BASS, MID, TREBLE in the 12 o’clock position), and then
modify the settings to suit your requirements.
5. CLEAN
/ TUBE SELECTOR SWITCH
Activates either the SOLID STATE ( CLEAN channel
), or the TUBE SELECTION
( CRUNCH and LEAD channels).
6. CRUNCH GAIN
The CRUNCH GAIN POT regulates the CRUNCH channel’s input sensitivity. Try
different settings to achieve everything from ultra-clean sound to vintage tube
overdrive.

7. CRUNCH LED
The YELLOW LED illuminates when the CRUNCH channel is active.
8. LEAD GAIN
The LEAD GAIN pot regulates the amount of disortion in the tube preamp’s LEAD
channel. The intensity of the compression effect inherent in tube technology increases
parallel to the amount of overdrive.
9. LEAD LED
The RED LED illuminates when the LEAD channel is active.
10. CRUNCH AND LEAD TUBE CHANNELS VOICING SECTION
The two tube channels’ tone controls are a combination of active and passive circuits
designed to respond in a more musical manner. For instance, the active bass filters
provide mid-range characteristics and provides additional presence (without
unnecessary bending of frequency bands). The voicing section follows the tube
section in the amp’s circuitry.
v SETTING VOICING PARAMETERS
Dial in the standard setting (BASS, MID, TREBLE in the 12 o’clock position), and then
modify the settings to suit your requirements.
In addition to the tree channel’s respective VOLUME and/or GAIN controls, the
CRUNCH and LEAD channels each incorporate a MASTER control (CRUNCH
MASTER
/ LEADMASTER). The overall output of the ATTAX is defined via the STEREO
MASTER VOLUME knob (15). These features allow for an optimum volume balance
between the three channels, an essential feature for gigs.
11. CRUNCHMASTER
Regulates the CRUNCH channel’s volume in relation to the CLEAN and LEAD
channel’s respective volumes.
12. CRUNCH
/ LEAD SELECTOR SWITCH
Activates either the ATTAX's CRUNCH or LEAD channel.
page 5

13. LEADMASTER
Regulates the LEAD channel’s volume in relation to CLEAN and CRUNCH channels’
respective volumes.
14. FX-MIX
The FX MIX pot regulates the original signal’s volume and its relationship to that of
the processed signal, i. e. the one sent from the effects device connected to the
STEREO EFFECTS LOOP. DRY = original signal only, WET = processed signal only.
You can dial in any signal blend between these two extreme settings.
NOTE: If no signal procession is
connected to the STEREO LOOP, then the FX-MIX
pot can be used as a master volume. The FX-MIX has no influence on overall ATTAX
output when it is set to DRY (refer to the “Activating a Second MASTER VOLUME”
paragraph on the following page
).
15. MASTER VOL
The
ATTAX's overall output is defined via the MASTER VOLUME knob. It influences
all outputs.
16. PHONES
1/4" head phone jack. The PHONES output jack delivers a speaker-simulated signal,
so the
ATTAX sounds similar to your stage setup at headphone volumes.
17. MAIN SWITCH:
AC mains power switch
18. MAINS
The included Euro-norm mains cable is connected to this socket. Ensure the voltage
selector is set to the correct voltage (refer to the safety guidelines).
19. FUSE
Use a screwdriver to unlock and unscrew the FUSE holder. Ensure replacement fuses’
specifications are identical to the original. The
ATTAX is factory-set to the European
norm of 230 V.
20. RECORDING OUT JACKS
The RECORDING OUT jacks deliver a frequency-corrected STEREO SIGNAL,
comparable to a that of a miked 4 x 12” cabinet, ideal for home recording, studio,
and DI-to-mixer applications.

21. MONO FX LOOP
Serial signal path for external effects processors. Connect the ATTAX’S LOOP
RETURN to the device’s OUTPUT jack. The output signal’s dry/wet mix is regulated
at the processor.
22. STEREO FX LOOP
The parallel STEREO EFFECTS LOOP’s dry/wet mix is regulated via the FX MIX pot
(14). The effects signal can be activated via the STAGEBOARD or MIDI messages.
Connect the
ATTAX's LOOP SEND jack to the device’s INPUT, and the ATTAX's
LOOP LEFT/RIGHT RETURN jacks to the device’s LEFT/RIGHT OUTPUT jacks.
Use the
ATTAX STEREO LOOP’S RIGHT RETURN jack for mono signal processors.
The LOOP sends a mono signal if only the RIGHT RETURN jack is connected.
TIP 1: You can connect other instruments/sound generation equipment to the ATTAX
via the STEREO LOOP’S RETURN jacks instead of a signal processor/effects device.
A second guitar, keyboard, drum machine, tape player, etc. can be used for rehearsals
/ practice sessions.
v Adding a STEREO SIGNAL (tape deck, keyboard, etc.):
l Connect the device’s LEFT /RIGHT OUTPUTS to the ATTAX STEREO LOOP’S
LEFT
/ RIGHT INPUTS.
l Step on the STAGEBOARD’S FX footswitch (the loop is activated).
l Regulate the device’s volume via the FX MIX pot located on the front panel (to
the left towards DRY = volume down, to the right towards WET = volume up).
TIP 2: You can also use the loop to activate an additional MASTER VOLUME,
provided you do not connect a signal processor.
v Activating the additional MASTER VOLUME
l Step on the STAGEBOARD’S FX footswitch (the LED illuminates).
l Dial in a separate MASTER VOLUME setting for the ATTAX via the FX MIX pot (to
the left towards DRY = volume up, to the right towards WET = volume down).
l You can switch back and forth between the two MASTER VOLUMES via the
FX footswitch.
Upon MIDI option installation, you can also call MASTER VOLUME changes via MIDI
messages.
23. LINE OUT ( LEFT / RIGHT )
The two LINE OUT jacks (Left/Right) feed the preamp’s signal to a power amp(s). Use
a single LINE OUT jack to drive a mono power amp and speaker cabinet.
page 7

24. STAGEBOARD JACK
Connect the included ATTAX STAGEBOARD to this MULTIPIN jack.
Your ATTAX preamp package includes the STAGEBOARD which enables you to
activate the 3 CHANNELS and the STEREO EFFECTS LOOP via footswitches.
NOTE: Ensure the CLEAN /TUBE and CRUNCH
/ LEAD SELECTOR SWITCHES on
the FRONT PANEL are set to OFF (not pushed in) when operating the ATTAX in the
STAGEBOARD footswitch mode.
A combination of the two operating modes ( footswitch /front panel ) is not
recommended.
QUICK ACCESS TO THE CHANNELS VIA THE STAGEBOARD.
When you switch from the solid state preamp section to the tube section via the
STAGEBOARD, it is advisable to pre-select the channel via the LEAD /CRUNCH
SELCECTOR SWITCH. You can then switch channels in one motion.
LEDs are integrated in the STAGEBOARD to give you a clearer picture of the channel
switching status for on-stage applications.
These
LEDs tell you which of the two CRUNCH / LEAD channels is preset. The front
panel
LEDs denete the currently active channel.
EFFECTS LOOP SWITCHING VIA THE
ATTAX STAGEBOARD
In addition to channel selection feature, the STAGEBOARD can also be used
activate/deactivate the STEREO EFFECTS LOOP via the FX ON
/ OFF SWITCH. The
appropriate LED illuminates when the LOOP is active.
Circuitry:
Channels:
1 Solid-State CLEAN ,2 Tube preamps CRUNCH /LEAD
CLEAN:
CRUNCH:
Jacks:
LEAD:
Volume, Lead Master
Input, Phones, Recording Out ( Left /Right
), Mono Loop ( Send /Return ),
Stereo Loop ( Send /Return Left - Return Right ), Line Out ( Left /Right ),
Footswitch.
Dimensions:
19” / 1 HU
Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble
- Master Volume
Volume,
- Crunch Master
>Bass, Mid, Treble <

HUGHES & KETTNER ATTAX
CF 200
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POWERAMP E:G: HUGHES & KETTNER CF 200 /VS 250
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Line Out L / R
Recording Out L / R
Mono FX Send
Mono FX Return
Stereo Send L
/ R
Stereo Return L / R
Phones
Stageboard
Poweramp
/ Cabinets
Signal for Recording
/
Studio Applications
Effect
/ Tuner In
Effect Output
Input L
/ R
Output L / R
Phones
Stageboard
Line Out Left Line Out Right
Input Left Input Right
Stereo Speaker Outs
Left
Right
Input
Input
HUGHES &KETTNER
GL 112/GL 212/GL-GR 412
page 9

The above examples are just hat examples. Your sound is ulimatly dependant on the
type of instrument and the playing style you use. Nevertheless, these settings will
give you a general impression of the ATTAX's sound spectrum.
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