K&K Sound Systems Meridian PRO User manual

K K
& Sound Systems
92798 Cape Arago Hwy.
Coos Bay, OR 97420
1-800-867-6863
541-888-3517
fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.kksound.com
Installation Instructions
Meridian
Meridian Meridian
Meridian PRO
PROPRO
PRO Acoustic Guitar Microphone System
Acoustic Guitar Microphone SystemAcoustic Guitar Microphone System
Acoustic Guitar Microphone System
First time Installation:
Separate the 2 clamp parts. They are held together
by Velcro. Bend the bottom part to fit the exact
shape (angle) of the guitar body. This might not
be a right angle, it depends on the guitar model.
n an archtop guitar the top part needs to
be adjusted/bend to the fitting angle as well.
Align the top part of the clamp
(the part with the mic) over the bottom part
without snapping the Velcro together.

Tightly press the 2 clamp parts towards each other while snapping the Velcro together.
If done properly the non-slip-padding will now hold the clamp and mic securely to the instrument.
If necessary you can further tighten the clamp by following the instructions below.
For a start, position the mic as shown. Aim it more towards the soundhole for a bassier tone or
more towards the 14th fret for a tighter and brighter sound.
Removal and Re-Installation:
Remove the mic by pulling the assembled clamp/mic off the guitar.
r, in case you want to leave the clamp on the instrument, carefully
remove the mic from the little clip on the clamp.
If you need to tighten the clamp, loosen the bottom clamp part to one
side but leave it attached at the edge by the Velcro (see the photo to the
right). Move it up by 1/16” and press the Velcro back together.
If you re-install the clamp to the same guitar, slide the assembled
clamp/mic onto the guitar.
If you attach it to a different guitar, please follow the “first-time-
installation-instructions” above.

This alternative position proved to be
extremely good.
Please note that the foam windscreen sits snug
on the guitar-top with some pressure from the
gooseneck that holds it down. This is a very
quiet positioning that minimizes unwanted
handling noise. We also found the soundquality
superb for recording. You can move the mic
closer to the soundhole or away from it to
control the amount of bass.
To cut down on cable handling noise and for
extra strain relief please wrap the cable under
the clamp as shown here.
TIP: We sell the clamp individually. For a quick change from one instrument to another leave
the clamp on the guitar and buy another clamp or your second instrument. You can easily
remove/snap-on the microphone itself with the little clip on the clamp.
The Meridian PRO Preamp
is handcrafted at the K&K facility in regon/USA to extremely low noise specifications with
excellent clarity and warm EQ. It is optimized for the use with the Meridian Microphone.
Plug the mic in the INPUT and connect the LINE or XLR UTPUT (or both) to an amp or PA system.
The Meridian Pro Preamp operates on industry standard Phantom Power or one 9 volt battery.
We recommend to have a 9 volt battery installed in the unit at all times. Phantom Power drops
down considerably under load. If several phantom power consumers are connected to a mixing
board, the power may drop down below a sufficient supply voltage for the Meridian Pro Preamp.
The battery will be activated only in case the phantom power gets too low but it will not be
discharged as long as Phantom Power is higher that the battery voltage.

The LED light on the front-panel indicates if phantom power is present. In order to save battery it
will not light when the unit works on battery power only.
Battery Change:
To insert and change the battery, open the 2 screws on the sides of the unit, remove the lid,
connect a fresh 9 volt battery to the battery clip and place it in the marked compartment.
The unit is delivered without a battery.
Note: LW YS UNPLUG THE INPUT C BLE IN ORDER TO SWICH OFF THE B TTERY when
the unit is not in use!
How to adjust the sound with the preamp:
We recommend to start with all EQ controls turned down all the way and add frequencies to your
liking. Then listen to the two phase switch settings to get the best tone and the lowest feedback.
But first, please read the following paragraphs:
djustable Gain control:
Gain and volume do both have an effect on the output volume of the preamp but they accomplish
different tasks.
The gain (also called input gain or sensitivity control) controls the input signal level in the circuit in
the preamp. It sets the amount of pre-amplification before the signal enters the EQ section etc.
The volume control on the other hand is located at the end of the circuit and simply allows lowering
or shutting down the volume.
It is very important to properly set the gain control to fit the instrument you are using. An
instrument with a high volume will require less gain than one that is not as loud. Also a player who
strums hard will have to set the gain lower than one who picks the strings very lightly.
To set the gain correctly, you have to mount and connect your mic to the guitar and plug it into the
Meridian Pro Preamp. Connect it to your amplification system and set the channel to a low volume
setting for a start.
Begin with the gain on the preamp at about 12 o’clock center setting. The volume control on the
Meridian Pro Preamp should be set to fully clockwise.
Play your instrument in your loudest dynamic range (play it as hard as you expect to play) and
slowly turn the gain up until distortion just occurs. Now back the gain off a little bit until the signal
is clear again. This is the correct gain setting for this instrument.
With the Meridian Microphone the gain will most likely end up somewhere between “half” and “full”.
Please keep in mind that excessive EQ boost applied after the initial gain setting procedure may
introduce distortion, in this case you have to reduce the gain a little bit.
Phase switch:
Phase switches are usually marketed as a feedback-controlling device, but they accomplish more
than just that.
What is phase? Phase determines at what point in time a soundwave has it’s peak or trough.
This picture shows 2 simple (identical) sine waves, but the wave on the bottom (2) is
inverted in respect to the wave on top (1). Interestingly, if these two waves were played back
simultaneously, they would completely cancel each other out and no sound would be heard.
Amplification systems and effect units may or may not invert the phase in respect to the signal
which is send in. In most cases the manufacturers do not specify.
Every acoustic instrument projects (acoustic) sound waves in a certain phase. The phase that is
projected from the amplified speaker source should be "in phase" (not inverted) with the acoustic
instrument's own soundwaves or the result will not be optimal. If the amp projects the inverted
phase, the acoustic instrument will fight its own amplified sound and no balanced tone can develop.

Round and warm tone is only achieved when acoustic and amplified sound oscillate in the same
phase. The Meridian Pro Preamp’s phase switch allows for instant correction of this problem.
Play your instrument and flip the phase switch back and forth. You will experience a fuller and
warmer tone one way or the other.
Outputs:
The active DI XLR output and the line output can be used simultaneously. Like this the 1/4" line out
can conveniently be used as a monitor out or for connection to a tuner while the unit is connected
to the PA via the XLR out. You can of course use each output individually.
The Meridian Mic can also be used with the K&K Quantum Blender. The microphone itself does not
work on 48V phantom power! It is powered with 5 volts by the preamp.
Technical Information Meridian Microphone
Frequency Range: 30 - 18,000 Hz
Sensitivity: 7 mV/PA/1 kHz
Maximum SPL: 142dB
Polar Pattern: Unidirectional
Mic Power requirement: 5 Volt DC (supplied by Meridian preamp or K&K Quantum Blender)
Cable 8 feet
Technical Information Meridian Microphone Preamp
Input: ¼ mono with 5 volt DC lavalier mic power supply
utput 1: XLR active balanced – 8K hm
utput 2: Line – 100 hm
Bass control: +/- 20 dB - 100 Hz high pass
Midrange control: +/-20 dB – 1.5K super wide band Q
Treble control: +/- 20 dB – 10K
Power requirements: 12-48 Volt phantom power or 9 volt battery
Polar Pattern Meridian Microphone
Frequency response curve – Meridian Microphone
Please slide the supplied protective tubing over the windscreen before
you put your mic into the box. This protects the windscreen foam from
becoming mis-shaped.
K&K Sound Systems Inc. - 92798 Cape Arago Hwy. - Coos Bay R. 97420 USA - 1 800 868 6863 - www.kksound.com