Mezzabarba Nirvana User manual

Nirvana v1.1 ENG
Mezzabarba
c u s t o m a m p l i f i c a t i o n
Nirvana
PREAMP
Nirvana
User Manual
Mezzabarba
c u s t o m a m p l i f i c a t i o n
Nirvana
PREAMP
User manual
User Manual
1/11
Mezzabarba
c u s t o m a m p l i f i c a t i o n
Nirvana

Nirvana v1.1 ENG Nirvana User Manual 2/11
Index
Front panel. .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Rear panel. ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Basic sounds. .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
MIDI programming, Midi Channel, Control Changes ................................................................................................................ 6
Usage and periodical maintenance. ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Replacing tu es. .................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Trou leshooting. .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Fuses. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Warranty. .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Customization options ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Important safety information ..........................................................................................................................................................10
Technical specifications. .................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Contacts. ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
IMPORTANT :
PLEASE READ SAFETY INFO ON PG. 10 CAREFULLY BEFORE SWITCH ON THE PREAMP

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N RVANA. The new 3 channel Rack Preamp y Mezza ar a.
Finally an all tu e, midi controlla le, 3 channel preamp dedicated to Modern sounds:
from crystal clear Clean, through a classic punchy Crunch, to High Gain Bliss. The
est of the MZero and Trinity in a rack preamp that offers the full range of the
incredi le tones availa le from Mezza ar a.
Used y an ever-growing num er of artists worldwide for more than a decade,
Mezza ar a amps are custom- uilt, all-tu e easts which are entirely hand-made in
Italy.
Founded in 1998 in the Etruscan town of Farnese, etween Latium and Tuscany,
Masotti Guitar Devices and its high-end rand Mezza ar a Custom Amplification
have ecome reference points for rockers in Italy, Europe and around the world.
Based on 100% original R&D, top of the range components, custom-wound
transformers and a no-compromise philosophy, these amps are fruit of a tireless
o session. They finally define a new amp personality and ring a out a
contemporary feel in what has ecome a monotonous world split etween
esta lished industry leaders and me-too amps. Their a ility to deliver an unusual
com ination of raw power, warmth and crystal clear tone allows the same amp to
reach an unrivalled range of sounds, spanning from fusion, lues, rock, funk, all the
way to rute metal.
Pierangelo Mezzabarba
-Masotti Guitar Devices CEO and Founder-

Nirvana v1.1 ENG
Front panel
From left to right:
a) MAIN INPUT jack.
) GAIN controls -these
allow for
c) Equalizer section: Bass,
Mid,
d) VOLUME controls -
respectively, for
e) Master Volume controls -
these allow for
f) Control Panel: 7
switches for programming as descri ed further
Rear panel
From left to right:
a) IEC plug
) Master power switch
c) Mains fuse
d) Ground Lift switch
e) Midi In/
Footswitch connector
f) OUTPUT.
g) Secondary INPUT.
Nirvana
User Manual
allow for
gain management in the preamp section
of Channel
Mid,
Tre le.
respectively, for
the Clean, Drive and Overdrive channels.
these allow for
volume management of the entire
preamp.
switches for programming as descri ed further
.
Footswitch connector
, Midi Thru, USB -
for controlling multiple functions;
User Manual
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of Channel
1, 2 and 3.
preamp.
for controlling multiple functions;

Nirvana v1.1 ENG Nirvana User Manual 5/11
Basic sounds
The NIRVANA Preamp was conceived to express its full potential in any musical context, hence the preamp
section was specifically engineered to deliver an unusual array of possi ilities. Whether you are using a
NIRVANA Preamp in com ination with distortion pedals, digital effects, or on its own, you will e amazed y
the response you’ll get in any of these contexts. Imagine the dynamics and rage of the est, late 60s’ Brit
amps, eautifully infused with a more modern tone, all of which results in an elegant ela oration of a classic,
evergreen sound.
3 channel - Clean, Drive and Overdrive - for 24 different sounds, all programma le, with 128 presets. Every
channel has Boost, Bright and Dual Master functions.
Although particularly suited for Rock and Metal, the NIRVANA Preamp, as the TRINITY and the MZero, is the
fruit of a 20-year search for the ultimate, devastating, yet classy tone. Dedicated to Modern sounds, from
crystal clear Clean, through a classic punchy Crunch, to High Gain Bliss.
Channe 1
Dedicated to clean sound, it's equipped with a rite switch to refresh high frequencies. Drive and volume
controls are inter-dependt and they can e set in order to o tain different sounds. With the oost engaged,
it's easy to have a very impressive crunch.
Channe 2
Channel for mean overdriven sounds, the 2nd channel starts from clean gradually dirty up to reach a rhythm
rock sound full and dynamic. With the oost engaged is similar to the former ut is more useful for modern
sounds, oth for rhythm and solo parts, with very high gain, dynamics and transparency.
Channe 3
Modern high gain channel, great headroom with rich armonics, perfect for Rhythm and Solo parts, with Boost
engaged. Very reactive to the pick, with a solid and fully controlled response to low frequencies, it gives a
"liquid" and sustained sound.
The resulting dynamics, com ined with the guitar volume and your personal touch, will open a portal to a
virtually infinite world of tone which will make the NIRVANA the last preamp you will ever need.

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MIDI programming
For maps programming, please see the following sequence:
1. Switch ON and connect MIDI controller to MIDI IN connector of NIRVANA Preamp; Default Midi channel
is #1.
2. Switch ON NIRVANA Preamp as descri ed a ove.
3. Push Prog push utton on Control Panel; the Prog Status Led will right and it indicates that NIRVANA
Preamp is ready to store.
4. Select desired configuration – channels and functions- trhough the 6 switches on the front panel.
5. Send the Program changes in which you want to store the map.
6. Repeat points 4 and 5 according to your needs.
7. Press Prog push utton. The Status Led it's OFF and indicates that NIRVANA Preamp is ready for
normal functioning. Now the patches are stored permanently and they can e recalled via MIDI.
8. You can go from normal mode to prog mode and ack in any time y pressing Prog utton.
MIDI Channel
Any MIDI channel can e associated to NIRVANA Preamp. Programming is very simple and consists of the
following points:
1. Connect and switch ON a pedal oard to MIDI IN connector; check that pedal oard sends Program or
Control Changes messages on desired MIDI channel.
2. Switch ON NIRVANA Preamp and push the Prog switch at the same time. The Program Status Led will
right 3 times, the it will ON.
3. Send a Program Change or a Control Change messages on desired MIDI channel.
4. Switch the Prog OFF.
Control Changes
NIRVANA Preamp can e used via Control Changes, on desired Midi Channel:
•CC81: Channel 1
•CC82: Channel 2
•CC83: Channel 3
•CC85: Master2
•CC86: Boost
•CC87: Bright
Value:
0-63 OFF – 64-127 ON

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Usage and periodical maintenance
The NIRVANA Preamp does not require any more precautions and maintenance than any other tu e preamp.
Make sure you do not o struct the air cooling grids located on the top, front, and ack of the amp, in order to
allow for optimal cooling.
The external chassis can e cleaned with a clean, damp cloth. The paint is resistant to normal cleaning
products ut not to aggressive solvents ( enzene, acetone, etc.) which should therefore e avoided.
If you are using your NIRVANA Preamp mostly in a studio setting, you will simply need to periodically replace
the tu es, just as you would in any other tu e preamp. If on the other hand, you use your NIRVANA Preamp
mostly on the road, it is advisa le to periodically check that all of the internal components are properly
connected and functioning. Given the heavy-duty uild quality of your NIRVANA Preamp, this might e
necessary as little as once a year, and in any case only if you use the preamp on the road every day.
Warning: the afore-mentioned checks mush be carried out so e y by qua ified MGD (Masotti Guitar
Devices) personne and/or authorized technicians. Before schedu ing any such check, p ease contact
MGD for fu advise.
Replacing tu es
All of the factory-supplied tu es in your NIRVANA Preamp are accurately handpicked y MGD. The six
ECC83/12AX7 tu es have a life expectancy of several years and their replacement does not require any
additional adjustments.
The layout of the tu es is represented in the following diagram:
Any short-circuits caused y a faulty tu e can lead to urning one or more fuses, which must e replaced y
qua ified MGD personne and/or authorized technicians.
Preamp: 6
x
ECC83/12AX7
V2 Clean
Output
.
V3
Overdrive
V2
Overdrive
V1
Drive
/OD/Clean
V2 Crunch

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The rand and type of the preamp tu es, affect the overall amp tone and can e chosen ased on personal
taste. Feel free to contact us for any advise!
Warning: rep acement of tubes and interna fuses, adjustment of the bias and any other operation
inside the NIRVANA must be carried out y qualified MGD (Masotti Guitar Devices) personnel and/or
authorized technicians, while the amp is powered off and has een completely disconnected from a power
source for at least 30 minutes!
Trou leshooting
Here elow are some of the pro lems that you might experience when operating your NIRVANA Preamp.
Some of them are trivial whereas other ones might require the intervention of qua ified MGD (Masotti
Guitar Devices) personne and/or authorized technicians. Please do not hesitate to contact us when in
dou t, we are at your complete disposal for any help you may require.
NIRVANA Preamp is not turning on. Check whether there is power running to your socket. Check
the power ca le. Check the fuse on the rear of the unit and replace it with an identical one. If the
pro lem persists, contact MGD.
The power indicator is it but no sound is coming from your amp. Check that all of the jacks are
properly plugged in. Check the Drive, Tone, and Volume controls, making sure none of them are on 0.
You hear a scratchy noise whi e turning one or more pots. Do not attempt to clean with spray
products! Please contact MGD and we will e happy to replace the faulty pot(s)
Sound qua ity has deteriorated; the amp tends to feedback or makes strange noises. One or
more tu es need replacement. Please contact MGD for advise and service in order to continue
getting the est out of your NIRVANA Preamp.
LEDS are regu ar y ON but no sound is present. Check ca les, connectors and their proper
position. Check pots level.
NIRVANA does not receive MIDI patches. Check MIDI ca le and its proper connection. Check MIDI
foot oard/controller or NIRVANA Preamp channel and mode.
Fuses
NIRVANA Preamp is equipped with 1 external fuse:
1) MAINS FUSE: External Mains fuse: 250V 500mA-T delayed (1A-T for 117V).
The external Mains fuse can fault also following a series of power outages and must therefore e replaced y
qualified personnel with an identical one.
Warning: rep ace the externa fuse with one with identica characteristics! Interna fuses must be
checked and rep aced on y by MGD personne or authorized technicians.

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Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty: New Mezza ar a Amplifiers are lifetime warranted to the original purchaser
against failure of parts/materials and workmanship if purchased through an authorized dealer. No other
warranty applies.
Tu es, transformers and speakers are warranted for a period of ninety days. Pots, connectors and switches
are warranted for a period of two years. This warranty applies only if the amplifier has not een damaged y
accident, misuse or as a result of repair or modification. The use of non-authorized Mezza ar a tu es and
replacement parts may void this warranty. Mezza ar a reserves the right to make any design changes
without notice or o ligation to incorporate these changes in products previously purchased. Masotti is not
lia le for any freight or duty charges.
Return Authorization is required for all products returned to Mezza ar a Custom Amplification. In most
cases we will e a le to supply the technical information needed to repair the amplifier thus avoiding the
shipping issues and costs. All shipping costs to/from Mezza ar a shall e orne y the owner, after 90 days
of purchase. Mezza ar a will e responsi le for the factory-to-customer return shipping cost to the original
owner for only the first 90 days of ownership. Authorized Returns should e shipped in the original
Mezza ar a ox and original packing materials. A return packing/handling charge may e applied to any
product shipped to Mezza ar a in su -standard or damaged shipping ox and materials. This is to make sure
your amplifier is packaged safely in a new ox and to recover our costs for doing so. Since the courier
doesn’t honor damage claims for non-original packaging, Mezza ar a is not responsi le for any factory-to-
customer return shipping damage to products shipped in non-original ox and packing materials. A copy of
the final Sales Receipt from an Authorized Mezza ar a Dealer is required with this Warranty Registration.
Customization options
We are at your complete disposal to discuss any other solution to optimize your NIRVANA Preamp.

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Important safety information
Your NIRVANA Preamp was engineered and uilt according to the strictest electrical safety standards as per international
norm, IEN EN 60065 and according to the electromagnetic compati ility requirements specified y international norms EN
55103-1 and EN55103-2. It thus fully complies to EU standards and therefore carries the CE marking on the rear panel.
Our amps utilize as much as possi le eco-compati le materials. Do not however dispose of any parts of the amp in the
environment and please use special containers as per EU regulations.
To reduce the risk of electric shock or wounds, please follow the instructions on this manual very carefully, with particular
reference to the following ones:
•Do not open the chassis for any reason. Removing the rear grid or removing the metal chassis from the wooden
frame will expose you to live circuitry which is powered y potentially hazardous electric tension. Should you need to
replace the tu es or the internal fuses, please contact either MGD or an authorized technician.
•Do not remove any screws from the amp.
•Do not expose the amp to rain or moisture, steam, metal particles and anything that may penetrate inside the amp
through the air cooling grids.
•Do not o struct the air cooling grids. Always make sure that the top and rear parts of the amp are not o structed.
•Do not introduce any foreign o jects (metallic or insulating) in the air cooling grids.
•Do not use the amp without the protective metal grid on the rear.
•Do not insert o jects other than the standard jacks inside the amp’s input and output jacks.
•Do not expose the amp to excessive heat.
•Do su ject the amp to excessive vi rations or shock, especially when it is powered on.
•When setting up the amp in a room temperature environment following storage and/or transportation at very low
temperatures one, dew might form on the outside and/or inside of the amp. Make sure that the amp stays at room
temperature for a out 10 minutes efore turning it on in order for the dew to evaporate.
•Always use standard power ca les making sure they are intact. Do not remove or interfere with the ground
connection of the plug or socket.
•Always check that the mains power complies to the specs written on the rear panel of the amp.
•Disconnect the device from mains during thunderstorms. 
•Should the HV fuse fail in a sence of exceptional external events such as violent power surges, severe
thunderstorms, etc., the cause might e one or more faulty power tu es. Do not attempt their replacement on your
own. Contact MGD or an authorized technician.
•Do not force pots and switches.

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Technical specifications
Power supply: 230V/117V±10% 50Hz
Power consumption: 62VA
Input impedance: 1MΩ.
Output impedance: 1K Ohm
Tu es: 6 x ECC83/12AX7
Environmental operating parameters: 10-40°C, 30-90% humidity without condensation
Dimensions: 2 Rack Units x 30 cm.
Weight: 5 Kg
Contacts
Masotti Guitar Devices Via C. Battisti 107– 01010 Farnese (VT) Italy.
URL: www.mezza ar a.com
e-mail info@mezza ar a.com
Phone: [phone];
Mo ile: +39 329.3251005
Mezzabarba
c u s t o m a m p l i f i c a t i o n