Mi-Si Align XT User manual

CONTENTS
• Align XT active battery-free preamplier
• L.R. Baggs undersaddle pickup
• Power Charger
OVERVIEW
The Mi-Si Align XT is a direct replacement for the Taylor Expression System. It
features an active, battery-free preamp designed specically to work with the L.R.
Baggs Element undersaddle acoustic guitar pickup. This enables Taylor fans to take
advantage of Mi-Si’s innovative battery-free technology.
The Align XT comes standard with volume and active bass and treble controls that
t the exact spacing of your Taylor’s existing Expression preamp. You can also use
the same knobs from the Expression System, so the appearance of your instrument
remains unchanged.
The Align XT preamp uses Mi-Si’s custom piezo linearization scheme - allowing for
the most truthful and accurate sound from the pickup. The battery-free design is
a benet for both the stage performer and the environment. All you have to do is
power up for 60 seconds using the Mi-Si Power Charger, providing you with up to 8
hours of performance time.
CAUTION
• Mi-SistronglyrecommendsprofessionalinstallationofyourAlignXTpickup/
preamp system.
• Pleasereadtheinstallationinstructionsbeforeproceeding.
• Mi-Siwillnotberesponsibleforanydamagetoyourinstrumentorpersonal
injury resulting from installation, improper installation or any misuse of the
product.
• Use only the Power Charger provided with this package to power up this
product.
• Useofanyotherpowersupplyormodicationofanexistingpowersupplymay
cause permanent damage to the system and will not be covered under the
warranty.
PICKUP INSTALLATION
The Mi-Si Align XT System includes the L.R. Baggs Element Pickup. This exible
under-saddle piezo pickup provides superb response and is easy to install.
Note: For optimum performance of the Element pickup, the bridge slot must
have a clean, at surface free of any debris or over-spray from the nish.
Theslotmustbeaminimumof.125”(1/8”)deep,butwesuggestadepthofatleast
.187”(3/16”)toavoidexcessivesaddletilt.
Follow the 50/50 Rule: The amount of saddle visible above the bridge surface
(withthepickupinstalled)shouldbenogreaterthantheamountofsaddlein
the slot beneath the bridge surface; otherwise the balance and output of the
pickup may suer.
Inspect the inside of the guitar and note the position of the braces and the pickup
in relation to the saddle slot. Drill at the end of the slot on the side that will enable
you to avoid all braces as you penetrate the top (FIGURE 4). Blow out the slot with
compressed air and check for remaining debris.
Important: Round out the inside of the hole where it meets the bottom of the
slot with a small, sharp knife or a small le to avoid pinching the pickup as the
saddle sits on it.
Mi-Si Align XT
www.mi-si.com
Extension
Drill Bit
Figure 1
Figure 2
Normal Saddle: Drill Floor
Figure 3
Short Saddle: Drill Side Wall
Jewelers’ Screwdriver
Slot
Bridge
Drill Bit
Guitar Top
Brace
Figure 4
This view depicts the bridge at an angle level with the guitar top and
p
erpendicular to the saddle slot. Note the rounded edge where the hole
has been drilled.
Figure 5
Proper saddle / pickup contact
(exaggerated saddle lean)

Feed the pickup into the slot from inside the guitar with either side up. Inserting a
toothpick or similar object through the hole from the outside is helpful in nding
the location of the hole inside the guitar.
Important: The t of the saddle in the slot is the single most important factor
in this installation. It is crucial that the bottom of the slot and the lower surface
of the saddle be at and make even contact with the pickup. The saddle should
t loosely enough so that it can be pulled out with your ngertips.
The saddle will then have a slight forward lean when the strings are under tension.
It is absolutely necessary to compensate for this slight lean by sanding a tilt in the
bottom of the saddle so it still sits at on the pickup when the strings are at tension
(FIGURE 5).
If the saddle is too tight, binds at all, or is too loose, this will have a negative eect on
the string balance and output. Set the saddle in the slot, noting how much material
must be removed to compensate for the thickness of the pickup. Sand the bottom
surface of the saddle on a belt sander until the scribe line is just above the bridge
top. Finish sanding the bottom by hand. It is best to do this against a machined at
surfacewithnesandpaper.Useastraightedgewithastronglightsourcetoinspect
the atness of your saddle.
Insert the pickup all the way into the slot, place the saddle on top of it, and
temporarily secure it with a piece of tape. Secure the wire with a wire clip as close
to the exit hole as is practical, with a one- to two-inch service loop.
Failure to secure the wire may produce boominess and feedback. Restring the
guitar, and plug into your amp or PA. Conrm that the EQ controls are at their
default positions and test the Element, paying careful attention to string balance. If
the sound is satisfactory, proceed to the next section. If not, read on.
String balance problems are almost always the result of an uneven interface
between the bottom of the saddle and the saddle slot. If the string balance is
uneven, check these surfaces to ensure that they are both completely at.
Tip: A segmented packaging knife blade is useful for determining the atness of
a saddle slot. Break o enough blade segments so as much of the blade ts into
the slot as possible. Briey use a back-and-forth scraping motion to see if the slot
bottom scrapes evenly. Any high or low spots will be readily apparent. A minor low
spot in the slot may be compensated for by shims under the pickup; however, for
gaps over .005”or multiple gaps, we recommend rerouting the slot.
OUTPUT CONNECTION
Before installing the Align XT preamp, disconnect the terminal plug that connects
the original preamp to the output jack. Then remove the original preamp and
replace it with the Align XT preamp. The Align XT preamp has a 4 pin plug that
connects to the original terminal jack connected to the endpin jack.
Important: Be sure that the red wire from the Align XT preamp connects to the
red wire from the original terminal jack.
CHARGING AND PLUGGING IN
TochargetheAlignXTPreamp,plugthePowerChargerintoa120/220VACoutlet.
ThenpluginthePowerCharger1/4”stereoplugintothepreamp’sendpinjackand
wait 60 seconds. Now you’re pickup is ready for 8 hours of performance time (actual
playingtimemayvarydependingonplayingstyle).
You can plug your instrument into ANY input of ANY system or amplier regardless
of input impedance. In the same manner, you can use ANY type of shielded MONO
cable - regardless of its capacitance. Your sound will not be altered. You can enjoy
the benets of an active amplied system without worrying about batteries.
Tip: UsingthePowerChargertopowerupyourpreampis
truly remarkable. But what if you forgot or lost your Power
Charger? Don’t worry! Although we don’t promote the use
of batteries, in this case all you need to power up your
systemisanystereocordandacommon9Vbattery.
Plug the stereo cord into your instrument. Hold the 9V
battery so that the positive terminal is touching the Ring
of the stereo plug and the negative terminal is touching the
Ground. Hold it for 60 seconds and you are ready to play for
8 hours. The system will not be damaged by accidentally
connecting the battery in wrong direction.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Thewarrantyperiod isone(1)yearfromthedateofpurchase.Duringthistime,Mi-SiElectronicsDesign,Inc.will
replace a faulty unit at their discretion. This warranty does not cover any consequential damages or damage to the
unit due to misuse, accident or neglect. Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. retains the right to make such determination
based on results of inspection performed at the factory. Products returned to Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. for repair or
replacement must be shipped in accordance to Return Policy, as follows ...
RETURN POLICY
Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. will accept returns for products purchased within 30 days from receiving the goods. To
return products to Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. you must do the following:
1. Email Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. at [email protected] describing the reason for the return.
2. Enclose a copy of the original Bill of Sale with the product in its original undamaged packaging.The package must
be returned in damage resistant packaging stued with appropriate amounts of cushion.
3. Warranty repairs or replacements will be sent automatically free of charge.
4. The customer will not be refunded shipping or insurance costs. Additionally, return shipping charges, including
insurance, are the sole responsibility of the customer unless the return or replacement is determined to be the
fault of a Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc.
Mi-Si Align XT Cont’d
Connect
Red Wires
9V
+
-
GroundRing
www.mi-si.com