Mi-Si CUTLESS System Operation manual
INSTALLATION & USER GUIDE
Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc.
Battery-Free Technology for Acoustic Amplification
178 Crescent Road Needham, MA 02494
www.mi-si.com
Mi-Si’s latest breakthrough in acoustic amplication, the CUTLESS
System is an innovative analog signal processing unit with digital
wireless remote control.
The CUTLESS eliminates the need to cut a hole in your prized
instrument. Volume, Bass, Mid-Range, Treble, Brilliance, and Phase
are controlled by wireless remote control outside the instrument
at your ngertips.
The analog Preamp is incorporated into the instrument’s endpin
jack. The CUTLESS utilizes Mi-Si’s custom piezo linearization
scheme allowing for the most truthful and accurate sound from
the pickup.
The CUTLESS Remote can be paired exclusively with the preamp.
Because a standard instrument cable is used to connect the
Preamp to external equipment, no noise, RF interference or drop-
os will aect signal quality.
Like all Mi-Si products, the CUTLESS Preamp is battery-free. Power
up the CUTLESS for 120 seconds and enjoy up to 4 hours of
performance time.
INTRODUCTION
2
•Mi-Si strongly recommends professional installation of your
CUTLESS 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 modication of an existing
power supply may cause permanent damage to the system
and will not be covered under the warranty.
CAUTION
3
4
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Remote Preamp / Endpin Jack
Under-Saddle Piezo Pickup Power Charger
5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pickup Installation _____________________ 6
Preamp Installation ____________________ 10
Charging Up & Plugging In ______________ 11
The Remote
Controls _________________________ 12
Pairing __________________________ 13
Troubleshooting_______________________ 14
Limited Warranty ______________________ 15
6
PICKUP INSTALLATION
The Mi-Si CUTLESS 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 suer.
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.
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.
7
PICKUP INSTALLATION
Extension
Drill Bit
Figure 1
Figure 2
Normal Saddle: Drill Floor
Figure 3
Short Saddle: Drill Side Wall
Jewelers’ Screwdriver
8
PICKUP INSTALLATION
9
PICKUP INSTALLATION
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 eect 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. Conrm 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. Briey 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.
Slot
Bridge
Drill Bit
Guitar Top
Brace
Figure 4
This view depicts the bridge at an angle level with the guitar top and
perpendicular to the saddle slot. Note the rounded edge where the hole
has been drilled.
Figure 5
Proper saddle / pickup contact
(exaggerated saddle lean)
11
CHARGING UP & PLUGGING IN
To charge the CUTLESS Preamp, plug the Mi-Si
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 120 seconds.
Now you’re ready for 4 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 amplier 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 benets of an active amplied
system without worrying about batteries.
9V
+
-
GroundRing
The CUTLESS Preamp & Endpin Jack can be permanently mounted as shown.
Bypass Switch: The CUTLESS Preamp features a Bypass
Switch. If you forget or lose your Remote, and would like
to bypass your“remembered”EQ settings, simply ip the
Bypass Switch located on the back of the preamp.
Important: Be sure to ip the Bypass Switch back to its
original position before using your Remote again.
10
PREAMP INSTALLATION
Guitar Body
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 2 hours.
The system will not be damaged by accidentally
connecting the battery in wrong direction.
12
THE REMOTE
Controls
LED: Flashes green for one second when Remote is
turned on, as well as to indicate when controls are
in use. Check battery if LED does not ash (use a 3V
2032 Type Li battery).
Brite: Boosts and cuts ultra-high frequencies for
added brilliance.
Volume: Increases or decreases overall volume of
your Preamp.
Invert: Reverses the phase of your signal to help
control feedback in live settings.
Power: Push in to turn Remote on. Push out to turn
Remote o. Remote will “remember” your most
recent EQ setting when it is turned o.
Low: Boosts and cuts bass frequencies for added
low end response or to control“howling”feedback.
Mid: Boosts and cuts mid-range frequencies to
help you nd your voice.
Hi: Boosts and cuts treble frequencies.
13
Pairing the Remote
The CUTLESS Remote can work with your guitar’s
Preamp as well as other CUTLESS Preamps.
1. Charge the CUTLESS Preamp installed in your
guitar by connecting the endpin jack to any
120/220 V AC outlet with the Power Charger.
Wait 120 seconds before disconnecting the
Charger. You are now powered up for 4 hours
of playing time.
2. Make sure the Remote has a fresh 3V 2032
Type Li battery (found at most Convenient
Stores).
3. Turn on the Remote.
4. Connect the endpin jack to your amplier.
5. The CUTLESS Preamp will now wirelessly
receive the Remote’s unique identication
code.
6. Once your Preamp is paired with your Remote,
it will respond only to your Remote’s controls.
Notes
Turning o the Remote will“remember”your most
recent EQ setting in your Preamp.
After unplugging your guitar, the CUTLESS Preamp
will“remember”your last EQ setting until you turn
your Remote back on and make adjustments.
If you forget or lose your Remote, and would like
to bypass your “remembered” EQ settings, simply
ip the Bypass Switch located on the back of the
Preamp (see page 10).
Important: Be sure to ip the Bypass Switch
back to its original position before using your
Remote again.
If two or more players are using CUTLESS Systems
less than 30 feet (10 meters) apart from each
other, turn o and unplug one system while the
other pairs its Remote with its Preamp. Then turn
the Remote of the rst system o, and pair the
second before playing.
THE REMOTE
14
No sound
Make sure Preamp is charged.
Make sure high quality mono
cable is used for connection.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Sound is distorted
Charge the preamp.
If problem persists, check
pickup installation.
Preamp is working,
but does not respond to
remote control
Have Preamp and remote
control been properly paired?
Does remote control work?
Check if green LED is ashing
when any of the controls are
changed. If not, replace the
battery.
Check if the Preamp bypass
switch is in bypass EQ
position.
15
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 stued 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.
LIMITED WARRANTY
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