Ovation Op-24plus User manual

OP-24Plus®

OP-24Plus C®

Acoustic/Electric Guitar Preamps

Owner's Manual

Ovation Instruments

Division Of Kaman Music Corporation

37 Greenwoods Road

New Hartford, CT 06057

www.kamanmusic.com Printed In U.S.A.

990153-C

Specifications: OP24Plus

Current Draw: 5mA @ 9VDC

Flat Ref. Level: -7.5dB

Freq. Response: 20Hz-20KHz (±0.5dB)

Signal to Noise:

EQbypass - 91dB

EQ in w/flat setting: - 89dB

EQ in w/max High: - 84dB

EQ Response:

Low: ±13dB @ 80Hz

Mid: ±12dB@400Hz

±6dB @ 1KHz (shift)

High ±12dB@10KHz

Output: Max. Level @ 10K Ohm: 4Vp-p

1.4VRMS

THD: < .28% @ 500mV input

Tuner "On" Time: 30 Seconds

Low Battery "ON" voltage: 7.7V

EQ In/Out

This push-button enables you to engage or defeat the EQ section.

When the switch is in the depressed position, the EQ is active.

Mid-Shift

As discussed above, this switch allows you select the cen-

ter of the frequency band in which you would like the Mid

control to operate.

Pre-Shape

By engaging this control (switch in the "down" position), you

add a fixed EQ curve on the sound from the pickup. Technically

speaking, when the pre-shape circuit is in operation, the bass

and treble frequencies are enhanced while at the same time,

mid range response is attenuated. This pre-emphasis can be

used alone, or with any other EQ settings you "dial in" with the

three EQ controls.

Tuner (OP24 Plus C only)

Pushing the tuner buttonactivatesthebuilt-intuner.Whenturned

on, the green "OK" LED flashes. Playing a note on your guitar will

illuminate a "note" LED on the bottom row which indicates the

name of the note played. If this note is a sharp (or flat) the LED on

the far right will also light. In addition to these LEDs, one of the

three indicators in the row above will turn on. If the note you're

playing is substantially flat, the left LED will glow brightly and, as

you tune the string sharper, this "flat" LED will get dimmer and

finally shut off as the "OK" LED lights to indicate that the pitch

you're playing is in tune. Likewise, if you're playing a note that is

sharper than the correct pitch, the "Sharp" LED will light. Tuning

the string lower will cause this LED to dim and finally yield to the

"OK"LED.

It is not usual to perform the tuning procedure on all strings more

thanoncetogetyour instrumenttunedcorrectly, especiallyifyou're

using new strings. Although there is a built-in auto-off feature for

the tuner circuit, to conserve battery power, it's a good idea to

push the tuner button again to manually turn off the circuit when

you're done tuning.

Specifications: OP24Plus C

Current Draw: 6mA @ 9VDC Tuner Off

10.8mA Tuner On Max.

0.4uAOff

Flat Ref. Level: -7.5dB

Freq. Response: 20Hz-20KHz(±0.5dB)

Signal to Noise: EQbypass - 91dB

EQ in w/flat setting: - 89dB

EQ in w/max High: - 84dB

EQ Response: Low: ±10dB@134Hz

Mid: ±12dB@400Hz

±7dB @ 880Hz (shift)

High ±10dB@10KHz

Output: Max. Level @ 10K Ohm: 4Vp-p

1.4VRMS

THD: < .28% @ 500mV input

TunerAccuracy: <.1%

Low Battery "ON": 7.7V

ment of your guitar. The battery will fit only one way to assure

correct polarity. Plugging a 1/4” shielded guitar cable into the jack

on the guitar activates the electronics in your guitar. Please note

that the tuner will operate without "plugging in." After connecting

the guitar, plug into a PA or acoustic guitar amp for best results.

Controls

Pleasereferagaintofigures1+2tohelpyourselfassociate control

names with their functions.

Volume

This slide control allows you to set the output level of the preamp.

Moving the slider toward the top increases the output level. The

OP-24Plus/OP-24Plus C can output a very potent signal, so be

careful not to "overdrive" your amp or mixer. If you notice any

unwanted signal coloration, just reduce the output level of the

guitar with this control.

Battery Low

This indicator performs two functions. First, when you plug in a

cable to the output jack, it will flash briefly to indicate that a

batteryispresent. If no flash is evident,yourbattery is either dead

or not installed. Secondly, this indicator will illuminate (and stay

on) if the voltage of the battery installed in the guitar dips below

about 7 volts. Replace the battery as soon as possible. With aver-

age use, expect 100 hours of operation per battery.

EQ Controls

TheEQ section allowsyouto accent orattenuate certain frequency

bandswithinthe guitar’saudiospectrum.When all of the controls

are in the center (detent) position, signals pass through the circuit

unaltered.Raisingan EQ knob abovethecenter position increases

the energy contained within that spectrum. Likewise, moving the

controlbelowthecenter position decreases the signals withinthat

band.

The OP-24Plus and OP-24Plus C preamp offers ±12dB control

simultaneouslyover three discreterangesof the guitar’s sonic spec-

trum. In addition, with the Mid-Shift switch, you can change the

center frequency of the Mid EQ control by roughly one octave.

TheLow EQcontrol allows you to increase or reducethesoundin

the bass region. Raise this control above the center position to

add fullness or bottom to your sound. De-emphasizing this band

results in a lighter, less ponderous sound quality.

The High EQ control performs similarly to the “Low” control ex-

cept that its effect shapes the high frequency, or treble band. In-

crease this control for bright or airy sounds, or decrease for darker

or round tonalities.

Much like the High and Low controls, the Mid-band control adds

coloration to one of two user-selectable midrange frequencies.

With the Mid-Shift switch in the 400Hz position (down), the mid

EQ iseffectivecontrolling “nasal” tonequalitieswhilein the 1KHz

position, the mid control can add punch in upper mids or help

"round off" the attack present in this frequency spectrum.

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for selecting an Ovation Acoustic/

Electric guitar equipped with the OP-24Plus or OP-24Plus C

preamp. Please read this brief manual thoroughly to insure you

get the best performance from your new Ovation.

TheOvation OP-24Plus/OP-24Plus C preampsaccessa widerange

of "studio-quality" contemporary acoustic/electric guitar sounds

offering a player tremendous control and sonic flexibility. The cir-

cuitry is exceptionally quiet and adds no unwanted coloration. In

addition, the OP-24E features a built-in chromatic tuner.

Referringtofig. 1 or fig.2, you’llsee the layoutandnomenclature

associated with the control features of these units.

Preamp Features & Functions

Thepreamp'saudio circuitry is whisper quietwithverylow distor-

tion (see specifications table). Tone control is greatly enhanced

with a "three-and-a-half" (we'll talk about that later) band graphic

equalizer. Moreover, you can connect your guitar to a wide range

ofaudioamplification and recordingequipmentwith the preamp's

standard 1/4” Hi-Z, unbalanced phone jack output.

Connections

Neartheendpinofaguitarfeaturingthesepreamps, you’llnotice

a 1/4” phone jack. This jack provides the signal from the preamp

to any of a number of audio devices... mixers, effects, amps.

The Hi-Z Connection

To connectyourguitartoanyhighimpedance(Hi-Z)acousticgui-

tar amp or mixer, use a standard, shielded, 1/4” guitar cable in-

serted into the 1/4” jack on the guitar. The preamp will drive most

audio equipment with rated inputs down to about 1000 Ohms

(this mean you can connect to almost anything). If you have a

battery installed in the guitar, you’re ready to play.

Operation

Make sure a fresh 9V battery is installed into the battery compart-

Figure 2

Figure 1

ment of your guitar. The battery will fit only one way to assure

correct polarity. Plugging a 1/4” shielded guitar cable into the jack

on the guitar activates the electronics in your guitar. Please note

that the tuner will operate without "plugging in." After connecting

the guitar, plug into a PA or acoustic guitar amp for best results.

Controls

Pleaserefer again to figures 1+2to help yourself associate control

names with their functions.

Volume

This slide control allows you to set the output level of the preamp.

Moving the slider toward the top increases the output level. The

OP-24Plus/OP-24Plus C can output a very potent signal, so be

careful not to "overdrive" your amp or mixer. If you notice any

unwanted signal coloration, just reduce the output level of the

guitar with this control.

Battery Low

This indicator performs two functions. First, when you plug in a

cable to the output jack, it will flash briefly to indicate that a

batteryispresent. If noflashisevident,yourbatteryiseitherdead

or not installed. Secondly, this indicator will illuminate (and stay

on) if the voltage of the battery installed in the guitar dips below

about 7 volts. Replace the battery as soon as possible. With aver-

age use, expect 100 hours of operation per battery.

EQ Controls

TheEQsectionallows you to accent orattenuatecertainfrequency

bandswithintheguitar’saudio spectrum.Whenallofthecontrols

are in the center (detent) position, signals pass through the circuit

unaltered.RaisinganEQknobabovethecenterpositionincreases

the energy contained within that spectrum. Likewise, moving the

controlbelowthe center position decreases the signals within that

band.

The OP-24Plus and OP-24Plus C preamp offers ±12dB control

simultaneouslyoverthreediscrete ranges of the guitar’ssonic spec-

trum. In addition, with the Mid-Shift switch, you can change the

center frequency of the Mid EQ control by roughly one octave.

TheLow EQcontrolallows you to increase or reduce the sound in

the bass region. Raise this control above the center position to

add fullness or bottom to your sound. De-emphasizing this band

results in a lighter, less ponderous sound quality.

The High EQ control performs similarly to the “Low” control ex-

cept that its effect shapes the high frequency, or treble band. In-

crease this control for bright or airy sounds, or decrease for darker

or round tonalities.

Much like the High and Low controls, the Mid-band control adds

coloration to one of two user-selectable midrange frequencies.

With the Mid-Shift switch in the 400Hz position (down), the mid

EQ iseffectivecontrolling“nasal”tonequalitieswhileinthe1KHz

position, the mid control can add punch in upper mids or help

"round off" the attack present in this frequency spectrum.

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for selecting an Ovation Acoustic/

Electric guitar equipped with the OP-24Plus or OP-24Plus C

preamp. Please read this brief manual thoroughly to insure you

get the best performance from your new Ovation.

TheOvationOP-24Plus/OP-24PlusCpreamps access a wide range

of "studio-quality" contemporary acoustic/electric guitar sounds

offering a player tremendous control and sonic flexibility. The cir-

cuitry is exceptionally quiet and adds no unwanted coloration. In

addition, the OP-24E features a built-in chromatic tuner.

Referringtofig.1orfig.2, you’llseethelayoutandnomenclature

associated with the control features of these units.

Preamp Features & Functions

Thepreamp'saudiocircuitryis whisperquietwithverylowdistor-

tion (see specifications table). Tone control is greatly enhanced

with a "three-and-a-half" (we'll talk about that later) band graphic

equalizer. Moreover, you can connect your guitar to a wide range

ofaudioamplificationandrecordingequipment with the preamp's

standard 1/4” Hi-Z, unbalanced phone jack output.

Connections

Nearthe endpin of a guitar featuring these preamps, you’ll notice

a 1/4” phone jack. This jack provides the signal from the preamp

to any of a number of audio devices... mixers, effects, amps.

The Hi-Z Connection

To connectyour guitar to any high impedance (Hi-Z) acoustic gui-

tar amp or mixer, use a standard, shielded, 1/4” guitar cable in-

serted into the 1/4” jack on the guitar. The preamp will drive most

audio equipment with rated inputs down to about 1000 Ohms

(this mean you can connect to almost anything). If you have a

battery installed in the guitar, you’re ready to play.

Operation

Make sure a fresh 9V battery is installed into the battery compart-

Figure 2

Figure 1

ment of your guitar. The battery will fit only one way to assure

correct polarity. Plugging a 1/4” shielded guitar cable into the jack

on the guitar activates the electronics in your guitar. Please note

that the tuner will operate without "plugging in." After connecting

the guitar, plug into a PA or acoustic guitar amp for best results.

Controls

Pleasereferagaintofigures1+2tohelpyourselfassociatecontrol

names with their functions.

Volume

This slide control allows you to set the output level of the preamp.

Moving the slider toward the top increases the output level. The

OP-24Plus/OP-24Plus C can output a very potent signal, so be

careful not to "overdrive" your amp or mixer. If you notice any

unwanted signal coloration, just reduce the output level of the

guitar with this control.

Battery Low

This indicator performs two functions. First, when you plug in a

cable to the output jack, it will flash briefly to indicate that a

batteryispresent. If no flash is evident,yourbatteryis either dead

or not installed. Secondly, this indicator will illuminate (and stay

on) if the voltage of the battery installed in the guitar dips below

about 7 volts. Replace the battery as soon as possible. With aver-

age use, expect 100 hours of operation per battery.

EQ Controls

TheEQsection allowsyouto accent orattenuatecertain frequency

bandswithintheguitar’s audiospectrum.Whenall of the controls

are in the center (detent) position, signals pass through the circuit

unaltered.Raisingan EQ knob above thecenterposition increases

the energy contained within that spectrum. Likewise, moving the

controlbelowthecenter position decreases the signals within that

band.

The OP-24Plus and OP-24Plus C preamp offers ±12dB control

simultaneouslyoverthree discreterangesof the guitar’ssonic spec-

trum. In addition, with the Mid-Shift switch, you can change the

center frequency of the Mid EQ control by roughly one octave.

TheLow EQcontrolallows you to increase or reduce thesoundin

the bass region. Raise this control above the center position to

add fullness or bottom to your sound. De-emphasizing this band

results in a lighter, less ponderous sound quality.

The High EQ control performs similarly to the “Low” control ex-

cept that its effect shapes the high frequency, or treble band. In-

crease this control for bright or airy sounds, or decrease for darker

or round tonalities.

Much like the High and Low controls, the Mid-band control adds

coloration to one of two user-selectable midrange frequencies.

With the Mid-Shift switch in the 400Hz position (down), the mid

EQ iseffectivecontrolling “nasal” tone qualitieswhilein the 1KHz

position, the mid control can add punch in upper mids or help

"round off" the attack present in this frequency spectrum.

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for selecting an Ovation Acoustic/

Electric guitar equipped with the OP-24Plus or OP-24Plus C

preamp. Please read this brief manual thoroughly to insure you

get the best performance from your new Ovation.

TheOvation OP-24Plus/OP-24Plus C preampsaccessa widerange

of "studio-quality" contemporary acoustic/electric guitar sounds

offering a player tremendous control and sonic flexibility. The cir-

cuitry is exceptionally quiet and adds no unwanted coloration. In

addition, the OP-24E features a built-in chromatic tuner.

Referringtofig. 1 or fig. 2, you’llsee the layout andnomenclature

associated with the control features of these units.

Preamp Features & Functions

Thepreamp'saudio circuitry is whisper quiet withverylowdistor-

tion (see specifications table). Tone control is greatly enhanced

with a "three-and-a-half" (we'll talk about that later) band graphic

equalizer. Moreover, you can connect your guitar to a wide range

ofaudioamplification and recordingequipmentwith the preamp's

standard 1/4” Hi-Z, unbalanced phone jack output.

Connections

Neartheendpinofaguitarfeaturingthesepreamps, you’llnotice

a 1/4” phone jack. This jack provides the signal from the preamp

to any of a number of audio devices... mixers, effects, amps.

The Hi-Z Connection

To connectyourguitar to any high impedance (Hi-Z) acoustic gui-

tar amp or mixer, use a standard, shielded, 1/4” guitar cable in-

serted into the 1/4” jack on the guitar. The preamp will drive most

audio equipment with rated inputs down to about 1000 Ohms

(this mean you can connect to almost anything). If you have a

battery installed in the guitar, you’re ready to play.

Operation

Make sure a fresh 9V battery is installed into the battery compart-

Figure 2

Figure 1

OP-24Plus®

OP-24Plus C®

Acoustic/Electric Guitar Preamps

Owner's Manual

Ovation Instruments

Division Of Kaman Music Corporation

37 Greenwoods Road

New Hartford, CT 06057

www.kamanmusic.com Printed In U.S.A.

990153-C

Specifications: OP24Plus

Current Draw: 5mA @ 9VDC

Flat Ref. Level: -7.5dB

Freq. Response: 20Hz-20KHz (±0.5dB)

Signal to Noise:

EQbypass - 91dB

EQ in w/flat setting: - 89dB

EQ in w/max High: - 84dB

EQ Response:

Low: ±13dB @ 80Hz

Mid: ±12dB@400Hz

±6dB @ 1KHz (shift)

High ±12dB@10KHz

Output: Max. Level @ 10K Ohm: 4Vp-p

1.4VRMS

THD: < .28% @ 500mV input

Tuner "On" Time: 30 Seconds

Low Battery "ON" voltage: 7.7V

EQ In/Out

This push-button enables you to engage or defeat the EQ section.

When the switch is in the depressed position, the EQ is active.

Mid-Shift

As discussed above, this switch allows you select the cen-

ter of the frequency band in which you would like the Mid

control to operate.

Pre-Shape

By engaging this control (switch in the "down" position), you

add a fixed EQ curve on the sound from the pickup. Technically

speaking, when the pre-shape circuit is in operation, the bass

and treble frequencies are enhanced while at the same time,

mid range response is attenuated. This pre-emphasis can be

used alone, or with any other EQ settings you "dial in" with the

three EQ controls.

Tuner (OP24 Plus C only)

Pushing the tunerbuttonactivatesthe built-in tuner. When turned