Rocktron Gainiac 2 User manual

Your Gainiac 2 has been tested and complies with the following Standards and Directives as set
forth by the European Union:
Council Directive(s): 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility
Standard(s): EN55013, EN50082-1
This means that this product has been designed to meet stringent guidelines on how much RF
energy it can emit, and that it should be immune from other sources of interference when
properly used. Improper use of this equipment could result in increased RF emissions, which may
or may not interfere with other electronic products.
To insure against this possibility, always use good shielded cables for all audio input and output
connections. Also, bundle audio cables separately from the AC power cables. These steps will
help insure compliance with the Directive(s).
For more information about other Rocktron products, please see your local dealer or one of our
importers closest to you (listed on the enclosed warranty sheet).
Copyright©2005GHSCorporation
All Rights Reserved.

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Rocktron Gainiac 2 tube preamp!
The name itself indicates a product that provides the most intense distortion
and power that the modern guitar player requires to perform to the fullest
extent.
With over 100dB of outrageous gain, this tube preamp has two channels with
the most intense distortion and power that you need to perform at full
throttle! Equipped with Rocktron's unique "Scoop" control, the Gainiac lets
you go from the classic sounds of the 60's and 70's all the way to the raging
atomic sound of modern metal.
The Gainiac 2 is our latest version of this world famous tube preamp. Now
with a more modern sound, and an extra control for the clean channel (sepa-
rate master volume). And BONUS - more headroom so you get even more
gain than ever before!!
Featuring the most effective EQ section ever devised, the Gainiac 2 allows
over 30dB cut, or "scooping" of the midrange used with the bass (Bottom
control) and treble (Top control) as needed by your cabinet. Guitar tones
just can't get any heavier. ( In the Gainiac 2, Rocktron has improved the mid
scoop on the distortion!) Back off the Scoop control and your sound rolls
up into a much fatter, rounder sound. The Gainiac 2 adds three band EQ to
the clean sound as well and the clean sound now runs through the tube for
more warmth!
Join the legion of Gainiac maniacs and increase the pallete of tones you're
stuck with in that combo amp of yours by adding the Gainiac 2 to your
setup. The Gainiac is easy to hook up and use.

OPERATINGPRECAUTIONS
NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THIS SEC-
TION TO PROVIDE YEARS OF TROUBLE FREE USE. THIS UNIT
REQUIRES CAREFUL HANDLING.
All warnings on this equipment and in the operating instructions should
be adhered to and all operating instructions should be followed.
Do not use this equipment near water. Care should be taken so that
objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the unit through any
openings.
The power cord should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused
for a long period of time.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THIS EQUIPMENT. THIS
EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE SERVICED BY QUALIFIED PERSON-
NEL ONLY. DO NOT MAKE ANY INTERNALADJUSTMENTS OR
ADDITIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT AT ANY TIME. DO NOT
TAMPER WITH INTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AT
ANY TIME. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS
MAY VOID THE WARRANTY OF THIS EQUIPMENT, AS WELL
AS CAUSING SHOCK HAZARD.
POWER REQUIREMENTS
Thisunitacceptspower fromthe 9VAC/1.5Aadaptorsuppliedwiththeunit.
This9 voltRMSACvoltage isinternally processedby avoltage doubler
whichgenerates abipolar ±15volts tomaintain theheadroom andsound
qualityofprofessional,studioquality equipment.Usinganexternalpower
sourcesuchasthisminimizesexcessivenoise andhumproblemsoften
associatedwithinternaltransformers,providingoptimalperformanceforthe
user.
OPERATINGTEMPERATURE
Do not expose this unit to excessive heat. This unit is designed to oper-
ate between 32° F and 104° F (0° C and 40° C). This unit may not
function properly under extreme temperatures.

POWER LED:
When lit, the unit is “on”
INPUT jack:
Thisstandard 1/4”monojackprovidesan inputto theGainiac 2froma guitaror othereffect.
BOTTOM control (Distortion channel):
This control is used to determine the amount of low frequency information present in the
distortion channel, and is adjustable to +-15dB
SCOOP control:
This control is used to determine the amount of mid frequency cut in the distortion channel.
Up to 30dB of mid range cut may be applied.
TOPcontrol (Distortion channel):
This control is used to determine the amount of high frequency information present in the
distortion channel, and is adjustable +-15dB
LEVELcontrol:
This control determines the output level of the distortion channel, independent of the clean
channel output level.
TUBE GAIN control:
This control determines the amount of gain applied to the signal in the distortion channel.
DISTORTION switch/LED:
Thisswitch isused toswitch theGainiac 2inandoutofthedistortionchannel. WhentheLEDis
lit,thedistortionchannel isactive.
BOTTOM control (Clean channel)
Thiscontrolisusedto determine theamountof lowfrequencyinformationpresentintheclean
channel,and isadjustable +-15dB
MIDDLEcontrol(Clean channel):
Thiscontrolis usedtodetermine theamountof midfrequencyinformation presentinthe clean
channel.
Front Panel
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

1
2
FOOTSWITCH jack:
This jack accepts a 1/4” mono cable connected to a single-function, latching
footswitchforchannel switchingfunctions(TheRocktronRFS1footswitchis recom-
mendedand availablefromyourRocktrondealer).
OUTPUT jack:
This standard 1/4”mono jack provides the output of the Gainiac, which can be fed to
an amplifier or other effects.
POWER jack:
This 2.5mm pin jack accepts power from the 9VAC power adapter supplied with the
unit.
3
Back Panel
TOPcontrol(Cleanchannel):
Thiscontrolis usedtodeterminetheamountofhigh frequencyinformationpresentinthe
cleanchannel, andis adjustable+-15dB
LEVELcontrol(Cleanchannel):
Thiscontroldeterminestheoutputlevelofthecleanchannel,independentofthedistortion
channeloutputlevel.
11
12
Front Panel........continued:

Connections

Connections

Connections

RackGear:
Xpression(multi-effects processor)
BlueThunder(basspreampw/multi-effects)
Voodu Valve(preamp w/12ax7 tube and multi-effects)
Prophesy (our top of the line preamp with multi-effects)
HUSHSuperC(guitarnoisesilencingsystem)
Velocity100 (2x50W Stereo Power Amp for Guitar)
StompBoxes:
RampageDistortion, TsunamiChorus, AustinGoldOverdrive,
VertigoVibeRotatingVibePedal, HUSHThePedal,
SonicGloryOverdrive,ShortTimerDigitalDelay,
BigCrushCompressor,DeepBlueChorus
SilverDragonTube Distortion Pedal, MetalPlanetDistortion,
PulseTremolo,HypnoticFlange,
X-TuneTunerPedal,BlackCat MoanWahPedal,
Tri-WahWahPedal, BansheeTalkBox,
NitroBooster/Enhancer
DCOnTap - DC Powersupply for Stomp Boxes
DC OnTap Cable Package - extra cables to powerother stomp boxes.
Check out some of our other products.......................

ElectricGuitar-AcousticGuitarandBassAmplifiers:
Vendetta Head(100 W Head 4-Channels All Tube - MIDI Switchable)
Vendetta Combo (100W 2x12 Combo Celestion 90s all Tube4-Channel MIDI Switchable)
R80DSP (80W 1x12 Amp w/Digital Effects)
RT80 (80W 1x12 Amp w/Reverb & Built-in Tuner)
R120DSP (120W 2x10 Amp w/Digital Effects)
RT122C (120W 2x12 Amp w/Stereo Chorus, Reverb & Chromatic Tuner)
R50DSP (50 Watt 2x8"Guitar Amp w/Digital Effects)
R50C (50 Watt 2x8"Guitar Amp w/Reverb & Chorus)
R20 (20 Watt 1x8"Amp w/Reverb) R10 (10 Watt 1x6.5")
RB20 (Bass Amp 20W with 8" Speaker) RB30 (Basss Amp 30W with 10" Speaker)
RB60 (Bass Amp 60W with 12" Speaker)
RB100 (Basss Amp 100W with 15" Speaker)
FootControllers:
MIDI Mate (Midi Foot Controller)
MIDI XChange(MIDIFootcontroller)
AllAccess (Midi Foot Controller )
HEX (Expression Pedal) RMM900(7-pin Din MIDI Cable)
RM4 (MIDI Controller for Vendetta amps)
RFS1 and RFS2 (Single and Double Latching Footswitches for Rampage Amps)
other products (continued).......................

Rocktron -A Division of GHS Corporation
2813 Wilber Avenue
Battle Creek MI 49015
USA
Rocktron Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Check us out on the web at:
www.rocktron.com
2005-0001
Rev. 4/01/05