Rocktron HUSH Super C User manual

1

2
Introduction ....................................................................3
SuperCFrontPanel ......................................................4
SuperCRearPanel.......................................................5
SystemConnections ......................................................6
Mono Applictions ............................................................ 6
Stereo Applictions............................................................ 7
GuitarComboAmpConnection........................................ 8
GuitarAmpHead Connection........................................... 9
Bass Combo Connection .................................................10
Bass Head Connection ....................................................11
Operation .....................................................................12
HUSH®Section...............................................................12
GateSection.....................................................................14
Specifications ...............................................................14
OtherRocktronProducts ............................................14
Contents
Copyright©2005GHSCorporation
All Rights Reserved.
Your HUSH®Super C noise reduction system 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).

3
OPERATINGPRECAUTIONS
NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THIS SECTION 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 PERSONNEL ONLY. DO NOT MAKE
ANY INTERNAL ADJUSTMENTS 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.
POWERREQUIREMENTS
This unit accepts power from the 9VAC/1.5A adaptor supplied with the unit.
This 9 volt RMS AC voltage is internally processed by a voltage doubler which
generates a bipolar ±15 volts to maintain the headroom and sound quality of
professional, studio quality equipment. Using an external power source such as
this minimizes excessive noise and hum problems often associated with internal
transformers, providing optimal performance for the user.
OPERATINGTEMPERATURE
Do not expose this unit to excessive heat. This unit is designed to operate between
32° F and 104° F (0° C and 40° C). This unit may not function properly under
extreme temperatures.
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Rocktron HUSH®Super C!
Designed for guitar applications, the Super C utilizes the latest in our HUSH noise
reduction technology combined with the latest V.I.R. (Variable Integrated Release)
circuitry configured as a noise gate. This combination provides extremely effective noise
reduction while playing and complete silence when not.
Although the Super C is a stereo noise reduction system, a single HUSH Threshold
and Gate Threshold are used to control both channels.
This manual will introduce you to the various features and functions of the Super C.
Please keep it for future reference.
3

4
POWER LED
When lit, this LED indicates that the Super C is powered and ready for operation.
HUSH THRESHOLD control
Thiscontrolsetsthepointatwhichthedownwardexpanderanddynamicfilterbegin
to operate.
GATE THRESHOLD control and GATE RELEASE LED
This control is used to determine the level at which the gate will begin to operate.
As the input signal drops below this level, the gate will activate and downward
expansion will begin.
When lit, the Gate Release LED indicates that the input signal has dropped below
the level set by the Gate Threshold control, thus activating the gate and providing
additional downward expansion.
IN/OUTswitchandLED
This switch allows for the Super C to be bypassed when noise reduction is not
required.
When lit, the LED indicates that the Super C is currently active in the signal path.
REFswitch
This switch determines the sensitivity of the Super C. When using the Super C with
professionalaudioequipmentprovidinganominaloutputlevel+4dB,itisrecommended
that the "+4dB" setting on the unit as the Threshold adjustment will allow you to
optimize noise reduction for this reference level.
If the "-10" setting is used and the unit is overdriven, the "+4" setting should
be used.
**The -10db setting is recommended for all instrument rigs.
Super C Front Panel
1
2
3
4
5

5
CH. A (MONO) / CH. B IN jacks
These¼"monojacksprovideinputstotheleftandrightchannelsoftheSuperC.When
using only one input, the "CH. A (MONO)" jack must be used.
CH. A / CH. B OUT jacks
These¼"monojacks provide outputs from the"CH.A" and "CH. B" channelsofthe
Super C.
Note: When "CH. A" is used as a single signal source, the signal will be
present in both the "CH. A" and "CH. B" outputs.
POWERjack
This 2.5mm pin jack accepts power from the 9VAC adapter supplied with the unit.
Super C Rear Panel
1
2
3

6
System Connections
MonoApplications
6

7
StereoApplications

8
Combo Amp Connection

9
Amplifier Head Connection

10
Bass Combo Connection

11
Bass Head Connection

12
When used properly, the HUSH Super C should be completely transparent (i.e.,
it should not effect the guitar signal—only the noise). To maximize the performance
of the Super C, it is necessary to understand its front panel controls and how they
work together. By understanding how these controls work, it will be easier to
correctly set up the Super C to suit any application.
The Super C front panel provides two controls which each manipulate both
channels simultaneously. The HUSH Threshold control sets the amount of noise
reduction required for a given input signal, while the Gate Threshold control
provides additional downward expansion when increased. (The Gate Threshold
control may also be used by itself, allowing the unit to be used as strictly a
downward expander.)
HUSH®Section
Rocktron's patented HUSH noise reduction is a single-ended system that
combines the principles of dynamic filtering and low-level downward expansion.
Dynamic Filtering
Dynamic filtering is achieved by dynamically-controlling a low pass filter to
open and close the bandwidth of the output signal depending upon the amount of
mid and high band information present in the input signal. The filter bandwidth will
only open far enough to pass the highest frequency information in the input signal,
thus reducing the noise above it.
For example, if the highest frequency present in the input signal is 8kHz, the
filter will open to pass up to 8kHz while the noise from 8kHz to 20kHz would be
reduced. If a signal with frequency components up to 20kHz appears at the input,
the dynamic filter will open to its full extreme (40kHz).
Operation

13
As the input signal drops further below the threshold point, downward
expansion increases. A drop in the input level by 20dB would cause the output
level to drop approximately 40dB (i.e., 20dB of gain reduction). In the absence
of any input signal, the expander will reduce the gain so that the noise floor
becomes inaudible.
This means that if a signal is present at the input which consists of
primarily bass components, the dynamic filter will reduce mid or high band
noise. If no mid or high band information is present, the filter will close down
to a pre-set cut-off point of 1kHz (allowing only frequencies of 1kHz and below
to pass). However, if the input signal has high frequency components present, the
dynamic filter will open fully to pass the signal and eliminate the possibility of a
loss of high end frequency response.
Downward Expansion
The second half of the HUSH process incorporates downward expansion.
The low level expander of the HUSH system operates like an electronic volume
control. The HUSH system utilizes a voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA) circuit
which can control the gain between the input and the output from unity to 30, 40
or even 50dB of gain reduction. When the input signal is above the user preset
threshold point, the VCA circuit remains at unity gain. (This means that the
output signal level is equal to the input signal level.) As the input signal level
drops below the user preset threshold point, downward expansion begins. It is at
this point that the expander acts like an electronic volume control and gradually
begins to decrease the output signal level relative to the input signal level.

14
+15dB (+4 Ref.)
+5dB (-10dB Ref.)
470K Ohms
less than 100 Ohms
up to 72dB
±.5dB, 10Hz - 27kHz
105dB
-100dBu
.041% @ 0dBu, 1kHz (typ)
385mA
19" x 4" x 1¾"
Maximum Input Level
Input Impedance
Output Impedance
Effective Noise Reduction
Frequency Response
Dynamic Range
Noise Floor
THD + Noise
Current Consumption
Dimensions
Specifications
Note: 0dBv = 0.775V RMS
CE Approved
The front panel HUSH Threshold control determines the minimum input level at which the HUSH filter and
downward expander will begin to operate. Setting this control too high will result in a loss of sustain, as notes
will tend to die out much faster than they should. Conversely, when set too low, the expander will close too
late (if at all) and the noise floor will remain audible
Gate Section
The other half of the Super C consists of a noise gate. A noise gate completely shuts off the output
signal when the input signal level drops below a prescribed threshold level (volume). On the Super C, this
threshold is determined by the Gate Threshold control on the front panel. This control should be set so that it
doesn't cut notes off (i.e., set too high), yet doesn't activate long after a note ends (allowing the noise floor to
remain audible).
This circuit is combined with the Variable Integrated Release (V.I.R.) circuit to provide an internal
variable release to the downward expander. With the V.I.R. circuit, if the guitar signal decays slowly, the
downward expander will engage slowly. If the guitar signal stops quickly, the downward expander will engage
quickly. The LED indicates when downward expansion is active.

15
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(MIDI Footcontroller)
All Access (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)
RackGear:
Gainiac 2 (preamp w/12ax7 tube)
Xpression (multi-effects processor)
Blue Thunder (bass preamp w/multi-effects)
Voodu Valve(preamp w/12ax7 tube and multi-effects)
Prophesy (our top of the line preamp with multi-effects)
HUSHSuper C (guitar noise silencing system)
Velocity100 (2x50W Stereo Power Amp for Guitar)
StompBoxes:
Rampage Distortion, Tsunami Chorus, Austin Gold Overdrive, Vertigo Vibe Rotating Vibe Pedal, HUSHThe Pedal,
Sonic Glory Overdrive, Short Timer Digital Delay, Big Crush Compressor, Deep Blue Chorus
Silver Dragon Tube Distortion Pedal, Metal Planet Distortion, Pulse Tremolo, Hypnotic Flange,
X-Tune Tuner Pedal, Black Cat Moan Wah Pedal, Tri-Wah Wah Pedal, Banshee Talk Box, Nitro Booster/Enhancer
DC OnTap - DC Power supply for Stomp Boxes
DC OnTap Cable Package - extra cables to power other stomp boxes.
OtherRocktron Products

16
Rocktron -ADivision 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