Schertler Yellow Single User manual

M A N U A L
W W W . S C H E R T L E R . C O M
YELLOW
CLASS-A SINGLE CHANNEL PREAMPLIFIER
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YELLOW SINGLEPREAMPS
INTRODUCTION
YELLOW SINGLE is a sophisticated single-channel Class-A preamp. It has been specially developed to
offer musicians and sound engineers a high-quality yet straightforward solution for a range of performing
and recording applications. The portable preamp has one dedicated input channel that accepts a range of
microphones, pickups and instruments. This makes it ideal for solo performers or individual ensemble
members. The R TURN socket can also be used as an additional line source input if required.
Y LLOW SINGL ’s channel controls include 4-band Q, 24 VDC phantom for condenser microphones and
10 VDC supply for electrostatic microphones, plus a range of dedicated lters for sound parameter
adjustment. Four output lines (max) enable connection to active loudspeakers, mixers, recording devices and
effects. The S ND and R TURN connectors enable an effect loop. A separate headphone output is also
provided.
To make the most of your Y LLOW SINGL ’s capability and to ensure trouble-free operation, please read
this manual care ully be ore using the preamp or the rst time. We also advise keeping
the manual for future reference.
SCH RTL R Y LLOW SINGL : Made in Switzerland
Congratulations on purchasing the SCH RTL R® Y LLOW SINGL preamp. It is our pleasure to welcome
you to a growing family of musicians and technicians, including many of the world’s leading soloists and
sound engineers, who have chosen to work with SCH RTL R® products.
Y LLOW SINGL has been specially designed to offer a compact high-quality solution that meets both studio
recording and live performance needs. ach individual section has been developed and engineered to
ensure maximum potential from any kind of sound source. The preamp features pure Class-A electronics
with no integrated circuits and No Negative Feedback for optimum results.
Its modern sophisticated design and lightweight yet robust aluminum housing makes it highly suitable for
constant use in a range of environments. Y LLOW SINGL ’s intuitive controls offer both exibility and
straightforward adjustment of sound parameters, giving you the freedom to bring out the best of your
instrument’s sound characteristics.
In our continuing quest to improve the transmission and reproduction of acoustic instrument sound, we hope
that Y LLOW SINGL will also enhance your personal performing or recording experience.
Stephan Schertler
President, electronic designer
and the SCH RTL R Team

YELLOW SINGLEPREAMPS
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION
SAF TY FIRST!
Safety is of major importance when operating any electrical equipment, so
please note the following:
On a product, a lightning ash within a triangle indicates the presence of
uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product enclosure. This may be of
sufcient magnitude to cause risk of electric shock.
L CTRICAL SAF TY
This information applies to all models and power supplies of the Y LLOW series:
Before connecting your preamp to the mains, make sure that the mains voltage does not exceed the voltage
specied on the power supply.
Do not use your preamp if its power supply, cable or plug are not in perfect condition. Replace these as
necessary, using the exact models/types specied. If any xed cables need replacing, this should be done
by a suitably qualied professional.
Your preamp should only be connected to a mains socket with a ground protection system.
When setting up or installing your preamp, make sure that the mains socket and the power supply’s mains
cable and plug are easily accessible.
Do not, under any circumstances, defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A
polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a
third grounding prong. The wide blade and third prong are provided for your safety. If the supplied plug
does not t your mains socket, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete socket.
Do not expose your preamp to rain or any other water (even in small amounts). Do not use the preamp near
water.
Avoid spilling drinks or any other liquids on the preamp.
Do not operate your preamp in excessively humid conditions. Avoid excessive heat from sunshine, re or
similar. If your preamp is being used in a dusty environment, make sure it is adequately protected.
Avoid installing your preamp near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other heat-
producing apparatus (including ampliers).
Do not put any sources of open ame (e.g. candles or pyrotechnics) on or near your preamp.
Do not cover your preamp during use, or obstruct the ventilation ow in any way.
Unplug your preamp during lightning storms, or if it is not going to be used for a while. (Remove the plug
from the mains socket to completely disconnect the preamp.)
Your preamp does not contain any “user serviceable” parts. Servicing and/or repairs should only be
carried out by qualied personnel. See MAINT NANC AND R PAIR (below).
5
OP RATIONAL SAF TY
During installation or live performances, make sure that your preamp’s power supply cable cannot be
walked on, tripped over or “pinched” – particularly at sockets, around waste bins etc. Also make sure that
the power supply cable is not “stressed” at its point of connection to the preamp.
To avoid interference, do not install your preamp near power transformers, TV sets, RF transmitters, electric
motors, or any other sources of electrical energy.
To avoid potential accidents, only use attachments, accessories and other equipment such as carts, stands,
tripods, brackets or cases that are specied or recommended by the manufacturer, or sold with your
preamp.
Loud volume levels can cause irreparable damage to hearing, so avoid the following while using your
preamp:
- acoustic feedback (never point microphones directly at a loudspeaker)
- high levels of distortion
- impulse noises (loud “pops”) that can occur when a device is switched on/off, connected to or
disconnected from a system.
MAINT NANC AND R PAIR
Your preamp can be carefully cleaned, as necessary, using a dry cloth. No water must be used.
When cleaning, do not use any solvents (such as acetone or alcohol). These could damage the preamp’s
nish and its labeling.
Visually check your preamp on a regular basis for any signs of wear and tear or damage, but do not attempt
any kind of servicing or repair.
If your preamp malfunctions, or has been damaged, e.g. if the power supply/cable or plug is damaged,
liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen inside, the preamp has been exposed to rain or moisture, does
not operate normally, or has been dropped, please call your nearest SCH RTL R technical assistance center.
(For more information, contact us at the address on the last page of this manual.)

YELLOW SINGLEPREAMPS 7
PRACTICAL ADVICE
AVOID GAIN STAGING: When using Y LLOW SINGL with other equipment such as mixers, speakers
or ampliers, it is important to avoid distorted input signals as these can cause damage to equipment.
When setting input levels on your Y LLOW SINGL , start turning up the GAIN control until the OV RLOAD
L D starts to blink. At this point, turn the GAIN back down slightly. This correctly sets the preamp level
depending on your actual input signal. Set the MAST R VOLUM between 30% and 60% to avoid raising
the natural noise level of the circuit to an audible level. Now you can freely set the channel volume as you
please.
GROUND CONNECTION: Although all ground connections are correctly implemented on Y LLOW
SINGL , they are not directly connected to ground (and are therefore “oating”), as they actually depend
on the grounding connection of the device to which the Y LLOW preamp is connected. If that device is not
properly grounded, or generates a ground loop, it is possible to experience hum. Solving the problem
requires attention to the device’s ground connection, usually via its GROUND LIFT switch.
In short: the ground connection must be provided by the device to which Y LLOW SINGL is connected.
POWER SUPPLY: We highly reccommend to only use the provided power supply in order to avoid any
possible noise inducted by the electrical system. However, if you really want to use another PS, please be
sure that the connection is center positive. You should see this symbol (or a similar one) on the DC connector.

YELLOW SINGLEPREAMPS 9
CONN CTIONS
5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 9. 10. 8. 7. 6.
1. MIC IN: This enables the connection of a condenser microphone or a dynamic microphone (if necessary,
press the PHANT button to power the microphone).
2. LIN IN: This enables the connection of instruments like guitars equipped with the SCH RTL R LYDIA
system, electric guitars, bass guitars or STAT Series bowed instrument pickups. (If necessary, use the +10V
button to power the pickup.)
3. S ND: This enables you to send your signal to an external device. Adjust output level using the S ND
(PR ) control on the channel.
4. R TURN: This enables the connection of any external audio control effect. Use the R TURN LIN -IN
control to adjust the input level of the return channel.
5. PHON S: This enables the connection of headphones with a 3.5 mm mini-jack connector.
6. MAST R OUT UNBALANC D: The signal can be sent to an active loudspeaker or/and to another device.
Output volume depends on both the VOLUM and MAST R VOLUM control: use the latter to only adjust
the volume being sent to the speakers while leaving the other settings unchanged.
7. MAST R OUT BALANC D: The signal can be sent to an active loudspeaker or/and to another device.
Output volume depends on both the VOLUM and MAST R VOLUM control: use the latter to only adjust
the volume being sent to the speakers while leaving the other settings unchanged.
DO NOT V R use this output with phantom power enabled on the input device, as it will damage the
Y LLOW.
8. DI OUT: The signal can be sent to any external systems (even phantom powered), for example to another
mixer. If you wish to record your music, connect your recorder to the same output and start recording.
9. DC 24V: Power supply plug-in connector.
10. POW R SUPPLY L D: This indicates when the preamp is ON.

YELLOW SINGLEPREAMPS 11
1. PHANT: Phantom power supplies the XLR connector with 24 VDC for powering condenser microphones.
2. -15dB (PAD): If the input signal from the 1/4” jack input is too powerful and you have overloads, use this
PAD for a 15 dB reduction.
3. +10V: This supplies the 1/4” jack connector with 10 VDC for powering electret microphones.
4. GAIN: This variable gain preamp adjusts the sensitivity level to ensure the best possible processing of the
signal through the channel. It is important that this input level be set and optimized in the best way to achieve
the cleanest sound possible.
5. OV RLOAD: This L D (when lit) indicates that the level of the input signal is too high and might therefore
introduce distortion.
6. S ND: This control sets the level on the S ND output.
7. R TURN LIN -IN: This rotary control sets the input level on the R TURN input
8. R SON (pot): The R SONANC (notch) lter cuts the frequency of 150 Hz / 220 Hz, to reduce low-
frequency feedback.
- Left: no attenuation (at)
- Right: maximum attenuation
9. R SON (button): Use the R SON button to select the resonant frequency of the instrument
(150 Hz/220 Hz).
10. WARM: When active, this low-pass lter dampens higher frequencies to produce a warmer sound when
using bridge-mounted pickups such as SCH RTL R STAT Series transducers for violin, cello and double bass.
11. ø (PHAS ): In the event of feedback, or unwanted effects, use the PHAS button.
12. LOW CUT: When active, this lter cuts frequencies below 120 Hz - ideal if you play an instrument that
generates aggressive low frequencies.
13. HIGH, HIGH MID, LOW MID, LOW: These controls are for high, mid and low frequency regulation.
Offering cut and boost of +/-15 dB, they allow a wide range of tonal variations to be explored. When the
controls are positioned centrally there is no cut or boost of the selected frequency band.
14. VOLUM : This control regulates the channel volume, which, in turn affects the S ND, DI OUT, MAST R
OUT and PHON S.
15. MAST R VOLUM : This control regulates the master volume, which, in turn affects the MAST R OUT
and PHON S.
16. MUT : This cuts the audio.
CONTROLS
1. 2. 3. 6. 7.
5.
4.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
8.
9.
15.
16.

YELLOW SINGLEPREAMPS
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Weight
Dimensions (LxDxH)
Frequency response (@ ±3 dB)
Construction
Mic In connector
Mic In sensitivity
Mic In impedance
Instrument In connector
Instrument In sensitivity
Instrument In impedance
Return connector
Return sensitivity
Return impedance
Master Out connector
Master Out level
Master Out impedance
DI Out connector
DI Out level
DI Out impedance
Send Out connector
Send Out level
Send Out impedance
Phones connector
Phones level
Phones impedance
Q
Low
Low mid
High mid
High
Filters
Reson (notch lter)
Warm
Low Cut
Phantom power (nominal)
Stat power (10 VDC)
Preamp
Audio transformer
Supply
0.32 kg
15 x 10 x 3.8 cm
10 to 25 kHz
Anodized aluminum box
XLR
-56 dB
4.7 kΩ
1/4” jack unbalanced
-52 dB
3 to 300kΩ
1/4” jack stereo
-30 dB
22 kΩ
XLR - 1/4” jack unbalanced
20 dBu (XLR) / 14 dBu (jack)
100 Ω
XLR
0 dBu
100 Ω
1/4” jack unbalanced
5 dB
100 Ω
1/4” jack stereo
10 dBu
10 Ω
Shelving, +15 / -23 dB (@60 Hz)
Peaking, ±12 dB (@300 Hz)
Peaking, ±12 dB (@1.3 kHz)
Shelving, ±23 dB (@12 kHz)
-20 dB (@150 Hz / @220 Hz)
1st order Low pass (cut freq. 1.5 kHz)
2nd order High pass lter (cut freq. 120 Hz)
24 VDC
Yes
Class-A, no negative feedback, no integrated circuits
No
24 VDC 210 mA regulated power supply
SIGNAL FLOW
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YELLOW SINGLEPREAMPS
FAQ
For specic information on personal instrument
compatibility or setup, please email our assistance
service. Our specialists will be pleased to help you.
You can nd all our contacts in the footer of every
SCH RTL R website page: www.schertler.com
It’s not possible to connect two different signals at the
same time to the main channel. Y LLOW SINGL is
designed to process just one audio signal, even if it’s
provided with two separated input plugs (it is merely
a design choice: separated 1/4” Jack and XLR plugs
are more sturdy than a combo XLR/jack plug).
Y LLOW SINGL provides way more than the
nominal 24 VDC, but, since it is not actually 48 VDC
we cannot legally label it P48. However, most modern
microphones will work just ne. For more technical
information, please read the FAQ section on the
SCH RTL R website.
Is my setup correct?
Can I use the 1/4” Jack and the XLR inputs
together?
Will my condenser mic work with the Y LLOW
SINGL ’s 24 V phantom power?
15
APPENDIX
WARRANTY
All SCH RTL R products are covered by a limited two-year factory warranty in respect of manufacturer
defects. Details can be obtained from your local dealer / representative.
SCH RTL R SA strongly believes in “common sense”. Therefore, misuse of our products is not covered under
rights obtained through our warranty policy, or through internationally recognized terms and conditions.
For more information on warranty, please visit the General Condition’s page at www.schertler.com
PRODUCT DISPOSAL
This product must not be disposed of in general household waste. It should be taken to a disposal center for
electrical / electronic waste. Please note any local or national regulations that may be applicable here.
TRAD MARKS
The SCH RTL R® name and logo are registered trade names / trademarks of SCH RTL R SA Switzerland.
All SCH RTL R® products use proprietary technology and are covered by one or more worldwide patents.
DISCLAIM R
All information and technical specications published here are based on data that was available at the time
of publication. SCH RTL R is, however, constantly aiming to improve its range of products and therefore
reserves the right to amend product specications and information without notice. SCH RTL R takes no
responsibility for any direct or indirect damage (including loss of prot), which arises as a result of, or in
connection with the information in this manual.
COPYRIGHT
This manual is the property of SCH RTL R SA and, as such, is subject to Swiss copyright law. No part of
this manual should be reproduced, edited or distributed without prior consent from SCH RTL R.

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