Suhr PT-15 I.R. User manual

User Guide

2
Table of Contents
Overview........................................................................................................ 3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS....................................................... 4
Front Panel Overview.....................................................................................5
Rear Panel Overview......................................................................................6
Channel 1 (Clean)......................................................................................... 7
Channel 2 & 3 (High-Gain)............................................................................ 8
Presence & Master Volume........................................................................... 9
Speaker Outputs..........................................................................................10
Speaker Output Use Cases......................................................................... 11
Line Output.................................................................................................. 12
FX Loop & Footswitch..................................................................................13
Impulse Response Section & Channel Select Button..................................14
Managing Impulse Responses with a Computer..........................................15
Headphone Out & Aux in Section................................................................ 16
How to Silently Practice with Headphones.................................................. 17
How to Connect to a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)................................18
Live Set-Up With Stage Volume...................................................................19
Tubes, Fuses & Power Requirements......................................................... 20
Impulse Responses Included With PT-15 I.R.............................................. 21
Technical Specications............................................................................... 22
Warranty.......................................................................................................22

3
Overview
The PT-15 is the latest innovation to come from Suhr. Three of the foremost
authorities on tone, John Suhr, his son Kevin Suhr and the legendary guitar
player and recording artist Pete Thorn have collaborated once again to
design a new, groundbreaking version of his revolutionary PT-100.
The PT-15 is a brand new evolution of the PT signature amp in a smaller,
lighter and lower wattage package. The 3 channels of tone arrived
after decades of research and development Pete and John conducted over
the years, yet with the expanded versatility of an on-board Reactive Load
I.R. AND impulse response loader, bundled with IRs from Celestion along
with seven proprietary IR blends made by Pete Thorn himself.
Now, the PT amplier has evolved once again to combine the best of the
analog and digital worlds, leveraging both to their fullest extent to create this
bar-raising amplier. Classic tube circuitry generating dynamics, overdrive,
saturation and harmonics while digital technology and using impulse re-
sponses to capture the highly complex frequency response which results in
the nuances of the sonic character of a speaker and its relationship to a mic.
This simply can not be replicated with an analog circuit. With the awesome
capability of a programmable IR for each channel that will automatically
switch to your selected IR when you switch your channels, you can use the
power of impulse responses to vastly alter the tone of your signal.
This makes the PT-15 I.R. the MOST versatile amplier produced today,
analog and digital with absolutely no compromises.
Thank you for purchasing the Suhr PT-15 I.R.™
Please take the time to read this User Guide to get the most out of the
PT-15 I.R. The more you familiarize yourself with the features of this unit, the
more you will enjoy its benets and maximize its potential.

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1. Read these instructions
2. Keep these instructions
3. Heed all warnings
4. Follow all instructions
5. Clean only with dry cloth
6. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus (including ampliers) that produce heat.
8. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at
plugs and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
9. Only use attachments/accessories specied by the manufacturer.
10. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long
periods of time.
11. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as
power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or
objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.
12. CAUTION: To disconnect the unit completely from the MAINS, unplug
the unit. Turning the power switch off does not disconnect the unit
completely from the MAINS.
13. The unit shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no
objects lled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the unit.
14. WARNING: This is a Class I apparatus. It should be connected to a
MAINS socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Adjusts the level of I.R. affected
signal coming through the
headphone out.
I.R. Level (H.P. Level)
Aux In
Bank & Cab Select buttons & LED
Headphone Out
Channel Select button
Master Volume knob
Master Presence knob
Input
Channel 1 (Green) Channel 2 (Blue) & 3 (Red)
Power (On/Off)
Stand By (On/Off)
1/8’' Stereo Auxiliary Input for
connecting smart-phone or other
audio device.
1/8’' Stereo Headphone output
for easy monitoring or practice.
Use this to connect your guitar.
Adjusts the amount of high frequencies.
Turning it clockwise will add more high
end and sparkle.
Adjusts overall volume.
High Gain Channels
Seperate Gain, Level and Bright
Switch per channel and shared
Bass, Middle and Treble controls.
Clean channel with Gain, Level,
Bass, Treble controls and Bright
Switch.
Press to cycle between the
amps three channels.
These buttons allow you to switch between
banks 1-4. Each bank has 4 cabs for a total
of 16 I.R.s.
I.R. Channel link
To link any I.R. to a specic channel for instant
recall, select channel and desired I.R., then hold
the 'Bank Select Button' and 'Cab Select Button'
for one second. To reset all channels, hold Bank,
Cab and Channel select button for 3 seconds.

Speaker Output (Black ring)
(Reactive Load Enabled in Parallel)
Line Output
Foot Switch
USB In
Fx Loop Send
H.T. Fuse
Mains Fuse
Mains Input
Fx Loop Return
Speaker Output (RED ring)
(Reactive Load Disabled)
Impedance Selector
Connect this output to the input of
your effects device or chain.
Connect this input to the output of
your device or chain.
F.5 Amp/240V (Fast-Blo)
T1.5A/250V (Slo-Blo) - 100/120VAC
T.75A/250V (Slo-Blo) - 230/240VAC
Connect the supplied AC cable
to this inlet to supply power.
Set this switch to match the impedance of the
cabinet(s) being used. When no speaker
cabniet is connected, set impedance selector
to 8Ω to match the internal reactive load.
When using this jack you MUST
have a load (Cabinet) connected,
This jack delivers full power and
volume to your cabinet.
When using this jack the reactive
load is enabled in parallel with your
cabinet, reducing overall volume by
-3dB SPL. (equivalent to half power)
See page 10 for more details
I.R. Bypass
Use this as a direct line level out
from your amp for easy recording
and live applications.
Connect to a computer to
manage the installed impulse
response les.
Press to bypass the I.R. lter i.e.
no impulse response affecting the
tone.
Connect the supplied foot switch
here via stereo cable (TRS).

7
Channel 1 (Clean)
Things to know:
1. GAIN - Adjusts the overall gain of channel 1.
2. LEVEL - Adjusts the overall output of channel 1.
3. BASS - Adjusts the amount of bass. Turning it clockwise increases the
amount of bottom-end, giving you a fuller, richer tone, without losing
denition. Turning it counter clockwise will reduce the bottom-end for a tighter
tone, which is useful when performing at louder volumes.
4. TREBLE - Adjusts the treble. Turning it clockwise increases the amount of
top-end, giving your tone clarity and brightness. Turning it counter
clockwise will produce a warmer sound, ideal for dialing in smoother Jazz-like
tones.
5. BRIGHT SWITCH -Introduces added brightness and sparkle that brings out
a chimy organic top end.
The PT15 I.R. has a clean channel in a league of its own.
American voiced, bold, clear, punchy responsive tone with tons of
headroom.
☺HELPFUL TIP: Although channel 1 has no midrange control, the bass
and treble settings will interactively affect this channel’s midrange
response. Turning up the bass and treble will effectively scoop the mids.
Turning down the bass and treble will push the midrange front and center.

8
Channel 2 & 3 (High-Gain)
Things to know:
1. GAIN - Adjusts the overall gain of channel 2 or channel 3.
2. LEVEL - Adjusts the overall output of channel 2 or channel 3.
3. BASS - Adjusts the amount of bass. Turning it clockwise increases the
amount of bottom-end, giving you a fuller tone. Turning it counter clockwise
will reduce the bottom-end, which is useful when performing at louder
volumes.
4. MIDDLE - Adjusts the midrange. Turning it clockwise increases the amount of
mids. Turning it counter clockwise will reduce the mids and produce a
mid-scooped sound.
5. TREBLE - Adjusts the treble. Turning it clockwise increases the amount of
top-end, giving your tone clarity and brightness. Turning it counter clockwise
will produce a warmer sound, excellent for dialing in smooth uid-like lead
tones .
6. BRIGHT SWITCH -Adds brightness and sparkle.
The PT15 I.R. high gain channels are based on vintage modded British
tones, except more gain to spare. These channels shine at all settings, from
crunch to searing metal, low, mid and high gain, it's all there with rich
harmonic overtones and limitless sustain.

9
Presence & Master Volume
Things to know:
1. MASTER - Adjusts the overall volume output of all channels.
2. PRESENCE - Adjusts the amount of high frequencies added to your tone.
Turning it clockwise will add more sparkle.
The Presence & Master Volume controls of the PT-15 I.R. affect all of the
channels.

Speaker Outputs
The built-in 8Ω reactive load is always enabled UNLESS a speaker cabinet is
connected to the Reactive Load Disconnect (red ring jack) output. This
speaker output disables the internal reactive load.
10
Speakers Outputs:
Reactive Load In Parallel:
When using this jack the reactive load is enabled in parallel with your cabinet,
reducing overall volume by -3dB SPL (equivalent to half power)
Reactive Load Disabled:
When using this jack you MUST have a load (Cabinet) connected.
Using this speaker output disables the internal reactive load, delivering full power
and volume to your cabinet.
Impedance Selector:
The impedance must be set at all times to the total load on the amp. When the
internal Reactive Load is in use, it places an 8Ω load on the amp. If a cabinet is
used in parallel with the Reactive Load, the 8Ω internal load must be included in
the impedance calculation.
If playing through a speaker cab with the RL disabled, set the impedance to
match the connected cab(s).
One 16 Ω cabinet, set impedance selector to 16 Ω
One 8 Ω cabinet, set impedance selector to 8 Ω
One 4 Ω cabinet, set impedance selector to 4 Ω
If you plug two cabinets in to both speaker out, you must set the impedance
selector to the total load (impedance) of both cabinets being used.
Remember, if you are using both speaker outs the reactive load will be disabled.
However, the Line Out will still be active.
Two 16 ohm cabinets = 8 ohm total load
Two 8 ohm cabinets = 4 ohm total load.
(Using two 4 ohm cabinets simultaneously is not recommended)
!

Speaker Output Use Cases
Here are a few usage cases with different speaker cabinet set ups using 8Ω cabs.
11
8Ω Cabinet 8Ω Cabinet8Ω Cabinet 8Ω Cabinet
Connect an 8Ω cab to this speaker output
with the impedance selector switched to
"8Ω." This set up will deliver full power and
volume to your cabinet.
Connect an 8Ω cab to this speaker output
with the impedance selector switched to
"4Ω." This set up will reduce overall volume
by -3dB SPL (equivalent to half power.)
To connect two 8Ω speaker cabinets, the reactive load will
be disabled and thus the impedance selector must be
selected to 4Ω.

Line Output
Line Out:
Balanced/Unbalanced Out:
Use this as a direct, line level out from your amp, for easy recording and live
applications.
We recommend running this signal into a line level input on your audio inter-
face or console. This connector supports both balanced and unbalanced con-
nections, depending on the type of 1/4” cable used.
I.R. Filter Bypass Button:
This button allows you to bypass the I.R. lter and lets you hear your tone
without the impulse response applied to the signal. This is required when using
an external device to process impulse responses, such as a DAW.
12
The PT15 I.R. features an onboard impulse response loader which offers
perfectly mic’ed, studio quality cabinet tone via the line output. This can be used
in the studio for recording or be sent to FOH when playing live.

FX Loop & Footswitch
The PT15 I.R. also comes with an All Tube effects loop which allows you to put
effects pedals and other devices post-pre-amp.
Footswitch Steps:
1. Connect Footswitch a stereo (TRS) cable to the FOOTSWITCH–TRS jack.
2. The left button ( ) will switch between the Clean channel and
High-Gain channels.
3. The right button ( ) with switch between the two high-gain
channels, channels 2 and 3. When the light is off, when you switch to the
high channels, it will switch to channel 2. If the light is illuminated, it will
make channel 3 active.
4. The high-gain channel you have selected ( ) will remain active when
you switch back and forth from the clean channel.
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(TRS Cable)
Input Output
FX PEDAL
FX Loop Steps:
1. Connect the FX LOOP–SEND to the input of your effects device or chain.
2. Connect the FX LOOP–RETURN to the output of your effects device or
chain.
3. The level appearing at this jack is dependent on the setting of the
channel’s level.
(TRS Cable)
Input Output
FX PEDAL
(TRS Cable)
Input Output
FX PEDAL
(TRS Cable)
Input Output
FX PEDAL

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Impulse Response Section &
Channel Select Button
Things to know:
1. BANK button selects between 4 banks (1-4) of 4 impulse
responses for a total of 16 different cab choices.
2. CAB button selects between 4 (1-4) impulse
responses in the selected bank.
3. Channel Link Technology–
Push and Hold BANK & CAB buttons for 1 second to assign your
selected I.R. to the current channel selected. This will allow instant recall of
your choice of cab and channel, even when the unit is powered on and off.
4. Resetting Channel Link
Push and Hold CHANNEL, BANK & CAB buttons for 5 seconds to "clear"
all of your saved channel/cab combinations to start assigning each channel a
different cabinet from scratch.
To see a full list of the preloaded impulse responses see page 21.

15
Managing Impulse Responses with a Computer
IMPORTANT NOTE: Save a backup of the original "SUHR_PT15"
folder to a safe place on your computer in case you want to restore PT15
I.R. to factory settings.
!
Steps:
1. Connect PT-15 I.R. to computer via USB cable
2. The PT-15 I.R. will appear on your computer as "SUHR_PT15"
3. Click "SUHR_PT15" to nd 4 folders named "Bank_1" - "Bank_4"
4. Each "Bank_x" folder will contain 4 folders named "Cabinet_1"-"Cabinet_4"
these are where you will nd the impulse responses in the form of .WAV les.
5. After doing so, you can delete any existing I.R. (.WAV le) and simply drag and drop
any 3rd party impulse response (.WAV, Mono, 24bit, 48kHz) in to its place. Use only
one I.R. le (.WAV) per cabinet folder.
6. Your PT-15 I.R. now is lled with your own I.R.s
☺HELPFUL TIP: Close mic impulse responses work best. I.R.s greater
than 20.5 milliseconds (ms) will be truncated to 20.5 ms.
IMPORTANT NOTE: After making ANY changes to the I.R.s loaded on the
device, the unit MUST be power cycled in the following manner
- Eject (unmount) "SUHR_PT15" from your computer.
If "SUHR_PT15" reappears on computer after ejecting, it IS safe to
disconnect, as long as no les are transferring at the time.
- Disconnect USB from the PT-15 I.R. to your computer.
!

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Headphone Out & Aux in Section
Things to know:
1. Turn IR LEVEL to increase the volume of the impulse response ltered signal
sent to the headphone out.
2. AUX IN - 1/8” stereo input for connection to an external audio source with
1/8” stereo output capability (mp3 player, smart-phone, etc.)
IMPORTANT NOTE: The signal from the AUX IN will only be sent
through the HP OUT (headphones), NOT the DI / LINE OUT.
!
☺HELPFUL TIP: Use your audio source's on board volume controls to set
the levels you hear through the HP OUT. i.e. if you need to hear more of
your smart-phone, turn up the volume on the device, NOT the HP LEVEL
on the PT-15 I.R.

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How to Silently Practice with Headphones
Steps:
1. Connect HP OUT via 1/8" stereo cable to any headphones.
2. Adjust IR LEVEL (Headphone Section in detail, page 16)
-Optional connection- (dotted lines on diagram)
3. Connect a smart-phone or other audio source via 1/8" stereo cable
IMPORTANT NOTE: The signal from the AUX IN will only be sent
through the HP OUT (headphones), NOT the LINE OUT.
!
☺HELPFUL TIP: Use your audio source's on board volume controls to set
the levels you hear through the HP OUT. i.e. if you need to hear more of
your smart-phone, turn up the volume on the device, NOT the IR LEVEL
on the PT-15 I.R.

18
How to Connect to a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
Steps:
1. Connect the LINE OUT to record a signal that is affected by the I.R. lter.
2. Press BANK & CAB select buttons to pick an I.R.
–Optional connections– (dotted lines on diagram)
3. Press the BYPASS button for a signal that is NOT affected by the I.R. lter,
meaning it is just your amp’s tone (with no speaker ltration), for
later processing in your DAW. If you'd still like to run a speaker cabinet,
connect the REACTIVE LOAD DISABLED jack using a 1/4" speaker
cable to a speaker cabinet.
(Optional)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Using the REACTIVE LOAD DISABLED output
disconnects the internal load of the Reactive Load I.R. To optimize
performance and avoid damage, match the impedance of your amplier to
the connected speaker cabinet.
NEVER CONNECT THIS OUTPUT TO INSTRUMENT,
MIC OR LINE LEVEL INPUTS.
!
Interface

19
Live Set-Up With Stage Volume
This section will explain how to use the PT15 I.R. in a live setting with stage
volume from a cab and a D.I. signal (with an I.R.) going to front of house.
Steps:
1. Connect the LINE OUT jack to mixer.
2. Press the BANK & CAB buttons to pick an I.R.
-Optional connection- (dotted lines on diagram)
3. Connect the REACTIVE LOAD PARALLEL or
REACTIVE LOAD DISCONNECTED jack via 1/4" speaker cable to a
speaker cabinet for stage volume.
Two 16 ohm cabinets = 8 ohm total load
Two 8 ohm cabinets = 4 ohm total load.
(Using two 4 ohm cabinets simultaneously is not recommended)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Using the REACTIVE LOAD DISABLED output
disconnects the internal load of the PT15 I.R. To optimize
performance and avoid damage, match the impedance of your
amplier to the connected speaker cabinet.
NEVER CONNECT THIS OUTPUT TO INSTRUMENT,
MIC OR LINE LEVEL INPUTS.
!
(Optional)

Tubes, Fuses & Power Requirements
.
Fuses & Power Requirements:
The Mains fuse used will be different depending on whether your unit is a
100V, 120V or 230V, 240V.
100V & 120V (USA,...)
Mains Fuse: T1.5A/250V (Slo-Blo) - 100/120VAC
H.T. Fuse: F.5A/250V (Fast-Blo)
230V & 240V (UK, EUROPE,...)
Mains Fuse: T.75A/250V (Slo-Blo) - 230/240VAC
H.T. Fuse: F.5A/250V (Fast-Blo)
20
Tubes:
The power section of the PT15 I.R. is driven by 2x 6V6GT output tubes.
Power Section: 2x 6V6GT
Preamp, Effects loop, Phase Inverter: 5x 12AX7
TUBE POSITION LIST
V1 – (closest to input jack) Channel 1, 1st/2nd Gain Stage 12AX7A (CHN)
V2 – Channel 2 / 3, 1st/2nd Gain Stage 12AX7A (CHN)
V3 – Channel 2 / 3, Pre-EQ Buffer/Gain Stage 12AX7A (CHN)
V4 – Effects Loop Send / Return 12AX7A (CHN)
V5 – Phase Inverter 12AX7A (CHN)
V6 – Power 6V6GT (JJ)
V7 – Power 6V6GT (JJ)
(120V Version)
V1 V2
V3 V4 V5
V6 V7