Taurus SH8Qube Stomp-Head User manual

DESIGNED BY MUSICIANS FOR MUSICIANS
Stomp-Head
8
SHSH
Qube
GUITAR AMPLIFIER
OWNER’S MANUAL

Thank you for trust and choosing our amplifier.
In 2011, Taurus was the first that introduce to the amp's world a new type of a professional guitar
amplifier designed in a compact shape, especially dedicated for pedalboards.
Since then, eight different models of Stomp-Head have been produced under Taurus logo.
In the case of SH-8.Qube, our goal was to design an amplifier that has all features of tube amplifiers,
very functional and unlike classic amplifiers very light and as small as possible.
The SH-8 as all our amps is built based on the Master Tube Design (MTD) technology.
This is our innovative concept of building guitar amplifiers in a compact size. This technology uses all the
most important features of tubes that determine the sound of guitar amps. We give guitarists an amplifier
with exceptionally small weight and dimensions but still with truly pro, powerful sound.
The actual volume and sonic character of amps based on Master Tube Design is exactly the same as the
traditional tube amplifiers of the same power.
In order to achieve the expected parameters, the amp is driven by a much higher power stage amplifier.
Usable amp's power is 50 Watts, while the actual power of the power amp and power supply is 130
Watts. Preservation of greatest possible sound's headroom is one of the main reasons of the difference
between usable and actual power of the amp. Speakers with different resistance of 4, 8 or 16 ohms can
be connected. The adjustment of the amplifier power to the speaker resistance is automatic. No matter
which resistance is used, the amp always play with full power of 50 Watts.
The amplifier is equipped with a unique feature that allows to connect both a guitar cabinet and a full-
range PA or Hi-Fi cabinet. The analog module with the SPEAKER CABINET SELECTOR switch is used
for this purpose.
SH8.Qube can be used in various configurations:
- as a classic amplifier. There are 2 power levels to choose from: 25W and 50W.
- as a preamp connected directly to the mixer and PA system using the built-in speaker cabinet
simulation.
The amplifier can be used without connecting a speaker. If a speaker cabinet is not connected, the power
stage of the amp is not active.
Power stage efficiency: 130Watt
Power output selector: 50W, 25W
Speakers impedance auto detection: 4,8 and 16ohm
Tubes: 12AX7 / ECC83
2 channels: CLEAN i DRIVE
3- footswitches: REVERB, CLEAN-DRIVE and BOOST
CONTROLS:
BASS, MIDDLE + RANGE switch, TREBLE, PRESENCE, DRIVE , DRIVE LEVEL,
REVERB, VOLUME
MASSIVE – sound saturation
SPEAKER CABINET SELECTOR: guitar cabinet / full range cabinet
BOOST increases output signal level and makes sound slightly "crunchy".
Serial EFFECT LOOP
LINE-OUT with Speaker Simulation. Allows send linear signal with simulation (PIN) or
without simulation (RING) or both simultaneously
PHONES output
AUX-IN for phones section
BLUETOOTH the ability to play background music from the phone, tablet, etc.
Power supply for effect pedals: 9V/300mA output
Main power suplply range: 90-240V
Housing dimensions: (H x W x D) 60 x 185 x 175 mm
Overall dimensions: (H x W x D) 78 x 185 x 175 mm
Weight: 1,5kg
Specification

Front panel
[1]
[2] - MIDDLE control
[2A] - MID-RANGE switch - changes range of MIDDLE control parameters.
[3] - TREBLE control
[4] - DRIVE gain control
[5] - PRESENCE control
[6] - REVERB control
[7] - VOLUME control
[8] - Power selector: 50Watt/25Watt
[9] - Speaker cabinet selector - two options to choose from:
guitar or full range cabinet
[10] - BOOST DRIVE level adjustment
[11] - Overall DRIVE level adjustment
[12] - MASSIVE s
[13] - REVERB footswitch
[14] - DRIVE footswitch
[15] - BOOST footswitch
[16] - Power switch
- BASS control
ound saturation level switch
12
2A
13 14 15
1
6
10
9
11
8

LINE OUTPUT - two types of connection
Mono jack
Ground
Signal with speaker simulation
Signal without speaker simulation
Stereo jack
Ground
Signal with speaker simulation
Rear panel
AC Supply
LINE OUT
[1]
[2] - Speakers output: 4-8-16ohm (auto detect. impedance)
[3] - LINE OUTPUT with speaker cabinet simulation. Signal can be lead in different ways:
with simulation, without simulation or both.
[4] - Effect-loop RETURN (or PA input)
[5] - Effect-loop SEND
[6] - INPUT
[7] - BLUETOOTH wireless communication switch
[8] - BLUETOOTH communication status LED indicator
[9] - AUX-IN socket for connecting an external audio source for example, background music
for practice or recording. Signal connected to the AUX-IN will only be heard through
headphones. You can use a mono or stereo jack
[10] - output for powering external effects pedals directly from the amplifier
[11] - Headphones output
[12] - OVERLOAD indicator for -9V/DC power supply
- AC POWER input. Range: 90-240V / 50-60Hz
The LINE OUTPUT is equipped with a stereo 1/4" (jack) socket, which sends two signals: with
speaker cabinet simulation (tip), without simulation (ring)or both at the same time. (tip + ring)
The amplifier can be powered with the voltage in the range of 90-240V, which makes it easy to
use it in various world regions without additional voltage converters.
1 2 3 4 5 7
6 8
12
11
10
9

MASSIVE
Speaker selector
AUX i EFX LOOP
The AUX-IN mini-jack socket allows send a signal from an external sound source, which
will be heard only in headphones. This option will be useful for recordings, exercises with
background music, metronome, etc. The EFX-LOOP sockets (4-rear and 5-rear) are
used to connect sound effects in the preamp path. They are led out after the EQ. and
DRIVE section, are mainly used for effects such as Delay, Octaver, Volume Pedal, Noise
Gate and Equalizer. The SEND in EFX LOOP section sends a signal to the external
effect INPUT, while the RETURN is used to connect the signal return from the external
effect OUTPUT.
The MASSIVE option that's a unique feature of the amp, which makes the guitar sound
very saturated with a great sustain. MASSIVE is activated by a switch (12-front). In the
middle position MASSIVE is OFF, in positions 1 and 2 two different saturation levels are
to choose from. MASSIVE perfectly complements guitar sound, especially improves the
performance of Single Coil pickups. The signal of this pickups usually is too weak to
achieve strong distortion. MASSIVE changes this situation, making each configuration
of pickups sounding much richer and warmer.
The amplifier is equipped with an unique feature that allows connect not only a guitar
cabinet but also a full-range PA as well as a Hi-Fi cabinet. The analog module with the
SPEAKER CABINET SELECTOR switch is used to choose one of the options.
If a guitar cabinet has to be used, set the switch (9-front) to the GUITAR position, if a
broadband cabinet, set the switch
(9-front) in the FULL RANGE position. Then the simulation of a guitar cabinet will be
turned on, which will make the guitar sound on a PA (or Hi-Fi ) cabinet the same as
throughout guitar cabinet.
If a full-range speaker is used, the background music signal played from the
BLUETOOTH device will be reproduced as recorded, in full range (wide-band) but the
guitar will join the backing track with its own path with a sound characteristic of a guitar
cabinet.
The amplifier detects the impedance of the speaker itself, adjusting the parameters of
the amplifier to the connected cabinet. 4-8-16ohm speakers can be use, in each case the
amplifier power remains at the same level.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth enables wireless playback of sound files send from a phone, tablet, etc.
This feature allows practicing with background music. BLUETOOTH is activated
using a switch (7-back), the communication status is indicated by a blue LED (8-
back). Fast flashing indicates connection searching status, slow flashing indicates
connection status with another BLUETOOTH device. The signal transmitted from the
BLUETOOTH device is heard in the headphones and loudspeaker.

SH-8 as a preamp
DC supply for effect pedals
TUBES
Precautions
Amplifier produces high volume levels. Staying in places of high volume levels
could cause permanent hearing loss.
Do not use the amplifier in humid and dusty places.
Do not operate the amplifier through the unearthed socket.
Do not leave the amplifier in the vicinity of children.
Do not use the amplifier with broken power outlet or improper power cord.
Do not install nor use the amplifier near any heat sources, in case of overheating
the amplifier turns off Do not cover the
vent holes!
In order to ensure proper air circulation, do not block any of the ventilation
openings.
Never put any liquid containers near the amplifier.
In case of any objects or liquid access inside the amplifier, urgently switch the
apparatus off and unplug the power supply cord.
Protect the amplifier from any strikes.
ATTENTION: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove the back cover
of the amplifier. Inside parts can be repaired only by qualified service personnel.
WARNING: To prevent the risk of electrical shock do not expose this appliance to
moisture, rain or any liquid.
and will return to work after cooling the unit.
Optimal operating parameters of tubes 12AX7 are set during amp's manufacturing
process. The characteristics of each tube in the amplifier is individually tuned at MTD
system (Master Tube Design), to achieve the best performance possible. It is not
recommended to replace the tubes. Replacing working tubes with some other brand will
not improve the sound. The 12Ax7 are already tuned to perform at maximum capability.
Only broken tubes should be replaced.The tubes in MTD technology works in perfectly
designed environment which allows them to have very long life span. If not mechanically
damaged there is no reason to change them for years
The SH-8 Qube can also be used as a preamp alone, connected to an external PA
system or mixer via the LINE-OUT, without speaker connection necessity. If a speaker
wire is not connected to the amp's speaker OUT the amp's power stage is inactive.
The amp is designed with output that allows powering external sound effects. It means
that there is no need to use an additional power supply and the set of effects in the
pedalboard gains additional space. The maximum power supply load is 350mA.
Assuming an average consumption of 60-80mA per effect, 4-5 pedals can be practically
powered. If the maximum load of the power supply is exceeded, the red LED (12-back)
will light up.

Connection configuration
IN IN
OUT OUT
MP3
Mixer
OUT
Mixer
Speaker cabinet
4-8-16ohm
-9V/DC -9V/DC
-9V/DC supply connection
Stereo or mono
mimi jack.
90-240V/AC input
BLUETOOTH wireless connection.
Playback option.
The amplifier can be powered
with 90-240Voltage range. It
makes easy to use the amp in
different regions of the world
without additional voltage
converters.
EFX-2 EFX-1

Four in one:
8
SHSH
Qube
RoHS
Box Electronics ul. Leśna 15 , 81-876 Sopot, Poland
e-mail [email protected] / www.taurusamps.pl
Amplifier
Preamp
Cabinet Simulator
Foot Controller
Master Tube Design technology
130Wat Power Aamplifier
50W and 25W Power output selector.
You can use Stomp-Head as a preamp without
connection to cabinet.
Allows you to connect a guitar speaker or
full-range PA or Hi-Fi cabinet.
Allows you to quickly switch guitar sounds using
the following options: Reverb, Clean/Drive, Boost,