tech21 BOOST DISTORTION User manual

POWER REQUIRE ENTS
*tilizes standard 9V alkaline battery (not included). NOTE: Input jack
activates battery.To conserve energy, unplug when not in use. Power
Consumption: approx. 5mA, for battery life of approximately 100 hours.
*SE DC POWER S PPLY ONLY! Failure to do so may damage the
unit and void warranty. DC Power Supply Specifications:
-9V DC regulated or unregulated, 100mA minimum;
-2.1mm female plug, center negative (-).
Optional factory power supply is available: Tech 21 odel #DC2.
WARNINGS:
*Attempting to repair unit is not recommended and may void warranty.
*Missing or altered serial numbers automatically void warranty. For your own
protection: be sure serial number labels on the unit’s back plate and exterior
box are intact, and return your warranty registration card.
ONE YEAR LI ITED WARRANTY. PROOF OF PURCHASE RE-
QUIRED. Manufacturer warrants unit to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for one (1) year from date of purchase to the original purchaser and
is not transferable. This warranty does not include damage resulting from accident,
misuse, abuse, alteration, or incorrect current or voltage. If unit becomes defective
within warranty period, Tech 21 will repair or replace it free of charge. After expi-
ration, Tech 21 will repair defective unit for a fee.
ALL REPAIRS for residents of .S. and Canada: Call Tech 21 for Return Au-
thorization Number. Manufacturer will not accept packages without prior
authorization, pre-paid freight ( PS preferred) and proper insurance.
FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANCE & SERVICE:
Contact Tech 21 weekdays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, EST.
MADE IN THE U.S.A.
Tel: [phone] / Fax: [phone]
www.tech21nyc.com / [e-mail]
©2012 Tech 21 USA, Inc. OWNER’S ANUAL

TECH 21, THE COMPANY
Tech 21 was formed by a guitarist possessing the unusual combination of a trained
ear and electronics expertise. In 1989, B. Andrew Barta made his invention com-
mercially available to players and studios around the world. His highly-acclaimed
SansAmp™ pioneered Tube Amplifier Emulation in professional applications for
recording direct and performing live, and created an entirely new category of signal
processing. There have since been many entries into this niche, yet SansAmp con-
tinues to maintain its reputation as the industry standard.
With a full line of SansAmp models, Tech 21 also offers effect pedals and MIDI
products, as well as “traditional” style amplifiers for guitar and bass. Each product is
thoughtfully and respectfully designed by B. Andrew Barta himself with the player in
mind. Our goal is to provide you with flexible, versatile tools to cultivate, control,
refine and redefine your own individual sound. Tech 21 takes great pride in deliver-
ing consistent quality sound, studio to studio, club to club, arena to arena.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The Boost Distortion pays tribute to the classic rock/hard rock distortion tones from
the ‘80s. Very complementary to clean amps, in particular. The Boost Distortion gives
you greater dynamic range and actually cleans up like a tube amp. Additionally, it will
not interfere with the clean amp signal when in bypass. The Boost Distortion acts
as a virtual master volume for non-master volume amps --giving you that cranked
stack sound at lower volumes.
Tech 21’s all-analog circuitry merges vintage sounds with modern dependability
so you get the same sound, all day and all night long. Designed and built from the
ground up utilizing the best individually-selected, hand-biased discreet components,
the Boost Distortion provides optimized performance with studio-quiet operation.
APPLICATIONS and CONTROLS
se with any amp --tube or solid state, vintage or modern. NOTE: You can also
achieve the same results using the Boost Distortion in conjunction with any model
of our own SansAmp™ Tube Amplifier Emulators.
LEVEL: Adjusts the output level of the unit.
TONE: Very musical, specialized low pass filter that shifts the high cut from
10kH to 1kH. It allows you to remove the high end without losing mids or getting
muddy.
DRIVE: Adjusts the overall amount of gain and overdrive, similar to when the
output section of a tube amp is being pushed. Highly interactive with the level of
your guitar. For instance, you can clean up the amount of distortion by decreasing
the guitar’s volume (except in very extreme settings) without having to change the
setting on the pedal. Conversely, you can increase the amount of distortion by sim-
ply increasing the guitar’s volume.
SAG: Adds an expressive, tube-like response to every pick stroke. The higher
the setting, the more pronounced the effect will be.
BOOST: Adds up to 21dB of clean boost. The Boost function is a true post-
boost to kick up the volume without adding any further distortion. Activated via its
own footswitch, it can also be used independently from the effect.
THE INS AND OUTS
1/4” INPUT:1megOhm instrument level. For normal operation, signal level
to Input should be close to that of a standard electric guitar (approx -10dBm /
250mV). The input is designed with the same sensitivity and loading characteristic
as a tube amp.
Also switches battery power on/off, so be sure to unplug
when not in use.
1/4” OUTPUT: 1kOhm low impedance output drives long cables without loss
of signal integrity, even in bypass.

NOTEWORTHY NOTES
1) Tech 21 controls are unusually sensitive and tend to perform well be-
yond what would be considered “normal.” So you need not set everything at max
to get maximum results.
2) To find the best settings for interacting with your other gear, you may
need to use radically different settings for each individual way you use it. You need
not be discouraged or suspect something is wrong with the unit. If you’ve got your
sound, you’ve simply found the right balance to complement each individual piece of
gear. We recommend you start with the tone control at max and cut as necessary.
3) Tech 21 pedals have exceptionally low noise levels. However, they
may amplify noise emanating from the input source. To minimize noise, we recom-
mend active electronic instruments have the volume set at unity gain/maximum and
tone controls positioned flat. If you need to boost, do so slowly and sparingly. Also
check for pickup interference by moving your guitar or turning the volume off. Be
aware single coil pickups are more likely to generate noise.
4) Placement notes: For best results, plug your guitar directly into the Boost
Distortion. This will preserve the interactive nature of the unit. Otherwise, we rec-
ommend this basic guideline:
Place the following effects BEFORE the Boost Distortion:
Compressor, Envelope Filter, Wah.
Place the following effects AFTER the Boost Distortion:
Chorus, Distortion (other), Echo, Reverb, SansAmp, Volume Pedal.
5) Buffered bypass eliminates the shortcomings associated with “true bypass”
(pops and clicks, and high-end loss when multiple pedals are connected together),
as well as signal loss associated with other types of switching circuits.
6) Custom actuators. All Tech 21 pedals feature smooth, silent-switching actu-
ators that are licensed by other major manufacturers.
7) LED indicator light. When battery begins running low (around 6 volts), the
LED will become noticeably dim.