tech21 Power Engine 60 User manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.
READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
HEED ALL WARNINGS.
This unit is powered by potentially hazardous voltage. Therefore, observe
the following safety precautions:
1. Read and follow all instructions before using
product.
2. Do not use product near water (such as near a
bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, swimming pool,
in a wet basement, etc.).
3. Unit should be located so that its location or
position does not impede the flow of air through
the ventilation openings.
4. Product should be located away from heat
sources such as radiators, heat registers, or
other products, including amplifiers, that produce
heat.
5. Product should be connected to a power sup-
ply only of the type described in the operating
instructions or as marked on the product.
6. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, con-
venience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the unit.
7. Do not allow objects or liquids to penetrate the enclosure through openings.
8. During heavy use, chassis may get hot to the touch. Handle with care.
9. Protect unit from strong impact.
10. Unplug product before cleaning. Never spray liquid cleaners into the amp: wipe
with a clean, lint-free cloth to remove dirt and film.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. This product should be used only with a cart or stand that is recom-
mended by the manufacturer. When a cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/product combination to avoid injury from tipping over.
13. Amplifiers may be capable of producing high volume levels that
could cause permanent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure to such levels is pro-
longed. Such damage is progressive and irreversible! If you experience any hearing loss
or ringing in the ears, consult an audiologist.
14. Unplug unit during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of
time.
15. This unit must be earth grounded. To reduce the risk of electric shock, NEVER
remove or otherwise attempt to defeat the ground pin of the power cord. If the provided
plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete
outlet.
WARNING: To avoid the risk of fire, electric shock or injury, do not expose this unit to
rain or moisture. Do not remove metal covering from chassis parts. Doing so exposes
extremely dangerous high voltages. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Hazard-
ous voltages are present inside the chassis. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel.
CAUTION: Never modify the power cord. If original power cord becomes damaged,
frayed, or has exposed wires, replace immediately with same rating and gauge, or high-
er. Replacements are commercially available or you can contact Tech 21 directly.
WARNING: Attempting to repair this unit is not recommended and may void its
warranty. NOTE: In the U.S. and Canada, servicing is performed at factory only. In
other countries, please refer repairs to the local Tech 21 authorized distributor.
FUSE
Fuse holder located inside A/C cord receptacle. You must remove power
cord to change fuse. Replace with similar type & same value:
100-117V units use F 3A L • 230-240V units use F 1.6A L.
QUICK START AND STOP INSTRUCTIONS
Here’s how you can get your Power Engine 60 up and running before you read the
entire manual. Note: By not reading the manual, you’ll miss out on how to get the most
out of your new investment!
1. Plug your amp or pre-amp/processor output into the XLR input or 1/4” input of the
Power Engine 60.
2. Be sure your amp or pre-amp/processor is already turned on. (See “Noteworthy
Notes” #1: Powering Up and Powering Down.)
3. Be sure the volume of the Power Engine 60 is turned down. Attach the AC cord, plug
into a wall socket and turn on the Power Engine 60.
4. Play your guitar and you should hear a sound coming through the Power Engine 60. If
not, check that all volume controls are turned up, recheck your connections, and be sure
your cable isn’t faulty. If there is still no sound, refer to factory or qualified technician.
QUICK STOP: After shutting off the Power Engine 60 (or any amplifier), wait at least 10
seconds before turning it back on.
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1
This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous
voltage within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts the user to important operating and maintenance
instructions in the accompanying literature. Read the manual.
RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO
NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION
ATTENTION: POUR REDUIRE LES RISQUES D'ELECTROCUTION
NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE
N'EST REPARABLE PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE
REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.
ELEKTRISCHE SCHLAGGEFAHR
NICHT OFFNEN
VORSICHT
VORSICHT: ZUR MINIMIERUNG ELEKTRISCHER SCHLAGGE-
FAHR NICHT DEN DECKEL ABNEHMEN. INTERNE TEILE KONNEN
NICHT VOM BENUTZER GEWARTET WERDEN. DIE WARTUNG
IST QUALIFIZIERTEM WARTUNGSPERSONAL ZU UBERLASSEN.

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 commercially 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 creat-
ed an entirely new category of signal processing. There have since been
many entries into this niche, yet SansAmp continues to maintain its reputa-
tion 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, ver-
satile tools to cultivate, control, refine and redefine your own individual
sound. Tech 21 takes great pride in delivering consistent quality sound, stu-
dio to studio, club to club, arena to arena.
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POWER ENGINE 60, AN OVERVIEW
The Power Engine 60 is yet another new multi-functional concept from Tech
21. These handsome cabinets, available in 1x12, 2x12 and 4x10 configura-
tions, match and complement our own Trademark Series of combo ampli-
fiers. They each have 60 watts of transparent power with convenient, on-
board 3-band, active EQ controls to compensate for challenging venues.
You can use a Power Engine 60 with any direct recording device or pre-amp
--analog or digital, tube or solid state-- from any manufacturer. (We happen
to be partial to our own SansAmp line of direct recording pre-amps, of
course, but that’s just us.)
Take your SansAmp, or preamp gizmo du jour, with all those great direct
sounds you’ve spent so much time creating, out to a gig and simply plug into
the Power Engine 60. It will amplify all your personal settings without giving
you any additional coloration. Just volume, no tone.
With a Trademark or other amplifier, you can incorporate the Power Engine
60 into your existing system to substantially increase the volume when you
need it for larger venues, as well as for monitoring.
There are ground-independent inputs and output, so there’s no limit to how
much power you can have. Power Engine 60s can be daisy-chained from
New York to Tokyo (and back!).
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THE INS AND OUTS
1/4” INPUT (*FOR INSTRUMENTS ONLY*)
Accepts 1/4” output of your pre-amp/processor or amplifier. This specialized input
features an isolation transformer to eliminate ground loops when using the Power
Engine 60 in conjunction with an amplifier. Be aware that this transformer loads down
passive guitar inputs. If you would like to plug your guitar directly into the Power Engine
60, either use an active guitar or any buffered type of effect pedal (Boss®, Ibanez®,
Tech 21, etc.) in bypass mode in order to drive the low input impedance of the amplifier.
*NOTE: DO NOT PLUG THE SPEAKER OUTPUT OF AN AMP INTO THIS
INPUT. Doing so may result in severe damage to the unit or your amp or both.
XLR IN
Balanced XLR input accepts XLR output of your pre-amp/processor or amplifier. This
specialized input is also linked to the isolation transformer to eliminate ground loops
when using the Power Engine 60 in conjunction with an amplifier or chaining with addi-
tional Power Engine 60s.
NOTE: We advise against using both inputs at the same time as it may cause you to
experience signal degradation.
XLR OUT
Balanced low impedance XLR parallel output is connected directly to the input, so
that the signal bypasses the tone controls. For live gigs, you can use this output
directly into the P.A. system so you won’t need to mic the Power Engine 60.
GROUND LIFT
Connects or disconnects the ground between the XLR output of the Power Engine 60
and the mixer. We recommend starting with the ground lifted. If necessary, connect
the ground by pushing the button in.
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TONE SECTION
The Power Engine 60 includes convenient, on-board, 3-band active EQ controls,
which cut and boost, rather than traditional passive controls which only cut. This
gives you greater control and adjustability to compensate for virtually any situation.
NOTE: These tone controls only affect the power amp and speaker, not the XLR out-
put. The signal going into the 1/4” input or XLR input passes straight through. So you
can tailor your stage sound to the room without affecting the sound out of the P.A.
Additionally, be aware that you need not set everything at max to obtain maximum
results. (See “Noteworthy Notes” #2: EQ.)
LOW, MID, HIGH
Boost or cut ±12dB from the center point (12 o’clock).
ODDS AND ENDS
LEVEL
Adjusts the volume level of the Power Engine 60. Be sure to set the Level control to
match (approx.) the output volume of the unit/amp into which it is plugged. The
unit/amp’s level then becomes the “master volume” control. (See additional info
under “Noteworthy Notes” #3: Volume.)
FUSE
Replace with similar type and same value:
100-117V units use F 3A L • 230-240V units use F 1.6A L.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Fuse holder located inside A/C cord receptacle. You
must disconnect and remove power cord to change fuse.
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®Registered trademarks of their respective companies.

NOTEWORTHY NOTES & CONSIDERATIONS
1) Powering Up and Powering Down. To avoid the typical loud pop and
potential harm to the speaker and/or horn, power up in this order:
For mono applications:
1st: Amplifier or pre-amp/processor
2nd: Power Engine 60
For stereo applications:
1st: Stereo processor
2nd: Amplifier or pre-amp/processor
3rd: Power Engine 60
2) EQ. We recommend starting with all controls flat. Then use each sparingly as
needed for whatever room you’re in. Remember, you need not set everything at max
to obtain maximum results. It would be rare that turning all the tone controls up
would accomplish a favorable sound. In most instances, a slight cut of the Mid
control should be adequate.
3) Volume.
(a) When using the Power Engine 60 with an amplifier/processor, be sure to set
the Power Engine 60 Level control to match (approx.) the output volume of the
amp/processor. If the Power Engine 60 is set higher, it may cause undesirable distor-
tion. Note: Rely on your ears. The position of the level knobs of the amp/processor
and Power Engine 60 may not necessarily be the same.
(b) When using the Power Engine 60 with a Tech 21 Trademark combo amp,
the Power Engine 60 Level control will most likely yield the best results when at max,
even when the Trademark is at lower levels.
4) Stacking. You may experience electrical interference with sensitive reverb cir-
cuits when stacking a Trademark or other amp on top of the Power Engine 60. For
best results, position the amps side by side. If space limitations dictate stacking, the
reverb tank should be moved from the bottom of the amp to the rear panel (if possi-
ble) so it is out of the magnetic field of the Power Engine 60’s transformer.
5) Enjoy !
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Model Number
Input Impedance
Nominal Input Level*
Optimal Output Load
Power Output
Nominal XLR Output*
Maximum Power Consumption
AC Input Power
Cycles
POWER ENGINE 60 SPECIFICATIONS
Note: With on-going product development and improvements, specifications and/or
the cosmetic appearance of this unit may change without prior notice.
PW60
10KOhm
-20dBu to +4dBu
8 Ohms
60W
-20dBu to +4dBu
120W
100V, 117V, 230V, 240V
50/60 Hz
NOTE: AC power cannot be switched. Each unit constructed for specific voltages.
*Measured using a -10dB 400Hz test signal with all amp controls flat, no Reverb
or Boost. Actual levels will vary with your settings.
Optional Accessories:
•Vinyl cover, black with silver logo
•Flight case with hammered aluminum finish, lock and casters
Accessories and replacement parts (i.e., knobs, grill panel, speaker, logo plate,
handle, etc.) are available through your authorized dealer, distributor or directly
from Tech 21.
Speaker:
Dimensions:
Weight:
Model #CT2112-8,
Celestion®
Seventy80 12”
80W - 8Ω
20"l x 11"w x 18"h
35 lbs.
Model #CT2112-16,
Celestion®
Seventy80 12”
80W - 16Ωeach
8Ωtotal load
26"l x 12"w x 19"h
47 lbs.
Model #ET2110-8,
Custom
Eminence®10”
50W - 8Ωeach
8Ωtotal load
22"l x 12"w x 22"h
46 lbs.
PW60-4x10PW60-2x12PW60-1x12

Power Engine 60 Hook-Up Diagrams (MONO) Power Engine 60 Hook-Up Diagrams (STEREO)
TRADEMARK AMP POWER ENGINE 60 POWER ENGINE 60
SANSAMP XLR
DIRECT OUT XLR
IN
XLR
OUT
XLR
IN
XLR
OUT
INPUT
TO CHAIN OR TO P.A.
PRE-AMP/
PROCESSOR
INPUT
XLR
IN
XLR
OUT
XLR
OUT
XLR
OUT
XLR
IN
TO CHAIN
OR TO P.A.
POWER ENGINE 60 POWER ENGINE 60 POWER ENGINE 60
Power Engine 60 Hook-Up Diagrams (STEREO)
STEREO EFFECTS
PROCESSOR*
INPUT
L R
INPUT
TRADEMARK AMP
SANSAMP
XLR
DIRECT
OUT
XLR
OUT
INPUT
TO CHAIN
OR TO P.A.
POWER ENGINE 60
XLR
OUT
INPUT
TO CHAIN
OR TO P.A.
POWER ENGINE 60
Use a line matching
transformer, such as
Shure Model #A95UF,
or equivalent
*When available,
it is preferable
to use XLR jacks
PRE-AMP/
PROCESSOR
XLR
OUT
XLR
OUT
TO CHAIN
OR TO P.A. TO CHAIN OR TO P.A.
INPUT
STEREO EFFECTS
PROCESSOR*
L R
INPUT
INPUT
*When available,
it is preferable
to use XLR jacks
POWER ENGINE 60 POWER ENGINE 60
STEREO EFFECTS PROCESSOR
SET 100% WET
FX INPUT
OUT L OUT R
LINE OUT*
POWER ENGINE 60
Effects only-L "DRY AMP" WITHOUT EFFECTS POWER ENGINE 60
Effects Only-R
INPUT INPUT
*Some vintage
tube amps do not
have Line outs.
Use another device
to obtain a signal
suitable for the
effects processor.
"DRY" AMP
WITHOUT EFFECTS
EFFECTS PROCESSOR (OPTIONAL)
INPUT
POWER ENGINE 60
INPUT
OPTIONAL:
OUTPUT
(STEREO)
OUTPUT
(MONO)
POWER ENGINE 60
INPUT
INPUT
TUBE AMP HEAD
LOAD BOX
SPEAKER
OUTPUT
For EVH
"Brown Sound"
Setup
(MONO or STEREO)