tech21 SansAmp RBI User manual

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 incorporated Tech 21 and made his
unique 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 created an entirely new cate-
gory of signal processing. While there have since been many entries into this niche,
SansAmp continues to maintain its reputation as the industry standard.
After developing a full line of SansAmp models, Tech 21 expanded its offerings to
include effect pedals; a compact, battery operable MIDI footcontroller, the
MIDI Mouse ;
as well as “traditional” style amplifiers. Each product is thoughtfully and respectfully
designed by Andrew 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 delivering consistent
professional quality sound, studio to studio, club to club, arena to arena.
SansAmp RBI, an Overview
Simply put, SansAmp RBI is a rackmount version of our exceptionally popular pedal,
SansAmp Bass Driver DI. This format, too, offers you an entire sound spectrum of the
most coveted traditional and modern bass amp systems, including mega overdriven
tones that usually require a complex mass of gear --most of which weren’t designed for
bass in the first place.
Tech 21’s proprietary, 100% analog circuitry delivers styles ranging from Fender®
to SVT®, and from King Crimson to King’s X. The interactive controls give you access
to specific tone shaping characteristics to create your own custom sounds as well. For
studio and live applications, our SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation technology gives
you the sound and responsiveness of a miked-up stage rig --direct into the mixer of a
recorder or P.A. system. You can also simultaneously plug straight into a power amp,
powered monitor, or conventional bass amp.
Beyond the obvious difference in housing, SansAmp RBI’s additional features include a
MID control; an individual Level control for the XLR out to optimize your amp’s output
relative to the P.A. system; an Effects Loop with a Mix 50/50 switch to configure the
loop in series or parallel; 1/4” rear input and XLR output with selectable levels; buffered
uneffected XLR output to run a dry signal to a separate channel; Footswitch input to
engage the unit; and Footswitch output to chain and toggle between another SansAmp
RBI or our SansAmp RPM --a multi-instrument pre-amp tone shaper with sweepable,
semi-parametric EQ and variable gain.
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 supply 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, convenience recepta-
cles, 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 speci-
fied by the manufacturer.
12. This product should be used
only with a cart or stand that is rec-
ommended 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 per-
manent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure to such levels is prolonged. Such dam-
age 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.
2
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.

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 replace-
ment 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 the chassis from its cabinet, or remove metal covering
from chassis parts. Removing the chassis from its cabinet exposes extremely dangerous
high voltages. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Hazardous voltages are pre-
sent 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 is located inside A/C cord receptacle. You must remove power
cord to change fuse. Replace with similar type & same value. Units with
100-120V: use 1A. Units with 220-240V: use 0.5A.
QUICK START INSTRUCTIONS
Get your SansAmp RBI up and running before reading the entire manual. But by not
reading the manual, you’ll miss out on getting the most out of your new investment!
1. Plug your instrument into the front panel Input jack (on the left side).
2. Connect either the 1/4” or XLR SansAmp Output with the input of your mixer, power
amp, powered monitor or amp.
3. Plug the AC cord into a wall socket. Set the Level and XLR controls to minimum,
then turn the SansAmp RBI on and engage the Active Switch.
4. Turn on the mixer or amp and bring up the Level or XLR controls of the SansAmp
RBI. If the signal is too “hot,” resulting in unwanted distortion, or too weak, check the
mixer’s or amp’s input control as well as the Level control of the SansAmp RBI.
5. Play your guitar and you should hear sound coming through your system. If not, check
that your guitar’s volume control is 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.
FRONT PANEL
SansAmp RBI is designed with active controls, which cut and boost, rather than
traditional passive controls which only cut. This effectively doubles many of the
control’s capabilities, giving you a much larger range of adjustability and, ultimately,
more variety. It should be noted that you need not necessarily set everything at max to
achieve maximum results. As you experiment and become familiar with the interrelation-
ship of the controls, you’ll easily be able to customize your own sounds.
3
Input Jack
Faithful to the original designs of traditional tube amplifiers, this 1/4" Input is high imped-
ance 1MOhm. It is factory set at -20dB instrument level. Note: A second input jack (Input
2) is located on the rear panel. Plugging into the front panel Input jack overrides and dis-
connects the rear panel jack. This allows you to set up your SansAmp RBI as a permanent
part of a rack or patch-bay system, with its usual input source plugged into the rear panel
jack. Then, if you want to plug straight into the SansAmp RBI, bypassing other gear in the
system, you can use the SansAmp RBI’s front Input.
Drive
Adjusts the overall amount of gain and overdrive, similar to when the output section of
a tube amp is being pushed.
Presence
Brings out the upper harmonic content and attack. For a smoother high end and for
clean settings, decrease to taste.
Blend
Allows you to blend the direct instrument signal with SansAmp Tube Amplifier
Emulation circuitry. In most cases, you will probably have this set at maximum (100%
SansAmp). For certain applications, however, such as an ultra-transparent sound or for
use with piezo pickup-equipped instruments, you may want to blend-in the direct signal
to achieve your desired sound. While the SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation circuitry
is bypassed when
Blend is at minimum, the Bass, Mid, Treble, Level and XLR controls
remain active.
Bass, Mid and Treble
These active tone controls cut or boost ±12dB from unity gain at 12 o’clock. Bass is 80
Hz. Mid is 1kHz. Treble is 3.2kHz.
XLR
Adjusts the volume level of the SansAmp XLR Output to optimize your amp’s output rel-
ative to the P.A. system.
Level
Adjusts the SansAmp 1/4” Output level.
REAR PANEL
Input 2 Jack
Plugging into Input 2 lets you match the SansAmp RBI’s input circuitry to the signal
level being fed into it, thereby assuring the best signal-to-noise ratio and least distor-
4

tion. This input is ideal for rack and patch-bay applications, especially if you use other
signal processors or multi-track recorders before the SansAmp RBI. Note: Whenever
you plug into the front panel’s Input, the rear panel Input 2 is disconnected. Also, you
can set the Input level selector switch to its 0dB position when you plug in extra-hot
signals, such as the output from active bass guitars.
Level Selector Switch
This switch lets you connect the SansAmp RBI to a wide variety of equipment with a
variety of signal levels. It has two positions:
0dB position. Optimizes the rear panel Input 2 to receive an instrument level sig-
nal. In this position, Input 2’s sensitivity is exactly the same as the front panel’s Input.
-20dB position. Set the switch in this position when sending a line-level signal
into the SansAmp RBI. When the switch is in this position, the signal coming into the
unit is padded down by 20dB.
EFFECTS LOOP
Send and Return
The Effects Loop allows you to connect external effects with the SansAmp RBI. Connect
the input of your processor to Send; output of your processor to Return. Note: When
nothing is plugged into the Effects Loop, the signal passes through from the SansAmp
RBI to the Output jacks, with both the SansAmp 1/4” and XLR Outputs receiving the
same signal.
Mix 50/50 Switch
The 1/4" Send routes 100% of the SansAmp RBI’s signal through your effects processor
when the 50/50 switch is disengaged. If you engage the 50/50 switch, then 50% of the
SansAmp RBI signal goes through your effects processor, and the other 50% passes
directly to the SansAmp 1/4" and XLR Outputs.
To preserve the signal integrity of the SansAmp RBI, use the Effects Loop with the Mix
50/50 switch engaged. When the SansAmp RBI is in this mode, the effects processor’s
mix control should be set at 100% wet. Your relative wet/dry mixture can then be con-
trolled by increasing or decreasing the effects processor’s output level.
UNIVERSAL OUTPUT SECTION
The output sections of the SansAmp RBI are designed to be compatible with any appli-
cation. The outputs can be used for full range (multi-track recorders, studio monitors,
P.A. systems) or limited range systems, as well as
simultaneously . Note: You can com-
pensate for different frequency responses of speaker enclosures by using the Treble
control.
1/4” SansAmp Output
Carries the signal from the SansAmp RBI, including any effects that are placed in the
Effects Loop.
5
1/4” Uneffected Output
Buffered output without processing. Sends a direct bass signal to another channel on
your amp, pre-amp, or effects chain, or it can be utilized as a tuner output.
SansAmp XLR Direct Output
Carries the signal from the SansAmp RBI, including any effects placed in the Effects
Loop. For recording, the SansAmp XLR Output is like having a built-in direct box.
Designed without a transformer, it provides a balanced, low-impedance output of
extremely high quality for recording or interfacing with professional-quality signal
processors. Go direct to the board and get the same sound you hear coming out of the
speakers right onto tape or disc. The SansAmp circuitry not only captures the warm,
rich, natural harmonics and sweet overdrive characteristics inherent to tube amplifiers,
its speaker emulation encompasses all aspects of multiply-miked tube amp rigs.
For live gigs, you can use this output direct into the P.A. system and you won’t need a
microphone in front of your amp. And you won’t have to subject the audience to a
sterile, muddy, or boomy bass tone.
If you experience hum from the
output when there’s no instru-
ment plugged in, you most likely
have a ground loop. Therefore,
Pin 1 (signal ground of the
SansAmp XLR) needs to be lifted
or disconnected. You can easily
make a small ground disconnect
adapter by disassembling one
end of the cable and cutting
Pin 1 (the shield connection) as
shown to the right.
6

XLR Output Level Switch
Sets the range of the signal level of the SansAmp XLR Output jack. In the 0dB position
(engaged), the Output is in the line level range. When in the -20dB position (disengaged),
the Output is in the instrument level range. Note: The standard output level range of the
SansAmp RBI is 0dB due to the popularity of digital recorders, which are unforgiving to
excessive input levels. This prevents overloading the input of a digital recorder.
Uneffected XLR Output
Provides a buffered balanced output of the direct bass signal without processing.
Footswitch
Any alternating (on/off) footswitch will activate the unit. Connect the footswitch output
to Footswitch In. To toggle between this unit and another SansAmp RBI (or SansAmp
RPM), do the same as above and connect the SansAmp RBI Footswitch Out to the
Footswitch In of the second SansAmp RBI (or SansAmp RPM). Now you can switch
between 2 sounds. For the audio signal path, connect your bass into the Input of the
first SansAmp RBI. Connect the 1/4” SansAmp Out to the Input of the second unit. The
1/4” Output of the second SansAmp RBI is then your main audio out. (Refer to the
Hook-up Diagrams on Page 13.)
OPTIONS:
BASS POWER ENGINE 60:
Designed to be used with any direct recording device or
pre-amp, analog or digital, tube or solid state, in stomp
box or rackmount formats, from any manufacturer.
•60 watts of transparent power
•8 Ohms / 100 watts handling
•12” custom-designed speaker
•Chrome-plated steel grill
•3-band active EQ controls
•Dimensions: 18.25”w x 18.75”h x 14.25”d
•Weight: 36 lbs.
B410 SPEAKER CABINET
(for use with a power amp)
•8 Ohms / 400 watts handling
•Four cast frame, custom-
designed 10” speakers
•Chrome-plated steel grill
•Rear vented
•Speakon®connectors
• 1/4” connectors
•Dimensions: 24”w x 24”h x 16”d
•Weight: 70 lbs.
B115 SPEAKER CABINET
(for use with a power amp)
•8 Ohms / 300 watts handling
•Custom-designed 15” Eminence®
Neodymium speaker
•Chrome-plated steel grill
•Rear vented
•Speakon®connectors
• 1/4” connectors
•Dimensions: 24”w x 24”h x 16”d
•Weight: 48.1 lbs.
POWER ENGINE 300 and POWER ENGINE 400
Instrument Power Amplifiers
• 300-watt/4-Ohm mono and 400-watt/8-Ohm stereo
• Uncolored, unaltered tone
• Oversized power supply with toroidal transformer that is lighter in weight and
reduces stray magnetic fields that cause interference and hum
• Top-quality Toshiba power transistors
• Heat-sensor equipped cooling fan
• Unit Dimensions: 17”w x 3.5”h x 10”d / Overall: 19”w x 3.8125”h x 11.5”d
• Weight: Power Engine 300 @ 22.3 lbs; Power Engine 400 @ 26.25 lbs
87

13 14
SansAmp RBI Specifications
Note: With on-going product development and improvements, specifications and/or
the cosmetic appearance of this unit may change without prior notice. Replacement
parts are available, i.e., knobs, rack handles, faceplate, etc. For more information,
please contact your authorized dealer or Tech 21.
Model Number: RBI
Input Impedance-Input 1: 1MΩ
Input Impedance-Input 2: 1MΩ
Output Impedance-1/4”: 1K Ohm min
Output Impedance-XLR: 600 Ohm min
Input Level-Input 1: 1V RMS max
Input Level-Input 2: 1V RMS or 10V max, with -20dB pad engaged
Output Level-XLR: Switchable to -20dB or 0dB range
Maximum Output Level: +10dB or better
Effects Loop Send: 1K Ohm min, -20dB
Effects Loop Return: 100K Ohm min, -20dB
Low Frequency Response: 10Hz or better*
High Frequency Response: Harmonic content, 20kHz or better*
Maximum Power Consumption: 5 Watts
AC Input Power (factory set): 100V, 117V, 230V, 240V
Cycles: 50/60 Hz
NOTE: Each unit is constructed for specific
voltages. AC power cannot be switched.
Enclosure: Aluminum and steel, fully shielded
Dimensions: 19.0”w x 1.75”h x 5.25”d / Overall depth: 6.25”
Weight: 5 lbs.
NOTES: ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
*Due to the variety of amplifier emulations available, frequency response
characteristics will vary.