TerraTec AXON PU 100 User manual

AXON PU 100
English Manual
Version 1.0 | April 2008

CE Declaration
We:
TerraTec Electronic GmbH, Herrenpfad 38, D-41334 Nettetal, Germany
hereby declare that the product:
AXON PU 100
to which this declaration refers is in compliance with the following standards or standardiz-
ing documents:
•EN 55013(2001)+A1(2003)
•EN 55020(2002)
The following are the stipulated operating and environmental conditions for said com-
pliance:
residential, business and commercial environments and small-company environments.
This declaration is based on:
Test report(s) of the EMC testing laboratory
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and shall not be deemed as a
warranty by the seller. No warranties, express or implied, are made with regard to the quality, sui-
tability or accuracy of this document. The manufacturer reserves the right to change the contents of
this document and/or the associated products at any time without the provision of prior notice to
specific persons or organizations. The manufacturer shall not be held liable for damages of any
kind arising from the use, or the inability to use this product or its documentation, even if the possi-
bility of such damage is known. The information in this document is subject to copyright. All rights
are reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or for any pur-
pose without the express written permission of the copyright holders. Product and brand names
contained in this document are used for identification purposes only. All registered trademarks,
product designations or brand names used in this document are the registered property of their
respective owners.
© TerraTec Electronic GmbH, 1994 – 2008. All rights reserved (April 2008).
2 AXON PU 100 (English)

Content
Safety notes.......................................................................................................................4
Parts list.............................................................................................................................5
Connectors and controls..................................................................................................6
Installation .........................................................................................................................7
Installing the controller.....................................................................................................8
Determining the optimal location..................................................................................8
Selecting the mounting method....................................................................................8
Mounting with bracket..................................................................................................9
Mounting with screws and/or adhesive strips/pads......................................................9
Mounting with Velcro..................................................................................................10
Installing the pickup.......................................................................................................11
Marking the optimal mounting position.......................................................................11
Selecting the mounting method..................................................................................12
Mounting with adhesive strips....................................................................................12
Mounting with screws and springs.............................................................................14
Getting ready to play.......................................................................................................15
Technical data .................................................................................................................16
AXON PU 100 (English) 3

Safety notes
Place of installation
Protect the PU 100 against the following influences to prevent distortion or discoloring of
the housing or other serious damage:
direct sunlight (e.g. near windows)
high temperatures (near radiators, in direct sunlight or in closed vehicles during the
daytime
excessive humidity
excessive dust
sharp mechanical shocks.
Connections
Use only the 13-pin AXON AXK 100 cable (available separately) to connect the PU
100 to the AXON.
If you are using an electric guitar, connect its pickups to the PU 100 as well even if
you do not need the conventional guitar sound. This connection is important for
grounding the instrument to prevent noPhilippise and electric shock.
Always grasp the plug, not the cable itself, when unplugging cables.
Remove all cables before moving or transporting the instrument or any connected
equipment.
Handling and transport
Do not use excessive force on the controls or when inserting or removing plugs.
Dropping or bumping the instrument or placing heavy objects on it can result in
scratches or other damage.
Take care not to damage the PU 100 when placing the instrument on a stand.
Cleaning
Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the instrument.
Moisten the cloth slightly to remove stubborn dirt.
Never use cleaning products such as alcohol or thinner.
Customer service, maintenance and modifications
The PU 100 does not contain any user-serviceable parts. Opening the housing or oth-
er tampering may result in electrical shock or irreparable damage. Please refer all ser-
vicing work to TerraTec technicians.
TerraTec cannot be held liable for damage resulting from installation and operation
errors or improper use.
4 AXON PU 100 (English)

Parts list
Please ensure that you have received all of the following parts before installing the pickup:
PU 100 controller with pickup 2 Guitar cables, 1/4" plug 1 Spacing gauge
Mounting hardware for the PU 100 pickup
2 Button-head screws
(3x25 mm) 2 Springs
4 Double-sided adhesive
strips, (9x20 mm)
1 Pickup cushion
(single-sided adhesive, foam) 10 Spacer (5pcs 0,3 mm, 3pcs
1,0 mm, 2pcs 3,0 mm)
Controller mounting hardware
1 Countersunk screw (3x16 mm) 3 Double-sided adhesive strips 6 Cushion spacers
1 Velcro set 1 Bracket 2 Felt cushion
AXON PU 100 (English) 5

Connectors and controls
1. Pickup: this component converts the vibrations of the strings into an electrical signal
that is processed by the PU 100 and sent to the AXON.
2. Connector socket for the 13-pin cable (AXON AXK 100): this is the signal output of
the PU 100. Use the 13-pin cable to connect this socket to the INPUT socket on the
AXON. The cable carries the signals of the individual strings from the PU 100 pickup
as well as the signal from the conventional instrument output. The cable also carries
power for the PU 100, as well as the control signals generated by the UP/DOWN but-
tons and the volume control on the PU 100.
3. Guitar input socket: the PU 100 receives the signal from the conventional pickups of
the instrument via this socket. Use one of the short cables supplied with the PU 100 to
connect this socket to the 1/4" output socket of the instrument.
4. 3 status LEDs: this LED indicates in which position the GUITAR/MIX/SYNTH selector
is. Also you see that the PU 100 is receiving power from the AXON via the 13-pin ca-
ble.
5. GUITAR / MIX / SYNTH selector: this switch determines the signal to be sent to the
AXON:
G (Guitar): the output contains only the signal from the conventional pickups (MIDI
Volume is set to “0”)
M(Mix): both the direct guitar signal and synthesizer signals (MIDI) are sent.
S(Synth): only the synthesizer signals (MIDI) are sent, not the conventional guitar
signal.
6 AXON PU 100 (English)

6. UP and DOWN buttons: use these buttons to select different sounds and other func-
tions while playing. Press the buttons as required to step through the presets of the
AXON (and the corresponding voice numbers of the connected synthesizer). Press
and hold the buttons to switch numbers without stopping.
7. VOLUME: this knob controls a voltage which will be translated by the AXON to the
language of MIDI. In most cases it is set to volume but you can choose any MIDI CC
in the AXON to control with this wheel. To adjust the volume of the conventional guitar
sound, use the controls on the guitar itself.
Installation
While mounting the PU 100 on a guitar is not difficult, it does require great care and a cer-
tain degree of manual skill. If you are not sure you have the necessary skills, we recom-
mend leaving the installation work to someone who has experience in modifying and re-
pairing guitars.
Note: before installing the PU 100, be sure that the neck and the string height/intonation
(bridge) of the instrument are set correctly.
Suitable guitars
The PU 100 can be used with most electric guitars as well as acoustic guitars with steel
strings, with the following exceptions:
As the PU 100 is equipped with a magnetic pickup, it will not work with nylon or other
nonmetallic strings.
The PU 100 is designed for 6-string guitars. The system cannot work correctly with 12-
string guitars or unconventional string configurations.
The PU 100 pickup must be fitted between the bridge and rear pickup of the guitar.
Installation is not possible if there is not enough room between the bridge and rear
pickup or the body and the strings.
AXON PU 100 (English) 7

Installing the controller
Install the controller (interface) first – please ensure that the pickup is not damaged in the
process.
Determining the optimal location
The controller (interface) should normally be installed behind the bridge. It should be with-
in convenient reach, yet should not interfere with your playing or the controls of the in-
strument. Please observe the following points when determining a suitable mounting loca-
tion:
The controller should not be in your way when picking the strings. When installing the
controller, ensure that it does not affect your playing style.
The controller should not block the volume or tone controls of the instrument, or im-
pede access to the bridge, especially the intonation screws that are adjusted from the
back of the bridge.
The mounting location must ensure that the length of the pickup cable and the con-
necting cable to the instrument are sufficient.
Neither the controller nor the plug of the connecting cable should extend beyond the
edge of the guitar body to reduce the risk of damage.
When choosing the mounting location, ensure that the instrument can be placed on a
stand with the controller attached.
Choose the mounting location to ensure that the instrument will not be subjected to
undue pressure while being transported in a bag or case with the PU 100 attached.
Selecting the mounting method
Choose the method best suited to your instrument and intended use.
Mounting with bracket
Permits the mounting of the controller on a curved top.
The bracket can be attached to the strap button of the instrument. This requires a cer-
tain amount of care to prevent damage to the strap button mounting screw, however.
Mounting with screws and/or adhesive strips/pads
Permits the installation of the controller in conjunction with adhesive strips
Permits simple mounting and secure attachment.
Requires a hole to be drilled in the body.
Mounting with Velcro
Permits the controller to be mounted and removed with ease.
8 AXON PU 100 (English)

Mounting with bracket
This mounting method has the advantage of not requiring screws to attach the controller
to the instrument body. Before attaching the bracket to the instrument, mount the bracket
to the controller as shown with two screws.
Apply the felt cushion to the bracket to prevent scratching the instrument's finish.
Now you can attach the bracket to the instrument with the strap button. Loosen the strap
button of the instrument by unscrewing it a couple of turns and insert the slot of the brack-
et under the button. Tighten the screw to secure the bracket to the body.
CAUTION! The screw of the strap button can loosen due to repeated removal and tighten-
ing or strong pressure on the bracket.
Mounting with screws and/or adhesive strips/pads
Marking and drilling the screw hole for the controller
Hold the controller in the planned position and mark the center of the hole to be drilled (in
front of the socket for the multi-pin cable) in the instrument body with a sharp pencil or
other suitable tool. Set the controller aside and using the greatest care, drill a 2 mm dia.
and 10 mm deep hole at the marked point.
Note: If your guitar is an acoustic or semi-acoustic instrument with a top unsuitable for
drilling, or if you break out in a sweat already at the thought of mistreating your instrument
in such a manner, then you can also install the controller with double-sided adhesive
strips or Velcro. Screw mounting is the most secure, however, and we recommend it whe-
rever possible.
AXON PU 100 (English) 9

1. Remove the protective backing from one side of the adhesive strip/pad and apply it to
the underside of the controller.
2. Clean the mounting surface of the guitar thoroughly to ensure that the adhesion is not
affected by dust, dirt or grease.
3. Remove the remaining protective backing from the adhesive strip/pads on the control-
ler and place it on the guitar body in such a way that the screw hole in the guitar (if
drilled) is aligned with the hole in the controller.
4. Press the controller firmly – but carefully – into place to ensure proper adhesion.
5. Finally, insert the self-tapping screw (3x6 mm) through the hole in the controller and
into the hole previously drilled in the instrument. Ensure that the screw is only finger-
tight. Over tightening the screw can damage the controller or the instrument.
Note:
The controller can be attached to practically any body type using the adhesive strips
or pads.
Adhesives may react chemically with some instrument finishes, resulting in discolora-
tion or other damage. If in doubt, apply a small piece of adhesive strip/pad in an in-
conspicuous location for several days to determine whether they affect the finish of the
instrument.
If your instrument has a curved top or the installation location is shaped in such a way
that the controller cannot be attached using adhesive strips alone, apply spacers to
compensate for the uneven surface. Like the strips, the spacers also have adhesive
on both sides which is protected by backing paper.
Mounting with Velcro
1. Cut the Velcro strips, which are attached to one another, into three sections and apply
them to the underside of the controller.
2. Remove the protective backing from the other side of the Velcro strips and attach the
controller to the guitar body.
3. The controller can now be gently pulled off and reattached to the body as needed.
Note:
This is not the most secure mounting method and should only be used if no other op-
tion is suitable, or if the pickup will be used often on different instruments.
10 AXON PU 100 (English)

Installing the pickup
Once you have mounted the controller to your instrument, attach the PU 100 pickup with
double-sided tape or screws. Although adhesive tape is the most convenient method, we
recommend screws, as these provide better seating and permit the height of the pickup to
be adjusted. Regardless of the mounting method, the optimal position of the pickup must
be determined first.
Marking the optimal mounting position
The PU 100 pickup must be mounted between the rear conventional guitar pickup and the
bridge – ideally at a distance of 20 mm from the bridge. If not enough space is available to
provide a spacing of 20 mm, ensure that the pickup is as far away from the bridge as
possible (not more than 20 mm and no less than 10 mm). The end of the pickup with the
cable must be positioned under the sixth (low E) string. Each of the six magnet pairs of
the pickup must be aligned with one of the strings. The spacing of the strings may vary
slightly from one guitar to the next, but the pickup will work correctly if the strings are
above their respective magnets (it is not necessary to center them precisely). Ensure that
the strings remain over their magnets even when bending them.
Note: Ensure that the pickup does not restrict the action of the tremolo arm, if present.
Once the pickup is correctly aligned, mark the centers of the screw holes with a sharp
pencil or punch on the guitar top. If you do not want traces of the marking to remain on the
top, use small pieces of marking tape instead of a pencil.
AXON PU 100 (English) 11

Selecting the mounting method
Mounting with adhesive strips
Permits installation without damaging the body
Requires more time and patience when setting the pickup height
Mounting with screws and springs
Ensures easy adjustment of the pickup height
Guarantees solid mounting of the pickup
Requires holes to be drilled in the body!
Mounting with adhesive strips
1. Adjusting the pickup height
Once you have determined the optimal mounting position, prepare the installation. How-
ever, please note that the spacing between the strings and the pickup magnets are an
important factor. The curve of the pickup magnets is adjustable and you must find a suita-
ble compromise between the position and overall height of the pickup and the height of
the strings. The distance between the upper edge of the magnets and the underside of the
string should be around 1 to 2 mm when pressing the string to the highest fret. The spac-
ing can also be less than 1 mm, as long as the strings do not touch the pickup when play-
ing.
As the output level for the individual strings varies widely, you must set the input gain for
the signals of the strings individually at the AXON Guitar-to-MIDI Converter after installing
the pickup.
First ensure that the height of the strings (neck and bridge) is correct, then tune the
strings. Increase the height of the pickup with spacers (see notes below) until the spacing
between the top of the pickup and the underside of the strings is around 1 to 2 mm when
pressing the strings to the highest fret. Use the included gauge to check the spacing.
12 AXON PU 100 (English)

Note:
Do not initially remove the protective backing from the adhesive when adjusting the
height of the pickup. The protective backing increases the thickness of the pickup
pads and spacers by 0.1 mm – please take that into consideration when using multiple
spacers.
If the mounting surface is not level – when applying the pickup to a guitar with a
curved top, for example – add pieces of spacer shortened to one quarter or one third
of their original length at either end of the pickup. The spacers can be cut easily with
scissors.
adhesive strips
spacers
2. Attaching the pickup
Remove the strings from the instrument. Apply one layer of double-sided adhesive (mul-
tiple strips) to the underside of the pickup and remove the protective backing. Next, apply
the required spacer(s) by removing their protective backing and applying them to the un-
derside of the pickup. Carefully apply the pickup/spacer assembly to the marked location.
Replace and tune the strings.
pickup
adhesive strips
spacer A, B
pad
3. Checking the height of the pickup
Measure the height of the pickup again and play across the entire range of the instrument
to ensure that the strings do not touch the pickup at any point. If everything is correctly set
up, the installation is complete and the instrument is ready to play.
4. Changing the pickup height
Should it become necessary to change the height of the pickup, remove the strings and
release the pickup from the instrument by inserting a thin, flat object such as the blade of
AXON PU 100 (English) 13

a small knife between the pickup and the top spacer. Gently lever the pickup off of the
spacer.
The double-sided adhesive can be rolled off the underside of the pickup with a fingertip.
Correct the height of the pickup by adding or removing spacers.
When adding spacers to raise the pickup, remove the remaining double-sided adhe-
sive from the existing spacer before removing the protective backing from the new
spacer and applying it to the existing one.
When removing a spacer to lower the pickup, remove the spacer together with its ad-
hesive.
Next, apply a fresh layer of double-sided adhesive to the underside of the pickup and re-
move its protective backing. Carefully apply the pickup to the top spacer. Replace and
tune the strings.
Mounting with screws and springs
Mounting the pickup with screws and springs has a number of advantages over adhesive
mounting. Not only do the screws ensure that the pickup is securely positioned, they also
permit the height of the pickup to be adjusted easily, without adding or removing spacers
and adhesive strips.
Note: mounting with screws is only possible if a minimum space of 13 mm is available
between the instrument top and the strings.
1. Drilling the screw holes
Remove the strings from the instrument and carefully drill two holes with a diameter of
2 mm and a depth of approx. 10 mm at the marked points. If the top is made of extremely
hard wood such as maple, cherry or rosewood, it may be necessary to drill holes of a
slightly larger diameter.
2. Mounting the pickup
Insert the self-tapping button-head screws (3x25 mm) through the screw holes in the
pickup and the springs under the pickup. Fasten the pickup by threading the screws into
the holes in the guitar top.
14 AXON PU 100 (English)

3. Replacing the strings and adjusting the pickup height
Replace the strings of the instrument and adjust the height of the pickup by turning the
mounting screws. The distance between the upper edge of the pickup and the undersides
of the strings should be around 1 mm when pressing the string to the highest fret. Use the
included gauge to check the spacing.
Getting ready to play
Once the controller and pickup are installed, connect the PU 100 to your AXON Guitar-to-
MIDI Converter. The 13-pin AXON AXK 100 cable, which is available separately, is re-
quired for this.
1. Connecting the instrument cable
Insert one jack of the instrument cable included with the PU 100 into the output socket of
the guitar and the other jack into the input socket of the PU 100.
Note: connect the instrument cable even if you will not be using the conventional pickup
sound. This connection is important for grounding the instrument to prevent noise and
electric shock.
2. Connecting the PU 100 to the AXON
Ensure that the AXON is switched off, then connect one end of the 13-pin AXON AXK 100
cable to the appropriate socket of the PU 100 and the other to the INPUT socket of the
AXON.
Note:
To prevent the 13-pin cable from coming unplugged or being damaged, we recom-
mend running it between the strap and the body of the instrument.
To unplug the 13-pin cable from the AXON or the AIX 101/103, press the unlock but-
ton on the plug body.
3. Switching on the AXON
One LED of the PU 100 will light up when the AXON is switched on. The controller is now
receiving power from the AXON.
4. Playing
The system is ready to play when the AXON, the synthesizer and other devices are prop-
erly connected and set up as described in their respective manuals.
AXON PU 100 (English) 15

16 AXON PU 100 (English)
Technical data
Hexaphonic guitar pickup
Volume knob
Up / Down switch
Signal select switch
3 LED status display
13-pin output jack
1/4 “ normal guitar input
Dimensions controller: 82,5 mm x 77,3 mm x 32 mm (W x H x D)
Dimensions pickup: 107,4 mm x 9,0 mm x 8,9 mm (W x H x D)
Weight: 70 g