Trickfish Amplification Trilobite User manual

Trilobite
Operation Manual

Congratulations on your purchase of the new Trilobite preamp pedal from Trickfish Amplification! We know you are
excited to get started using it and we wanted to give you a few tips to help you have a trouble-free experience!
This manual contains valuable safety instructions, operational information, some insights we’ve gained over the years
and some suggested settings that may help you get where you want to be just a bit quicker. Who needs a manual, right?
Humor us and look through it – you might be surprised!
About us: Trickfish Amplification is dedicated to delivering a collection of killer products that will serve as valuable
tools for discriminating bassists as they seek inspiration for their artistic vision. We share a common vision of
intelligent design, precision, delectable tone and rugged durability in everything we build and we’re committed to
providing impeccable customer service, service that’s commensurate with the quality we strive to deliver in every
design we offer.
Trickfish products are designed and manufactured for discerning musicians looking for accuracy, power and reliability
while in pursuit of their artistic vision. We strive to deliver intelligently designed product that is easy to operate, is
beautiful to look at and yet without compromise, reveals the nuance and subtlety of the player and their instrument.
We have a passion for what we do and that love is channeled through strong principles and ideals. We demand the
best out of ourselves because without that resolve, the product would be only average – we are not striving to be
average.
Quality: We believe that the best quality products only come to fruition when the time is taken to ensure that the concept,
design, components, manufacturing processes, testing and packaging are the best they can be – regardless of the
price.
Passion: We love our work. We believe that work should be fun and that all creative work is an adventure and a
challenge. Our real rewards come when the challenges we set are met and our customer’s expectations are exceeded.
Vision: While we are pragmatic about the work of the day we don’t forget to dream, to explore the stream of
consciousness and most importantly, to listen. Creativity is elusive and at times you have to stop and just listen to the
world around you to find inspiration. This is where the new realities, ideas and concepts reveal themselves.
Originality: We’re not afraid to do things differently than others have in the past. We’re not trying to just meet the
standards that have come before us – at our best we hope to set new standards. We may do things differently and that
may not sit well with those who are comfortable with the status quo – so be it. If we choose to do something different
it’s because it’s a better way.
Intelligence: We push our minds every day. We learn new things every day. We possess an insatiable, natural curiosity
for technology (Geeks) and we simply live to grow because we believe you live well when you grow.
Honesty: We embrace complete honesty and integrity in all we do.
Respect: We respect our customers and practice the golden rule in all aspects of our day-to-day business.
Excellence: We believe that excellence isn’t a destination, but a way of life and we bring that to work every day. It
permeates all that we do and is a prerequisite to becoming a strategic partner or an employee. And we expect this
standard when we communicate with our dealers, distributors and customers.
Diligence: We’re diligent, hardworking and will accept only the best efforts from ourselves as well as our strategic
partners.
Gratitude: We believe that we are privileged to have customers for what we love to do - that philosophy is the basis for
our mission statement.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an
equilateral triangle is intended to alert 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.
Unpacking your unit
IMPORTANT NOTE: Your Trickfish Amplification product was originally packaged in a specially designed carton
and included special packing materials. Please save these items. They should be used when shipping your
Trickfish Amplification product.
Please inspect the shipping carton - If the packaging seems damaged please return this item to the shipper.
Warning:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.
Caution:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC
SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER. NO USER-
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING
TO A QUALIFIED SERVICE PROFESSIONAL
WARNING!
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) in the literature
accompanying this device.

Important Safety Instructions
•
Read these instructions.
•Keep these instructions
•Heed all warnings.
•Follow the instructions.
•Do not use this apparatus near water.
•Clean only with a dry cloth.
•Do not block any ventilation openings. Install
in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
•Do not install near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
apparatus that produce heat.
•Do not defeat the safety purpose of the
grounding type plug. A grounding type plug
has two blades and a third grounding prong
and is used for your safety.
•Protect the power cable from being walked
on or pinched particularly at the plugs or at
the point where they exit the device.
•Unplug this apparatus during lightning
storms or when unused for long periods of
time.
•Object and Liquid entry: Never push any
foreign objects of any kind into the openings
as they may touch dangerous voltage points
that could result in fire or electric shock. The
apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or
splashing and no objects filled with liquids
such as a beverage shall be placed on top.
•When the apparatus exhibits a distinct
change in performance this indicates a need
for service.
•There are NO USER SERVICABLE PARTS
•Refer servicing to all qualified service
personnel. Servicing is required when the
apparatus has been damaged in any way,
such as the power cable has been damaged
or liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus or the apparatus
has been exposed to rain or moisture, does
not operate normally or has been dropped.
•
Damage requiring service: Unplug the apparatus
from the wall outlet and refer servicing to
qualified service personnel under the following
conditions.
a) When the power supply cord has been
damaged.
b) If liquid has been spilled, or objects have
fallen into the apparatus.
c) If the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture.
d) If the apparatus does not operate normally
by following the operating instructions.
Adjust only those controls that are covered
by the operating instructions as an improper
adjustment of other controls may result in
damage and will often require extensive
work by a qualified technician to restore the
apparatus to its normal operation.
e) If the apparatus has been dropped or
damaged.
•Connecting: When you connect the Amplifier Unit
to other equipment, turn off the power and
unplug all the equipment from the supply source.
Failure to do so may cause an electric shock and
serious personal injury. Read the User's Manual
of the other equipment carefully and follow the
instructions when making the connections.
•Sound Volume: Reduce the volume to minimum
before you turn on the amplifier to prevent
sudden high levels of noise which may cause
hearing or speaker damage.
•Custom wiring should only be carried out by
qualified personnel.
•To prevent electric shock, do not operate the
product with any of the conductor portion of the
speaker wire exposed.
•NOTE: For reasons of safety and performance,
use only high-quality fully insulated speaker
cables of stranded copper wire. Use the largest
wire size that is economically and physically
practical, and make sure the cables are no
longer than necessary.

EC Declaration of Conformity in accordance to EC Directives
Electro-magnetic compatibility (Council Directive 89/336/EEC, as amended by
Directives 92/31/EEC and
93/68/EEC);
Low-voltage electrical equipment (Council Directive 73/23/EEC)
This product conforms to the following standards:
EN55103-1 Emission
EN55103-2 Immunity
FCC Part 15 Class B Compliance
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
This equipment has been verified to comply with the limits for a class B computing device, pursuant to FCC Rules.
In order to maintain compliance with FCC regulations, shielded cables must be used with this equipment.
Operation with non-approved equipment or unshielded cables is likely to result in interference to radio and TV
reception. The user is cautioned that changes and modifications made to the equipment without the approval of
manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Trilobite Front Panel Features
1. Channel Selection Footswitch: Switch between Preamp A and Preamp B
2. Channel A Input Gain: Input level adjust
3. Channel B Input Gain: Input level adjust
4. Channel A Input Level Indicator: Green LED indicates signal and Red LED indicates a clip
5. Channel B Input Level Indicator: Green LED indicates signal and Red LED indicates a clip
6. Channel A Bass Shelving EQ Cut/Boost: Center is flat. Counter clockwise cuts, clockwise rotation boosts
7. Channel B Bass Shelving EQ Cut/Boost: Center is flat. Counter clockwise cuts, clockwise rotation boosts
8. Channel A Low Mid Frequency Select: Selects the frequency for the Low-Mid Bandpass EQ
9. EFX Footswitch: Selects effects loop on/off
10. Channel A Lo Mid Cut/Boost: Center is flat. Counter clockwise cuts, clockwise rotation boosts
11. Channel B Lo Mid Cut/Boost: Center is flat. Counter clockwise cuts, clockwise rotation boosts
12. Channel A Hi Mid Cut/Boost: Center is flat. Counter clockwise cuts, clockwise rotation boosts
13. Channel B Lo Mid Cut/Boost: Center is flat. Counter clockwise cuts, clockwise rotation boosts
14. Channel A Hi Mid Frequency Select: Selects the frequency for the Hi‐Mid Bandpass EQ
15. Mute Footswitch: Mutes all outputs except the Tuner Out
16. Channel A Treble Shelving EQ Cut/Boost: Center is flat. Counter clockwise cuts, clockwise rotation boosts
17. Channel B Treble Shelving EQ Cut/Boost: Center is flat. Counter clockwise cuts, clockwise rotation boosts
18. Master Volume: Controls the overall output volume
19. Power on/off LED indicator: Illuminated blue LED indicates power is on. No light means power is off

Trilobite Rear Panel Features
1. AC Mains Input: Attach supplied cable firmly into socket. 12V 500mA Center Negative
2. Line Input: 1/8″mini plug accommodates MP3 players and any other input sources
3. Headphone Output: 1/8” stereo phone plug for headphone monitoring
4. Amp Out: 1/4″phone jack routes the signal TO the destination device
5. Tuner Out: 1/4″phone jack sends signal to tuner. Stays active while in mute
6. Insert Send (Series Loop): 1/4″phone jack routes the signal TO the destination device
7. Insert Return (Series Loop): 1/4″phone jack returns the signal FROM the destination device
8. Direct Out Pre/Post select switch: Switches between a Pre‐EQ/FX or Post‐EQ/FX send
9. Direct Out XLR: Balanced XLR connection
10. Ground Lift Switch: Ground lift dedicated to Direct Out and AUX Out
11. Aux Direct Out XLR (Post EQ): Balanced XLR connection
12. EFX Blend: Side Chain Dry Signal for Parallel EFX Loop
13. EFX Loop Send (Parallel Loop): 1/4″phone jack routes the signal TO the destination device
14. EFX Loop Return (Parallel Loop): 1/4″phone jack returns the signal FROM the destination device
15. Dual/Mono select switch: In Mono (Mono sends one input [A] to both EQ), Out Dual (Dual sends input A to
Channel A EQ and input B to Channel B EQ
16. Channel A Instrument Input: 1/4″phone plug line input
17. Channel B Instrument Input: 1/4″phone plug line input

Overview:
The Trilobite is a powerful tool for any bassist. The unit will allow you to switch between two separate instruments,
giving each their own gain and EQ settings, great for doublers or players using two different basses on a gig. In
addition to the 2 channels you will find a bendable and switchable FX loop for dialing in the perfect balance of
wet/dry signal. A second FX loop is referred to as an Insert Loop and is a series loop (100% effected signal)
making it great for volume pedals and compressors etc… There are several signal routing options available with
the 2 studio quality DI outputs, Amp out and Tuner out. Finally, you will find an 1/8 inch AUX input and 1/8
Headphone output for silent practicing between gigs. We have gone into detail about each of these many options
below, please familiarize yourself as much as possible to get the most out of what the Trilobite has to offer!
Power:
Included with you Trilobite is a 12V 500mA center negative adaptor to be used with the Trilobite. Pedalboard
power supplies may be used as long as they offer the required 12V and 500mA, the Trilobite has a universal power
supply that will accept either center positive or center negative.
Preamp:
The Trilobite is equipped with two channels of our Bullhead preamp that is found in our Bullhead Amplifiers. This
is a very high quality, low noise preamp. Channel A and B are both 4-Band EQ’s with channel A having the addition
of selectable mid frequency for both LOW MID and HIGH MID controls. The Bullhead Preamp features shelving
EQ’s for the BASS and TREBLE controls and variable band pass EQ’s for the LOW MID and HIGH MID.
Inputs:
The Trilobite has two 1/4 inputs and can be used in MONO or DUAL mode by pressing the selector button located
by the A and B inputs.
MONO mode allows for one instrument to be plugged into channel A and then you can switch between the two
different EQ’s using the A/B foot-switch to have two different sounds for your single instrument. When the selector
button is pressed IN you are in MONO mode.
DUAL mode allows you to plug in two instruments, one into Input A and one not Input B and each instrument gets
their own EQ channel. In this setup you can switch between the instruments using the A/B foot-switch. Then the
selector button is OUT you are in Dual Mode.
FX Loop:
The Trilobite has a blend-able and switchable FX loop with the send and return as well as the blend knob located
on the back of the pedal. The blend functions as a side chain dry volume and is not a wet/dry blender. This allows
you to pass a dry signal alongside your effected signal to add the low end presence needed that is often taken
away from effect pedals when playing bass. Adding the side chain dry volume will increase the volume of the
pedal so you want to be sure to set that level carefully. The side chain volume you add in will be active even when
the FX loop is switched off, this is to keep your signal from changing drastically when you engage the FX loop via
the FX foot-switch. There is not right or wrong way to use the side chain volume, experiment with your setup and
you pedals to find just the right mix.
Insert Loop:
The Trilobite has a second FX loop that is labeled the Insert Loop. This is a series FX loop where 100% of your
signal passes through the loop when a cable is inserted into the return. This is a great place to put global effects
like a compressor or volume pedal where you would want 100% of your signal to hit the unit. NOTE: Since this is
an active circuit you need a high impedance volume pedal OR a buffered pedal at the end of this chain to allow a
volume pedal to work correctly.

DI Out:
The main DI out on the Trilobite is a high quality, low noise DI that is great for both live and studio applications.
This DI features a PRE/POST button as well as a GROUND LIFT button. The PRE/POST button allows you to route
either a completely PRE-TRILOBITE signal out of the DI or a POST-TRILOBITE signal out of the DI. When you are
in the PRE setting the signal coming out of the DI is not affected by the gain, EQ or either FX loops. When the
PRE/POST button is out in you are in the PRE setting and when it is pressed in you are in the POST setting. The
POST setting will allow all the Gain, EQ and FX loop settings to route out the DI.
DI AUX Out:
There is a second DI out on the Trilobite that is labeled AUX Out. This second DI is set to POST and will pass the
full signal of the Trilobite pedal. This is great for sending a second DI signal to a monitor desk or directly to your
on stage In-Ear monitor rig allowing you to have a great tone for your In-Ear mix that you could blend in with the
House mix that is sent to you from the engineer… more on that later. A second use for this AUX Out would be to
have 2 channels sent to the mixing console, one clean and one dirty. In this case you would use the main DI output
set to PRE and the Aux DI would be your POST signal allowing the engineer to have a completely dry bass signal
to mix with the signal coming from the Trilobite.
1/8” AUX In and 1/8” HP Out:
Next to the power input on the back of the Trilobite you will find an 1/8” Aux in out and and 1/8” Headphone output
that is great for silent practicing or to monitor yourself on a gig by plugging you in ear monitors directly into the
Trilobite. Both the AUX in and HP out are true stereo and make a great practice setup for silent practicing between
gigs or at home. Note that the input gain for the Aux in is set so you will use your device like your computer or
MP3 player to control the volume of the source.The Master volume on the Trilobite will act as an outpost value
for your bass so that you can balance that with the signal of the AUX in.
Amp Out:
The Amp out is used to send the signal from the Trilobite to your bass amplifier, power amp or powered speaker.
Tuner Out:
The Tuner out is a great place to connect your tuner to keep it out of your signal path and to allow for you to silent
tune on the gig via the MUTE foot-switch.
A/B Foot-switch:
The far left foot-switch is the A/B selector foot-switch. This allows you to pick which preamp section, A or B, you
want to be active. Note that the Trilobite is a switcher and not a mixer, only one preamp section may be used at
once.
FX Foot-switch:
The middle foot-switch is the FX foot-switch. This allows you to turn on and off the signal to the FX loop. Note that
when the FX loop return has a cable plugged in that the side chain volume is engaged and is active even when the
FX foot-switch is turned off.
MUTE Foot-switch:
The far right foot-switch the MUTE foot-switch. This is a global mute and will mute all outputs except for the
Tuner Out allowing you to tune silently on stage.

Trilobite Specs
Pre-Amp: Low noise solid state
Mono/Dual Instrument Inputs: ¼’ Phone with rotary gain control
Input Level Indicator: Signal level and Clip LEDs (green/red)
Channel A EQ: 4 Band with switchable Mid, Shelving Bass and Treble, Low-Mid and Hi–Mid -Variable Gain,
Band Pass EQ with selectable frequency/bandwidth options
Channel B EQ: 4 Band, Shelving Bass and Treble, Low-Mid and Hi–Mid -Variable Gain, Band Pass EQ
Master Volume: Rotary Control
Channel A/BFootswitch
FX On/OFF Footswitch
Mute Footswitch
Line In: 1/8” mini jack
Headphone Out: Stereo 1/8” mini jack
Tuner Out: ¼” Phone jack
Amp Out: ¼” Phone jack
EFX Loop: Parallel with side-chain dry blend
Insert Loop:Series
Direct Out: 600 Ohm Balanced XLR, Pre/Post, and Ground Lift
AUX Out: 600 Ohm Balanced XLR, Post EQ
Power Supply (Included): Switch-Mode Power Supply, Output 12V (0.5A)
Chassis: Aluminum
Removable Rubber Feet: Adhesive backed
Size: (H x W x D in.) 2.5" Top / 1.5" Bottom x 8.875" x 6", (H x W x D mm) 63.5mm Top / 38mm Bottom x 225.5mm
x 152.5mm
Weight: 1.81 lbs

WARRANTY:
We proudly stand behind our products with a 5 year warranty against manufacturer defects with one exception; drivers are
warrantied against manufacturer defect for 90 days. This warranty extends to the original owner of the product and the
product must have been purchased from an authorized Trickfish Amplification dealer. The owner must present to us the
sales invoice that clearly shows the dealer's name, store location or website, product model and date of purchase. We do not
warranty against abuse, water damage, fire, physical force, modification, improper installation, power surges or brownouts,
or any other damage caused by a third party. Please contact se[email protected] or call us at 281-220-7248 to obtain
a Return Authorization number for the repair. Depending on the nature of the repair we may have the unit sent to us or have
the owner take it to a local repair facility. The owner will be responsible for freight charges to the repair facility and if it is
deemed, at our discretion, that the repairs needed fall under the guidelines of the warranty, we will pay the return freight.
Trickfish Amplification USA LLC • 1410 Brittmoore Road • Houston, Texas 77043
www.trickfishamps.com • [e-mail] • [e-mail]