Zinky Master Blaster Manual

Master
Blaster
a Zinky clean boost
OWNERS MANUAL
& INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the Master Blaster
Please read and save these instructions.
Master Blaster OVERVIEW
Master Blaster is a switchable instrument preamplifier device. Master
Blaster will allow you to BOOST or CUT the gain and/or brightness of
your instrument signal (for solos, to overdrive your amplifier, to cut
through a dense mix, etc.). The pedal can be set such that there is no
tonal difference between bypass and boosted modes, plus it can also
be set for a boost or cut in volume, and/or a boost or cut in the treble
response.
The TONE control will effect the treble response, When the knob is in
the center, there is no change in tone whatsoever. When the knob is
at minimum, treble frequencies from 2.5kHz and up will be reduced.

The TONE control will effect the treble response, When the knob is in
the center, there is no change in tone whatsoever. When the knob is
at minimum, treble frequencies from 2.5kHz and up will be reduced.
When the knob is at maximum, there will be a slight boost centered
around 10-12kHz that will add a “glassy” quality to the tone.
The VOLUME control will effect the volume or gain response. When
the knob is in the center, there is no change in volume whatsoever.
When the knob is below halfway, gain is reduced. When the knob is
above halfway, gain is increased. You may find that with certain high
output pickups, distortion may occur at the highest settings of this
control. However, the circuitry of Master Blaster is of the all-discrete
FET type, and you will find the characteristics of overdrive produced by
Master Blaster to be very musical.
The On/Off footswitch is used to turn on and off the Master Blaster.
When the Blue LED is illuminated, the pedal is active. Push the
footswitch again, and Master Blaster is bypassed. This is a true-bypass
switch, so there is NO circuitry in your signal path when the Master
Blaster is in bypass mode.
REAR PANEL
The INPUT jack on the Master Blaster is connected to the output of
your guitar, or the output of another effects device in your signal chain
by a 1/4” instrument cable.
The 9V AC-DC jack is an input for an auxiliary power source (like a wall
plug type adaptor). Master Blaster (Like all Zinky Effects) is unusual in
that it can take 9V DC or 9V AC. Polarity does not matter with the
Master Blaster, so any 7.5 to 12 Volt adaptor you have with a 2.1 mm
plug will work.
The OUTPUT jack on the Master Blaster is connected to the input of
your amplifier, or the input of another effects device by a 1/4”
instrument cable.
Master
Blaster

DIAGRAM OF CONTROLS & FEATURES
REAR PANEL
Input Jack:
Insert instrument cable with a 1/4 inch plug to connect guitar or other
instrument to the unit & turn it on.
AC/DC Adaptor Jack:
Plug any AC or DC adaptor (2.1 mm plug) in to this jack to power this
unit. This will bypass the 9V battery.
Output Jack:
Insert an instrument cable with a 1/4 inch plug into the output jack.
Connect to amplifier or other effect.
Tone control knob:
Rotate clockwise to increase treble, counterclockwise to decrease
treble. Range is +3 and - 12 dB.
Volume control knob:
Rotate clockwise to increase volume, counterclockwise to decrease
volume. Maximum output: 1.25 Volts.
On/Off foot switch:
Press this true bypass foot switch to enable the effect, or to
completely bypass it.
On/Off indicator:
This LED will be lit when the effect is activated.
Master
Blaster
TONE
VOLUME
output jack
input jack
ac/dc adaptor
jack
on /off
foot
switch
on /off
indicator
volume
control
knob
tone
control knob

Using the Master Blaster with your setup
Master Blaster can be used first in a line of effects after your guitar, last in
the effects chain before your amp, and it can even be used in the effects
loop (if your amplifier has one).
If you have a long chain of effects, using the Master Blaster first in line will
allow you to make up for any loss of treble caused by “loading “ of your
guitar pickups. You will have controls to adjust the volume and tone to
optimize your signal. Also, Master Blaster can be used to overdrive other
pedals in the line. As the hiss, hum and noise of Master Blaster is VERY
low, you will not create excess noise by running the pedal in this fashion.
Some players leave the Master Blaster ON before the chain of effects as
a tone and gain shaping device.
Using the Master Blaster last in line of a number of effects creates some
unique sonic opportunities. The TONE control will allow you to “smooth”
out any harshness created by a distortion/fuzz/overdrive pedal without
harming the “punch” or clarity of the signal. Also, a large boost can be
had without overdriving any of the other pedals in the chain (just your
amplifier).
Using the Master Blaster in the effects loop can function as an overall
volume boost (solo boost), and/or as an overall treble boost (or cut). The
“smoothing” function as described above can also be achieved in this
configuration.
Sample Settings:
Solo boost: Tone: 12 O’Clock, Vol.- 3 to 5 O’Clock
Extra glassy and clean, Tone: Maximum, Volume- 12 O’Clock
no signal boost:
Bass guitar drive Tone: 3 O’Clock, Volume- 3 O’Clock
Using after an overdrive Tone: 9 O’Clock, Volume- 1 O’Clock
pedal to smooth and
fatten the sound:
Line driver for steel guitar Tone: Maximum, Volume- 2 O’Clock
Controls/Features On/Off, Tone, Volume, Input, Output, AC/DC
9V power
Tone Range +3 to - 12dB, variable
Volume Range +or - 9 dB, variable
Input Impedance Over one million Ohms
Output Impedance 10k Ohms
Output Volume Maximum output is 1.25 volts
Current Draw 15 mA @ 9 Volts DC

Output Volume Maximum output is 1.25 volts
Current Draw 15 mA @ 9 Volts DC
Power Supply 9 Volt battery (included), or any 9V AC or 9V
DC adaptor w/ 2.1 mm plug (optional)
The Master Blaster is guaranteed against manufacturing defects. If
your Master Blaster fails to work due to manufacturing defects during
the first year, Zinky Electronics will pay for all necessary repairs &
replacement parts (customer pays all shipping charges). Please call
Zinky Electronics at 928.522.0800 so that we can troubleshoot, and
then repair or replace the unit if necessary (this does not include
battery wear - always check the battery first). If it quits working or is
damaged after the first year, or within the first year due to accident or
abuse, please contact Zinky Electronics to make arrangements &
payment for repair.
If the ON/OFF indicator becomes dim, or if you do not hear a BOOST
in the signal level when the Volume control is above halfway AND the
On/Off switch is actuated, it is time to replace the battery. Remove
the four screws on the bottom of the Master Blaster box. Carefully
separate the black base from the stainless steel top. The battery is
attached to the red & black battery snap wires in the rounded end of
the box. After replacing the battery, put the battery and snap back in
the box snugly against the rounded end of the box. Reattach the
black base to the stainless steel top with 4 countersink 4-40 screws.
Zinky Electronics
PO Box 3973
Flagstaff, AZ 86003
USA
tel: [phone]
www.zinky.com