ALESIS NanoVerb Reference Manual
Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Alesis NanoVerb Effects Processor. To take full advantage of the NanoVerb’s functions, and to enjoy long and trouble-free use, please read this user’s manual carefully. How To Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various modes of the NanoVerb.
2 NanoVerb Reference Manual
Contents CONTENTS Your First Session with the NanoVerb............................................................... 7 Unpacking and Inspection ....................................................................................................7 Basic Connections ................................................................................................................ 7 Powering Up .......................................................................................................................
Contents Rear Panel............................................................................................................................ 26 Power....................................................................................................................... 26 Bypass ..................................................................................................................... 26 Input (Left/Mono & Right) ..................................................................................
Contents NanoVerb Reference Manual 5
Your First Session with the NanoVerb– Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1 YOUR FIRST SESSION WITH THE NANOVERB Unpacking and Inspection Your NanoVerb was packed carefully at the factory, and the shipping carton was designed to protect the unit during shipping. Please retain this container in the highly unlikely event that you need to return the NanoVerb for servicing.
Chapter 1 – Your First Session with the NanoVerb ¿ Before turning on the NanoVerb’s power, check the following items: • • ¡ Have all connections been made correctly? Are the volume controls of the amplifier or mixer turned down? Insert the Power jack into the [POWER] input on the rear panel of the NanoVerb and plug the power adapter into an AC outlet. Upon power-up, the Power On LED will illuminate. ¬ Turn on the power of the amplifier/mixer, and adjust the volume.
Your First Session with the NanoVerb– Chapter 1 • Signal LED. The Signal LED displays the signal level coming into the Input. During normal operation, this LED should turn green whenever there is signal coming into the inputs. If the signal level is at the maximum, this LED will turn red and you will begin to hear the signal distort. ± Program Select. The Program Select Knob is used to choose the program you wish to use. £ Adjust. Each program on the NanoVerb has one parameter which can be adjusted.
Chapter 1 – Your First Session with the NanoVerb Placement and Installation The NanoVerb may be mounted almost anywhere it's needed: on a table, on top of an amp, next to a mixing console. In any case, make sure to place it safely where it will not fall or be damaged. If it will be on furniture, make sure to attach the rubber feet provided to the bottom of the unit. While the NanoVerb itself doesn't generate any magnetic or hum fields, its power supply may do so.
Connections – Chapter 2 CHAPTER 2 CONNECTIONS AC Power Hookup The NanoVerb comes with a power adapter suitable for the voltage of the country it is shipped to (either 110 or 220V, 50 or 60 Hz). To turn on the NanoVerb, plug the small end of the power adapter cord into NanoVerb’s [POWER] socket and the male (plug) end into a source of AC power. It’s good practice to not plug in the NanoVerb until all other cables are hooked up.
Chapter 2 – Connections Typical Applications The audio inputs and outputs are typically used in one of three ways: • from one or two effect/aux send outputs of a mixer, and out to the effect return inputs of the mixer; or, • from a line-level instrument (like a guitar or keyboard with either a mono or stereo output), and out to an amplifier or mixer input; or, • from the stereo buss outputs of a mixer to a mix-down tape machine or amplifier.
Connections – Chapter 2 • Mono. Connect a 1/4" phone cord to the [LEFT] INPUT of the NanoVerb from a mono source, and another 1/4" phone cord from the [LEFT] output of the NanoVerb to an amplification system or mixer input. FROM INSTRUMENT OR EFFECTS SEND LEFT OUTPUT LEFT INPUT • Mono In, Stereo Out. While still using a mono input, you could connect two 1/4" phone cords to the [LEFT] and [RIGHT] outputs of the NanoVerb to a stereo amplification system or two mixer inputs.
Chapter 2 – Connections Interfacing to a Mixing Console The NanoVerb handles mono or stereo sends at all system levels. The input circuitry of the NanoVerb can easily handle professional +4 dBu levels (+20 dBu peaks), while having enough input and output gain to interface with the low -10 dBV signal levels of home recording systems. The NanoVerb may be connected to a mixing console in several different ways.
Connections – Chapter 2 Mono In - Stereo Out. If you only want to feed the NanoVerb a mono input, but wish to connect both of its outputs back to the mixer, you will need three 1/4" audio cables. Connect a 1/4" phone cord from an effect send to the [LEFT] input of the NanoVerb, another 1/4" phone cord from the [LEFT] output of the NanoVerb to an effect return or other mixer input, and another 1/4" phone cord from the [RIGHT] output of the NanoVerb to an adjacent effect return or mixer input.
Chapter 2 – Connections In the above hookups, you must set correct levels on the mixer's individual Aux Sends, Aux Masters, and Aux Return masters (as well as the NanoVerb's own controls) to get good, clean, quiet results. J Improper level setting is the most common cause of noise and distortion problems. By having the correct level at every point in the send/return chain, you avoid distortion by overloading and avoid noise.
Connections – Chapter 2 Once the proper connection has been made, you must set the desired "wet/dry" balance using the NanoVerb's [MIX] control. The [INPUT] and [OUTPUT] controls of the NanoVerb should be set for unity gain: the volume when the Insert jack is plugged in the mixer should be approximately the same as when the NanoVerb is out of the circuit.
Chapter 2 – Connections LEFT INPUT LEFT MASTER OUT RIGHT INPUT RIGHT MASTER OUT MIXER LEFT OUTPUT RIGHT OUTPUT POWER AMP Using the NanoVerb with a Powered Mixer You can dramatically improve the sound quality of a powered mixer by connecting a digital effects units such as the NanoVerb to it in the same way you would connect it to a regular mixer, with one important note: J Never connect an output intended for a loudspeaker (the power amplifier output) to the input of the NanoVerb.
Connections – Chapter 2 Avoiding Ground Loops In today’s studio, where it seems every piece of equipment has complex routing and computer logic, there are many opportunities for ground loop problems to occur. These show up as hums, buzzes or sometimes radio reception and can occur if a piece of equipment “sees” two or more different paths to ground.
Chapter 2 – Connections Footswitch On the rear panel you will find a footswitch jack labeled [BYPASS]. This is a mono jack with connections for a normal momentary footswitch. The footswitch must be plugged in before the NanoVerb has its power turned on. You should not use the footswitch supplied with a guitar amplifier, as these are typically latching type footswitches. You can tell a latching footswitch from an unlatched type when it takes two presses to enable any of the functions (Bypass, etc.).
Overview of Programs – Chapter 3 CHAPTER 3 OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS Reverb Effects Reverb is made up of a large number of distinct echoes, called reflections. In a natural acoustic space, each reflection’s amplitude and brightness decays over time. This decaying action is influenced by the room size, the location of the sound source in the room, the hardness of the walls, and many other factors.
Chapter 3 – Overview of Programs Nonlinear (1 Program) In the mid '80s, a certain British producer/engineer (who shall remain anonymous) discovered a clever way of creating a huge drum sound. He would place the drum set in a large, reverberant room, mic the room and chop off the end of the reverb tail with a noise gate. When this sound caught on, digital reverbs began to be released with a "Nonlinear" program, which simulated this effect.
Overview of Programs – Chapter 3 DRY SIGNAL FEEDBACK LEFT DRY SIGNAL DELAY LEFT CHORUSED OUTPUT DETUNE LFO LFO RIGHT DRY SIGNAL DELAY DETUNE FEEDBACK RIGHT CHORUSED OUTPUT DRY SIGNAL Flange- First used in the 1960s, “flanging” was achieved by the use of two tape recorders that would record and play back the same program in synchronization. By slowing down one tape machine, and then letting it catch up with the other, different phase cancellations would occur at different frequencies.
Chapter 3 – Overview of Programs Chorus/Room 1- The first multieffects program is a layered true stereo chorus and large room reverb. It works great on guitars, synths and electric pianos. Chorus/Room 2- The other multieffects program adds a delay to the chorus/room sound for a different flavor. It works well for slow, funky guitars or big ballad solos. Pitch-Based Parameter Adjust On the chorus and flange programs, the Rate control sets the speed of the chorus or flanging sweep.
Description of Controls – Chapter 4 CHAPTER 4 DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS Front Panel Input Level The [INPUT] Level controls the level of the signal being fed into the NanoVerb. The NanoVerb can operate with signal levels anywhere from +4dBu pro audio gear to -20 dBV guitar level signals. To set the input level, watch the [SIGNAL] LED while adjusting the [INPUT] level (see below).
Chapter 4 – Description of Controls This is a plug for connecting the Alesis Model P3 9VAC power supply (supplied). The power supply included with the NanoVerb is compatible with the electrical requirements of the country of purchase, and should be connected to the proper electrical outlet. (In the USA, this is 120VAC.) The correct power supply must be used AT ALL TIMES. Any other power supply might create a fire risk and/or permanently damage your unit.
Troubleshooting – Chapter 5 CHAPTER 5 TROUBLESHOOTING Troubleshooting Index If you experience problems while operating the NanoVerb, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis Product Support for assistance. Symptom Cause The Power LED does not No power. light when the unit is powered on. Sound is distorted, Red Input level is too high. “Input” LED is lit Sound is excessively noisy, Input level is too low Green “Input” LED barely lit.
Chapter 5 – Troubleshooting Customers in the USA and Canada: If the problem persists, call Alesis USA at 1310-841-2272 and request the Product Support department. Talk the problem over with one of our technicians; if necessary, you will be given a return order (RO) number and instructions on how to return the unit. All units must be shipped prepaid and COD shipments will not be accepted. For prompt service, indicate the RO number on the shipping label. Units without an RO will not be accepted.
Specifications SPECIFICATIONS Electrical Frequency Response: Dynamic Range: Distortion: Crosstalk: ±1dB from 20Hz to 20 kHz >90dB "A" wtg., 20 Hz-22kHz <0.009% @ 1kHz, nominal level (-12 dBfs) <0.
