Retro Tube Full Tube Guitar Amplifier Operator´s Manual Please, first read this manual carefully!
Tube Amp Technology
Table of Contents Introduction Features and Functionality at a Glance special notes, Contents Front Panel Features: Preamp section: Input, Channel 1 - Control Features Preamp section: Channel 2 - Control Features Gain Boost, Channel 1< >2 selection Power Amp section: Master A and Master A/B feature, Stand By Power switch page: 4 5 6 6, 7 8, 9 9 9, 10 10 Rear Panel Features: Mains connector (AC Power Inlet), Mains Fuse Amp remote control: S.A.C.
Congratulations and thank you for choosing the ENGL Retro Tube amp! It's all in the name: The Retro Tube line is a new generation of ENGL amps that dips into a deep well of classic sounds. Plug in and you will be able to pull up the typical tones of the iconic guitar heroes who wrote the book on rock. Offering four different gain stages in two channels and brimming with trademark ENGL features, the Retro Tube offers a vast range of spine-tingling tones.
Your ENGL Retro Tube Amp puts at your disposal: 1. a logical control feature array, utmost ease of use and remarkably intuitive handling; 2. Top-shelf sound-shaping options and remarkable versatility with two channels and different voicings. Channel 1 features a Bright sound switch; Channel 2 features the Tone sound option for a precise sound tuning of mid frequencies. 3.
is preceded by "NOTE", "CAUTION", "Read and heed" or some other eye-catching comment. We're calling your attention to these remarks for reasons of safety or other compelling motives, so please give them due consideration.
If you want just a touch of preamp overdrive, I recommend the following settings for single-coil pickups: Set the Gain knob between 7 and 10 and deactivate Gain Boost. For humbuckers, set the knob between 5 and 8 to get moderate overdrive. Then when you need a grittier tone perfect for playing rock riffs, all you have to do is activate the Gain Boost in Channel 1. This particular sound-shaping option (Channel 1 - Gain Boost activated) is comparable to plugging an overdrive pedal into the amp's front end.
RetroTube amp's FX loop, you can reduce the level at the FX Loop Send jack (30) to somewhere between -20 dB and -10 dB by setting the two channel Volume knobs between 1 and 4. Older effects pedals usually don't handle high input levels well. Even a -10 dB signal can cause undesirable distortion. 8 Gain Channel 2 Gain control for the Channel 2. This Control knob determines input sensitivity when Channel 2 is active. Use it to dial in the desired amount of preamp saturation level.
A tip from the designer: To help you get acquainted with the amp's fundamental sounds, I recommend that you set all tone controls to the center position; that is, to around 5. For higher-gain, high-volume lead sounds, your best bet is to turn the Treble knob down to prevent the pickups and speakers from generating undesirable feedback. I'd recommend a setting below 5.
A tip from the designer: You could use an ENGL Z-9 foot controller, for example, to remotely control Master A, the default when you are not using a footswitch, and Master B, which is only accessible via footswitch. Then you could dial in different levels for Master A and Master B and combine these with the amp's various modes – very practical for shaping tone and controlling volume on the fly at gigs.
Rear Panel Features At the back of the manual you'll find a folded page offering diagrams of the front and rear panels. Please unfold and refer to it as you read through the descriptions of features and functions! 19 Mains Connector (AC Power Inlet; IEC - C14 connector) Plug the mains cord in here. For European models, use a standard non-heating equipment connector cable.
features four switches that afford you direct access to Channel 1 and Channel 2 in combination with the two Gain Boost stages. Alongside selecting channels, you can opt to control any other two switchable amp functions such as Tone and Master A/B or FX Loop and Noise Gate, and so forth. Another tremendous benefit of this microcontroller-driven footboard is that it connects to the amp via an easily obtained, standard stereo cord.
SPST for short). This type of footswitch lets you access the two channels and Gain Boost off/on. One of the two switches activates Channel 1 or Channel 2; the other engages Gain Boost. Plugging a footswitch into this jack disables onboard channel (15) switching and Gain Boost (14). Note also: A footswitch may be equipped with LEDs indicating the given switching status. Each of the two switches is provided with approx. 10 milliamperes current, which suffices to power a standard LED.
Need-to-know info: As a rule, it is an electrical problem with the tube that causes a power tube fuse to blow. Normally this power tube is defective and needs to be swapped for a new tube. The best way to tell if the defect is permanent is to replace the fuse before installing a new power tube. The tube map on page xx shows the positions of the power tubes.
the fact that it suppresses extraneous noise means you can't hear those telltale signs that feedback is swelling and consequently can't take measures to suppress it.
34 Power Tube V6 Fuse (Retro Tube 100 Amp - E765) A fuse in the rear chamber of this fuse drawer protects the V6 (Retro Tube 100) power tube. It is designed to blow in the event of an electrical problem with tube V6 (Retro Tube 100). The Power Tube Fuse LED (28) lights up to indicate that one or several of the four fuses has blown. There is a replacement fuse in the front chamber of the fuse drawer.
Handling and Care: * Keep the amp safe from hard knocks and shocks. Tubes are fragile and tend to suffer when exposed to mechanical stress! * Let the amp cool down before you transport it. Ten minutes or so will spare the tubes. * Tubes take some 20 seconds to warm up after you switch the power on, and about two to three minutes before they are able to pump out full power. Make a habit of giving your amp plenty of time to get toasty and flipping the Standby switch for short breaks.
Troubleshooting * Some features that may be controlled remotely using a Z-9 or Z-4 footswitch fail to respond when you change settings: -> Powerful static charges, strong radio signals, or mains voltage spikes can affect microcontroller-driven systems, setting them to an undefined status commonly called a hung chip. In this event, your only choice is to reset the system. Simply switch the amp off and on again.
-> You may be looking at a faulty tube or another defect. In this case, be sure to take the preamp to an authorized, professional service center. * The speaker is emitting humming noises: -> Is there a connection (for example, via a shielded circuit) between the amp and another device that is grounded via a power plug of its own? Two or more circuits sharing a common electrical ground line can cause audible hum. If low-frequency noise is emanating from your rig, be sure to consult a specialist.
Technical Data Output power: Input sensitivity levels Input: Effect Return: Output levels Effect Send: Power consumption: Fuses: at 220/230/240 mains voltage at 100/115/120 mains voltage Power Tube Fuses: Important: Tubes V1: V2, V3: V4: V5, V6, V7, V8: Consult Tube Map to view tube array Logic control system Processor, software: E765: approx. 100 watts; E762: approx. 50 watts; adjusted accordingly to 4, 8 and 16 ohms; range: --40 dB to -10 dB (Channel 1), max. 0 dB range: -20 dB to 0 dB, max.
Tube Map: E762: V5 V6 Mains Transformer Output Transformer E765: V5 V6 V7 V1 V2 V3 V4 Input V8 amp chassis as viewed from above; Front panel the tubes and their function: V1 - ECC83 (12AX7): input stage, 2. gain stage; grade: FQ selected V2 - ECC83 (12AX7): Channel 2 driver stage, 4.
Your Options for controlling the ENGL Retro Tube amp remotely: (21) (22) S.A.C. PORT (23) SERIAL AMP FX LOOP CONTROL PORT NOISE GATE CAUTION: OFF-ON CONNECT CUSTOM FOOTSWITCH Z-9 ONLY! #1 (24) MIDI SWITCHER / TYPE: Z11-S.A.C. FOOTSWITCH MASTER A/B TONE #2 #2 POWER SUPPLY CHANNEL 1 2 GAIN BOOST Footswitch connectors (4 x stereo jack sockets) located at the rear panel of the amp. x MIDI THRU MIDI IN LOOP 1 & 2 ENGL MIDI COM. L2 L1 FOOTCONTROLLER LOOP 3 & 4 COM. L4 L3 LOOP 5 & 6 COM.
Configuration table for assigning the Retro Tube Amp's sound-shaping and special functions to the Z-9 Custom Footswitch's Functions 1 and 2 : Button Function 1 Function 1 Function 1 Function 1 Function 1 Function 1 Function 1 Function 1 Function 2 Function 2 Function 2 Function 2 Function 2 Function 2 Function 2 Function 2 amps's Functions Master A/B no FX Loop off / on Noise Gate off / on no Tone no no no no no Noise Gate off / on no Tone FX Loop off / on no Setup 1: Channel 1 1: Channel 2 1: Channel 3 1
Mounting Instructions: front panel frame CAUTION: Switch the amp off and pull the mains plug before you remove the front panel frame! Remove the front panel frame: pull the front panel frame (without the grille!) until the locking mechanism unlatches; raise it slightly then remove it from front of the Amp.
Mounting Instructions: front panel frame Fix the clasps on the front panel frame: boreholes for the clasps; place the first clasp; attach this clasp with two screws; tighten the screws carefully; assemble the second clasp in the same way on the opposite side of the hole.
Mounting Instructions: front panel frame CAUTION: Switch off the amp and pull the mains plug before you fit the front panel frame! Install the front panel frame: insert the bottom part of the front panel frame in the two milling grooves located at the base panel of the amp's housing; Fit the front panel frame into the front side deepening of the amp's housing; Push the front panel frame until the locking mechanism latches.
Space for User Notes: 27
R Tube Amp Technology Gerätebau GmbH Germany Internet: http://www.engl-amps.
0 10 9 ! 20 0 4 10 9 1 0 5 5 10 6 9 1 0 4 6 5 10 6 9 1 0 4 7 5 21 23 24 CHANNEL 1 2 GAIN BOOST <------- 12 -------> 22 MASTER A/B TONE 3 9 3 1 2 0 10 10 3 9 1 82 7 0 4 11 5 10 6 9 1 0 4 12 5 MAX. 26 27 LEVEL MIN. 28 POWER TUBE FAILURE CHECK FUSE V5 TO V8 ! <-----------------13 ----------------> 25 POWER TUBE V7 FUSE POWER TUBE V8 FUSE MASTER B MAX. >14< 29 THRESHOLD MIN.
