User Guide All Tube Class "A" Stereo Recording Amplifier and Direct Source
Unpacking and Inspection After unpacking the Signature 284, save all packing materials in case you ever need to ship the unit. Thoroughly inspect the unit and packing materials for signs of damage. Report any shipment damage to the carrier at once; report equipment malfunction to your dealer. Acknowledgement The Signature 284 All Tube Class "A" Stereo Recording Amplifier and Direct Source was designed by John McIntyre, and is custommanufactured for Lexicon by Actodyne General Inc.
Contents Introduction ..................................................................................... 1 Front Panel Controls ........................................................................ 2 Power and Standby ................................................................................ 2 Guitar Input ............................................................................................. 2 Gain ...........................................................................................
Limited Warranty Lexicon Incorporated offers the following warranty on the Signature 284 Amplifier. Duration of the Warranty This warranty will remain in effect for one (1) year from the date of original purchase. Tubes provided with the original unit are warranted to be free from defects for six (6) months from the date of original purchase.
Signature 284 User Guide Introduction You know the moment — the one where the volume is cranked to the limit and the guitar player looks as though his guitar might be playing him — as though they're locked in some ritual combat in another zone entirely. Well, this trip doesn't require illicit drugs, a rare coincidence of zodiac signs, or even the rush of an audience — just you, your guitar and a fully cranked all-tube amp. If you've been there, you know.
Lexicon Front Panel Controls Power and Standby As with any tube amp, you’ll get the longest life from the tubes by using the Power and Standby controls properly. The Standby switch should be in the standby position before turning the amp on with the Power switch. After switching the Power on, allow the amp to warm up for 30 seconds or so before switching Standby to On.
Signature 284 User Guide Front Panel Controls Getting the Feel of the Signature 284 Like any classic tube amp, distortion is very dynamic in the Signature 284 — The amount of distortion is controlled by your playing style and dynamics. To get a cleaner sound, play a little lighter instead of changing the amp settings. To get more sizzle into a note or phrase, dig in as you pick it.
Front Panel Controls Lexicon Volume The left and right volume controls are master input level controls for the Class “A” stereo power amp. These controls determine loudness, but, more importantly, they control the quality of the power amp’s contribution to the overall tone. Many vintage amps have no master volume control — the input control sets both preamp sensitivity and the power amp level.
Signature 284 User Guide Front Panel Controls Getting the Tone You Want The sonic signatures of many different guitar sounds are based on power amp behavior as much as preamp gain and tone settings. For modern high gain tones, use Gain Boost (pull out the Gain knob) to get lots of preamp distortion, but keep the power amps clean by setting the knob no higher than 4 or so. This will deliver a smooth, tight distortion with lots of definition.
Lexicon Rear Panel Connections Speaker Outputs Disconnect speakers by removing the speaker cable from the amp, NOT the speaker cabinet. You can drive any combination of 8 ohm and 4 ohm guitar cabinets from these connectors. Be sure that the ohm selector switch matches the rating for the connected cabinet. (You can, for example, connect an 8 Ohm cabinet to the left and a 4 Ohm cabinet to the right.).
Rear Panel Connections Signature 284 User Guide The Effects Loop is instrument level (-20dB instrument level) to allow use of stomp boxes or studio gear in the loop. Effects Loop The sends both carry the same signal (“y” cord from the preamp out). The returns are wired for stereo, mono, or parallel (split) operation: STEREO For use with a single stereo effects processor or two mono effects processors (one on the left and the other on the right).
Rear Panel Connections Lexicon 3. Connect the mono (or right) output of the effect to the right return of the Signature 284. 4. Set the guitar, preamp and the Left Volume control of the Signature 284 for your loudest playing. 5. Turn up the effect input control to optimum level. 6. Set the Right Volume control of the Signature 284 to the same position as the Left Volume. (No sound will be heard from the right side yet.) 7. Turn up the effect output control until the left level matches the right.
Rear Panel Connections Signature 284 User Guide Inserting Two Mono Effects processors in parallel in the Signature 284 Effects Loop Dual Mono Effects The Left channel has Effect 1 only; the Right channel has Effect 2 only. Mono Loop Example Inserting a Mono Effect in the Signature 284 Effects Loop You must use the Left Return.
Rear Panel Connections Split Loop Examples Lexicon In a mono situation (live or laying down a mono track), try running the effects through only the right side (100% wet). This allows you to have two guitar feeds. The left is totally dry guitar, the right is guitar effects. In a live situation, this gives you the flexibility of adjusting the dry/effect balance from the console. When recording, it allows you to track with the effect and adjust the balance during the mix.
Signature 284 User Guide Applications The Signature 284 is different from most amps in that it is optimized for recording vs. on-stage performance. Its low output power amp makes it possible to achieve great tone at low volume levels. Keep this in mind in situations where you need lots of on stage volume and remember to set the controls to produce the tone you want — not the loudness. Once you’ve dialed in the tone/distortion that you want, use a mixer or slave amp to create the volume level you need.
Applications Low volume live setup High volume live direct High volume live slave 12 Lexicon
Signature 284 User Guide Here are some settings for you to try. Guitar and pickup types are shown if they contribute significantly to the sound.
Applications Lexicon 6 Texas Blues Stratocaster/ Neck 7 80's Marshall Humbucker (Bridge) 8 High Gain Humbucker (Neck and Bridge) 9 Singing Lead Stratocaster/Neck 10 One Size Fits All Any pickup, any type music (Use guitar volume control to go from Clean to High Gain) 14
Applications Signature 284 User Guide Although designed primarily for guitar, the Signature 284 can be quite useful for processing other sources. Its rack mount design, effects loop, multiple stereo outputs and the ability to operate with no speakers connected make it quite a versatile tube processor for stage or studio. Using the Signature 284 with non-Guitar Sources Once the Signature 284 is wired into your studio, you’ll find that it can be pretty useful as a stereo tube processor.
Applications Lexicon Vocals Looking for a more radical effect than can be obtained with a tube mic preamp? Depending on how drastic you want to be, run the vocal through either the Guitar input (easy on the gain!) or the effects return. Acoustic Guitar Here again, the Signature 284 has something to offer as an alternative way to process a source. There are several approaches — all yield different, but musical, results.
Signature 284 User Guide Precautions and Maintenance The Signature 284 requires no maintenance. It is, however, good electrical practice to clean all connectors once a year. An occasional dusting of the exterior surface with a soft cloth helps maintain the unit's finish. Do not use any abrasive chemicals or cleaners as these will damage the surface. General Maintenance Most tube amp problems are in the tubes themselves. A simple swapping of tubes can save a great deal of time, trouble and frustration.
Lexicon Specifications Preamp Effects Loop Tubes: 3 x 12AX7 Gain: pull for boost Tone Controls: Bass, Midrange, Treble, Presence Stereo send: 2 x 1/4” unbalanced, -20dB Stereo return: 2 x 1/4” unbalanced.
Lexicon Inc. 3 Oak Park Bedford MA 01730-1441 USA Telephone 781-280-0300 Fax 781-280-0490 www.lexicon.
