User Manual

THE INS AND OUTS
Follow Standard Audio Procedure to avoid unwanted and potentially speaker-
damaging “pops” when connecting or disconnecting any equipment:
Always mute mixing board and/or turn down amp volume
before plugging or unplugging!
IMPORTANT: TURN ON FIRST. TURN OFF LAST.
INPUT: 1/4”, 1megOhm, instrument level. Switches battery power on/off.
To avoid battery drain, unplug when unit is not in use. AND...
DON’T FORGET TO MUTE!
PARALLEL OUTPUT: 1/4” unbalanced direct output is “hard-wired”
parallel with input jack. Instrument signal passes through, UNEFFECTED, to
the input of your stage amplification system, if desired.
BALANCED XLR OUTPUT: Balanced low Z output. Sends effected
or uneffected signal to mixing console/recorder, depending on the orientation
of the Footswitch.
XLR Output Level Switch: -20dB pad to match the output to
equipment with different input level requirements. Disengaged (out position),
the output is 0dB. Engaged (in position), the output is -20dB.
1/4” OUTPUT: Unbalanced low Z output. Sends effected or uneffected
signal to amp rig or power amp, as per the orientation of the Footswitch.
1/4” Output Level Switch: +10dB boost to match the output to
equipment with different input level requirements. Disengaged (out position),
the output is -10dB. Engaged (in position), the output is 0dB.
FOOTSWITCH, with corresponding LED indicator: Engages/dis-
engages SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation circuitry. Engaged, LED will be on.
Tonality and gain structure are affected as determined by the setting of the
controls. Delivers effected signal through the XLR Output and 1/4” Output.
Disgengaged, LED will be off. SansAmp Bass Driver DI functions as an active
transparent direct box and does not sonically alter the instrument signal.
PHANTOM POWER
Allows you to “tap into” the power of a suitably equipped mixer, which, today,
most are. As the 3-conductor XLR sends the audio signal to the input of a
mixer, the mixer sends voltage back to the unit via the same 3 wires, eliminat-
ing the need for an external power supply. Consult your mixer’s owner’s man-
ual for set-up instructions. For live and studio use, let the engineer know your
SansAmp Bass Driver DI is phantom power operable.
PHANTOM & GROUND CONNECT SWITCH: When
engaged, the ground connects and unit will accept phantom power through the
XLR Output. Disengaged, the ground of your stage system and other intercon-
nected gear is lifted (isolated) from the ground of the mixing console.
With a mixer only: If you are plugging your bass into the Bass Driver and
taking the XLR Output to a mixer --and do not have any other
grounded equipment connected in the setup-- you will have to
push the switch in to connect the ground and engage the phantom power.
With a mixer and bass amp: If you are going to the mixer via the XLR
and using the 1/4” Output or Parallel Output to feed a bass amp (with its own AC
ground), you should have the switch disengaged (in the up position) to be in
“Ground Lift” mode. If you experience hum and/or buzz with the switch in either
position, there may be a problem with the AC outlets you are plugging into.
NOTE: If using vintage equipment without proper grounds, take extra care
connecting it to modern grounded equipment. Any inadequacies of the ground
in vintage gear could result in damaging anything it is connected to.
NOTE: While operating under phantom power, we recommend keeping a 9V
alkaline battery installed at all times to avoid the previously mentioned “pops”
when lifting the ground (see page 3).
SPEAKER SIMULATION
Speaker simulation is an integral part of the SansAmp Tube Amplifier
Emulation circuitry. It is specifically designed for a smooth, even response as
would be achieved by a multiply-miked cabinet --without peaks, valleys, and
notches associated with single miking-- and will complement any type of bass
speaker cabinet system.
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