MANUAL BluGuitar® AMP1 ™ | 100 Watts Tube Guitar Amp designed by Thomas Blug
TABLE OF CONTENTS I HAVE A DREAM 2 Introduction Setups AmpHead StompAmp Recording Programmable Guitar System AMP1+ REMOTE1+ LOOPERKIT = fully programmable professional guitar system Control Panel Inputs CUSTOM CONTROL Nanotube, Power Amp and Speaker Recording Out AMP1’s Channels ™ Clean Channel Vintage Classic Modern Tone Control Boost, Reverb, Noisegate FX Loop FOOTSWITCH / MIDI1 / REMOTE & MIDI REMOTE1 & your favourite sounds on the foot pedals PowerSoak, Accessories Academy Of Tone Your Sound in the B
TUBEAMP EVOLUTION ™ Time For A New Standard 100 Watt Compact Tube Amp 1970s and 80s In the 70s and 80s, guitarists demanded more and more features from their amps. Multiple channels and an effects loop became the new amp standard. The newly emerging digital technology brought programmable amps into the marketplace for the first time. However, a massive flood of additional features meant that before long, hardly anyone was able to make good use of them.
™ INDIVIDUAL During my career as a pro guitarist, I have had the chance to test nearly all the legendary guitar amps of the past five decades, and have tried countless FX units. Thanks to my experience, today I know what good tone depends on, and how to recognise what is unnecessary or even disruptive. To find your own tone, you need room to manoeuvre. But too many features are not the answer! AMP1 ™ will make you stand out from the crowd.
™ Versatile and Loud AMP1 ™ is incredibly LOUD! Four amazing, modifiable channels will take you on a stunning journey through the history of the guitar amp (from Clean to Vintage to Classic and Modern tones). AMP1 ™ also features switchable and adjustable Boost and Reverb controls, three integrated footswitches, a truly outstanding Speaker Simulation mode for recording, and a headphone output, giving you all the options you would expect from a modern, boutique tube amp.
MY DREAM CAME TRUE ™ For a very long time, it seemed to be impossible from a technical viewpoint – but I finally managed to achieve the unachievable by collaborating with a brilliant Russian engineer. By employing an unusual technical mix, we were able to keep a 100% analogue signal from the guitar to the loudspeaker, just like with a classic tube amp: AMP1 ™ was born! All of AMP1 ™ ’s features draw on my 30-odd years of experience as a pro musician and developer.
AmpHead StompAmp AMP1 ™ is a fully analogue guitar amp with four separate channels, amplified by a 100-watt Class D tube power amp. AMP1 ™ features ONE Clean Channel and THREE Overdrive channels. Each of the four channels can be supplemented with an extra portion of gain via the built-in Boost control. AMP1 ™ is perfect for use without a loudspeaker, just with headphones or for “Silent Recording” (see pages 27 ).
Recording Programmable Guitar System You can also use AMP1 ™ without loud speakers: just with headphones, or by connecting it to a mixing desk or a home stereo system. Even without load, the amp won’t get damaged, whatever setting you select. The Recording Out delivers the very authentic signal of a miked-up guitar cab. That means you can make recordings at any time, or practice through headphones.
AMP1 ™ + REMOTE1 ™ + LOOPERKIT ™= The pedalboard of the future! A fully programmable professional guitar system Speaker Out Direct Access - Mode This REMOTE1 ™ mode enables the following convenient footswitch options: CLEAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC, MODERN, BOOST, REVERB, FX-LOOP, as well as MasterVolume and PowerSoak. • MasterVolume expands your AMP1 ™ ’s functionality by adding a controllable and footswitch-selectable second Master Volume.
2 1 3 1 2 Overdrive Channel Selection between Vintage, Classic and Modern Pages 29-31 Nanotube™ Sub miniature tube. Page 24 3 MasterVolume Controls the overall volume of the 100-watt power amp. Page 25 Control Panel 4 18 10 11 5 6 12 7 8 9 13 4 Clean Volume Controls the Clean Channel’s volume and drive.
14 Input Connect your guitar to AMP1 here. Please only use suitable, shielded guitar cables! Inputs 23 20 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 15 FX-Loop Send FX Loop between the preamp and the power amp. Connect this port to the input of your FX equipment. Also usable as a Line Out. Page 34 16 FX-Loop Return FX Loop between the preamp and the power amp. Connect this port to the output of your FX equipment. Also usable as a Line In.
Custom Contols - Customize your AMP1 ™ All of AMP1 ™ ’s channels – with the exception of the pure Vintage Overdrive Channel – feature infinitely adjustable sound filters that enable you to tune each channel’s character individually. On top of that, there is a control for the individual volume of each channel. In general: turn down AMP1 ™’s tone control for more “fullness” on a singlecoil guitar, and turn the tone control up to experience more “bite and attack” on humbucker-equipped axes.
Warning: High volume levels can cause hearing damage and can destroy speakers. 4 5 6 3 2 70 W 9 1 Only one speaker output must be used at a time! Tip: Of course you can connect multiple speakers to one output simultaneously, even with different impedances. Usually, speakers are connected in parallel. If using two speakers with the same impedance, the overall impedance is always halved. If you have two 16-Ohm cabs, you have to connect them in parallel, and then connect to AMP1 ™ ’s 8-Ohm output.
Recording Out Connecting headphones Connect headphones with a 6.3mm stereo jack through output 17. AMP1 ™ automatically activates a headphone amplifier when loudspeaker ports 18 and 19 are not in use. You can connect either headphones or mixing desks to this multifunctional port. An elaborate filter circuit simulates the sound of a guitar amp cabinet. These days, there are lots of applications that require a good direct signal from a Recording Out.
CLEAN 1 The Vintage Channel delivers the good old honest TONE of rock ‘n’ roll. Vintage responds to every playing nuance. It reveals the differences between every pickup and guitar, and also lets you control the sound with your volume pot. This purist Overdrive Channel, with its fat and dynamic distorted character, cannot be edited by AMP1 ™ ’s CUSTOM CONTROL™, as it would lose its character. The 3-band EQ should be enough to adapt this sound to your speaker and the room.
CLASSIC 1 MODERN 1 This “Brown Sound” is punchy, dynamic, elegant, clear and balanced in all frequencies, and has all the necessary tight power and aggression for all kinds of rock riffs. The sound cuts through the band without getting annoying or grating. Even with single coil pickups, there’s plenty enough Gain on tap for creamy solo sounds and rock riffs. You can also use the BOOST to increase the Gain. The extra overtones provided by the Boost give the CLASSIC Channel a rich, singing tone.
BOOST 12 For AMP1 ™, we have developed a special set of tone controls that allow all four Channels to be used to optimum levels with a shared EQ. The effects of the tone controls have been precisely tuned to the Channels, making a wide range of tonal nuances possible. Within each Channel, the tone controls access specific frequency ranges that are characteristic to the selected Channel. In contrast to more conventional tone controls, AMP1 ™’s controls do not influence each other.
The FX Loop can be used in serial or parallel mode (Pic. 1) 30. In serial mode, the signal passes completely through the FX unit. In parallel mode, the FX signal is mixed with the direct signal. Modulation effects, equalizers and compressors must be used in series in order to function properly. Of course, the sound quality depends on the quality of the effects unit(s) themselves. There are some FX units, like Delays, with which you can control the ratio of the effect level and the dry level yourself.
FOOTSWITCH / MIDI1 / REMOTE & MIDI FOOTSWITCH / MIDI1 / REMOTE 20 MIDI1 Port for both conventional single or double footswitches, and also for REMOTE1 ™ – the foot controller that was specially designed to go with AMP1 ™ – and the MIDI IN adapter MIDI1 ™. AMP1 ™ automatically detects which kind of footswitch or interface is connected! With a single footswitch, you can switch between Clean mode and the Overdrive channel, which is available via the Overdrive selector switch 1.
REMOTE1 REMOTE1 ™ - the programmable footswitch with MIDI REMOTE1 ™ is designed to be a convenient remote control for AMP1 ™. LOOPERKIT “Direct Access Mode” (Mode Switch is not lit) The incredibly convenient remote control for your AMP1 ™. Those who want to program their favourite guitar pedals with REMOTE1 ™ to avoid pedalboard tap dancing should use the LOOPERKIT ™, which features four true bypass relay mono loops. The True Bypass wiring ensures optimum signal quality.
LEVEL MASTER In connection with REMOTE1 ™, a 2nd Master Volume is available. You can activate this via a footswitch, and control it within a 10dB range. This will let you use all your different sounds at two different volumes. Classically speaking, that would be rhythm and solo volumes! For this, you activate the “MasterVolume” button on REMOTE1 ™, and the knob directly next to the button will become active. Then, using this knob, you can control the MasterVolume.
Your tone in the band I want to use these pages to give you some tips on how to sound better – and more at home – in your band. In short, how you arrive at ‘your’ tone. A tone that sounds great in your living room at low volumes will generally not work in a band context. Why? Well, it’s because many instruments are being used simultaneously in the band. Their frequencies all overlap, and only the distinctive parts of the sonic spectrum will come through.
Mastering different sounds Academy of Tone ™ Modern amps often let you save a range of different sounds that can then be accessed by footswitch. When the need arises, and with skilful use, this variety can really enrich a band’s sound. Right now, such a wealth of sounds is in demand with guitar players in cover bands, who need to be able to accurately reproduce the widest variety of music styles authentically.
Home & Recording Academy of Tone ™ Home At home, what you want is as vibrant and full a sound as possible at living room levels. With AMP1 ™ , a single 1x12 cab will do the job (Nano CAB or FAT CAB). If you just love the punch and overtones of a howling tube amp, you’ll need a PowerSoak to tame the volume levels. Using the REMOTE1 ™ foot controller, you can operate AMP1TM’s integrated POWERSOAK within the home from anywhere between 150 mW and 2 Watts.
Troubleshooting What to do as standard when looking for the cause of a fault Check if all cables (guitar, FX, and speaker cables) have been correctly plugged in and are in full working order. Take out all FX devices and test AMP1 ™ first without any peripheral devices. AMP1 ™ won’t switch on There is no power. Ensure you’ve connected the cable to the mains correctly.
Important Safety Instructions! Please read before connecting! This product has been built in accordance with IEC 60065 and left the factory in safe working order. In order to maintain this condition and ensure safe operation, the user must follow the advice and warnings in the operating manual. complying with the manufacturers’ recommendations, or must be wiring installed by qualified personnel only.
• The manufacturer only guarantees the safety, reliability and performance of this device under the following conditions: - Installation, extension, re-adjustment, modifications or repairs are carried out by the manufacturer or by authorised personnel. - The electrical installation of the relevant part complies with the requirements of IEC (ANSI) specifications. - The device is used in accordance with the operating instructions.
AMP FEATURES SWITCHING AMP 100 WATT POWER, CLEAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC, MODERN, BOOST, REVERB, CUSTOM CONTROL™, FX-LOOP (serial - parallel), PHONES, RECORDING OUT CLEAN - OVERDRIVE, BOOST, REVERB Your 3 favourite sounds as Presets on internal Footswitches MIDI MIDI IN-ADAPTER for AMP1 access to all AMP1 switching functions by MIDI Program Change CLEAN, VINTAGE, CLASSIC, MODERN, BOOST, REVERB, FX-LOOP, 128 PRESETS*, 2nd MASTER**, POWERSOAK**, access to 2nd MASTER, POWERSOAK LEVEL and GAIN for all 4 Channe
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