Time Traveler Bass Guitar Amplifier Covering Models WT330, WT390, WT405 THE LEADER IN BASS AMPLIFICATION. ©06-14-2005 by U.S. Music Corp.
Bass Guitar Amplifier WT330, WT390, WT405 OPERATION MANUAL Publishing Date 06-14-2005 FOREWORD Congratulations on the purchase of your new Eden World Tour Integrated Amplifier System. All of us at Eden are totally committed to providing you with the very best bass guitar systems in their class.
The Eden World Tour products group is the result of our quest for ultimate bass tone and maximum reliability. Your new Time Traveler Amplifier features our latest solid-state front end, using the Golden Ear chip to provide unequaled tube emulation. This chip was originally designed for use in highend recording consoles, such as the Harris and Neve units. While the cost is much higher than that of other chips, we believe the result is more than worth the cost and think you’ll agree.
CAUTION! Your ears are your most important piece of equipment. Unfortunately, they cannot be replaced as easily as your other gear. Please take the following warning seriously. This product, when used in combination with loudspeakers and/or additional amplification may be capable of producing sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss. DO NOT operate at high volume levels or at a level that is uncomfortable.
FRONT PANEL FEATURES Input Jacks – Designed to accept a standard _ inch mono phone plug. For best results use a high quality shielded cable to connect your instrument to the amplifier. Both inputs are buffered and will handle standard passive, high level active, and piezo input signals. Both jacks can be used simultaneously. Mute switch – Mutes all the outputs except the Tuner Out, allowing for silent tuning. Lead singers and guitarists love this feature! The indicator lights when Mute is ON. D.I.
Compressor Bypass – Turning the Compressor control OFF will disengage the compressor. Enhance Control – Called the “Magic Knob” by some, this complex control simultaneously boosts the very low bass, upper middle, and high frequencies while putting a dip in the lower middle frequencies. It is flat when set to its minimum level (fully counterclockwise). Tone Control Section These three controls and two switches allow you to boost or cut the tone at the desired frequency.
We recommend you engage these switches at low volumes so that your sound remains consistent at any volume. At higher volume levels they aren’t needed but you may want to use them as a matter of taste. Because we strongly support Freedom of Choice, we’ve incorporated these two switches into our design. (You’re welcome.) Master Level Control – Adjusts overall system output and stage loudness. Headphone Jack – Accepts a standard _ inch stereo or mono headphone plug.
Amp Outs – These consist of two _ inch jacks and an NL-4 connector (sometimes called a Speakon). The jacks are wired in parallel. The total speaker load impedance should not go below 2 ohms. On NL-4 connectors, we use +1, -1 connections.
D.I. Level – Controls the level being sent from the XLR balanced output jack. We suggest setting the control at approximately 12 o’clock initially. If the signal to the board is too hot, it’s better to engage the Input Pad on your channel of the board than to turn it down here, if at all possible. In general, it’s better (in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic presentation) to send as hot a signal as possible to the board.
The cooling system also features a high temperature thermal safety system, which will activate an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) circuit if the operating temperature goes above 190 degrees F. This circuit will automatically turn down the output of the system in the event of overheating. It will automatically reset itself to full power as soon as the unit cools down to a safe operating temperature. NOTE: the D.I. will continue to operate normally even when the amplifier is in thermal safety mode.
Connections – All instrument-level input connections (everything but the speakers) should be made with high quality shielded cables. The use of speaker cables for input connections will result in excess noise. Speaker connections should be made with high quality 16 gauge or heavier unshielded speaker cables. We recommend 10 or 12 gauge cables. The use of shielded line or instrument cables for speaker connections can damage your amplifier. The speaker cable should be as short as possible.
Turn On – Once you’ve completed the steps above, you can plug in your bass and turn on the unit (plug it in first, ok?) and let’s get started. We recommend turning your system on with the Master Volume control set to its minimum position. This will prevent any unexpected signal from being sent to your speakers. Setting Your Level – Remember, begin with the Input Gain, Enhance, Compressor and Master Volume completely OFF – fully counter-clockwise. All EQ should be set flat, that is, at 12:00 – straight up.
SETTING YOUR EQ The frequencies that you’ll need to boost or cut are dependent upon your instrument, playing style, speaker cabinets, and venue. Extreme settings of boost or cut are unlikely to be necessary or helpful. We are frequently asked to provide suggested settings for various styles of play. We have discovered though, that most of our endorsers tend to set their EQ generally flat, using varying amounts of the Enhance Control to achieve their sound.
NOTE: Many players rely on the Enhance Control (and perhaps a little Midrange Massage) to get their sound. This method leaves the Bass and Treble controls available to dial in to a particularly difficult room. Just something to keep in mind, ok? Setting Bass and Treble – OK, now it’s time to set the EQ, beginning with the Bass and Treble controls. These controls cover a fairly broad frequency spectrum and a little goes a long way. Adjust these controls up or down as needed.
Warm Switch – This works with the Golden Ear Chip we told you about earlier. If you want to introduce some extra tube-style warmth (and just a touch of grit) into your sound, this is button to push. Once this button is engaged, your Input Gain determines how much warmth is dialed in. Keep in mind that increasing the gain level will affect how the compressor operates. That’s where the Warm Trim Pot comes in. Warm Trim Pot – Look closely at the front of your amplifier.
Frequency Oddities – Two areas are a frequent source of frustration for bassists trying to achieve their sound: frequency masking and frequency enhancement. Frequency masking occurs when other instruments (particularly cymbals and electric guitars) obscure the important upper harmonic content of your sound. As a result, you find that the EQ settings that were so perfect at home lack definition in a live setting.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Suggested Speaker Systems – Your speaker system should be chosen to accommodate the characteristics of your amplifier and your predominant application. If you will only be using one cabinet, a 4 Ohm model will draw the most current from your amplifier. If you will generally be using two cabinets, they should both be 8 Ohm models so their combined impedance will be 4 ohms.
MAINTENANCE Your Eden amplifier has been designed to require minimal routine maintenance. Attention to the following areas will ensure optimum performance of your amplifier. We’re serious. Don’t blow this off, OK? Contact Point Cleaning – One of the weakest links in most bass amplification systems are the solderless connection points where instruments, speaker cabinets, effects, and other devices are connected to the amplifier.
While you’re there, check out our on-line forum. There you can meet hundreds of other Edenites who’ll be glad to help you with any questions you may have about our gear. Not to brag too much, but we think our forum is a Really Neat Thing, filled with Really Neat People. We’re pretty sure you’ll think so, too. Service – In the event of amplifier malfunction, or questions about your unit’s operating features that aren’t answered in this manual or on our website, you should contact your Dealer.
My Favorite Settings Setting 1____________________________________________________ Setting 2____________________________________________________ Setting 3____________________________________________________ Setting 4____________________________________________________ 20
