Tube Amp Midi Tube Preamp 580 Programmable Guitar Tube Preamp Operator´s Manual Please, first read this manual carefully!
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Table of Contents Introduction Page 4 Features and Functionality at a Glance 4-5 Front Panel Features Sound-Shaping Features: Knobs Sound-Shaping Features: Buttons Control Features Combination Control Features 6-7 8 - 10 10 - 12 13 - 15 Rear Panel Features 16 - 19 Preset and MIDI Channel Array 19 - 20 Factory Presets Names and Descriptions 21 - 24 Step-by-step Illustrated Handling Guide 25 - 38 PC Software Remote Control Panel Features 39 - 42 Glossary 42 - 45 Troubleshooting 46 - 47 Han
Congratulations on your purchase of an MIDI Preamp E580! Marrying tried-and-true all-tube technology to state-of-the-art microchip-powered technology, this groundbreaking guitar preamp sets new standards with its sheer audio brilliance—tone, authenticity and sonic variety is what this baby is all about. Fully programmable control features and ten sound-shaping buttons put an arsenal of voicing tools at your fingertips.
-> Tube-powered stereo effect loop; wet effect signal may be mixed with the dry preamp signal from 0 -100% (that's parallel to serial). This setting is programmable. -> Passive 4-way tone controls. You can modify the voicing section's EQ characteristics by means of the Contour button. -> Stereo outs with level switch for routing signals to a stereo power amp. -> Stereo line outputs.
Front Panel Features As you're reading these descriptions of the preamp's features, you'll gain a better understanding of the topic at hand if you unfold of the diagrams of the front and rear panels at the back of the manual and refer to them as we go! 1 INPUT Plug your electric guitar into this ¼" jack. If you choose to mount the amp in a 19" rack system, you can also route the signal in via the Auxiliary jack (41) located on the rear panel of the preamp.
CAUTION: Extremely high gain and volume settings in Lead mode can lead to high-level feedback. Avoid those dreaded feedback squeals, they can damage your hearing loss and speakers! 3 BASS As its name would indicate, this is the passive 4-way voicing section's Bass knob. It interacts with the other tone controls, and it is influenced by the Contour button's setting. 4 LO MID This knob of the passive 4-way voicing section shapes the low mids within a frequency range of 300 Hz to 500 Hz.
Sound-shaping Features: Buttons The sound-shaping buttons' statuses may be programmed to MIDI presets 1 through 128, bank A and bank B. An LED located above every sound-shaping button indicates its current status. 11 PREAMP DEFEAT This is a bypass that cuts the preamp out of the signal chain when you press the button. In this case, the input signal is routed directly to the Send jack. The LED located above the button illuminates to indicate the preamp is bypassed.
15 CONTOUR This feature gives you another option for shaping predominantly mid-range frequencies. When it is off, the Lo Mid knob affects the 500 Hz range, when it is on, the knob affects the 300 Hz range. The LED lights up to indicate Contour is active. A tip from the designer: The Contour knob shifts the entire frequency range of the voicing section so that—by virtue of that handy storage option—you actually end up with two separate sets of tone controls.
20 RECORDING OUT TREBLE This feature affects the filter system of the frequency-compensated Line Out only; it will not affect the regular stereo outs when activated. When you switch this option on, it boosts the top end of the Line Out filter. The LED lights up to indicate the treble boost for the Line Out filter is on. A tip from the designer: With these two EQ parameters, you can opt for different filter settings to simulate different types of speakers and cabinets.
23 UP This button is incremental, meaning that it activates the next higher preset number every time you press it. If you're in a hurry or have a long way to go between numbers, hold the button down to scroll more swiftly through the presets. Note that the preamp won't switch to another sound until you release the button. If you hold the button down for more than three seconds, the system switches to Hi Speed Preset Select mode, meaning that it races through the selection of presets.
25 WRITE/COPY This option lets you save a MIDI preset's edited settings (in this context, "edit" simply means changing settings). The system will select a Write operation whenever you edit a MIDI preset. You'll know that this is the case because when you rotate a knob or press a sound-shaping button, the corresponding LEDs flash. A Write operation is executed exclusively for MIDI presets.
Combination Control Features This category comprises all control features that require two or three control buttons to be pressed simultaneously. Try to make a habit of pressing these buttons at precisely the same time, otherwise the function of whatever button you press first will be activated. MANUAL & DOWN: Activates preset bank A. You can switch to bank A by pressing these two buttons at the same time.
MANUAL & WRITE in Manual mode: MIDI Channel Select mode. Press these two buttons simultaneously while the preamp is in Manual mode to activate MIDI Channel Select mode. This mode lets you determine the desired MIDI channel for the currently active bank. The display shows ch. (short for channel) briefly and then the MIDI channel, for example c01 or onl for OMNI. Off tells you that the reception of MIDI data is deactivated for the respective bank. Set the desired MIDI channel using the UP or DOWN buttons.
The preamp quits the shadow preset automatically after approximately 6 seconds, and the system switches back to the MIDI preset. Note that you can't edit settings using the sound-shaping features or knobs while a shadow preset is active. DOWN & UP while a preset is activated: Locking and unlocking a MIDI preset Press these two buttons simultaneously while a MIDI preset is active for approximately three seconds to lock the preset.
Rear Panel Features Please unfold and refer to the diagrams of the front and rear panels at the back of the manual and refer to them as you read through the following explanations! 26 MAINS: Connect a mains cord here. CAUTION: Make sure you use an intact line cord with an grounded plug! Before you power the preamp up, ensure the voltage value printed beside the mains receptacle is the same as the current of the local power supply or wall outlet.
32 & 33 LINE OUT BALANCED These are the frequency-corrected (compensated) and balanced right and left channel line outputs. Pin 2 and 3 of the XLR jack carry the signal, pin 1 = N.C. or ground depending on the position of the Ground switch (34). You can insert the signals routed through these outputs directly into a mixing console or recording gear equipped with balanced inputs.
39 FX LOOP RETURN: LEFT This is the left channel input for the FX loop. Connect this input to a signal processor's left output/send jack using a shielded cable equipped with ¼" plugs. 40 FX LOOP SEND This is the FX loop's output. Connect this output to the input of a signal processor, or another preamp. ALC automatically adjusts the level of this output to the different operating modes of the preamp. Use a short shielded cord equipped with ¼" plugs to connect the preamp.
45 MIDI IN This 5-pin DIN port is designed to accept data sent by a MIDI sender (for example, the ENGL MIDI foot controller Z-12) or data sent from or routed through another MIDI device. Switch no. 46 lets you activate the preamp's power supply if you have an ENGL MIDI foot controller connected to this port. CAUTION: Before you connect any other MIDI footswitches or MIDI effect devices, always make sure that switch no. 46 is set to the right to avoid damaging any gear you have connected.
127 (A), etc. <- DOWN 128 (A): MIDI preset 128 with the corresponding bank A shadow preset, selectable via UP/DOWN buttons on the preamp, MIDI commands, and via Remote Control Panel on a PC. WRITE and COPY (source & target) are possible. <- DOWN CA0-CA9: factory presets Clean 0 to 9, selectable via UP/DOWN buttons on the preamp and Remote Control Panel on a PC only. COPY (as target only).
Factory Presets CA0-CA9: CLEAN CA0: General Purpose Clean Standard clean sound. Very versatile, it's great for those in-between pickup positions, with plenty of sparkle for laying down clean tracks. CA1: Rosewood Funk Dials in righteous skank & spank that turns any guitar with a rosewood fingerboard into a real funk plank. CA2: Tele Twang It's all in the name. Use the presence knob of your power amp to spice the sound to taste. CA3: Mahogany Rush Adds a cool jazz flavor to guitars with mahogany bodies.
Cb2: Turn The Page Anyone for a taste of that other Jimmy? Turn the page and let Zeppelin fly again. Cb3: Angus Finest Fiddle with the presence knob of your power amp, dial in that distinctive bite and sparkle, and you'll find yourself on the Highway To Hell—figuratively speaking of course. Cb4: Jimi's Favourite Nothing hazy about this one: Plug in the Seattle superman's trademark guitar and take it to the stratosphere. Cb5: Blues Crunch `Nuff said, just plug and play........
LA5: Ancient Tube Lead Turn a non-master British stack up to 11 and stand back. Stand way back ... LA6: Paranoid The heavy metal mudslide that started an avalanche back in the early ´70s. LA7: Tokyo Women That would be Ritchie's fab tone for you. But don't take our word for it, dress up in best black get up and hear for yourself. LA8: Crazy Diamond Pile on a healthy helping of echo and reverb to create a sound you can slice. Shine on indeed ....
Lb7: Ultra Sandman In all humility, this one may set a new standard for ultramodern heavy metal riffage. Punchy low midrange, tight bottom end and sparkling treble. Tweak the presence knob and shape to taste. That should do it then .... Lb8: The Healer Searching for a singing Latin rock lead sound? Search no more. Particularly owners of set-neck mahogany-body guitars will appreciate this one. Sustain like there's no tomorrow, notes may actually hang around until the next day.
Step-by-step Illustrated Handling Guide Explanations Control features: Take this to mean all the features used navigate and manage sounds rather than shape them: Specifically, that means the DOWN, UP, MANUAL and WRITE /COPY buttons as well as diverse combinations thereof. Some of these functions may also be executed via MIDI and the Remote Control Panel, for example selecting MIDI presets.
1. Switching the device on. <-> => => etc. => POWER After you power the preamp up, the ENGL logo cycles through display like a banner. The preamp switches to Manual mode following the system test. @ GAIN LO H I => GAIN The familiar sound-shaping features handle just like those on any non-programmable device. As you're rotating a knob, you'll see the corresponding steps indicated in the display. For example, here you can see step 11.
2. Selecting MIDI presets, factory presets and Manual mode. <-> UP The preamp activates MIDI preset 1. -> UP => => => etc. The preamp rapidly scrolls through MIDI presets in ascending order. <-> MANUAL / MODE <-> This activates Manual mode. <-> DOWN This activates factory preset Lb9. -> DOWN => => => etc. The preamp rapidly scrolls through factory presets in descending order.
3. Selecting preset bank A and B. <-> & UP MANUAL MODE <-> => Press the two buttons simultaneously to activate preset bank B. This switching options also works when you have activated a preset. Here the preamp switches from bank A to bank B in Manual mode. The decimal point at the left appears in the display telling you that bank B is active. <-> DOWN &M ANUAL => MODE <-> Press the two buttons simultaneously to activate preset bank A. Here the preamp changes from bank B to bank A, MIDI preset 10.
4. Saving settings to a MIDI preset. For purposes of this example, the preamp is in Manual mode. <-> UP This activates MIDI preset 1, bank A. @ GAIN HI LO => GAIN Adjust the preamp's sound-shaping features to taste, for example, select the Heavy Lead channel, dial in step 14 on the Gain knob and so forth. The LEDs for every knob and sound-shaping button that you adjusted will flash (MSF is active) indicating that a Write operation will be carried out as soon as you press the Write button.
5. Copying settings from one MIDI preset to another MIDI preset. For purposes of this example, the preamp is in Manual mode. -> UP => Select the desired preset as the source for the Copy operation. In this example it is preset 15, bank A. Read and heed: If you want to copy MIDI preset 15 as is, don't change any of the settings after you have dialed this preset up. If you do change settings, the preamp will write these changes to this preset.
6. Copying settings from a factory preset to a MIDI preset. For purposes of this example, the preamp is in Manual mode. -> DOWN => Select the desired factory preset as the source for the Copy operation. In this example it is factory preset CA9. You can change the sound-shaping settings of a factory preset before you copy it. The preamp will always copy the last settings you dialed in for a factory preset before you pressed the Copy button. <-> WRITE / COPY => after approx.
7. Copying manual settings to a MIDI preset. For purposes of this example, the preamp is set to MIDI preset 29, bank B. <-> => MANUAL / MODE <-> This activates the Manual settings as your source. @ GAIN LO HI => after approx. 1 second GAIN After you have selected Manual, you can change the any sound-shaping settings as you see fit. In this example, the Gain knob is set to step 17 and Hi Gain is activated. <-> WRITE / COPY => after approx. 30 seconds Press the button briefly.
8. Locking a MIDI preset to protect it against inadvertent overwriting. For purposes of this example, the preamp is set to MIDI preset 2, bank A. -> DOWN & UP <=> => Press the two buttons simultaneously and hold them down until the display stops flashing and preset 2 lights up continuously. The decimal point on the right indicates the preset is locked. Note: You can neither store nor copy settings to a locked preset. What's more, you can't swap the settings of a shadow preset and a MIDI preset.
10. Selecting a shadow preset. For purposes of this example, the preamp is set to MIDI preset 11, bank A. -> MANUAL / MODE <-> & WRITE / COPY <=> => after approx. 5 seconds Press the two buttons simultaneously and hold them down until the all three decimal points start flashing. This indicates you have switched the preamp to shadow preset 11, bank A. After a period of some five seconds, the preamp automatically changes to the MIDI preset.
11. Swaping the settings of a shadow preset with those of a MIDI preset. For purposes of this example, the preamp is set to MIDI preset 11, bank A. -> MANUAL / MODE <-> & WRITE / COPY <=> Press the two buttons simultaneously and hold them down until the all three decimal points start flashing. This indicates you have switched the preamp to shadow preset 11, bank A. Now we'll dump the settings of the shadow preset back to MIDI preset 11.
12. Selecting MIDI channels. Activate this selection routine while the preamp is in Manual mode. Note: You must select the bank to which you want to assign a MIDI channel before you activate MIDI Channel Select mode. <-> MANUAL / MODE <-> & WRITE / COPY => => after approx. 2 seconds Press the two buttons simultaneously. The preamp switches to MIDI Channel Select mode. After about two 2 seconds the display will indicate the assigned MIDI channel. In this example it is channel 01.
13. MIDI Volume Setup. Activate this selection routine while the preamp is in Manual mode. <-> DOWN & UP => => after approx. 2 seconds Press the two buttons simultaneously. The preamp switches to MIDI Channel Select mode. After about two 2 seconds the display will indicate the current status of the MIDI volume remote control option. In this example it is Off.
14. Launching a preamp self-test. Activate this selection routine while the preamp is in Manual mode. -> DOWN & UP & WRITE / COPY => Press and hold all three buttons simultaneously until the preamp switches to Unit Check mode. @ => GAIN GAIN => etc. GAIN On its own, the system will set all knobs to step 11 or 12 o'clock position. It then sweeps through the Gain control range automatically from step 1 to step 21. Once it arrives at step 21, the system resets Gain to step 11.
PC Software Remote Control Panel (RCP) Features The preamp comes with software featuring a handy little utility we call the Remote Control Panel (RCP). As its name would indicate, it lets you control the features of the preamp remotely via a compatible personal computer. You'll need Microsoft Windows* 95/98, NT or a higher operating system version to run this software. Beyond that, your computer must have a serial port available (a Com port or RS 232 interface).
The current setting is indicated above the given fader in steps. You can drag the fader to the desired value via mouse. Alternatively, you can click the button with the little arrow on it up or down to adjust the value step-by-step in the given direction. Down, Up, Manual and Write/Copy buttons are the virtual versions of the buttons of the same name on the preamp, except that here in the virtual world the various multiple button combinations fall by the wayside.
"File menu", Save Save stores what we call "sound settings" (that term covers all settings and statuses that shape the sound of the preamp) on the RCP in a file with the extension "ENT". You have to name each file before you can store it on hard disk or another storage medium. A tip from the designer: This option of storing "sound settings" elsewhere isn't just a frill, it actually comes in handy out there in the real world.
STATUS DISPLAY in the Remote Control Panel This alphanumeric display shows the various currently active statuses of the preamp as well as some functions of the Panel.
Flash-Memory: All data for the MIDI presets reside in a state-of-the-art serial flash memory chip. This technology has the advantage that it stores information without requiring a power source, which of course means it doesn't need a battery to do its thing. The data required for the optoelectronic components' control algorithm as well as the serial number of the preamp are also stored in the flash memory.
Multitasking: Several software-driven processes run interleaved to ensure system commands are executed at high-speed, which is a really complicated way of saying that multitasking is doing two or more things at once. The reason why this preamp's engine room is powered by multitasking-enabled processors is because its sophisticated circuitry is so demanding. It takes considerable system performance to satisfy the requirements of so many signal control and voicing options.
Remote Control Panel (RCP): This is a software interface that lets you control key functions and features of the preamp remotely. It runs on Windows* PC operating systems. Before you can use the Panel, you must connect the preamp to a serial interface of the PC (Com port) and of course launch the software on your PC. * Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Shadow-Preset: Every MIDI preset of banks A and B has a shadow preset of its own.
Troubleshooting The ENGL logo doesn't run through the display after you switch the preamp on. --> Is the preamp connected to the mains power supply? --> Is the preamp connected to the Com port of a PC and has the Remote Control Software been launched? Try switching the preamp off, starting the software on the PC and switching the preamp on again. --> Is the preamp's mains fuse intact?. The preamp fails to respond when you change settings.
A window appears on the RCP with the message Can not open Com Port. --> Is the preamp switched on? --> Is the preamp connected to the PC via a proper cord? --> Did you configure the right Com port? --> Is the Com port being used by some other device (for example, a mouse or modem)? No output signal. --> Are all cords connected properly and are they functional? --> Unplug any effect devices you may have connected and see if the preamp works fine without these peripheral devices.
Technical Data Input sensitivity INPUT: -20 dB, nominal, max. 0 dB EFECT RETURN: -20 dB nominal, max 0 dB Output level SEND, level range: from -20 dB to -10 dB LINE OUT Level Lo: Level Hi: from 20 dB to max. -10 dB; from 0 dB to max. 20 dB; FREQ.COR.LINE OUT: variable from -35 dB to +3 dB; Power consumption: 0,23A max.
Tube and Optocoupler Array on the Main Board inside the Device V1 V2 V3 V4 LD9 LD10 LD1 LD3 LD2 LD8 LD7 LD6 LD11 LD5 LD4 LD14 LD13 LD16 power transformer LD12 LD15 internal mains fuse System Information air flow fan Temperature and ventilation provided by an internal fan: A fan is installed in the preamp that runs at a low level, providing continuous ventilation for the interior of the device while it is in operation.
Pin Assignments LINE OUT BALANCED (32) & (33), XLR male connector Pin 1 - or ground, depending on the position of the switch LINE OUT GROUND (34) Pin 2: signal + Pin 3: signal - MIDI IN (45), DIN connector Pin 3 - N.C. Pin 1 - power supply approx.11 volts AC * Pin 5 - MIDI wire Pin 4 - MIDI wire Pin 2 power supply approx.11 volts AC * * AC voltage is routed to pin 1 and 2 only when button 46 is set to ENGL MIDI Footcontroller. P.C.
Block Diagram INPUT (1) PREAMP DEFEAT (11) PREAMP DEFEAT (11) SEND (40) programmable Tube Preamp Circuit switches: controls: CLEAN/LEAD GAIN GAIN LO HI (AFC) BOTTOM BASS CONTOUR LO MID BRIGHT HI MID CL.
Quick reference on Control Features: In the following, when you see a term in capital letters, that means we're referring to a button, i.e. MANUAL means the Manual button, and so forth.
The Making of... a Few Closing Words from the Amp Designer At ENGL, we have always pursued the goal of delivering the greatest possible range of sounds and the highest quality tube tone with missionary zeal. The ENGL MIDI Preamp 580 is the latest product born of this philosophy. This project posed a very special challenge to me, ENGL's resident amp designer. The idea was to take all of the sounds I had implemented in earlier ENGL amps and converge them in a single device.
User Presets Preset Bank 001 A B 002 A B 003 A B 004 A B 005 A B 006 A B 007 A B 008 A B 009 A B 010 A B 011 A B 012 A B 013 A B 014 A B 015 A B 016 A B cross out the unused Bank! 54 Preset-name application
User Presets Preset Bank Preset-name application 55
FRONT PANEL 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Midi Tube Preamp 580 R PREAMP DEFEAT CLEAN LEAD GAIN LO HI BOTTOM CONTOUR BRIGHT CL.ULTRA MODERN REC. OUT REC. OUT BRIGHT CLASSIC BASS TREBLE DOWN UP MANUAL / MODE <-> WRITE / COPY Tube Amp INPUT GAIN BASS LO MID HI MID TREBLE EFFECT VOLUME MASTER POWER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 REAR PANEL 42 43 44 45 46 R CAUTION ! P.C.
Supplementary information for the ENGL MIDI Preamp 580's owner's manual CAUTION: Be sure to read the following before you switch the preamp on when it is connected to a personal computer and the Remote software: Do not power up the preamp until after you have launched the Remote Control Panel Panel (RCP) on the PC!!! If the "ENGL" logo does not run through the display after you switch the preamp on, immediately switch the preamp off again and check the serial interface (Com port).
Supplementary information for the ENGL MIDI Preamp 580's owner's manual Supplementary information on the Remote Control Panel, RCP (starting page 39): On the RCP, WRITE and COPY operations are carried out immediately after you activate the WRITE/COPY button. "Pro" appears just once for a brief moment in the display of the preamp to let you know that the given WRITE or COPY operation is being carried out.
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