O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. Thank you for your purchase of a Fishman Product. Please read these instructions carefully. If you have any questions or problems, feel free to contact our PRODUCT INFORMATION LINE at 978-988-9665. The Fishman Dual Parametric D.I. is essentially three devices in one. It is a high-quality electrically balanced D.I. for use on stage.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX WHAT IS A PARAMETRIC EQUALIZER? An equalizer is a filter, or tone control, designed to shape soundeither to remove or de-emphasize unwanted frequencies, or to boost specific frequencies. The most common equalizer (EQ) in everyday use is a tone control on a radio or TV, which selectively removes high-frequency content. Bass and treble controls on stereo gear adjust specific bands of frequencies.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. Parametric equalizers are designed to provide you with far greater control than graphic equalizers or other tone controls (that's why they're included in professional recording consoles). First, a band of parametric EQ consists of three controls, instead of a simple cut or boost/cut knob or slider. There is, of course, a boost/cut knob, joined by an octave bandwidth knob and a center frequency knob (the Fishman Dual Parametric D.I.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS HOOKING UP YOUR FISHMAN DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. POWER The Dual Parametric D.I. is powered at all times when using an AC adapter. Always be sure to use only the Fishman 910-R or Roland PSA Series AC adapters. BATTERY OPERATION The 1/4” Input jack is also the power switch for the Dual Parametric D.I. when using a 9 volt battery and a mono instrument cable.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. TOP PANEL The front panel is divided into three sections: Band One, Band Two, and the input stage controls and indicator. Band One and Band Two operate identically, and the input section sets the level and phase of the incoming signal.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX VOLUME The Volume knob sets the level of the incoming signal. When an instrument is plugged into the Fishman Dual Parametric D.I., its signal may be too weak or too overpowering. If the signal is too weak, it needs boosting to overcome any noise inherent in downline equipment. If a signal is too "hot," the result is clipping, a type of distortion that-as its name implies-results from the tops of the waveforms being cut off because the circuitry can't accommodate such high levels.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. PHASE When a signal is out of phase with another signal, it can cause cancellation, which (as its name implies) results in something missing. The opposite is true when two signals are in phase; the combined signals can be solid or absolutely overpowering, depending on the sounds and how "in phase" they are.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX BOOST / CUT KNOB The tone controls on many amps or stereos only boost or cut their assigned frequency band. Fishman's Dual Parametric D.I. Boost/Cut knob not only combines boosting and cutting in a single knob, but offers an extremely wide boost/cut range, from -25dB to +15dB (most graphic equalizers offer ±12dB or ±15dB ranges). The Boost/Cut knob has a 0dB setting at its 12 o'clock position, where no boosting or cutting occurs.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. OCTAVE SELECTOR Equalizers generally express the range of their effect in terms of octaves instead of specific frequencies. An octave is the distance between one frequency and another that is twice as high (100 Hz and 200 Hz, for example). The A string on a guitar is at 110 Hz, so the A note at the octave (12th fret) is 220 Hz, and an octave higher is 440 Hz.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX FREQUENCY RANGE MULTIPLIER SWITCH This switch operates in conjunction with the Frequency knob, selecting the range that the knob operates in. It allows the Frequency knob to provide finer resolution than if the knob had to cover the entire 20 Hz to 20kHz range in one revolution.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. FREQUENCY KNOB This knob selects the frequency center for the Band. The EQ's greatest effect takes place at this frequency center, with decreased effect toward the outer reaches of the bandwidth.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX BAND TWO Band Two is configured identically to Band One. All controls operate in the same manner as the corresponding controls of Band One. SIDE PANEL Inputs and outputs are conveniently located on the side panel, making them easily accessible, whether the Dual Parametric D.I. is used with other signal processors, mixers, amplifier effects loops, or as a direct box.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. GROUND LIFT SWITCH When connecting the XLR Output to other gear, it's possible that it can create a secondary path to ground, introducing hum to the sound. Using the GND LIFT (Ground Lift) switch disconnects the secondary ground path, removing the ground loop and the hum that comes from it. XLR OUTPUT This balanced XLR output provides a low-impedance, high-level output that's ideal for sending to a mixing console or pro-level audio processors.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX APPLICATIONS ELIMINATING FEEDBACK Feedback is usually one frequency or a narrow frequency band that recirculates from a microphone (or pickup) through the P.A. or monitors and then back through the microphone again. The result is a highpitched ringing or squealing sound. Here's a way to eliminate it, using the Fishman Dual Parametric D.I.: Plug your pickup-equipped instrument or microphone into the Dual Parametric D.I., and the D.I.into your mixer.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. SUPPRESSING AC POWER HUM Sometimes low-frequency hum caused by AC power, poorly grounded pickups, or a multitude of other reasons creeps into your system. (In the U.S., this is at 60 Hz, but elsewhere in the world it may be at 50 Hz.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX Increasing Intelligibility In Speech And Vocals. Recording or amplifying vocals through a P.A. system can present a variety of challenges. A common one is rumble from vibrations reaching the microphone through the mic stand. Others include the overbearing booms produced when a person sounds the letters "B" or "P," or the ear-mauling high-frequency blast from sibilances (sounds like "S" or "T").
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. SANITIZING AND ALTERING SAMPLES Use the Dual Parametric D.I. between a sound source and a sampler's input to shape the sound. Remove hiss, add body to the midrange, or experiment with unusual EQ combinations to create unique sounds of your own. USING THE DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. AS A DIRECT BOX Because the Fishman Dual Parametric D.I.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX COMBINATION EQs COMBINATION USING BOTH BANDS EQ USING BOTH BANDS Sometimes it's necessary to treat a couple of frequency bands simultaneously. The Dual Parametric D.I. is perfect for this. In some cases, the bands may be very close together, requiring fairly narrow bandwidths (setting the Octave control to less than .5).
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX Similarly, if you want to cut thump out of the low end and deeply reduce an offensive, though narrow, band of highs, you can do so. Note that the bandwidth of one Band can be razorsharp while the other is wide.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. Sometimes you want to boost a broad range, but at the same time you want to de-emphasize a band somewhere within that range. This can be done by setting each Band separately and then combining them. Notice how this combination of overlapping boosting and cutting creates a broad boost with a notch cut out of the middle. Experiment with the Dual Parametric D.I. as both a single- and doublechannel equalizer.
EQ / PREAMP / DIRECT BOX SPECIFICATIONS Nominal Input Level Input Overload Input Stage Impedance -20 dBV (20 Hz to 20 kHz) 8 dBV 10 MOhm Output Type Output Impedance Nominal Output Level Electronically balanced XLR and unbalanced 1/4” 220 Ohm -20 dBV Gain Control Range Bandwidth Control Range -Infinity to +6dB .07 to 2 Octaves Output Overload (600 Ohm load) 12 dBV Boost Control Range Cut Control Range +15 dB -20 dB Overall THD Signal-to-noise Ratio .
LIMITED WARRANTY The FISHMAN DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. is warranted to function for a period of One (1) Year from the date of purchase. If the unit fails to function properly within the warranty period, free repair and the option of replacement or refund in the event that FISHMAN is unable to make repair are FISHMAN’s only obligations. This warranty does not cover any consequential damages or damage to the unit due to misuse, accident, or neglect.
