VX3500 Hartke Systems MODEL 3500 350 WATTS Transient Attack GRAPHIC EQUALIZER INPUT PRE AMP A PASSIVE 4 5 3 30Hz B 6 4 7 3 5 1 9 0 10 4 7 8 1 9 0 64Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1KHz 2KHz 3KHz 5KHz 10 5 6 +15 +12 +9 +6 +3 +2 0 -2 -3 -6 -9 -12 -15 IN 7 3 2 8 1 0 9 0 10 ACTIVE OUT -15 TUBE SOLID STATE CONTOUR 8KHz +15 6 8 2 2 0 3 30Hz 64Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1KHz 2KHz 3KHz 5KHz 3 5 0 3 15 -18 15 +18 4 5 5 15 -18 2 15 +18 1 HIGH PASS 5 500Hz
Introduction 2 Features 3 Guided Tour Front Panel Rear Panel Setting Up and Using the VX3500 About Equalization 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11 About Compression 12 Appendix A: Caster Installation 13 Appendix B: Block Diagram 14 Appendix C: Changing the VX3500 Voltage 15 Specifications 16
Introduction Congratulations on purchasing the Hartke VX3500 Bass Amplifier! Although this unit is designed for easy operation, we suggest you first take some time to go through these pages so you can fully understand how we’ve implemented a number of unique features. The VX3500 provides 350 watts of power to the built-in 2-way bass speaker system.
Features The Hartke VX3500 bass amplifier offers all the newest concepts in bass amplification. Here are some of its main features: • Power to spare — The VX3500, a full 350 watts delivered to its internal 4 ohm speaker system. • Internal, 2-way bass speaker system including four custom design 10-inch low frequency drivers, plus 1-inch high frequency compression driver. • Our unique Transient Attack® circuitry which ensures that every nuance of your bass performance is reproduced faithfully.
Guided Tour - VX3500 Front Panel 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 Hartke Systems MODEL 3500 350 WATTS Transient Attack GRAPHIC EQUALIZER INPUT PRE AMP A PASSIVE 4 5 3 6 4 7 3 2 8 2 1 1 9 0 30Hz B 10 5 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1KHz 2KHz 3KHz 5KHz 4 8 9 10 5 6 3 +15 +12 +9 +6 +3 +2 0 -2 -3 -6 -9 -12 -15 IN 7 2 8 1 0 ∞ 0 9 ACTIVE OUT -15 TUBE SOLID STATE CONTOUR 8KHz +15 6 7 0 64Hz 3 0 3 30Hz 64Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1KHz 2KHz 3KHz 5KHz 0 3 5 15 -18 15 +18 4
Guided Tour - VX3500 Front Panel 6. Compression control - This determines the amount of compression (peak signal reduction) by simultaneously adjusting both threshold and compression ratio (which ranges from 2:1 to infinity [limiting]). At the fully counterclockwise “Off” position, the circuitry is bypassed and no compression is applied (the knob clicks when set to the “Off” position). As the knob is raised clockwise (at settings from “1” to “∞”) increasing amounts of compression are applied.
Guided Tour - VX3500 Rear Panel 1 3 5 8 EFFECT Hartke Systems SPEAKER OUTPUT Distributed Exclusively by Samson Technologies Corp. Hicksville, New York 11802 MODEL 3500 350 WATTS 8 = 240 WATTS 4 = 350 WATTS 4 DIRECT OUT SEND POST NORMAL PRE GND LIFT MINIMUM IMPEDANCE 4 OHMS ~ AC INPUT 115V/230V 50/60Hz FUSE 8A/250V, 300W (115V) 4A/250V, 740W (230V) RETURN BALANCE 0 CAUTION TO PREVENT SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Guided Tour - VX 3500 Rear Panel 5. Effect Send jack - Use this 1/4” unbalanced jack to send low impedance (600 ohm) signal from the Model 3500 to a professional outboard effects processor such as a reverb, echo, chorus, flanger, or harmonizer device.* Output level is approximately 0 dB to +4 dB and is post-EQ and post-compression but unaffected by the setting of the Master Volume control.
Setting Up and Using the VX3500 Setting up your Hartke Systems 2000/3500 Bass Amplifier is a simple procedure which takes only a few minutes: 1. Remove all packing materials (save them in case of need for future service) and decide where the amplifier is to be physically placed. To avoid potential overheating problems, be sure that the rear panel is unobstructed and that there is good ventilation around the entire unit, particularly behind the rear-panel fan. 2.
Setting Up and Using The VX3500 7. Experiment with altering the balance of the two Pre-Amp knobs, listening to the effect each has on the overall sound. Depending upon the specific instrument you are using and your personal taste, you may prefer the sound of one over the other, or you may prefer a particular blend of the two. Note that, when both are used at equal settings, the amplifier will be twice as loud as when only one is used.
About Equalization The Hartke Systems Model 3500 Bass Amplifier gives you enormous control over shaping the sound of your bass, using a process called equalization. To understand how this works, it’s important to know that every naturally occurring sound consists of a broad range of pitches, or frequencies, combined together in a unique way. This blend is what gives every sound its distinctive tonal color.
About Equalization To find out how each graphic equalizer slider affects the sound of your particular bass, start with all ten bands flat (that is, all ten sliders at their detented “0” center position). Then, one by one, raise and lower each slider, listening carefully to the effect of each. If you don’t specifically need to utilize the ten-band graphic equalizer, bypass it by setting the In/Out switch to its “Out” position.
About Compression The dynamic range of a sound is the difference between its loudest and softest points. For example, as you play your bass, you’ll probably find that some notes (for example, notes played on the upper frets of the lowest string) are considerably louder than others.
Appendix A: CASTER INSTALLATION • Locate one caster and four each of the supplied screws and lock washers. • Hold the caster in place and hand start the screws. Be careful to ensure that the screws are on the proper thread chase. DO NOT PUSH TEE NUT INTO ENCLOSURE. • Use a screw driver to tighten the four screws. Be careful not to over tighten the screws. • Repeat the steps above for the remaining three casters.
Appendix B: Block Diagram SEND 50 mV, IN 0 dB TO +4dB COMPRESSOR IN/OUT SWITCH FIXED EQ RETURN VR TUBE VR SOLID STATE RMS DETECTOR COMPRESS VCA MIXER 10 BAND EQ 2 BAND CONTOUR PRE 2 1 POST GND.
Appendix C: Changing the VX3500 Voltage 115 115 Following are step-by-step instructions for changing the mains voltage of the Model 2000/3500. WARNING: Before carrying out this operation, remove the power cord! 1: Insert a small screwdriver into the slot beneath the fuse sled and gently press in and up. The fuse sled will pop out approximately 3/8" inch. 2: Remove fuse sled. 230 115 3: Use a small pair of needlenose pliers to gently pull out the mains jumper.
Specifications Input Sensitivity Passive Input Active Input 100 k Ohms 20 mv. 100 k Ohms 60 mv. 350 watts @ 4 ohms Rated Output Power less than .5% Total Harmonic Distortion approx.
Distributed Worldwide Exclusively by: Samson Technologies Corp. 575 Underhill Blvd. P.O. Box 9031 Syosset, NY 11791-9031 Phone: 516-364-2244 Fax: 516-364-3888 www.samsontech.
