AAE Stereo Spring Reverb/Valve Amplifier User Manual - Operation: Mute Buttons
4
Operation: setting up and turning on
Preparation
Before turning the unit on, turn all knobs on the front panel fully anti-clockwise.
The unit is capable of producing very high output levels and, if you send a high input signal through it, might
generate enough of an output to damage your mixer, amp, speakers or ears. It’s best to start quietly and
gradually turn levels up, so that you keep control of the unit’s overall output level.
Also, ensure that the front panel’s stand by/mains switch is in the up (standby) position.
Connecting a spring reverb tank
To connect a spring reverb, plug the 0.25” jack plug of a mono jack-phono cable into the main unit’s tank
send output. Now plug the cable’s phono plug into the IN socket of one of the spring reverb tanks provided
with the unit.
Plug the phono plug of a second jack-phono cable into the spring tank’s OUT socket, and plug that lead’s
jack plug into the main unit’s tank return input (see rear panel: 7).
Powering up the unit
Plug a mains “kettle” lead into the power input socket on the unit’s rear panel (see rear panel: 2 above).
Now, switch on (down) the mains power switch on the unit’s rear panel (see rear panel: 1 above). The red
LED on the unit’s front panel will light up.
Leave the unit to warm up for about 30 seconds. During this time, the unit’s valves will reach their optimum
working temperature, and will glow gently inside the case.
Now set the front panel’s stand by/mains switch (front panel: 10) to its down (mains) position. The unit is now
fully powered up, and the front panel’s green LED will light up. The unit is now ready for use.
Operation: mute buttons
Important: when changing valve mode (triode/pentode), changing the setting of the input gain switch, or
setting the effect switch, press and hold in the mute button of the relevant channel. This precaution is
necessary because sudden changes in signal volume can cause very loud pops in the unit’s output.
THE MUTE BUTTONS ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOUR OTHER AUDIO EQUIPMENT AND YOUR
EARS.
Operation: getting a signal
Start with all front panel knobs turned fully anti-clockwise.
Turn the master out knob clockwise about halfway.
With an audio signal connected to the unit’s in socket, turn the original knob up gradually. You should hear
some of your audio signal, unaffected, coming through the unit.
Operation: amplification/distortion
First, check that the effect switch is down, so that the unit’s amplification/distortion stage is not muted.
Turn all knobs fully anti-clockwise. Now turn up the amplifier knob and the master output knob about halfway
Gradually turn up the master drive knob to drive the mini power valve amp inside the unit.
The master drive knob controls the drive level in a triode or pentode (switchable) amplifier/distortion stage.
Turning up the master drive level drives the unit’s amplification/distortion stage harder, and can produce
some very hard distortion effects, especially with high-level inputs from, for example, professional audio
equipment or a CD player.