Behringer ULTRABASS BX4500H Manual - Page 5

ULTRABASS BX4500H 1. INTRODUCTION Congratulations! With the BX4500H you have acquired a prolevel amplifier from our BX bass amplifier series. This revolutionary bass amplifier top has many of the features of our successful BX1200. Our top goal when designing the BX4500H was to set new standards. In fact, the BX4500H is a bass amp that gives you a full set of features plus a comprehensive range of connection and expansion options. With this amp you’ll certainly rattle the planet! BEHRINGER is an audio engineering company that has been successfully developing products for studio and live applications for many years now. Our range of products includes microphones and a variety of 19" devices (compressors, enhancers, noise gates, tube processors, headphone amps, digital effects devices, DI boxes, etc.) as well as monitoring and P.A. speakers plus professional live and recording consoles. You will find all of our technical know-how combined in your BX4500H. Flexibility has become a particularly important factor in the music business over the past few years. Modern bass players need to offer a broad range of sounds, but should still be able to play in different kinds of applications at short notice: home recording, studio, live concerts. For this reason, it has always been our prime concern to give you a bass amplifier that offers a complete set of useful functions, but can still be operated intuitively and quickly. Additionally, the world of electric bass playing has changed: new basses, with five or six strings, are being launched all the time, there are effects devices and the desire to create one’s own “unique” sound—which can only be achieved with innovative amplifiers. Our unique ULTRABASS BX4500H gives you pioneering sounds and power galore. We have expanded our BX Series with this amplifier top to give you all the freedom you need when expanding your set-up. No matter which speakers or cabinets you prefer—with its superb sound, your BX4500H will bring some life into your speaker. As technology advances, you’ve got to keep track of the latest technological breakthroughs to avoid falling by the wayside. Which is what we did, by continuously improving this bass amplifier and including many of your valuable suggestions. Experience a new-generation bass amp with fascinating features: s Astounding sound diversity through SHAPE filter and ULTRABASS sub-harmonics processor. s Unbelievable punch through innovative Dynamizer preamp technology. s More gain, but no distortion through built-in limiter. s Optimum level metering through clearly visible VU meter. s A 5-band EQ with additional “Deep” and “Bright” functions meets all requirements in terms of tone-shaping. s Plenty of power plus a built-in DI output—even on big stages you’ll cut a fine figure with your BX4500H. 1.1 The design concept This absolutely low-noise and indestructible bass amp represents the current state of the art. The rugged enclosure of your ULTRABASS ensures that the unit will withstand rough handling on the road over many years. 1.1.1 Patented Dynamizer technology When it comes to amplifying the signals delivered by electric instruments, you’ve got to separate the wheat from the chaff. Unlike mixed or mastered signals, electric instruments usually deliver extremely high signal peaks which, when raised in gain, produce nasty distortion. How an amplifier responds to these signal peaks can therefore be seen as one of its most essential quality features. Many manufacturers use limiters preceding the power stage to limit dynamic signal peaks. However, the problem is the preamp, which is why we’ve equipped the BX4500H with our unique Dynamizer preamp circuitry that gives you a lively and punchy sound with signal peaks—even if the amp reaches its power limits. Extreme signal peaks are limited effectively while the average level and hence the power of the overall signal is raised. The sound gets more vivid and powerful in character, without any unmusical distortion. With its limiter in the power stage it is virtually impossible to overdrive the ULTRABASS BX4500H. 1.2 Before you get started 1.2.1 Shipment Your BX4500H was carefully packed at the factory and the packaging is designed to protect the unit from rough handling. Nevertheless, we recommend that you carefully examine the packaging and its contents for any signs of physical damage that may have occurred during transit. + If the unit is damaged, please do not return it to BEHRINGER, but notify your dealer and the shipping company immediately, otherwise claims for damage or replacement may not be granted. Shipping claims must be made by the consignee. 1.2.2 Initial operation Be sure that there is enough space around the unit for cooling and please do not place the ULTRABASS on high temperature devices such as radiators etc. to avoid overheating. + Before you connect your ULTRABASS to the mains, please make sure that your local voltage matches the voltage required by the unit: The fuse holder on the female mains connector has 3 triangular markings, with two of these triangles opposing each other. The ULTRABASS is set to the operating voltage printed next to these markers and can be set to another voltage by turning the fuse holder by 180°. CAUTION: This instruction does not apply to export models exclusively designed e.g. for 120 V operation! + If you set the unit to a different mains voltage, be sure to use a fuse of the correct type and rating. Please refer to the “SPECIFICATIONS” for details. + Blown fuses must be replaced by fuses of the same type and rating! Please refer to the “SPECIFICATIONS” for details. The mains connection of the BX4500H is made by using the enclosed mains cable and a standard IEC receptacle. It meets all of the international safety certification requirements. + Please make sure that all units have a proper ground connection. For your own safety, never remove or disable the ground conductor from the unit or of the AC power cord. 1. INTRODUCTION 5