Carvin V3M212 V3M Series Product Manual - Page 4

V3M/V3MC FRONT & REAR PANEL CONTROLS GETTING STARTED QUICKLY FIRST, set the 120v/240v AC SWITCH for the proper AC voltage. If you are like most players, you probably want to plug in your new amp and get started. You can read the rest of the manual later to learn the finer points of operating your amp. In order to get started, you will need your V3M amp, a 120V or 240V AC grounded power outlet, your instrument, a standard guitar cable, a speaker cable and speaker cabinet. Plug in your speaker and set the "SPEAKER OHMS" switch to match your speaker. If you have the FS44LV3M footswitch, plug it into the rear 5-pin footswitch jack. Turn all volume controls OFF. Now, plug in your guitar and turn the POWER switch ON. Wait 60 seconds for the tubes to warm up, then set the STANDBY switch to RUN. The amp will be ready to play. Gradually raise the channel volume and master volume control and re-adjust the tone controls to your liking. 12 3 4 15 9 10 5 23 24 14 25 13 26 11 12 22 16 17 18 19 21 20 27 28 29 30 31 22 16 17 18 19 6 7 8 21 20 32 33 FRONT PANEL 1. POWER SWITCH The POWER switch is to be utilized as the master ON/OFF switch. As the amp is turned ON, one of the 3 channel LEDs will illuminate as your ON indicator. The Boost LED or the V3M internal cage LEDs may also light. 2. STANDBY/RUN SWITCH After turning the POWER switch ON, wait 60 seconds or more for the tubes to warm up - then set the STANDBY switch to RUN. When turning the amp OFF, set the switch to STANDBY first, then shut off the POWER switch. Use the STANDBY switch if you are taking a break. This turns the high voltage off, increasing the life of your power tubes while keeping the power and preamp tube filaments ON for immediate use. MASTER SECTION 3. MASTER VOLUME The MASTER controls the output of all 3 channels and effects. Once your individual channel levels are set up and balanced, use the MASTER to change your overall volume. 4. BOOST LED The GREEN LED will light when the BOOST function is ON. Without the FS44L-V3M footswitch the BOOST is left ON, acting as an effect loop return level. This function can only be turned off/on through the FS44L-V3M footswitch (see 27 & 28). Use the rear panel BOOST LEVEL to add up to 6 dB of volume boost 5. REVERB LEVEL The REVERB control affects the amount of reverb for all channels.The reverb may be remotely turned off from the FS44L-V3M footswitch. CHANNEL SELECTION The LEDs next to each channel's DRIVE control indicate which channel is functioning. To use a footswitch, set both Channel Select Switches to the UP position. 6. CHANNEL 3 SELECT SWITCH The CH3/SELECT switch engages/disengages Channel 3. Switch to up position (CH3) to play CH3, set to down (SELECT) to disengage CH3 and to use CH1/CH2. Switch to the up position when using a footswitch. 7. CHANNEL 1/2 SWITCH The CH1/CH2 sets which channel will be active when CH3 is set to SELECT. Leave in the up position when connecting a footswitch. 8. GUITAR INPUT A standard 1/4" input jack feeds all channels through the SELECT switches. Use a professional quality guitar cord no longer than 25 feet. Typical cable capacitance should be under 50pf-the longer the cord, the greater the capacitance (you can measure this with a capacitance meter). A long cable with high capacitance will reduce the overall treble response from your pickups. CHANNEL 3 (CLEAN) 9. VOLUME Switch to Channel 3 for "clean" playing. Adjust the DRIVE and VOLUME controls together to set the level for this channel. 10. DRIVE MODE 3-POSITION SWITCH (CH3) The switch labeled BRIGHT/SOAK is a 3-position switch that changes the gain structure of the channel. There are three choices of drive styles: - "BRIGHT" - adds a high end snap to the preamp, this is ideal for funk, country or blues. -"CLASSIC" - (center) A classic, open clean sound with lots of headroom. Turning up the DRIVE adds harmonics and mild compression. This is ideal for clean jazz, blues and general rhythm. -"SOAK" - boosts all preamp frequencies. As the DRIVE is turned up, a vintage crunch is available when played hard. This is ideal for aggressive blues and rock rhythm. 11. DRIVE CONTROL For the cleanest sounds with the most headroom, set the DRIVE control below "5". As the DRIVE is turned up, tube dynamics and harmonics are introduced to your sound. Different sounds can be achieved by setting the DRIVE MODE (Intense/Thick) switch. 12. LED CHANNEL 3 INDICATOR The Yellow LED will illuminate when CHANNEL 3 is selected. 13. BASS, MID, TREBLE You can start at 5 on the dial for each of the tone controls. However, these settings do not represent a normalized (flat) sound. You need to set them where they sound best. If your sound is too bright, you may want to reduce the PRESENCE control. 14. EQX SWITCH Toggle between standard EQ and Expanded EQ. This switch opens a wider frequency range for the TREBLE, MID and BASS. This provides an expanded EQ range. 15. PRESENCE For added clarity, the CH 3 PRESENCE controls only the highest guitar harmonics in the 5-10k Hz range. Careful adjustment with the TREBLE control makes this feature even more useful. CHANNELS 1 & 2 (OVERDRIVE) The V3M features extensive tone and drive shaping for each channel. Unlike most 3-channel amplifiers, the V3M allows you to set both overdrive channels to start with the same sound, then change the controls to get mild or drastic differences between the two channels. 16. VOLUME Set the volume of the channel to be used. The level of signal coming out of the EFFECT SEND will also change. To change the volume of all channels without upsetting the balance between the 3 channels, use the MASTER volume control. 17. DRIVE MODE 3-POSITION SWITCH (CH1&2) The switch labeled INTENSE/THICK is a 3-position switch that changes the gain structure of the channel. This provides three choices of distortion styles: - "INTENSE"- the most gain and sustain with excellent picking articulation. The low-end is deep and percussive. Mids and highs smoothly blend and still cut through. Turning up the DRIVE adds more sustain and saturation. - "CLASSIC"(center)- rich overdrive with a dynamic response. Turning up the DRIVE knob adds sustain and harmonics. - "THICK"- designed with a massive low-end, textured mids and blistering highs. Turning up the DRIVE knob adds sustain to the highs and fuller low-end harmonics. 18. DRIVE CONTROL For mild tube saturation, set the DRIVE control below "4". For more harmonics and dynamic playing, set the control between 4 & 6. For full blown overdrive, set the control between 6 and 10 (your guitar volume should be turned all the way up). Because the V3M has been "Hot Rodded" with so much gain in the DRIVE control, you may encounter feedback. If feedback is a problem, reduce the DRIVE or move the guitar to the side or away from the speaker(s). 19. LED CHANNEL INDICATORS The blue LED will illuminate when channel 1 is selected. The red LED will illuminate when channel 2 is selected. 4 V3M on 112V 8 Ohm cabinet (convertible for open/closed back) Set V3M Speaker Ohms switch to 8 Ohms V3M on 212V 8 Ohm cabinet (convertible for open/closed back) Set V3M Speaker Ohms switch to 8 Ohms 20. TREBLE, MID, BASS CONTROLS To start off with, set the BASS, MID & TREBLE controls at their center (5) position. These controls are to be set according to the type of sound you want. Try adjusting the PRESENCE control also when adjusting the treble. 21. EQX Toggle between standard EQ and Expanded EQ. This switch opens a wider frequency range for the TREBLE and BASS providing an expanded EQ range to work with. 22. PRESENCE Each channel features a PRESENCE control for added clarity. It's frequency range is from the mid to high range of the tonal spectrum. Careful adjustment with the TREBLE control will make this feature very useful. REAR PANEL 23. SPEAKER OUTPUT JACKS Two 1/4" SPEAKER JACKS are featured to allow use of several speaker systems at the same time. Calculate the total speaker impedance based on parallel wiring as the speaker jacks are wired in parallel. 24. SPEAKER IMPEDANCE SWITCH The IMPEDANCE SWITCH offers the selection of 4 ohm, 8 ohm or 16 ohm to match your speaker system. The correct setting for two 16 ohm speakers or cabinets would be 8 ohms. The correct setting for two 8 ohm speakers or cabinets would be 4 ohms. Select the proper impedance. Download Carvin's Free Impedance Calculator App for iPhone available in the Apple App Store. 25. LINE OUT The LINE OUT 1/4" jack is for connecting to power amps or mixers. This output is "Cabinet Voiced" to prevent excessive bass or treble going to your mixer. This greatly aids in sound quality because you do not have to make extreme adjustments to your mixer EQ. The output level is -25dB less than the speaker output and designed to drive any professional mixer or power amp. 26. EFFECT LOOP Effect Loop is a series loop. This means it sends all signals through your processor. To use the Effect Loop, plug the INPUT of your effects into the SEND jack and the OUTPUT of your effects into the RETURN jack. Use shielded cables, not speaker cables. Make sure to adjust your processor levels so that it's input is not being overdriven. Adjust the processor MIX setting to your liking. If your processor has a "Direct signal ON/OFF" setting, it is usually better to turn it ON. 27. BOOST LEVEL CONTROL Use the rear panel BOOST LEVEL to add up to 6 dB of volume boost for solos. This function can be only turned off/on with the FS44L-V3M footswitch. Without the FS44L-V3M footswitch, the BOOST is left ON. In this case, the BOOST LEVEL affects the volume of the amp acting as an effect loop return level. The front panel GREEN LED will light when the BOOST function is ON. 28. FS44L-V3M FOOTSWITCH JACK To use this footswitch, set the front panel Channel Select switches to the UP position (see #6&7). • The CH3 footswitch LED will show CH3 is ON and CH1&2 are off. • The CH1-2 footswitch LED ON will show CH2 active when CH3 is turned off. • The CH1-2 footswitch LED OFF will show CH1 active when CH3 is turned off. DO NOT use MIDI devices in this jack. Other footswitches will not work. 29. FS22 FOOTSWITCH JACK To use this footswitch, set the front panel Channel Select switches to the UP position (see #6&7). The switches on the FS22 footswitch will control the CH3 and CH1-2 switching. Most foot pedals with 2 switches and a stereo plug will work. 30. POWER MODE SWITCH (OUTPUT) For maximum output power and dynamics, set the power selector switch is set to 50W. For early tube saturation at lower level playing, move this switch to the 22W or 7W settings. The volume reductions will be 3dB and 6dB. 31. LED LIGHTING These switches control the LED accent lighting inside the V3M/ V3MC.The LEDs can be set to RED, BLUE or OFF. 32. V3M/V3MC CHASSIS As with any power tubes in an all-steel chassis, the chassis will become hot. This will cool down when the amp is placed on STANDBY when not used. 32. AC POWER & FUSE Make sure the cord is securely inserted into the back of the unit. Plug the cord into a grounded "3" prong" power source. No attempt should ever be made to defeat or use the amp without the ground connected.The fuse is located inside the AC power cord receptacle. If the fuse blows, unplug the amp and check the AC power connection, your speaker connection and all tubes. Replace the fuse with the same type. If replacing the fuse does not restore the amp to working order, check the power tubes. See Help Section below. If no problem is found and the fuse blows again, your amp may need service. 33. AC VOLTAGE SWITCH (120V/240V) It is very important to verify the proper setting before plugging the amp in. This switch sets the amp to use either 120VAC or 240VAC ranges from the wall socket. An improper setting may cause a blown fuse or other damage. The V3M will not require re-biasing if used at 50 or 60Hz, or if the AC voltage switch is changed for travelling to different areas of the world. HELP SECTION A) FEEDBACK FROM THE LEAD CHANNEL The V3M may feedback when the VOLUME, DRIVE, TREBLE and PRESENCE are turned all the way up. Like other high-gain tube amps, this is normal. To help control feedback and noise, reduce the DRIVE control or move the guitar to the side or away from the speakers. Sometimes replacing V1 or V2 (12AX7A) can help reduce feedback. B) TUBE REPLACEMENT GUIDE It is not uncommon for tubes to malfunction during shipping or after a long period of time. If your amp is not working properly, please refer to the following replacement guide. 1) The 12AX7A preamp tubes are the shorter tubes and are located in the following order on your chassis: V1, V2, V3, V4. Replace the tubes if your amp does not work or sounds muddy or dull. V1 is located closest to the guitar input and is the input tube affecting all channels. V2 is the main drive tube for channels 1&2. Replacing V3 will correct problems with channel 3 and the effect return. Replace V4 if no output is heard when putting a signal through the effect return. 2) If there is no output after replacing the preamp tubes, or if the fuse blows, try replacing the EL84 output tubes. The amp should be rebaised by a qualified technician after replacing the output tubes. Set to 80mA across the standby switch (with switch off). 3) If the AC fuse should blow and turn the amp off, try replacing the power tubes. One of these tubes might be faulty. 5