5
“A mini power valve amp drives the ‘reverb tank’. If the effect switch is up – only original sound comes in.
This amp in high
master drive
settings also produces non-reverberated valve distortion type of sound, similar
to a distortion unit. This distortion can be anything from smooth to crunchy to extreme. Again, it all depends
on how the
gain switch
and master drive are set. The
amplifier control
mixes the signal from the output
transformer of this amp
before
it reaches the input of the reverb tank.”
The
input gain
switch gives you another way to control the drive level of the unit’s amplification/distortion
stage. In its
up
position, the unit’s audio input is cut by about 18dB, allowing you to create subtle, gentle
distortions. When switched
down
, the unit’s amplification/distortion stage operates at full level, so will tend to
produce harder, more aggressive distortions.
The
triode/pentode
switch allows you to control the valve mode of the amplification/distortion stage. Triode
and pentode valve amplifiers impart sound with different tonal qualities and introduce different types of
distortion, so this switch gives you further control over the colour and tone of the unit’s output.
Between the
master drive
, the
input gain
switch and the
triode/pentode
valve type switch, the unit gives you
great flexibility in terms of amplification/distortion effects.
The amplifier knob controls the level of the amplified/distorted signal in the unit’s output mix.
Switching the
effect
switch to its
up
position mutes the amplification/distortion effect.
Operation: reverb
First, check that the
effect
switch is down, so that the unit’s reverb and amplification/distortion stages are not
muted.
Turn all knobs fully anti-clockwise.
Now turn up the
reverb
knob and the
master
output knob about halfway. This ensures that some of the signal
returning from the spring reverb is passed to the unit’s output mix.
Gradually turn up the
master drive
knob to drive the spring. Soon, you will hear the reverb signal in the unit’s
output mix.
At higher input levels and/or
master drive
settings, you can create grungy, distorted reverbs by driving the
spring so hard that the signal distorts on its way into the spring. Be careful with this: too much overdriving
may reduce the lifespan of the spring reverb because, while the springs themselves are tough, they’re driven
by a delicate transducer coil (the little component attached to the springs at the input end) which can burn
out if driven too hard for too long.
The
bass cut
and
treble cut
switches allow you to filter out low and high frequency sound from the reverb
signal, controlling the colour of the reverb effect.
Setting the effect switch to its up position mutes the unit’s reverb stage
.
WHEN THE EFFECT SWITCH IS DOWN THE AMPLIFIER CONTROL, REVERB AND ORIGINAL KNOB
FORM A MIXER TO CONTROL THE THREE CORRESPONDING SIGNALS I.E. AMPLIFIED (OR
DISTORTED), REVERBERATED AND ORIGINAL. WHEN EFFECT SWITCH IS UP BOTH AMPLIFIER,
AND REVERB SIGNAL ARE MUTED.
