CARVIN BX600 Operating Manual Download Page 3

REAR PANEL CONTROLS

17

22

23

21

18

20

19

16

25

24

22

23

21

24

19

26

20

13.  MASTER VOLUME

Use the MASTER to control the overall volume of the amplifier. Reduce the MASTER level if clip-

ping occurs as indicated by the PEAK LEDs (see #15). Using the COMPRESSOR will also help pre-
vent clipping. The MASTER control also affects the HEADPHONE output.

14. POWER AMP CONTROL (B

X1200 ONLY

)

The 1 LO and  2 HI  levels control the volume to the individual amps. These are used to balance

the low and high frequency speaker cabinets when in X-OVER bi-amping mode. To set the balance,
bring up the 1 LO knob until the desired volume level is reached. Now bring up the 2 HI knob until
the desired balance has been achieved. Use the MASTER volume control to set the overall volume.

15. PEAK LEDS

The red PEAK LEDs are clipping indicators for the amplifier(s). If the amps are clipping use the

MASTER to reduce the level. The COMPRESSOR may also serve to help prevent clipping. Be sure
not to run the amps with heavy continuous clipping (PEAK LEDs ON) or your speakers could be
damaged.  

16.  DI LEVEL (DIRECT OUT)

The DI  LEVEL controls the output level of the XLR DIRECT OUTPUT. The DI level is not affected

by the MASTER level.  

17.  DIRECT OUT PRE/POST SWITCH AND GROUND LIFT SWITCH

The direct out PRE/POST switch allows the choice of either a simple buffered signal straight from

the input jack (PRE mode) or a processed signal including the Drive, Compressor, Tone, Graphic
EQ, and Effect Loop processing (POST mode).

If a hum occurs when connecting the XLR to a mixer, try using the GND LIFT switch. The GND

LIFT switch lifts the ground pin 1 of the XLR to 100 ohms above chassis ground.

18.  DIRECT OUT XLR JACK

The DIRECT OUT XLR jack provides a balanced independent output for going direct to the main PA
or recording input. The front MASTER control does not affect the output level. The XLR is protected
against Phantom power (DC voltage) on cables coming from mixer inputs.

19. FOOTSWITCH AND CONFIGURATION SWITCHES

The optional 

FS22

footswitch can be used to remotely control 2 of these 3 features:

MUTE, graphic EQ, or EFFECTS LOOP bypass. 

The two configuration switches set the functions of the FS22 footswitch. The left switch controls the

footswitch connected to tip of the 1/4” plug and the right switch controls the footswitch connected to
the ring of the plug. There are four configurations:

The rear LEDs near each switch work with the front LED of the Effects loop and Graphic EQ. These

LEDs will only light when the feature is turned ON by the footswitch. Use them to verify the configu-
ration switches are in the desired positions.  
Any standard footswitch with a stereo (TRS) plug will work.

20.  EFFECTS LOOP (SWITCHABLE)

The SEND jack is the output of the preamp and is designed to deliver the proper level for the input

of an external effects processor. The SEND signal source is after the TONE CONTROLS and COM-
PRESSOR (#7, #8, & #9).

The RETURN jack is designed to receive signals from the output of an external effects processor.

When a signal is plugged into the RETURN, it breaks the connection between the preamp and the
internal power amp. The RETURN signal goes through the GRAPHIC EQ (if active) and MASTER
controls to the power amp(s).

The EFFECT LOOP can be bypassed with the front panel switch (see #11) or optional FS22 footswitch

(see #19).

21. AMP INSERT JACKS 

The AMP INSERT jacks are TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve). The “TIP” is the SEND and the “RING” is the RETURN.

Using a TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) insert cable, the preamp signal can be sent out via the TIP to an external proces-
sor and then returned to the internal power amp via the RING. If a standard (Tip-Sleeve) instrument cable is
used, the signal can be routed from the preamp to an external power amp. These insert jacks break the signal
to the internal power amplifier.

Use the MASTER (or AMP 1 & 2) controls on the front panel for SEND level adjustments.
When the X-OVER is OFF, both outputs receive the same full range signal. When the X-OVER is ON, AMP 1

receives the low frequency signals and AMP2 receives the high frequency signals.

22. HEADPHONE

The HEADPHONE jack is a stereo 1/4” jack. Volume is adjusted by the MASTER control. To listen

to headphones without hearing other speakers, unplug the speakers. Effects used in the AMP INSERTS
will be heard in the headphones.  The 

BX600

sends a mono signal to each side of your headphones.  

23. TUNER LINE OUT JACK (UNMUTED)

The 

TUNER LINE OUT

jack is provided as a place to connect a tuner.  This output is unaffected by the

MUTE function so you may tune your bass quietly while using the MUTE.

24. SPEAKER OUTPUTS  (SEE IMPEDANCE CHART ON BACK PAGE)

The 

BX1200

uses three combination 1/4” and 

SPEAKON®

speaker output connectors.  Multiple speak-

ers can be attached by chaining cabinets together, so long as the total impedance is not below 2 ohms
for each SPK 1 or SPK 2 jack and 4 ohms for the BRIDGE ONLY jack. 1/4” speaker cables can be plugged
into the center of the green 

SPEAKON® jacks

. The 

SPEAKON® connector is highly recommended

for BRIDGE mode 

(see #25)

.

The 

BX600

uses two standard 1/4” speaker jacks. The jacks are connected in parallel and either or

both jacks can be used so long as the total impedance does not go below 2 ohms. The 

BR610

and

BR615

combos use 4 ohm speakers. When adding additional speakers to these combos, the exten-

sion speakers must be a total of 4 ohms or more to stay above the 

BX600

’s 2 ohm minimum load.

25. AMP BRIDGE SWITCH (BX1200 ONLY)

The 

AMP BRIDGE 

switch enables the full power of both amps in the 

BX1200

to be sent to the single

BRIDGE ONLY jack. Total minimum impedance is 4 ohms. DO NOT connect speakers to the SPK 1 or
SPK 2 when in 

AMP BRIDGE

mode. 

NOTE

: In the AMP BRIDGE mode, the MASTER and POWER AMP1

controls adjust the output volume. 

26. AC POWER & FUSE

The detachable AC POWER CORD supplied is designed to operate with one type of voltage (the

European 230V export model uses a CEE-7 plug cord set). Check the rear power cord label for the
proper voltage. Plug the cord into a grounded 3 prong power source. No attempt should ever be
made to use the amp without the ground connected.

The FUSE is located internally above the AC connector cord. To check or replace the fuse, remove

the power cord and the enclosure lid. The fuse type is a 250V Fast Blow rated at 20A for 120V or
10A for 230V models.

BX600 REAR

TIP switch

setting

RING switch

setting

footswitch 1

function

footswitch 2

function

TIP LED 1

(must be on)

RING LED 2
(must be on)

IN

IN

Effect Loop

Graphic EQ

GREEN

BLUE

OUT

IN

MUTE 

Graphic EQ

off

BLUE

IN 

OUT

Effect Loop

MUTE

GREEN

off

OUT

OUT

MUTE

not used

off

off

BX1200 REAR

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