Genz Benz SHUTTLE MAX 12.2 Owner'S Manual Download Page 2

FRONT PANEL

INPUT 

– The SHUTTLE

®

MAX 12.2 is equipped with a standard ¼” unbalanced input.  The input sensitivity range is from 

40 mV to over 1.6 volts.  The input impedance is >500K ohms.  The input stage contains a precision high order active 

high pass filter (more effective and less intrusive than the more common 6 dB filters) and an “RFI” filter (radio frequency 

interference) to eliminate unwanted noise.  The input gain stages consist of a feedback type variable gain circuit that 

provides wide range, continuously variable gain with minimal noise.  The preamp contains an FET input amp circuit based 

on our highly regarded GBE series touring amplifiers.

INPUT SIGNAL MUTE SWITCH –

 With this MUTE switch, you can place the amplifier (and Direct Output) in standby 

mode between sets without having to change any of your amp settings.  This feature can also be used for silent tuning 

since the TUNER OUT stays active when the MUTE is engaged.  A red LED indicates when the MUTE is active.  This 

function is not operable from the included 5-button footswitch, however, a rear panel jack is provided so that a standard 

single button footswitch can be used to remotely engage this function.  The switch on the amplifier’s faceplate must be in 

the out position for the footswitch to work properly.

FET/TUBE CHANNEL SELECTOR SWITCH –

 This switch is provided to select either the FET channel or the TUBE 

channel.  This function can be remotely engaged via the 5-button footswitch.  The front panel switch must be in the out 

position for the footswitch to engage the function.

CHANNEL MIX SELECTOR SWITCH –

 When engaged this switch combines the signal of the FET and TUBE channels 

together.  This function can also be remotely engaged via the 5-button footswitch.  The front panel switch must be in the 

out position for the footswitch to engage the function.

FET CHANNEL—

GAIN SWITCH (LOW/HIGH) –

 This switch sets the gain sensitivity for the FET channel.  It works somewhat like an 

Active/Passive switch.  The amber LED indicates that the HIGH setting is selected.  The difference between the LOW and 

HIGH gain positions is approx. 10dB.  Since there is a GAIN Switch provided for each channel this allows the player to set 

different gain structures for the FET or TUBE channels.  For the cleanest possible signal, we recommend that the LOW 

setting be used for basses with hotter output or active pickups (generally most basses using one or two 9 volt batteries to 

power their on-board preamp or those with an output sensitivity over 1 Volt) and the HIGH gain setting be used for basses 

with lower output or passive pickups.

PREAMP GAIN CONTROL –

 This control sets the gain level of the preamp to the output of your bass.  If the red 

OVERLOAD (O/L) LED flashes when setting up your input levels, reduce the preamp GAIN control to eliminate any input 

preamp overload.  You may want to check the setting of the GAIN switch as well.  This GAIN control, in conjunction with 

the preamp VOLUME control allows you to set the signal level to the EQ section.  The MASTER VOLUME then controls 

the total output level of the power amp. 

O/L LED

 – In the FET channel this LED senses the condition of the input signal after the GAIN control and also senses 

and warns of possible clipping in the EQ network.  The O/L sensing circuit is very dependent upon the output of the bass 

instrument pickups, the GAIN and VOLUME level settings of the FET channel and the amount of EQ used i.e. the more 

radical the EQ boost and volume level of the preamp VOLUME control, the more possibility of an overload condition. 

If overloading of the FET channel is occurring, adjusting the preamp GAIN and/or preamp VOLUME down will reduce or 

eliminate the overload condition and adjusting the MASTER VOLUME up will return the overall loudness. 

NOTE:  It is OK for this LED to flash occasionally with your hardest notes played and it may flash even if the TUBE 

channel has been selected for use.  This is normal and is due to the mixing topology for the 2 channels.

Summary of Contents for SHUTTLE MAX 12.2

Page 1: ...mpact design blends the best of analog and digital platforms to produce the ultimate in warmth punch and power The SHUTTLE MAX 12 2 is equipped with a unbalanced instrument input input stage clip detector mute switch with LED indicator FET and 12AX7 tube preamps each with high low gain stage settings and 4 band active equalization with 2 sweepable midrange bands 3 switched SIGNAL SHAPE filters wit...

Page 2: ... sensitivity for the FET channel It works somewhat like an Active Passive switch The amber LED indicates that the HIGH setting is selected The difference between the LOW and HIGH gain positions is approx 10dB Since there is a GAIN Switch provided for each channel this allows the player to set different gain structures for the FET or TUBE channels For the cleanest possible signal we recommend that ...

Page 3: ... cabinet that you reduce the high frequency settings on the amp or cut the tweeter level control of the cabinet O L LED In the TUBE channel this LED senses the condition of the input signal after the GAIN control and also senses and warns of possible clipping in the EQ network The O L circuit does not sense distortion or overdrive in the tube Your ears are the best judge of that for your desired t...

Page 4: ... VOLUME The MASTER VOLUME control adjusts the overall volume of the amplifier and the effects return Typically best results are obtained when this control is operated between the 9 00 and 3 00 positions MASTER SECTION STATUS INDICATORS The POWER light indicates that the amplifier is ON and the low voltage power supplies are active The red PROTECT LED indicates that the amp is in PROTECT mode This ...

Page 5: ...OTE In the TUBE channel if you are using an aggressive tube distortion your preamp GAIN may be set very high and your preamp VOLUME set very low to keep the O L LED from lighting In this case the MASTER VOLUME will primarily be used to set your final output level For heavy distortion you may want to use the HIGH GAIN switch with a hot Active bass It is generally recommended when using heavily dist...

Page 6: ...requency transformer that steps the voltage down A high frequency rectifier and high ESR filter capacitors finish the process off by converting the high frequency AC signal back to the DC voltages that the amplifier s internal circuitry uses One advantage of this conversion process is that the DC power supply rails are refreshed more than 1000 times more often than in traditional linear supplies t...

Page 7: ...e This fuse will not fail except under very unlikely fault conditions to the SMPS and if this occurs a qualified service technician is required to correct the problem CHASSIS DESIGN The SHUTTLE MAX S ULTRA LIGHT DESIGN utilizes the highest quality aircraft grade computer machined aluminum chassis To clean the amplifier nothing more than a damp cloth and a little bit of glass cleaner like Glass Plu...

Page 8: ...e In addition by use of this device the user agrees to hold Genz Benz and its designers sales agents and all other affiliates and related parties harmless in the event of any accident injury damage or loss resulting from such use The manufacturer s sole responsibility is to provide a warranty on the specified performance of the product under normal operating conditions for a period of 3 years WARR...

Page 9: ...te 01 01 2012 Conforms to the Following Standards X EN 55013 2001 A1 2003 X EN 55020 2002 A1 2003 X EN 60065 2001 A1 A11 A12 A2 X IEC 61000 3 3 1994 A1 2001 X IEC 61000 4 2 X IEC 61000 4 3 X IEC 61000 4 4 X FCC 15 107 and 15 109 X RoHS Directive 2002 95 EC X WEEE Directive 2002 96 EC X CE Mark LV Directive 73 23 EEC KMC Musicorp 7811 E Pierce St Scottsdale AZ 85257 Ph 480 941 0705 Fax 480 946 2412...

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