EXTERNAL effects unit. (In other words, it has nothing to do with the SubWave™ effect onboard your Black
Beauty.) With the Effects Blend fully counter-clockwise (“DRY”), no signal from your external effects unit will
be heard. As you turn this control clockwise, more of the effect can be heard in the overall sound. When the
Effects Blend control is set fully clockwise (“WET”), no true or unaffected signal is heard other than what your
external effects unit provides. If your external effects unit has a similar control, adjust it to the fully clockwise
(“WET”) position. This will avoid any possible phasing problems.
The Effects Blend circuit is similar to that used on recording consoles with the effects loop on a “side chain”
to the normal circuit. Unless the control is set to the full “wet” position, you will always get the full sound of
your instrument AND get the diversity an effects unit offers. This circuit is also effective in reducing noise
generated by effects units because it is located after the gain stages in the preamp.
The Effects Blend control functions only when the Effects Loop is being used. It is activated when a 1/4"
phone plug is inserted into the Effects Receive jack. (For more information, please see “Effects Loop” in the
“Rear Panel Features” section later in this guide.)
LIMITER/COMPRESSOR CIRCUIT
The Limiter found in the Black Beauty is a soft knee type limiter. The Limiter circuit is located after (post) the
Master Volume and before (pre) the power amplifier. Therefore, the Limiter is driven by the Master Volume
control. Its threshold (starting point) is preset by the factory so that the user can get maximum overall
apparent volume without unduly overdriving (or “clipping”) the power amplifier, which can eventually damage
the unit’s internal circuitry. This can also be helpful in preventing speaker damage when running your system
at high volumes.
ACTIVATING OR DEFEATING THE LIMITER CIRCUIT
You may either activate or defeat the Limiter circuit via the Effects Blend control, which doubles as an on/off
switch for the Limiter. The “In” position activates the Limiter Circuit, and is the default setting as shipped from
the factory. To defeat the Limiter, simply pull “out” on the knob of this control until you hear and feel a
“click.” To re-engage the Limiter, push the control back in to its original position.
LIMITER ACTIVE LED
When the threshold (starting point) of the Limiter circuit is reached, the Limiter Active LED will light, indicating
that the Limiter Circuit is active and helping to protect your power amplifier from clipping. The Limiter LED will
not illuminate when: a) The Limiter has been defeated by pulling out on the Effects Blend control; b) When
playing at levels not high enough to engage the circuit.
NOTE
:
If you have defeated the Limiter and you hear a loud, sharp distortion present in your sound—and
the Preamp Clip LED is not lighting up—re-engage the Limiter by pushing the Effects Blend control back in.
If the distortion goes away, you were probably clipping the power amp, which is not a good thing.
Remember, the Limiter circuit is there to protect your amplifier from such a state of operation.
MASTER (VOLUME) CONTROL
The Master (meaning “Master Volume”) control adjusts the level being sent to the power amplifier in your
Black Beauty—it controls the overall volume of the unit. Turning the control counter-clockwise reduces the
overall level, while turning the control clockwise boosts the overall level.
Two notes:
The Master control never affects the level present at the various audio output jacks on the rear
panel—it only affects the level being sent to the power amplifier, and subsequently, your internal speaker and
extension speaker outputs only. Also, losses caused by external effects units can be recovered by increasing
the Master control.
POWER ON/OFF SWITCH
This switch turns the complete unit on or off. Setting the switch upwards to the “On” position turns on the
unit, and the switch itself will illuminate in red. Setting the switch downwards to the “Power” position will turn
the unit off, and the red light inside the power switch will turn off as well.
BLACK BEAUTY OWNER’S MANUAL • 7
