>> Front Panel
1 INSTRUMENT INPUT 1
Plug in your shielded instrument cable into this jack. We
advise you to always turn down the VOLUME control on
your instrument before plugging it into this jack.
1a GAIN 1
This control adjusts the basic signal level of the source
plugged into the “INPUT” (#1). Thus it determines the
preamp’s dynamic response as well as the signal-tonoise
ratio. The PLEASURE PUMP 500 input stage can handle
a broad range of signal levels with an extremely high
headroom. The CLIP LED (#2), however, tells you if the
signal level within the INSTRUMENT channel is too high.
If it lights up too often you are advised to turn down the
GAIN 1 VOLUME until the LED flashes only occasionally
at the highest peaks. This prevents the input stage of
the PLEASURE PUMP 500 from being overdriven which
would result in distortion.
Do not leave the VOLUME control on your instrument set
too low, otherwise noise picked up along the cable will
become more prominent and thus increase the noise
floor of the amp.
2 CLIP
This LED flashes as soon as the signal level within the
input stage of the PLEASURE PUMP exceeds a certain
limit. If it flashes too often turn down the signal level
in either the GAIN 1 (#1a), the GAIN 2 (#3), or both with
the appropriate VOLUME control (#1a or #3). The CLIP
LED is also affected by the tone controls (#4 through #6).
Particularly when turning up the LO (#4) and MID (#5)
controls too excessively the CLIP LED might come up. In
this case you should turn down the “GAIN 1” (#1a) and
“GAIN 2” (#3).
3 GAIN 2
This control adjusts the input sensitivity of the audio sour-
ce plugged into the “INPUT 2” (#17/#17a). The GAIN 2
input stage offers an extremely wide headroom and can
handle literally all line signal levels to be found. The CLIP
LED (#2), however, tells you if the signal level within the
INPUT 2 channel is too high. If it lights up too often you
are advised to turn down the GAIN 2 until the LED flashes
only occasionally at the highest peaks. This prevents the
input stage of the PLEASURE PUMP 500 from being over-
driven which would result in distortion.
4 - 6 Tone Controls
PLEASURE PUMP 500 features a classic three-band tone
control section. All controls interact and thus offer count-
less options of shaping your tone, yet even at extreme
positions the sound stays precise and stable.
Since the inherent sound quality of the PLEASURE PUMP
is on a superb level you should start with all tone controls
set to the centre position. Please be aware that the tone
controls work on both channels “INPUT1” (#1) and “IN-
PUT2” (#17 /17a).
4 LO
This is the primary low frequency control. It allows for
cutting or boosting the frequency range around 48 Hz by
+/-15 dB, which represents the bottom end and massive
punch in a bass guitar. Start from the 12 o’clock position
and dial in the sound you like. The slope of the control is
rather steep which is helpful for achieving a distinct and
fat bass sound without spoiling the midrange. It allows
for boosting this frequency range without at the same
time adding too many mids which would result in a rather
booming tone.
5 MID
The slope of the “MID” control is not as steep as the one
of the “BASS” control in order to preserve the character of
the instrument. Centred at 1000 Hz this control offers a cut
or boost of 12 dB on a very broad frequency band, thus co-
vering almost the whole frequency range of a bass guitar.
Turn up this control in order to support fingerstyle playing
5
4
Gain 1
Gain 2
Lo
Mid
Hi
Cut
Master
10
0
10
0
10
0
10
0
10
0
20 kHz
30 Hz
10
0
DI
500
Input 1
Clip
Mute Post
On
1
1a
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12
11
2
