Kickback KB12 - Receiver Hartke - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL Kickback KB12 Hartke

1. Please read all instructions before operating the unit.

2. Keep these instructions for future reference.

3. Please heed all safety warnings.

4. Follow manufacturers instructions.

5. Do not use this unit near water or moisture.

6. Clean only with a damp cloth.

7. Do not block any of the ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (includ

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two

blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or third prong is provided for your safety. When the provided plug does not fit your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on and pinched particularly at plugs, convenience recep

tacles and at the point at which they exit from the unit.

11. Unplug this unit during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

12. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Servicing is required when the unit has been damaged in

any way, such as power supply cord or plug damage, or if liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the unit, the unit has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.

• The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the products enclosure that may be of sufficient magni- tude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product. Caution: To reduce the hazard of electrical shock, do not remove cover or back. No user serviceable parts inside. Please refer all servic- ing to qualified personnel.Copyright 2005 - 2009, Samson Technologies Corp. Printed December, 2009 v1.0 Samson Technologies Corp. 45 Gilpin Avenue Hauppauge, New York 11788-8816 Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766) Fax: [phone] www.samsontech.com Table of Contents ENGLISH Introduction p. 4
• Kickback Features p. 5
• Guided Tour - Front Panel p. 6
• Guided Tour - Rear Panel p. 8
• Setting Up and Using Your Kickback Amplifier p. 9
• Using Equalization p. 11
• -13 The Effect of the Shape Control p. 14
• Specifications p. 59
• FRANÇAIS Introduction p. 15
• Fonctions du Kickback p. 16
• Visite guidée — Face avant p. 17
• Visite guidée — Face arrière p. 19
• Mise en oeuvre et utilisation du Kickback p. 20
• Utilisation de l'égalisation p. 22
• -24 Effets de la fonction Shape sur le son p. 25
• Caractéristiques techniques p. 60
• DEUTSCHE Einleitung p. 26
• Kickback Features p. 27
• Geführter Rundgang - Vorderseite p. 28
• Geführter Rundgang - Rückseite p. 30
• Kickback-Verstärker einrichten und einsetzen p. 31
• -32 Kickback-Verstärker einrichten und einsetzen p. 32
• EQ einsetzen p. 33
• -35 Wirkung des Shape-Reglers p. 36
• Technische Daten p. 61
• ESPAÑOL Introducción p. 37
• Características del Kickback p. 38
• Recorrido guiado - Panel frontal p. 39
• Recorrido guiado - Panel trasero p. 41
• Manejo de su amplificador Kickback p. 42
• -43 Uso de la ecualización p. 44
• -46 El efecto del control Shape p. 47
• Especificaciones técnicas p. 62
• ITALIANO Introduzione p. 48
• Caratteristiche p. 49
• Tour guidato - Pannello frontale p. 50
• Tour guidato - Pannello posteriore p. 52
• Configurare e utilizzare l'amplificatore Kickback p. 53
• Usare l'Equalizzazione p. 55
• -57 Effetto del controllo Shape p. 58
• Specifiche Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Hartke HS1200 KickBack™ Combo Bass Amplifier! Although we designed this amp for easy operation, we sug- gest you take some time out first to go through these pages so you can fully understand how we’ve implemented a number of unique features. Your Kickback™ combo features the Hartke HS1200 amplifier, with 120 watts of clean power along with a matched 8-ohm 12” bass speaker, or 8-ohm 15” bass speaker. The specially designed cabinet which can be used either flat on the floor or in its “KickBack” position for increased high-end clarity and directionality. Optimized for use with electric bass instruments, you’ll find the HS1200 to be the perfect system for use in small venues (such as club dates); in addition, its dedicated headphone output makes it an excellent practice amp. In these pages, you’ll find a detailed description of the many features of the HS1200 KickBack™ Bass Amplifier, as well as a guided tour through its front and rear panels, step-by-step instructions for setting up and using the unit, additional information about equalization and the use of a unique Shape control, and full specifications. You’ll also find a warranty card enclosed—please don’t forget to fill it out and mail it so that you can receive online technical support and so we can send you updated information about this and other Hartke and Samson products in the future. SPECIAL NOTE: Should your HS1200 ever require servicing, a Return Authorization (RA) number is necessary. Without this number, the unit will not be accepted. Please call Samson at 1-800-372-6766 for a Return Authorization number prior to shipping. Please retain the original packing materials and, if possible, return the unit in its original carton and packing materials. ENGLISH 4Kickback Features The HS1200 offers advanced design in state-of-the-art bass amplification at an extremely affordable price. Here are some of its main features p. 63

• Power to spare—a full 120 watts into 8 ohms.

• Bipolar design for clean, crisp sound—as well as our Transient Attack® circuitry, which ensures that every nuance of your bass performance is reproduced faithfully.

• Three bands of high-quality equalization, allowing you to create a broad range of tonal colors for your bass instrument.

• A unique contour filtering system called “Shape.” This activates an equalization curve specially designed to enhance the sound of the electric bass. In addition, a Shape control enables you to continuously sweep a filter through various fre- quency areas in order to customize the effect of the Shape curve to the specific tonal characteristics of your particular bass instrument.

• A separate headphone output which automatically mutes the speaker output, allowing the HS1200 to be used as a high-quality practice amp. In addition, a front-panel Direct Out enables the HS1200 to be easily interfaced with external sound reinforcement or recording mixing consoles.

• A feedback-type input that accommodates a broad range of input levels (up to 15 volts), so that you can use the HS1200 with pretty much any kind of bass, from passive models to those with active circuitry.

• Included is a matched Hartke 12” 8-ohm, or 8-ohm 15”, speaker mounted in a specially designed “KickBack™” cabinet. When used in the “KickBack™” position, the HS1200 acts like an onstage “wedge” monitor, adding high frequency clar- ity and directionality to the sound.

• Rugged construction, metal screen speaker cover and carpeted exterior serve to make the HS1200 eminently road-worthy. Hartke KICKBACK 15

ENGLISH 5Guided Tour - Front Panel

1. Input jack - Connect your bass guitar to the HS1200 here. This standard 1/4” unbal-

anced jack provides a wide range high impedance input and is specially designed to handle a broad range of bass pickup signals up to 15 volts (allowing you to use any kind of bass, including those models that contain active circuitry).

2. Volume control - This is the overall volume control. For best signal-to-noise ratio,

keep the output of your bass at or near maximum and adjust the HS1200 Volume to the desired level.

3. Shape switch - When pressed in, the HS1200 activates a special equalization curve

that is designed to enhance the sound of your bass instrument. When out, Shape is inactive. For more information, see the “Effect of the Shape Control” section on page 14 in this manual.

4. Shape control - When the Shape switch (see #3 above) is pressed in, this control is

active. It applies a 20 dB filter to the specified frequency area so that you can custom- ize the effect of the Shape curve to best complement your particular bass instrument. Moving the Shape control clockwise causes the notch filter to be applied to higher fre- quencies while moving it counterclockwise causes it to be applied to lower frequen- cies. At the fully clockwise position, the filter is applied to the 1 kHz frequency area; at the fully counterclockwise position, the filter is applied to the 80 Hz frequency area. For more information, see the “Effect of the Shape Control” section on page 14 in this manual.

5. Low EQ control - This control provides approximately 15 db of cut or boost at 100

Hz, with a peak (bell) curve. When the knob is at the 12 o’clock (“0”) position, there is no boost or attenuation (that is, flat response). As it is turned clockwise from the “0” position, the frequency area is boosted; as it is turned counterclockwise from the “0” position, the frequency area is attenuated. For more information, see the “About Equalization” section on page 11 in this manual.

6. Mid EQ control - This control provides approximately 15 db of cut or boost at 300

Hz, with a peak (bell) curve. When the knob is at the 12 o’clock (“0”) position, there is no boost or attenuation (that is, flat response). As it is turned clockwise from the “0” position, the frequency area is boosted; as it is turned counterclockwise from the “0” position, the frequency area is attenuated. For more information, see the “About Equalization” section on page 11 in this manual.

ENGLISH 6Guided Tour - Front Panel

7. High EQ control - This shelving control provides approximately 15 db of cut or

boost at 5 kHz. When the knob is at the 12 o’clock (“0”) position, there is no boost or attenuation (that is, flat response). As it is turned clockwise from the “0” position, the frequency area is boosted; as it is turned counterclockwise from the “0” position, the frequency area is attenuated. For more information, see the “About Equalization” sec- tion on page 11 in this manual.

8. Direct output - This standard male XLR connector provides a miclevel pre-EQ (and

pre-Volume) balanced low-impedance output from the HS1200. You’ll usually use this to connect the HS1200 signal to a Direct Injection (DI) box or to an XLR mic input when interfacing with external sound reinforcement or recording mixing consoles. The signal from this output adds approximately 6 dB of gain to the input level.

9. Headphones jack - Connect any standard stereo headphone (600 ohms or less) to

this standard 1/4” stereo jack. When a plug is inserted into the headphone jack, the HS1200 speaker output is muted, enabling you to use the unit as a practice ampli- fier. The level of the signal sent to the headphones is determined by the setting of the Volume knob—when set to the point where a connected speaker would clip, the headphones will clip.

10. Power switch - Use this to power the HS1200 on or off.

11. Power LED - Lights whenever the HS1200 is powered on.

WARNING: Because the HS1200 is capable of generating extremely high headphone

signal levels,always start with the Volume knob at minimum and then slowly turn it up. In particular, a clicking sound is an indication of distortion and possible damage to the headphones (and/or your hearing!); don’t let things get to that point! ENGLISH 7Guided Tour - Rear Panel

1. Fuse holder - Insert a 3 amp, 250 volt fuse here for 115 volt operation. We recom-

mend the use of slow-blow fuses.

2. Speaker output - The internal speaker is normally connected to this standard

unbalanced 1/4” jack; if desired, external 8 ohm speakers can be substituted, though this is not recommended.

WARNING: Because of the high power levels and low frequency content of the signal

generated by the HS1200, we recommend the use of the provided internal speaker only. If you do wish to connect an external speaker, use only appropriately rated 8 ohm speaker cabinets that are specifically designed for bass instruments. FUSE

ENGLISH 8Setting Up and Using Your Kickback Amplifier Setting up your Hartke Systems HS1200 KickBack™ Bass Amplifier is a simple procedure, which takes only a few minutes:

1. Remove all packing materials (save them in case of need

for future service) and decide where the amplifier is to be physically placed. To avoid potential overheating problems, make sure that the rear panel is unobstructed and that there is good ventilation around the entire unit. The HS1200 may be used flat on the floor or in its “KickBack™” position (for increased high frequency clarity and directionality), as shown in the illustration below:

2. The HS1200 is shipped with a rear panel connector

between the speaker output (see #2 on page 6 of this manual) and the built-in speaker input; check to make sure this is in place; if not, plug it in. If you are using an external speaker cabinet, make a connection between it and the 1/4” unbalanced Speaker output connector on the rear panel. Any appropriately rated external bass cabinet with an impedance load of 8 ohms can be used, though we recom- mend the use of the specially designed internal speaker. It is never a good idea to power up any amplifier that is not connected to a loudspeaker.

3. Next, connect the 3-pin AC plug into any grounded AC

socket. Don’t turn the HS1200 on just yet, though.

4. Use a standard music instrument cable to connect your

bass to the Input jack on the front panel. On the front panel of the HS1200, turn the Volume control to its minimum (fully counterclockwise) position, set all three EQ controls to their “0” (12 o’clock) position, and start with the Shape switch out (that is, off).

5. Press the front panel Power switch in order to turn on the

HS1200; the LED above it will light up.

96. Set the output of your bass to maximum

and then, while playing, slowly turn the HS1200 Volume control up until the desired level is achieved. If you hear distortion even at low amplifier Volume settings, back off the output of your bass (or check for a faulty cable).

7. Press in the Shape switch and turn the Shape knob both

clockwise and counterclockwise to hear the effect of the Shape curve and filter on the sound of your bass. Leave the Shape knob at the point where it best complements your particular instrument and playing style.

8. Adjust the three equalization controls to taste (when you

get a great setting that complements your instrument and playing style, it’s a good idea to write it down for future use).

9. Test the headphone output by turning the Volume control

to its minimum (fully counterclockwise) position and then connect a standard stereo headphone to the front-panel Headphones jack. While playing your bass, slowly turn the Volume control up—you should hear sound from the head- phones and none from the connected speaker. We recom- mend the use of large size headphones (those with large transducers) for optimum bass reproduction.

10. If you need to connect the HS1200 to a live sound rein-

forcement or recording mixing console, plug a standard female XLR jack into the front-panel Direct Out output and connect it to a Direct Injection (DI) box or to an XLR mic- level input on the mixer. (See #8 on page 6 in this manual for more information on the use of the HS1200 Direct Out). If you encounter difficulty with any aspect of setting up or using your HS1200, you can call Samson Technical Support (1-800-372-6766) between 9 AM and 5 PM EST. Setting Up and Using Your Hartke Kickback Amplifier ENGLISH 10Using Equalization The Hartke Systems Transient Attack® HS1200 Bass Amplifier gives you enormous control over shaping the sound of your bass, using a process called equalization. To understand how this works, it’s important to know that every naturally occur- ring sound consists of a broad range of pitches, or frequencies, combined together in a unique way. This blend is what gives every sound its distinctive tonal color. EQ controls allow you to alter a sound by boosting or attenuating specific frequency areas—they operate much like the bass and treble controls on your hi-fi amp, but with much greater precision. The HS1200 provides you with three bands of equalization. Each EQ knob (labeled Low, Mid, and High, respectively) affects a different frequency area (100 Hz, 300 Hz, and 5 kHz, respectively) and provides approximately 15 db of boost and attenuation. We carefully selected these frequency areas because they have maximum impact on bass signals. For example, the Low (100 Hz) control affects the very lowest audible frequencies (in fact, most humans cannot hear below 20 Hz), while the High (5 kHz) control affects the “twang” of a bass string. When an EQ knob is in its center detented position (“0”), it is having no effect. When it is moved right of center, the particular frequency area is being boosted; when it is moved left of center, the frequency area is being attenuated. Turning all EQ controls up the same amount will have virtually the same effect as simply turning up the Volume; conversely, turning them all down the same amount will have virtually the same effect as turning down the Volume. Both approaches are pointless (after all, that’s why we gave you a Volume control!) ENGLISH 11Using Equalization In many instances, the best way to deal with equalization is to think in terms of which frequency areas you need to attenuate, as opposed to which ones you need to boost. Be aware that boosting a frequency area also has the effect of boosting the overall signal; specifically, too much Low EQ boost can actually cause overload distortion or even harm a connected speaker. The specific EQ you will apply to your bass signal is very much dependent upon your particular instrument and personal taste and playing style. However, here are a few general suggestions:

• For that super-deep reggae or Motown sound, boost the Low EQ slightly while attenuating the High control (leave the Mid control flat or slightly attenuated):

1. Rated Output Power 135 W 120 W

3. Total Harmonic Distortion 0.03% 1%

(@ 120 W, with 30 kHz LPF)

5. Frequency Response

(Shape control, Min. to Max.)

3. THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) 0.03% 1%