Fishman Prefix Pro blend User manual

Prefix Pro Blend

Acoustic Guitar System

Warning! We strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the

preamp's controls before you attempt to perform with this system.

Failure to do so can produce painful acoustic feedback (see Quick Start

on page 3). Please take a few minutes to read this guide and familiarize

yourself with the Pro Blend's controls.

User Guide

Thank you for choosing a Fishman equipped instrument. Our goal is to provide you

with the finest acoustic amplification products available-systems that simply let you

sound your best. With our long-standing commitment to quality, you can feel confi-

dent that your Fishman gear will provide great sound and trouble free performance

for years to come.

Your satisfaction is very important to us. If you have any questions, please contact

us on the web at [email protected]; or by telephone at 978-988-9665.

Featured for the Pro Blend is the acclaimed Acoustic Matrix under-saddle pickup. It

delivers a clear, articulate sound with emphasis on string definition and attack. To

compliment and contrast this pickup, a miniature electret microphone (mounted to

the underside of the preamp chassis) captures the guitar's elusive natural ambi-

ence and sound chamber resonance. Blend the pickup and Microphone together for

a powerful and cohesive acoustic guitar tone that is deeper and more "filled out",

than the sound of either the microphone or pickup alone.

The Prefix Pro Blend preamp module incorporates a unique flip-top battery compart-

ment for easy access. Levels are set by the master volume and blend controls.

Traditional shelving-style bass & treble, plus a semi-parametric "Contour" EQ are

included so you can shape your guitar's tone exactly to taste. To complete the

package, we include a phase switch and an adjustable notch filter, both essential for

fighting feedback.

THE PICKUP

The system's under-saddle pickup is the industry standard Fishman Acoustic

Matrix. It is made with Fishman's exclusive co-polymer sensing material. This pro-

prietary material reproduces your acoustic guitar sound with a sensitivity and

dynamic range that surpasses all other known materials (including piezo-ceramic

and so called "piezo-film" pickups).

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Prefix - Stereo Blender

Stereo Blender

At the heart of the pickup is a multi-layer sandwich of co-polymer strips. These

strips sense motion across the entire length of the saddle for unparalleled perfor-

mance. Compared ceramic pickups with individual elements, the Acoustic Matrix'

"unitary" co-polymer design provides a more natural and balanced response, with

sensitivity to both the strings and the soundboard. The transducer is fully enclosed

in a shielded foil wrap for dead quiet performance and total EMI noise rejection.

THE MICROPHONE

This quality electret-condenser microphone will provide very high level sound repro-

duction before feedback when used in conjunction with the unit's Phase, Notch and

Contour EQ (see page x). Conveniently shock-mounted to the underside of the pre-

amp chassis, the microphone is strategically isolated inside the instrument. For

stage use, the Microphone's interior location affords you unprecedented freedom of

movement as well as minimal bleed through from other instruments.

QUICK START

We recommend that you preset the system EQ to locate and eliminate microphone

feedback before you mix in the under-saddle pickup.

1. Set all controls as follows:

•

Notch and Volume fully counter-clockwise

•

All EQ sliders at center position

•

Blend slider at lowest position (B = microphone)

2. Slowly increase the volume and play the notes from the open low E, up to the

fourth fret G sharp until the instrument starts to rumble or howl with feedback on

one or more of these notes. Adjust the Notch control until this feedback is elimi-

nated (usually between one and two o'clock on the dial).

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3. Increase the volume some more and play (on the low E string) the fifth fret A

and above. Flip the phase switch to the position that eliminates feedback in this

region.

4. Slowly increase the Volume again, until you start to hear a high squeal.

5. Lower the Contour slider all the way down and adjust the Frequency slider until

the squealy feedback is eliminated. Raise the Contour slider (if possible) to just

below the threshold of feedback.

6. Move the Blend slider up to mix in the pickup signal (A).

7. Adjust the Bass and Treble controls as desired. Note that these controls do not

affect the microphone signal.

8. Play your guitar as loud as you like.

See diagram on page 9

SETUP

Battery Compartment

Pull the small tab at the top of

the Onboard Blender™ toward

you. The body of the preamp

will swing out, revealing the

battery compartment. Observe

the polarity marks on the bat-

tery clip and install a fresh 9V

alkaline battery accordingly.

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Prefix - Stereo Blender

Stereo Blender

Microphone Trim Control

A small circular potentiometer is located on the side of the preamp that faces the

back of the guitar. This control can be accessed by opening the battery compart-

ment. Set the Blend slider to the center position and with a small slotted screwdriv-

er and adjust the Trim Control until both the microphone and pickup levels are bal-

anced to your taste.

Endpin Jack

When you plug into the endpin jack, the Prefix Pro Blend switches on. To conserve

the battery, remove the instrument cable from the endpin jack when the system is

not being used. It is a good idea to turn down your amp or mixer input before you

plug into the endpin jack. Doing so will protect your speakers (and your ears) from

loud pops.

Battery Low LED

Plug into the endpin jack and the Low Battery light will flash momentarily, indicating

that the power is on. When the Low Battery light stays on, it is time to change the

battery.

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CONTROLS

Volume Control

This is a master volume control for both the pickup and the microphone. Set this as

high as possible (without distorting your amp or mixer) for the cleanest signal.

Notch and Phase

These controls work hand in hand to suppress two adjacent ranges of acoustic

feedback. When you set them properly, you can play your instrument as loud as

you like, feedback free.

Notch

Tune the Notch filter to scoop out the lowest range of feedback when you play

bass notes between the open low E string and (up to and including) the forth fret

G sharp on the same string. Low frequency "cavity resonance" feedback can

usually be squelched by setting the Notch control between one o'clock and two

o'clock on the dial. Note that for instruments that do not suffer from low fre-

quency feedback, the notch can be defeated by moving the dial to the Off

(seven o'clock) position.

Phase Switch

Flip the Phase switch back and forth until you find the position that sounds best

and subdues mid-bass feedback. Mid-bass feedback generally occurs when you

play bass notes above the fourth fret G sharp on the low E string.

Bass

This control affects the under-saddle pickup signal only! A Boost here will add

depth and weight to the sound the instrument.

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Prefix - Stereo Blender

Stereo Blender

Lower Feedback Range

(E to G#)

Upper Feedback Range

(A and above)

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Contour EQ

The Contour slider and the Frequency knob make up this EQ. The Frequency knob

lets you tune in on the specific range of sounds that you can boost/cut with the

Contour (level) slider.

With the Contour EQ you can boost or cut a wide range of frequencies, from gutsy

low midrange (250 Hz) to brilliant high treble (10 kHz). Often your instrument will

benefit from a slight midrange cut.

To cut mids, boost the Contour control and then sweep the Frequency control until

you find the band of frequencies that are brash and nasal sounding (usually around

the middle center of the Frequency knob's travel). Then move the Contour slider

below its detent to taste.

Treble

This control affects the under-saddle pickup signal only! A boost here will help

to "cut through the mix". Conversely, cutting the Treble will mellow and subdue your

amplified tone.

Blend Control

This control determines the balance between the two pickups. Move the slider left to

emphasize the Microphone (B). Move it right to hear more of the Pickup (A).

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Prefix - Stereo Blender

Stereo Blender

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SUGGESTED EQ SETTINGS

Anti-feedback

See Quick Start on Page 3

Brilliance

If you are playing through a limited range

amplifier (like an electric guitar amp) or

have dead strings on the instrument, you

can brighten up your sound by setting the

Frequency knob all the way to the right

and raising the Contour (level) slider to

taste. If you plan to play at high stage

volume levels, dial in more pickup than

microphone to avoid feedback.

Suggested EQ Settings Cont’d ...

Mid-Cut

You can scoop out harsh midrange by

setting the Frequency knob at about

12:00 and the Contour (level) slider

cut to taste below the center detent.

Often the desired mid-cut will fall into

the same frequency range as poten-

tial microphone feedback. You can

also cut midrange (pickup only) by

boosting the BASS and TREBLE slid-

ers to realize an "implied" mid-cut at

800 Hz.

Fingerstyle

This setting will add fullness to the bass

and definition to the treble.

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Prefix - Stereo Blender

Stereo Blender

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