Owner’s Guide
for the
BFX-220H
Bass Amplifier
with Digital Signal Processing
BFX-220H Bass Amplifierwith Digital Signal Processing
Introduction:
Crate’s new BFX-220H Bass Amp with Digital Signal Processing is a feature-packed, professional-strength
powerhouse which can deliver incredible bass sounds. Rugged construction, reliable American craftsmanship and
solid state electronics add up to create one very roadworthy, stage-ready piece of gear.
The BFX-220H packs solid state performance and easily accessible digital effects into a compact head unit,
housed in a rugged Tolex® covered cabinet. Its side-mounted handle and heavy duty rubber feet on two sides (not
just the bottom, but also on the end you set it down on in real life situations) increase its value to those performers
who are always on the go.
The BFX-220H delivers 220 watts into 4 ohms and 150 watts into 8 ohms. Several of the amplifier’s outstanding
features are listed below.
Features:
• Solid state circuitry for reliable service and incredible tones
• Crate’s APM (Automatic Power Maximizer) limiter circuit for the most output without distortion
• Variable input gain control with -15dB pad switch and 3 input icon LEDs for the best match
between your bass and the amplifier
• Switchable Contour control
• 8-band graphic equalizer for optimum tone control
• Digital Signal Processing – nine digital effects designed for the bass guitar, with level control –
can be turned on and off by means of the supplied single button footswitch
• Balanced line out jack with level control and pre/post-EQ switch
• Headphones jack with level control for practicing in private
• Effects loop for noise-free connection of your favortie processors and effects
• Rugged Tolex® covered cabinet for durability, nickel and chrome plated hardware for high cos-
metic appeal
• Crate’s exclusive 5-year warranty (U.S. only – see your dealer in other areas for warranty infor-
mation)
Important Safeguards and Precautions:
All Crate products are designed for continuous safe operation, as long as common sense is used and steps are taken to help avoid certain prob-
lems. Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage to your amplifier, yourself, and others.
• The amplifier is equipped with a three-pronged AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, NEVER remove or otherwise
attempt to defeat the ground pin of the power cord.
• Connect the amplifier ONLY to a properly grounded AC outlet of the proper voltage for your amp.
• Avoid sudden temperature extremes, rain and moisture. Also, avoid sudden and intense impact. (If the unit has been subjected to
any of the preceding abuses, have it looked at by an authorized service center.)
• NEVER set the amplifier on a support that might give out under its weight.
• Always keep the total speaker impedance at or above the rated load.
• Unplug the amplifier before cleaning it. NEVER spray liquid cleaners onto the amplifier. Wipe it with a slightly dampened, lint-free
cloth to remove dirt and film.
• Do not use the amplifier if it has sustained damage to the chassis, controls, or power cord. Refer the unit to an authorized service
center for inspection.
• Amplifiers capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inflicting permanent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure
to such levels is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and irreversible! Consider using quality hearing protection devices.
3
BFX-220H Bass Amplifierwith Digital Signal Processing
The Front Panel:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11
12 13 14 15 16
17
18
1. INPUT: Use this jack to connect your
instrument to the amplifier by means of a
shielded signal cable.
9. LIMIT LED: This LED illuminates whenev-
er the internal limit circuitry is activated. The
limiter prevents the output from sounding dis-
torted even at high volume levels. Under nor-
mal playing conditions, this LED will flash
occasionally. If this LED remains illuminated,
reduce the Master Level control (#8) until the
LED flashes.
post EQ, and post Effects. The signal level at
this jack is adjusted by the Headphones Level
control (#13). Using the Headphones jack
does not affect the signal at the Speaker jacks
(#22). This jack may also be used to send a
signal to a tuning device.
2. GAIN: Use this control to adjust the input
signal level. For the best results, the “OK”
LED (#4) should illuminate when playing at
normal levels. If the “Decrease Gain” LED illu-
minates with the Gain control at low levels,
depress the -15dB switch (#3) and adjust the
Gain control accordingly.
15. DSP LEVEL: Use this control to adjust
the level of the Digital Signal Processing
applied to the signal.
10. LINE OUT LEVEL: Use this control to
adjust the signal level at the Balanced Line
Out jack (#23).
16. FOOTSWITCH: Use this jack to connect
the supplied single button footswitch for
remote on/off control of the DSP effects.
3. -15dB SWITCH: This switch, when
depressed, attenuates the input signal by
15dB. If your bass has active electronics or
“hot” pickups, or if the “Decrease Gain” LED
(#4) illuminates with the Gain control (#2) at
low levels, depress this switch.
11. POST EQ/PRE EQ SWITCH: This
switch, when depressed, sends a post-EQ
signal to the Balanced Line Out jack (#23).
The post-EQ signal is affected by the settings
of the Gain control (#2), the Contour control
(#5), the Graphic Equalizer (#7), and the DSP
controls (#15, #17). With the switch in the out
position, the signal at the Line Out jack is pre-
EQ and is not affected by any of the afore-
mentioned controls.
17. DSP SELECTOR: Use this control to
select the type of digital effect(s) applied to
the signal. The effects are described as fol-
lows:
4. LEVEL LEDS: Use these LEDs to proper-
ly set the Gain control (#2) by following the
above instructions until the “OK” LED illumi-
nates when playing at normal levels.
DELAY: Slapback delay effect
ECHO: Long delay effect with
regeneration
CHORUS: Moderate chorus effect
FLANGE: Light flange effect
5. CONTOUR: Use this control to adjust the
tone of your instrument. This control is active
only when the Contour On/Off switch (#6) is
depressed.
12. EFFECTS BLEND: Use this control to
adjust the amount of effect applied to the sig-
nal from the external effects loop (#24, #25).
With the control fully counter clockwise, no
effects are applied to the signal. As you rotate
the control clockwise the amount of effects
applied to the signal increases. Setting the
control to the 12 o’clock position (“5”) gives a
50/50 blend of dry signal and effects.
FUNK-WAH: Touch-sensitive wah-wah
(“T-Wah”) effect
OCTAVE: Adds a secondary signal one
octave lower than the original
signal
6. CONTOUR ON/OFF: This switch, when
depressed, activates the Contour control (#5).
CHO/HALL: Moderate chorus effect with
a large hall reverb effect
7. GRAPHIC EQUALIZER: Use these eight
sliders to adjust the frequencies indicated
beneath each one to custom-tailor your
sound or to compensate for room acoustics.
RM: Small room reverb effect
HALL: Large hall reverb effect
13. HEADPHONES LEVEL: Use this control
to adust the signal level at the Headphones
jack (#14).
18. POWER: Use this switch to turn the
amplifier on (top of the switch depressed)
and off (bottom of the switch depressed).
This switch illuminates when the amplifier is
turned on.
8. MASTER LEVEL: Use this control to
adjust the output level of the amplifier. This
control affects the signal level at the
Headphones jack (#14), the Preamp Out jack
(#19), and the Speaker jacks (#22).
14. HEADPHONES: Use this jack to connect
a pair of stereo headphones, for listening in
private. The signal at this jack is post Gain,
4
BFX-220H Bass Amplifierwith Digital Signal Processing
The Rear Panel:
20 21
PREAMP
OUT
EFFECTS
LOOP
PWR AMP
IN
RETURN
25
24
SEND
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS:
RISQUE DE CHOC
ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.
S
P
E
A
K
E
R
S
MODEL: BFX220H
SERIAL: XXXX0000000000
LINE: 120 V ~ 60 Hz
WATTS: 550 MAX
150W @ 8 OHMS
220W @ 4 OHMS
MIN. LOAD
23
MADE IN THE U.S.A.
BY SLM ELECTRONICS
1400 FERGUSON AVE.
ST. LOUIS, MO 63133
BALANCED
LINE OUT
22
19
19. AC LINE CORD: This grounded power
cord is to be plugged into a grounded
power outlet, wired to current electric
codes and compatible with voltage, power,
and frequency requirements stated on the
rear panel. Do not attempt to defeat the
safety ground connection.
22. SPEAKERS: Use these jacks to con-
nect the amplifier to your speaker cabi-
net(s) using heavy duty speaker cables.
These jacks are wired in parallel. Avoid
speaker combinations which result in
impedance loads below 4 ohms. The fol-
lowing chart shows acceptable parallel
load combinations:
effects processor. The signal at this jack is
balanced, and its level is controlled by the
Line Out Level control (#10, front panel).
The signal may be post or pre-EQ,
depending on the Post-EQ/Pre-EQ switch
(#11, front panel).
24. EFFECTS LOOP SEND: Use this 1/4”
jack to send an unbalanced line level sig-
nal to the input jack of an external efects
processor.
20. PREAMP OUT: Use this 1/4” jack to
send a preamplified, line level signal to an
external amplifier, powered monitor,
recording console, mixing board or effects
processor. The signal at this jack is unbal-
anced: tip = signal +, sleeve = signal –.
CAB IMP.
# CABS
TOTAL IMP.
8 ohms
16 ohms
16 ohms
2
2
4
4 ohms
8 ohms
4 ohms
25. EFFECTS LOOP RETURN: Use this
1/4” jack to connect the signal from the
output jack of an external effects device
into the amplifier.
21. POWER AMP IN: Use this jack to send
a line level signal into the BFX-220H’s
internal power amplifier. When a connec-
tion is made into this jack, the signal from
the input jack is interrupted.
23. BALANCED LINE OUT: Use this XLR
jack to send a preamplified, line level sig-
nal to an external amplifier, powered mon-
itor, recording console, mixing board or
5
BFX-220H Bass Amplifierwith Digital Signal Processing
Some Suggested Settings:
ROCK:
AS NEEDED
"OUT"
JAZZ:
AS NEEDED
"IN"
COUNTRY:
AS NEEDED
"IN"
FUNK:
AS NEEDED
"IN"
6
BFX-220H Bass Amplifierwith Digital Signal Processing
System Blcok Diagram:
INPUT
8 BAND
GRAPHIC
CONTOUR
ON / OFF
EFFECTS
SEND
GAIN
-15dB PAD
LEVEL
LEDS
EFFECTS
BLEND
EFFECTS
RETURN
DSP
∑
MASTER
FOOT
SWITCH
POST
LEVEL
BALANCED
LINE OUT
PRE
LINE OUT
LEVEL
PREAMP
OUT
POWER
AMP IN
POWER
AMP
SPEAKER
OUT
LIMIT
LED
SPEAKER
OUT
HEAD-
PHONES
HEADPHONE
LEVEL
7
BFX-220H Bass Amplifierwith Digital Signal Processing
Technical Specifications:
Maximum Input Signal Level Accepted
Input Impedance
17 volts peak to peak (-15dB switch depressed)
500k ohms (-15dB switch out), 75k ohms (-15dB switch depressed)
75dB typical
Signal to Noise Ratio
Output Power Rating
160 watts RMS @ < 5% THD, 8 ohm load, 120VAC line
220 watts RMS @ < 5% THD, 4 ohm load, 120VAC line
Gain @ 1kHz
EQ Section
67dB with EQ flat, Contour off
20dB range (±10dB) @ 40Hz, 100Hz, 225Hz, 625Hz, 1.6kHz, 4kHz,
8kHz and 16kHz
Power Requirements
Size and Weight
110-120VAC, 60 Hz250VA
110-115VAC, 50/60 Hz250VA
230VAC, 50/60 Hz250VA
7-1/8” H x 19-1/2” W x 12” D, 30 lbs
Declaration Of Conformity
#34, Effective 01-01-2001
Manufacturer’s Name:
SLM Electronics
Production Facility:
Production Facility:
Shipping Facility:
Office Facility:
11880 Borman Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146, USA
700 Hwy 202 W, Yellville, AR 72687, USA
1400 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133, USA
1400 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133, USA
Product Type:
Audio Amplifier
Complies with Standards:
LVD:
Safety:
EMC:
92/31/EEC, 93/68/EEC, & 73/23/EWG
EN60065
EN55013, EN55020, EN55022, EN61000-3-2,
& EN61000-3-3
Supplementary information provided by your local Sales & Services Office or:
SLM Electronics - R & D Engineering
1901 Congressional Drive, St Louis, MO 63146, USA
Tel.: 314-569-0141, Fax: 314-569-0175
Crate continually develops new products, as well as improves existing ones. For this reason,
specifications and information in this manual are subject to change without notice.
47-589-52 • 08/01
©2001 SLM Electronics • 1400 Ferguson Avenue • St. Louis, MO 63133 U.S.A.
|