REAR PANEL FEATURES
Balanced (XLR) Output
The Balanced XLR out is a true electronically balanced output, suitable for studio and “front-of-house” (live) mixing consoles. The level present at this output has been set to a level optimal for most mixing board input applications. The signal appearing at the Balanced Output is governed by the setting of the push-button XLR Mode switch located below it (Line/Direct).
In the “Direct” position (button pushed out, the default setting from the factory), the Balanced Output sig- nal comes from directly after the input buffer amp, giving you the sound of your instrument as purely and quietly as possible. In this position, no front panel controls are functional.
In the “Line” position, all front panel controls—including the Shape and EQ controls—are functional except the Master control, and the signal is essentially the same as that heard through your speaker system. If you are using an effects device in the effects loop, that signal will also be present when in the “Line” position (dictated by the setting of the Effects Blend control on your Workingman’s 8004). When in this position, the output level will be also affected by the Gain control on the front panel. It’s worth noting that changing the level of the Gain control will affect the signal present at your speakers, the Effects Send jack, and the Balanced Output. For this reason, it’s usually better to set your Gain control in accordance with the directions in the “Gain Control” previously listed in the “Front Panel Features” section of this guide, and to let the mixing engineer pad or boost the signal if necessary. However, you can adjust the Balanced Output level yourself with the Gain control if that option is not available for some reason.
Wiring for the XLR jack at the Balanced Output is as follows:
Pin 1 = ground, Pin 2 = + (plus), Pin 3 = – (minus) (American Standard)
Note: Turn off transients appear at the Balanced Output when the amplifier is shut down. We rec- ommend that equipment being used in conjunction with the Balanced Output be turned down, off, or disconnected BEFORE the Workingman’s 8004 is turned off.
XLR Mode Switch (Line/Direct)
This two-position push-button switch determines the signal present at the Balanced (XLR) Output jack as described in the section directly above. In simple terms:
1.“Direct” = pre-EQ
2.“Line” = post-EQ, pre-master
Pushing on the switch will change the mode of operation. When the switch is in the “out” position (default setting from the factory), the Balanced Output will be in “Direct” mode. When the switch is in the “in” position, the Balanced Output will be in “Line” mode.
XLR Ground/Lift Switch
Sometimes connecting to certain mixing boards or studio consoles with non-standard XLR wiring can cause a ground loop. Your Workingman’s 8004 has a push-button switch for lifting the ground on the Balanced Output. (It affects no other outputs.) Pushing on the switch will change the mode of operation. When the switch is in the “out” position (default setting from the factory), ground is on Pin 1 of the Balanced Output jack as normal. When the switch is in the “in” position, the ground is lifted from Pin 1 of this output. If a persistent hum exists after trying both positions of the ground lift, there is probably:
1.A bad cable or connection somewhere between your Balanced Output jack and the snake leading to the mixing console
2.A dirty or miswired A/C socket
3.Mis-wired or poorly wired A/C in the building
4.Fluorescent lighting directly above you or in close proximity (especially when using single-coil pickups)
5.A cell phone in your right pocket that’s interacting with the electronics in your bass (don’t laugh, this actually happens!)
But, in the case of a true ground loop, this switch can often times solve the problem.
