American Acoustic Development PJB BASS BUDDY Using Bass Buddy on Battery Power, Using headphones

Using Bass Buddy on Battery Power.

To conserve battery life, when the Bass Buddy is on battery power, the 10 watt internal amplifier is not connected. The typical running time of the Bass Buddy on battery power is around 3 hours with high-quality, conventional disposable batteries and is depending on how loud the headphone volume is. More volume means less battery time.

Using the Bass Buddy on AC Power

The Bass Buddy is supplied with a “smart” voltage sensing power supply. It will operate on any AC voltage from 100v to 240v 50-60Hz. On AC power all functions of Bass Buddy are operable.

Connect up an instrument to the Bass Buddy instrument jack (3). Select the switch to either active or passive instrument depending on what you are using. Keep the EQ controls in center position (flat response) then gradually turn up the volume control (2) until the sound level is comfortable.

Adjust EQ (4) to you taste and style of playing. Bear in mind that the EQ level of cut and boost (+/- 18dB) is about twice as much as some other equalizers. So it use sparingly at first.

If you are using the Bass Buddy with a stereo source, link up with respective cables. Gradually raise the volume control on back panel (13) until the sound level is comfortable and balances with your instrument.

Using headphones.

The Bass Buddy is a high performance unit but it will only sound as good as the headphones you are using. We recommend that you use professional grade, recording studio headphones. Cheap headphones will lack ability to reproduce good bass tones and may be of impedance that does not match the bass buddy. The Bass Buddy works best with headphones between 16-60ohms

Like speakers, some cheaper headphones may have difficulty reproducing lowest frequencies at high volume levels. Headphones can vary greatly in efficiency, frequency response and overall transparency and dynamics. This will have a major effect on how the Bass Buddy and your Bass will sound. You should audition a few good quality headphones to see what suits your taste.

Using 10 watt- internal amplifier, to an extension speaker.

This is a low-output amplifier for practice. It is ideal for use at home and can be even connected to quality hi-fi speakers without harm.

Connect up a speaker between 4-16 ohms to the speaker out jack (16). Never short out this socket. If you do it can blow amplifier’s protective, internal fuse. If this fuse should blow, the amplifier will be only feature that does not function. Amplifier will operate by replacing fuse. This fuse is only accessible inside unit and should only be replaced by a qualified service technician.

Setting up the Limiter

The Bass Buddy limiter has a preset compression ratio of 3 to 1. For each additional increase of 3dB above the set threshold, the increase in level is actually 1dB. So the dynamic range of your instrument is reduced. First set up the limiter by having compression control (5) set fully clockwise. Now switch on limiter (4). Start playing and turn control (14) (counter-clockwise). You will see the blue light start to come on and that is indication that limiter is now working. Set this control to suit your taste.

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