Setting Up and Using the VX3500

SPEAKER

OUTPUT

MINIMUM

IMPEDANCE

4 OHMS

INPUT

PASSIVE

ACTIVE

o

POWER

Setting up your Hartke Systems 2000/3500 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, be sure that the rear panel is unobstructed and that there is good ventilation around the entire unit, particularly behind the rear-panel fan.

2.Locate the included casters, which are packed separately in the shipping car- ton, and follow the installation instructions outlined in Appendix A on page 13 of this manual.

WARNING: Hartke amplifiers can deliver very high power levels. Driven to full power, they can damage connected loudspeakers, regardless of brand, size, or configuration. Care should be taken not to strain connected loudspeakers as this can cause permanent damage and will degrade the performance of the entire system. If you see connected loudspeakers moving excessively, turn your system down immediately or use the equalization and/or compression controls to reduce the amount of subharmonic (extremely low frequency) signal.

3.Next, connect the 3-pin AC plug into any grounded AC socket. Don’t turn the amplifier on just yet, though.

4.Use a standard music instrument cable to connect your bass to the appropri- ate Input jack on the front panel (if your bass has active circuitry,* connect it to the “Active” input; if not, connect it to the “Passive” input). On the front panel of the Model 2000/3500, set the Master volume control to “0” (fully counterclock- wise) and set both Pre-Amp A (Tube) and B (Solid State) knobs to “5” (the twelve o’clock position). Set the Compression knob to its “Off” position (fully counterclockwise—you’ll hear a click) and set both Contour knobs to their center detented “0” position. Finally, set the graphic equalizer In/Out switch to its “Out” position.

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

After approximately three seconds, you’ll hear a click, indicating that the relay protection circuitry has completed cycling and that power to the system has been provided.

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

*Bass guitars that have active circuitry normally require a battery for the circuitry to be functional.

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