Crate Amplifiers Stereo Amplifier BFX 220H User Manual

Owner’s Guide  
for the  
BFX-220H  
Bass Amplifier  
with Digital Signal Processing  
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BFX-220H Bass Amplifierwith Digital Signal Processing  
Congratulations!  
You are now the proud owner of the innovative Crate BFX-220H Bass Amp with Digital Signal  
Processing. The BFX-220H offers a wide selection of Digital effects designed especially for the bass gui-  
tar, each of which are easily accessed with the simple turn of a control knob. (No programmer’s degree  
required!)  
Like all Crate products, your BFX-220H is designed by musicians and built using only the best com-  
ponenets. Extensive testing at many stages of its production, including a final “audition” by a skilled  
musician, insures that your BFX-220H bass amp is the best it can be.  
In order to get the best possible performance, please read this manual before you use the amplifier.  
And thank you for choosing  
Contents:  
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3  
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3  
Important Safeguards and Precautions . . . . . .3  
The Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4  
The Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5  
Some Suggested Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6  
System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7  
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . .back cover  
CAUTION  
PRECAUCION  
ATTENTION  
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK  
DO NOT OPEN  
RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO  
NO ABRA  
RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION  
NE PAS OUVRIR  
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE  
THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC  
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER  
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.  
PRECAUCION: PARA REDUCIR EL RIESGO DE INCENDIOS  
MITA QUE ESTE APARATO QUEDE EXPUESTO LA LLUVIA  
O
O
DESCARGAS ELECTRICAS, NO PER-  
LA HUMEDAD. PARA DISMINUOIR EL  
ATTENTION: PROTÉGEZ CET APPAREIL DE LA PLUIE ET DE L'HUMIDITÉ AFIN D'ÉVITER TOUT  
RISQUE D'INCENDIE OU D'ÉLECTROCUTION. POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS ENLEVER  
LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE  
A
RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO. NO ABRA LA CUBIERTA. NO HAY PIEZAS ADENTRO QUE EL USARIO  
PUEDO REPARAR DEJE TODO MANTENIMIENTO  
A
LOS TECHNICOS CALIFICADOS.  
REPARATION, S'ADRESSER  
A
UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.  
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS  
READ, FOLLOW, HEED, AND KEEP ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.  
DO NOT OPERATE NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCE AND DO NOT BLOCK ANY VENTILATION OPENINGS ON THIS APPARATUS. FOR PROPER OPERATION, THIS UNIT REQUIRES 3”  
(75CM) OF WELL VENTILATED SPACE AROUND HEATSINKS AND OTHER AIR FLOW PROVISIONS IN THE CABINET.  
DO NOT USE THIS APPARATUS NEAR SPLASHING, FALLING, SPRAYING, OR STANDING LIQUIDS.  
CLEAN ONLY WITH LINT-FREE DAMP CLOTH AND DO NOT USE CLEANING AGENTS.  
ONLY CONNECT POWER CORD TO A POLARIZED, SAFETY GROUNDED OUTLET WIRED TO CURRENT ELECTRICAL CODES AND COMPATIBLE WITH VOLTAGE, POWER, AND  
FREQUENCY REQUIREMENTS STATED ON THE REAR PANEL OF THE APPARATUS.  
PROTECT THE POWER CORD FROM DAMAGE DUE TO BEING WALKED ON, PINCHED, OR STRAINED.  
UNPLUG THE APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.  
ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS, ACCESSORIES, STANDS, OR BRACKETS SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR SAFE OPERATION AND TO AVOID INJURY.  
THIS APPARATUS DOES NOT OPERATE NORMALLY AND REQUIRES SERVICE WITH ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE FROM IMPACT OR ANY EXPOSURE TO MOISTURE.  
SERVICE MUST BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.  
OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMA-  
NENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME.  
EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:  
EXPLICACION DE SIMBOLOS GRAFICOS:  
EXPLICATION DES SYMBÔLES GRAPHIQUES:  
"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"  
“ES NECESARIO QUE EL USUARIO SE REFIERA AL MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES.”  
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"  
"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"  
“VOLTAJE PELIGROSO”  
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"  
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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