9
Setting Up and Using The Model 3500/5500
Model 3500/5500 Effect Send/
Return jacks and Balance control
IN
OUT
+15
+12
+9
+6
+3
+2
-2
-3
-6
-9
-12
-15
+15
0
-15
8KHz
5KHz
3KHz
2KHz
1KHz
500Hz
250Hz
125Hz
64Hz
30Hz
8KHz
5KHz
3KHz
2KHz
1KHz
500Hz
250Hz
125Hz
64Hz
30Hz
IN
OUT
+15
+12
+9
+6
+3
+2
-2
-3
-6
-9
-12
-15
+15
0
-15
8KHz
5KHz
3KHz
2KHz
1KHz
500Hz
250Hz
125Hz
64Hz
30Hz
8KHz
5KHz
3KHz
2KHz
1KHz
500Hz
250Hz
125Hz
64Hz
30Hz
IN
OUT
+15
+12
+9
+6
+3
+2
-2
-3
-6
-9
-12
-15
+15
0
-15
8KHz
5KHz
3KHz
2KHz
1KHz
500Hz
250Hz
125Hz
64Hz
30Hz
8KHz
5KHz
3KHz
2KHz
1KHz
500Hz
250Hz
125Hz
64Hz
30Hz
7. Experiment with altering the balance of the two Pre-Amp knobs, listening to the
effect each has on the overall sound. Depending upon the specific instrument you
are using and your personal taste, you may prefer the sound of one over the other, or
you may prefer a particular blend of the two. Note that, when both are used at equal
settings, the amplifier will be twice as loud as when only one is used. In step #4 on
the previous page, we recommended that you begin with both knobs at their mid-
way “5” setting, but the two Pre-Amp knobs can in fact be set to any blend you like.
However, you will usually want to avoid setting both to their maximum “10” position
since this setting will almost always result in undesirable distortion.
8. When you have settled on a Pre-Amp balance, the next step is to adjust the two
Contour (bass and treble equalizer) controls to taste. For more information, see the
“About Equalization” section on page 10 of this manual. When you get a great setting
that complements your instrument and playing style, it’s a good idea to write it down
for future use.
9. Next, experiment with the Model 3500/5500 graphic equalizer. Begin by setting
each of the ten sliders to their flat “0” center detented position. Then press in the
In/Out switch (to its “In” position) so that the graphic equalizer is activated. Finally,
move each slider in turn as you play your bass. For more information, see the “About
Equalization” section on page 10 of this manual. Again, when you get a graphic
equalization setting that complements your instrument and playing style, it’s a good
idea to write it down for future use.
10. Now try out the Model 3500/5500 compression circuitry. Activate it by turning
the Compression knob clockwise from its “Off” position (you’ll hear a click when it is
activated). As you turn the knob clockwise, the input signal from your bass becomes
more and more severely compressed—you’ll hear peak signals (such as string slaps
and pulls) begin to sound increasingly “squashed,” relative to the lower-level signals
produced by standard playing. The result will be a decreased dynamic range but
an overall leveling of signal throughout the full pitch range of your instrument. For
more information, see the “About Compression” section on page 12. In the Model
3500/5500, the Compression LED will light steadily green when no compression
is being applied, will go out whenever small amounts of compression are being
applied and will flash or light steadily red when limiting (severe compression) is being
applied.
11. If you’re using an external signal processor, turn your Hartke amplifier off momen-
tarily and then connect a standard audio cable between the Effect Send jack and your
effects processor input and another standard audio cable between the Effect Return
jack and your effects processor output (if required, multiple effects processors can
be daisy-chained together, output to input). Start with the effect Balance knob at its
center detented “0” position, so that you hear equal amounts of both the send and
return signal.* Then turn the amp back on and play your bass while adjusting the
controls of your outboard effects processor(s). For best results, set both the input and
output gain of all connected effects processor(s) to 0 dB (unity gain), so that there is
no increase or decrease in level whether the effects are switched in or out.
If you have followed all the steps above and are still experiencing difficulties, call
Samson Technical Support (516-932-1062) between 9 AM and 5 PM EST.
* For more information on the use of the Hartke 5500 effect Balance control, see page 7 in
this manual.
5
4
3
2
1
0
6
7
8
9
10
5
4
3
2
1
0
6
7
8
9
10
A
B
TUBE
SOLID STATE
5
4
3
2
1
0
6
7
8
9
∞
EFFECT
SEND
RETURN
BALANCE
0
SEND RETURN
ENGLISH
9
