Telonics MINI-12, User Manual

Page 1: ...ni Combos Head Unit Preamplifier and External Speakers TCA 500C 15 1U COMBO TCA 500C 15 MINI COMBO TCA 500C 12 1U COMBO TCA 500C 12 MINI COMBO MINI 12 EXTERNAL SPEAKER ENCLOSURE TCA 500C 1U HEAD UNIT TCA 500C 212 SUPER TWIN COMBO TLF PRE500 LITE FLIGHT PREAMPLIFER SYSTEM MINI 15 EXTERNAL SPEAKER ENCLOSURE ...

Page 2: ...ests the risk of damage to hearing occurs when the level exceeds 85dB An example of 80dB might be an alarm clock and 90dB a lawn mower Current evidence suggests ears can tolerate up to 2 hours of exposure at 91dB but damage can occur with only 1 minute of exposure at 112dB Levels of 110dB on a bandstand are frequently recorded Whenever you use this apparatus carefully evaluate the sound level In a...

Page 3: ...xternal Speaker Amp Control Functions 33 TCA 500C Head Unit only Amp CONTROLS Functions Jacks 34 TCA 500C Combo Amp Setup Settings 35 TCA 500C Thermal Management System 37 Frequently Asked Questions 39 Optional External Control Units 41 Handy Patch MIDI Controller MC100 43 Using Small Stomp Box Effects Units with the TCA 500 series Amplifiers 46 How To Be A Tone Master Subtractive Equalization 48 ...

Page 4: ...However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment including the PSU off and on the user is encouraged to try correcting the interference by one or more of the following measures Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Incre...

Page 5: ...date many different instruments and as such its controls cover a wider range of options than previously offered to the professional musician Accordingly for any given instrument the controls may feel more sensitive when adjusted for a specific instrument For this reason the user is encouraged to make smaller adjustments while listening carefully Final adjustments should always be made with the ear...

Page 6: ...units 9 VDC on Mini Combo Models Balanced XLR Direct output for stage and studio use Includes ground lift switch Analog modeling for Direct Out for live venue or studio use with preset modeling Buffered tuner output front panel active full time even when mute is ON Auxiliary stereo input on rear panel for home practice or solo gigs with front panel level control For CD mp3 players or for use as a ...

Page 7: ... gain for the first amplification stage And is used in conjunction with the MASTER LEVEL control it also affects the level for the Insert Pre EQ Send jack and the maximum level to the EFX Send jack both of which are on the rear panel Start at 3 or 4 and adjust as needed It s important to understand the function of this control as its setting impacts other controls and the overall sound When a guit...

Page 8: ... would normally play slowly increase the Input Gain control until the Overload LED just starts to occasionally flash then reduce the Input Gain control until it just ceases to flash as you strike the chords iii You have now set the optimum level for the Input Gain control You should not need to adjust the Input Gain control unless you change your guitar or volume pedal We suggest you note this set...

Page 9: ...ound will change and will sound like more of a thud and have a muted quality For most people that is too much bass boost so back off the control counterclockwise slightly until the sound is once again clear and clean Mid Level It is necessary that the user understand that the Mid Level and Mid Frequency controls work together These two controls are used together to set up the mid range frequency s...

Page 10: ...the fret board you would use As you are doing this tweak the Mid Freq control up and down around the 400 to 800 region it s handy to have a friend rotate the Mid Freq control as you play At one point over the region you might possibly notice no matter where you are on the fretboard a honky midrange sound is heard that s a little unpleasant on the ear It does take practice and time to learn how to ...

Page 11: ...long way Start at 12 o clock Clockwise yields a Mooney bright aggressive sound counterclockwise gives you a mellow darker tone The Blend control is initially one of the most confusing settings to understand until you start using it After using the combo for a few gigs you may find it s the only tone control you need Once the bass mid and treble controls have been set the amplifier might be conside...

Page 12: ...t when TBro is active The Foot Switch connector on the rear panel can be used to turn the TBro function Off and On if the TBRO pushbutton switch on the front panel is pushed On in If either this switch or an external switch is in the Off position the effect will remain Off When an external remote switch is not used the default is On See back panel Foot Switch An optional remote switch box for stee...

Page 13: ...uilt in reverb signal is added to the signal returning from the EFX Return jack that feeds the Wet side of the DRY WET Fader This means the DRY WET Fader must have a proportion of Wet signal set or the built in reverb will not be heard I e if the DRY WET Fader is set fully Dry no reverb will be heard If the TCA 500C is used with a 19 rack effects processor such as a Lexicon MX 200 a T C Electronic...

Page 14: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 14 PB 009289 Rev E ...

Page 15: ... This is adjustable to drive effect inputs from 30dB to 4dB the 4dB setting generates the highest output It s very important to ensure the TCA 500C Overload LED just starts to blink BEFORE the effects processor input level reaches its maximum input level or clipping point The average user can easily ensure the correct and proper EFX send level by looking up the preferred level in the manual for th...

Page 16: ... requires complex mathematics and powerful processors and time to perform the calculations This introduces a small delay as the signal passes through the effects processor this delay is called latency A high performance processor like the T C Electronics G Major 2 introduces a delay of about 1 6 milliseconds into the signal chain If you consider reverb or delay effects this latency has negligible ...

Page 17: ...e use it is essential that the effects processor is not allowed to pass an unaffected or straight through signal If this occurs the true thru signal will mix with the latency delayed thru signal and generate a modulated dry signal This might in some situations sound nice while setting up the patch but in a live performance or recording situation this often corrupts the general EQ messing up the na...

Page 18: ...very handy capability when you walk into a new venue cold and have no idea what the sound person might have to work with The D O in the TCA 500C is analog modeled to deliver to a flat response system a very closely EQ d approximation to what is output from the combo speaker in its cabinet The signal sent from the XLR connection is balanced line and male gendered standard XLR out The GND Lift push ...

Page 19: ...to inch TRS plug cable These are readily available at most home entertainment electronics stores and are generally stocked at Telonics as well As such the Auxiliary Input is not designed for low level instrument signals HOWEVER it may also be used as a second channel input from an external source such as a preamp and or effects chain For example a musician who doubles on a second instrument might ...

Page 20: ...t will not load down the pickup or the rest of the signal chain nor will it allow noise from the tuner to get back into the system Output impedance is approximately 500 ohm This output is buffered for feeding to a guitar tuner The Mute ON switch does not affect this output it is always ON Thermal Management and Power Amplifier Off Status The Thermal Management Status indicates the temperature stat...

Page 21: ...es then the LED s showing temperature will blink 3 times then all three and so on Note If the temperature is High then all three 3 LEDs will blink each time MAINS Switch Blue AC On LED Mains Power ON OFF switch AC ON LED blue The AC power switch is located on the front panel The blue AC On LED on the front panel indicates AC mains power is applied and the AC Mains Power switch is On After the swit...

Page 22: ...output level using the Direct Out level control on the front panel to suit your taste This will allow you to hear the house studio system without the local sound of your amp Don t forget to turn the Power Amp back ON after this adjustment as your cooling has been disabled while the PA is OFF Hint If you ever find yourself at a live gig trying to get sound from your combo but nothing is coming out ...

Page 23: ...e spring latch on each side of the drawer to release the fuse drawer If tests a visual inspection of this fuse indicate it is open circuit take caution your combo may have developed a fault ONLY replace the fuse with the EXACT type Ceramic 8 Amp 5 x 20mm 250 Volt Note If the fuse should blow immediately after being replaced DO NOT try it again this could cause more damage return the combo to Telon...

Page 24: ... NO CIRCUMSTANCES should the combo be used and the AC mains cord plug should be IMMEDIATELY disconnected from the AC mains supply socket The output voltage from the Switched AC socket will be the same as applied to the combo AC mains cord plug Always check to be certain that your effects processor voltage suits the supply voltage applied to the TCA 500C Combo Amplifier Note the power taken by the ...

Page 25: ...ins cord plug should be IMMEDIATELY disconnected from the AC mains supply socket The output voltage from the Switched AC socket will be the same as applied to the combo AC mains cord plug Always check to be certain that your effects processor voltage suits the supply voltage applied to the TCA 500C Combo Amplifier Note the power taken by the effects processor should not exceed 50 Watts 24 VDC OUT ...

Page 26: ...ctor from the chassis ground It is seldom necessary in properly built equipment but might be needed sometime Leave in the Norm In position unless needed EFX Send Level This adjusts the level to your effects unit This will allow you to have enough of a signal to make the effects work well and yet not overdrive it EFX Send Jack Mono send to parallel mode effects unit input Use a inch TS tip sleeve m...

Page 27: ... Level control on the front panel to set the desired music level The Aux Input provides a secondary input to the amplifier that sums into the system such that it can be heard via the headphones main speaker and XLR Direct Out The Aux Input is a stereo TRS Jack input signals fed via this input in stereo will remain in stereo when fed out to the stereo Headphones jack Signals fed via this input are ...

Page 28: ...round loop hum Power Amp Input The Power Amplifier Input accepts line level signals from another source to the power amplifier and local speaker in the TCA 500C Combo Amplifier When used this jack will disconnect the internal preamplifier signal from going to the Power Amp Only the external signal coming in on the TS mono plug will be amplified through the speaker PRE OUT PA IN jacks rear Theses j...

Page 29: ... EQ Insert Send This insert send follows the Input 1 Gain control on the front panel It may be used as a pedal loop or a series effects loop Pre EQ Insert Return This insert return is prior to all of the effects and equalization circuits This includes TBro Hum Reverb Wet Dry fader and all of the Input Tone controls ...

Page 30: ...ed wire is or positive phase the black wire is or negative phase CAUTION Both wires have an audio AC voltage on them DO NOT allow them to short to ground when the amplifier is on as this could cause a failure NEVER use grounded equipment to measure the speaker output External This jack combination Speakon or inch TS is used to connect to the external speaker The in TS plugs into the center hole of...

Page 31: ...ve The 24 volt output is more common for external EFX units such as The Handy Patch remote MIDI Controller The 24 volt supply on the rear panel is in parallel with the front connector and the common supply can supply up to a total of 0 2 amps of current maximum for both connections Ext Speaker With the switch in the Internal Only position the Internal Black Red wires speaker is all that is used In...

Page 32: ...4 volt option but the center pin is negative and the outer ring is positive The 9 volt output is more common for stomp box effects units which a lot of Mini Combo users are used to The 9 volt supply can supply up to 1 amp 1000mA of current Ext Speaker With the switch in the Internal Only position the Internal Black Red wires speaker is all that is used In the Internal External position the externa...

Page 33: ...s are used to The 9 volt supply can supply up to 1 amp 1000mA of current External Speaker Output Option Standard Mini Combo amps are supplied with 4 ohm Telonics NEO Speakers The Mini Combos can as an option have an internal 8 ohm 12 inch speaker connected using the Red and Black wires With the 8 ohm speaker option this allows for an external 8 ohm speaker to be used in parallel The Speakon connec...

Page 34: ...tive The 24 volt output is more common for external EFX units such as The Handy Patch remote MIDI Controller The 24 volt supply on the rear panel is in parallel with the front connector and the common supply can supply up to a total of 0 2 amps of current maximum for both connections Speaker Output The Head Amp Speaker Output only has a combo Speakon connector for the speaker connection A plug can...

Page 35: ...ccurately fine tune all the EQ settings at one time Remember that these controls are sensitive so a little adjustment can change a lot MAXIMUM CLARITY SETTINGS The EQ settings shown above are suitable as a starting point for users who desire a very crisp and sharp setting with very high definition of both lows and highs This type of setting is bright and clear with good pickups in your guitar and ...

Page 36: ...t is generally fine tuned by moving the BLEND control plus or minus one mark on the dial either way Once the equalization is set to your satisfaction the BLEND control can be rocked slowly while striking a wide grip of strings repeatedly to accurately fine tune all the EQ settings at one time Remember that these controls are sensitive so a little adjustment can change a lot ANOTHER FAVORITE SETTIN...

Page 37: ... and the fan speed for the specified temperature ranges Notes Wink short blink once per sec ON on solid FAN SPEED OUT OF SPEC INDICATION The speed of the fans is measured continuously in order to make sure that the fans are operating properly and to assure adequate cooling for the amplifier If the speed of any of the fans is out of allowed tolerance for five or more consecutive seconds then the LE...

Page 38: ...econd fan is turned back off The fan which will always be On is alternated every time that the AC mains power is cycled Thus in the long run the wear on the fans will be balanced STUDIO NO FANS MODE TEMPERATURE INDICATION To enable the studio mode turn the Power Amp On Off switch to the Off position The Power Amp switch is located on the rear panel just above the AC Mains power cord socket In the ...

Page 39: ... personal preference Sony MDR 7505 headphones are recommended for best fidelity Can I drive speakers with the headphone jack No only use it for headphones It was designed for headphones The preamp will deliver up to half a watt per channel into eight ohm from its internal stereo headphone amp What does the red LED overload indicator show The Overload LED shows when the preamp enters or is about to...

Page 40: ...n is fed to the Direct Output connector for PA and recording purposes Can I safely run phantom power into my Direct Out circuit While it is not necessary nor a good idea to run phantom voltage into the Direct Out connector it is designed to withstand the IEC specified maximum of 10 milliamps without damage What output level can I expect to see from the Direct Output connector Normally the output i...

Page 41: ...ed on the upper right corner of the front panel The Reverb On Off switch is positioned on the lower right corner of the front panel A inch TRS stereo cable is required to connect the TCA 500C side of the Control Unit to the Foot Switch jack on the rear panel of the TCA 500C This cable is identified by a white ring around the cable directly behind the TRS stereo plugs on both ends Always be sure th...

Page 42: ...gular boxed areas on the front panel of the MX 200 Each box contains a BYPASS button in the upper right corner three control function parameter knobs a tempo button and a UP DOWN toggle switch which is used to select the desired effect which that particular processor engine will be generating Processor Number 1 is on the LEFT Its BYPASS button has a GREEN LED in it This processor is normally used ...

Page 43: ...d with a selection of combined effects These effects may be instantly called up loaded by selecting a preset number note that a preset may also be referred to as a patch or program change The Handy Patch uses the music industry standard MIDI connection to send information to the effects processor A display on the front indicates the number of the preset which has been selected Two push buttons all...

Page 44: ...change that level during the performance In addition the CC knob value can be stored by simply pressing the knob so that the next time that preset is called up it will have the stored effect level applied Note The Handy Patch can also be used with the Lexicon MX 200 effects unit and by using defaults will select presets when the Lexicon MX 200 has been set to MIDI channel 1 The HP transmits comman...

Page 45: ...r that plugs into the Handy Patch The Handy Patch will now turn on when the TCA 500C is powered up B The G Major 2 has a Switch Out jack on the back that uses internal relays to switch the Tip or the Ring terminal on the jack to the Sleeve ground This output will allow the G Major 2 to control the Foot Switch input jack on the TCA 500C which controls the internal Reverb and TBRO effects A inch TRS...

Page 46: ...r to introducing the processing propagation time loss and A D D A conversion noise inherent in such stomp boxes Most Stomp box or effects pedal units should be connected using the Pre EQ Insert Pedal Loop on the rear panel of the TCA 500 series amplifiers Such effects units are of the type BOSS RV3 RV5 Strymon DIG Digitech Polara Holy Grail Holy Grail Nano Strymon Flint TC Electronic Hall of Fame ...

Page 47: ...y signal is mixed back with the pristine clean dry signal which was not sent out to the effects unit phase cancellation occurs at various frequencies which forms a comb filter whose peaks and nulls are a function of the delay required in each individual delay unit so it will vary from unit to unit The resultant sound can vary from OK to horrible depending on the effects unit and the frequencies pl...

Page 48: ...action of compression or reverb in this range further compounds the problem EQ should almost always be used as a subtractive device That means use it primarily for lowering certain frequencies in a pre amp Every mix or amp sound usually has too much of something to begin with Too much bottom end too many high s mids are honkin Use EQ to lower those trouble spots Result Cleaner sound better sound S...

Page 49: ... I then lower the high and low EQ till I achieve the midrange sound I am looking for A little goes a long way Practice practice practice Watch out for the low end Too much energy in the bottom octaves below 300 Hz will mask the higher frequencies and cause you to want to add more highs You ll end up chasing your tail running after the perfect tone When it comes to using EQ Less is more ...

Page 50: ...to tilt the amplifier slightly backward to enhance visibility of the control panel To deploy the Foot rock the amplifier backward and pull downward on the tip of the foot until it locks into place To retract the foot rock the amplifier backward sufficiently to remove any weight on the foot Push the tip of the Foot back and upward until it is heard to snap into its cavity on the bottom of the ampli...

Page 51: ... 15mm thick continuous panels that are dove tailed together for maximum strength Then sprayed with urethane to make a hard extremely durable finish Dimensions See Outline Drawing page Total weight TCA 500C Combo 34 2 lb 15 513 kg With 15 inch speaker No 1U external effects unit TCA 500C Mini 15 Combo 33 7 lb 15 286 kg With 15 inch speaker TCA 500C Mini 12 Combo 28 6 lb 12 973 kg With 12 inch speak...

Page 52: ... fuse Auxiliary switched AC power outlet fuse 115 V ac and 230 V ac setting 2 A 250 V ac 5x20mm glass Slow Blow fuse Auxiliary switched AC power outlet 115 V ac US Model NEMA 5 15R Auxiliary switched AC power outlet 230 V ac Export Model IEC 320 C 13 Preamp Gain 1 kHz sine 58 dB typical Power Amp Gain 1 kHz sine 30 dB typical Output power 1 THD N RL 4 Ohm 20 Hz f 20 kHz both channels driven 115 V ...

Page 53: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 53 PB 009289 Rev E TCA 500C 15 1U COMBO MECHANICAL OUTLINE DRAWINGS ...

Page 54: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 54 PB 009289 Rev E TCA 500C 12 1U COMBO MECHANICAL OUTLINE DRAWINGS ...

Page 55: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 55 PB 009289 Rev E TCA 500C 15 MINI COMBO MECHANICAL OUTLINE DRAWINGS ...

Page 56: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 56 PB 009289 Rev E TCA 500C 12 MINI COMBO MECHANICAL OUTLINE DRAWINGS ...

Page 57: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 57 PB 009289 Rev E MINI 15 EXTERNAL SPEAKER ENCLOSURE MECHANICAL OUTLINE DRAWINGS ...

Page 58: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 58 PB 009289 Rev E MINI 12 EXTERNAL SPEAKER ENCLOSURE MECHANICAL OUTLINE DRAWINGS ...

Page 59: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 59 PB 009289 Rev E TCA 500C 212 SUPER TWIN COMBO MECHANICAL OUTLINE DRAWINGS ...

Page 60: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 60 PB 009289 Rev E TCA 500C 1U HEAD UNIT MECHANICAL OUTLINE DRAWINGS ...

Page 61: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 61 PB 009289 Rev E TLF PRE500 LITE FLIGHT PREAMPLIFER SYSTEM MECHANICAL OUTLINE DRAWINGS ...

Page 62: ...Telonics TCA 500C Combo Amp 62 PB 009289 Rev E ...