PLEX quick start manual
7 8 9 10 11
6
5
4
2
1
3
16
23
17 18
22
#
21
19
20
12
15 14 13
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
PLEX connections and controls
USB: Digital in/out provides recording, playback and re-amp capability with USB equipped recording systems and allows user to install firmware updates.
Aux: 3.5mm analog input for MP3 or other audio playback device. Signal is introduced after EQ and processing, prior to the Master Volume.
Phones: 3.5mm output for monitoring output through headphones.
Pre/post: Selects the signal that is sent from the DI output to be before or after the EQ.
DI: Electronically balanced output for connection to mixer or other XLR equipped device using a standard microphone cable.
Lift/gnd: Lifts or grounds pin 1 of the DI output. The ground can be lifted to avoid ground loops.
9vdc: Attach supplied power supply here. Only negative
16
17 center/ 9vdc/500ma power supply should be connected.
Output: ¼” analog output for connection to amplifiers, mixers as well as other pedals that are equipped with ¼” inputs.
Send: ¼” analog output that enables the PLEX signal to be sent to external devices after EQ and other processing, prior to the Master Volume.
Return: ¼” analog input allows external signal to be
18
19 input into the PLEX after the EQ and other processing, prior to the Master Volume.
Input: ¼” analog input to receive instrument signal.
Trim/Clip: The Trim knob adjusts the level of signal 20 coming in from the ¼” input. The Clip ring surrounding the Trim knob flashes red when the incoming signal begins to exceed the input circuit’s capability.
Compressor/Tuner: Engages/disengages the compressor when pressed once. Double tapping quickly activates the chromatic tuner. When tuner is active, output of the PLEX is muted and all knobs are unlit. To disengage tuner press twice quickly to return to play mode.
LED Display: Displays the level of sub feature that is selected as the knobs are pressed, tuning information when tuner mode is active and gain reduction level when compressor is engaged. *When Tuner mode is inactive the sharp (#) indicator will light when the internal processing capability has been exceeded due to extreme
EQ or volume settings.
Overdrive: Engages/disengages the overdrive section of the PLEX. When Overdrive is active the Level/Drive knob is illuminated blue.
***All rotary knobs have push functionality to access the sub feature noted to the right of the main function under each knob (main function/ sub function).
21
22
23
Pressing the knob activates the sub feature. Once activated, the knob is lit blue and the LED display shows the current level of sub function for 3 seconds.
Pressing the knob again within 3 seconds will toggle to the next level. After 3 seconds the numeric display will be unlit. Pressing any of the knobs once the display is unlit will display that knobs current sub feature level that is active. Pressing the knob again within 3 seconds will toggle to the next level. *See included table for description of all sub features.
Bass/Bump: Rotary control allows the bass frequencies to be boosted or cut. Pressing the knob activates the
Bump feature which applies varying levels of low frequency enhancement.
Low Mid/Contour: Rotary control allows the low-mid frequencies to be boosted or cut. Pressing the knob activates the Contour feature to cut varying levels of mid frequencies while boosting low and high frequencies.
Hi Mid/ Hi Cut: Rotary control allows the hi-mid frequencies to be boosted or cut. Pressing the knob activates the hi cut feature which applies varying levels of high freq. reduction to remove unwanted clicking and string noise.
Treble/Presence: Rotary control allows the treble frequencies to be boosted or cut. Pressing the knob activates the Presence feature which applies varying levels of high freq. enhancement.
Thresh/Ratio: Activate by the pressing the compressor/tuner button once. Once active the
Thresh/Ratio and Level/ Attack knobs are lit Blue.
Rotary control sets the threshold at which the compressor is triggered by the incoming signal. Turning the knob clockwise lowers the threshold ( increases the effect ) and counter clockwise settings raise the threshold ( reduces the effect). Pressing the knob activates the Ratio feature which allows the selection of various compression ratios from 2:1 to 20:1.
Level/Attack: Used in conjunction with Thresh/Ratio.
Rotary control sets the output volume of the compressor.
Pressing the knob activates the Attack feature which selects various attack and release times of the compressor.
Level/Drive: Activate by pressing the Overdrive footswitch. Once active the level/Drive knob is lit Blue.
Rotary control sets the volume level of the overdrive channel. Pressing the knob allows the selection of multiple Drive intensities.
Master/Voice: Rotary control sets the main output volume. Pressing the knob activates the Voice feature which selects various EQ voicing characteristics.
PLEX initial settings and connections
1.
Set Master/Voice, Level/Drive, Level/Attack and
Level/Ratio controls to the full counter clockwise position.
2.
Set the EQ controls (16 -19) to the 12 o’clock position.
3.
Set the Trim knob to the full counter clockwise position.
4.
Attach the instrument to the input jack using a standard
¼” instrument cable.
5.
Attach the Output using a ¼” instrument cable, DI using an XLR mic cable or headphones to the 3.5mm
Phones jack for the desired application.
6. Play the instrument and turn the Trim knob clockwise until only the notes struck forcefully illuminate the surrounding Clip ring. If the light flashes more than occasionally with the trim knob at the full counter clockwise position, the level control on the instrument should be lowered.
7.
Turn the Master/Voice knob clockwise until the desired output level is reached.
8.
Press the Master/Voice knob to select the overall EQ voicing of the PLEX.
9.
Press the Overdrive footswitch once to activate the
Overdrive function. The Level/Drive knob will be lit blue once active. Turn the Level/Drive knob clockwise until the desired volume is reached. Press the knob to select the drive amount. Once the desired Overdrive settings are selected, press the Overdrive footswitch once to disengage the overdrive circuit.
10.
Press Compressor/Tuner footswitch once to activate the Compressor function. The Thresh/Ratio and
Level/Attack knobs will be lit blue once active. Turn the
Level/Attack knob clockwise until the desired volume level is reached. You can experiment with various
Attack/Release, Threshold and Ratio settings. The 6 segment LED display shows the amount of gain reduction that is being applied at the various settings.
Once the desired Compression settings are achieved, press the compressor/tuner footswitch once to disengage the compressor function.
11.
Press Compressor/Tuner footswitch twice quickly to activate the Tuner function. All knob LEDs will be unlit to indicate the tuner is active and all output will be muted.
The large numeric display automatically shows the note being played while the 5 segment display reflects when the pitch is sharp or flat of the note being displayed. The
# will light to reflect a sharp note (C#, D#, f# etc.). When only the green center LED is lit the displayed note is in tune. Once each string has been tuned to the appropriate pitch, press the Compressor/Tuner button twice quickly to disengage the tuner and return play mode.
You are now ready to experiment with all of the features available from the PLEX.
Connecting to Your Computer using USB
1.
Connect the PLEX to your computer using a Micro
USB cable.
2.
Once your computer detects the PLEX, select it as the input device within your DAW to record from the PLEX via USB. If you wish to record, playback and re-amp with the PLEX, select it as the input and output device.
*Please reference your DAW’s user manual for detailed instructions regarding USB input/output assignments as well as required driver and system latency optimization etc.
PLEX signal routing: The PLEX utilizes one stereo input and one stereo output via the USB connector. The
Left/Right channels are configured as two independent mono channels that send/receive audio information at different points within the PLEX. This provides the user multiple options during recording, monitoring and playback when used with digital recording systems.
Select the left input/pan left within you DAW to receive the Pre signal from PLEX (instrument signal before EQ and effects processing).
Select the right input/pan right within you DAW to receive the Post signal (instrument signal after EQ and effects processing).
Select the left output/pan left within you DAW to stream audio to the input of Plex for processing.
Select the right output/pan right within your DAW to stream audio to the output of Plex for monitoring only.
PRE and POST signals from PLEX can be input at the same time by choosing both the Left and Right signal within your DAW. *Please note that there is a delay between PRE and POST channels. We recommend playing back through either the PRE or POST channel only, not both simultaneously.
For detailed information regarding connecting PLEX, routing options, re-amping and more please visit http://www.gallien-krueger.com/plex-preamp/
USB: Digital in/out provides recording, playback and re-amp capability with USB equipped recording systems and allows user to install firmware updates.
Aux: 3.5mm analog input for MP3 or other audio playback device. Signal is introduced after EQ and processing, prior to the Master Volume.
Phones: 3.5mm output for monitoring output through headphones.
Pre/post: Selects the signal that is sent from the DI output to be before or after the EQ.
DI: Electronically balanced output for connection to mixer or other XLR equipped device using a standard microphone cable.
Lift/gnd: Lifts or grounds pin 1 of the DI output. The ground can be lifted to avoid ground loops.
9vdc: Attach supplied power supply here. Only negative center/ 9vdc/500ma power supply should be connected.
Output: ¼” analog output for connection to amplifiers, mixers as well as other pedals that are equipped with ¼” inputs.
Send: ¼” analog output that enables the PLEX signal to be sent to external devices after EQ and other processing, prior to the Master Volume.
Return: ¼” analog input allows external signal to be input into the PLEX after the EQ and other processing, prior to the Master Volume.
Input: ¼” analog input to receive instrument signal.
Trim/Clip: The Trim knob adjusts the level of signal coming in from the ¼” input. The Clip ring surrounding the Trim knob flashes red when the incoming signal begins to exceed the input circuit’s capability.
Compressor/Tuner: Engages/disengages the compressor when pressed once. Double tapping quickly activates the chromatic tuner. When tuner is active, output of the PLEX is muted and all knobs are unlit. To disengage tuner press twice quickly to return to play mode.
LED Display: Displays the level of sub feature that is selected as the knobs are pressed, tuning information when tuner mode is active and gain reduction level when compressor is engaged. *When Tuner mode is inactive the sharp (#) indicator will light when the internal processing capability has been exceeded due to extreme
EQ or volume settings.
Overdrive: Engages/disengages the overdrive section of the PLEX. When Overdrive is active the Level/Drive knob is illuminated blue.
***All rotary knobs have push functionality to access the sub feature noted to the right of the main function under each knob (main function/ sub function).
Pressing the knob activates the sub feature. Once activated, the knob is lit blue and the LED display shows the current level of sub function for 3 seconds.
Pressing the knob again within 3 seconds will toggle to the next level. After 3 seconds the numeric display will be unlit. Pressing any of the knobs once the display is unlit will display that knobs current sub feature level that is active. Pressing the knob again within 3 seconds will toggle to the next level. *See included table for description of all sub features.
Bass/Bump: Rotary control allows the bass frequencies to be boosted or cut. Pressing the knob activates the
Bump feature which applies varying levels of low frequency enhancement.
Low Mid/Contour: Rotary control allows the low-mid frequencies to be boosted or cut. Pressing the knob activates the Contour feature to cut varying levels of mid frequencies while boosting low and high frequencies.
Hi Mid/ Hi Cut: Rotary control allows the hi-mid frequencies to be boosted or cut. Pressing the knob activates the hi cut feature which applies varying levels of high freq. reduction to remove unwanted clicking and string noise.
Treble/Presence: Rotary control allows the treble frequencies to be boosted or cut. Pressing the knob activates the Presence feature which applies varying levels of high freq. enhancement.
Thresh/Ratio: Activate by the pressing the compressor/tuner button once. Once active the
Thresh/Ratio and Level/ Attack knobs are lit Blue.
Rotary control sets the threshold at which the compressor is triggered by the incoming signal. Turning the knob clockwise lowers the threshold ( increases the effect ) and counter clockwise settings raise the threshold ( reduces the effect). Pressing the knob activates the Ratio feature which allows the selection of various compression ratios from 2:1 to 20:1.
Level/Attack: Used in conjunction with Thresh/Ratio.
Rotary control sets the output volume of the compressor.
Pressing the knob activates the Attack feature which selects various attack and release times of the compressor.
Level/Drive: Activate by pressing the Overdrive footswitch. Once active the level/Drive knob is lit Blue.
Rotary control sets the volume level of the overdrive channel. Pressing the knob allows the selection of multiple Drive intensities.
Master/Voice: Rotary control sets the main output volume. Pressing the knob activates the Voice feature which selects various EQ voicing characteristics.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
This device may not cause harmful interference, and
This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC
Rules.
Gallien-Krueger, Inc . 2234 Industrial Drive Stockton, CA 95206 (209) 234-7300 www.gallien.com
contact - [email protected]
PLEX control features
Bump Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
Off
6db boost at 65Hz. Provides moderate bass boost for fattening/warmth
9db boost at 65Hz. Provides substantial bass boost for classic rumble and girth
Contour Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Off
4db cut centered at 500Hz. Provides note definition
8db cut centered at 500Hz. Provides moderate mid scoop and clarity
12db cut centered at 500Hz. Provides substantial mid cut and bass/treble boost for ultimate slap tone.
Hi Cut Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
Off
Cuts upper frequencies at 2.5kHz to reduce string noise and click generated from aggressive plucking or pick use
Cuts a broader range of upper frequencies to reduce string noise and click generated from aggressive plucking or pick use
Presence Level 0
Level 1
Off
6db boost centered at 1kHz provides sheen and top end definition
Voice
Drive
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Flat - No additional EQ sculpting
800RB
Fusion 550
MB800
MB150
Bypasses EQ and voice filters when connecting to an amplifier with existing tone controls. Only Overdrive, Compressor and Tuner will be active.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Warm Clipping
Low Drive
Moderate Drive
Full Drive
Aggressive Drive
Attack
Ratio
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Fast attack/Fast Release
Medium Attack/Medium Release
Medium Attack/Slow Release
Slow Attack/Slow Release
Slow Attack/Very Slow Release
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
2 to 1
4 to 1
8 to 1
12 to 1
20 to 1
