ART Xtreme Plus: Programmable Guitar Preamp and Processor
USER'S GUIDE
Introduction
Congratulations on purchasing the Applied Research and Technology's Xtreme Plus! This unit is the coolest, hippest, and most versatile guitar preamp/processor ever developed, offering all the features a guitarist needs for creating, practicing, and performing music. It's designed to bring out the best sound your guitar has to offer.
Features
- The most versatile guitar stomp box on the planet.
- Four analog guitar preamps: XTREME, Roar, Stack, and Crystal.
- Over 100 dB of gain.
- Three-band EQ with a sweepable Mid frequency for tone shaping.
- 100 factory/user definable presets.
- Programmable: Store any combination of distortion and digital effect.
- 10 digital effect algorithms with adjustable parameters, offering over 400 different effect options.
- User definable preset ordering.
- Foot-activated preset selection.
- Speaker-simulated Headphone Output.
- Mono and Stereo Outputs.
- Includes Reverb, Delay, Doubling, Flanger, Chorus, and combination effects.
- Also features Tremolo, Panning, and Pitch Shifting effects.
- AC powered for reliable operation.
- All-steel construction for durability.
- Full one-year parts and labor warranty.
- Designed and manufactured in the United States of America.
Quick Start Instructions
This section provides basic steps to get your Xtreme Plus hooked up and ready to play quickly.
Quick Setup
- Turn the Output knob to its full counterclockwise position.
- Insert the supplied AC adapter's plug into the 9 VAC Input on the Xtreme Plus' back panel.
- Straight into an Amp: Connect your instrument to the Xtreme Plus' Input. Run a second cable from the Guitar Output to your amplifier's input. If your amp supports stereo inputs or you are using two amps, connect the Xtreme Plus' Right Stereo output to the amp's second-channel input or the second amp's input.
- With headphones: Plug your guitar into the Guitar Input. Plug headphones into the Headphones jack. Do not plug anything into the Guitar Output jack when using headphones.
- Turn up the Input control on the Xtreme Plus. Ensure your guitar's volume is up. Turn up the Xtreme Plus' Output level and then adjust your amp's input level.
Select different preamp types using the Distortion Select switch. Scroll through presets using the Up and Down foot pads. Change effects and parameters with the Effect/Value knob.
Diagram Description: The front panel of the Xtreme Plus features controls including Input, Output, Drive, Low, Mid, Freq, High, Blend, and Effect/Value knobs. A Distortion Select switch, Up/Down foot pads, and various LEDs (Clip, Changed, View) are also present. The display area shows preset numbers or effect/value information.
Using Your Xtreme Plus
The Xtreme Plus is designed for direct connection to a guitar amp but can also drive a power amplifier and speakers. Its all-steel enclosure ensures professional use and durability.
Powering The Xtreme Plus
The unit is powered by an external AC adapter. Ensure the adapter is securely plugged into the unit and a wall outlet. Use the supplied 9 VAC adapter. Avoid using the unit or adapter in wet conditions.
Preamp Types
The Xtreme Plus offers four distinct analog preamp types, each with its own character:
- XTREME: The ultimate distortion, suitable for tones beyond "shred."
- Roar: Blends clean guitar signal with high-gain distortion for a smooth, attention-grabbing sound. The Drive control adjusts sustain.
- Stack: Offers versatile distortion for a wide range of textures, from vintage to modern, with the Drive control adjusting gain from clean to a powerful roar.
- Crystal: A clean preamp with full EQ control, ideal for clean guitar patches, "floating" pads, and "Edge-like" clean delay lines. The Drive and Output controls are inactive in this mode to maintain a clean character.
Distortion Select Switch
Pressing this switch cycles through the preamp types: XTREME, Roar, Stack, Crystal, and bypass (indicated by no LEDs). Storing a preset with distortion bypassed allows the use of digital effects only.
The "Changed" LED indicates when a current selection differs from the stored preset.
Knobs and Switches
The upper section of the Xtreme Plus panel houses preamp controls and the Effect/Value knob.
Drive
Adjusts the gain into the preamp circuit, from 0 (none) to 10 (lots). Proper adjustment ensures a healthy signal level. If the Clip LED lights with low Output, the Drive may be set too high.
Output
Compensates for Drive control gain and sets the overall output level. Turn up until a good level is reached. If the Clip LED is constantly lit, turn down the Output control to avoid overdriving the digital section.
Low
Adjusts the amount of low-end frequency, offering a cut or boost of up to 15dB. At 12 o'clock, the EQ band is flat. Proper amp placement is advised when boosting low frequencies.
Mid & Mid Freq.
The Mid control adjusts the "body" of the sound, while the Freq. control sets the frequency range (300 Hz to 5kHz) for boost or cut. This allows for shaping tones, achieving scoops, or creating sustain.
High
Adjusts the amount of high-end frequency, offering a cut or boost of up to 15dB. At 12 o'clock, the EQ band is flat. Boosting High can create a sharp tone, while cutting it can reduce edge.
Note: Excessive High EQ boost can lead to increased noise.
Blend Control
Adjusts the mix between the guitar's direct sound (Dry) and the digital effects (Wet). For most applications, a setting between 10 and 2 o'clock is recommended.
Digital Effects Controls
The Xtreme Plus features essential, high-quality digital effects tailored for guitarists, designed to be musical and useful.
Effect/Value Control
This variable knob selects effects and parameters. Turning it changes the number displayed and activates the View LED and Changed LED. The display shows effect/parameter numbers (00-99) or bypass ("bP").
Inlay Information Area
This area displays the status of parameters using LEDs and a two-digit display, indicating distortion type, preset number, and effect/parameter values.
- Distortion LEDs: Indicate the selected distortion type (XTREME, Roar, Stack, Crystal).
- Display: Shows the current preset number (00-99) or, when the View LED is lit, the effect and parameter values.
- View LED: Lights up when the display shows effect/value information.
- Changed LED: Illuminates when a setting differs from the stored preset, prompting a save.
Saving Presets
The "Changed" LED must be lit to save. Pressing the View/Save switch initiates the save routine. The display will show "YA" upon successful save. You can select any of the 100 preset locations to save your settings.
Foot Pads
Two rubber foot pads are used for preset selection: Up scrolls upwards, Down scrolls downwards. Holding a pad allows rapid scrolling. Pressing and holding both pads simultaneously bypasses the unit (display shows "--"). Pressing either pad exits bypass mode.
Bypassing the Xtreme Plus
To bypass all effects and distortions, press and hold one foot pad while quickly pressing the other. The display will show "--". Press either pad to exit bypass.
LEAD FOOT WARNING!
While the foot pads are durable, the Distortion Select and View/Save switches are designed for finger operation. Be cautious when using your feet on these switches.
Digital Effects List
Definitions for effect abbreviations:
- doubling: Creates the illusion of two instruments playing in unison via a short delay.
- ms: Milliseconds, a unit of time.
- regen: Regeneration, feeding part of the output signal back through an effect to create echoes, or thicker/more dramatic effects in flanging/chorusing.
- sec: Second (equal to 1,000 milliseconds).
- pitch: Pitch transposer, creates a harmony.
The Xtreme Plus offers 10 effect algorithms with selectable parameter values:
| Effect Category | Description |
|---|---|
| 0x Short Delay | 00-50ms slap delay, 01-100ms slap delay, 02-150ms delay with 10% regen, 03-200ms delay with 15% regen, 04-250ms delay with 15% regen, 05-275ms delay with 20% regen, 06-300ms delay with 20% regen, 07-325ms delay with 25% regen, 08-350ms delay with 25% regen, 09-375ms delay with 30% regen |
| 1x Long Delays | 10-380ms delay with 30% regen, 11-390ms delay with 30% regen, 12-400ms delay with 30% regen, 13-410ms delay with 35% regen, 14-420ms delay with 35% regen, 15-430ms delay with 35% regen, 16-440ms delay with 40% regen, 17-450ms delay with 40% regen, 18-475ms delay with 40% regen, 19-500ms delay with 45% regen |
| 2x Reverb | 20-0.5s Bright Plate, 21-0.7s Warm Room, 22-0.9s Bright Plate, 23-1.1s Warm Room, 24-1.3s Bright Plate, 25-1.5s Warm Room, 26-1.7s Bright Chamber, 27-2.0s Warm Hall, 28-2.2s Bright Chamber, 29-2.5s Warm Hall |
| 3x Chorus - or - Flange + Delay | 30-200ms delay with 5% regen + Slow Chorus, 31-250ms delay with 10% regen + Medium Chorus, 32-350ms delay with 10% regen + Fast Chorus, 33-380ms delay with 15% regen + Slow Chorus, 34-400ms delay with 15% regen + Medium Chorus, 35-420ms delay with 20% regen + Fast Chorus, 36-275ms delay with 10% regen + Slow Flange low regen, 37-375ms delay with 10% regen + Medium inverted Flange, low regen, 38-410ms delay with 15% regen + Medium Flange, medium regen, 39-450ms delay with 20% regen + Slow inverted Flange, medium regen |
| 4x Delay + Reverb | 40-40ms slap delay + 0.6s Bright Room, 41-50ms slap delay + 0.8s Warm Room, 42-60ms slap delay + 1.0s Bright Room, 43-80ms slap delay + 1.2s Warm Room, 44-100ms delay with 10% regen + 1.4s Bright Room, 45-120ms delay with 10% regen + 1.6s Warm Room, 46-140ms delay with 10% regen + 1.8s Bright Hall, 47-160ms delay with 15% regen + 2.0s Warm Hall, 48-180ms delay with 15% regen + 2.2s Dark Hall, 49-200ms delay with 20% regen + 2.4s Warm Hall |
| 5x Chorus or - Flange + Reverb | 50-Slow Chorus + 0.8s Bright Room, 51-Medium Chorus + 1.2s Warm Room, 52-Fast Chorus + 1.8s Bright Hall, 53-Slow Chorus + 2.2s Warm Hall, 54-Slow Flange, low regen + 1.0s Bright Room, 55-Slow Flange, medium regen + 1.3s Warm Room, 56-Medium Flange, low regen + 1.5s Bright Room, 57-Medium inverted Flange, medium regen + 1.8s Warm Hall, 58-Slow Flange, low regen + 2.0s Bright Hall, 59-Slow inverted Flange, low regen + 2.4s Warm Hall |
| 6x Reverb + Tremolo or - Panner | 60-1.0s Bright Room + Slow Tremolo, 61-2.2s Warm Hall + Slow Tremolo, 62-0.8s Bright Room + Medium Tremolo, 63-1.8s Warm Hall + Medium Tremolo, 64-1.2s Bright Room + Fast Tremolo, 65-1.5s Warm Room + Slow Panner*, 66-0.8s Bright Room + Medium Panner*, 67-2.0s Warm Hall + Medium Panner*, 68-0.9s Bright Room + 100ms slap delay + Medium Panner*, 69-2.5s Warm Hall + 170ms slap delay + Slow Panner* |
| 7x Chorus - or - Flange | 70-Slow Chorus, 71-Medium slow Chorus, 72-Medium Chorus, 73-Fast Chorus, 74-Slow Flange, low regen, 75-Medium Flange, medium regen, 76-Fast Flange, low regen, 77-Slow inverted Flange, medium regen, 78-Medium Flange, high regen, 79-Fast inverted Flange, medium regen |
| 8x Chorus - or - Flange + Delay + Reverb | 80-40ms slap delay + Slow Chorus + 0.5s Bright Room, 81-70ms slap delay + Medium Chorus + 0.7s Warm Room, 82-100ms slap delay + Fast Chorus + 1.0s Bright Room, 83-120ms delay with 10% regen + Slow Chorus + 1.3s Warm Room, 84-150ms delay with 10% regen + Medium Chorus + 1.8s Bright Hall, 85-170ms delay with 15% regen + Fast Chorus + 2.0s Warm Hall, 86-80ms slap delay + Slow Flange, low regen + 0.6s Bright Room, 87-110ms slap delay + Slow inverted flange, medium regen + 0.8s Warm Room, 88-140ms 10% regen + Medium Flange, low regen + 1.5s Bright Hall, 89-160ms 15% regen + Medium inverted Flange, med. regen + 1.7s Warm Hall |
| 9x Pitch or - Tremolo or - Panner | 90-Octave Down Pitch Shift, 91-5th Down Pitch Shift, 92-Detune, 93-5th Up Pitch Shift, 94-Octave Up Pitch Shift, 95-Slow Tremolo, 96-Medium Tremolo, 97-Fast Tremolo, 98-Medium Slow Panner*, 99-Medium Fast Panner* |
Note on Panner: When used in mono, the panner effect will sound like a tremolo.
Setup Instructions
Using the Xtreme Plus with an Amp
Connect your guitar to the Guitar Input. Connect the Guitar Output to your amplifier's instrument input. Use the Right Stereo output if your amp has stereo inputs or if you are using two amps. Ensure your guitar's volume is up and turn up the Xtreme Plus' Drive and Output controls before the amplifier's volume.
Using the Xtreme Plus With a Power Amp & Cabinets
Connect your guitar to the Guitar Input. Connect the Left and Right Stereo outputs to the Left and Right input jacks on the power amp. Connect the amp's speaker outputs to cabinets. Power on the Xtreme Plus before the power amp.
Factory Reset
To reset the unit to its original factory settings: 1) Unplug the unit. 2) Plug it back in. 3) While the display reads "88", press all four switches simultaneously (Distortion Select, View/Save, Up and Down). The display will count from 00 to 99 and return to 01. This sequence only works on power up.
Warranty & Service Information
Applied Research and Technology, Inc. (ART) warrants this product to the original purchaser for a period of One year from the original date of purchase against defects in workmanship and materials. This warranty covers repair or replacement of defective parts upon prepaid delivery to the factory service department or an authorized service center, with proof of purchase. The warranty excludes misuse, abuse, or unauthorized alterations. Changes to the product design may be made without obligation to previously manufactured units.
ART is not liable for consequential damages. Specific warranty rights may vary by state.
Service
If your unit requires service:
- Verify the unit is the cause of the problem. Check power, connections, and cable condition.
- If the unit is at fault, document the problem, setup, and serial number.
- Call Customer Service for a Return Authorization (RA) number or technical assistance. Hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday.
- Pack the unit in its original carton or a suitable substitute. Print the RA number clearly on the shipping box. Include your return shipping address.
- Include the power supply, a copy of your purchase receipt, a daytime phone number, and a problem description. Keep your manual.
- Ship only the unit and its power supply to: APPLIED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., 215 TREMONT STREET, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14608, ATTN: REPAIR DEPARTMENT, RA#.
Xtreme Plus Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 9.0" D x 8.25" W x 2.0" H |
| Weight | 3.0 lb. |
| Connections | 1/4" unbalanced input. Stereo 1/4" unbalanced outputs. Right Stereo output can be used as a Stereo TRS Headphone output. |
| Digital Algorithms | 10 |
| Digital Processor | Proprietary ART VLSI ASIC |
| Presets | 100 factory/user definable |
| Input impedance | 1 meg ohm |
| Output impedance | 750ohm (1/4"), 47 ohm (Headphone) |
| Maximum input level | +2dBv |
| Maximum output level | +1dBv (1/4"), +15dBv (XLR) |
| Residual output noise | >-81dB @ +5dBu |
| Dynamic range | 85dB ('c' weighted) |
| Power requirements | 9 VAC @ 400mA |
Designed and manufactured in the United States of America.
Company Address: Applied Research and Technology, Inc., 215 Tremont St., Rochester, NY 14608 USA
Phone: (716) 436-2720, Fax: (716) 436-3942
Copyright 1997 Applied Research and Technology, Inc.
