ART Acoustic Personal Guitar Preamp/Processor User's Guide

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the ART Acoustic, a sophisticated acoustic preamp/processor designed to enhance your guitar's sound. It offers a finely tuned preamplifier, 32 custom digital effects, stereo outputs, XLR DI output, and a headphone output.

Key Features

• Acoustic instrument preamp
• Over 40dB of gain
• Fully parametric EQ band
• Bright and Warm global settings
• 16-bit digital effects
• 32 presets (Reverb, Delay, Doubling, Flanger, Chorus, Pitch Shifting, combinations)
• Stereo and Headphone outputs
• Accent control for playing intricacies
• AC powered
• All-steel construction
• Designed and manufactured in the USA

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Quick Start Instructions

Get your ART Acoustic up and running quickly with these steps.

Quick Setup

Into an Amplifier:

Connect your guitar to the Acoustic's Input jack. Connect the Acoustic's Left Output to your amplifier's input. For stereo, connect the Right Output to a second amp or stereo input.

Into a Mixer:

Connect your guitar to the Acoustic's Input jack. Connect the Acoustic's XLR Output to a mixer's line input. For stereo, connect both 1/4" Left and Right Outputs to separate mixer line inputs.

Note: All outputs (XLR, 1/4", Headphones) can be used simultaneously.

Initial Power-Up

1. Plug the AC adapter into the Acoustic and a wall socket.
2. Turn on your mixer and monitor amplifier.
3. Turn up the Acoustic's Input control. Ensure your guitar's volume is up.
4. Turn up the Acoustic's Output level and your amplifier/mixer's gain.

Use the Warm/Bright switch (left of inlay) and Bank A/B switch (right of inlay) to select settings. The Boost and Effect activator pads (rubber pads) can be used for soloing and engaging effects.

Installation

The Acoustic is designed for direct connection to guitar amps, power amps, PA systems, or mixing consoles. Its robust, all-steel enclosure ensures durability for professional use.

Operation and Controls

Powering the Acoustic

The Acoustic is powered by an external AC adapter. Always ensure the adapter is securely connected and avoid use in wet conditions. Unplug the adapter when the unit is not in use.

Knobs and Presets

The front panel features controls for the preamp, blend, and preset selection.

Preamp Controls:

• Input: Adjusts preamp gain (0-10). The Power/Clip LED indicates signal level; solid red means clipping.
• Accent: EQ control (0-10) to enhance playing intricacies. Higher settings boost lows and highs.
• Parametric EQ Band:
  • Q Control: Adjusts the bandwidth of the EQ (narrow to wide). Useful for precise frequency notching or broader tone shaping.
  • Frequency Control: Selects the frequency to be affected (70Hz - 7kHz).
  • Boost/Cut Control: Adjusts the gain for the selected frequency (+/- 15dB).

Notching Hints:

To eliminate feedback, set Q to maximum, sweep the Frequency control to find the feedback frequency, and reduce it with the Boost/Cut control. Gradually decrease the Q control for a refined notch.

Output Control:

Sets the overall output level. Ensure the Power/Clip LED flickers red occasionally, indicating optimal signal level before the digital section.

Digital Effects Controls:

• Preset Encoder: Selects one of 32 digital effects presets.
• Blend Control: Adjusts the mix between dry guitar signal and the digital effect (Dry to Wet).
• Bank Switch: Toggles between Preset Bank A and Bank B.

Preamp Character Types

• Warm: Provides a fuller, warmer tone.
• Bright: Adds clarity and bite to the sound.

A switch selects between Warm and Bright character types.

Activator Pads

• Boost: Engages a 6dB boost when pressed.
• Effect: Toggles the digital effects section on/off.

Note: Activator pads are foot-operable; other switches are finger-operable.

Digital Effects Presets

The Acoustic features 32 presets, divided into two banks (A and B), offering a variety of effects including Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Doubling, and Pitch Shifting.

Preset List - Bank 1

Preset List - Bank 2

Definitions:
doubling: Short delay creating an illusion of unison.
ms: Milliseconds, a unit of time.
pitch: Creates harmony.
regen: Regeneration; feeds signal back through an effect for echoes or thickening.

Setup Instructions

The Acoustic offers flexible setup options for various performance scenarios.

Plugging Directly Into an Amp

Connect your guitar to the Acoustic's Input. Connect the Acoustic's Left Output to your amplifier's instrument input. Use the Right output for stereo amps or dual amp setups. Ensure sufficient guitar signal level before turning up amp volume.

Using the Acoustic Directly Into a Mixer

Connect the Acoustic's XLR DI/Balanced Output to a mixer line input. Adjust Acoustic and mixer levels for signal presence. The 1/4" Left and Right outputs can also connect to mixer line inputs for stereo operation.

Using an Acoustic with a Power Amp & Cabinets

Connect your instrument to the Acoustic's Input. Connect the Acoustic's Left and Right outputs to the power amp's Left and Right input jacks. Connect the power amp's speaker outputs to your cabinets. Power on the Acoustic before the power amp.

Warranty & Service Information

Applied Research and Technology, Inc. (ART) provides a three-year warranty against defects in workmanship and materials from the date of purchase. This warranty is void if the product is misused, abused, or altered.

Service Procedure

1. Verify the unit is the cause of the problem.
2. Document the problem and your setup.
3. Call ART for a Return Authorization (RA) number.
4. Pack the unit securely, preferably in its original carton, inside another shipping box.
5. Include a return shipping address (no P.O. Boxes), a copy of the purchase receipt, your daytime phone number, and a problem description.
6. Ship the unit and its power supply to: APPLIED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., 215 TREMONT STREET, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14608 USA, ATTN: REPAIR DEPARTMENT (include RA#).
7. Contact Customer Service at (716) 436-2720 for assistance. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

Acoustic Specifications

ART reserves the right to make design changes without notice.

Designed and manufactured in the United States of America.