Bugera ULTRABASS Quick Start Guide
Models: BXD15A, BXD15, BXD12A, BXD12
Product Overview
The Bugera ULTRABASS series offers powerful bass amplification with Turbosound speakers, MOSFET preamps, compression, and DYNAMIZER technology. This guide covers setup, controls, and important safety information for the BXD15A, BXD15, BXD12A, and BXD12 models.
Important Safety Instructions
General Safety Precautions:
- Read and keep all instructions.
- Heed all warnings and follow all instructions.
- Do not use near water or expose to rain/moisture.
- Clean only with a dry cloth.
- Do not block ventilation openings; install according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Avoid installing near heat sources like radiators or stoves.
- Ensure proper grounding; never defeat safety features of plugs.
- Protect power cords from damage (pinching, sharp edges).
- Use only manufacturer-specified attachments/accessories.
- Use caution when moving equipment on carts/stands to prevent tip-over injuries.
- Unplug during lightning storms or long periods of non-use.
- Refer all servicing to qualified personnel.
- Ensure the apparatus is connected to a MAINS socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.
- The MAINS plug or appliance coupler should remain readily operable as a disconnect device.
- Dispose of the product correctly according to WEEE Directive and national laws; take it to a licensed recycling center.
- Do not install in confined spaces (e.g., bookcases).
- Do not place naked flame sources (e.g., candles) on the apparatus.
- Dispose of batteries responsibly at a designated collection point.
- The apparatus may be used in tropical and moderate climates up to 45°C.
Electrical Safety:
- Terminals marked with a lightning bolt symbol [⚡] carry sufficient electrical current to pose a risk of electric shock. Use only high-quality professional speaker cables with appropriate plugs.
- The symbol indicating dangerous voltage [⚠️] alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosure.
- The symbol indicating important literature [?] alerts you to important operating and maintenance instructions in the accompanying literature.
Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove covers. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel.
Legal Disclaimer: Music Tribe accepts no liability for loss resulting from reliance on descriptions or statements herein. Specifications and appearances are subject to change without notice.
Limited Warranty: Refer to musictribe.com/warranty for full terms and conditions.
Hook-up Diagrams
Practice Setup: Connect your Bass Guitar to the amplifier's INPUT jack. Use effects pedals (e.g., Bugera BCH100 Chorus, BOD400 Overdrive, TU300 Tuner) between the guitar and the amplifier, or in the FX LOOP. Connect a tablet computer for multitrack audio playback.
Performance Setup: Connect your Bass Guitar to the amplifier's INPUT jack. Route the signal through effects pedals and potentially rackmount tuner/effects units (like BTR2000 Tuner, FX2000 Virtualizer) before connecting the amplifier's DI OUT or other outputs to a mixing console (e.g., Behringer Xenyx QX1222USB).
Controls Description
- INPUT: Connect your instrument's cable with a 1/4" TS plug.
- MUTE Button: Mutes the amplifier's output for silent tuning or instrument changes. The CLIP LED ring indicates clipping at the INPUT jack. Press the -15 dB button if the CLIP LED lights up consistently.
- -15 dB Button: Reduces INPUT jack sensitivity by 15 dB for active pickups or to prevent clipping.
- GAIN Knob: Sets the signal level for the amplifier's preamp section.
- COMP Button: Activates the internal compressor for evening out dynamics. The THRESH LED indicates compressor activity and threshold.
- COMP Knob: Controls the amount of compression. Clockwise for more compression.
- ULTRA LOW Button: Boosts extreme low end for added body and thickness.
- BASS Knob: Controls bass frequencies. Counter-clockwise to cut, clockwise to boost.
- MID Knob: Boosts or cuts midrange frequencies, controlled by the MID FREQ knob.
- MID FREQ Knob: Selects the midrange frequency to be boosted or cut by the MID knob.
- TREBLE Knob: Controls treble frequencies. Counter-clockwise to cut, clockwise to boost.
- ULTRA HIGH Button: Boosts high frequencies for added harmonics and definition.
- MASTER Knob: Controls the final output volume of the amplifier.
- POWER Switch: Turns the unit on and off. Ensure it's OFF when connecting to mains power.
- POWER SOURCE: Accepts the included IEC power cable.
- VENTILATION FAN: Prevents overheating; do not block openings.
- DI OUT: Balanced XLR output for direct connection to mixers or PA systems.
- TUNER OUT: Unbalanced signal output suitable for electronic tuners.
- FX INSERT SEND/RETURN: Buffered serial loop for external effects pedals or rack processors.
- AUX IN: Accepts line-level signals from MP3 players or other sources via RCA connectors.
- FOOTSW Connection: Allows remote control of MUTE and FX INSERT functions using a dual footswitch (FSB102B not included).
Specifications
| Feature | BXD15A | BXD15 | BXD12A | BXD12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum output power | 1,000 W* | 1,000 W* | 1,000 W* | 1,000 W* |
| Type | Class-D | Class-D | Class-D | Class-D |
| Input | 1/4" TS, 1 MΩ, unbalanced | 1/4" TS, 1 MΩ, unbalanced | 1/4" TS, 1 MΩ, unbalanced | 1/4" TS, 1 MΩ, unbalanced |
| DI out | XLR, 200 Ω, balanced | XLR, 200 Ω, balanced | XLR, 200 Ω, balanced | XLR, 200 Ω, balanced |
| Tuner out | 1/4" TS jack, 470 Ω, unbalanced | 1/4" TS jack, 470 Ω, unbalanced | 1/4" TS jack, 470 Ω, unbalanced | 1/4" TS jack, 470 Ω, unbalanced |
| FX insert send/return | 2 x 1/4" TS jack, 2 kΩ / 100 kΩ, unbalanced | 2 x 1/4" TS jack, 2 kΩ / 100 kΩ, unbalanced | 2 x 1/4" TS jack, 2 kΩ / 100 kΩ, unbalanced | 2 x 1/4" TS jack, 2 kΩ / 100 kΩ, unbalanced |
| Aux in | 2 x RCA, 10 kΩ, unbalanced | 2 x RCA, 10 kΩ, unbalanced | 2 x RCA, 10 kΩ, unbalanced | 2 x RCA, 10 kΩ, unbalanced |
| -15 dB pad switch | 0 dB / -15 dB | 0 dB / -15 dB | 0 dB / -15 dB | 0 dB / -15 dB |
| Gain | -∞ to +15 dB | -∞ to +15 dB | -∞ to +15 dB | -∞ to +15 dB |
| Ultra low | +5 dB @ 6,000 Hz | +5 dB @ 6,000 Hz | +5 dB @ 6,000 Hz | +5 dB @ 6,000 Hz |
| Bass | -9 dB @ 600 Hz | -9 dB @ 600 Hz | -9 dB @ 600 Hz | -9 dB @ 600 Hz |
| Mid | +9 dB @ 80 Hz | +9 dB @ 80 Hz | +9 dB @ 80 Hz | +9 dB @ 80 Hz |
| Mid Freq | ±10 dB 220 Hz, 450 Hz, 800 Hz, 1.6 kHz, 3 kHz, switchable | ±10 dB 220 Hz, 450 Hz, 800 Hz, 1.6 kHz, 3 kHz, switchable | ±10 dB 220 Hz, 450 Hz, 800 Hz, 1.6 kHz, 3 kHz, switchable | ±10 dB 220 Hz, 450 Hz, 800 Hz, 1.6 kHz, 3 kHz, switchable |
| Treble | +9 dB @ 10 kHz | +9 dB @ 10 kHz | +9 dB @ 10 kHz | +9 dB @ 10 kHz |
| Ultra high | +5 dB @ 5 kHz | +5 dB @ 5 kHz | +5 dB @ 5 kHz | +5 dB @ 5 kHz |
| Footswitch | 1/4" TRS, Tip: mute, Ring: FX loop, non-latching | 1/4" TRS, Tip: mute, Ring: FX loop, non-latching | 1/4" TRS, Tip: mute, Ring: FX loop, non-latching | 1/4" TRS, Tip: mute, Ring: FX loop, non-latching |
| Loudspeaker Type | 1 x Turbosound 250 W, 15" speaker Aluminum cone | 1 x Turbosound 200 W, 15" speaker Paper cone | 1 x Turbosound 250 W, 12" speaker Aluminum cone | 1 x Turbosound 250 W, 12" speaker Paper cone |
| SPL max. @ 1 m | 123 dB | 124 dB | 123 dB | 126 dB |
| Enclosure | Laminated particle | Laminated particle | Laminated particle | Laminated particle |
| Grille | Steel | Steel | Steel | Steel |
| Power Supply/Voltage (Fuses) | USA/Canada: 120 V~, 60 Hz (T 8 A H 250 V) | UK/Australia / Europe: 220-240 V~, 50/60 Hz (T 4 A H 250 V) | Korea / China: 220-240 V~, 50/60 Hz (T 4 A H 250 V) | Japan: 100 V~, 50/60 Hz (T 8 A H 250 V) |
| Power consumption @ 1/8 max power | 140 W | 140 W | 140 W | 140 W |
| Mains connection | Standard IEC receptacle | Standard IEC receptacle | Standard IEC receptacle | Standard IEC receptacle |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 566 x 461 x 452 mm (22.3 x 18.1 x 17.8") | 566 x 461 x 452 mm (22.3 x 18.1 x 17.8") | 480 x 402 x 396 mm (18.9 x 15.8 x 15.6") | 480 x 402 x 396 mm (18.9 x 15.8 x 15.6") |
| Weight | 22 kg (48.5 lbs) | 21.6 kg (47.6 lbs) | 18.1 kg (39.9 lbs) | 19.9 kg (43.9 lbs) |
*Independent of limiters and driver protection circuits
Other Important Information
Registration: Register your new Music Tribe equipment online at musictribe.com for faster repair claims and warranty information.
Malfunction: If you experience issues, contact your local Music Tribe reseller or authorized fulfiller. Check the "Online Support" section at musictribe.com for troubleshooting. Submit warranty claims online before returning the product.
Power Connections: Ensure correct mains voltage for your model. Replace faulty fuses only with identical types and ratings.
FCC Compliance: This equipment complies with FCC Rules Part 15 for Class B digital devices, designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference. Operation is subject to two conditions: no harmful interference caused, and acceptance of any received interference. Unauthorized modifications may void user authority.
EU Declaration of Conformity: This product complies with relevant EU directives (2014/35/EU, 2014/30/EU, 2011/65/EU, 2015/863/EU, 2012/19/EU, 519/2012, 1907/2006/EC). Full text available at https://community.musictribe.com/
Music Tribe
Music Tribe
