ART Proverb 200 Extended Effects Processor

Introduction

Congratulations on purchasing the ART Proverb 200, a fine-sounding effects processor. It features two hundred custom-tailored digital programs covering a wide range of audio effects, including studio-combination effects. The Proverb 200 represents a significant advancement in digital processing technology, offering a reverb architecture designed for natural warmth and brilliance without artificial coloration.

Thank you for choosing ART. We encourage you to explore the entire bank of presets to discover the creative control available.

Installation

The Proverb 200 can be integrated into various setups, including mixing consoles with reverb send/return facilities, directly between a musical instrument and amplifier, or within an amplifier's effects loop. It is housed in a standard 19-inch rack-mount case, suitable for professional use. For touring applications, ensure the unit's rear is supported to prevent mechanical shock, as the front panel can bend without rear support. While mounting location is not critical, avoid placing the unit on top of power amps, tube equipment, or other heat sources for optimal reliability.

Connections

All audio connections are made via professional 1/4" phone jacks on the rear panel. MIDI communication is handled through a five-pin DIN jack. The LEFT and RIGHT inputs are single-ended with a 47K ohm impedance. True stereo processing is achieved by using both inputs. If only one input is used, the signal is automatically routed to both channels. The LEFT and RIGHT outputs are single-ended with a 1.5K ohm impedance, capable of stereo or mono output. Using both outputs with a mono input signal creates a stereo image. Using a single output provides a mono signal combining reverberant information from both outputs. A dummy plug can be inserted into an unused output if only one delay time is required.

Input/output combinations supported include: one in/one out (mono), one in/two out (stereo image), two in/one out (summed mono), and two in/two out (true stereo). In true stereo mode, the dry signal remains in its original left/right orientation, while the processed reverb signal is a mix of inputs with its own stereo image dictated by the algorithm, mimicking natural room reverberation.

Controls and Operation

Input Level

Front panel LEDs indicate the input signal level. For maximum dynamic range, the -12 dB LED should be illuminated most of the time, with the 0 dB LED briefly flashing on transients. A LINE/INSTRUMENT level switch on the rear panel optimizes gain structures. Use the LINE position (switch down) for higher-level sources like mixing boards or tape decks (approx. -10 dBV operating level). Use the INSTRUMENT position (switch up) for lower-output devices like normal guitars (operating levels less than -10 dBV) to ensure the best signal-to-noise ratio.

Control Buttons

The UP and DOWN buttons select PRESETS. Holding either button steps through presets at a moderate rate. For faster selection, use RAPID ACCESS mode: press and hold the desired direction button, then simultaneously press the other button. While both are held, the display increments by ten instead of one.

The BYPASS button mutes the effects signal, displaying [--]. Pressing BYPASS again returns the unit to the previous preset. The REMOTE jack can also be programmed for bypass functionality.

MIDI

The Proverb 200 ships in OMNI mode, receiving MIDI PROGRAM numbers on any channel. To select a specific MIDI channel, press the MIDI CHAN button and use the UP/DOWN buttons. The right decimal point indicates when MIDI CHAN is displayed. Changes to the MIDI channel are retained upon power-up.

Mix Control

The MIX control adjusts the amount of effect signal in the output, from dry only to effect only. Moving the slider left results in only the dry signal, while moving it right increases the processed signal. A 50/50 mix is achieved at the center detent.

Remote Jack

The REMOTE jack can be programmed to bypass the Proverb 200 or to access the Increment Preset Mode using a footswitch (momentary, normally open, or on/off). Activating the footswitch (connecting to ground) engages the programmed function (bypass or preset increment).

Presets

The Proverb 200 offers 200 presets, categorized into banks. These include:

• 90 presets for natural reverberation, with decay times ranging from 2 to 25 seconds, featuring various algorithms for different environments.
• 110 additional presets include: 20 Gated Reverb, 10 Reverse Reverb, 20 Flanging, 10 Chorus, 10 Echo, 20 delay-based effects (with reverb combinations), and 10 special effects like percussive flange.

A chart describing the presets is available at the back of the manual, and a quick reference table is screened on the front panel.

Preset Banks Overview:

Memory Bank #1: REVERB-EARLY REFLECTIONS (e.g., 00 EARLY REF. TIGHT PLATE, 08 EARLY REF. MEDIUM TIGHT DARK)

Memory Bank #2: REVERB-STUDIO PLATE (e.g., 10 STUDIO PLATE, LARGE WIDE #1, 19 STUDIO PLATE, SMALL TIGHT #2)

Memory Bank #3: STUDIO VOCAL (e.g., 20 STUDIO VOCAL, SMALL CLOSE ROOM #1, 29 STUDIO VOCAL, BRIGHT ROOM #2)

Memory Bank #4: LIVE VOCAL (e.g., 30 LIVE VOCAL, CLOSE ROOM #1, 39 LIVE VOCAL, OPEN BRIGHT ROOM #2)

Memory Bank #5: SMALL ROOM (e.g., 40 SMALL ROOM, BRIGHT #1, 49 MEDIUM ROOM, OPEN WARM #2)

Memory Bank #6: LARGE ROOM (e.g., 50 LARGE ROOM, BRIGHT #1, 59 LARGE ROOM, CLOSE ROOM #2)

Memory Bank #7: HALL (e.g., 60 HALL, WARM #1, 69 HALL, EXPANSIVE #4)

Memory Bank #8: MEDIUM HALL (e.g., 70 MEDIUM HALL, BRIGHT #1, 79 LARGE HALL, LONG DARK #2)

Memory Bank #9: GREAT HALL (e.g., 80 GREAT HALL, LARGE OPEN #1, 89 CATHEDRAL, LONG WARM #2)

Memory Bank #10: GATED REVERB (e.g., 90 GATED, 200ms sloped, 99 GATED, 300ms sparse)

Memory Bank #11: FULL/COMPANDED GATE (e.g., A0 COMPANDED GATE #1, A9 COMPANDED GATE, VERY LONG)

Memory Bank #12: REVERSE REVERB (e.g., C0 REVERSE, 200ms strong tail, C9 REVERSE, 600ms swell)

Memory Bank #13: FLANGE (e.g., E0 STEREO FLANGE, FAST, E9 REVERBERANT FLANGE-STUDIO COMB.)

Memory Bank #14: FLANGE/REGENERATED (e.g., F0 STEREO FLANGE, FAST, REGENERATED, F9 FLANGE, REAL SLOW, ASYNC., REGENERATED)

Memory Bank #15: CHORUS (e.g., H0 CHORUS, WIDE, SHORT BASE, MEDIUM, H9 REVERBERANT CHORUS-STUDIO COMB.)

Memory Bank #16: ECHO (e.g., J0 ECHOREC, SHORT, 80ms, 70ms, 90ms, J9 ECHO-VERB)

Memory Bank #17: STEREO IMAGING (e.g., L0 IMAGE #1, SMALL, L9 STEREO IMAGE #5)

Memory Bank #18: DELAY EFX 1 (e.g., P0 SLAP, 20ms, 30ms, P9 SLAP, 220ms, 200ms)

Memory Bank #19: STUDIO PRESETS (e.g., U0 REVERB WITH DELAY, 2.0sec, 75ms, U9 CHOIR 2 WITH ECHO)

Memory Bank #20: STUDIO EFFECTS (e.g., Y0 STEREO PAN #1, Y9 MUTE (BYPASS))

MIDI Operations

MPT Edit Mode

The MIDI Program Table (MPT) can be edited from the front panel or via a MIDI controller. To enter MPT edit mode, simultaneously press MIDI CHAN and BYPASS. The display shows a MIDI number with a blinking left decimal point. Use UP/DOWN buttons to change numbers. Pressing BYPASS switches to PRESET number editing (blinking right decimal point). Press MIDI CHAN to return to MIDI number editing. Changes made to the MPT are saved via battery backup.

Example 1 (Front Panel Editing): Illustrates editing the MPT to map MIDI numbers 1 and 2 to Proverb presets 64 and U2, respectively.

Example 2 (External Controller): Shows how to edit the MPT using a keyboard or external controller, mapping MIDI numbers 3 and 4 to presets 55 and Y4.

Example 3 (Preset Sequence): Details setting up a sequence of presets (including a bypass preset) for quick access via the MPT.

Increment Preset Mode (IP)

This mode allows programming the REMOTE jack to increment through presets or function as a normal bypass jack. Access IP via MPT edit mode by incrementing until the display reads [1.P]. Press BYPASS to set the number of presets in the sequence (e.g., [04.] for five presets) or [00.] for bypass. Then, set the desired MIDI Program Numbers and corresponding PRESET numbers. Press MIDI CHAN and BYPASS to exit.

Example 4: Setting up five presets for Increment Preset Mode.

Example 5: Programming the REMOTE jack for the BYPASS function.

MIDI System Exclusive Message Information

Applies to Proverb 200 version 2.21, February 25, 1988. A system exclusive message is defined for the ART ProVerb to load the MIDI preset table (MPT) from an external device. The message format is:

F0h lAh 0xh 02h 00h <127 bytes of preset numbers> F7h

Where: F0h = System exclusive, lAh = ART manufacturer ID, 0xh = Channel (00-0Fh), 02h = Proverb 200 ID, 00h = Message ID, F7h = End of exclusive.

The first 5 bytes must be correct for the Proverb 200 to process the message. The channel number byte must match the unit's MIDI CHAN setting, unless the unit is in OMNI mode.

MIDI Implementation Chart

The chart details the Proverb 200's MIDI capabilities, including:

• Basic Channel: Default channel 1-16, OMNI ON.
• Mode: Recognizes Mode 1.
• Control Change: Recognizes Program Change (0-127), allowing any preset to be assigned to any program number.
• System Exclusive: Supports System Exclusive messages for data loading.
• Notes: Defines MIDI modes (OMNI ON/OFF, POLY/MONO).

Applications

The Proverb 200's presets offer a wide range of reverb sounds and special effects suitable for various musical applications. Experimentation is encouraged to achieve desired sounds.

Vocal Expression

Stereo imaging, depth, and presence are key for vocal sound. Use wide stereo separation for spaciousness. Short decay times (e.g., presets 04, 05, 08) provide presence, while longer decays (e.g., 18, 21, 28, 33) create rich vocals. Presets 37, 42, 60, 70 offer an "up front" sound. Delay-based presets can add a "fifties" slap sound (PO-P9) or hard reverb with regeneration (JO-J2). Gated reverb provides a tight, abrupt sound. For panning vocals, use presets F3 or F1 with the MIX control at maximum. Preset H9 creates thick, rich vocals. Preset U9 offers a chorus with delay.

Keyboard Enhancement

Presets like 09, L4, L9, 18, and 93 add dimension and sharpness to piano sounds. Presets 32, 41, 60, or H9 provide additional presence. Preset H9 combines chorus and reverb. For thin strings, preset 36 offers a full, close sound. Preset 59 adds depth. Percussive keyboard sounds can be enhanced with short decay presets like 17, U3, 31, or A5. For an orchestral hall setting, try preset 69. For a choral setting, try preset U2 or U9.

Drums and Percussion

Reverb adds character to drums. Preset 23 offers a small room reverb. Preset 29 can deaden the sound. Short snare sounds can be achieved with image or studio plate presets. Experiment with presets A0-A9 for snare sounds that are full and then cut off. Expansive sounds without clutter can be found in presets U0-U3. Long open rooms (e.g., 63, 73, 80, 88) create explosive decays. For special effects, use Reverse presets (C4, YO) for rolls or tonal drones (Y8). Unrealistic percussive flanging can be achieved with presets Y5, 6, and 7.

Guitar Enrichment

Delay presets (P2, P4) and chorus presets (H2, H6) can create doubling effects. Preset U9 combines chorus and echo for an interesting effect. Short reverbs (09, 11, 14, 17) add depth and character. Flanging presets (E0-E9, F0-F9) are available. Inverted flange settings (E3-E6) are suitable for bass guitar.

Miscellaneous Notes

The Proverb 200's MPT is retained by battery-backed memory for up to four years. The last preset and MIDI channel are also recalled upon power-up. Preset Y9 is a non-sound preset used as a MIDI bypass. On power-up, the unit displays its software revision level (e.g., 2.2). The software is contained in a replaceable EPROM.

Users are encouraged to fill out the User Registration Card for notifications of future updates. A factory reset for the MPT can be performed by removing the lithium battery for a few minutes while the unit is powered off.

Specifications

Contact Information

Applied Research & Technology Inc.
215 Tremont Street
Rochester, New York 14608 USA
Phone: (716) 436-2720
FAX: (716) 436-3942
Telex: 4949793 ARTROC