CARVIN BX1600 User manual

Brand: CARVIN

Model: BX1600

Category: Musical Equipment

Type: User manual

CARVIN BX1600 is a dual mono block amplifier that delivers 2x325w at 8ohms, 2x500w at 4ohms, and 2x800w at 2ohms and features impressive sonic capabilities. Bridge mode allows both amps to drive one output for 1000w at 8 ohms and 1600w at 4 ohms. Four discrete Class A input stages produce warm and rich sounds. The CARVIN BX1600 gives the user extensive tone control with a wide range of built-in tools, like the bypassable 12AX7 preamp tube, DRIVE and master VOLUME controls, semi-parametric EQ, 9-band Graphic EQ, single knob optical COMPRESSOR, and more.

76-42506B 122216

The BX Series Bass Amplifier Heads offer classic natural bass tone with unprecedented tonal

control and extended headroom. The BX1600 “dual” mono block amplifier delivers 2x325w

at 8ohms, 2x500w at 4ohms, and 2x800w at 2ohms. Bridge mode allows both amps to drive

one output for 1000w at 8 ohms and 1600w at 4 ohms.

Four discrete Class A input stages produce the harmonic basis for the preamp right from

the input jack. It begins with a boutique flat response, then we add extensive tone control

allowing you to carve out your signature sound. Harmonic content increases as you turn up

the DRIVE control producing rich harmonics at maximum settings. Solid design, bullet-proof

construction and a list of indispensable features assure the BX1600 will be the heart of your

rig for years to come.

•DiscreteClassAinputstages

•Bypassable12AX7preamptube

•PreampDRIVEandmasterVOLUMEcontrols

•BiampCROSSOVERLO&HIlevels

•3midsweepsemi-parametricEQ,BASS,andTREBLE

•9-bandGraphicEQwithfrontpanelswitch(orbyoptionalFS22footswitch)

•SignalMUTEfrontpanelswitch(orbyoptionalFS22footswitch)

•EFFECTLOOPfrontpanelbypassswitch(orbyoptionalFS22footswitch)

•DIRECTOUTbalancedXLRwithindependentLEVELcontrol,switchable

 “Pre-Post”and“GroundLift”,DCisolated

•TUNERoutputjackindependentofMUTEswitch

•SingleknobopticalCOMPRESSOR

•LEDpanellighting

•LockingACcordreceptaclealsoacceptsstandardcords

•HighcurrentTwist-LockBRIDGEDspeakeroutput

•SPEAKON®-1/4”combojacksforAmp1&2

•Metalshaftcontrolswiththreadedmetalbushingsmounteddirectlytofrontpanel

•CircuitboardsareMILSPEC,doublesided,FR-4glassepoxy

•Lightweightdesign

•BX1600 -19”2Ualuminumchassis

GETTING STARTED QUICKLY

If you are like most players, you probably want to plug in your new amp and get started

playing right away. Before you start, be sure your amp is plugged into the correct AC voltage.

1.WithPOWERoff,connectaspeakercabinettooneoftherearSPEAKEROUTPUTs.

2.SettheDRIVE,MASTERvolume,andthetwoampvolumesto“0”andsettheACTIVE

INPUTswitchforyourtypeofbass.

3.Setalltonecontrolstotheircenter“0”positionandtheCONTOURtoFLAT.Thisisthe

“FLAT”settingfortheamp.Fornow,turnoffthegraphicEQ.

4.Now,turntheampON.Turnupthevolumeonyourbassguitar.Graduallyincreasethe

ampVOLUMEcontroltothedesiredlevel.Ifnosoundisheard,turndowntheVOLUME

controlandchecktheMUTEswitch.

5. Increasing the DRIVE control will add harmonic richness to your sound. Turning up the

DRIVEalsoincreasesvolume.Re-adjusttheMASTERvolumeafteradjustingtheDRIVE.

6.Adjustthetonecontrolstoyourliking.Keepinmindthatturningupatonecontrolisn’t

alwaystheanswer.SometimesturningdownoneoftheMIDcontrolswillgetyouthesound

you want.

7.Needmorevolume?Thereisalimittotheamountofvolumeaspeakercanproduceand

drivingaspeakerbeyondit’slimitcandamageit.Eventhoughthesearepowerfulamplifiers,

adding more speakers is the only way for substantially more output. Every time you double

your speakers, you increase your acoustic output by a factor of four.

This guide will help get you started. Have fun exploring the features and sounds of the

BX1600.Takethetimewithyournewamptorealizeit’sfullpotential.

BX1600 SPECIFICATIONS:

Output Power

8ohms, THD <1.0% 2x 325w

4ohms, THD <1.0% 2x 500w

2ohms, THD <1.0% 2x 800w

8ohms BRIDGE 1000W

4ohms BRIDGE 1600W

Input Impedance: >200K

Drive Control: Varies input gain and harmonic content

Tone Controls: CONTOUR: variable mid shaping, FLAT (off) to SCOOP

TREBLE: +/-12dB @ 10KHz

BASS: +/- 12dB @ 50Hz

3 Semi-Parametric Mids: +/-12dB @ 50-500 Hz, 200-2k Hz, 800-8K(Hz)

9-band Graphic EQ: +/-12dB @ 50,80,125,250,500,800,1.3k,2.6k,5k(Hz)

Biamp crossover: 100Hz - 2kHz

Power amp levels: Master, LO & HI

AC Requirements: USAModel:120VAC,50-60Hz

 EuropeanModel:240VAC,50-60Hz

Power Requirements: 500VA

Dimensions (no cabinet): (2U)3.5”Hx19”Wx10.5”D

Weight : 8.6lbs.(3.85kgs)

Warranty: Oneyearpartsandlabor

Optional Accessories: FS22 footswitch

SV2 2RUrackcase

120V18L7 replacement7’lockingACcord(US)

BX1600 BASS AMPLIFIER

BUILT IN THE

USA

USER MANUAL

16262 WEST BERNARDO DRIVE SAN DIEGO, CA 92127

800-854-2235 CARVINAUDIO.COM

RECEIVING INSPECTION—read before getting started

INSPECT YOUR UNIT FOR DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping. If damage is

found please notify the shipping company and CARVIN immediately.

SAVE THE CARTON & ALL PACKING MATERIALS. In the event you have to re-ship your unit,

always use the original carton and packing material. This will provide the best possible protection

during shipment. CARVIN and the shipping company are not liable for any damage caused by

improper packing.

SHIPMENT SHORTAGE. If you find items missing, they may have been shipped separately.

Please allow several days for the rest of your order to arrive before inquiring.

RECORD THE SERIAL NUMBER on the enclosed warranty card and below for your records.

Keep your portion of the card and return the portion with your name and comments to us.

SERIAL #_________________________ INVOICE #___________________ DATE___________

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

1. INPUT JACK

The1/4”phonejackisahighimpedanceinstrumentinputdesignedtohandlebothactive

and passive basses in connection with the ACTIVE switch.

2. BLUE JEWEL LIGHT AND POWER SWITCH

The power switch turns on the amplifier and is indicated by the large blue jewel light over

the input jack.

3. DRIVE CONTROL

The DRIVE control adjusts the input level to the class A preamps. The DRIVE control serves

two purposes. DRIVE can be used to adjust the input sensitivity for the differences in bass

pickups. DRIVE will also change the harmonic content of your sound. Turning the knob

closer to 10 will create a more overdriven tone. The DRIVE will also change the volume of the

amplifier,souseitincombinationwiththeMASTERcontroltoachievethedesiredvolume.

4. MUTE SWITCH

TheMUTEswitchturnsofftheoutputoftheamplifier.AblueLEDindicatestheMUTEswitch

ison.TheMUTEswitchisidealforchangingbassesandsilenttuningonstage,sincetherear

tuner output is never muted. The mute feature can also be switched with an FS22 footswitch.

5. ACTIVE SWITCH

SettheACTIVEswitchtotheOUTpositionforstandardbasspickups.Ifyourbassusesa

batterywithanonboardactivepreamp,settheswitchtotheINposition.

AblueLEDindicatestheACTIVEswitchison.

6. CONTOUR CONTROL

TheCONTOURcontrolprovidesavariablemidrangescoop.Whenthiscontrolissetto

“FLAT”(OFF)thereisnochangetothemidrangefrequencies.Asyouturnthecontourcontrol

clockwise,themidrangeisscoopedatthecenterfrequencyat250Hz.WhentheCONTOUR

controlissettomaximumthemid-rangeiscutby-9dBat300Hz.

7. BASS AND TREBLE TONE CONTROLS

TheBASSandTREBLE controls are customshapedtonecontrolsdesigned to deliver

punchy lows and crisp highs for a variety of bass sounds. When a control is turned to the

right it boosts the tone and when turned to the left cuts the tone.

TheaffectedfrequencyfortheTREBLEcontrolbeginsat5kHz.

The affected frequencies for the BASS start at 80Hz and can deliver a great deal of volume.

Be careful not to distort the output or overpower the low end of your speakers.

8. SEMI-PARAMETRIC MID SWEEP TONE CONTROLS (LEVEL & FREQ)

ThesethreeEQ’scantakesometimetolearnhowtouse.StartwiththeLOMIDsweep.

TheFREQcontroldoesnotfunctioniftheGAINcontrolissetinthecenter“0”position.

Todemonstrate,turntheGAINtotherightforfullboost.Nowplayyourbassandturnthe

FREQcontrolfromlefttorightandnoticethehowtheaddedmidschangefrequency.Now

turntheGAINtothefullleftandturntheFREQcontrolagainandnoticethereducedmids.

Then,trythiswiththeMIDandHIMID.Asyoucanhear,therearemanyvariables,sowrite

down some of the settings for future reference. The mid sweep system controls can be very

effective to fine tune your overall sound.

9. COMPRESSOR (COMP)

For some people, a compressor is a new feature. What it basically does is reduce the

volumeoftheincomingsignalasitreachesapresetmaximumlevel.AstheCOMPknob

isturnedup(clockwise),thecompressorletsalowerpercentageofpeaksignalstopass

through.Thispercentageiscalledthe“compressionratio”.When theknobisattheoff

position(fullcounter-clockwise)theratiois1:1,wherealloftheinputsignalpassesthrough

thecompressorwithoutbeingaffected.AttheMAXsetting,thecompressionratiois3:1.

Theadvantageofacompressoristothereducepeaksandothersuddenloudparts(tran-

sients)ofyourplayingsoyoucanincreaseyouroverallvolume.Forexample,inslapbass

playing, the plucked notes can put out peaks that would distort the amplifier at normal playing

volumes.Iftheamp’svolumewasadjustedforthesepeaks,therestofthenoteswouldbe

tooquiettohearwiththeband.WhenthecompressorisadjustedtowheretheLEDcomes

onforloudpeaks,theamplifiercanbeplayed louder without distortion.It’s like having

someone re-adjusting the volume of the amplifier to prevent distortion when the peaks occur.

10. 9 BAND GRAPHIC EQUALIZER

The9bandgraphicEQhasbeendesignedwithcenterfrequenciesmostrequestedby

professional bass players. This EQ can be used to fine tune the tonal content of the amps

output. Since the graphic EQ is switchable with either the optional FS22 footswitch or the EQ

switch on the front panel, it can be used during passages of a song when the bass needs to

punchthroughthemix.Musiciansthatplaymorethanonebassonstagewillalsofindthis

usefultogetthesoundstheydesireoutofeachinstrument.TheBLUELEDlocatedabove

theGRAPHICEQINswitchsignifieswhenthegraphicEQisworking.NOTE: When the front

panelGRAPHICEQswitchisoff,itcannotbeturnedonwiththefootswitch.

11. ÊEFFECTS LOOP SWITCH

ThegreenLEDabovethefrontpanelEFFECTSswitchindicateswhentheEFFECTSLOOP

isactive.WhentheEFFECTSswitchisofftheEFFECTSLOOPisbypassed.Thesignalisstill

presentattheSENDjack,buttheRETURNisnotactive.TheEFFECTSLOOPcanalsobe

switched using the optional FS22 footswitch. NOTE: When the EFFECTS switch is off, the

loop cannot be turned on with the footswitch.

12. ELECTRONIC CROSSOVER - BIAMPING

Theelectroniccrossoverisusedforabiampedspeakerconfiguration.WhentheX-OVER

switchisON,theBX1600isinbiampmodeandtheBLUELEDaboveitwillbelit.Toselectthe

crossoverfrequency,rotatetheCROSSOVERFREQcontrolknobuntilthedesiredfrequency

isobtained.LowfrequenciesgotoAMP1,andhighfrequenciesgotoAMP2.Thisallows

speakers designed for specific frequencies to be utilized to their fullest potential, and allows

theuserevengreatercontroloverthetoneofthierrig.Tostart,trysettingtheCROSSOVER

FREQat300Hz(about“9o’clock”onthecontrol).

13. MASTER VOLUME

UsetheMASTERtocontroltheoverallvolumeoftheamplifier.ReducetheMASTERlevel

ifclippingoccursasindicatedbythePEAKLEDs(see#15).UsingtheCOMPRESSORwill

alsohelppreventclipping.TheMASTERcontrolalsoaffectstheHEADPHONEoutput.

14. POWER AMP CONTROL

The1LOand2HIlevelscontrolthevolumetotheindividualamps.Theseareusedto

balancethelowandhighfrequencyspeakercabinetswheninCROSSOVERbiampingmode.

Tosetthebalance,turnupthe1LOknobuntilthedesiredvolumelevelisreached.Now

turnupthe2HIknobuntilthedesiredbalancehasbeenachieved.UsetheMASTER volume

to set the overall volume.

15. ÊPEAK LEDS

TheredPEAKLEDsareclippingindicatorsfortheamplifier(s).Iftheampsareclipping,

usetheMASTERtoreducethelevel.TheCOMPRESSORmayalsoservetohelpprevent

clipping.Besurenottoruntheampswithheavycontinuousclipping(PEAKLEDsON)or

your speakers could be damaged.

1 4 5 810 14 159

268

37711 13 2

25 24

REAR PANEL CONTROLS

1722 21 1820

19 16

16. ÊDI LEVEL (DIRECT OUT)

TheDILEVELcontrolstheoutputleveloftheXLRDIRECTOUTPUT.TheDIlevelis

notaffectedbytheMASTERlevel.

17. ÊDIRECT OUT PRE/POST SWITCH AND GROUND LIFT SWITCH

ThedirectoutPRE/POSTswitchallowsthechoiceofeitherasimplebufferedsignal

straightfromtheinputjack (PRE mode)oraprocessedsignal including theDrive,

Compressor,Tone,GraphicEQ,andEffectLoopprocessing(POSTmode).

IfahumoccurswhenconnectingtheXLRtoamixer,tryusingtheGNDLIFTswitch.The

GNDLIFTswitchliftsthegroundpin1oftheXLRto100ohmsabovechassisground.

18. ÊDIRECT OUT XLR JACK

TheDIRECTOUTXLRjackprovidesabalancedindependentoutputforgoingdirectto

themainPAorrecordinginput.ThefrontMASTERcontroldoesnotaffecttheoutput

level.TheXLRisprotectedagainst Phantom power (DCvoltage)oncablescoming

from mixer inputs.

19. FOOTSWITCH AND CONFIGURATION SWITCHES

The optional FS22 footswitch can be used to remotely control 2 of these 3 features:

MUTE,GraphicEQ,orEFFECTSLOOPbypass.

The two configuration switches set the functions of the FS22 footswitches.

TheFS22Left“Channel”switchswitchisconnectedtotheRingofthe1/4”plug.

TheFS22Right“Reverb-Effects”switchisconnectedtotheTipofthe1/4”plug.

There are four configurations.

TherearLEDsneareachswitchlightwhenevertheEffectslooporGraphicEQareON.

IftherearswitchesaresetforEffectsLooporGraphicEQsetthefrontpanelswitchesso

thefeatureisON,andthefootswitchcanturnthefeatureOFForON.

Moststandardfootswitcheswithlatchingswitchesandastereo(TRS)plugwillwork.

20. EFFECTS LOOP (SWITCHABLE)

The SENDjack is the output of the preamp and is designed to deliver the proper

leveltotheinputofanexternaleffectsprocessor.TheSENDsignalsourceisafterthe

TONECONTROLSandCOMPRESSOR(#7,#8,&#9).

The RETURN jack is designed to receive signals from the output of an external effects

processor.WhenasignalispluggedintotheRETURN,itbreakstheconnectionbetween

thepreampandtheinternalpoweramp.TheRETURNsignalgoesthroughtheGRAPHIC

EQ(ifactive)andMASTERcontrolstothepoweramp(s).

TheEFFECTLOOPcanbebypassedwiththefrontpanelswitch(see#11)oroptional

FS22footswitch(see#19).

21. AMP INSERT JACKS

TheAMPINSERTjacksareTRS(Tip-Ring-Sleeve).The“TIP”istheSENDandthe

“RING”istheRETURN.UsingaTRS(Tip-Ring-Sleeve)insertcable,thepreampsignal

canbesentoutviatheTIPtoanexternalprocessorandthenreturnedtotheinternal

powerampviatheRING.Ifastandard(Tip-Sleeve)instrumentcableisused,thesignal

can be routed from the preamp to an external power amp. These insert jacks break the

signal to the internal power amplifier.

UsetheMASTER(orAMP1&2)controlsonthefrontpanelforSENDadjustments.

WhentheCROSSOVERisOFF,bothoutputsreceivethesamefullrangesignal.When

the CROSSOVERisON,AMP1receivesthelowfrequencysignalsandAMP2receives

the high frequency signals.

22. TUBE BYPASS

TheTUBEBYPASSSWITCHremovesthe12AX7preamptubefromthesignalpath.

23. TUNER LINE OUT JACK (UNMUTED)

The TUNER LINE OUT jack is provided as a place to connect a tuner. This output is unaf-

fectedbytheMUTEfunctionsoyoumaytuneyourbassquietlywhileusingtheMUTE.

24. SPEAKER OUTPUTS (SEE IMPEDANCE CHART ON BACK PAGE)

The BX1600useshighcurrentTwist-Lockspeakerconnectors.OUTPUT1andOUTPUT

2usethegreencombination1/4”-SPEAKON® jacks which will also accept standard

1/4”plugs.Multiplespeakerscanbeattachedbychainingcabinetstogether,solong

asthetotalimpedanceisnotbelow2ohmsforeachOUTPUT1orOUTPUT2jackand

4ohmsfortheBRIDGEDOUTPUTjack.Twist-Lockcablesarerecommendedduetheir

high current capability.

25. AMP BRIDGE SWITCH AND LED

The rear BRIDGE switch enables the full power of both amps in the BX1600 to be sent to

thecenterBRIDGEDOUTPUTconnector.TheLEDwillilluminatetoindicateBRIDGEmode.

Totalminimumimpedanceis4ohms.ThecenterblackBRIDGEDOUTPUTconnector

willnotaccept1/4”plugs.DONOTconnectspeakerstoOUTPUT1orOUTPUT2when

in BRIDGE mode.

NOTE:IntheBRIDGEmode,boththeMASTERandPOWERAMP1controlsadjustthe

output volume.

26. AC POWER & FUSE

Insertthelockingpowercordintothisjackandpushuntilfullyinserted.Plugthecord

intoagrounded3prongpowersource.Noattemptshouldeverbemadetousethe

amp without the ground connected.

ThelockingACcord(Carvinpart#120V18L7,USversion)issuppliedwiththeamp.

However, a standard AC cord can be used.

To detach the cord from the amp, press the yellow release lever on the underside of

the cord near the amp.

TheFUSEislocated internally onthecircuitboard. To checkorreplacethefuse,

remove the power cord and the enclosure lid. If the fuse is blown repeatedly, it is likely

the amp will require service.

8 OHM 325W/CH 1000W BRIDGE

4 OHM 500W/CH 1600W BRIDGE

2 OHM 800W/CH

120VAC

50/60HZ 500VA

PRESS TO

RELEASE

LOCKING AC CORD

RING

switch

setting

TIP

switch

setting

FS22

“Channel”

function

FS22

”Rev. - Eff.””

function

OUT OUT Graphic EQ Effect Loop

OUT IN Graphic EQ MUTE

IN OUT MUTE Effect Loop

IN IN not used MUTE

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (EUROPEAN)

The conductors in the AC power cord are colored in accordance with the following code.

GREEN & YELLOW—Earth BLUE—Neutral BROWN—Live

U.K. MAIN PLUG WARNING: A molded main plug that has been cut off from the cord is

unsafe. NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU INSERT A DAMAGED

OR CUT MAIN PLUG INTO A POWER SOCKET.

IMPORTANT! FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

WATERANDMOISTURE:Applianceshouldnotbeusednearwater(nearabathtub,washbowl,

kitchensink,laundrytub,inawetbasement,ornearaswimmingpool,etc).Careshouldbetaken

so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.

POWER SOURCES:The product should be connected to a power supply only of the type

described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.

GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION:Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or

polarization is not defeated.

POWERCORDPROTECTION:Powersupplycordsshouldberoutedsothattheyarenotlikely

to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention

to cords at plugs.

SERVICING:Theusershouldnotattempttoservicetheappliancebeyondthatdescribedinthe

operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.

FUSING:Ifyourunitisequippedwithafusereceptacle,replaceonlywiththesametypefuse.

Refer to replacement text on the unit for correct fuse type.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE

PERSONNEL! THIS UNIT CONTAINS HIGH

VOLTAGE INSIDE!

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

This symbol is intended

to alert the user to the

presence of uninsulated

“dangerousvoltage”within

theproduct’senclosurethatmaybeof

sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk

of electric shock to persons.

This symbol is

intended to alert the

user to the presence

of important operating

andmaintenance(servicing)instruc-

tions in the literature accompanying

the appliance.

LIMITED WARRANTY

YourCarvinproductisguaranteedagainstfailurefor1YEARunlessotherwisestated.

Carvin will service and supply all parts at no charge to the customer providing the

unitisunderwarranty.Shippingcostsaretheresponsibilityofthecustomer.CARVIN

DOESNOTPAYFORPARTSORSERVICINGOTHERTHANOUROWN.ACOPYOFTHE

ORIGINALINVOICEISREQUIREDTOVERIFYYOURWARRANTY.Carvinassumesno

responsibility for horn drivers or speakers damaged by this unit. This warranty does

not cover, and no liability is assumed, for damage due to: natural disasters, acci-

dents, abuse, loss of parts, lack of reasonable care, incorrect use, or failure to follow

instructions.Thiswarrantyisinlieuofallotherwarranties,expressedorimplied.No

representative or person is authorized to represent or assume for Carvin any liability

in connection with the sale or servicing of Carvin products.

CARVINSHALLNOTBE

LIABLEFORINCIDENTALORCONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES.

MAINTAINING YOUR EQUIPMENT

Avoid spilling liquids or allowing any other foreign matter inside the unit. The panel of

your unit can be wiped with a dry or slightly damp cloth in order to remove dust and bring

back the new look.

Aswithallprogear,avoidprolongeduseincausticenvironments(salt

air).Whenusedinsuchanenvironment,besuretheamplifierisadequatelyprotected.

SERVICE:

IntheUSAgotowww.carvinservice.com

OutsidetheUSA,contactyourdealerorgotohttp://www.carvinworld.com for your nearest service

center. Include a written description of the problem with serial number and date of purchase..

HELPFUL HINTS

1) NO SOUND:

TheMUTEfunctionhasbeeninadvertentlyengaged.

Speakers have been improperly connected.

EffectLoophasbeenimproperlyconnected.

2) NO HIGH FREQUENCIES:

TheBX1600speakerconnectionsareincorrectwhenintheCROSSOVERmode.

Tweeters or midrange drivers have been damaged from too much power.

3) AMP SEEMS VERY SENSITIVE ON INPUT SIGNALS:

The drive control is turned all the way up.

The active switch may need to be turned on.

4) DIR XLR HUM:

TryswitchingtherearGNDLIFTswitchINorOUT.

Try switching to pre DI.

Check for noise from external effects or bad cabling.

5)POOR BASS FROM MULTIPLE ENCLOSURES:

MakesuretherearBRIDGEswitchis“OFF”whenusingOUTPUT1andOUTPUT2speaker

jacks.CheckforincorrectspeakerconnectionswhenintheCROSSOVERmode.

6)FOR MAXIMUM OUTPUT:

To get more output, use multiple speakers or enclosures. Every time you double your

speakers,youracousticoutputgoesupbyafactoroffour.Loadtheamplifierdowntoits

lowestminimumimpedanceformaximumRMSpower.

Ifyougobelowtheminimumload,yourampwillshutoffandgointothe“protect”mode.

To reset, turn your amp off and connect the recommended load.

TWIST-LOCK cables are recommended for your BX1600 because of their high current

capacity.Whilestandard1/4”speakercableswillwork,12GATWIST-LOCK cables will allow

higher currents to pass through the cable to extract every watt from your amp.

SPEAKER COMBINATIONS

Two8ohmspeakers =4ohms (OK)(OKforBRIDGE)

Four8ohmcabinets =2ohms (OK)(notforBRIDGE)

Three8ohmspeakers =2.66ohms (OK)(notforBRIDGE)

Two4ohmspeakers =2ohms (OK)(notforBRIDGE)

One8&one4ohmcabinet =2.66ohms (OK)(notforBRIDGE)

Two8&one4ohmspeakers =2ohms (OK)(notforBRIDGE)

Two2ohmspeakers =1ohm (no)

Three4ohmspeakers =1.33ohms (no)

Two4&one8ohmspeakers =1.6ohms (no)

The BX1600 is a powerful amplifier. As with any amplifier, make sure your speakers are

suitable for the available wattage. Driving speakers with too much wattage will cause them

to distort and eventually fail. If distorted sound is coming from the speakers, reduce the

volume until the distortion stops.

CROSSOVER (bi-amping) and BRIDGE modes on the BX1600:

The BX1600 is capable of three different power amp modes, each with different advantages:

1. DUAL MONO mode(standard)

BoththeX-OVERswitchandtherearBRIDGEswitcharesetto“OFF”.Eachpowerampreceivesthe

samemonosignal(unlesseffectsareusedintheAMPINSERTS).Speakerscanbeconnectedtooneor

bothOUTPUT1andOUTPUT2speakerjacks.Thebalanceofvolumebetweenthetwospeakeroutputs

canbesetbythe“1LO”and“2HI”POWERAMPcontrols.Thismodecanusefulwhenusingtwodifferent

speakercabinets(suchasa4x10”and2x10”)thathaveunequaloutputlevelsorwhenusingcabinets

with low wattage ratings.

2. CROSSOVER mode(bi-amping)

Withthe X-OVERswitch“ON” andtherearBRIDGEswitch“OFF”,poweramp 1(LOfreq) handles

frequenciesbelowtheCROSSOVERFREQsetting.Poweramp2(HIfreq)handlesfrequenciesabove

theCROSSOVERFREQsetting.Subwooferssuchas15”or18”speakersshouldbepluggedintothe

“OUTPUT1”speakerjack.Fullrange(orhighfrequency)enclosuresshouldbepluggedintothe“OUTPUT

2”speakerjack.Thebalanceofvolumebetweenthetwospeakersissetbythe“1LO”and“2HI”POWER

AMPcontrols.TheCROSSOVERmodetakesfulladvantageofthefrequencyresponseofthesetwodif-

ferent types of speakers.

3. BRIDGE mode(mono,fullpowerintoonespeakerload)

TherearBRIDGEswitchis“ON”(CROSSOVERsettingsaredisabled).PlugspeakersintotheBRIDGED

OUTPUTjack.DONOTuseOUTPUT1orOUTPUT2speakerjacksintheBRIDGEmode.Thismodeis

used to get the most power into one speaker enclosure or several identical enclosures. Be sure your

speaker(s)canhandle1600wattsfor4ohmor1000wattsfor8ohmenclosures.Iftwoidenticalspeaker

enclosures are used, each one will receive 1/2 the wattage. When using speakers of unequal impedance

make sure they can handle the full wattage.

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOTOPEN

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOTOPEN

CARVIN BX1600 User manual

Brand: CARVIN

Model: BX1600

Category: Musical Equipment

Type: User manual

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CARVIN BX1600 User manual

CARVIN BX1600 User manual

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