Orange Acoustic Pre

The Orange Acoustic Pre is the world’s first stereo valve acoustic preamp/active DI, offering supreme clarity and unrivalled performance for uncompromising performers. Engineered for both stage and studio use this valve design affords acoustic players the same warmth, natural compression and rich harmonics previously only available to electric guitarists and hi-fi audiophiles. Channel A is a unique ECC83/12AX7 valve channel for active and passive instruments. The valve circuitry operates in a totally different way to most electric guitar amplifiers and has been designed to amplify a much wider frequency range in order to capture every subtle nuance of acoustic instruments. The tonal effect of the valve can be fine-tuned with the preamp’s ‘Heat’ control which adjusts the negative feedback applied to the valve. This can be used to revoice this channel depending on the playing style. Backing off the Heat offers a warmer attack for flatpickers, whilst turning it up adds more presence and sparkle for fingerstyle. The analogue solid state Channel B has a different, slightly softer character with outstanding clarity. This channel has inputs for either a microphone or an instrument, and features switchable 48V phantom power. Both channels can be used independently or blended together – perfect for the modern player who combines multiple sound sources. Each channel has a three-band EQ with a semi-parametric mid control, plus switches to correct feedback issues on stage and phasing problems between dual-source pickups. The tone shaping options have been voiced to perfectly control the natural body and ‘air’ of acoustic instruments, whilst the onboard stereo reverb adds stunning ambience if desired. On the rear, the preamp features flexible routing options, including independent effects loops and balanced DI outputs for each channel. Handmade in the UK the Orange Acoustic Pre has already been a hit with major artists. Prototypes have already gone straight into the touring rigs of Stevie Wonder for use with his Harpejji and fingerstyle jazz guitarist Martin Taylor MBE.

FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS

Channel A

Gain:  Input level to Channel A
Heat: Varies valve gain in upper frequencies adding harmonics and compression
Bass: Low shelf +/-12 dB below 680 hZ
Treble: High shelf +15 dB Above 680 hZ
Mid: +/-18dB @ frequency selected by Freq control
Freq: Selects centre frequency for Mid control (180Hz – 1.8kHz)

Channel B

Gain: Input level to Channel B
Bass: Low shelf +/-12 dB below 680 hZ
Treble: High shelf +15 dB Above 680 hZ
Mid: +/-18dB @ frequency selected by Freq control
Freq: Selects centre frequency for Mid control (180Hz – 1.8kHz)

Master

Reverb: Controls the level of the on-board digital reverb
Line Volume: Controls the output level of the unbalanced mono line output
Main Volume: Controls the output level of the balanced XLR outputs

Switches

+48V On: Activates 48V phantom power on Channel B’s XLR input
Phase Inv A: Inverts the phase of Channel A
Phase Inv B: Inverts the phase of Channel B
Mute: Mutes both channels at the FX Loop send (Reverb/Delay tails and loop pedals will still be audible)
Gnd Lift A: Lifts the ground of Channel A’s XLR output
Gnd Lift B: Lifts the ground of Channel B’s XLR output XLR

Connections

Input A: 1/4″ Jack input to Channel A
Input B: 1/4″ Jack and XLR inputs to Channel B (not to be used simultaneously)
Mute Footswitch: Allows the mute function to be controlled by a latching footswitch (such as the FS-1)
FX Loop Send A: Connects Channel A to the input of an effects unit. The Send can also be used as an unbalanced output for Channel A (post-EQ, pre-Reverb).
FX Loop Return A: Connects the output of an effects unit to Channel A output
FX Loop Send B: Connects Channel B to the input of an effects unit. The Send can also be used as an unbalanced output for Channel B (post-EQ, pre-Reverb).
FX Loop Return B: Connects the output of an effects unit to Channel B output
Line Output: Mixes both channels for a mono unbalanced 1/4″ output Jack
Main Output A: Individual balanced XLR output for Channel A
Main Output B: Individual balanced XLR output for Channel B
12V DC 2.1mm DC socket for connecting the supplied 12VDC centre negative power supply