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Crate FW120H
Crate FW120H Description:
Dig if you will the awesome FlexWave120H head. If sheer volume combined with tone so outstanding it should be declared illegal is the action you crave, then put the FlexWave120H at the top of your shopping list. Producing 120 watts of savage power while sporting three channels and built in effects, it's the perfect head for the gigging maniac. We guess you could use it in your bedroom too if you didn't mind re-plastering the walls every week.
The FlexWave120H's FlexWave™ Evolution 5 preamp uses our patented Sequential Channel Tracking™ technology, for a tone with so much balls, it needs a jockstrap. Variable 3-channel operation allows you to switch between twangadelic clean, hot-as-freaking-heck overdrive and tortured high gain channels via the remote footswitch we lovingly pack with each and every unit. With 18 stereo DSP effects, Channel Tracking™ of effects settings, and our proprietary Shape Control circuit for sculpting wicked custom leads, it's statistically impossible to dial up a lame sound. We highly recommend our Crate FW412A/B 4x12 cabinets for projecting the bold power of the FlexWave120H head into the skulls of your rapt listening public.
The Crate FlexWave120H three-channel guitar amplifier with advanced digital signal processing (DSP) and Channel Tracking. This rugged amplifier combines outstanding features with serious clean and distorted sounds. Digital Reverb, Delay, and Modulation effects provide you with a wide variety of sounds.
Crate's unique Channel Tracking feature automatically stores your DSP settings for each channel to memory. As you switch from one channel to another, the DSP settings for the selected channel are instantly recalled. The supplied three-button footswitch allows you to select channels and change the DSP bank (Bank A/Bank B) by "remote control."
A front panel 1/8" stereo CD input jack allows you to play along with your CD player, MP3 player, or iPod. A rear panel insert jack allows you to add even more effects by connecting an external effect processor. Like all Crate products, your FlexWave120H amplifier is designed by musicians and built using only the best components. Extensive testing confirms that this amplifier is the absolute best it can be. In order to get the most out of your new amplifier, we strongly urge you to read this manual before you begin playing.
Crate FW120H Features:
120 watts rms power output
Three-Channel Operation
-High Gain Channel
-Overdrive Channel
-Clean Channel
3-band EQ on the Overdrive and Clean Channels
Proprietary "Shape" EQ control on the High Gain Channel
DSP Effects including Delay, Modulation, and Reverb sections
CD Input
Effects Loop
3-Function Footswitch included
External Speaker jack
Built-in Chromatic Tuner
Channel Tracking:
Your Crate FlexWave120H gives you the power of Channel Tracking. Once you select a DSP setting for each channel, Channel Tracking stores the settings to memory whenever you change channels. When you go back to that channel, Channel Tracking recalls those DSP settings automatically, without changing the DSP controls!
For example:
1.Select the Clean channel. Set the Mod control to "Flanger," the Delay control to "Medium," and adjust the Reverb control to your preference.
2.Select the Overdrive channel. Set the Mod control to "Chorus," the Delay control to "Slap," and readjust the Reverb control to a different setting. (The DSP settings for the Clean channel are now saved to memory.)
3.Select the High Gain channel. Set the Mod control to "Phaser," the Delay control to "Long," and readjust the Reverb control once again. (The DSP settings for the Overdrive channel are now saved to memory.)
4.Reselect the Clean channel. (The DSP settings for the High Gain channel are now saved to memory.)
When you reselected the Clean channel, the DSP settings previously stored in memory were
automatically recalled. Switch to the Overdrive channel and the DSP settings you just stored
are still there. You can change the DSP settings at any time. Once you set the DSP and select
another channel, Channel Tracking stores the settings for you. Even when the amplifier is
turned off, the DSP settings are stored and recalled the next time you turn it on. That's the
power of Channel Tracking!
In addition, each channel has two DSP banks, Bank A and Bank B, when you use the supplied
three-button footswitch (see page 8 for more information on using the footswitch). Channel
Tracking also remembers which DSP bank was selected for each channel.
The Front Panel:
1. POWER:
Use this switch to turn the amplifier on (top of the switch depressed)and off (bottom of the switch depressed).
The switch illuminates when the amplifier is turned on.
2. ELECTRONIC TUNER:
The electronictuner is active whenever the amplifier is turned on, providing constant "real-time" tuning. The row of red LEDs on the left indicates which note is being tuned.
When a single LED is lit, it represents the note that appears just below the LED. When two LEDs are lit, it represents the note that appears between them in the bottom row.
The left green LED indicates the note is flat, and the right green LED indicates the note is sharp. The note is properly tuned when both LEDs are lit at the same time.
3. CD INPUT:
Use this 1/8" stereo mini jack to connect the output from a CD player, MP3 player, laptop, etc., to the amplifier.
The signal at this jack is summed into a mono signal, which is sent to the internal power amp circuit. Use the output level control for the signal source to adjust the signal for the proper mix with your guitar.
4-6. EFFECTS:
Use these controls to apply and adjust the DSP effects. Complete information on these effects is provided on.
7. HIGH:
This adjusts the treble frequencies. Use this control to attain a bright and lively sound for your instrument when using the Clean channel.
8. MID:
This adjusts the midrange frequencies. Use this control to get the best projection and midrange tones for your instrument when using the Clean channel.
9. LOW:
This adjusts the bass frequencies. Use this control to get the best sounding bass response for your instrument when using the Clean channel.
10. VOLUME:
Use this control to adjust the output level of the Clean channel.
11. CLEAN LED:
This LED illuminates when the Clean channel is selected.
12. OVERDRIVE/CLEAN:
Use this switch to select the Clean channel or the Overdrive and High Gain channels. With the switch in the out position, the Clean channel is selected.
When the switch is pushed in, either the High Gain or Overdrive channel is selected, depending on the setting of the High Gain/ Overdrive switch [19].
13. LEVEL:
Use this control to adjust the output level of the Overdrive channel.
14. HIGH:
This adjusts the treble frequencies.Use this control to attain a bright and lively sound for your instrument when using the Overdrive channel.
15. MID:
This adjusts the midrange frequencies. Use this control to get the best projection and midrange tones for your instrument when using the Overdrive channel.
16. LOW:
This adjusts the bass frequencies. Use this control to get the best sounding bass response for your instrument when using the Overdrive channel.
17. GAIN:
Use this control to adjust the amount of distortion for the Overdrive channel.
18. OVERDRIVE LED:
This LED illuminates when the Overdrive channel is selected.
19. HIGH GAIN/OVERDRIVE:
Use this switch to select the High Gain or Overdrive channel. With the switch in the out position, the Overdrive channel is selected. When the switch is pushed in, the High Gain channel is selected.
Note: This switch is only active when the Overdrive/Clean switch [12] is pushed in.
20. LEVEL:
Use this control to adjust the output level of the High Gain channel.
21. SHAPE:
Use this control to "dial in" the tone for the High Gain channel. Rotating this control counter-clockwise enhances the mid frequencies, while rotating it clockwise enhances the low and high frequencies.
22. GAIN:
Use this control to adjust the amount of distortion for the High Gain channel.
23. HIGH GAIN LED:
This LED illuminates when the High Gain channel is selected.
24. INPUT:
Use this jack to connect your guitar to the amplifier by means of a shielded instrument cable.
The Rear Panel:
25. INSERT:
Use this jack to connect an external signal processor to the amplifier. Use Crate's STP201, STP202, or STP203 stereoto- mono Y-cord or an adapter such as Crate's YPP117 and two 1/4" mono signal cables to connect to the effect, as shown below.
26. CHANNEL FOOTSWITCH:
Use this jack to connect one of the footswitch cables to the three-button footswitch (supplied). This allows you to remotely switch between the Clean, High Gain, and Overdrive channels. Additional information about the operation of the footswitch is on.
27. DSP FOOTSWITCH:
Use this jack to connect one of the footswitch cables to the three-button footswitch (supplied).
This allows you to select between two DSP presets for each of the three channels. Additional information about the operation of the footswitch is on.
28. EXTENSION SPEAKER:
Use this jack to connect the amplifier to an external speaker cabinet.
Note: The external speaker cabinet should have a nominal impedance of 4 ohms or higher.
29. FUSE:
The fuse protects the amplifier from damage caused by a faulty AC power source or other problems. If the fuse opens, replace it with the same size and type. If fuses continue to fail, check the AC source.
If the source is okay, refer to page 12 or contact your Crate dealer for service information.
30. POWER CORD:
This grounded power cord is to be plugged into a grounded power outlet, wired to current electrical codes and compatible with the voltage, power, and frequency requirements stated on the rear panel.
Do not attempt to defeat the safety ground connection.
The DSP Section:
4. DELAY:
Use this control to select the type of digital delay effect. In its fully counterclockwise position, the signal will be "dry" (without delay). As you rotate the control clockwise, you can select from three slap settings, three medium delay settings, or three long delay settings. The chart below describes these effects.
5. MOD:
Use this control to select the type of digital modulation effect. In its fully counterclockwise position, the signal will be "dry" (without modulation). As you rotate the control clockwise, you can select from three chorus settings, three flanger settings, or three phaser settings.
The chart below describes these effects.
6. REVERB:
Use this control to adjust the amount of digital reverb effect. In its fully counterclockwise position, the signal will be "dry" (without reverb). As you rotate this control clockwise, the amount of reverb increases.
Effect Setting Description
Chorus 1 Chorus with low depth
Chorus 2 Chorus with medium depth
Chorus 3 Chorus with high depth
Flanger 1 Flanger with low depth
Flanger 2 Flanger with medium depth
Flanger 3 Flanger with high depth
Phaser 1 Phaser with low feedback
Phaser 2 Phaser with medium feedback
Phaser 3 Phaser with high feedback
Slap 1 Single short delay with low level
Slap 2 Single short delay with medium level
Slap 3 Single short delay with high level
Medium 1 Multiple repeats with low level and medium length
Medium 2 Multiple repeats with medium level and medium length
Medium 3 Multiple repeats with high level and medium length
Long 1 Multiple repeats with low level and long length
Long 2 Multiple repeats with medium level and long length
Long 3 Multiple repeats with high level and long length
Using the Footswitch with the DSP
The Crate three-button footswitch supplied with the FlexWave120H allows access to an additional
DSP preset for each channel of the amplifier. When the footswitch is connected to the
amplifier as shown below, the "original" DSP presets are active for each channel when the #3
footswitch LED is illuminated. These are referred to as "DSP Bank A." When the #3 button is
switched and the LED is off, a second DSP preset may be stored and recalled for each channel
- "DSP Bank B."
Note: DSP Bank B presets are only accessible when the footswich is connected to the amplifier.
When the footswitch is not connected, only DSP Bank A is accessible.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
1.Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2.Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
3.Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
4.Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Crate FW120H Specifications:
Output Power Rating 120W rms @ 5% THD into 4 ohm load, 120 VAC
Gain High Gain Channel 110 dB, all controls @ 10
Overdrive Ch 88 dB, all controls @ 10
Clean Ch 58 dB, all controls @ 10
CD Input 29 dB
Maximum Input Signal Accepted 2.5 volts rms @ 400 Hz
Input Impedance 470k ohm
High Gain Channel Shape Control Proprietary Circuit
Overdrive Channel Low 20 dB range @ 80 Hz
Mid 15 dB range @ 1 kHz
High 20 dB range @ 10 kHz
Clean Channel Low 36 dB range @ 80 Hz
Mid 15 dB range @ 800 Hz
High 40 dB range @ 10 kHz
External Speaker: 4 ohm minimum nominal impedance
Power Requirements 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 95 VA
100/115 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 95 VA
230/240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 95 VA
Size (H x W x D) 10.2 in/25.9 cm x 29.8 in/75.7 cm x
