Bad Cat UNLEASH - User Manual

Operating Manual
UNLEASH Re-Amplier & Attenuator
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Bad Cat Unleash. As with
all Bad Cat products, your amplier is designed from the ground up to pro-
vide the very best tones possible in a rugged, reliable package. Each one of
our pro quality models is constructed with Bad Cat’s commitment to making
the highest quality, hand-built, American-made products.
FOR YOUR RECORDS, YOU MAY WISH TO RECORD THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION.
SERIAL NO._____________________ INVOICE DATE______________________
PHONE 800.730.0966
FAX 714.630.0106
INFO@BADCATAMPS.COM
WWW.BADCATAMPS.COM
140 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE SUITE 500 IRVINE CA 92618
BAD CAT HOLDINGS LLC. USA
Last updated: May 28 2013
LIMITED 5 YEAR WARRANTY
Bad Cat Ampliers warranties our amps and cabs against workmanship or defect for 5 years. The warranty does not cover cosmetic
damage, wear and tear, or abuse.
This warranty is transferable. Please see your local dealer and distributor for warranty information. Modifying or altering the amp in any
way voids the warrantee. Shipping to and from the warranty repair center is the responsibility of the customer.
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 base-
ment, 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 appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or
as marked on the unit.
GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION: Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an appliance 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, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the appliance.
SERVICING: The user should not attempt to service the unit beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other servicing
should be referred to qualied 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.
CAUTION: Dangerous voltage
within this product’s enclosure.
DO NOT OPEN.
WARNING: Do not connect speaker
outputs to grounded plug or allow
speaker cable housings to be in
contact with any metal objects,
i.e. adjacent jacks.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL!
THIS UNIT CONTAINS HIGH VOLTAGE INSIDE!
TROUBLESHOOTING
Your new Bad Cat amplier is designed for many years of professional trouble free operation. Common
sense will tell you that if you notice any severe abnormalities in operation like burning smell, smoke,
etc.; you need to shut down the amp immediately. Always consult Bad Cat customer service if you are
unsure of the problems that you are experiencing.
CONSUMER NOTE***
There are NO user serviceable parts inside this amplier! Any attempt to modify this amp will void the
limited 5 year warranty!
CAUTION
With a little care and caution, your Bad Cat amplier should provide you with years of trouble-free operation and
enjoyment. Please avoid damp areas and moisture during operation of the amp and in storage. This includes
placement of beverages near or on the amp that could spill into the amp’s chassis. Liquids can easily damage,
switches and other parts.
GROUNDING
Please check thoroughly that the ground tip on the power cord plug is connected to true ground prior to operation
of your Bad Cat amp. Using unfamiliar junction boxes can cause potentially dangerous oating grounds. Please do
not cut or defeat the ground tip.

Summary

Troubleshooting and User Notes

Consumer Note: No User Serviceable Parts

Amplifier contains no user-serviceable parts. Tampering voids warranty.

Operational Cautions: Moisture and Grounding

Avoid damp areas and ensure proper grounding for safe operation.

Limited 5 Year Warranty Information

Details warranty coverage, exclusions, and transferability.

Important Safety and Operating Precautions

Water and Moisture Precautions

Do not use the appliance near water or expose to liquids.

Power Source Guidelines

Connect only to the specified type of power supply.

Grounding or Polarization

Ensure grounding or polarization means are not defeated.

Power Cord Protection

Route power cords to prevent damage from being walked on or pinched.

Servicing Guidelines

Refer all servicing beyond operating instructions to qualified personnel.

Fuse Replacement

Replace fuses only with the same type specified on the unit.

Speaker Connection Warning

Do not connect speaker outputs to grounded plugs or allow contact with metal.

Internal Voltage Warning

Contains high voltage; do not open the enclosure.

Initial Setup and Operation

Step 1: Initial Setup

Connect amp output to UNLEASH input, ensuring proper impedance.

Helpful Information and Troubleshooting Tips

Tips on achieving transparent output and resolving fuzzy or dark tones.

Effects Loop Connectivity

Guide for using SEND and RETURN jacks with external effects devices.

Direct Out Functionality

Utilize the uncompensated line level DIRECT OUT for PA or recording.

Footswitch Usage

Instructions for using a footswitch to change channels.

Speaker Outputs and Input Trim

Step 2: Unleash Speaker Outputs

Connect the UNLEASH to your speaker cabinet before powering on.

Step 3: Input Trim Adjustment

Adjust INPUT TRIM to achieve optimal signal drive and volume levels.

Product Specifications

Unleash Specifications

Details AC voltage, input ohms, wattage range, and output power.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The Bad Cat Unleash is a Re-Amplifier and Attenuator designed to provide high-quality tones in a rugged, reliable, and hand-built American-made package. It functions as a versatile tool for guitarists, allowing them to control volume, attenuate power, and integrate effects with their amplifier setup.

Function Description:

The Unleash serves two primary functions: re-amplification and attenuation. As a re-amplifier, it takes the output signal from a guitar amplifier and re-amplifies it, allowing for greater control over volume and tone shaping. As an attenuator, it reduces the power output of a guitar amplifier, enabling users to achieve desired tones at lower volumes without sacrificing the amplifier's natural overdrive and characteristics.

The device features an INPUT TRIM control, which is crucial for understanding its operation. This knob adjusts the amount of input signal from the guitar amplifier into the Unleash. By carefully setting the INPUT TRIM, users can ensure the Unleash receives the correct drive signal without overdriving its input or the power section of the guitar amp. The Unleash is designed to be transparent when its input is not overdriven, meaning the tonal quality put in is what comes out.

The Unleash includes an FX LOOP (SEND and RETURN jacks) for integrating external effects devices. The SEND jack outputs the signal to effects, and the RETURN jack receives the processed signal back into the Unleash. This loop is particularly recommended for time-based effects such as delays, choruses, and pitch-shifting devices, while gain and distortion devices are best used in front of the guitar amp input.

A DIRECT OUT (uncompensated line level) is provided, allowing the signal to be sent to a PA system or recording console, which is useful for live performance or studio recording.

The device also supports a FOOTSWITCH (not included) for switching between two volume controls (CH 1 and CH 2), offering flexibility during performance.

Important Technical Specifications:

• AC Voltage:
  • UNL A: 100 to 130 VAC 50/60 Hz
  • UNL B: 200 to 260 VAC 50/60 Hz
• Input Ohms:
  • 8 ohms: Ideal for best sound.
  • 4 and 16 ohm inputs: Work but with slight tonal differences compared to an 8 ohm input.
• Input Wattage Range:
  • Min: 2 Watts (for full output)
  • Max: 100 Watts
• Output Power:
  • Into 4 ohm cabinet: 180 Watts
  • Into 8 ohm cabinet: 100 Watts
  • Into 16 ohm cabinet: 50 Watts
• Fusing: The unit is equipped with a fuse receptacle, and users should replace it only with the same type fuse as indicated on the unit. An extra fuse is included in the fuse clip.

Usage Features:

• Initial Setup:
  1. Set guitar and guitar amp controls to ordinary playing levels.
  2. Disconnect the speaker from the guitar amp.
  3. Ensure the Unleash is OFF.
  4. Plug the speaker output of the guitar amp into the 8 ohm input of the Unleash. If the guitar amp has switchable outputs, set it to 8 ohms. (Note: Using 4 or 16 ohm outputs may result in slight tonal differences).
• Speaker Outputs:
  1. Connect the Unleash to a speaker cabinet (4, 8, or 16 ohms) using the provided Bad Cat speaker cable.
  2. Always connect a speaker to the Unleash before turning the power switch on.
• Input Trim Adjustment:
  1. Turn all three front panel knobs (INPUT TRIM, CH 1, CH 2) fully counter-clockwise to the OFF position.
  2. Turn the Unleash power switch ON.
  3. Play the guitar amp into the Unleash and increase the INPUT TRIM knob until the INPUT TRIM 'led' starts to blink. This indicates the correct drive signal into the Unleash.
  4. Adjust CH 1 for desired volume/attenuation levels.
  5. For low volume attenuation, keep the INPUT TRIM lower than the CHANNEL VOLUME.
  6. Experimentation with different amounts of INPUT TRIM is encouraged.
• Effects Loop Usage: Use the SEND and RETURN jacks for integrating time-based effects.
• Footswitch: A single button 1/4" footswitch (not included) can be used to switch between CH 1 and CH 2 volume controls.
• Troubleshooting Tonal Issues:
  • If the output is fuzzy, reduce the INPUT TRIM.
  • If the tone is darkening, reduce the volume on the power section of the guitar amp and/or increase the Treble control.

Maintenance Features:

• No User Serviceable Parts: The manual explicitly states that there are NO user serviceable parts inside the amplifier. Any attempt to modify the amp will void the limited 5-year warranty.
• Servicing: All servicing beyond the operating instructions should be referred to qualified service personnel.
• Warranty: Bad Cat Amplifiers provides a limited 5-year warranty covering workmanship or defects. This warranty is transferable but does not cover cosmetic damage, wear and tear, or abuse. Modifying or altering the amp voids the warranty. Shipping costs to and from the warranty repair center are the customer's responsibility.
• Safety Precautions:
  • Avoid damp areas and moisture. Do not use near water sources (bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, wet basement, swimming pool).
  • Prevent objects from falling and liquids from spilling into the enclosure.
  • Connect to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions.
  • Ensure proper grounding; do not defeat grounding or polarization means.
  • Route power supply cords carefully to prevent walking on or pinching.
  • Do not connect speaker outputs to grounded plugs or allow speaker cable housings to contact metal objects.
  • Do not open the product's enclosure due to dangerous voltage inside.
• Over-attenuation Warning: Attenuating more than 100 Watts into the Unleash can cause the Unleash to fail, and under this condition, the warranty will not cover the cost of repairs.
• Immediate Shutdown: If severe abnormalities like burning smell or smoke are noticed, shut down the amp immediately and consult Bad Cat customer service.

Bad Cat UNLEASH Specifications

General

Brand	Bad Cat
Model	UNLEASH
Category	Control Unit
Language	English