Mi-Si Air Trio - User Manual

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You can plug your instrument into ANY input of ANY system or amplier regardless

of input impedance. In the same manner, you can use ANY type of shielded MONO

cable - regardless of its capacitance. Your sound will not be altered. You can enjoy

the benets of an active amplied system without worrying about batteries.

Using the Power Charger to power up your preamp is truly remarkable. But what if

you forgot or lost your Power Charger? Don’t worry! Although we don’t promote the

use of batteries, in this case all you need to power up your system is any stereo cord

and a common 9V battery.

Plug the stereo cord into your instrument. Hold the 9V battery

so that the positive terminal is touching the Ring of the stereo

plug and the negative terminal is touching the Ground. Hold

it like this for 60 seconds and you are ready to play for 8 hours.

The system will not be damaged by accidentally connecting

the battery in the wrong direction.

Note: For optimum pickup performance, the bridge slot must have a clean, at

surface free of any debris or over-spray from the nish. The slot must be a minimum

of .125” (1/8”) deep, but we suggest a depth of at least .187” (3/16”) to avoid

excessive saddle tilt.

The commonly-known 50/50 rule applies: The amount of saddle visible above

the bridge surface (with pickup installed) should be no greater than the amount of

saddle in the slot beneath the bridge surface; otherwise the balance and output of

the pickup may suer.

Inspect the inside of the guitar and note the position of the braces and the pickup in

relation to the saddle slot. Drill at either end of the slot on the side that will enable

you to avoid all braces as you penetrate the top, as shown in gure 4. Blow out the

slot with compressed air and check for remaining debris.

Important: Round the inside of the hole where it meets the bottom of the slot

with a small, sharp knife or small le to avoid pinching the pickup as the saddle lies

on it.

Feed the pickup into the slot from inside the guitar with the BLACK DOT on the end

of the pickup FACING UP toward the saddle. Inserting a toothpick or similar object

through the hole from the outside is helpful in nding the location of the hole on

the inside of the guitar.

Important: The t of the saddle in the slot is the single most important factor in

this installation. It is crucial that the bottom of the slot and the lower surface of the

saddle be at to make even contact with the pickup. The saddle should t loosely

enough in the slot that it can be pulled out with your ngertips. It will then have

a slight forward lean when the strings are under tension. It is absolutely necessary

to compensate for this slight lean by sanding a tilt in the bottom of the saddle so it

still sits at on the pickup when the strings are at tension (see gure 5). If the saddle

is too tight, binds at all or is too loose, this will have a negative eect on the string

balance and output. Set the saddle in the slot, noting how much material must be

removed to compensate for the thickness of the pickup. Sand the bottom surface of

Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc.

Battery-Free Technology for Acoustic Amplification

178 Crescent Road Needham, MA 02494 • office/fax 617.795.2146 • e-mail info@mi-si.com

www.mi-si.com

The Mi-Si Air Trio is an active, battery-free MEMS microphone & Element under-

saddle pickup system for acoustic guitar. Simply powering up for 60 seconds using

the Mi-Si Power Charger will provide you with up to 8 hours of performance time.

CAUTION: WE RECOMMEND PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION OF THIS SYSTEM.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE STUDIED CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING.

MISI ELECTRONICS DESIGN, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO

THE INSTRUMENT OR PERSONAL INJURY RESULTING FROM INSTALLATION, IMPROPER

INSTALLATION OR ANY MISUSE OF THE PRODUCT.

USE ONLY THE POWER CHARGER PROVIDED IN THIS PACKAGE TO POWER

UP YOUR PRODUCT! UTILIZATION OF ANY OTHER POWER SUPPLY OR

MODIFICATION TO AN EXISTING ONE MAY CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO

THE SYSTEM AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY!

To charge the Air Trio system, plug the Power Charger into a 120/220 V AC outlet.

Then plug in the Power Charger 1/4” stereo plug into the Air Trio system’s endpin

jack and wait 60 seconds. Now your system is ready for 8 hours of performance time

(actual playing time may vary depending on playing style). For best performance,

increase the charging time up to 120 seconds for the initial 2-3 charging cycles.

OVERVIEW

Mi-Si Air Trio

Battery-Free MEMS

Microphone System for

Acoustic Guitar

• Battery-Free Endpin-Mounted Preamp

with Independent Volume Controls

• Element Under-Saddle Pickup

• Power Charger

INSTALLATION GUIDE

CONTENTS

GroundRing

INSTALLATION

CHARGING AND PLUGGING IN

USEFUL TIP

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Mi-Si Air Trio and is the answer not in the manual?

The Mi-Si Air Trio is a battery-free, active MEMS microphone and element under-saddle pickup system designed for acoustic guitar. It offers a unique combination of features, including a rechargeable power system, versatile sound control, and easy installation.

Function Description

The Mi-Si Air Trio system combines an active MEMS microphone and an element under-saddle pickup to capture the full spectrum of your acoustic guitar's sound. The MEMS microphone is designed to provide a natural, airy sound, while the under-saddle pickup delivers a strong, clear signal, particularly for percussive playing. The system is completely battery-free, relying on a rechargeable power system that provides approximately 8 hours of playing time on a 60-second charge.

The device features a "Mi-Si Air Trio" preamp, which is a key component for processing the signals from both the microphone and the pickup. This preamp is designed to deliver a high-quality, low-noise signal to your amplifier or recording device. The system also includes a "Power Charger" for convenient recharging.

Important Technical Specifications

Power System: Battery-free, rechargeable.
Charging Time: 60 seconds for approximately 8 hours of playing time.
Components: Active MEMS microphone, element under-saddle pickup, Mi-Si Air Trio preamp, Power Charger.
Output: Standard 1/4" jack.

Usage Features

Installation:

The Mi-Si Air Trio system is designed for easy installation. The manual provides detailed instructions for mounting the preamp, pickup, and microphone.

Preamp Installation: The preamp is typically mounted inside the guitar body. The manual suggests a location that allows for easy access to the charging port and controls.
Pickup Installation: The element under-saddle pickup is installed under the saddle of your guitar. This requires careful attention to ensure proper contact and even pressure across the pickup for optimal sound. The manual emphasizes the importance of a flat saddle slot for even pressure distribution.
Microphone Installation: The MEMS microphone is typically mounted inside the guitar body, often near the soundhole. The manual provides guidance on positioning the microphone for the best sound.
Wiring: The system involves connecting the pickup, microphone, and power charger to the preamp. The manual includes diagrams to illustrate the wiring process.

Charging:

The Mi-Si Air Trio is a battery-free system that utilizes a capacitor for power storage. To charge the system, simply plug the Power Charger into a 120/220 V AC outlet and then plug the Power Charger 1/4" stereo plug into the Air Trio system's endpin jack. A 60-second charge provides approximately 8 hours of playing time. The manual notes that a 120-second charge can extend playing time up to 120 hours, depending on playing style. For best performance, it's recommended to increase the charging time up to 120 seconds for the initial 2-3 charging cycles.

Sound Control:

The Mi-Si Air Trio system offers versatile sound control through its preamp. The manual mentions "Volume Controls" for both the microphone and the pickup, allowing you to blend the two signals to achieve your desired sound. The preamp also includes an "EQ control" that allows you to shape the tone of your guitar. The manual suggests experimenting with the EQ settings to find the optimal sound for your playing style and environment.

Troubleshooting:

The manual includes a troubleshooting section to address common issues. For example, if the system is not producing sound, it suggests checking the wiring connections and ensuring the system is properly charged. If there are issues with uneven sound, it recommends checking the saddle slot and pickup installation.

Maintenance Features

Cleaning:

The manual does not explicitly detail cleaning procedures for the Mi-Si Air Trio system. However, general maintenance for acoustic guitar electronics would involve keeping the components free of dust and debris.

Warranty:

The Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. provides a limited warranty for the Mi-Si Air Trio system. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase. The warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, accident, or unauthorized modifications.

Returns and Repairs:

Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. accepts returns for products purchased within 30 days from receiving the goods, provided the product is in new condition and in its original packaging. For repairs, customers are advised to contact Mi-Si Electronics Design, Inc. for authorization and instructions. The warranty covers repair or replacement of defective components.

Important Notes:

The manual strongly advises against attempting to repair or modify the Mi-Si Air Trio system yourself, as this could void the warranty and potentially damage the device.
It is crucial to follow the installation instructions carefully to ensure proper functioning and avoid damage to your guitar.
The manual emphasizes that the Mi-Si Air Trio system is designed for professional installation and recommends seeking assistance from a qualified technician if you are unsure about any aspect of the installation process.
The system is designed to be used with a standard 1/4" stereo plug for charging and a standard 1/4" mono plug for output.
The manual highlights the importance of a flat saddle slot for optimal pickup performance, as an uneven slot can lead to unbalanced sound.
The "50/50 rule" for saddle slot depth is mentioned, suggesting that the bottom of the saddle should be no greater than the amount of saddle in the slot beneath the bridge surface. This ensures proper balance and output of the pickup.
The manual also advises inspecting the holes of the guitar and the position of the braces and the pickup in relation to the saddle slot to ensure proper fit and avoid damage.
For optimal sound, it's recommended to experiment with the microphone placement and EQ settings to find the best sound for your playing style and environment.

Mi-Si Air Trio Specifications

General

Brand	Mi-Si
Model	Air Trio
Category	Microphone system
Language	English