The Rover:
'Ernst Guitar Amps & Customizing' designs and customizes
tubeamplifiers since 1987. This has resulted in a design in which the
wishes of our customers, which we used in previous designs, are
incorporated. A 'Rover' in the Irish meaning of the word, is someone
who roams about and stays wherever it suits him. This amplifier gives
you metaphorically speaking the same freedom and possibility to set
new boundaries.
'The Rover' is a tube-preamplifier in which the four channels are
fully seperated. Over the years we have 'borrowed' the ears of
different guitarplayers, to develop the nature of the sounds.
The gain- and tonecontrol for each of the four channels of 'The Rover' are individually
designed and are electronically separated from eachother. This results in the
possibility of making combinations of different channels without affecting the
original sound of that channel.
The 'Bright' control of all channels is variable, adding transparent
highs to the clean-sound, bite to the lead-sounds as well as
influencing the distortion. For each channel the place of the gain
and tonecircuits, in the signalchain, is chosen for the desired
sound.
All of the channels have one thing in common: they respond to every
nuance in your playing and even with the heaviest distortion you can
still hear the characteristic sound of your guitar. With the
volumecontrol of your guitar and the way you hit the strings you are
in complete control of the tone and amount of distortion of the
amplifier. Even at low volumelevels the distortion is warm and
tight.
A MIDI-interface is incorporated in 'The Rover'. Storing of channels,
Pre-loop and external functon in any programnumber from 1 to 127 is
done by holding the switch or switches (channel combination) on the
front until the corresponding led(s) have turned off and on.
Options:
The effect-mixer enables you to connect a number of
external effects to 'The Rover'. There are serial and parallel
effectloops. The PL1, 2 and Aux inputs have their own volumecontrols
for mixing the incoming signal with the original dry signal.
Serial:
Parallel:
The VCA controls the overall volume by means of an external
pedal connected to the VCA input. The VCA is placed between the
postloops AB/CD and SL 1 so that it has no effect on the decaytime of
a reverb or delay unit. Because the volume is controlled internaly,
long signal-cables are illiminated thus preventing loss of
signal.
The Rover' can also be controlled with a footswitch. There are
two versions. One version has five controls for the four channels and
the pre-loop, while the other has three extra buttons for
channel-combinations.
If you need more information or if you are eager to try The Rover,
don't hesitate to contact us.
Phone/fax: +31 (0)224 298 827
E-mail: ernst@nw.nl
1. LED's
These red LED's illuminate when the corresponding channel is
active.
2. Front input
Mono 1/4 " input jack. The front input jack has priority over the
rear input jack.
3, 4, 5, 6. Channel controls
Rotary gain and tone controls, note the variable bright control next
to the gain control.
7. Channel switches
Momentary push buttons. Push a button to select a channel.
8, 9, 10, 11. Level controls
Controls the VOLUME of each channel.
12. Master output level control
Adjusts the amount of signal at the OUTPUT jacks.
13. Master PL1
Mixer version only. Adjusts the amount of signal entering the PL1,
left and right, RETURN jacks.
14. Master PL2
Mixer version only. Adjusts the amount of signal entering the PL2,
left and right, RETURN jacks.
1, 2, 3. Mains receptable, Fuse holder and Power switch
4. Ground lift switch
This switch provides the ability to separate chassis ground and
signal ground. Normally this switch should be in the GROUNDED
position. In some cicumstances, moving it to the opposite, CIRCUIT TO
CHASSIS LIFT, position eliminates stubborn hum and buzz problems.
5, 6, 7. Extern toggle switch, LED indicator and Jack
Momentary toggle switch. Activates or deactivates a relais which
is connected to the EXTERN stereo jack. TIP = normally open. RING =
normally closed.
LED illuminates if the TIP of the EXTERN stereo jack is closed.
8. Footswitch input
7-pin (XLR -type) input for either the RR-5 or the RR-8 remote ROVER
controller.
9, 10. MIDI in and thru
The MIDI in connector (7-pin DIN) allows the ROVER to respond to
external MIDI control. Pins #1 and #7 supply power to external
controllers like the EJ-101 or the NAVIGATOR. A standard 5-pin DIN
cable may be used if this power feature is not required. MIDI thru
contains all the MIDI information as it comes into the MIDI input.
Normally used for daisychaining purposes.
11. VCA input
Optional. Connected to an appropiate (read: customized) volume pedal,
the pedal controls the internal (optional) VOLTAGE CONTROLLED
AMPLIFIER. This VCA then controls signal level of the ROVER.
12. Main outputs
These outputs both carry the same signal.
13. Tuner output
A direct output for tuner connection. This output is located just
before the guitarriffs enters the preamp.
14. Rear input
Plug in and play.
1, 2, 3. Mains receptable, Fuse holder and Power switch
4. Ground lift switch
5, 6, 7. Extern toggle switch, LED indicator and Jack
8. Footswitch input
9, 10. MIDI in and thru
11. Preloop indicator and toggle switch
LED illuminates when the PRELOOP is active. The momentary toggle
switch controls the PRELOOP relais.
13. VCA input
Optional.
14, 15. Auxiliary control and Inputs
Rotary control levels the signal entering the auxilliary inputs. Use
L for 2-way mono and R for 1-way mono.
16. Auxilliary input routing switch
This little smart device controls the routing for the auxilliary
inputs. In the upmost position
the signal is routed directly to the MASTER OUT control. In the down
position, signal is routed to the MASTER OUT and to PL1 and PL2
SEND.
17. Main outputs
18, 19. PL 2 send and return
Parallel loop.
20. PL 2 send routing switch
This is another little smart thing. This switch controls signal
routing to PL 2 SEND. In the 'sl2 return' position, only
signal coming in to SL 2 RETURN is present at the sends. In the
'pl1 & pl2 return' position, a mix of these returns is
presented at the jacks.
21, 22. PL 1 send and return
Parallel loop.
23, 24. SL 2 send and return
25, 26. SL 1 send and return
The send, it's right after the optional VCA, and it's serial. Follows
'The Rover's Return'.
27. Postloop send and return
One send outputs the signal of preamps A + B, the other one of C + D.
Return corresponds to the sends.
29, 30. Pre loop send and return
Guitar level signal present. The preloop inserts any effectpedal
between the guitar and the preamp or use it to connect your guitar to
another preamp. If nothing is plugged in in the return, the loop acts
as a mute control.
31. Tuner output
A direct output for tuner connection. This output is located just
before the guitar enters the preamp.
32. Rear input
Plug in and play.
Channel configuration:
Combination of channels possible:
Is it possible to combine channel D with A/B or C:
Switch logic:
What does the MIDI-interface do:
Power requirements:
Frequency respons:
Valves:
Ernst Guitar Amps & Customizing
ernst@ernstamps.com