The API Select TranZformer® GTR incorporates API’s legendary EQ circuit into a versatile and compact guitar effects pedal. Designed to easily fit into your pedal board and engineered to run on standard 9V power supplies, the GTR offers +/- 15dB of gain on 3 specific frequencies. Additionally, the gain stage can be switched from Clean Boost to Overdrive mode to drive the input OpAmp and add even more tones to your arsenal. Other features include a buffered bypass, -20dB output pad, selectable peak/shelf for upper frequency range, transformer output, and of course the classic API sound. •Proprietary API 2510 OpAmp
•Signature API output transformer
•3-band EQ each with +/-15 dB of gain
•OpAmp overdrive circuit
•40 dB of gain
•-20 dB output pad
•Buffered bypass
The API Select TranZformer® GTR provides unsurpassed sonic sculpting by incorporating key elements of legendary API preamp & equalizer circuits into a versatile and robust guitar effects pedal. Features include a buffered bypass in/out footswitch, variable gain preamp, 3-band tone control with guitar-optimized frequency ranges, transformer output, and of course the classic API sound.
SIGNAL FLOW (from right to left): Input > Gain > Clean Boost/Overdrive > Tone Controls > Transformer Output
AUDIO CONTROLS
1. GAIN: Variable gain preamp control; 0dB to +40dB; More gain creates more boost/overdrive 2. HF Tone Control: Boost/Cut control for 5kHz frequency band (+/-15dB MAX, peak/shelf style) 3. MF Tone Control: Boost/Cut control for 1.5kHz frequency band (+/-15dB MAX, peaking style) 4. LF Tone Control: Boost/Cut control for 200Hz frequency band (+/-15dB MAX, peaking style)
SWITCHES
OUTPUT PAD: Inserts a 20dB output pad. Useful if going into a guitar amp input.
HF Peak/Shelf Switch: Set the high-frequency band to either peaking or shelving mode.
MODE: Configures the input preamp stage into either an undistorted “CLEAN BOOST” mode or an “OVERDRIVE” mode which overdrives the API 2510 input amplifier. In OVERDRIVE mode, the amount of distortion can be fine-tuned using the GAIN control.
BYPASS: Buffered bypass footswitchIndicator LED is illuminated when pedal is engaged
CONNECTIONS
1. INSTRUMENT INPUT: 1⁄4” hi-Z (1MΩ), unbalanced
2. POWER INPUT: Uses 9V to 18V DC Negative Center 2.1mm x 5.5mm barrel connector. Do not use more than 18VDC
3. OUTPUT: 1⁄4”, unbalanced
SETUP
- Apply power using an external power adapter (sold separately) or an output tap of a pedal board power distribution system.
- Plug a cable from the instrument output into the TranZformer GTR INSTRUMENT INPUT.
- Connect the OUTPUT to an amplifier input or the next pedal in your chain.
USE Starting settings: Set GAIN control fully counterclockwise, engage footswitch, set all three tone controls to 12 o’clock. Slowly turn GAIN to 12 o’clock and engage the output pad switch if the output signal is too strong.
- Set the MODE switch to the desired mode of operation. CLEAN BOOST mode provides no additional overdrive distortion. OVERDRIVE mode adds distortion by overdriving the API preamp stage.
- Adjust GAIN to set input level to the pedal; In CLEAN BOOST mode this control determines the amount of overall boost. In OVERDRIVE mode this control determines the amount of signal overdrive.
- Set the three tone controls to EQ the output signal. The tone control is inserted after the overdrive circuit which allows you “sculpt” the frequency characteristics of any added distortion.
- Adjust the HF Peak/Shelf switch for the desired performance.
Input connection:: 1/4" Hi-Z unbalanced instrument input
Input impedance: 1MΩ
Bypass: Yes, buffered, 0dB
Output connections: 1/4" Hi-Z unbalanced output
Output Impedance: Hi-Z output: Less than 1kΩ
Input Gain Control: 0dB – 40dB, Variable
Output Pad: 0dB to -20dB, Switched
Maximum output level before clipping: +15dBu (9VDC) +22dBu (18VDC)
Frequency Response: +0dB, -1dB, 20-20kHz (tone controls at center detent)
Tone Control: 200Hz & 1500Hz Peaking, 5kHz Shelving/Peaking (w/switch), continuously-variable boost/cut, +/-15dB range.
API 2510 amplifier overdrive (Switched) placed before tone controls. Clean boost amplifies the signal with no added distortion.
Power Supply: 9-18VDC @ 100mA
Size: 4.6" x 3.8" x 3"
Size (Boxed for Shipping): 6" x 4.5" x 4.5"
Actual Weight: 1.5 lbs.
Shipping Weight: 2 lbs.
