Overview:
WARWICK BC80 1x12" Combo Bass Amplifiers - A series of compact amplifiers for Bass instruments like
nothing you have seen or heard before. These full frequency, extended headroom,
integrated combo amps could be used for virtually any amplified instrument but
are specifically tuned to the unique needs of Electric and Upright Bassists.
- Consumers of recorded music have grown accustomed to the
improvements in performance and sound resulting from the development of high
quality, lower cost electronics.
- The bass world has enjoyed little benefit from
this progress.
- Warwick's new line of compact Bass Instrument Combo amps is
destined to change this by introducing improvements in circuit design, speaker
design, manufacturing, and much improved component integration.
Our considerations in these amp designs were multifold and
our objective is to provide:
- An aspiring bass players first amp.
- A seasoned professionals "residential amp" (to be
used for practicing and pleasure playing at home).
- A backstage tune-up/warm-up amp.
- A teachers amp where both the student and the teacher can
plug in simultaneously while playing musical examples with a music player
through the auxiliary input.
- An amp for rehearsals, where space and sound levels are
limited.
CLASS-A CIRCUITRY
- Class-A amplifiers are typically more linear and, as such, are
less complex than other amplifier classes. The amplifying element is biased so
the device is always conducting to some extent. This means the amplifier is
always on, avoiding the problem of crossover distortion associated
with class-AB and -B designs.
Low-Z CIRCUITRY
- By lowering the impedance inside an electronic circuit you
lower the amount of thermal noise. In an amp where you have tone controls that
lift mids and highs a considerable amount, proper impedance level makes the
difference between enduring audible annoying hiss, and enjoying a pleasant
tonal experience
DYNAMIC DISTORTION LIMITER (TM)
- Distortion occurs when an amplifier works beyond its range,
when the power supply cannot supply the power any more to take the amp higher.
A common method to control distortion in amps is to use a limiter, a device
that stops the signal going beyond a specific level. Audio limiters work by
setting a threshold signal level where the circuit kicks in and keeps signal
levels within the capabilities of the power supply. This method is not very
precise and often causes audible effects such as pumping and thumps. We
designed a circuit that instead reads the distortion level in the power amp and
starts limiting as soon as the amp shows even miniscule amounts of distortion.
This means our amps always stay within 0.3% distortion (THD) when most amps are
rated at between 5-10% distortion (that means that to get your 80 Watt out of a
80 Watt amp you will get it audibly distorted and if you want a clean signal
the power will be a lot less).
- The BC 10, 20, 40 and 80 model combos all feature a dual
conductor "mini" power cable for easy connectivity, simple travel,
benefits of safety, and reduction of ground hum. The dual pin connection has a
continuously lifted ground, so no interfering hum can enter the circuit from
outside sources. The internal transformer is double encased preventing high
voltage from ever causing a safety issue. The power switch is located on the
bottom rear of the combo to create maximum proximity separation of high and low
voltage circuits within the system, this also reduces the possibility of
unwanted noise. These are features that were carefully planned to provide the
highest level of safety, quality, performance, and tone.
- There are desirable types of distortion, but these are not
usually associated with transistor amplifiers, but more commonly associated
with tube amps and effect pedals. Warwicks goal is to give the user a great,
clean sound allowing the user to decide how much, and what kind of distortion
to employ.
INTEGRATED SPEAKER DESIGN
- All the speaker drivers and cabinets have been designed in
tandem with the electronics to create units that work together efficiently.
Careful consideration has been taken to modify all parameters, thereby
achieving the best results in sound and performance. All components reflect a
custom designed solution to give the end user optimum control over his/her
tone, volume and configuration
Features:
- Bass combo
- 80 Watt Power Amp
- 12" Warwick Custom Speaker
- 2" High frequency horn
- Bass reflex Housing
- Rugged metal grill
- Class A Low Noise Preamp
- 4 Way EQ with controls for bass, deep mid, high mid and treble
- DDL (Dynamic Distortion Limiter) for distortion-free reproduction at high levels
- Cooling by air circulation in the bass reflex cabinet. No fan noise
- 2 Inputs for active or passive Basses
- The two instrument inputs are suitable for 2 instruments at the same time
- Line Output with Ground Lift switch
- FX Loop
- Aux Stereo-Input, Mini jack for connecting MP3 player, CD player etc.
- Integrated headphone amplifier. Aux in stereo signals over headphones in stereo
- Dimensions (B/H/D) 410mm x 490mm x 370mm / 16.2" x 19.3" x 14.6"
- Weight: 21 kg / 44 lbs
Front Panel Features:
- ACTIVE – Input to plug in instrument using shielded guitar
cable. This input is low sensitivity to suit the output from instruments with active electronics.
- PASSIVE – Input to plug in instrument using shielded guitar
cable. This input is high sensitivity to suit the output from instruments with passive electronics.
- VOLUME – Controls the sound level of your instrument. Adjust
this for your preferred playing loudness.
- BASS – Shelving Bass Control gives +/- 12 dB gain at 60 Hz.
The control is flat at the center position.
- LOW MID – Peaking Middle Control gives +/- 12 dB gain at 800
Hz. The control is flat at the center position.
- HIGH MID – Peaking Middle Control gives +/- 12 dB gain at
2.5 kHz. The control is flat at the center position.
- TREBLE – Shelving Treble Control gives +/- 12 dB gain at 10
kHz. The control is flat at the center position.
- AUX IN – Input to connect external sound source. This can be
used for plugging a CD, tape or MP3 player into the amp or for connecting an external preamp.
- HEADPHONE – For practice use in situations when speakers are
too loud. Dedicated Stereo Headphone amp where the aux input will be played back in stereo and the instrument
signal will be reproduced in the center of the stereo field.
Rear Panel Features:
- MAINS IN AC – Figure-eight socket for connection to the
mains power supply.
- POWER – On/off switch for main power. For your safety,
remember to connect power cord to the amplifier first, then to the AC outlet. After this is done, turn this switch
on. It works backwards when you want disconnect unit – firstly turn switch off, then disconnect
cord from the AC outlet and finally disconnect cord from amplifier.
Specifications:
Input sensitivity:
- Active input:................. 380mV/50K Ω
- Passive input:................130mV/500K Ω
- Aux input....................... 630mV/50K Ω
- Output Power:.................80W @ 8 Ω
- Frequency response:....................20Hz-20kHz +/-0.5 dB
- THD less than 0.3% at rated output power
- Power consumption:...............160W
Tone controls:
- Bass:...................... +/- 12dB @ 60Hz
- Low Mid:.................. +/- 8dB @ 800Hz
- High Mid: .................+/- 8dB @ 2500Hz
- Treble: ......................+/- 12dB @ 10kHz
Speaker specifications:
- 12” Bass Driver: ............80W,
- Impedance: .....................8 Ω
- SPL...............................94 dB,
- Frequency response:...................80Hz - 10kHz
- 2” HF Driver with Horn:............10W,
- Impedance:............................. 8 Ω
- SPL....................................97 dB.
- Frequency response:........... 1kHz - 20kHz