- Remove all packing materials (keep them in case you need to service the unit in the future) and decide where the amplifier will be physically located. To prevent possible overheating, make sure that the rear panel fan is not obstructed and that there is adequate ventilation around the entire unit.
- Begin by connecting your bass cabinet(s) to the twist-and-lock or 1/4" speaker output connectors on the rear panel. Any appropriately rated bass cabinet with a minimum total impedance of 4 ohms (i.e., 4Ω or greater) can be used. To ensure proper phase correlation when using the 1/4" outputs, the tip of the amplifier's speaker jack should be connected to the "+" (hot) input of your speaker, and the sleeve of the amplifier's speaker jack should be connected to the "-" (ground) input of your speaker. When using the twist-and-lock outputs, the +1 output should be connected to the "+" (hot) input of your speaker, and the -1 output should be connected to the "-" (ground) input of your speaker.
- Next, plug the 3-pin AC plug into any grounded AC outlet. Don't turn on the amplifier yet.
- Use a standard shielded instrument cable to connect your bass to the LX5500/LX8500 INPUT jack on the front panel. On the front panel of the LX5500/LX8500, set the MASTER knob to the 12 o'clock position and the GAIN knob to the fully counterclockwise "0" position. Turn the COMPRESSOR knob counterclockwise to the "0" position and set the EQ knobs to the 12 o'clock position.
- Press the Power switch located on the rear panel of the amplifier to turn on the power.
- Set the output of your bass to its maximum level. Then, while playing, slowly turn up the LX amp's GAIN control until the desired level is reached. If you hear distortion even at a low MASTER setting, lower the GAIN control or turn down the output of your bass. If the problem persists, check for a faulty cable.
- Once you have settled on a GAIN and MASTER volume, the next step is to adjust the tonal characteristics of your sound. Adjust the DRIVE and EQ controls to your liking. When you find an EQ setting that suits your instrument and playing style, it's a good idea to write it down for future reference.
- Now try the compression circuit. As you turn the COMPRESSOR knob, the input signal from your bass will become increasingly compressed. You'll hear peak signals (such as string slaps and pops) sound increasingly "squashed" relative to the lower level signals produced by standard fingerstyle playing. The result is a reduction in dynamic range, but an overall leveling of the signal across the entire range of your instrument.
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If you're using an external signal processor, momentarily turn off your amp and connect a standard audio cable from the FX SEND jack to the input of your effects processor and a second standard audio cable from the FX RETURN jack to the output of your effects processor. Then turn your amp back on and play your bass while adjusting the controls on your outboard effects processor. For best results, set both the input and output gain of all connected effects processors to 0 dB (unity gain), so that there is no increase or decrease in level whether the effects are turned on or off.