User Manual

ULTRA-G GI100
Active Guitar DI-Box with Speaker Simulation
ULTRA-G GI100 User Manual

Table of Contents

Thank you.... 2 Important Safety Instructions.. 3 Legal Disclaimer.. 4 Limited Warranty... 5 1. Controls... 10 2. Connection Examples... 12 2.1 Conversion of guitar signals.. 12 2.2 Picking up a bass guitar or keyboard signal. 13 2.3 Converting a microphone signal from high-impedance unbalanced to low-impedancebalanced.. 14 2.4 Picking up a signal from a loudspeakeroutput.. 14 3. Specifications... 15
Thank you Thank you for showing your confidence in us by purchasing the ULTRA-GI GI100.
Important Safety Instructions
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain and moisture. The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing liquids and no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus. These service instructions are for use by qualified service personnel only. Toreduce the risk of electric shock do not perform any servicing other than that contained in the operation instructions. Repairs have to be performed by qualified servicepersonnel. 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean only with dry cloth. 7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturersinstructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, orother apparatus (including amplifiers) thatproduceheat.

Caution

Terminals marked with this symbol carry electrical current of sufficient magnitude to constitute risk of electric shock. Useonly high-quality commercially-available speaker cables with "TS plugs pre-installed. Allother installation or modification should be performed only by qualifiedpersonnel. This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosure -voltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk ofshock. This symbol, wherever it appears, alertsyou to important operating and maintenance instructions in the accompanying literature. Please read themanual. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the top cover (or the rear section). No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualifiedpersonnel.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. Ifthe provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. 10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. 11. Use only attachments/accessories specified by themanufacturer. 12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, orsold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/ apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over. 13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods oftime. 14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has beendropped.
15. The apparatus shall be connected to a MAINS socket outlet with a protective earthing connection. 16. Where the MAINS plug or an appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device, thedisconnect device shall remain readilyoperable.

Legal Disclaimer

Technical specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice. The information contained herein is correct at the time of printing. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. MUSICGroup accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relies either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph or statement contained herein. Colors and specifications may vary slightly from product. BEHRINGER products are sold through authorized dealers only. Distributors and dealers are not agents of MUSICGroup and have absolutely no authority to bind MUSICGroup by any express or implied undertaking or representation. This manual is copyrighted. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording of any kind, forany purpose, without the express written permission of RedChipCompanyLtd. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2010 Red Chip Company Ltd. Trident Chambers, Wickhams Cay, P.O. Box 146, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Limited Warranty 1 Warranty (1) This limited warranty is valid only if you purchased the product from a BEHRINGER authorized dealer in the country of purchase. A list of authorized dealers can be found on BEHRINGERs website behringer.com under Where to Buy, or you can contact the BEHRINGER office closest to you. (2) MUSICGroup* warrants the mechanical and electronic components of this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship if used under normal operating conditions for a period of one (1) year from the original date of purchase (see the Limited Warranty terms in 4 below), unless a longer minimum warranty period is mandated by applicable local laws. If the product shows any defects within the specified warranty period and that defect is not excluded under 4, MUSICGroup shall, at its discretion, either replace or repair the product using suitable new or reconditioned product or parts. Incase MUSICGroup decides to replace the entire product, thislimited warranty shall apply to the replacement product for the remaining initial warranty period, i.e., one(1) year (or otherwise applicable minimum warranty period) from the date of purchase of the original product. (3) Upon validation of the warranty claim, the repaired or replacement product will be returned to the user freight prepaid by MUSICGroup. (4) Warranty claims other than those indicated above are expressly excluded.
PLEASE RETAIN YOUR SALES RECEIPT. IT IS YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE COVERING YOUR LIMITED WARRANTY. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS VOID WITHOUT SUCH PROOF OFPURCHASE. 2 Online registration Please do remember to register your new BEHRINGER equipment right after your purchase at behringer.com under Support and kindly read the terms and conditions of our limited warranty carefully. Registeringyour purchase and equipment with us helps us process your repair claims quicker and more efficiently. Thankyou for your cooperation! 3 Return materials authorization (1) To obtain warranty service, please contact the retailer from whom the equipment was purchased. Should your BEHRINGER dealer not be located in your vicinity, you may contact the BEHRINGER distributor for your country listed under Support at behringer.com. Ifyour country is not listed, please check if your problem can be dealt with by our Online Support which may also be found under Support at behringer.com. Alternatively,please submit an online warranty claim at behringer.com BEFORE returning the product. All inquiries must be accompanied by a description of the problem and the serial number of the product. Afterverifying the products warranty eligibility with the original sales receipt, MUSICGroup will then issue a ReturnMaterials Authorization (RMA)number.

(2) Subsequently, the product must be
returned in its original shipping carton, togetherwith the return authorization number to the address indicated by MUSICGroup. (3) Shipments without freight prepaid will not beaccepted. 4 Warranty Exclusions (1) This limited warranty does not cover consumable parts including, but not limited to, fuses and batteries. Where applicable, MUSICGroup warrants the valves or meters contained in the product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of ninety (90) days from date of purchase. (2) This limited warranty does not cover the product if it has been electronically or mechanically modified in any way. If the product needs to be modified or adapted in order to comply with applicable technical or safety standards on a national or local level, in any country which is not the country for which the product was originally developed and manufactured, this modification/adaptation shall not be considered a defect in materials or workmanship. Thislimited warranty does not cover any such modification/adaptation, regardless of whether it was carried out properly or not. Under the terms of this limited warranty, MUSICGroup shall not be held responsible for any cost resulting from such a modification/adaptation.
(3) This limited warranty covers only the
product hardware. It does not cover technical assistance for hardware or software usage and it does not cover any software products whether or not contained in the product. Any such software is provided AS IS unless expressly provided for in any enclosed software limitedwarranty. (4) This limited warranty is invalid if the factory-applied serial number has been altered or removed from theproduct. (5) Free inspections and maintenance/repair work are expressly excluded from this limited warranty, in particular, if caused by improper handling of the product by the user. This also applies to defects caused by normal wear and tear, in particular, of faders, crossfaders, potentiometers, keys/buttons, guitar strings, illuminants and similar parts. (6) Damage/defects caused by the following conditions are not covered by this limitedwarranty: improper handling, neglect or failure to operate the unit in compliance with the instructions given in BEHRINGER user or service manuals; connection or operation of the unit in any way that does not comply with the technical or safety regulations applicable in the country where the product is used; damage/defects caused by acts of God/ Nature (accident, fire, flood, etc) or any other condition that is beyond the control of MUSICGroup.

(7) Any repair or opening of the unit carried
out by unauthorized personnel (user included) willvoid the limitedwarranty. (8) If an inspection of the product by MUSICGroup shows that the defect in question is not covered by the limited warranty, theinspection costs are payable by thecustomer. (9) Products which do not meet the terms of this limited warranty will be repaired exclusively at the buyers expense. MUSICGroup or its authorized service center will inform the buyer of any such circumstance. If the buyer fails to submit a written repair order within 6 weeks after notification, MUSICGroup will return the unit C.O.D. with a separate invoice for freight and packing. Such costs will also be invoiced separately when the buyer has sent in a written repair order. (10) Authorized BEHRINGER dealers do not sell new products directly in online auctions. Purchases made through an online auction are on a buyer beware basis. Onlineauction confirmations or sales receipts are not accepted for warranty verification and MUSICGroup will not repair or replace any product purchased through an online auction. 5 Warranty transferability This limited warranty is extended exclusively to the original buyer (customer of authorized retail dealer) and is not transferable to anyone who may subsequently purchase this product. No other person (retaildealer,etc.) shall be entitled to give any warranty promise on behalf of MUSICGroup.
6 Claim for damage Subject only to the operation of mandatory applicable local laws, MUSICGroup shall have no liability to the buyer under this warranty for any consequential or indirect loss or damage of any kind. In no event shall the liability of MUSICGroup under this limited warranty exceed the invoiced value of theproduct. 7 Limitation of liability This limited warranty is the complete and exclusive warranty between you and MUSICGroup. It supersedes all other written or oral communications related to this product. MUSICGroup provides no other warranties for this product. 8 Other warranty rights and nationallaw (1) This limited warranty does not exclude or limit the buyers statutory rights as a consumer in any way. (2) The limited warranty regulations mentioned herein are applicable unless they constitute an infringement of applicable mandatory local laws. (3) This warranty does not detract from the sellers obligations in regard to any lack of conformity of the product and any hidden defect.
9 Amendment Warranty service conditions are subject to change without notice. For the latest warranty terms and conditions and additional information regarding MUSICGroups limited warranty, please see complete details online at behringer.com.
* MUSICGroup Macao Commercial Offshore Limited of RuedePequim No. 202-A, Macau Finance Centre 9/J, Macau, including all MUSICGroup companies

Welcome to BEHRINGER!

In addition to the numerous advantages of an excellent DI box, the GI100 featuresan extremely authentic, pure analog simulation of a 4 x 12" guitar speaker cabinet. On stage and in the studio, it is often desirable to directly connect sound sources with the console. Although this method has many advantages, it also has its technical hurdles. Keyboards rarely offer balanced outputs, and its simply not possible to connect electric guitars or basses directly to a console. Althoughcommon practice, placing a microphone in front of the speaker cabinet is not really an ideal solution, since the mic tends to pick up signals from other instruments and creates another potential source of feedback. A DI (Direct Injection) box allows you to pick up a signal directly from an unbalanced, highimpedance output, like that of an electric guitar, and inject it into the console, withoutusing a microphone. There are of course several situations that call for feeding an unbalanced sound source directly into a consolepreferably in a balanced form. Thatsexactly what a DI box isfor. Basically, there are two types of DI boxes: passive and active. A passive DI box contains much simpler circuitry and requires no batteries, making it is less expensive. On the other hand, itsperformance is dependent on the impedance of the connected gear. A change in impedance on the output side will cause the input impedance to change. Among other things, theimpedance ratings greatly effect the frequency response. A passive DI box only works correctly when impedance specifications are adhered to (in short: high-Z input, low-Z output). Active DI boxes, which use an amplifier to buffer the input signal, are not subject to these limitations. The ULTRA-Gs input impedance is extremely high, so it lets the input signal pass through with virtually no coloring. At the other end, its balanced output has a particularly low impedance, making the signal much less susceptible to hum and noise. The GI100 is an active DI box and performs optimally regardless of the impedance ratings of the connected gear. The ULTRA-G is based on the proven BEHRINGER OT-1 transformer, which ensures crystal-clear, distortion-free sound and a wide, linear frequency response. Inaddition, it can be powered by the consoles phantom power or by an internal battery. The battery is automatically disconnected when phantom power is present to preserve battery life. In order to avoid damage to your loudspeakers, always mute the corresponding channel on the consoles before connecting the GI100. The same applies when switching between phantom and batterypower.

10 ULTRA-G GI100 User Manual
The GI100 features a switchable speaker simulation, developed in collaboration with renowned amp designer Jrgen Rath, which adds the sound of a 4 x 12" cabinet to your direct guitar signal at the touch of a button. Analog speaker simulations, offering the possibility to get a typical guitar cabinet sound to tape or to a PA without the necessity of cabinets or microphones, have been available since the mid-80s. Since then, the appeal of instantsound via simulation as a means of reducing equipment and hassle has continuously grown. Havingdeveloped a great deal of convincing guitar gear with various manufacturers, Jrgen Rath was an obvious choice for us in developing our VIRTUAL 4 x 12" CABINET speaker simulation. In the words of Germanys top specialty publication GITARRE&BASS, The Virtual Cabinet delivers an authentic 4 x 12" simulation with impressive sound, cuttingpower and clear reproduction. (MichaelDommers,8/97)

1. Controls

(1) (5)
Fig. 1.1: The GI100s front and back panels
(1) The VIRTUAL 4 x 12" CAB speaker simulation can be switched on and off with the SIMULATOR ON/OFF switch. (2) When activated, the GND LIFT breaks the ground connection between input and output. Depending on the grounding of the connected equipment, thiscan eliminate hum or ground loops. (3) OUTPUT TO MIXER is the GI100s balanced, mic level output. Useahigh-quality, balancedXLR (microphone) cable to connect the ULTRA-G toaconsole. You should never connect pins 2 or 3 with pin 1 or remove the shield from pin 1. Otherwise, itwill not be possible to operate the unit with phantom power.
11 ULTRA-G GI100 User Manual
(4) Battery compartment. To install or replace the 9V battery, remove the screw and lift the lid. (5) The CLIP LED lights up when the input signal level is too high. (6) The two -20 dB PAD switches noticeably increase the operating range of the ULTRA-G, allowing it to accept anything from the low-level signal of a high-impedance microphone or guitar to the loudspeaker output of a guitar amp. These switches have repeatedly proven themselves in the BEHRINGER ULTRA-DI DI100. Pressing both switches results in a gain reduction of 40 dB. Before using the PAD switches, be sure that the ULTRA-G is clipping, and not the mic preamp on the console. You should only attenuate the input signal via the GI100s PAD switches if its CLIP LED lights up frequently or remains lit. If this is not the case and distortion occurs, check the console settings. It is always best to avoid attenuation of the DI input to ensure an optimal signal-to-noise ratio. (7) INPUT. Use this 1/4" mono jack to connect the signal source, e.g. your guitar, with a high-quality standard instrument cable. The GI100 is switched on as soon as you insert a plug into the INPUT. The battery is disconnected when the plug is removed. For this reason, the GI100 has no on/off switch. To preserve battery life, alwaysdisconnect the input when the ULTRA-G is not in use. (8) The DIRECT LINK TO CABINET is a direct output of the input signal, allowingyou for example to simultaneously run your instrument through theGI100 and complete your normal signal path by connecting the DIRECTLINK to an amp or speaker cabinet. The Input and DIRECT LINK sockets are directly connected. Whenconnecting the speaker output of a tube amp to the input of the GI100, please be sure to connect a guitar speaker or other appropriate impedance load to the DIRECT LINK socket in order to avoid possible damage to your amplifier.

12 ULTRA-G GI100 User Manual

2. Connection examples

The following section illustrates various applications of the ULTRA-G GI100.
2.1 Conversion of guitar signals
VIRTUAL 4 x 12" CAB Simulation ON/OFF OUT IN

Mic Inputs

VIRTUAL 4 x 12" CAB Simulation ON IN Power Amp OUT DIRECT LINK TO CABINET IN OUT
Fig. 2.1: 1. Guitar GI100 Console 2. Guitar Tube amplifier GI100 Loudspeaker/Console
This diagram illustrates two common applications in which unbalanced guitar signals are converted into balanced signals. In the first example the guitar is connected directly to the GI100, which in turn feeds the console. No guitar amp isused. In this case, the PAD switches should be deactivated with the VIRTUALCAB switched on or off depending on the sound desired. The second example shows the GI100 being driven by the loudspeaker output of a guitar amp. If youre using a tube amp, its very important to connect an impedance loadpreferably a speakerto the DIRECT LINK TO CABINET output in order to prevent damage to your amp. Forthis application, start with one PAD switch depressed and the GND LIFT switch activated. We also recommend using the VIRTUAL CAB speaker simulation for an authentic guitar sound.
13 ULTRA-G GI100 User Manual
2.2 Picking up a bass guitar or keyboard signal

IN Monitor Amp

VIRTUAL 4 x 12" CAB Simulation ON/OFF
OUT DIRECT LINK Mic Inputs DIRECT LINK OUT IN VIRTUAL 4 x 12" CAB Simulation ON/OFF

Bass Amp

Fig. 2.2: 1. Bass guitar GI100 Amplifier/Console 2. Keyboard GI100 Amplifier/Console
This diagram illustrates two standard DI applications. The signal going to the amp via the DIRECT LINK is unaffected; it is simply picked up and additionally fed, as a balanced, low-impedance signal, to the mic inputs of the mixing console. This is particularly advantageous with bass guitars, since microphones that reproduce high-energy bass frequencies in a halfway linear manner are rareand expensive. When using effects or other outboard processors, theseshould beconnected in front of the ULTRA-G in the signal path, sothat its output includes these signals. Few keyboards have balanced outputs. Here, a quality DI box such as the GI100 is indispensable to ensure clean signals, especially when using long cables.

14 ULTRA-G GI100 User Manual
2.3 Converting a microphone signal from high-impedance unbalanced to low-impedancebalanced
Many inexpensive microphones have unbalanced high-impedance outputs. Withthe ULTRA-G, these microphones can be used in spite of long cable runs without the danger of hum or other interference. Simply insert the GI100 between the microphone and the console. For this application, you will most likely want to switch the VIRTUAL CAB speaker simulation off.
2.4 Picking up a signal from a loudspeakeroutput
There are times when picking up a signal after amplifier processing is desirable to achieve a certain sound, but no direct out is available. Thanks to the GI100s two -20 dB PAD switches, you can feed a console from the loudspeaker output of an amplifier with a power rating of up to 3,000 Watts (4 Ohm) without overloading the ULTRA-G. When using a tube amp, be sure to connect a speaker or other impedance load to the DIRECT LINK output. We recommend using the VIRTUALCAB speaker simulation in these applications, when signals from electricguitars are transmitted.

+ Red or positive post

- Black or negative post Fig. 2.3: Connection to an amplifiers output
Before connection to a loudspeaker output, always make sure that theGND LIFT switch is activated (depressed) to prevent accidental short-circuiting of the amplifier output. The metal casing of the GI100should not have direct contact with other equipment. Thetipof the output socket should be connected to the positive (red) loudspeaker pole.
15 ULTRA-G GI100 User Manual

3. Specifications

Frequency response Noise Distortion Input resistance Connection impedance Output Max. input level Supply: Phantom supply Battery Dimensions Weight 18 V DC to 48 V DC 9 V 6LRx 5 x 2.4" 150 x 130 x 60 mm approx. 650 g 10 Hz to 160 kHz -99.2 dBu < 0.014% (1 kHz, 0 dBu in) > 250 kOhm > 600 Ohm XLR balanced +8/ +28/ +48 dBu (Simulation OFF) -2/ +18/ +38 dBu (Simulation ON)

Input1/4" mono jack

BEHRINGER is constantly striving to maintain the highest professional standards. As a result of these efforts, modifications may be made from time to time to existing products without prior notice. Specifications and appearance may therefore differ from those listed or shown.

ULTRA-G GI100

Active Guitar DI-Box with Speaker Simulation

ULTRA-G GI100

...2..3....5....5. 1...12. 2...13 2.1.. 14 2.2. 15. 2.3 / /. 16 2.4.. 16. 3...17.

BEHRINGER ULTRA-G

.

2. 3. 4.

6. 7.

8.

9. ( ) 10. 11. 12. 13.
14. 15. 16. 17.

(2) MUSICGroup*

MUSICGroup BEHRINGER MUSICGroup MUSICGroup RedChipCompanyLtd.
2010 Red Chip Company Ltd. Trident Chambers, Wickhams Cay, P.O. Box 146, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

1 (1) BEHRINGER

BEHRINGER behringer.com Where to Buy BEHRINGER
1 ( 4 ) 4 MUSICGroup MUSICGroup 1

MUSICGroup

2 BEHRINGER behringer.com Support
behringer.com MUSICGroup (RAJ)

MUSICGroup

3 (1)
BEHRINGER behringer.com Support BEHRINGER behringer.com Support Online Support

4 (1)

MUSICGroup 90

/ MUSICGroup /

/ /

(6) BEHRINGER

/ / ( ) MUSICGroup /

(8) MUSICGroup
MUSICGroup 6 MUSICGroup C.O.D.

MUSICGroup

(10) BEHRINGER

MUSICGroup MUSICGroup

MUSICGroup MUSICGroup

8 (1)

MUSICGroup behringer.com
* MUSICGroup Macao Commercial Off shore Limited of RuedePequim No. 202-A, Macau Finance Centre 9/J, Macau, MUSICGroup

10 ULTRA-G GI100

BEHRINGER !

GI100 DI x 12 4

Direct Inject

/ () DI

DI 2 DI

DI (: : ) () DI

11 ULTRA-G GI100

DI ULTRA-G DI ULTRA-G

ULTRA-G BEHRINGER OT-1

ULTRA-G DI

GI100 Jrgen Rath x

PA 80 Jrgen Rath GITARRE & BASS 4x12 (Michael Dommers, 8/97)

12 ULTRA-G GI100

(1) (5)

1.1: GI100

(1) SIMULATOR ON/OFF VIRTUAL 4 x 12 CAB
(2) GND LIFT (ON) (3) OUTPUT TO MIXER: ULTRA-G
3 1 (4) : 9V (5) CLIP-LED: DI LED

13 ULTRA-G GI100

(6) -20 dB PAD : ULTRA-G BEHRINGER ULTRA-DI DI100 dB 40 -20 dB ULTRA-G CLIP-LED CLIP-LED S/N (7) INPUT: 6.3 mm GI100 (8) DIRECT LINK TO CABINET
INPUT LINK DIRECT LINK GI100 DIRECT LINK

ULTRA-G

14 ULTRA-G GI100
VIRTUAL 4 x 12" CAB Simulation ON/OFF OUT IN

Mic Inputs

VIRTUAL 4 x 12" CAB Simulation ON IN Power Amp OUT DIRECT LINK TO CABINET 2.1: 1. DI 2. DI / IN OUT
2 DI PAD x DI DIRECT LINK TO CABINET

15 ULTRA-G GI100

SIMULATOR ON/OFF GND LIFT PAD
VIRTUAL 4 x 12" CAB Simulation ON/OFF

IN Monitor Amp

OUT DIRECT LINK Mic Inputs DIRECT LINK OUT IN VIRTUAL 4 x 12" CAB Simulation ON/OFF

Bass Amp

2.2: 1. DI / 2. DI /

DI PA ULTRA-G

16 ULTRA-G GI100

2.3 /

ULTRA-G DI
ULTRA-G ULTRA-G 2 -20 dB 3000W GI100 DIREKT LINK

+ Red or positive post

- Black or negative post 2.3:

17 ULTRA-G GI100

GROUND LIFT () GI100
10 Hz 160 kHz -99.2 dBu < 0.014% (1 kHz dBu in) 0 > 250 kOhm > 600 Ohm 6.3 mm XLR / +8/ +28/ +48 dBu (Simulator OFF) -2/ +18/ +38 dBu (Simulator ON) 18 V DC 48 V DC 9 V 6LRx 5 x 2.4" 150 x 130 x 60 mm

650 g

BEHRINGER