Thank you for making Fishman a part of your acoustic experience. We are proud

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USER GUIDE

F1 AURA™

Welcome

Thank you for making Fishman a part of your acoustic experience. We are proud 

to offer you the fi nest acoustic amplifi cation products available; high-quality

professional-grade tools to empower you to sound your very best. We are

confi dent F1 Aura will both enhance and inspire your music making.

Despite its simple and clean appearance, F1 Aura features a powerful set of tone 

shaping controls and programmability. We urge you to read through this user 

guide and spend some time getting familiar with its operation, so that you may 

easily realize the system’s full potential.

Aura Acoustic Imaging Technology uses digital algorithms developed in 

Fishman’s audio laboratories to restore a studio-miked sound to an acoustic 

instrument. To achieve this, we’ve recorded this instrument using world-class 

microphones and techniques to capture an “Image” of the natural sound that 

it emits when miked in a professional studio. This Image, when recorded direct 

or played through an amp, mixer or PA, blends with the undersaddle pickup to 

produce an incredibly accurate recreation of the original recording.

3

Quick Start

Before you begin, set the controls as shown:

1. Plug in • Use a ¼-inch instrument cable.

2. Tune up • Press and hold the Volume knob until 

the tuner comes on. When engaged, the Tuner mutes 

the output. Press Volume to exit Tuner.

3. Turn up • Raise the Volume to a desirable level.

4. Blend in the Image • Turn the Edit knob to 

adjust the Image/pickup blend.

5. Select an Image • Press the Edit knob once 

and the letter “

I

” will be displayed. Turn the knob to select different Images.

6. Adjust Tone • Press the Edit knob repeatedly to select among the 

different parameters for setting pickup tone. Turn the knob to adjust each 

parameter’s value.

Edit

Volume

4

Play/Edit and the Multi-function Controls

About the multi-function controls

F1 Aura packs an incredible amount of features into a small, elegant design. In 

order to achieve this, both the Edit and Volume knobs contain a momentary 

switch. Rather than just turning a knob, pressing down on it will gain access to 

one or more features. For this reason, this guide will refer to knob actions as: turn, 

press, or press+hold. Refer to the chart on page 15 for a quick reference of the 

various features.

Press

Edit

Volume

Turn

to adjust

Press + Hold

5

Play / Edit

F1 Aura operates in two modes: Play and Edit. Play is for selecting the most 

frequently used controls while Edit gives you access to many more features.

Play

When you plug in, F1 Aura powers up into Play mode. In Play mode, Volume, 

Blend and Phase can be adjusted. The chromatic Tuner and the automatic Anti-

Feedback circuit can also be activated.

Edit

Press and release the Edit knob to enter Edit mode; the tuner’s green in-tune 

LED will light solid. Once in Edit, press the Edit knob repeatedly to step through 

the parameters. Each parameter is displayed using a single letter to represent 

its function (see page 15). Adjust its value by turning the Edit knob. A number is 

displayed and the tuner’s sharp/fl at lights show positive or negative values. 

Note: F1 Aura is programmable and automatically saves your settings.

To exit Edit and return to Play mode, wait 10 seconds for the display to go dark, 

or press + hold the Edit knob for 2 seconds. You may also immediately exit by 

simultaneously pressing both the Edit and Volume knobs.

6

Play Mode Controls

More

Image

More

Pickup

Blend

Volume:  turn for volume

Tuner: 

press + hold 2 seconds

 

press to exit tuner

Phase:  press to toggle

Measure – Press together to 

start Anti-feedback search

7

Volume

Turn Volume • For the cleanest noise-free sound, set Volume as high as possible 

without causing your amp or mixer to distort.

Phase

Press and release Volume • Use the Phase setting to improve bass response at 

low volume and suppress feedback at high volume. Press the Volume knob 

several times and leave it in the position most pleasing to your ear.

Tuner

Press+hold Volume 2 seconds to turn tuner on.

Press Volume once to turn it off.

This digital chromatic tuner accommodates all 

tunings and mutes the output when engaged.

It can be activated without an instrument cable 

connected, in which case it will turn itself off 

after 90 seconds of inactivity.

The tuner is calibrated to A = 440.

“A” note

below pitch

“A” note

above pitch

“A#” note

in tune

note raised

1/2 step

8

Play Mode Controls (cont.)

Blend

Turn Edit • Turn the Edit knob without pressing on it and the balance between 

pickup and Image is adjusted. A setting of 

P

 = 100% Pickup signal; 

0

 = a 50/50 

pickup/Image blend; 

I

 = 100% Image signal.

Suggestions

•  For live performance try backing off the Image by setting Blend to 

about 2 or 3 (about 65% pickup).

•  For recording, try blending in more Image for a realistic acoustic sound.

Automatic Anti-Feedback

Use this search-and-destroy Anti-Feedback circuit in addition to Phase to 

control feedback during a performance. F1 Aura’s automatic Anti-Feedback 

circuit can apply up to three separate notch fi lters, which are very precise tone 

controls that reduce only a tiny piece of the audio band. When activated, the 

fi lter locates and reduces the problematic resonances associated with feedback.

9

While the Anti-Feedback control is very effective, it’s best if you spend some 

time while setting up before a performance and catch any issues before you 

begin to play. With some practice, you’ll fi nd you can also use it to “fi x” any 

resonant notes that may stand out in a particular venue.

Using the automatic Anti-Feedback control:

1. Press + hold both Edit and Volume for 2 seconds. The tuner display will fl ash 

a “1” to indicate it is searching for the fi rst feedback.

2. Turn up the Volume, then either dampen the strings while tapping the body or 

play the troublesome note until the feedback begins. The fi lter will automatically 

identify and eliminate the feedback. The “1” in the display will now light solid.

3. At this point, you may continue to turn up your Volume as in step 2 to identify 

up to two more problematic resonances. Each is indicated via a fl ashing “2” or 

“3” during the search, in turn lighting solid when the resonance has been 

identifi ed.

4. You may press the Volume knob at any time to cancel the search. The circuit 

will hold the notched frequenc(ies) in memory until the process is repeated.

10

Edit Mode Controls

Press Edit knob to enter Edit mode; the tuner’s green in-tune LED will light solid.

Once in Edit, press the Edit knob repeatedly to step through the parameters. 

Each parameter is displayed using a single letter to represent its function.

Adjust its value by turning the Edit knob. A number is displayed and the tuner’s 

sharp/fl at LEDs indicate positive/negative values.

Note: F1 Aura is programmable and automatically saves your settings.

To exit Edit mode, wait 10 seconds for the display to go dark, or press + hold the 

Edit knob for 2 seconds. You may also immediately exit by simultaneously 

pressing both the Edit and Volume knobs.

11

Image

Select

Pickup

Treble EQ

Pickup

Mid EQ

+1

0

-3

1.  Press to enter

 Edit 

mode.

Press

Press

Press

Press Edit repeatedly to select next parameter.

The sharp and flat LEDs indicate + or - values.

3.  To exit Edit Mode, wait 10 seconds, or press + hold Edit for 2 seconds. You may also  

 

immediately exit by simultaneously pressing both the Edit and Volume knobs.

2. Turn Edit to adjust 

 parameter 

value.

12

Edit Mode Controls (cont.)

Image Select

F1 Aura is factory loaded with Images created especially for this instrument. Each 

Image corresponds to a different microphone type and position. Contact the 

guitar’s manufacturer to identify the microphone associated with each Image.

Pickup EQ

Bass, Mid and Treble controls allow you to fi ne tune the pickup signal. The 

pickup tone controls are designated by the capital letters 

T

, 

M

, 

B

, corresponding 

to Treble, Mid, and Bass respectively.

Blend

Described in detail on page 8, Blend is represented by the letter 

X

.

13

Compressor

The Compressor (

C

) parameter adjusts several settings within a sophisticated 

automatic leveling circuit. As you increase the value, your overall playing 

dynamics become increasingly limited, making softer notes louder while 

controlling loud spikes in your playing. This can be helpful in performances 

where you desire a more even level to your playing. At its maximum setting, 

there may be some overall increase in the output level.

Anti-Feedback

This parameter, indicated with the letter 

A

, allows you to temporarily disable the 

automatic Anti-Feedback fi lter if desired. 

O

 = Off, 

I

 = On. See page 8 for details 

on how to use the Anti-Feedback circuit.

14

Edit Mode Controls (cont.)

Image EQ

You can program unique EQ settings for each of the Images. Unlike other Edit 

mode parameters, unique tone settings are saved with each Image and recalled 

when an Image is selected. In order to prevent dramatic or unwanted changes, 

the Image EQ’s Treble, Mid, and Bass controls are separated from the Pickup 

EQ and located “under” the Volume knob in Edit mode. They are identifi ed by a 

lowercase 

t

, 

m

, 

b

, corresponding to Treble, Mid, and Bass respectively.

To EQ an Image:

1. Adjust the Blend control so that you are hearing 100% Image (page 8)

2. Press Edit knob to enter Edit mode and select an Image

3. Press the Volume button to select the Image Treble EQ (

t

)

4. Turn the Edit knob to boost or cut the Image Treble EQ

5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 to adjust the Image Mid (

m

) and Image Bass (

b

)

15

Edit Mode Parameters

Pickup Bass EQ

Pickup Mid EQ

Pickup Treble EQ

Image Select

Pickup/Image Blend

Compressor

Anti-Feedback

Image Bass EQ

Image Mid EQ

Image Treble EQ

16

Power

Plug in the guitar, and F1 Aura switches on. To conserve the battery, remove the 

instrument cable from the guitar when the system is not in use.

The tuner display will fl ash at power-up to tell you the preamp is on.

Low Battery Indicator

When the tuner fl ashes “L” once every three seconds, you have approximately 

1.5 hours before the battery is exhausted. Change it at the next opportunity.

17

Restore Factory Defaults

1. Press + hold the Edit knob while plugging in the guitar. Continue to hold the 

Edit knob down when the tuner displays an “R.”

2. Continue to hold the Edit knob, then press the Volume knob. Release both 

knobs. Factory reset is complete when the “R” stops fl ashing and the unit returns 

to normal operation.

Defaults:

•  EQ for all Images reverts to fl at

•  Pickup EQ reverts to fl at

•  Blend is set to 50/50

•  Compressor is set to minimum

•  Anti-Feedback frequency is reset to 100Hz

•  Image selector reverts to Image #1

18

19

Electrical Specifi cations

Digital Signal Path:

A/D, D/A conversion:  

24-bit

Signal Processing: 

32-bit

Typical in-use current consumption @ 9VDC: 

18mA

Typical 9V lithium battery life:  

54 hours

Typical 9V alkaline battery life: 

27 hours

Nominal output impedance:  

1k Ohm

Recommended load impedance:  

10k Ohm and up

Maximum output level (onset of clipping):  

+5dBV

Baseline noise: 

-92dBV

Dynamic Range:  

97dB

Bass control:  

±12dB @ 70Hz

Midrange control:  

±12dB @ 1kHz

Treble control:  

±12dB @ 6.5kHz

All specifi cations subject to change without notice.

www.fi shman.com

513-300-160 Rev A 11-09