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Manual V1.0

Dual Dark 50/100 Manual

Introduction

Thank You for Choosing Orange

Ever since the founding of the company in 1968, Orange has been a pioneering force in the guitar amplification industry. Today, with a team of the world’s finest amplifier engineers, Orange continues to push back the boundaries of conventional valve amplifier design.

Our commitment to craftsmanship and quality control has allowed our amplifiers to stand the test of time, giving their owners as much pleasure now, as the day they were bought. To maintain this level of excellence, each Orange amplifier is put through many rigorous test procedures before leaving the factory.

The warmth, tonal quality and rich harmonics generated by a valve amplifier cannot be reproduced by ‘artificial’ means. Many guitarists have reached the same conclusion: neither the transistor nor the microchip is a true alternative to valve technology.

This manual contains valuable technical and safety information. Please take the time to read this manual as the information may enhance the sound and performance of your amplifier. We are confident that you will be delighted with your new purchase and that it will provide you with many years of enjoyment. You are now a member of the Legendary British Guitar Amplifier Owners Club!

In the interests of product improvement, the contents of this manual may be subject to change without notice.

Safety

Important Safety Information

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 manufacturer’s instructions.
8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarised or grounding-type plug. A polarised 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. If the 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) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12) Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold 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 of time.
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 been dropped.

NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE PRODUCT. REFER ALL SERVICING TO AUTHORISED ORANGE SERVICE PERSONNEL

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of un-insulated ‘dangerous voltage’ within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

Terminals labelled as “Speaker Outputs” must be connected to a speaker cabinet of the designated load rating using an un-shielded two conductor cable for speaker use at all times during operation.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle and "WARNING" are intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating instructions. Failure to heed the instructions will result in severe injury or death.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. For indoor use only. Do not place liquids, or objects containing liquids on or near the apparatus

Models which use a mains cord/plug to connect to the mains electricity supply must be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection. The voltage selector switch and mains fuse are set at the factory for the country or region in which this Orange product is intended to be sold. To prevent serious damage to the product, ensure that the rated AC mains voltage indicated on the product's rear panel agrees with the mains voltage from your AC mains outlet before connecting the mains cord/plug.

If the product is to be used outside of the factory set region, ensure the voltage selector switch (found on the rear or side panel) is set to the correct voltage for the new country/region and that the appropriate mains fuse is fitted in the pull-out fuse tray below the IEC mains input.

The correct mains fuse rating for your product is printed on the chassis. Use only the same 250V type and rating as specified for the product. Different operating voltages may require the use of different types of line cord and attachment plugs. If you are unsure, contact your Orange Dealer.

This Orange product conforms to UL 60065:2001 (Seventh Edition) + A1:2005 + A2:2010 for Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Apparatus. Certified to CAN/CSA CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60065:03

This Orange product complies with the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) marking requirement. This affixed product label indicates that you must not discard this electrical/electronic product in domestic household waste. Please contact your local authority for details of your nearest approved recycling facility.

If you are in California, USA, we are required to tell you
"California Proposition 65 Warning. Warning: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.p65warnings.ca.gov".
There is a complicated story about why this law exists. We encourage you to search unbiased and neutral articles online to discover more about the nuances of this law.

Panel Features

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
1

Power

2

Play

3

Channel

4

Attenuator

5

Volume (Channel A)

6

Treble (Channel A)

7

Middle (Channel A)

8

Bass (Channel A)

9

Gain (Channel A)

10

Volume (Channel B)

11

Shape (Channel B)

12

Gain (Channel B)

13

Input

1. POWERThe jewel light will illuminate when the mains switch is set to ON. The Play switch should be set to STBY prior to performance.
Refer to ‘Before Using Your Amplifier’.
2. PLAYSelects between Full power, Standby and Half power modes.

Dual Dark 50:

50 Watts (Full) / 25 Watts (Half)

Dual Dark 100:

See 4/2 Output Valves selector (rear).

3. CHANNELSwitches between Channel A and Channel B. This can be switched remotely via a latching footswitch (rear panel).
4. ATTENUATORControls the level of attenuation for both channels. Increase the Attenuator control to reduce the overall output level. This can be used to achieve high levels of distortion at low volume, and can be defeated remotely via a latching footswitch (rear panel) for a lead boost.
5. VOLUME (CHANNEL A)Adjusts the output volume level. Experiment with the Volume control on Channel B to achieve the desired output balance between the two channels.
6. TREBLE (CHANNEL A)Adjusts the high-end frequencies.
7. MIDDLE (CHANNEL A)Adjusts the mid-range frequencies.
8. BASS (CHANNEL A)Adjusts the low-end frequencies
9. GAIN (CHANNEL A)Adjusts the gain level. By balancing the channel’s Gain and Volume controls, a huge range of clean through very heavily distorted tones can be achieved. Lower Gain settings may require an increase in Volume to compensate.
10. VOLUME (CHANNEL B)Adjusts the output volume level. Experiment with the Volume control on Channel A to achieve the desired output balance between the two channels.
11. SHAPE (CHANNEL B)This control is a powerful tone shaping tool, adjusting from a fully scooped mid-range (fully clockwise) to a fully boosted mid-range (fully anti-clockwise) and everywhere in between. Turned fully clockwise, the bass and treble frequencies are more prominent. Turned fully anti-clockwise the bass and treble frequencies are reduced with a pronounced mid ‘hump’.
12. GAIN (CHANNEL B)Adjusts the gain level. By balancing the channel’s Gain and Volume controls, a huge range of clean through very heavily distorted tones can be achieved. Lower Gain settings may require an increase in Volume to compensate.
13. INPUTUse a quality shielded instrument cable to connect your instrument to the Input jack socket.

Rear

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1

Channel

2

Attenuator

3

Return & Send

4

Speaker Outputs

5

HT Fuse

6

Mains Input & Mains Fuse

7

Voltage Selector Switch

8

4/2 Output Valve

1. CHANNELConnect a latching footswitch (e.g. FS-1 or FS-2) to switch remotely between channels. The front panel Channel switch must be set to Channel A for the footswitch to function.
2. ATTENUATORConnect a latching footswitch (e.g. FS-1 or FS-2) to remotely defeat/engage the Attenuator control. This works well for lead boosts.
3. RETURN & SENDUse the Send jack to connect to the input of external effects processors/pedals. Connect the output of external effects to the Return jack on the amplifier. Time based effects (e.g. delays and reverbs) are often best placed in the Effects Loop, whereas overdrive pedals, filters and wahs etc. are usually best placed between the guitar and the amp’s Input. Experiment with placement to achieve the desired sound.
4. SPEAKER OUTPUTSRefer to ‘Before Using Your Amplifier’ for full speaker cabinet options. If you are unsure, please contact your Orange dealer.
5. HT FUSEThis fuse will blow in the event of output valve failure. Replace this fuse only with the exact type and rating as printed on the chassis.
6. MAINS INPUT & MAINS FUSERefer to ‘Before Using Your Amplifier‘. Connect the supplied IEC cable to the AC Mains Input. Ensure the Power switch is set to OFF before connecting the IEC cable. The mains fuse is located in the pull-out tray underneath the AC Mains Input. If the mains fuse blows, replace only with the exact rating for your region . If the mains fuse continues to blow contact your Orange dealer.
7. VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCHIMPORTANT!

Refer to ‘Before Using Your Amplifier‘.

8. 4/2 Output Valve (Dual Dark 100 only)Combine with the Play switch for:

100 Watts: Full power with 4 Output Valves
70 Watts: Half power with 4 Output Valves
50 Watts: Full power with 2 Output Valves
30 Watts: Half power with 2 Output Valves

Whether using 2 or 4 valves, the impedance always matches what is displayed on the speaker jack sockets. 

Fuses & Valves

Dual Dark 50

Fuses:

Mains fuse (230V): T1.6A
Mains fuse (100/120V): T3.15A

HT fuse: T630mA

Valves:

Preamp and phase inverter: 5 x ECC83/12AX7 valves
Effects loop: 1 x ECC81/12AT7 valve
Poweramp 2 x EL34/6CA7 valves

Dual Dark 100

Fuses:

Mains fuse (230V): T2.5A
Mains fuse (100/120V): T5A

HT fuse: T1.6A

Valves:

Preamp and phase inverter: 5 x ECC83/12AX7 valves
Effects loop: 1 x ECC81/12AT7 valve
Poweramp 4 x EL34/6CA7 valves

Valve positions diagram available at orangeamps.com

Related Accessories

These items are compatible with your Orange product. For customers in the USA please click here.