0230-0220rB

PO BOX 4394
SANTA ROSA, CA
95402 USA

P (707) 525-9941
F (707) 575-7046
EMGPICKUPS.COM

INSTALLATION INFORMATION
EMG MODEL: EMG-VMC CONTROL

SPECIFICATIONS
Input Impedance (Ohms) 500K Ohm INCLUDED:
Gain/Attenuation/ Mid Frequency Control +/-12db/(Adjustable) 1 VMC Control
Input Referred Noise -120dbV 1 Set Concentric Knobs
Output Impedance (Ohms) 2K 1 Battery Clip with Buss Connector
Recommended Supply Voltage 18 Volts 1 Stereo Output Jack (Battery Switching)
Current @ 9V/18V (Microamps) 600/740 4 Interconnect Cables (2 Red, 2 White)
Battery Life (Hours) 750
Maximum Supply (Volts DC) 27 Volts

General Operation
The EMG-VMC is and active EQ Circuit for bass and guitar. Its effects are illustrated in the graphs on Page 2. Rotate the upper control clock-
wise for boost, counterclockwise for cut. Leave it in the center detent position for flat response. Rotate the frequency knob to sweep through
the mid-frequency band from 100 Hz to 1000 Hz. The VMC can be used in combination with the EMG-BT (Bass/Treble) controls as well as any
of the other EMG accessories. It uses EMG’s typical 5 pin connector for simple installation.

Dimensions:
BTC (Bass/Treble)
Equalizer
BOOST OR CUT 1.00
(24.9)
FREQUENCY VOLTS +
OUTPUT
GROUND
GROUND
1.25 INPUT
(31.8)

.390
(9.9)
.540
(13.7)
.820 .940
(20.8) (23.9)

Warranty
All EMG Pickups and accessories are warranted for a period of two years. This warranty does not cover failure due to improper installation, abuse or damage. If
upon examination the pickup is determined to be defective, a replacement will be made. Warranty replacement products are covered by this same warranty. This
warranty covers only those pickups and accessories sold by authorized EMG Dealers. This warranty is not transferable.
© 2014 Copyright EMG INC. All Rights Reserved.
 Installation Instructions:
EMG Model: VMC Control
Mid Frequency Selection:
The lower control of the VMC allows you to choose the mid-range
frequency to effect either boost or cut. The upper control of the
VMC effects the amount of boost or cut of the chosen frequency
and has a center detent for flat frequency response, or no effect
from the VMC Control.
VARIABLE MID-RANGE FREQUENCY
BOOST OR CUT (UPPER CONTROL) 100Hz 1.0KHz
FREQUENCY SELECTION (LOWER CONTROL)

10 dB/div
20Hz 1KHz 10KHz

VARIABLE MID-RANGE CUT VARIABLE MID-RANGE BOOST

10 dB/div
10 dB/div

20Hz 1KHz 10KHz 20Hz 1KHz 10KHz

The VMC Control is easily installed by using the connector cables supplied. Diagram #1
Diagram #1 shows the cables connected to the VMC Control. This 5-pin
RED TO 9V + BUSS
layout is the same for all EMG Accessories, so they can be interchanged.
OUTPUT TO JACK
There are a variety of ways instruments can be wired. The examples shown INPUT
here are only a few. If your instrument has different wiring than shown here
go to our website: http://www.emgpickups.com for alternate diagrams.

Diagram #2 below shows the installation of a single Volume control along with
the VMC Control.

Diagram #2
Master Volume
VMC Control BATTERY
BUSS
RED NOTE: REVERSED
BATTERY INPUT CONNECTOR
NEG (-)
RED RED

- 9V +
NOTE: R
REVERSED
CONNECTOR S
MASTER
VOLUME
B122rH
FROM PICKUP B122rH T
OUTPUT
VOLUME

VMC

OUTPUT CABLE

VMC Control Page 2

Installation Instructions:
EMG Model: VMC Control
5) Plug the output cable from the VMC Control and connect the output
2 Pickups, 2 Volume controls, VMC Control, no selection switch wires to the output jack by pushing the connectors on as shown.
J-Bass Style wiring WHITE wire onto the TIP (T) contact,
Refer to Diagram #3 BLACK wire onto the SLEEVE (S) contact
1) Install the Pickups and route the Pickup cables to the control cavity. BLACK Battery Negative wire onto the RING (R) contact.
If the cables are too long, keep any excess under the pickup. 6) Plug the RED Wires of the pickups onto the V+ Supply Buss (RED Shroud)
2) Mount the Volume and Tone controls into the body / pickguard. along with the RED of the battery clip.
Plug the Neck Pickup Cable onto the Neck Volume control. Extra pins on the V+ Supply Buss are for EMG Accessories.
Plug the Bridge Pickup Cable onto the Bridge Volume control. 7) Put the battery in the insulating foam piece provided and place it securely
3) Plug a coax cable from the Neck Volume control to the Bridge Volume in the control cavity.
control. We suggest that you plug in the instrument and test it before closing the
4) Plug a coax cable from the Bridge Volume control to the VMC Control. control cavity. BATTERY
RED BUSS

RED

Diagram #3
Volume / Volume OUTPUT
VMC Control BRIDGE PICKUP - 9V +
NOTE REVERSED CONNECTOR BATTERY
NEG (-) R
S

NK VOLUME BR VOLUME
NECK PICKUP B122rH B122rH
T
VMC
VOLUME VOLUME

OUTPUT CABLE

Installation (Two Pickup Guitars with Selection switch): BRIDGE PICKUP INPUT
Guitars with two pickups and a selection switch will use the EMG B245 Pickup Buss NECK PICKUP INPUT
OUTPUT
shown at the right in Diagram #4a. Diagram #4a
The Pickup Buss is a convenient way to wire your guitar without soldering.
There is a separate sheet attached to these instructions that describes the TO SELECTION SWITCH
Pickup Buss in detail.
In all installations it’s best to find a place to mount the Pickup Buss in the control
cavity before starting. Then, after the cables are routed use the velcro to mount it PLUG IN
securely. LIKE THIS!
2 Pickups / Toggle Select Switch / Master Volume and VMC Control
BRIDGE PICKUP
1) Install the Pickups and route the Pickup cables to the control cavity.
If the cables are too long, wind up the excess and keep it under the pickup.
2) Mount the Volume and Tone controls into the body.
Plug both Pickup cables into the Pickup Buss (BLACK Shroud) as shown, NECK PICKUP OUTPUT TO
MASTER VOLUME
Refer to Diagram #4a
Bridge Pickup to Position 1 6) Plug the output cable onto the Master Volume control and connect the output
Neck Pickup to Position 2. wires to the output jack and push the connectors onto the jack as shown.
3) Plug a coax cable from the Pickup Buss (Position 3) to the Master Tone (Active) WHITE wire onto the TIP (T) contact,
as shown in Diagram #4b. Note the reversed connector on pins 1 and 2. BLACK wire onto the SLEEVE (S) contact
4) Plug a coax cable from the Master Tone (ACTIVE) to the Master Volume as shown. BLACK Battery Negative wire onto the RING (R) contact.
5) Strip the insulation from the switch wires and Insert them into the GREEN 7) Plug the RED Wires of the pickups onto the V+ Supply Buss (RED Shroud)
Terminal Block and tighten the screws with a small screwdriver. along with the RED of the battery clip, and the RED wire of the Active Tone Control.
The Bridge pickup goes to the BR Terminal Extra pins on the V+ Supply Buss are for EMG Accessories.
The Neck pickup goes to the NK Terminal 8) Put the battery in the insulating foam piece provided and place it securely in the
The Output of the switch goes to the O Terminal control cavity.
If there is a ground wire coming from the switch, insert it into one of the black We suggest that you plug in the instrument and test it before closing the
terminals on the terminal block. control cavity.

- 9V +
BATTERY
NEG (-)
GROUND

NECK P/U

OUTPUT RED

RED R
VMC
BRIDGE P/U S
RED
Diagram #4b
MASTER
2 Pickups BRIDGE PICKUP VOLUME
Toggle Style Select Switch B122rH T
Master Volume & Master Tone
VOLUME

NECK PICKUP OUTPUT CABLE

VMC Control Page 3

 PREFERRED WIRING ORDER
Diagram #5 NECK
ABC Balance Control PICKUP
Master Volume ABC BTC VMC MASTER OUTPUT
CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL VOLUME JACK
VMC Control BRIDGE
Output Jack PICKUP

9V+ POWER BUSS

RED

- 9V +

BATTERY NOTE REVERSED CONNECTORS

RED WIRES NEG (-) BLACK
FROM PICKUPS
B118
ACTIVE BALANCE RED
EMG Active Neck Pickup CONTROL MASTER
OUTPUT
(Upper 3 pin header) VOLUME
B122rH

R
EMG Active Bridge Pickup
(Lower 3 pin header)
VOLUME
S
RED

T BOTTOM
VIEW

Diagram #6 Diagram #7
If the instrument has a Battery Holder: +18 Volt Wiring Option:
If your instrument has a 9 or 18-Volt battery holder you can still If you want to operate your instrument at +18 Volts for more
use the EMG Connectors to supply power to the pickups. headroom then use 2 batteries wired as below.
Simply cut and strip the wires from the battery clip provided. Also, if you are using any type of EQ in your instrument
Twist the wires together (Red to Red and Black to Black) and (EMG-BT, BQ) or anything that boosts the pickup signal then
use the shrink tubing included to cover the connections. +18 Volts is recommended.
Soldering the wires is recommended.
RED TO BATTERY BUSS (+18Volts)
Cover these connections with the - 9V +
BLACK
Solder the Black and Red
shrink tubing provided.
wires together and cover
the connection with shrink
RED to BATTERY OR PICKUP BUSS tubing, or other insulation.
9/18 VOLT RED R
BATTERY - 9V +
HOLDER BLACK to RING terminal
BLACK to RING terminal S T
of the Output Jack of the Output Jack

Diagram #8 Diagram #9
Soldering to the 152B Panel Jack: Soldering to the battery buss:
If your instrument has a long Panel Jack like the one below If your instrument has an older EMG Pickup you can solder the
you will have to solder the output cable as shown. pickup RED wire to the buss. Simply use some needle nose pliers,
Ground (Black) to the Sleeve pull out the V+ header and solder the RED Wire from the pickup(s)
Signal (White) to the Tip to any of the pins and then re-insert the header into the housing.
Battery Negative (Black) to the Ring

RED to BATTERY BUSS

- 9V +
BATTERY
NEG (-)

RING
FROM TONE SLEEVE
OR VOLUME 1 2 3
TIP

VMC Control Page 4