Mesa/Boogie Mark 5, Owner'S Manual, Page: 16 / 70

CHANNEL 2:
This “Crossover” Channel contains both the lowest gain of the high gain Modes (EDGE) and one of the highest broad-spectrum gain
Modes (MARK I). Channel 2 alone contains more types of sounds than many complete amplifiers and
can be assigned virtually any task.
EDGE
is the lowest gain Mode in Channel 2 and is EQ’d to be stripped, urgent and fast. Low end is
tucked up higher and reduced slightly to increase dynamic response and increase attack speed. Works
extremely well for classic Rock broken-up chording sounds in the medium GAIN range. GAIN set high
produces articulate, biting single note sounds.
CRUNCH
is the medium gain Mode and is filled-in and rounded-out with added low-mid gain and more bass at lower frequencies. It
produces a smoother sound that is still tight and fast, but creates a wider footprint than EDGE. Dynamic response is still quick and
accurate, but the added gain introduces the first hint of natural tube compression. CRUNCH also works equally well for both rhythmic
chording and single note solo sounds that are overdriven, but not too saturated.
MARK I
is the highest gain Mode in Channel 2 - equal in gain to any Mode in Channel 3 - and is behind the reason for not calling
Channel 2 simply a “Rhythm” channel. This is the singing, soaring, roaring voice that put MESA on the map when it burst on the
scene in 1970 in the little Boogie 1x12 combo. Increased gain in the entire spectrum creates a thick, rich wall of harmonic overdrive
that produces maximum sustain and saturation. The MARK I sound is known for it’s huge low end and girth that can fatten single note
sounds and create a voice that can not just carry, but propel a melody. This wall of gain can be shaped, not only to enhance single note
sounds, it can be stripped back to create purring lower gain chording and Blues sounds as well. The higher GAIN settings produce
amazing single note textures or, with the BASS and MID set low and the EQ kicked in, crushing heavy chord sounds.
MARK I : NORMAL / THICK
This two position switch re-voices the Treble frequencies to be either NORMAL (switch up) - higher and more sparkling or THICK
(switch down) – lower and fatter in the upper midrange. This switch is active only in the MARK I Mode and does not
affect EDGE or CRUNCH. Use
NORMAL
for lower gain chording and Blues work or anytime you want sweet top end
and harmonic openness. Use
THICK
for added gain and girth to fill-out single note sounds and make high gain rhythm
sounds grind harder. You can also think of NORMAL as being more “black face” era, and THICK voiced to more of a
British amp vibe.
GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE
TREBLE MID BASS TREBLE MID BASS TREBLE MID BASS
OUTPUT
CLEAN
TWEED
EQ ON
O
EQ FS
10 W
45
EQ ON
O
EQ FS
MARK I
NORMAL
CH 1
NORMAL
MARK I
THICK
BOLD
10 W
45
MK II C+
MK
IV
EXTREME
EQ ON
O
EQ FS
90 W 90 W 90 W
10 W
SLIDERS
PRESET
SLIDERS
PRESET
SLIDERS
PRESET
DEPTH
PRESET
DEPTH
SOLO
PULL MUTE
PRESET
80Hz 240 750 2200 6600
45 3
2
1
3
2
1
CH
CH
CH
1
2
3
F
A
T
C
R
U
N
C
H
CH 3
NORMAL
BRIGHT
EDGE
MARK I
STANDBY
ON
FULL
POWER
VARIAC
POWER
MUTE EQ FX
0
INPUT
GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE
TREBLE MID BASS TREBLE MID BASS TREBLE MID BASS
OUTPUT
CLEAN
TWEED
EQ ON
O
EQ FS
10 W
45
EQ ON
O
EQ FS
MARK I
NORMAL
CH 1
NORMAL
MARK I
THICK
BOLD
10 W
45
MK II C+
MK
IV
EXTREME
EQ ON
O
EQ FS
90 W 90 W 90 W
10 W
SLIDERS
PRESET
SLIDERS
PRESET
SLIDERS
PRESET
DEPTH
PRESET
DEPTH
SOLO
PULL MUTE
PRESET
80Hz 240 750 2200 6600
45 3
2
1
3
2
1
CH CH CH
1
2
3
F
A
T
C
R
U
N
C
H
CH 3
NORMAL
BRIGHT
EDGE
MARK I
STANDBY
ON
FULL
POWER
VARIAC
POWER
MUTE EQ FX
0
INPUT
tHe CHannelS:
(Continued)
PAGE 12