Mesa/Boogie Mark 5 Owner'S Manual Download Page 25

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EDGE

(Mode Select Switch Up):

EDGE

is the lowest gain Mode in Channel 2. It starts out virtually clean and starts to clip gradually after 12:00 until it gets aggres-

sive at around 2:30 on up to wide open. EDGE is also the most urgent and dynamic of the Modes in Channel 2. This is
largely due to the stripped, tight, low-end character of this circuit that is achieved by voicing the bass frequencies much
higher than that of its Channel 2 counterparts. With the low frequencies being centered up an octave (some even two)
the mids and highs are allowed to race through the circuit unhampered creating a fast, articulate sound that retains the
dynamic content and cuts through with brazen authority.

Because the low end in the EDGE Mode is tucked up and tighter, it is possible - and even recommended – to run the BASS control
higher than you would in almost any of the other Modes (12:00 – 3:00).  Also, because the mids and highs are so much more prominent
in the mix, it is wise to use the TREBLE and PRESENCE control a little more sparingly than you might in CRUNCH and the MARK I
Mode.  You will find that EDGE is quite bright with most pickups and it may be necessary to set the TREBLE below 11:30 to get the
sound to be warm and thick enough, even with the BASS set higher.  The MID control passes a fair amount of upper frequencies as
well, so it can be used to open up the sound and add cut in a different region.  Try the MID low (9:00 – 9:30) and the PRESENCE
higher (11:30 – 2:00) and the opposite – MID high (12:00 – 3:00) and PRESENCE low (10:00 – 2:30) to get a feel for this different
way of voicing the top end.

The clip characteristic in the EDGE mode is bright and jagged as opposed to round and smooth, so if you are looking for more of a
furry, purring clip it would be wise to look to CRUNCH or a low setting of the MARK I Mode.

If you are looking for an alternate clean sound to footswitch to, EDGE can provide a more aggressive clean voice that will have a high
mid bump and a sense of urgency. Set the GAIN low (10:00 – 11:30), the TREBLE low (below 12:30), the MID low (8:00 – 9:30), the
BASS control high (1:00 – 3:00) and adjust the PRESENCE to taste to bring in the top end you want.

CRUNCH

(Mode Select Switch Center):

This mode is brand new and represents the “crossover mode of the crossover Channel”. It is more balanced, frequency-wise, than

EDGE and it climbs just a bit higher on the gain scale. There is more low end fundamental voiced an octave lower and
some warmer low harmonic air present here as compared to EDGE, but less than the MARK I Mode, so it falls right in
the perfect spot between the two.

CRUNCH provides a sound that still has urgency and dynamics, yet is warm and rich and covers the valuable ground
from the onset of clip up through grinding crunch rhythm. This makes CRUNCH one of the most versatile Modes in the

entire amp and despite its name, this sound works equally well for both chording Rhythm and single note Lead work.

You will find that the TREBLE control can be used in the higher range without becoming too bright - as compared with the EDGE
Mode, where higher TREBLE settings can be a bit much. This will add gain in the top end and you can reduce the PRESENCE if it
gets too bright. Conversely, the BASS can be reduced in CRUNCH to get some increased tightness and yet the overall character
remains warm with plenty of low end inherent in the basic character.

CRUNCH also works beautifully in tandem with the Channel POWER SELECT switch. Some amazing sounds arise out of the 45
and 10 watt Modes, where different amounts of power section clip can be blended in - allowing you to back the front end GAIN control
down and achieve the perfect soulful blend of pre and power clip. Again, this applies to both chording and single note sounds.

Using CRUNCH for the almost-clean, onset-of-clip sounds requires a fairly low GAIN setting as it has quite a bump compared to EDGE.
You will probably want to run the GAIN at 10:00 – 11:00, the TREBLE lower (11:30 – 1:00), the MID fairly scooped (8:30 – 11:00)
and add BASS for the thump (11:00 – 1:00). Adjust the top end cut and openness with the PRESENCE, as it will not add additional
gain to the mix.

frOnt panel: M

ODeS

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Continued

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EQ ON

EQ FS

MARK I

NORMAL

MARK I

THICK

10 W