Mesa/Boogie Mark 5, Owner'S Manual, Page: 9 / 70

A four-position CHANNEL SELECT rotary control is provided to access the 3 Channels when the Footswitch is not connected (in the
studio) or available. Simply select which of the Channels you wish to play using this control when the footswitch is not in use. When
the Footswitch is to be used, select the position to the far right (when facing Rear Panel) labeled FT SW and insert the DIN connector
on the Footswitch Cable into the FOOT SWITCH jack on the right side of the Rear Panel.
A five-position rotary LOOP ASSIGN switch is provided to assign the EFFECTS LOOP to any or all of the Channels or, select FTSW
to trigger the LOOP on and off with the
MARK V
Footswitch. The EFFECTS LOOP must be in the LOOP ACTIVE position for the
LOOP ASSIGN rotary to function
NOTE: Check the OUTPUT level setting before activating the EFFECTS LOOP with the LOOP ACTIVE / HARD BYPASS switch (near
center of Rear Panel) to avoid damage to your ears, those of bystanders and to your speakers.
Four ¼” EXTERNAL SWITCHING phono jacks are provided for remote control of the
MARK V
Channels, EQ and SOLO control from
a master (possibly midi controlled) switcher. This feature is extremely important if the MARK V is to be used in a live stage set-up
where all amplifiers and processors are controlled under one keystroke from a programmable master switching device.
NOTE: The four EXT SWITCHING jacks respond to standard grounding type (tip to ground) latching (not momentary) logic. This
switching logic is standard on most master switching units.
The EFFECTS LOOP is fitted with a HARD BYPASS feature that removes a whole tube (two stages) and all associated circuitry from
the signal path for the purist who insists the most direct path to tone in the studio. When the EFFECTS LOOP is activated by switch-
ing to LOOP ACTIVE (switch up) there is an adjustable SEND LEVEL control to assure optimum performance with your processing
devices.
NOTE: Remember that the HARD BYPASS removes the OUTPUT and SOLO controls from the signal path and the individual Channel
MASTER controls become the overall volume level controls.
Individual REVERB controls for each Channel allow you to set the desired mix of the rich all-tube Reverb effect for each Channel without
compromise. The REVERB effect can be taken in and out of the signal path with the REV button on the
MARK V Footswitch.
A PENTODE / TRIODE mini toggle switch (located just under the CH 3 REVERB Control) allows you to choose the wiring configuration
of the middle pair of power tubes in Channel 3 only. This is a feature that was popular on the MARK 4 and changes the personality
of the attack and liquidity of the sound in the higher gain condition found in Channel 3. PENTODE produces a bolder, tighter voice
that has a more pronounced midrange curve and is excellent for adding percussive authority to lower gain single note solo sounds.
TRIODE softens the attack and scoops the mids a bit to create a more liquid, legato feel that really shines for high gain styles and
faster playing.
Switchable Rectifiers makes its debut on the MARK Series for the first time here on the FIVE in the form of Rectifier Tracking. Chan-
nels 1 and 2 are fitted with individual mini toggles (located under the Channel 1 and 2 REVERB Controls) that allow you to choose
between the tight, bold - higher headroom response of Silicon DIODES or the saggier, sweeter low-output looseness of TUBES in
the 45 Watt Power setting only. The 90 Watt setting automatically selects the Silicon Diodes and the 10 Watt setting requires the Tube
Rectifier to operate safely.
Two 8 and two 4 Ohm SPEAKER OUTPUTS are provided and with these jacks almost any speaker cabinet configuration can be
accommodated. The
MARK V is not overly sensitive to impedance mismatches, so feel free to experiment with different cabinet
schemes without fear of damage to your amplifier. Different loads will change the response, possibly to your liking. An 8 Ohm load
will produce the punchiest, tightest sound and the maximum headroom. Keep in mind that the (power) tube life will be increased by
running either an 8 or 4 Ohm overall load.
O
verview
:
rear panel
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