SWR Mini-Mo Mini-Mo' Preamp With Mo' Control 2 Master Footswitch Controller, Owner'S Manual, Page: 11 / 52

NOTE NOTE : Even though the Preamp Clip LED turning red indicates that at some point the preamplifier is
clipping, no harm is being done to your amplifier.
LIMITER/LEVELER
The Limiter/Leveler circuit is a tube limiter that helps control the dynamic range of the preamp. The
Limiter/Leveler control sets the "threshold" for the circuit, which is the level at which limiting begins to
take effect. The yellow LED above the control will illuminate, indicating that the Limiter is active. Loss in
volume caused by extreme limiting can be overcome by increasing the levels of the Master Volume
controls, as well as various controls for the onboard effects.
When processing a signal to a minor degree, the Limiter/Leveler simply puts a ceiling on the signal and
gently suppresses the peaks, creating a very smooth, even sound. As the signal is processed to a
greater degree, the sound becomes more compressed and the dynamic range of the preamp more
limited. Because it uses a tube to accomplish this, the Mini-Mo' Preamp Limiter/Leveler has an extreme-
ly natural effect on the instrument's signal, much like the classic leveling amplifiers used in professional
studios around the world.
You may want dial in some of the Limiter/Leveler control even though you aren't clipping the preamp. It's
a very musical limiter and can be used in several ways. For clean sounds, it can help smooth out rough
edges. When used with the Overdrive, you can achieve some very interesting sounds depending on
where the "Drive" control is set. Try different settings and see what works best for you.
NOTE NOTE : If the Limiter/Leveler control is set at maximum and still no limiting effect occurs, the Preamp
Volume control is probably set too low and should be increased to a desired level.
AURAL ENHANCER
The Aural Enhancer is a feature that's been on just about every SWR amplifier since the company's
inception in 1984, and is a trademark part of the "SWR Sound" people have come to know and love. It
was developed to help bring out the fundamental low notes of the bass guitar, enhance the high-end
transients, and reduce certain frequencies that help "mask" the fundamentals. The ultimate result is:
1. A more transparent sound, especially noticeable when slapping and popping.
2. It can make a passive bass take on an "active" type of quality when set at positions of "2 o'clock"
or further clockwise.
Let's take a second to learn how the Aural Enhancer works. Think of it as a variable tone curve that
changes depending on where you set the Aural Enhancer control knob. As you raise the control clock-
wise from the "MIN" position, you are elevating a whole range of sound (lows, mids, and highs) at a
variety of frequency points selected specifically because they're different than those selected for the
individual tone controls.
This remains true up to about the "2 o'clock" position. This position-a favorite for many users-brings out
both the low end fundamentals and crisp highs and, at the same time, adds a little lower midrange to
help cut through the band. However, if you go further clockwise and past the 2:00 position, selected
mids will start to drop off-specifically, a group of frequencies centered around 200 Hz. At this point and
after, the effect becomes much more pronounced. However, the curves involved here are gentle, as
opposed to the very extreme curves you can create by boosting or cutting the active tone controls (EQ).
Most significantly for basses, the Aural Enhancer will help bring out the fundamentals of your lower
registers without masking them with overtones, as is possible when using the Bass control only. At the
same time, it opens up the sibilance characteristics of all instruments without being harsh.
Obviously, numbers and curves and circuits all mean nothing compared to what you hear with your own
ears. Play a chord, a repeated lick, or a harmonic, and turn the Aural Enhancer control to various points
on the knob to hear the effect for yourself. As always, your ears are the best judge when it comes to
settings that affect the tone of your instrument.
MINI-MO’ OWNER’S MANUAL • 8