Telonics TCA-500 Combo Amp
7
PB-009289 Rev _ PRELIMINARY
TCA-500
C
OMBO
A
MP
C
ONTROL
F
UNCTIONS
,
J
ACKS
,
&
I
NDICATORS
:
F
RONT
P
ANEL
(
CONTINUED
)
Bass Level
Controls low frequency response. Turning clockwise will boost the bass up to
+22dB. Turning counter clockwise will decrease the level down to -16dB.
Start at 0 (flat) and adjust to taste.
Note that it is a common error to boost the bass excessively, as this dulls the
character of the strings. Remember that it is always best to use “Subtractive
Equalization” as discussed later in this manual. i.e., instead of boosting the Bass,
reduce the Mids and/or Treble. A simple check for excessive bass boost is to
listen closely as you strike a lower string repeatedly. Start with the Bass Level
control set at -4 or -5. While listening to the character of the string, advance the
Bass Level control slowly clockwise. At some point (usually 1 to +3, the
character of the sound will change and will sound like more of a “thud” and have
a muted quality. For most people, that is too much bass boost, so back off the
control counterclockwise slightly until the sound is once again clear and clean.
Mid Level
It is necessary that the user understand that the Mid Level and Mid Frequency
controls work ‘together’.
These two controls are used together to set up the
mid range frequency shaping;
they are perhaps the most important tone
shaping controls and they ‘must’ be set properly to achieve a balanced
sound
. These controls allow the player to compensate for the ear’s normal
increase in sensitivity to mid range frequencies and the guitar’s resonance
around those frequencies.
The Mid Level control determines the amount of effect which the Mid Frequency
control has on your sound.
It sets a boost or cut in the mid-range frequencies, which are selected by the Mid
Frequency control. Mid Level is adjustable from -20dB cut to +5dB boost.
If you were to set the Mid Level control to Zero dB (3 o’clock knob position), the
Mid Frequency control would ‘do nothing whatsoever” to your sound, it would
have NO effect on your tone.
.
