4
Front Panel Controls and Their Functions
(left to Right)
Controlling the 3-channel design of the TDS can best be described by viewing the “Left” 1/3 controls as
“Clean channel-1” (separated by the green/red LED arrows on the front control panel), the remaining
2/3 controls (to the right of LED arrows) as channels 2-3. A few controls however interface between
channels 1/2/3 as described below.
Input Jack:
This input is a 1/4" phone plug, designed for 1-Meg impedance, guitar-level signal. This input will readily
accept pedals/effects without any loss in performance. The design of the TDS amplifier is quite flexible, so
we first suggest exploring its performance without any effects or pedals initially.
Gain Control (Clean channel 1):
This control adjusts the overall volume of Clean channel-1 only. This is the only control adjusting Channel-
1 volume.
Brite Switch (Clean channel 1):
The Brite switch operates on the gain control/and is active over about ½ of the input
gain control range. From ‘0’ to about midway, it provides a boost to highs, and the
effect of the switch decreases beyond the halfway point on the gain control rotation.
Deep Switch (Clean channel 1):
The deep switch shifts the overall tonality of the amplifier, slightly increasing the low
frequencies. This is often useful for single-coil guitars, which sometimes need
a low-frequency boost.
Rock/Jazz Switch (Clean channel 1):
The Rock/Jazz switch alters the operation of the tone controls. The Rock position
gives highest gain, as well as a more aggressive rock type equalization. In the jazz
setting, the tone is a more neutral/smoother tone. All tone controls work in both
modes, however their range and depth of operation is changed.
High Control (Clean channel 1):
The High control serves 2 functions: (IN)-it adjusts high frequency spectrum. (OUT) the High control
engages the mid-boost. This shifts the range of the high control downward, to include more midrange. All
tone controls still operate, however the tone will be fatter.
Mid Control (Clean channel 1):
The Mid control serves 2 functions: (IN) Acts to adjust mid frequencies. (OUT) engages the gain boost. This
bypasses all tone controls and allows greater overdrive and gain, on both clean and overdrive modes. This
can also fatten sound for Single coil pickups.
Low Control (Clean channel 1):
This control serves 2 functions: (IN) adjusts the low frequency spectrum of your TDS. Pulling this control
OUT changes from channel-1 to channel 2/3 for sound. Pushing IN reverses changing back to Clean
channel-1. To use the TDS footswitch function of channel switching this control must be pushed IN.
Gain Control (channels 2 & 3):
The gain control sets the input gain for Channels 2 & 3 primary clean preamplifier. The clean channel-2
acts as a preamplifier alone, during clean (non-overdrive) operation. When the amplifier is in overdrive
mode (channel-3), the clean channel-2 functions as a preamp to the overdrive stage. All controls on the
primary channel-2 remain operational during overdrive, allowing the overdrive tone to be controlled.
Brite/Deep/Rock Switches (channels 2 & 3):
Same basic operation as channel 1 description but exclusively for channels 2 & 3.
