Subwave Controls; Subwave Activator Switch; Subwave Level Control; Bass Control - SWR 350x Owner's Manual

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 regis-
ters 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.
SubWave™ Controls
Based on the circuit from SWR's groundbreaking Mo' Bass Soundstation, the SubWave™ on your 350x is
a lightning-quick sub-octave wave engine with tracking superior to other models of sub-octave effects cur-
rently on the market. In plain terms, it hears the note you play and immediately generates a signal one
octave below it—all the way down to low "C#", "C", or even low "B" on some basses!
SubWave™ Activator Switch
Located directly above the SubWave™ Level Control, this is an illuminated push-button switch that acti-
vates the SubWave™ effect. When engaged, the switch cap will illuminate in blue. Push once to engage,
then again to disengage. (The SubWave™ effect can also be switched on and off via foot-switch; please
see the heading titled "SubWave™ Footswitch" in the "Rear Panel Features" section later in this manu-
al.)
SubWave™ Level Control
Once the SubWave™ effect is engaged, you can use this control to determine the amount of effect to
be blended in with your original ("clean") bass signal. Turning the control clockwise will increase the
amount of effect, while turning the control counter-clockwise will decrease the amount of effect. When
the control is set fully counter-clockwise to "MIN", no effect will be heard, even though the effect is
engaged and the Activator switch is illuminated in blue. This is normal. Also, when the control is set fully
clockwise to "MAX", the "clean" bass signal will still be present...along with plenty of sub-octave effect.
As always, your ears and the desired musical application will be the best judge in setting this control.
(Keep in mind that the Bass Level control will have a significant impact on the perceived level of the
SubWave™ effect as well, as it follows immediately after the SubWave™ in the signal chain. Please read
below.)
350x • ACTIVE TONE CONTROL SECTION

Bass Control

The Bass control employs a shelving-type circuit and boosts or cuts the bass response + /–15dB, from
about 30Hz to 100Hz. Starting at the control's mid-position ("center-click"), turning the control counter-
clockwise cuts the bass response, and turning the control clockwise boosts the bass response.
You'll find that the Bass Level control will boost or cut the SubWave™ effect along with the "clean" bass
signal. That's because of the range of frequencies covered by this particular control. You can use both the
Bass and SubWave™ Level controls to get a good balance between how much bass you want in your clean
sound, and how much of a bass boost you want when engaging the SubWave™. Some users will want a
significant boost, while others may be striving for a more consistent level (or "unity gain"). Again, let your
ears and musical taste be the judge.
NOTE: Setting both the Bass and SubWave™ Level controls near or at maximum boost will increase
the overall amount of bass in your signal VERY SIGNIFICANTLY! We're all in favor of that, just so
6 • 350x OWNER'S MANUAL