The Channels; Channel 1 - Mesa/Boogie Mark Five Owner's Manual

tHe CHannelS:

The three Channels of the MARK V are each extremely versatile and therefore it is not entirely fair to categorize them as to Rhythm,
Crunch and Lead. Most players will initially assign Channel 1 to some sort of clean sound, Channel 2 to an overdriven rhythm or
chording sound and Channel 3 to a single note solo sound. While there is nothing wrong with this scheme - and in fact the MARK V
lays out nicely for this approach – it is also true that all three Channels are equally adept at all three types of sounds. In other words,
Channel 3 can produce great crunch rhythm sounds, Channel 2 is capable of some nice clean-ish sounds and Channel 1 boasts some
amazing solo sounds. So the lesson here is not to label the Channels as to style, and perhaps think of them more in terms of their
individual gain structure. This type of thinking will help you to not limit yourself when searching for sounds and we encourage you to
think outside the box and use your imagination when dedicating the Channels. The Five was created to be an instrument of limitless
expression and possesses all the gain and shaping power to take you anywhere you wish to go in the world of Tone.
Here is a quick reference guide to the Channels and how they lay out in terms of gain structure. How you wish to assign them to your
needs is up to you and discovering that... well that's where the fun begins.

CHANNEL 1:

Lowest gain of the three Channels. Two Modes CLEAN (switch up) & FAT(switch center) are structured for clean sounds. These two
CLEAN
F
A
T
TWEED
CH 1
NORMAL
EQ ON
CH
GAIN MASTER
O
TREBLE MID
1
EQ FS BOLD
90 W
INPUT
45
10 W
TWEED increases gain in the low mids and adds fatness which creates a smoother sound when clipped. This added gain slows
the attack a bit but in turn adds sustain and girth. A balanced dynamic content makes TWEED work equally well for both broken-up
chording and urgent single note soloing.
CHANNEL 1: NORMAL / BOLD
This switch works globally in Channel 1 and offers two choices in voicing the mids and upper mids / lower treble region. NORMAL
provides a balanced smooth response that shines for both shimmering sweet clean sounds and creamy soft-clip tones
as the modes are driven harder with the GAIN control. No particular frequencies stick out in this position which cre-
EDGE
F
A
T
ates a perfect base for rhythm work and makes NORMAL respond very well to further embellishment with either the
MARK I
CH 1
NORMAL
EQ ON
CH
GAIN MASTER PRESENCE
O
TREBLE MID Graphic EQ or the PRESET Contour. BASS
1
BOLD EQ FS
90 W
45
10 W
BOLD punches through with a pronounced bump in these mid and upper mid/ low treble frequencies that will allow
you to cut through a dense mix and be heard. It also gives the impression of increased power and headroom as cleans sounds fly
out of the speakers with immediacy and authority. Likewise overdriven sounds, especially in TWEED, willingly adopt the added attack
and turn it into stinging aggression. Be sure to work with the TREBLE, MID and PRESENCE in the BOLD setting to fine tune these
regions and optimize both the sound and the feel.
modes are well described by their names as in CLEAN is sweet, sparkling low gain beauty and FAT
adds big low end and breathiness to this sound. These two have the greatest headroom and the C
EDGE
R
U
N
C
H
most dynamic range and sensitivity. They are the least compressed and retain the fastest attack
MARK I
MARK I
NORMAL
EQ ON
CH
PRESENCE GAIN MASTER
O
BASS characteristic. TREBLE MID
2
MARK I
EQ FS
THICK
90 W
45
10 W
The medium gain TWEED Mode (switch down) is dedicated to pushed, overdriven "clean" sounds.
C
MK II C+
R
U
N
C
H
EXTREME
MARK I
NORMAL EQ ON
CH
GAIN MASTER PRESENCE
O
TREBLE MID BASS
2
MARK I EQ FS
THICK
90 W
45
10 W
MK II C+
MK
IV
EXTREME
CH 3
EQ ON NORMAL
CH
PRESENCE GAIN MASTER
O
BASS TREBLE MID
3
EQ FS BRIGHT
90 W
45
10 W
SLIDERS
MK
IV
PRESET
CH 3
NORMAL
SLIDERS
CH
GAIN MASTER PRESENCE
TREBLE MID BASS
3
BRIGHT PRESET
SLIDERS
45
PRESET
PAGE 11
SLIDERS
1
PRESET
SLIDERS
PRESENCE
2
BASS
PRESET
SLIDERS
3
80Hz 240 750 2200
PRESET
1
1
PRESET
DEPTH
OUTPUT
2 2
PULL
PRESET
DEPTH
3
3
80Hz 240 750 2200 6600
MUTE EQ FX
1
FULL
ON
POWER
PRESET
DEPTH
OUTPUT
2
SOLO
PULL MUTE
PRESET
DEPTH
VARIAC
STANDBY
POWER
3
6600
MUTE EQ FX
FULL
ON
POWER
0
SOLO
MUTE
VARIAC
STANDBY
POWER
0