Power Modes: Multi-Watt Power - Mesa/Boogie TransAtlantic TA-15 Owner's Manual

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So in HI 2 you will find all the desirable qualities of your favorite Boogie high gain Mode, but find them fine tuned in a way that sits
beautifully alongside the British flavor of HI 1. Plenty of difference to be recognizable... but not so different that it sticks out and feels
out of place.
Power-wise HI 2 works well with all three choices. For bold authority and the greatest dynamic content, the 25W would be the choice.
If you want a more liquid feel and more upper harmonic content, 15W is your ticket. And for all out insanity at whisper volumes for
tracking there is always 5W with the greater potential to add power Tube overdrive. Don't overlook the 5W setting for lower gain solo
sounds... especially in the studio. Some awesome lower gain Blues sounds are possible by setting the GAIN control low, say 10:00
– 11:00 and cranking the MASTER in the 5W Mode. You might have to reduce the BASS a bit to keep the attack focused, but it's very
expressive with a different harmonic signature than getting all the gain from the preamp.
POWER MODES: MULTI-WATT
While the T
a
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the Tone shaping choices don't, by any means, stop there. We always say "it's 50% front end and 50% power".
The power section in any amp has a great deal to do with its response, character and feel. The TA-15 is just as
NORMAL
TWEED
well endowed in the power play as it is in preamp choices.
HI 1
TOP BST
HI 2
Our patented Multi-Watt™ Power allows not only the choice of Class of Operation, but also a choice in Wiring
25W
25W
FT
SW
Configuration. You get three distinctly different power sections – each with its own character and feel to link - per
15
15
PULL
GAIN
Channel - with the preamp sounds you have crafted. The 5W and 15 W are old school classic power sections
5W
5W
with their own signature voice and response and the TA-15 would be amazing with these two alone. But we
had another patented secret up our sleeve and along with these two vintage-minded gems we've included a 25W Dyna-Watt™ power
Mode.
Dyna-Watt™ has been appearing on lower power MESA amplifiers since 1986 when we released our STUDIO 22 combo. We've been
using it ever since to shock people with an instantaneous burst of headroom and power present at the attack of the notes. Dyna-Watt
stores and releases a burst of extra power and then sags in a time specific curve to deliver the boldness and punch of a big amp, with
the light weight and friendly clip-ability of a low power amp. This addition allows the T
desktop recording or practice amp, but rather a chameleon that can handle a diverse style of applications from low volume practicing
to studio ace to medium size performance amp depending on how you choose to interface cabinetry.
5W: CLASS A SINGLE ENDED
wiring configuration produce the most vintage clip characteristics with a super smooth transition into power overdrive and an em-
phasis on the even order 2nd harmonic. The 2nd is an octave above the note you are playing and is the sweetest, most musical of
all. Single-Ended wiring cancels out the harsher 3rd harmonic and allows the 2nd to put the angels touch on your tone. Low volume
clean playing is absolutely gorgeous in this Mode in NORMAL or TWEED and may well become your favorite for practicing as you
save your ears for the gigs.
The 5W setting is also great for overdriven sounds and when used with a degree of restraint on the GAIN control, can produce some
of the best recording sounds ever. Remember that the 5W Mode can't drive the same amount of low end with control as the other
two Power Modes and if you try the same sounds that work with those without adjusting both GAIN and BASS, you may end up with
mush. The power section will inevitably be adding some additional overdrive and the BASS will not be able to stay tight. It's a good
idea to craft tones with the power available in mind with the Mode you have chosen at all times. It is 50% responsible for the end
result and if you learn to use both preamp and power Modes in harmony, you will find the TA-15 to be one of the most expressive
and versatile amps anywhere.
(C
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ontinued
POWER
TA-15 is a veritable treasure chest of preamp sounds with the five different circuits tucked away in its hold,
This lowest output Mode is by no means the weakest. Its Class A biasing and Single-Ended
rans
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a
to be much more than a cute little
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