Instrument Input; Bright / Normal / Active Switch; Controls - Mesa/Boogie BASS STRATEGY Eight:88 Owner's Manual

FRONT PANEL: (CONTROLS & FEATURES)
INPUT:
This jack is the instrument INPUT and it feeds the first tube stage in the tube preamp of the STRATEGY. Both passive
as well as active instruments are provided for with a specific setting on the 3-position INPUT SELECT switch.
B A
R C
I T
G I
H V
T E
NORMAL
INPUT
GAIN
INPUT SELECT: BRIGHT/NORMAL/ACTIVE
tions, two of which are voicing options and a third that offers an Input Pad for Active Instruments. Select the option that best suits your
tonal/stylistic needs and impedance/headroom requirements.
BRIGHT This is the normal INPUT (to us, anyway)—and while "normal" is a relative term—this setting would usually be the first
choice for most Passive instruments. As you might imagine, the BRIGHT selection offers a brighter, more detailed Tone and can also
give the impression of a more responsive or faster feel—which Passive Instruments might benefit from. This Input Mode would be
the choice anytime you're looking for a more present or forward sound with enhanced top end characteristics and a more detailed
spectrum of upper harmonics. While the name suggests that this position might be better suited to traditional or passive instruments,
don't be afraid to try BRIGHT for an exciting sound with Active Basses as well. Just keep in mind that the range of usable, unclipped
headroom on the GAIN control will be lower if you use BRIGHT with an active instrument. BRIGHT provides a snappy, alive sound
that has more bounce and clarity for vintage style basses that is really fun to play. The impression of headroom and more full-range
EQ curve of the BRIGHT Input creates a crisp, superbly clean sound with these more traditional instruments that will likely take them
down some new avenues. You may also want to use BRIGHT if the cabinets you're using don't offer high frequency horns or tweeters
and you're looking for more detail in the high end.
NORMAL provides a purposeful "Low-Fi" sounding alternative to the crisp and detailed sound of the BRIGHT Input setting. The
NORMAL input is also a great choice if your bass or cabinet (or both) leans toward being a little on the bright side or if you find the
STRATEGY to sound bright with other elements of your rig. A quick flip of the switch here and the STRATEGY is tuned to your playing
style or other aspects of your rig. NORMAL features a rounder, warmer Tone that is perfect for old school sounds and classic pas-
sive Basses. This setting may also be preferable for overdriven or clipped sounds as the less prominent top end will produce a more
musical clip and help avoid ratty or buzzy distortion characteristics. NORMAL can also provide a warmer sound for modern Basses
with higher output pickups, but will probably start to run out of headroom and break up sooner - possibly before you want them to. It
will not hurt the amplifier to run active instruments in the NORMAL Input and in fact, you may want to use this to your advantage in
certain musical scenarios. However, if you are looking for the most Hi-Fi tonal response and greatest headroom you will likely find
better performance by using the ACTIVE Input with modern Active Basses.
ACTIVE provides the proper padded Input sensitivity for instruments that incorporate an on-board preamp and/or pickups that utilize
active electronics. This jack can receive the highest signal level of the three INPUT choices before clipping begins in the preamp and
therefore provides the greatest headroom for these higher output instruments. EQ-wise, ACTIVE is voiced much like the BRIGHT
setting and provides the full spectrum of upper harmonics. This clarity and detail nicely reinforces the higher headroom nature of this
Input setting. While there is more headroom—and therefore ACTIVE requires a hotter signal to bring the whole amp to full power—
don't be afraid to try it for a different sound with passive Basses as well. One thing is for sure, you won't be running out of clean
headroom at the INPUT if you run your passive instrument in the ACTIVE setting. You can use this to your advantage when looking
for the cleanest possible sound with traditional Basses. Just keep in mind you may see higher settings on both GAIN and MASTER
than you're accustomed to in order to achieve the volume you want for this hyper-clean Tone.
This 3-position switch allows selection of three different Input configura-
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