Instant Gratification & Helpful Hints - Mesa/Boogie SUBWAY D-800 Owner's Manual

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The SUBWAY® D-800™ begins with the front panel input section, which is comprised of the INPUT jack, MUTE switch and ACTIVE/
PASSIVE switch. The INPUT jack feeds a high impedance monolithic J-FET input amplifier which provides appropriate loading to the
pickup, and isolates the switching circuitry from the high impedance signal path. The MUTE switch silences the signal from the INPUT
jack to the SPEAKER output, HEADPHONE output and DI output for silent tuning with a tuner connected in line with the instrument.
Tally (indicator) LEDs are provided for all switched functions.
The preamp section includes a precision 4 pole high pass filter to block unwanted sub-sonic signal, an additional monolithic J-FET
variable gain stage using carefully tuned anti-saturation technology to prevent momentary sticking of the signal to the supply rails,
instantaneous recovery and a more tube-like feel when driven hard into non-linear territory. An O/D (over-drive/overload) LED is
provided to give visual indication of when the preamp is being overdriven.
Tone shaping on the SUBWAY D-800 includes a VOICING control that modifies the amplifier's response from a more flat like curve to
a more vintage curve by modifying and shifting the frequency response in all regions with a simple turn of the knob. The signal then
feeds the 4-Band Equalization section which consists of a LOW FREQUENCY shelving band, two MIDRANGE FREQUENCY peak/
dip bands, and a HIGH FREQUENCY shelving band. It is suggested that you first experiment with the VOICING control to "rough in"
the overall response (or voice) that you are looking for, and then adjust the 4-Band Equalization to "polish up" the tone.
Finally, there is a MASTER volume control which sets the overall volume after the EQ. The combination of positions between the
INPUT gain and MASTER volume, along with the signal strength from your bass (which is also affected by your playing style and
touch) allows for a wide range of tones, from shimmering clean to moderately overdriven and everything in between.
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On the rear panel, you will find the power switch, and the AC mains inlet on a standard IEC "C14" connector. It is important for the
mains power to be grounded/earthed for safety as well as EMC/EMI reasons.
Next are parallel connected NL-4 SpeakOn™ connectors, which are wired with the amplifier positive to terminal "1+" and the amplifier
negative to terminal "1-". All cables with NL-2 connectors (2 pole) will be wired this way.
The SUBWAY D-800 is equipped with a HEADPHONE output, which will drive all common headphones and IEM ear pieces between
8 and 32 ohms. It's advisable to use caution whenever sticking a sound source in your ear as damaging volume is possible, especially
when volume is factored over a long period of time. There is also an AUX input, this TRS jack properly sums left and right channels
from an MP3 player, i-device, or laptop as many of these new devices do not contain adequate build out resistors for proper sum-
ming. The signal injection point is right before the master volume control, you can use the player's volume control to balance the level
between your bass and the playback device.
A feature that sets your new SUBWAY D-800 apart from the rest of the market is the inclusion of a studio grade XLR balanced DIRECT
OUTPUT, complete with PRE-EQ/POST-EQ signal routing, MIC/LINE level, and pin 1 GROUND LIFT switches. Circuit attributes
include full phantom power protection, high RFI immunity and tolerance to reasonable ground potential differences.
INSTANT GRATIFICATION
is "plug and play". Start with the MUTE switch down (mute off), the ACTIVE/PASSIVE switch down (passive pickup), INPUT gain
control turned off, VOICING control in the "flat" position, the 4 EQUALIZER controls in the "flat" (12:00 straight up) position and the
MASTER volume control in the 1:00 position. Plug your bass in, and turn the INPUT control up until you reach your desired volume.
Now, gradually rotate the VOICING control clockwise towards the vintage position and stop when you achieve the basic amp voicing
that you are looking for. The more clockwise, the greater the low end boost, mid cut (frequency also shifts as the control is rotated)
and a mild treble boost. Then, EQ to taste.
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The SUBWAY D-800 is about the easiest amp on the planet to get great sound from... it really
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