The Modes In Depth: Channel 1 - Mesa/Boogie MARK 5 THIRTY-FIVE Owner's Manual

THE MODES IN DEPTH: CHANNEL 1

CLEAN
As discussed in the previous section, this is the lowest gain of the three Channels in the MARK FIVE: 35 and will cover
all your "more-stripped", brighter needs for clean rhythm and solo styles as well as slightly driven chording sounds. As with the Modes
in each of these two MARK Channels, we start with the slimmer, tighter voice of CLEAN, move up the girth scale to FAT, and finally to
the higher gain, mid-saturated architecture of CRUNCH... the ultimate "crossover Mode" and bridge between the vintage architecture
of CLEAN and FAT and the modern gain circuits of Channel 2. Let us state again; it took no small feat of engineering to include both
traditional CLEAN Modes and this "in-between" CRUNCH Mode on the same row of Controls here in Channel 1 and have the right
tapers on critical Controls with a seamless response and feel. Any of these three would stand proud as the ONLY Mode on many
"Boutique" amplifiers, but you get all three here in this mid-power rendering of the MARK Series.
CLEAN is derived from a blend of our best MARK series clean sounds taken from the MARK IV and is perfect for rhythm comping
in an ensemble environment where the guitar has to fit in a defined spot in a complex mix. It is also extremely accurate in the time
domain and has a balanced blend of tight low end to the sparkling, immediacy of the top end. This mode also clips great in the 10
watt Power Mode with its well balanced, tight, urgent nature.
CLEAN puts emphasis on tight, focused clean rhythm and articulate single note playing. This mode has the greatest clean headroom
of any mode in the amplifier, and though it can be pushed to clip at extreme settings (4:00–5:30), it will remain tighter and somewhat
stiffer than it's FAT counterpart when used for this application. The good side of this stiffness is that the BASS control can occasion-
ally be set higher than when going for clipped sounds in FAT - because the overall personality of CLEAN is stripped of the sub-low
frequencies that can be a challenge when looking for aggressive threshold rhythm sounds.
CLEAN works very well for aggressive, brash clipped chording sounds too, especially when the Power Select switch is set to 10 watts
and the PRESENCE is run a bit higher (1:00 - 2:30). Check out this region for Punk or super-fast Classic Rock rhythm styles where
you need aggressive almost-clean sounds that will start and stop instantaneously.
CLEAN shines for chording and arpegiated single-note work with its crystalline top end sparkle, urgent attack and high harmonic
openness. With the low end tucked up higher it adds fullness, but doesn't go too low, so it won't get "too big" or sluggish and get in the
way when a groove calls for precise, rhythmic note durations. CLEAN is amazing for skanky Funk rhythm or burning Country picking.
The midrange frequencies are also a bit higher in frequency in comparison to the FAT Mode, enabling CLEAN to deliver a percussive
attack that stays tight and has maximum impact in a range that cuts and "protects its territory" in a complex mix. Playing with these
higher mids can be a powerful way to shape the CLEAN mode as the role they play either brings the sound forward—even in the time
domain, making it seem faster—or lends a recessive, more relaxed quality to the sound... making it feel slower. Experiment with the
BASS and MID controls as you will learn to tune the attack, width and girth of the sound in CLEAN to match the style and tempos
you play most.
FAT
FAT stands in sharp contrast to CLEAN with a big breathy bottom end that extends down into the sub-low region (as much as
these little EL84s can deliver anyway). This adds "air" to the entire spectrum but especially the bottom and top end get more bubbly
and spatial. This sound relies heavily on architecture from the INPUT 2 of our original MARK I. FAT excels at big, featured chording
parts and single note clean soloing and is also a great choice for clipped sounds (with the BASS control set low) in the 10 and 25
Watt Power Modes.
FAT is in every way opposite to the tight, bright voice of CLEAN. This circuit pays homage to the early Black Face '60s era circuits
pioneered by Leo Fender and this classic voice has become tightly interwoven into the fabric of classic Rock and Blues sounds.
Sweet shimmering highs that soar up where angels fly, yet ring with bell-like authority low enough for you and the rest of the band to
appreciate with cut and presence. Proud mids that are punchy and tight, yet are low enough to carry weight and add girth. Big, airy
lows that start at the center of the earth and bring the biggest fundamental possible from these little power tubes and get the party
started in a hurry. These qualities produce an easy to play feel on the strings that invite you in...coaxing you to play your best and of
course... with soul.
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