SWR Baby Baby Blue Operating Instructions Manual page 15

MASTER VOLUME CONTROL
The Master Volume control adjusts the level being sent to the power amplifier in your Baby Baby Blue—it
controls the overall volume of the unit. Turning the control counter-clockwise reduces the overall level,
while turning the control clockwise boosts the overall level.
Two notes: The Master control never affects the level present at the various audio output jacks on the
rear panel—it only affects the level being sent to the power amplifier, and subsequently, your internal
speaker and extension speaker output only. Also, losses caused by external effects units can be
recovered by increasing the Master control.
POWER AMP CLIP LED
The power amp clip LED will illuminate when the internal power amp reaches "clipping," meaning it has
run out of headroom. If this LED lights more than occasionally, the Master Volume should be turned down.
Constant clipping of a power amplifier can lead to overheating of the electronic components, and can
cause serious harm to your speaker system! (It also sounds pretty bad.) Speakers that have failed due to
continuous clipping of a power amplifier are easy to detect and are generally not covered under warranty.
Once again, to correct this situation, turn down the Master Volume.
BABY BABY BLUE – REAR PANEL FEATURES
BALANCED (XLR) OUTPUT
The Balanced XLR out is a true electronically balanced output, suitable for studio and "front-of-house"
(live) mixing consoles. The level present at this output can be adjusted by using the XLR Pad control (see
the "XLR Pad Control" section below for more details). The signal appearing at the Balanced Output is
governed by the setting of the two-position XLR Mode switch located directly below it (Line/Direct).
In the DIRECT position, the Balanced Output signal comes from directly after the first stage of the
specially-selected 12AX7 preamp tube, giving you the sound of your instrument and some added warmth.
In other words, it becomes an active TUBE direct box. In this position, no front panel controls are
functional.
In the LINE position, all front panel controls are functional except the Master Volume control, and the
signal is essentially the same as that heard through your speaker system. If you are using an external
effects device in the effects loop, that signal will also be present when in the LINE position (dictated by
the setting of the Effects Blend control on your Baby Baby Blue). When in this position, the output level
will be affected by the Gain control on the front panel as well as the XLR Pad control. It's worth noting
that changing the level of the Gain control will affect the signal present at your speakers, the Effects Send
jack, the Line Out jack, and the Balanced Output, while the XLR Pad control affects the level present at
the Balanced Output only. For this reason, it's usually better to set your Gain control in accordance with
the directions in the "Gain Control" previously listed in the "Front Panel Features" section of this manual,
and to use the XLR Pad control to set the level specifically for the Balanced Output.
Wiring for the XLR jack at the Balanced Output is as follows:
Pin 1 = ground, Pin 2 = + (plus), Pin 3 = – (minus)
(American Standard)
Note: Turn off transients appear at the Balanced Output when the amplifier is shut down. We recom-
mend that equipment being used in conjunction with the Balanced Output be turned down, off, or dis-
connected BEFORE the unit is turned off.
XLR MODE SWITCH (LINE/DIRECT)
This two-position switch determines the signal present at the Balanced (XLR) Output jack as described in
the section directly above. In simple terms:
1. Direct = pre-EQ, post-first tube stage
2. Line = post-EQ, pre-master volume
BABY BABY BLUE • 15