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MESA ENGINEERING Triple Crown TC-100 Owner's Manual

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Summary of Contents for MESA ENGINEERING Triple Crown TC-100

  • Page 1 Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 3 Hello from the Tone Farm Congratulations on your choice of the TRIPLE CROWN™ and welcome to the MESA/Boogie® Family! The instrument you’ve selected has a deep heritage that combines the best attributes of vintage tube amplification with pioneering innovation that brings high-gain channel switching performance to a new frontier.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents PRECAUTIONS OVERVIEW ____________________________________________________________________________________ 1-4 GETTING STARTED _____________________________________________________________________________ 4-5 HELPFUL HINTS _______________________________________________________________________________ 5-6 FRONT PANEL GAIN _________________________________________________________________________________________ 6-7 MASTER _______________________________________________________________________________________ 7 PRESENCE _____________________________________________________________________________________ 7 TREBLE ______________________________________________________________________________________ 7-8 MID __________________________________________________________________________________________ 8-9 DRIVE/TIGHT ___________________________________________________________________________________ 9 BASS ________________________________________________________________________________________ 9-10 MULTI-SOAK™ ATTENUATOR ____________________________________________________________________ 10 OUTPUT &...
  • Page 5 Table of Contents MIDI OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FEATURES ____________________________________________________________________________________ 20 POWER-UP ____________________________________________________________________________________ 20 MESA FTSW ___________________________________________________________________________________ 20 MIDI INPUT ____________________________________________________________________________________ 20 MIDI THRU/OUT ________________________________________________________________________________ 20 MIDI CHANNEL ______________________________________________________________________________ 20-21 USER PRESET _______________________________________________________________________________ 21-22 USER PRESET DUMP & LOAD ____________________________________________________________________ 23 MIDI CONTROL CHANGE NUMBERS ______________________________________________________________ 23 SOFTWARE UPDATES __________________________________________________________________________ 24 SOFTWARE VERSION SysEx MESSAGE ___________________________________________________________ 25 TRIPLE CROWN FACTORY PRESETS ______________________________________________________________ 25...
  • Page 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

  • Page 7: Overview

    Operating Instructions Overview: Introducing the Triple Crown™ TC-100™, arguably the most fully evolved amplifier to date emanating from the “other side of MESA” which has spawned such Rock classics as the Dual Rectifier® Heads, the TransAtlantics®, the Royal Atlantic™ and the Electra-Dyne™. This 3 Channel platform covers all sounds and styles ranging from sweet, bouncy Cleans with a fat bottom end to mid gain Crunch with attitude, through singing late 70s Lead sounds and all the way up to grinding walls of modern high gain, all containing gorgeous harmonic content and touch sensitive dynamics.
  • Page 8 FRONT VIEW: TRIPLE CROWN™ TC-100™ SOLO MULTI MULTI MULTI CLEAN SOAK ™ SOAK ™ SOAK ™ TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT POWER SOLO PRES MASTER GAIN PRES MASTER GAIN PRES MASTER GAIN STANDBY OUTPUT BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE NORM NORM NORM INPUT CLEAN...
  • Page 9 three Channel’s already great sounds. In Channel 1 DRIVE shines for howling Blues single note Soloing and edge-of-clip chording by pushing the sound into the threshold of saturation and adding midrange attack. In Channel 2 TIGHT brings the low end into focus and creates a more articulate response that’s perfect for Blues soloing in the lowest gain range and amazing Nu-Metal Chording in the higher ranges.

  • Page 10: Getting Started

    HEADPHONE JACK The TRIPLE CROWN features a HEADPHONE Output for personal enjoyment of the amplifier when it is not possible — or you don’t want to — play through a speaker. This stereo ¼” jack derives its “speaker simulated” signal from the on-board CABCLONE™...

  • Page 11: Helpful Hints

    8. Flip the STANDBY to the ON position and enjoy the ride! INSTANT GRATIFICATION In case you haven’t yet played your new amplifier, below is just one example of the many ways to set up the Channels. This example demonstrates a pristine Clean sound in Channel 1, a heavy Crunch Rhythm in Channel 2, and a burning high gain lead tone in Channel 3.

  • Page 12: Front Panel

    • In both Channel 1 and either of the two Gain Channels, (we recommend Channel 2 as its not quite as saturated), dial up sounds you like and then use the Multi-Soak™ rotary to explore the different wattage selections. Work with the MASTER control to experi- ment with both the playing volume and also what the MASTER does in terms of allowing additional “power drive”...

  • Page 13: Master

    the MASTER in it’s highest range (above say 1:30 – 2:00), it is possible to blend in power overdrive and consequently reduce preamp GAIN to arrive at some really nice blends of the two types of saturation. This approach can be especially effective for more traditional single note solo sounds from an era where preamp drive had not yet been discovered (by MESA in the first MARK I Boogie®).

  • Page 14: Mid

    In all three Channels the middle region of the TREBLE delivers the best balance and creates sounds that are plenty bright enough but still rich and warm. We suggest that you start with the TREBLE at 12:00 and adjust up or down slightly until the desired blend is achieved.

  • Page 15: Drive/Tight

    note solo sounds in Channel 3 will be lightning fast and deadly accurate and certainly will be heard by all, as they will have a definite point of origin in the bar line. One suggestion, or maybe more of a word of caution… the MID control contains frequencies that can be a little tough on the ears if not used with some discretion.

  • Page 16: Multi-Soak™ Attenuator

    down (GAIN 9:30 – 12:00) and things get tighter, there is a need for the rich low-end air that is created by the BASS control. When the gain saturates things as it’s cranked up (GAIN 12:00 – 5:30), the notes thicken up and less bass is needed to create girth until - at a certain point - the bass frequencies start to slow things down and can even get in the way for some styles.

  • Page 17: Power

    SOLO The SOLO feature enables a pre-settable boost in volume to be engaged by either the SOLO button on the included Footswitch or by storing it “ON” under a MIDI program number. It is essentially an additional OUTPUT control that is wired in series and can achieve levels above that of the setting on the OUTPUT.

  • Page 18: Rear Panel

    3. Wait AT LEAST 30 Seconds, preferably longer, for tubes to warm up. 4. Flip STANDBY to ON NOTE: This Cold Start Procedure is an important part of ensuring maximum tube life and reliability. Like a light bulb, the most wear occurs in the instant (short period, first few seconds) voltage is first applied.

  • Page 19: Solo Switch

    You can utilize the REVERB in three ways, “on” all the time, manually activated using the included Footswitch and engaged automati- cally under MIDI Programs. In the REV ON position the circuit is active all the time and the REVERB controls determine the dry/wet blend of each Channel. In the OFF/FTSW Position, the REVERB circuit is off until triggered on with the REVERB Button on the included Footswitch or via a previously written MIDI program.

  • Page 20: Speakers

    can have an effect on the overall performance of the amplifier. The Effects Loop is a Series Loop, meaning that the entire signal goes through it, unlike a Parallel Loop where a percentage of the unaffected pure signal is taken around the Loop. Therefore, the quality of the devices used in the Loop and their performance is criti- cal to achieving the best sound and performance from your amplifier.

  • Page 21: Spkr On/Spkr Off

    NOTE: We do not recommend using two 4 Ohm cabinets as this will present a 2 Ohm load to the Output transformer and put undue strain on it as it was not designed for this application. The ONLY time it is safe (but NOT RECOMMENDED), to run the amplifier with no Load connected to a SPEAKER Output is when you are using the CABCLONE™...

  • Page 22: Line Out

    natural tube compression and bouncy feel you are used to hearing through your cabinet. Granted, the speaker cabinet shapes a lot of what you hear when playing your amp live, but the CABCLONE™ circuitry does an impressive job of retaining much of the experience of playing live through a cabinet and in trade, allows you to skip the hours and sometimes frustrating chore of mic-ing up your rig.

  • Page 23: Closed Back/Open Back/Vintage

    of well known producers, engineers and players would beg to differ with you. Taken directly from our acclaimed stand-alone CABCLONE™ D.I. unit, this speaker-compensated D.I. XLR Balanced Output (and HEADPHONE Output) does an incredible job of capturing the signal from the SPEAKER OUTPUT and turning it into direct-injection gold.

  • Page 24: Cabclone D.i. (Xlr Output)

    three-dimensional sound with accentuated brightness. This position works well for clean work and overdriven rhythm applications where a brighter, “faster”, more urgent response is in order. The upper CLOSED BACK Mode is voiced to deliver a similar response to a closed back 4x12 with British-style 60 watt speakers and pays tribute to our Rectifier®...

  • Page 25: Midi Thru/Out

    Connect the other end of the 6-Pin DIN cable to the similar jack on the TRIPLE CROWN Footswitch. The STORE LED will illuminate briefly and at least one of the footswitch LEDs should light up upon connection of the TRIPLE CROWN Footswitch. If not, unplug the cable and try connecting it again making sure the pins are properly aligned.

  • Page 26: Midi Operating Instructions

    MIDI OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FEATURES • Intelligent Footswitch control • Works with all Midi Footcontrollers • Up to 256 presets can be saved in memory • Quick and easy User Preset Dump and Load • Painless programming via amp toggle switches •...

  • Page 27: User Preset

    MIDI CHANNEL SELECTION Rotary DIP Selected Rotary DIP Selected Switch Position MIDI Channel Switch Position MIDI Channel USER PRESET The amp can receive Midi messages from any Midi Footcontroller. By saving different presets, or “patches” for different Midi Program Change Numbers, you can automatically recall a saved preset by sending the correct Midi Program Change Number from your Midi Footcontroller.

  • Page 28: User Preset Dump & Load

    A preset cannot be saved under the following conditions; • The TRIPLE CROWN Footswitch is connected to the MESA FT.SW. jack. • On power-up and/or when the amp has not yet received a Midi Program Change Number. • A User Preset Dump was received, whether successful or not, and the amp has not received a subsequent Midi Program Change Number.

  • Page 29: Midi Control Change Numbers

    MIDI CONTROL CHANGE NUMBERS In addition to supporting Midi Program Change Numbers, the amp also accepts Midi Control Change Numbers (messages... also known as Midi Continuous Controllers or CC messages). When using a Midi Footcontroller capable of sending CC messages, you can assign buttons on the Footcontroller for direct-control or instant-access to individual functions on the amp, which allows any Midi Footcontroller to act as a dedicated TRIPLE CROWN Footswitch.

  • Page 30: Software Updates

    SOFTWARE UPDATES Software updates should be performed with the amp in STANDBY, and the Midi THRU/OUT and MESA FT.SW. jacks, left unconnected. To perform a software update, you’ll require a firmware update file (which can be obtained from us via the web or e-mail), a computer, a Midi/USB Interface, and a Midi app/utility capable of sending and receiving Midi SysEx files (the two free ones that we recommend are SysEx Librarian by www.snoize.com for Mac users and Midi-OX via www.Midiox.com for Windows).

  • Page 31: Software Version Sysex Message

    SOFTWARE VERSION SysEx MESSAGE A short Midi SysEx message will follow every User Preset Dump, as a simple means of ID’ing the amp’s Midi interface software version. To view this message, you’ll need a computer, a Midi/USB Interface, and a Midi app/utility capable of sending and receiving multiple Midi SysEx messages in succession (the two free ones that we recommend are SysEx Librarian by www.snoize.com for Mac users and Midi-OX via www.Midiox.com for Windows users).
  • Page 32 MULTI-SOAK™ FACTORY SAMPLE SETTINGS POWER CLIP; REASONABLE SOLO MULTI MULTI MULTI CLEAN SOAK ™ SOAK ™ SOAK ™ TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT POWER SOLO PRES MASTER GAIN MASTER GAIN MASTER GAIN PRES PRES STANDBY OUTPUT BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE NORM NORM NORM...

  • Page 33: Factory Sample Settings

    FULL POWER FACTORY SAMPLE SETTINGS POWER CLIP; REASONABLE SOLO MULTI MULTI MULTI CLEAN SOAK ™ SOAK ™ SOAK ™ TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT POWER SOLO PRES MASTER GAIN MASTER GAIN MASTER GAIN PRES PRES STANDBY OUTPUT BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE NORM NORM...

  • Page 34: User Settings

    USER SETTINGS SOLO MULTI MULTI MULTI CLEAN SOAK ™ SOAK ™ SOAK ™ TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT POWER SOLO PRES MASTER GAIN PRES MASTER GAIN PRES MASTER GAIN STANDBY OUTPUT BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE NORM NORM NORM INPUT CLEAN TC-100 SOLO MULTI...
  • Page 35 REST AREA PAGE 29...

  • Page 36: Tube Troubleshooting Guide

    TUBE NOISE & MICROPHONICS: You may occasionally experience some form of tube noise or microphonics. Certainly no cause for alarm, this quirky behavior comes with the territory and the Tone. Much like changing a light bulb, you don’t need a technician to cure these types of minor user serviceable annoyances and in fact, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to cure tube problems...by simply swapping out a pre-amp or power tube! First may we suggest that you set the amplifier up on something so that you can get to the tubes comfortably without having to bend...
  • Page 37 DIAGNOSING PRE-AMP TUBE PROBLEMS: Because your amplifier is an all tube design, it is quite possible that you will at some point experience minor pre-amp tube noise. Rest assured - this is no cause for alarm and you can take care of the problem yourself in a matter of minutes by simply swapping tubes.

  • Page 38: Speaker Hookup Guide

    SPEAKER IMPEDANCE MATCHING & HOOK-UP GUIDE: IMPEDANCE: Wiring up speakers to provide the most effective load and making sure that all of them are in phase will help in creating the best sound possible. This is not too difficult, as long as you understand a few things about loading and how to connect your speakers to provide an optimal resistive load.
  • Page 39 SPEAKER IMPEDANCE MATCHING & HOOK-UP GUIDE: (Continued) PARALLEL: When wiring in parallel, the resistance of the speakers decreases. Two 8 ohm speakers wired in ( hooked-up ) Parallel results in a 4 ohm load. It’s easy to calculate the effect of a resistive load when all the speakers are all the same resistance. It is really not suggested to wire different resistive load values in Parallel ( 8 and 4, 16 and 8 etc.
  • Page 40 WIRING SCHEMES...Amplifier to Speaker Cabinets SPKR SPKR 4 OHM 4 OHM SPKR 8 OHM SPKR 8 OHM SPEAKERS SPEAKERS 8 Ohm Cabinet 4 Ohm Cabinet SPKR SPKR 4 OHM 4 OHM SPKR 8 OHM SPKR 8 OHM SPEAKERS SPEAKERS 8 Ohm Cabinet 16 Ohm Cabinet SAFE MISMATCH SAFE MISMATCH...
  • Page 41 WIRING SCHEMES...Amplifier to Speaker Cabinets SPKR 4 OHM SPKR 8 OHM SPEAKERS 8 Ohm Cabinet 8 Ohm Cabinet SPKR 4 OHM SPKR 8 OHM SPEAKERS 16 Ohm Cabinet 16 Ohm Cabinet PAGE 35...
  • Page 42 WIRING SCHEMES...Amplifier to Speaker Cabinets SPKR 4 OHM SERIES SPKR 8 OHM *optional accessory SPEAKERS 4 Ohm Cabinet 4 Ohm Cabinet SPKR 4 OHM PARALLEL SPKR 8 OHM *optional accessory SPEAKERS 8 Ohm Cabinet 16 Ohm Cabinet 16 Ohm Cabinet PAGE 36...
  • Page 43 WIRING SCHEMES...Amplifier to Speaker Cabinets SPKR 4 OHM SERIES SPKR 8 OHM *optional accessory SPEAKERS 16 Ohm Cabinet 8 Ohm Cabinet 8 Ohm Cabinet PAGE 37...

  • Page 44: Tube Task Chart

    PAGE 38...

  • Page 45: Parts List

    PAGE 39...
  • Page 47 This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B device pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
  • Page 48 17/11/21...

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