Mesa/Boogie MARK VII Owner's Manual

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Owner's Manual

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Summary of Contents for Mesa/Boogie MARK VII

Page 1 Owner’s Manual...
Page 3 MARK VII™ continues to unveil it’s true worth.
Page 4: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS �� 1 PRODUCT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION �� 2 OVERVIEW �� 3 HELPFUL HINTS �� 5 THE CHANNELS �� 10 MODE SELECT �� 10 MULTI-WATT™ POWER SELECT �� 10 CHANNEL 1 �� 13 CHANNEL 2 �� 15 CHANNEL 3 ...
Page 5 Table of Contents GND/LIFT �� 30 CAB SELECT �� 31 USB PORT �� 31 HEADPHONES �� 31 SPEAKERS (OUTPUTS) �� 31 EFFECTS LOOP �� 32 MESA FTSW �� 33 MIDI �� 33 MIDI IN �� 34 MIDI THRU/OUT �� 34 STORE ...
Page 6: Important Safety Instructions
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Before attempting to use this apparatus, read and follow these instructions for proper use. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with a dry cloth, do not use any solvent such as benzene, naphtha or paint thinner on apparatus. Do not block any ventilation openings.
Page 7: Product Compliance Information
• This device may not cause harmful interference • This device must accept any interference received, including interference that cause undesired operation. Suppliers Declaration of Conformity for Mark VII Responsible Party Gibson Brands Inc. 209 10th Ave S Ste 205,...
Page 8: Overview
Now the culmination of all that innovation resides in your new amplifier, the MARK VII. More packed with fea- tures and Tone than even the milestone MARK FIVE, the MARK VII retains the best sounds of all these iconic amplifiers and adds a new one. From the model we leapfrogged – the MARK SIX – which provided a good working platform and proving ground, but ultimately, we’d surpassed, it was clear we had a MARK worth skip-...
Page 9 The MARK VII Mode’s harmonic content, more cut, more dynamic midrange kick, and tighter low end all add up to a menacing new sound joining the MARK Family that is more shredding than MARK and more vocal than Recto! The return of the MARK IIB’s Lead Mode in Channel 3 brings back the long-missed but not forgotten, more...
Page 10: Helpful Hints
Untreated) LINE OUT. Reverb enhances any tube amplifier, and the MARK VII has got it in Spades. Tube Driven, analog Spring Re- verb drenches the sound beautifully, and we’ve provided individual control over the mix for each of the three Channels.
Page 11 Thankfully we’ve had decades navigating these upper realms of performance, and your new amp benefits from that experience. Still, as you will hear many times throughout this manual, you don’t need to set the controls in their highest range to achieve great performance, and in fact, ignoring that practice may lead to tonal com- promises or annoyances that can otherwise be easily avoided.
Page 12 Buffers are small, af- fordable devices readily available through many reputable companies, including MESA/Boogie. Your Tone will be well-served if you employ one to mitigate any loss incurred by the addition of your Front-end processors and subsequent cabling.
Page 13 EQ WITH IQ! The Five-Band Graphic Equalizer on your MARK VII is not only an iconic piece of Rock History, it’s also an extremely powerful shaping tool that - more often than not - needs to be used intelligently and with restraint if you want to achieve a balanced, cohesive sound.
Page 14 amplifier has when not heavily manipulated with the Graphic EQ before passing judgment on, or passing by, less EQ’d sounds. This is true for all frequencies; however guitar is a midrange instrument, and much character and a large portion of the cut, impact, and definition needed to anchor your position in a mix is carried in the midrange frequen- cies.
Page 15: The Channels
ALWAYS replace your Fuse with the same type and power rating Fuse. In the US/Domestic MARK VII Simul Class model, the Fuse is a 4 Amp SLO-BLO Type Fuse. For export models, see the sticker under the fuse on the rear panel of your amplifier.
Page 16 90W SIMUL-CLASS™ This uppermost position engages all four power tubes to produce 90 watts (full power) of Simul-Class power. Our unique and patented Simul-Class, in short, wires two of the tubes (outside pair) in Class A/B and two of the tubes (inside pair) in Class A to arrive at the smoothest, sweetest, most harmonically rich “100-watt” power section on the planet.
Page 17 a more retro vibe, the 45-watt selection would be a great place to start. NOTE: For a bolder, brighter response in the 45-watt setting, try moving the speaker cabinet from the 8 OHM SPEAKER output over to the 4 Ohm SPEAKER output. The impedance will be a more correct match due to the fact you are using a different tap on the transformer and two fewer power tubes.
Page 18: Channel 1
For the best performance in live miked applications where either large sound reinforcement is in place, or you are capturing performances that involve footswitching between Channels set to different power levels in a studio, we suggest using the amplifier in either 90 Watts or 45 Watts wherever possible as opposed to the 25 Watt option, as there will be less change in voltage in the power section and therefore noise derived from potential voltage changes will be minimized.
Page 19 It occupies the middle zone between clean and overdrive, and for many players, it may prove the most useful Mode of all in the MARK VII. Knowing this fact, like FAT for clean work, we placed...
Page 20: Channel 2
This third Mode in Channel 2 makes an appearance for the first time on a Boogie here in the MARK VII. We toyed with the idea of calling it MARK SIX in tribute because there actually was a MARK SIX …in prototype form.
Page 21: Channel 3
Another great aspect of the MARK VII Mode that helps footswitchability is the fact that it sounds great for Heavy sounds without the need for the Graphic EQ engaged. This means you can dedicate the Graphic EQ to the Channel 3 Modes where scooping the mids and boosting lows and highs with the iconic “V”...
Page 22: The Controls
There are few amps that offer the flexibility of even ONE of the MARK VII’s three wildly versatile Channels, let alone contain the collection of powerful Modes in these three riding alongside each other here. Serious Tone...
Page 23: Gain
GAIN In all three Channels of the MARK VII, GAIN is royalty among the Controls. Regardless of what style you are looking toward, the setting of the GAIN determines the character, color, and shape of the sound, clean or dirty, bright or dark, thick or trim.
Page 24: Presence
clipping there and ensure better performance when going Direct in both Live and Recording applications. The most usable and well-behaved zone on the MASTER is found between 9:00 and 1:00. In this range there is plenty of room for adjustment in either direction (up or down in volume) with most preamp settings and it also provides a reasonable signal level for the CabClone’s Input stage.
Page 25: Mid
BASS The BASS is one of the easiest controls to operate on the MARK VII as it is largely independent in terms of controlling a frequency range within the preamp. What you hear is what you get. The only settings considerations are these:...
Page 26: Five Band Graphic Eq
This creates a wide, 3-D spread and delivers huge Crunch Rhythm performance from, obviously, the CRUNCH Mode found in Channels 1 and 2, the MARK VII Mode in Channel 2, and the IIC and IV Modes in Channel 3. PAGE 21...
Page 27: Engaging The 5-Band Eq
Controlling the EQ is done in each Channel individually in two ways, with the middle 2-position mini toggle in the stack of three on the left side of the Channel. You can choose 1) ON in the Channel or 2) Off/Footswitchable in the Channel when the MARK VII Footswitch is connected.
Page 28 Channels here in the MARK VII, can at times sound very strange while your ears adjust to the difference. On that note, when stylistically possible, try to avoid going down the rabbit hole in terms of the 750 Hz Slider.
Page 29: Reverb
50+ years of experience in what has made musicians happy to arrive at a balance of feature meets function. MESA FOOTSWITCH! You may also control the Reverb (on/off) via the MARK VII Footswitch, where there is a footswitch button provided for this function. When using the MESA Footswitch to switch your Reverb, the REV select mini toggle in the EQ cutout window must be set to the lower OFF/FS position to operate.
Page 30: Channel Select
There is not quite as much reverb depth available as in the CLEAN and FAT Modes in Chan- nels 1 and 2, but there is a little more available than in the CRUNCH and MARK VII Modes in those Channels.
Page 31: Power
When the switch is set to the lower 0/FS position, the Reverb is off, but it can be switched on and off via the REVERB button on the MARK VII Footswitch. The adjacent REV ON LED will illuminate when the Reverb is switched on and in the signal path for all 3 of the Channels.
Page 32: Rear Panel
™ match tubes in use The MARK VII’s Rear Panel is where all interfacing connections will be made except that of your instrument to the amplifier’s INPUT. Your speaker outputs, Direct outputs, both cabinet-simulated impulse response types for recording and/or live Front of House applications, as well as the unprocessed Line output for triggering external impulse responses, all will be made here.
Page 33: Fuse
MARK VII’s vast preamp versatility, along with the fact you can record or perform “silently” and safely with or without your favorite cabinet, puts the MARK VII in Top of Class. All that means you can capture your ideas more quickly and easily with far less in the way of your creativity.
Page 34 Factory loaded IRs in their original locations. To move or manipulate/replace Cab Files (the IRs): Turn the MARK VII ON (but leave it in Standby), connect it to your computer using the USB port, then view and/or manipulate the IR Files within the MESA IR Drive Folder and its 8 folders in accordance with your needs.
Page 35: Direct Out
IRs. And finally, perhaps one of the most valuable uses for the CabClone IR feature on the MARK VII lies in its use as a personal practice tool via headphones at home, backstage, or wherever you might want to apply its great tone and feel without necessarily having to share it with others.
Page 36: Cab Select
MARK VII before you buy …or at least save the purchase receipt and get acknowledgment from the retailer you can swap or return them in the event they do not perform as you had hoped.
Page 37: Effects Loop
Using this patch point usually ensures the best sonic performance as well as signal-to-noise ratio with your outboard processors. That said, it is important to point out that this is a critical junction in the MARK VII’s circuit path, and whatever is inserted here can have an effect on the overall performance of the amplifier.
Page 38: Mesa Ftsw
NOTE: If your processor has Stereo OUTPUTS – or is Stereo IN and OUT - connect the Mono connections of the processor to the MARK VII Loop’s SEND and RETURN. Most Stereo processors provide a Mono option on the Inputs and Outputs, and most times, though not always, the Mono signal is processed in the LEFT Channel.
Page 39: Midi In
This 5-Pin DIN jack sends and forwards MIDI information generated (like a Preset Dump) or received via external sources (like a foot controller or a Sequencer). If performing a Preset Dump from one Mark VII (using the MIDI THRU/OUT to another (using the MIDI IN), make sure both amplifiers are set to the same MIDI Channel via the MIDI CHAN rotary select.
Page 40: Mesa Footswitch & Midi Implementation
Footswitch is pressed, the STORE LED will flash once, indicating a button has been pressed. NOTE: Do not use the MARK VII Footswitch and a MIDI foot controller at the same time. Choose one or the other to control your amplifier, and DO NOT CONNECT THE JACK that corresponds to the switching method YOU DO NOT INTEND TO USE.
Page 41: Midi Input
MARK VII’s processor for interpretation. Whether from a MIDI foot controller, Sequencer, Librarian Software, or DAW, all MIDI messages sent to the MARK VII will be received here, and, if pertinent, appropriate action will be taken by its processor. The MARK VII can respond to MIDI Program Change and Control Change messages, and all MIDI messages are passed on via the MIDI THRU/OUT jack.
Page 42 PRE-STORE “RESET” REQUIRED: Continuing with MESA/Boogie’s tradition of robust toggle and rotary switches to select an amplifier’s Channel and other on/off functions, instead of the ever so common “plastic” momentary push-button switch, requires sophisticated software algorithms that allow MIDI to control the amplifier at the same time. The mix of these different control methods requires that some toggle and/or rotary switches be double-actuated before they will have an effect (and are allowed to be stored).
Page 43: Factory Presets
has Channel 1 selected, but Channel 2 is active/on as a result of a MIDI preset, and you would like to change to Channel 1, the amplifier’s CHANNEL SELECT SWITCH will need to be moved to the Channel 2 position, then back to the Channel 1 position, in order to activate it.
Page 44 PERFORM A FACTORY RESTORE IN THREE EASY STEPS: With the MARK 7 turned off, select CHANNEL 3, and set the EFFECTS LOOP, REVERB, and all three CHANNEL EQ switches to the ON position, then engage and hold the STORE SWITCH while powering up the amplifier.
Page 45: Midi Continuous Controller Assignments
MIDI CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER ASSIGNMENTS MARK 7 MIDI CC MIDI CC COMMENTS FUNCTION NUMBER VALUES Ch.1 & IR 0 - 7 Selects Channel 1 and CabClone IR Preset 1 - 8 Ch.2 & IR 0 - 7 Selects Channel 2 and CabClone IR Preset 1 - 8 Ch.3 &...
Page 46 PERFORM A USER PRESETS DUMP IN FOUR EASY STEPS: Connect the amplifier’s MIDI THRU/OUT jack to either the MIDI INPUT of another amplifier or that of a MIDI/USB Interface, in which case launch the MIDI app/utility you plan to use and make sure the USB Interface is connected to the computer.
Page 47: Midi Software Updates
SOFTWARE VERSION I.D. MESSAGE A very short MIDI SysEx message will follow every User Preset Dump file, as a simple means of identifying the amplifier’s Software Version. This MIDI SysEx message is ignored when a User Preset Load is being received. To view this MIDI SysEx message, you will need a computer, a MIDI/USB Interface, and a MIDI app/utility ca- pable of sending and receiving MIDI SysEx messages or files.
Page 48 Modes. Feel free to use these to get you in the ballpark stylistically, and as always, we greatly encourage you to use these as merely starting points for your own journey of discovery with the MARK VII. Please care for your new amplifier like you would any fine instrument of value, as if well taken care of, it is built to last and go the distance with you, providing many years of inspiration and enjoyment.
Page 49 PLAYER NOTES AND REMINDERS PAGE 44...
Page 50: Sample Settings
SAMPLE SETTINGS (WITHOUT GRAPHIC EQ) PERCUSSIVE CLEAN • FAT CLEAN • DRIVING BLUES CLEAN MKIIB CRUNCH MKVII MKIV REVERB POWER GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS STANDBY 0/FS 0/FS 0/FS 0/FS REVERB INPUT 0/FS...
Page 51 SAMPLE SETTINGS (WITH GRAPHIC EQ) BIG ROCK CLEAN • HUGE CRUNCH • SOARING SOLO CLEAN MKIIB CRUNCH MKVII MKIV REVERB POWER GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS STANDBY 0/FS 0/FS 0/FS 0/FS REVERB INPUT...
Page 52: User Settings
USER SETTINGS CLEAN MKIIB CRUNCH MKVII MKIV REVERB POWER GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS STANDBY 0/FS 0/FS 0/FS 0/FS REVERB INPUT 0/FS 80Hz 2200 6600 8 OHM 4 OHM SEND WARNING: TUBE GUIDE Unplug power...
Page 53 USER SETTINGS CLEAN MKIIB CRUNCH MKVII MKIV REVERB POWER GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS TREBLE BASS STANDBY 0/FS 0/FS 0/FS 0/FS REVERB INPUT 0/FS 80Hz 2200 6600 8 OHM 4 OHM SEND WARNING: TUBE GUIDE Unplug power...
Page 54: Diagnosing Pre-Amp Tube Problems
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 55 Pre-amp tubes don’t normally wear out as a rule. Therefore, it is not a good idea to change them just for the sake of changing them. If there isn’t a problem - don’t fix it. If there is no result from your substitutions, it may be possible that you have more than one problematic tube.
Page 56 MESA/Boogie amplifiers can handle 4 and 8 ohms effectively. Never run below 4 ohms in a tube amplifier unless you are absolutely certain that the system can handle it properly; this can cause damage to the output transformer.
Page 57 SERIES When you wire ( hook-up ) speakers in series, the speakers resistance ( as measured in ohms ) is additive - i.e. putting two 8 ohm speakers in series results in a 16 ohm load. NEGATIVE = POSITIVE = Speaker A = 8 Ohms Speaker B = 8 Ohms SERIES:...
Page 58 This is really just two sets of series wired speakers connected in Parallel. This is how you maintain a consistent load with multiple speakers. The importance of this is more evident when you have more than one cabinet to connect to your amplifier. This is when you need to figure out the loads and how to wire them up without applying too low of a resistance on the amplifier.
Page 59 WIRING SCHEMES...Ampliﬁer to Speaker Cabinets 8 OHM 4 OHM 8 OHM 4 OHM 8 OHM 4 OHM 8 OHM 4 OHM SPEAKERS SPEAKERS INTERNAL LOAD ACTIVE WHEN SPEAKER DISCONNECTED INTERNAL LOAD ACTIVE WHEN SPEAKER DISCONNECTED 8 Ohm Cabinet 4 Ohm Cabinet 8 OHM 4 OHM 8 OHM...
Page 60 WIRING SCHEMES...Ampliﬁer to Speaker Cabinets 8 OHM 4 OHM 8 Ohm Cabinet 8 OHM 4 OHM SPEAKERS INTERNAL LOAD ACTIVE WHEN SPEAKER DISCONNECTED 8 Ohm Cabinet 8 OHM 4 OHM 16 Ohm Cabinet 8 OHM 4 OHM SPEAKERS INTERNAL LOAD ACTIVE WHEN SPEAKER DISCONNECTED 16 Ohm Cabinet PAGE 55...
Page 61 PLAYER NOTES AND REMINDERS PAGE 56...
Page 62: Tube Guide
PAGE 57...
Page 63: Parts List
PAGE 58...
Page 64: Service Information
SERVICE INFORMATION • USA /CANADA CUSTOMER SUPPORT: For technical support, troubleshooting, tone questions, settings help and more... Call us at 707-778-6565, Monday-Thursday, 9AM-5PM Pacific time, or email us at service@mesaboogie.com. NOTE: If a Product Specialist is not available when you call (helping other customers), PLEASE leave a voice message with a phone number and a good time to call and WE’LL CALL YOU BACK! •...
Page 65 Thank you for trusting MESA/Boogie® to be your amplifier company and we wish you many years of toneful enjoyment from this handcrafted instrument.
Page 66 1317 Ross Street, Petaluma, CA 94954 USA • (707) 778-6565 • www.mesaboogie.com 23/01/13...

Mesa/Boogie MARK VII Owner's Manual

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