Description
On the top row, you will find the clean section which is the foundation of your tone. It features a Gain control and an active 4 band EQ: along with Low and Treble controls, you will find Low Mids and Hi Mids controls, each knob with their own 2-way frequency switch.
On the bottom row, you will find the Microtubes Engine®, an extra channel that will bring your clean tone to the next level by helping you cut through the mix while adding anything from subtle, tube-like, harmonics and natural compression to obliterating distortion.
Front Panel Features
Input: Connect your instrument via a standard 1/4″ mono cable.
Passive/Active: Switch from passive to active mode. Some active basses can have a hotter signal output which can make the amplifier distort early (feel free to use it on Passive mode even with active basses if such additional distortion is desired).
Microtubes: Engages the Microtubes Engine™ to add natural compression, organic harmonic enhancement, and saturation ranging from mild overdrive to high gain bass rage. The Microtubes Engine operates before the clean section (you can, therefore, use the 4 Band Active EQ for additional tone shaping in addition to the Tone knob described below).
Drive: Sets the Microtubes Engine`s distortion level. Ranging from soft, warm overdrive to devastating saturation plus everything in between.
Tone: Controls the high harmonic content of the Microtubes Engine via a variable low pass filter: crank it up for additional attack and definition or dim it down for a smoother sound. This is handy when running bright EQ settings or cabinets with tweeters.
Level: Controls the Microtubes Engine`s output volume.
Blend: Mixes between the Clean and Distortion signals (Microtubes Engine).
B3K/VMT: Selects between two overdrive circuits: B3K mode will deliver an aggressive, percussive sound while the VMT will bring up the mids for a warmer, more neutral character.
Gain: Changes the volume of the signal driving the Active 4 Band EQ. You can set it low for cleaner tone or set it higher for more aggressive growl.
Bass: +-12dB at 80Hz. Changes the low content of the signal.
Low Mids: +-12dB of the selected frequency via the LOW MIDS f switch (described below).
Low Mids f: Use this switch to change the frequency of the low mid band between 250Hz and 500Hz.
Hi Mids: +-12dB of the selected frequency via the HI MIDS f switch (described below).
Hi Mids f: Use this switch to change the frequency of the hi mid band between 1.5kHz and 3kHZ.
Treble: +-12dB at 5kHz. Changes the high content of the signal.
Master: Controls the overall volume of the amplifier. This control does not affect DI output or effects loop level.
Mute: Mutes the amplifier.
Footswitch: The Footswitch jack allows you to remotely engage and disengage the Microtubes Engine via our Intelligent Footswitch (sold separately). Hold the footswitch to Mute the amplifier. The VMT/B3K push button will remain operational with the Intelligent Footswitch plugged in.
* Use a regular mono instrument cable to connect the amplifier to the footswitch.
* Remove the cable from the footswitch jack in the rear panel if you want to control the amp from the front panel.
* The Microtubes 500 will only work with our proprietary Intelligent Footswitch or Super Intelligent Footswitch (both sold separately). A generic Footswitch will not work with the Microtubes 500.
DIMENSIONS
23.2x19x7.3 mm (9.13×7.48×2.87 in)
