Mesa/Boogie LoneStar Amplifier - Manual (Page 16)

PAGE 12
REAR PANEL:
(Continued)
FX LOOP: Series
The LONE STAR handles outboard processing by providing an on-board patch point between the preamp
and power section. This loop is wired such that the dry signal is in series with the effected (wet) signal. The circuit also incorporates
a
SEND LEVEL control allowing you to fi ne tune the output of the preamp circuit to match the input sensitivity of your processor
(or fi rst processor in a rack system). The EFFECTS LOOP circuitry
can be completely removed from the signal path with the HARD
BYPASS/LOOP IN mini toggle. This removes all associated loop
circuitry and two tubes from the chain and ensures the purest signal
path and maximum sonic performance when outboard processing is
not being used. The
SEND and RETURN jacks incorporate switching
elements so that you may use the LOOP IN selection and activate
the Front Panel OUTPUT and SOLO controls with nothing connected
to the Loop.
NOTE: The Front Panel OUTPUT and SOLO controls are both part of the Loop and therefore active only when the Effects Loop
is engaged. They are both part of the Return stage and will remain inactive as long as the loop bypass mini toggle is set to
HARD
BYPASS.
To connect your outboard processor(s) to the Effects Loop;
1.) Connect the SEND jack on the LONE STAR Rear Panel to your processor’s INPUT using a high quality shielded cable of the
shortest possible length.
2.) Connect the RETURN jack of the LONE STAR to your processor’s OUTPUT also using a high quality shielded cable of the short-
est possible length.
3.) Adjust the SEND LEVEL control on the Rear Panel of the LONE STAR to achieve an adequate match on the INPUT level indicator
of your processor. Adjust the processor Output level stage (hopefully your processor has an OUTPUT LEVEL control) to match the
volume present before connecting the device(s) to the
LONE STAR. You can check this by simply removing both the cables from the
SEND and RETURN simultaneously.
4.) Use the Front Panel OUTPUT control to raise and lower the overall volume as it is essentially an Effects Return Stage volume
control.
NOTE: It is normal to experience some amount of change to the sound when using the EFFECTS LOOP. Normally this is minimal
and most often appears as a subtle roll off in top end characteristics. This is a series loop and therefore the results you get using
it greatly depend upon the quality of the devices you insert into the loop. We strongly suggest taking your amplifi er and trying any
processor before buying it to make sure it is compatible with the
LONE STAR. Normally, the more professional series lines of most
companies building outboard gear work well. However we have seen even so called pro stuff produce less than satisfactory results
in terms of tonal thievery.
NOTE: Engaging the EFFECTS LOOP circuitry adds a substantial amount of circuitry and two tubes and this additional circuit re-
verses the phase of the entire amp. This is no cause for alarm and if we hadn’t told you of this, you probably would never have known.
Sonically there is no difference other than the incredibly subtle difference in the sound the circuit itself adds.
The only time you will ever need to consider this reversal of overall phase is if you ever run the LONE STAR in Stereo with another
amp (not another LONE STAR as it would be in phase with its Loop activated). In this case you would probably want to separate the
two amplifi ers by at least a few feet if not on the other side of the stage.
NORMAL
MIN
SEND LEVEL
First set sound with
LOOP bypassed. Then
set SEND & OUTPUT
to 50% for unity gain.
With LOOP IN, adjust
SEND to match FX.
Use OUTPUT for
RETURN level and
live volume control.
SEND RETURN LOOP
IN
HARD BYPASS
M
LONE STAR
TUBE LOCATIONS
1 x 5U4 4 x 6L6 1 x 5U4 4 x 6L6