SWR Sound 2X10C - Manual (Page 6)

6 • WORKINGMAN’S 2X10C
GAIN CONTROL
The Gain control adjusts the volume of the preamp section. Since the Gain control is similar to a "pad," a small amount of signal will
be heard even with the Gain control rotated fully counter-clockwise ("MIN") if the Master Volume is up.
After all EQ settings and the Aural Enhancer are set, the Gain control should be raised until the preamp clip LED barely flashes when
your loudest note is struck. This will insure maximum signal to noise ratio and prevent unwanted clipping of the preamp section.
NOTE: The Gain can serve as an EFFECTS SEND LEVEL ADJUSTMENT. If your effect is being overdriven, turn down the Gain con-
trol and readjust your Master Volume for overall loudness.
PREAMP CLIP LED
The preamp clip LED will light whenever the preamp, tone section or output buffer reach clipping (run out of headroom). In the event
the clip indicator lights, turn down the Gain control. Since this circuit monitors the tone controls, boosting any one of them can cause
the clip LED to activate. Once again, you may leave the tone control at its desired level, but turn the Gain control down further.
NOTE: Even though the Preamp Clip LED lighting indicates that at some point the preamp is clipping, no harm is being done to
your amplifier. However, clipping of the power amp can cause damage to your speakers and is not recommended.
AURAL ENHANCER
The Aural Enhancer is a feature that's been on just about every SWR amplifier since the company's inception in 1984, and is a trade-
mark part of the "SWR Sound" people have come to know and love. It was developed to help bring out the fundamental low notes of
the bass guitar, enhance the high-end transients, and reduce certain frequencies that help "mask" the fundamentals. The ultimate
result is:
1. A more transparent sound, especially noticeable when slapping and popping.
2. It can make a passive bass take on an "active" type of quality when set at positions of "2 o'clock" or further clockwise.
Let's take a second to learn how the Aural Enhancer works. Think of it as a variable tone curve that changes depending on where you
set the Aural Enhancer control knob. As you raise the control clockwise from the "MIN" position, you are elevating a whole range of
sound (lows, mids, and highs) at a variety of frequency points selected specifically because they're different than those selected for
the individual Tone Controls.
This remains true up to about the "2 o'clock" position. This position − a favorite for many users − brings out both the low end funda-
mentals and crisp highs and, at the same time, adds a little lower midrange to help cut through the band. However, if you go further
clockwise and past the 2:00 position, selected mids will start to drop off
− specifically, a group of frequencies centered around 200
Hz. At this point and after, the effect becomes much more pronounced. However, the curves involved here are gentle, as opposed to
the very extreme curves you can create by boosting or cutting the Active Tone Controls (EQ).
Most significantly for basses, the Aural Enhancer will help bring out the fundamentals of your lower registers without masking them
with overtones, as is possible when using the Bass control only. At the same time, it opens up the sibilance characteristics of all
instruments without being harsh.
Obviously, numbers and curves and circuits all mean nothing compared to what you hear with your own ears. Play a chord, a repeated
lick, or a harmonic, and turn the Aural Enhancer control to various points on the knob to hear the effect for yourself. As always, your
ears are the best judge when it comes to settings that affect the tone of your instrument.