SWR Sound SM-1500 - Manual (Page 6)


Congratulations on your purchase of the SWR® SM-1500™ bass
amplifier!
The SM-1500 builds on the tradition of innovation estab-
lished by SWR founder Steve W. Rabe in 1984. In response
to the advice and suggestions from the top L.A. recording
bassists of the day, who wanted their live sound to be every
bit as great as what they heard in studio playback monitors,
Rabe developed an entirely new concept for bass instrument
amplification; and the “SWR Sound” was born.
The PB-200™ was the first tube preamp/solid state power
hybrid bass amp and featured the now classic SWR pream-
plifier and Aural Enhancer™ circuitry. It was a product that
started a revolution in bass amplification and offered crystal-
clear, high-fidelity tone in live performance and recording
situations.
The next leap in SWR’s evolution came in 1985, with the
introduction of the now legendary SM-400™ amplifier. This
was the first true stereo bass amp with a stereo effects loop
and inputs for both passive and active instruments. The now
industry standard 4x10 Goliath, the first full range speaker
enclosure for bass that featured a high frequency tweeter, fol-
lowed in 1987.
In 1991, our never-ending quest for more power and profes-
sional features led to the creation of the SM-900™; one of
the most requested bass amps by both concert promoters
and backline companies worldwide. In 1993, the SM-400
was upgraded to the SM-400S™ and further refinements and
improvements in the platform led to the SM-500™ in 1999.
True to SWR tradition, the SM-1500 is an innovative product
that is the result of decades of research and design experi-
ence, coupled with direct input from the world’s greatest
recording and touring bassists. In the SM-1500, we have com-
bined the extensive feature set from our SM family of ampli-
fiers; including stereo and bi-amp capabilities, with a stag-
gering amount of power: 750 watts per side in dual mono or
stereo operation, or 1500 watts @ 4 ohms bridged to mono.
In addition, we have added our popular Bass Intensifier™
circuit; (a boost circuit great for soloing); and a tube-driven
compressor, which can be engaged before or after the EQ
section of the amp. The SM-1500 is simply a remarkable piece
of engineering as well as an incredibly powerful and versatile
tool for the serious bass player.
We are confident you will enjoy your SM-1500 for many years
to come and we thank you for “Stepping Up” to SWR.
Your new SM-1500 Professional Bass Amplifier offers the perfor-
mance, power and SWR® tone that professional bassists of every
playing style demand:
• Twin power amps with three modes of operation
• Bridge (mono) mode—1,500 watts @ 4-ohms
• Stereo mode—750-watts @ 2-ohms (per side)
• Bi-Amp mode—with adjustable crossover frequency
• Tube preamp fueled by a 12AX7 dual triode tube
• Two front panel inputs plus one rear panel input with input select
switch to accommodate multiple bass guitar setups
• World renowned SWR® Aural Enhancer tone shaping
• World-class Compression with Comp Position selection
• Four Footswitch selectable features
• Bass Intensifier for maximum impact
• Boost to accent solos
• Three Semi-Parametric Equalizer configurations—choose from
two independent 3-band Eq's or combine them into one 6-band
Eq
• Stereo/mono Effects Loop with Effects Blend control
• Traditional Bass/Treble tone controls
• Speakon® and 1/4" speaker outputs
• Balanced XLR output with Line, Comp Output and tube Direct
modes, plus Level control, Phase and Ground Lift switches
SM-1500 Bass Amplifier