Owner`s manual

PAGE 3
To handle virtually any speaker cabinet scenario the STRATEGY is fitted with 5 SPEAKER OUTPUTS capable of handling a variety
of impedance loads. 2 x 4 OHM, 1 x 8 OHM and 2 x 2 OHM Outputs ensure that you can always find an impedance-correct match
regardless of your cabinet choices.
Next up is the D.I. OUTPUT, which provides a standard XLR interface to mixing consoles for both live and recording environments.
The signal here is derived from either your unaffected Bass (PRE) or the culmination of all your settings in the STRATEGY preamp
(POST) depending on your selection at the Front Panel PRE/POST switch. The valuable D.I. LIFT switch next door allows you to “float”
the Circuit Ground from Chassis Ground to reduce noise into a Console when the Ground references are different.
From there we find the buffered Series FX LOOP that allows seamless interfacing of your high quality outboard processing. Try to use
outboard processing of the same caliber as your amplifier. Ignoring this advice will likely result in compromised sound. The Loop is
a critical junction/impedance crossroads point between preamp and power and to put inferior foreign objects in the signal path here
will produce Tone of the lowest common denominator.
Directly adjacent to the LOOP jacks is the LOOP EXT. SWITCH jack which provides a standard ¼” interface to a master (usually midi)
switcher or a single button tip-to-ground footswitch and allows for remote on/off control of the LOOP feature. This switchjack is handy if
you don’t have or don’t want the optional STRATEGY Footswitch as it allows control of just the 9-Band Graphic with a single latching
footswitch. Some players may want only this feature on a small pedal board and this jack accommodates that mindset.
Next you’ll find a pair of jacks for the SLAVE and TUNER Outputs. The SLAVE jack provides a 1/4” output for capturing the sound of
both preamp and power section tonality right off the SPEAKER OUTPUTS to send on to additional power sections and cabinets for
truly coliseum grade rigs.
The SLAVE LEVEL control is located on the upper Tube Deck, just above and to the right of the Rear Panel LOOP jacks. Always begin
with the SLAVE LEVEL on “0” (off) to avoid overloading of the destination amplifier - and your ears! Remember, once a signal has
been taken from the SLAVE it cannot be re-inserted back in to the same STRATEGY or a feedback loop (producing an unpleasant
squeal) will occur. Also, the SLAVE IS NOT recommended for connection to Consoles as its level may be too hot and its Tone will most
surely not. There is no speaker emulation here! The SLAVE is for Power Reinforcement to drive additional speaker cabinets for large
venues. It is not intended for Live PA or Recording applications. Use the D.I. OUTPUT for all Console interfacing needs.
The buffered TUNER output captures your instrument and preps it for the long journey to the front of the stage or just upstairs to the
top of your amp. The optional STRATEGY Footswitch has a buffered TUNER OUTPUT jack routed through it’s cable from the built-in
DIN jack so you can place your Tuner at the front of the stage and not need to run another cable down to your pedalboard or stage/
microphone location.
Finally, a MESA first—a pair of two-position SET BIAS switches and adjacent recessed trim pots reside on the rear Tube Deck labeled
OPERATE and SET BIAS. The SET-BIAS position allows you to check and set the correct bias yourself for each half of the power
section quickly and easily when replacing power tubes. There’s no need to take the amp to a technician when it’s time to change
tubes as this bias method is completely user-serviceable and it’s easy to dial in the important bias setting on these big KT-88s just
right—by yourself!