Effects Loop Parallel / Series | Marshall Amplification MF350

MODE FOUR Rear Panel Features - see panel page 70

ENGLISH

1. MAINS INPUT

Your amp is provided with a detachable mains (power) lead that is connected here. The specific mains input voltage rating that your amplifier has been built for is clearly marked on the back panel. Before connecting for the first time, please ensure that your amplifier is compatible with your electricity supply. If you have any doubts, please get advice from a qualified person. Your Marshall dealer can help you in this respect.

2/3. SPEAKER OUTPUTS

The MODE FOUR Head has two speaker sockets for connection to either 1 or 2 external cabinets.

Always use a non-screened Marshall approved heavy duty speaker lead when connecting an extension cabinet to these units.

Please refer to Cabinet Options Section (page 10), for full details on choice of cabinet(s) and how to correctly connect them.

4. FOOTSWITCH

Connect the supplied six-way LED footcontroller here. When the footcontroller is connected you can select the amp’s four modes by either the front panel switches or the footcontroller. In addition to allowing you to switch between the amp’s four modes – CLEAN, CRUNCH, OD1 and OD2 – the footcontroller also facilitates REVERB on/off and SOLO on/off switching.

NOTE: Always tighten the screws on each end of the footcontroller’s cable to ensure correct operation.

5. TUNER OUT

This where you connect the input of the tuner you're using.

TONE TIP: For ‘silent’ tuning engage the MUTE switch on the front panel (14).

6.LOAD PROTECTION CIRCUIT ACTIVE LED

The MODE FOUR is designed to produce its maximum rated power of 350 Watts into an 8 Ohm load.

Using a load of less than 8 Ohms could damage the MODE FOUR and loudspeaker cabinet.

If you use the MODE FOUR with a load of less than 8 Ohms the LOAD PROTECTION CIRCUIT will become active, there will no longer be sound, and the LOAD PROTECTION CIRCUIT LED will light (please refer to the Cabinet Impedance Section - page 10).

EFFECTS LOOP (PARALLEL / SERIES)

To increase the flexibility of your MODE FOUR even further you may choose to connect external effects units to the built-in Parallel to Series FX LOOP. The effects loop allows direct connection of either floor pedals (stomp boxes) or rack processors. The FX LEVEL switch (8), provides the correct operating level to match your external effects device(s) (+4dB for rack units and -10dB for pedals). The amount of the chosen effect you add to AMP 1 and AMP 2 is determined by their respective FX LEVEL controls.

Since the MODE FOUR’s FX LOOP is parallel, it means that the direct (‘dry’) signal is not passed through the loop and that your all- important tone is not at risk of being degraded by being sent through any external devices. Only a relatively small amount of signal is sent to the processor being used.

When either of the effects level controls are turned up full, the FX LOOP of that AMP becomes a Series Loop. This means that the entire signal is sent through the loop.

FX LOOP TONE TIP 1: As a rule, effects involving Distortion or Wah are not used in an FX loop; they’re normally connected between the guitar and amp. They were specifically designed for use in front of the amp and, as a result, sound best when used that way. Time based effects such as Chorus, Flange, Reverb and Delay are best suited for Parallel FX loop use. This said remember, THERE ARE NO RULES so if you think your Wah and Fuzz pedals sounds best in the FX loop then go for it!

FX LOOP TONE TIP 2: When using time based effects such as Delay, Chorus, Flange and Reverb in the FX LOOP, for optimum performance the direct signal in the processor should be set to zero so that only the effect signal is returned to the amp. Doing this

ensures the most effective control of the effect level (via FX LEVEL Control 11 & 24) and that the tonal integrity of the amp’s direct (dry) signal is unimpaired in any way by the processor.

FX LOOP TONE TIP 3: When using an effect such as Noise Reduction in the FX LOOP you’re going to want it to work on the whole signal so the FX LEVEL of each AMP should be turned up full so that the loop becomes a Series one.

FX LOOP TONE TIP 4: If you decide to use a stomp box in the FX LOOP, unless the unit has a Dry/Wet mix control (or is a stereo device that has an output that only carries a ‘wet’ signal), in order to make the effect sound its best you’re probably going to have to set the FX LEVEL Controls on maximum, or very close to it. Remember though, by doing this you are putting the tonal integrity of the MODE FOUR at risk because you’re sending the entire signal through the effect box(s) being used. Let your ears decide what’s good and what’s not!

FX LOOP TONE TIP 5: Always use high quality, screened patch cables . . . and the shorter the better. Long cables can reduce top end and overall punch.

FX LOOP TONE TIP 6: If the processor being used has an input level control, ensure that it is set correctly.

7. FX RETURN Jack

This is where you connect the output of the external effects device you’re using. As already stated, the amount of the chosen effect you’ll hear on AMP 1 and AMP 2 will be determined by how you set their respective FX LEVEL controls on the front panel.

8. FX LEVEL Switch

This switch allows you to select the correct operating level for the effects unit you’re using. As a rule the +4dB setting (switch in) is for rack devices and the –10dB setting (switch out) is for pedals (stomp boxes).

9. FX SEND Jack

This is where you connect the input of the external effects device you’re using.

RECORDING / D.I.

OUTPUTS

10.EMULATED LINE OUTPUT Jack and XLR

Thanks to our critically acclaimed speaker emulation circuitry, the line level signal these outputs carry is perfect for both live and studio applications. As the EMULATED LINE OUT circuit is pre-MASTER Volume, it means it still operates when the MODE FOUR’s MASTER volume control is turned all the way down – making ‘silent’ recording possible. The signal from both of these sockets is muted when the TUNER MUTE switch (14) is engaged.

ENGLISH