Balanced Output jack is the same as when in the DIRECT position, with one important exception: the SubWave™ is present. What’s the benefit of this setting?
We’ve found that most people who use effects pedals prefer to use them in front of the amplifier. In other words, they run their bass into the effect pedal’s input, then from the effect pedal’s output into the front of their amplifier. In live applications where sound reinforcement is required, often times the front-of-house engineer will take a direct signal from the bass itself (via either a direct box, or the Balanced Output of your amp set to the DIRECT position) and use that signal as the main bass sound to the house P.A. This way, if the bassist sets the amplifier’s EQ controls in a way to his liking, but in a manner not conducive to a good bass sound for the house P.A., the front-of-house mixing engineer still has a nice, flat bass signal to work with, and then he can EQ the bass sound for what’s best in the room. And, more relevantly, he would still get the sound of any effects pedal that was placed in front of the amplifier.
The DIRECT + SUB position provides this exact function for the Balanced Output. It always contains the sound of your bass signal just after the first tube stage, and will also contain the SubWave™ effect when engaged without also sending EQ settings that may not be right for the house P.A. (or a studio mixing con- sole). You can always include all of your EQ settings (plus the SubWave) at the Balanced Output by setting the three-position switch to the LINE position. But thanks to the DIRECT + SUB position of this switch, it’s not a necessity that you do so just because you want the SubWave™ present at the Balanced Output.
Note: You can still use the SubWave™ Level control to set the amount of sub-octave effect present at the Balanced Output when in the DIRECT + SUB mode; however, it will also affect the level pre- sent at the speaker outputs as well. Also, though the Gain control will not affect the level of the “clean” bass signal present at the Balanced Output when in DIRECT + SUB mode, it WILL affect the level of sub-octave present. This is normal, and occurs because the SubWave™ circuit is locat- ed after the first stage of the preamp tube and is blended back into the signal specifically for this special mode of the three-position switch. We recommend that you set the Gain and SubWave™ Level controls in accordance with previously mentioned instructions, and the gain structure should fall into place fairly automatically.
Wiring for the XLR jack at the Balanced Output is as follows: Pin 1 = ground, Pin 2 = + (plus), Pin 3 = – (minus) (American Standard)
Note: Turn off transients appear at the Balanced Output when the amplifier is shut down. We rec- ommend that equipment being used in conjunction with the Balanced Output be turned down, off, or disconnected BEFORE the 350x is turned off.
XLR Mode Switch (Line/Direct/Direct + Sub)
This three-position switch determines the signal present at the Balanced (XLR) Output jack as described in the section directly above. In simple terms:
1.Direct = pre-EQ and SubWave™, post-first tube stage
2.Line = post-EQ and SubWave™
3.Direct + Sub = pre-EQ/post-first tube stage blended with SubWave™
Make sure the switch is set either to full left, full right or center to avoid an intermittent condition.
XLR Pad Control
This control sets the level present at the Balanced (XLR) Output. Turning the control counter-clockwise reduces the overall level, while turning the control clockwise boosts the overall level. It should be noted that turning the control fully counter-clockwise to “Min” does not fully defeat the signal. This is normal, as the XLR Pad is designed to provide a range of usable levels to be sent to a front-of-house or studio mixing console.
