SWR Sound 350x Active Tone Control Section, SubWave Controls, SubWave Activator Switch

This remains true up to about the “2 o’clock” position. This position – a favorite for many users – brings out both the low end fundamentals 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 regis- ters 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.

SubWave™ Controls

Based on the circuit from SWR’s groundbreaking Mo’ Bass Soundstation, the SubWave™ on your 350x is a lightning-quick sub-octave wave engine with tracking superior to other models of sub-octave effects cur- rently on the market. In plain terms, it hears the note you play and immediately generates a signal one octave below it—all the way down to low “C#”, “C”, or even low “B” on some basses!

SubWave™ Activator Switch

Located directly above the SubWave™ Level Control, this is an illuminated push-button switch that acti- vates the SubWave™ effect. When engaged, the switch cap will illuminate in blue. Push once to engage, then again to disengage. (The SubWave™ effect can also be switched on and off via foot-switch; please see the heading titled “SubWave™ Footswitch” in the “Rear Panel Features” section later in this manu- al.)

SubWave™ Level Control

Once the SubWave™ effect is engaged, you can use this control to determine the amount of effect to be blended in with your original (“clean”) bass signal. Turning the control clockwise will increase the amount of effect, while turning the control counter-clockwise will decrease the amount of effect. When the control is set fully counter-clockwise to “MIN”, no effect will be heard, even though the effect is engaged and the Activator switch is illuminated in blue. This is normal. Also, when the control is set fully clockwise to “MAX”, the “clean” bass signal will still be present…along with plenty of sub-octave effect. As always, your ears and the desired musical application will be the best judge in setting this control.

(Keep in mind that the Bass Level control will have a significant impact on the perceived level of the SubWave™ effect as well, as it follows immediately after the SubWave™ in the signal chain. Please read below.)

350x • ACTIVE TONE CONTROL SECTION

Bass Control

The Bass control employs a shelving-type circuit and boosts or cuts the bass response + /–15dB, from about 30Hz to 100Hz. Starting at the control’s mid-position (“center-click”), turning the control counter- clockwise cuts the bass response, and turning the control clockwise boosts the bass response.

You’ll find that the Bass Level control will boost or cut the SubWave™ effect along with the “clean” bass signal. That’s because of the range of frequencies covered by this particular control. You can use both the Bass and SubWave™ Level controls to get a good balance between how much bass you want in your clean sound, and how much of a bass boost you want when engaging the SubWave™. Some users will want a significant boost, while others may be striving for a more consistent level (or “unity gain”). Again, let your ears and musical taste be the judge.

NOTE: Setting both the Bass and SubWave™ Level controls near or at maximum boost will increase the overall amount of bass in your signal VERY SIGNIFICANTLY! We’re all in favor of that, just so

6 • 350x OWNER’S MANUAL