LIMITER

The Limiter circuit prevents the signal from exceeding a preset level. The Limiter control sets the “threshold,” which is the level at which limiting begins to take effect. The Limiter LED will light to indicate that the signal has reached the limiter threshold and that the Limiter is now active. The Limiter is completely out of the circuit when the Limiter control is set to the “Off” position. Loss in volume caused by extreme limiting can be overcome by increasing the level of the Master Volume control.

Note: If the Threshold is set at maximum and still no limiting effect occurs, the Gain control is set too low and should be increased to a desired level.

AURAL ENHANCER

SWR’s Aural Enhancer control was developed to bring out the fundamental low notes of the bass guitar, reduce certain frequencies that help mask the fundamentals, and enhance the high end tran- sients. The resulting frequency response should be similar to that used for recording the bass in the studio. This effect becomes more radical as the control is turned to maximum. The result is a more “transparent” sound and is especially noticeable when “slapping” on the bass guitar.

Basically, the Aural Enhancer can be thought of as a tone-shaping control, as it is a passive R/C network that alters the frequency response throughout the bass spectrum. This pre-shaping is “blended” into the original signal via the Aural Enhancer control. Exact frequencies affected are dependent on the characteristics of the instrument used.

BASS CONTROL

The Bass control is a shelving-type tone control that cuts or boosts the lower or bass frequencies from mid-position. Starting at mid-position, turning the control counter-clockwise cuts the bass response and turning the control clockwise boosts the bass response. Shelving point for this control is 80Hz.

VARIABLE GRAPHIC EQUALIZER

Level Control (Slider)

The Level control slider cuts or boosts the frequency set by the Frequency control knob located directly beneath it. It is used in the same manner as a Graphic Equalizer. Starting at mid-position, moving the slider up or towards “+15” boosts the selected frequency, while moving the slider down from mid-position or towards “–15” cuts the selected frequency.

Frequency Control

The Frequency control selects the center frequency that will be cut or boosted by the Level control directly above it. If The Level control is at “0” or mid-position, moving the Frequency control will have no affect on the sound. The Frequency control covers a three octave range.

To better understand how the Level and Frequency controls work with each other, try the following example:

1.Set the Gain and Master Volume controls for listening level.

2.Set all tone and level controls at mid-position and turn all frequency controls fully counter- clockwise.

3.Strike the open “E” string on the bass and move the Level Control on the first band of the Equalizer to +15 (the Frequency control should be set at 40Hz, which is the fundamental that the open “E” string produces). The change in sound and pressure levels is a result of the fundamental “E” note being increased by approximately 15db.

SM-500 USER GUIDE • 5