To the left of the Pre EQ’s 2 & 3, you'll notice the "Gain Boost Ch. 2 & 3", "Structure" and the "Plexi"
switch. Similar to the "Gain Boost Channel 1" switch, the "Gain Boost Ch. 2 & 3" switch is linked directly
to the Boost 2 button on the foot controller. Remember if the foot controller or optional Medusa is hooked
up keep the "Gain Boost Ch. 2 & 3 switch on "L". As with Channel 1, if the "Gain Boost 2 & 3" switch is set
to "H", the foot controller will be bypassed for this function. The switch is there so that if you are without
your foot controller, in the studio for instance, you can use the Gain Boost function.
The Plexi channel is voiced to please players who love that wide open 60's British sound. Plexi is a lower
gain channel than Lead. Like the older amps it emulates, the louder you turn it up the better it sounds. As
you can see, the plexi channel can be assigned to either Ch.2 or Ch.3. This enables you to keep intact
your favorite dirty channel, 2 or 3, and kick back and forth between plexi and your favorite channel.
Note: structure switch and Gain Boost 2 & 3 switch are inactive for Plexi. >>>
Some players use the Plexi Channel as their crunch channel, and Channel 2 as their highest gain
channel. Other players like the Plexi and Channel 3 for lead. Different situations call for different sounds.
With your Ecstasy, you'll have them all.
The Structure switch is an overall gain reduction switch for Channels 2 & 3. In the "L", or low position,
both channels 2 & 3 have a lower gain starting point. Obviously, in the "H" position, the preamp will be
higher in gain, overall. The Structure switch was designed with your blues and country gigs in mind.
Everything we've talked about so far, gain, tone shaping and such, have been Preamp Functions. Now
let's talk a little about where the signal goes from the Preamp.
If the FX Loop Button on the foot controller is off, the preamp signal flows from the Vol. 1, 2 & 3 controls
into the power amp section. Naturally, you will want to get a balance between the three channels. Do this
now with the Vol. 1, 2 & 3 controls (the channel masters).
If you want to put an effect in the loop, plug a shielded cable from the Send jack on the rear panel to the
input of your effect, and another shielded cable from the out of the effect to the Return jack. If the effect
has "level" switches, set them to "+4". Tap the Loop button on the foot controller. You will notice that the
yellow "FX loop indicator" light under the "presence B" knob on the front left panel will come on. You have
a knob on the left rear panel with the words "Master Vol." under it. Slowly bring up the "Master Vol" Knob.
You should now hear your effect. In series mode use the balance control in your effect to balance dry
signal with effected signal. The Master Vol. now is the Power Amp (return) Volume, and it only works if
the loop is on. The Master Vol. knob allows you to match Loop on and Loop off volumes. Switch Loop off,
listen to the volume, then switch Loop on and match that volume with Master Vol. Of course, watch the
input level on your effect. If the input LED’s are in the red, turn down the input of the effect, and reset
Master Vol. The Loop button on the Rear panel is there to switch the loop in and out if you're for some
reason without your foot controller. If there is no effect in the Loop, Foot controller or not, the Loop button
on the Rear panel must be set to "off", or the circuit from pre to power amp is open.
If you switch your Ecstasy to the parallel loop mode (located between send and return jacks), the signal
flow is a little different. The dry preamp signal will always flow directly to the power amp. The effected
signal will be added to or "blended" in with the dry signal. The knob on the left rear panel is called the
"Mix" control. The further clockwise you turn the "Mix" control, the more effect you'll hear. Now your guitar
signal has come back from your effect, through the Loop return and Master Vol. control, (or has been
blended through the "Mix" control), and is entering the Power Amp section of the Ecstasy.
There are several ways to alter the operation of the Power Amp section.
First, there's the optional "Power amp Class A/AB" switch (rear panel, right side). In the "A" position, the
power amp is operating in Class "A" mode. Many old amps which are highly prized and very collectable
use Class A operation. Class A is a very inefficient, yet incredibly sweet sounding way to run a power
section. >>>
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