Overview: Rear Panel
The first feature of note starting at the far left is the Series, Fully Buffered, FX LOOP. This is the interface point for outboard processing
and it provides a junction between the preamp and power section. The LOOP performs well with both Rack and Pedal type outboard
gear with the obvious exceptions being those effects that work better on the INPUT of an amplifier (Wah, Compression, Gain and
Overdrive Pedals, Envelope Filters, etc.). Since it is buffered, you can use multiple units in line and relatively longer lengths of cable
(25 feet or less) before hearing too much degradation in signal. Lengths longer than 25 feet may warrant including an additional
Buffer or Line Driver to preserve your Tone. Though it goes without saying, we’ll say it here anyway. The MARK FIVE: 35, despite its
compact size, is a professional amplifier. Use high quality, professional Effects Processors when interfacing to your FX LOOP or the
likelihood of diminished performance and poor sound quality will be increased.
HEADPHONES
The FIVE: 35 features a HEADPHONES Output for personal enjoyment of the amplifier when it is not possible
to play through a speaker. This jack derives its “speaker simulated” signal from the included CabClone™ D.I. feature and delivers a
surprisingly good rendering of the FIVE: 35’s sound and feel to your headphone set of choice. The playing volume is determined by
the MASTER control and you will need to adjust the volume there, as this circuit is passive and has no op-amp driven volume control.
Remember that headphones can vary greatly in both sound and efficiency and therefore the performance of the HEADPHONE jack
can be optimized or compromised by the headphones connected to it. We recommend trying a few sets of different types and manu-
facturers with the MARK FIVE: 35 before choosing headphones for this application. In our tests, we’ve found that lower impedance
Headphones tend to offer the best performance in terms of available output and Tone.
The SPKR ON/OFF switch allows you to play the amplifier safely through headphones while making no sound through the connected
SPEAKER OUTPUTS. This switch also allows for Direct Recording without a “live” speaker via the CabClone™ Balanced XLR Out-
put. The built-in CabClone™ Load Resistor is activated in the SPKR OFF position of the toggle switch and thus protects your output
transformer from damage due to a “no-load” scenario. In this position only the HEADPHONES output OR the 3-pin XLR OUTPUT have
signal present. You cannot use the HEADPHONE Output AND the XLR Output at the same time as the signal is switched internally
via switching elements in the HEADPHONE jack. This is necessary to achieve the proper impedance match at each of these outputs
and protect the integrity of the sound. Use the SPKR. OFF position of the switch when you wish to play the amplifier late at night
“silently”, or any time you want to play or record without disturbing others.
ALL-TUBE, SPRING REVERB
Next up is the REVERB section, which offers individual control for the REVERB MIX in each
Channel. This allows different amounts of the all-tube, long-spring analog Reverb to be dialed in for each of the FIVE: 35’s two Chan-
nels. Anything from a subtle background ambience to a fully drenched effect can be dialed according to taste and musical style and
the inclusion of this traditional analog spring Reverb further underscores the professional feature set of this MARK model.
SPEAKER OUTPUTS
The MARK FIVE: 35’s SPEAKER interface is also taken straight from the 6L6 powered MARK FIVE
and offers our time tested 1x8 Ohm and 2x4 Ohm SPEAKER OUTPUT jacks. This combination enables proper impedance matching
with a wide range of cabinet options and speaker load impedances and ensures you’ll have great performance regardless of your
cabinet choices.
e CabClone™ D.I.
And last but DEFINITELY not least is possibly the coolest feature ever to grace a MESA Rear Panel, the
on-board CabClone™ D.I. and Cabinet Simulation feature. This built-in magic recording solution allows you to capture a wonderful
representation of the sound and feel of the MARK FIVE: 35 direct to a Console, without the need to mic up a speaker.
Taken directly from our acclaimed stand-alone CabClone™, this compensated D.I. (and HEADPHONE Output) does an incredible
job of capturing the signal from the SPEAKER OUTPUT and turning it into direct injection gold. The four elements here allow for use
with a live speaker or without, so you can blend the direct signal and a mic’d speaker cabinet if you so desire. The CabClone™ sec-
tion features switches for SPEAKER Status (ON/OFF), CABINET Style (CLOSED BACK/OPEN BACK/VINTAGE), GROUND (LIFT/
GROUND; Pin 1 Float) and an XLR BALANCED Output. This array of controls comprises perhaps the most valuable and welcome
feature set on any MESA amp and greatly expands both the functionality and enjoyment potential in both live and recording applica-
tions. The MARK FIVE: 35 is the second of our amplifiers to include this powerful tool (after the MARK FIVE: 25) built right in for speedy
and convenient capturing of this MARK’s sound without sacrificing authenticity and Tone.
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