Mesa/Boogie CLEARLINK BUFFER/BALANCED LINE DRIVER Owner's Manual
CLEARLINK
BUFFER / BALANCED LINE-DRIVER
Owner’s Manual
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
• Read these instructions.
• Follow these instructions.
• Heed all notes and warnings.
• Do not use this device near water.
• Clean this device only with a dry cloth.
• Keep these instructions for future reference.
• Damage to this device by improperly connected and/
or grounded equipment is not covered under warranty.
• This device contains no user-serviceable parts and in-
™
cludes components which are susceptible to damage
by electrostatic discharge (ESD).
• Be sure to use only a properly rated “wall-wart” power
adapter or universal pedalboard power supply, with
extra attention paid to the correct polarity, voltage and
current. Applying the wrong polarity, improper voltage
or insufficient current to this device may cause poor
and/or inconsistent tone, performance, and even damage! Refer to the CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS and
SPECIFICATIONS sections for more information.
• Do not defeat an amplifier’s safety ground - which is
provided by the 3-prong AC power-cord plug! Doing
so may not only be ILLEGAL, but it may also pose a
SHOCK or ELECTROCUTION HAZARD.
Congratulations on your choice of MESA/Boogie® and welcome to the MESA® Family! The same passion for excellence,
commitment to quality and dedication to customer satisfaction
is present in each and every product we make in our one-andonly shop in Petaluma, California, U.S.A. Rest assured that the
very same people that hand-build the finest amplifiers in the
world, also built your CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED
LINE-DRIVER and you have access to the same resources for
help that all our customers do. Call on us anytime and enjoy!
CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER
The CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER
targets the inability that many pedals, and even some buffers
have, which is to adequately drive a very long cable run to a
back-line amplifier.
The integrated line-driver circuit is capable of driving up to a
330ft/100m balanced or shorter unbalanced cable run, via standard XLR microphone or shielded 1/4” TS instrument cables,
respectively. A recessed and countersink protected side-panel
pot allows intently adjusting the output signal level reaching the
back-line amplifier, either directly (unbalanced) or balanced via
a CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/ISO TRANSFORMER.
Using the CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER in tandem with a STOWAWAY™ INPUT BUFFER resolves
the deep-rooted signal loss and inconsistent tone issues faced
by guitarists due to; capacitive loading, impedance loading and
mismatching, and changes to a pickup’s resonant frequency/
peak, as a result of varying effect pedals and interconnecting
cables. The two form an effects loop, which segregates the
guitar and amplifier from the variables on a pedalboard, easily
handles many pedals, interconnecting cables, and effortlessly
drives a long cable run to the back-line amplifier, either balanced or unbalanced. They accomplish this by providing the
two constants in every guitar rig, the guitar and amplifier, with
a resolute load and source, via the STOWAWAY™ and the
CLEARLINK™, respectively. As a result, the only variations in
sound and tone will be from the actual effect of the pedals on
the pedalboard, and not from a guitar or amplifier related loading or impedance mismatch issue.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS
It’s always a good idea to make any audio connections
with every piece of equipment in a guitar rig turned off,
or at least the amplifier volume(s) turned down, to avoid
loud bursts of sound from damaging speakers or other
components.
The CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER
should ideally be the last device connected to an amplifier’s input, unless of course the BALANCED output is being
used, and terminated with a CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/
ISO TRANSFORMER, which would then be the last device
connected to the amplifier’s input. And for optimal results
in the preservation of a guitar’s tone, allowing it to reach
an amplifier with steadfast consistency, a STOWAWAY™
BUFFER should ideally be the first device the guitar is
plugged into.
LED:
When illuminated, this blue LED indicates the CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER is powered-up
and ready to go!
LEVEL:
Adjusts the output level of the integrated line-driver
circuit, from Unity to +12dB. The pot is recessed and surrounded by an enclosure countersink for protection, ensuring
any adjustments are made with intent, using either a guitar pick
or small flat-head screwdriver.
IN:
This 1/4” phono jack is the input and accepts the signal
from the output of the last pedal on a pedalboard.
OUT:
This 1/4” phono jack is the output and provides a
buffered low-impedance signal from the integrated linedriver circuit. Connect this jack to the input of an amplifier
using a shielded 1/4” TS instrument cable.
Note: When using shielded 1/4” TS (tip & sleeve) instrument cables, always aim for the best quality and shortest
length possible.
WARNING: Do not use, or connect cables to, both the 1/4”
OUT and XLR BALANCED jacks at the same time.
BALANCED:
and provides a buffered low-impedance signal from the
integrated line-driver circuit that is balanced, for greater
noise immunity and signal integrity. Connect this jack to
the input of a CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/ISO TRANSFORMER using a standard XLR microphone cable up to
330ft/100m long.
9VDC IN:
ternal power supply jack and accepts a 2.1mm x 5.5mm
male barrel connector from a standard 9Volt DC “wall-wart”
power adapter or universal pedalboard power supply, with
a NEGATIVE CENTER polarity plug. Refer to the SPECIFICATIONS section for additional information.
9VDC THRU:
cepts a 2.1mm x 5.5mm male barrel connector and is
meant to “pass” the power received at the 9VDC IN jack,
onto a STOWAWAY™ INPUT BUFFER.
This 3-pin male XLR jack is another output
This standard female DC receptacle is the ex-
This standard female DC receptacle ac-
Note: An external DC “wall-wart” power adapter is not included.
WARNING: To avoid immediate damage to this device
and voiding the warranty, do NOT connect an AC-Voltage,
or ANY other DC-Voltage power supply to this jack, other
than that specified above and in the SPECIFICATIONS
section!
FAQ & HELPFUL HINTS
Can I use the CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED
LINE-DRIVER for my bass?
Yes you can!
I’m using a switched-mode power adapter/supply
(SMPS) and hear a high pitch “whine”, why is that?
Some of these SMPS adapters are noisier than others, especially those that aren’t from a reputable or brand-name
MI manufacturer. Another reason could be that you’re trying to run to many devices from a single adapter. Though
many of them have a high current output and tout being
able to power many devices, doing so can result in the
development and/or increase of noise, for some reason.
If this is happening, we recommend either trying another
adapter, or better yet - using a universal pedalboard power
supply with enough isolated outputs to power every device
on your pedalboard individually; better power = less noise
= more tone!
FAQ & HELPFUL HINTS continued ▶
What’s the maximum length of cable that the CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER can drive?
It’s capable of driving up to a 330ft/100m balanced
cable run to a CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/ISO TRANSFORMER with great noise immunity and signal integrity.
A shielded instrument cable run that is unbalanced would
need to be significantly shorter, with its maximum length
determined by the construction quality of the cable and/
or how “noisy” the venue is where the gear is being used.
As mentioned elsewhere; “...when using shielded 1/4” TS
instrument cables, always aim for the best quality and
shortest length possible…”
Why wasn’t a transformer isolated output provided, for
splitting or ground loop elimination applications?
A transformer isolated output was not included in the design for several very good reasons; (i) fact is, the noise
immunity and signal integrity provided by a specially designed and shielded audio isolation transformer at the end
of a long cable run is far more superior than that provided
by a transformer at the beginning, worst-case is it’s just as
good (ii) we know from previous buffer/splitter designs that
not everyone makes use of a transformer isolated output;
so instead of including a great, and very expensive transformer, and of course having to charge for it - we made
it optional via our passive CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/
ISO TRANSFORMER (iii) the primary design goal of the
CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER was
to provide one of the two constants in every guitar rig, the
amplifier, with a resolute source; simple, but very important (iv) pedalboard real estate - specially designed and
shielded audio isolation transformers are not small, so you
won’t see (or hear them) in any sub-compact buffers (v)
finally, experience has also taught us that a good number
of people who start off with signal splitting, soon wish or opt
for devices that provide them with the ability to split AND
switch each output on and off individually.
Can I plug my guitar directly into the CLEARLINK™
BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER, using it as an
input buffer at the start of my pedalboard?
Theoretically you could, but we have another device which
is much better suited as a guitar input buffer, the STOWAWAY™ INPUT BUFFER. It is a 100% discrete Class-A
circuit with an input impedance and other finely tuned characteristics which mimic that of a high quality tube amplifier, and it includes an RFI filter to minimize the possibility
of radio-frequency interference and noise. It presents a
dynamically ideal load to a guitar that remains steadfast,
resulting in a tone that is consistent, while still allowing the
guitar to breathe, live, and react - like plugging directly into
the front of a tube amplifier. Alternatively, we also have a
two-in-one device called the HIGH-WIRE™ DUAL BUFFER / OUTPUT BOOST which includes both circuits, plus
a boost and tuner mute.
Using the CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED LINEDRIVER in tandem with a STOWAWAY™ INPUT BUFFER resolves the deep-rooted signal loss and inconsistent
tone issues faced by guitarists due to; capacitive loading,
impedance loading and mismatching, and changes to a
pickup’s resonant frequency/peak, as a result of varying
effect pedals and interconnecting cables. They accomplish
this by providing the two constants in every guitar rig, the
guitar and amplifier, with a resolute load and source, via
the STOWAWAY™ and the CLEARLINK™, respectively.
The two form an effects loop, which segregates the guitar
and amplifier from the variables on a pedalboard, easily
handles many pedals, interconnecting cables, and effort-
lessly drives a long cable run to the back-line amplifier,
either balanced or unbalanced. As a result, the only variations in sound and tone will be from the actual effect of the
pedals on the pedalboard, and not from a guitar or amplifier related loading or impedance mismatch issue.
SPECIFICATIONS:
• Input Impedance: 1Mohm
• Buffer Design: High-Speed Low-Noise Op-Amp
• Output Impedance: 150ohm / 300ohm (Un / Balanced)
• Nominal Operating Voltage: 9VDC
• Maximum Operating Voltage: 12VDC
• Typical Current Draw: 10mA @ 9VDC
• DC Adapter (Optional): 2.1 x 5.5mm Barrel Plug,
Negative Center
• Weight: 0.425 lbs (193 g)
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 3.86 x 2.48 x 1.71 inch (98
x 63 x 44 mm)
NOTE: Device specifications are subject to change
without notice.
Application Diagrams are available at www.mesaboogie.com
CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER – SETUP #1
LEVEL GAIN
TONE
OVERDRIVE
9VDC THRU
9VDC INPUT
SEND
BALANCED
IN
CLEARLINK
BUFFER / BALANCED LINE-DRIVER
SPEED DEPTH
TONE MIX
INOUT
PHASER
LED
LEVEL
+12dB
UNITY
OUT
™
INOUT
COMPRESSOR
OUTPUT SENSITIVITY
9-18VDC
OUT
INOUT
STOWAWA
Y
™
INPUT BUFFER
IN
THE NEXT STEP IN TONE IMPROVEMENT
Adding a CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED LINE-DRIVER
also segregates the varying effect pedals from, and effortlessly drives, the long cable run to the back-line amplifier. Now the
two rig constants, guitar and amplifier, are provided with a
resolute load and source, respectively. This second step
results in the most consistent tone possible regardless of
what’s activated and/or bypassed between the two buffers.
16/05/25
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