Mesa-Boogie M 2000 User Manual

M

ESA

OOGIE

B

BASIS M 2000

OWNER'S MANUAL

The Spirit of Art in Technology

1317 Ross Street Petaluma, CA 94954

USA

Hello from the Tone Farm...

Congratulations on your choice of the BASIS M-2000 as your amplifier and welcome to
the MESA/Boogie family! As a discriminating player you probably know that you have
purchased the most comprehensive instrument for amplifying bass that is available. What you
might not realize is that this entitles you to all the experience, resources and commitment our
twenty-five years of service to musicians world wide has to offer. Our responsibility is to help
you sound great! So, if at any time you feel you need help or direction, we are here for you...a
phone call away.

BASIS M 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Precautions

Overview Page #
FRONT PANEL Description

Initial Set-Up

Output Level Control (Adjusting Listening Level)

Select Instrument Inputs

VACUUM TUBE CHANNEL
Set Rotary Tone Controls & Graphic E.Q. Setting Mini-Toggles
Set Compressor, Threshold & Frequency Set Listening Level

Set Bright & Normal Switch 9 Band EQ

Compressor

Connect Speaker / Foot Controller / Choose Switching Logic

1
2

2
2

3
3

4

4

FIELD EFFECT CHANNEL
Set Rotary Controls & Graphic E.Q.

Tunable Bass Control Set Mini Toggles
Set Compressor Threshold & Frequency Set Master Control

Set Bright Normal Switch 9 Band EQ Compressor

Settings Thus Far Mix Mode Select Mix Mode Blend Control

Mixing A Distortion & Clean Sound

Graphic E.Q. Mix Assign

REAR PANEL Description

Channel Select

Footswitch Function Assign

Balanced Output / Balanced Level
Footswitch Control

4 & 5

5

5

6

7

8
8

9
9

9

9 & 10

9

Effects Loop
Speaker Out

External Select Fuse A.C. Receptacle

Sample Settings...Personal, Field Effect Ch. and Vacuum Tube Ch.

Parts Sheet

10 & 11
11 & 12

12

13 - 14 - 15

16

Your MESA/Boogie Amplifier is a professional instrument. Please treat it with respect and operate it properly.

USE COMMON SENSE AND ALWAYS OBSERVE THESE PRECAUTIONS:

Do not expose amplifier to moisture, rain or water, direct sunlight
or extremely high temperatures.

Always insure that amplifier is properly grounded.
Always unplug AC power cord before changing fuse or any tubes.
When replacing fuse, use only same type and rating.
Avoid direct contact with heated tubes.
Insure adequate air circulation behind amplifier.
Keep amplifier away from children.

Be sure to connect to an AC power supply that meets the power
supply specifications listed on the rear of the unit.

If there is any danger of lightning occurring nearby, remove the
power plug from the wall socket in advance.

To avoid damaging your speakers and other playback equipment,
turn off the power of all related equipment before
making the connections.

Do not use excessive force in handling control buttons, switches
and controls.

Remove the power plug from the AC mains socket if the unit is to
be stored for an extended period of time.

Do not use solvents such as benzene or paint thinner to clean the
unit. Wipe off the exterior with soft cloth.

YOUR AMPLIFIER IS LOUD! EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND VOLUMES MAY CAUSE

No user serviceable parts inside. Refer service to qualified personnel. Always unplug AC power before
removing chassis.

PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE!

EXPORT MODELS: Always insure that unit is wired for proper voltage. Make certain grounding

conforms with local standards.

READ AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS OF PROPER USAGE.

OVERVIEW

For ease of understanding the M-2000 and to reduce the intimidation factor that one might experience upon first glance, it should
be noted that the unit may be digested one channel at a time. The only shared controls on the entire front panel are the MIX
control and the Output Level control. Thinking of the M-2000 as two completely separate pre-amplifiers - sharing one common
power section, may help you to understand it at a faster rate.

ACTIVE

INSTRUMENT

INPUTS

PASSIVE

180

600 1.2K

OOGIE

B

MIDDLE

4K

EQ IN

MIX MODE

BRIGHT

NORMAL

HI GAIN

NORMAL

MIX

ASSIGN

50Hz

80

300

OUT

ESA

M

GAIN

TREBLE BASS MASTER

VACUUM TUBE CHANNEL

VACUUM TUBE

CHANNEL CONTROLS

COMPRESSION

THRESHOLD

FREQUENCY

SIMUL STATE POWER

50%

TUBE

MIX

TUBE

HI GAIN

OUTPUT LEVEL

FET

FET

CLIP

COMPRESSION

THRESHOLD

FREQUENCY

3:1

5:1

OFF

6K

8K

3:1

5:1

OFF

CHANNEL CONTROLS

180

50Hz

80

300

600 1.2K

BASIS M 2000

MIDDLEMASTER TREBLE BASS BASS FREQ.

FIELD EFFECT CHANNEL

FIELD EFFECT

6K

4K

8K

EQ IN

OUT

MIX MODE

BRIGHT

ON

NORMAL

HI GAIN

LOW

POWER

BASS
SHIFT

ONLY TWO CONTROLS

THAT ARE COMMON
TO BOTH CHANNELS

NOTE

You may be much too excited about playing your new toneship to spend the time now to read this manual cover to cover
explaining the M-2000's many controls and features. For those of you with the most serious tone "jones" we've included this B­Line to great Bass sound. By all means...ENJOY! So that you get the most from your M-2000 for years to come, please take
the time and read this manual at some point. It contains information that you will need to know in order to optimize the M-2000's
performance so that it can, in return, catipult your playing to a new level of inspiration.

INSTANT GRATIFICATION (DEMO)

180

ACTIVE

INSTRUMENT

INPUTS

PASSIVE

EQ IN

MIX MODE

BRIGHT

NORMAL

HI GAIN

NORMAL

MIX

ASSIGN

50Hz

80

OUT

GAIN

600 1.2K

300

ESA

OOGIE

B

M

MIDDLE

TREBLE BASS MASTER

VACUUM TUBE CHANNEL

6K

4K

8K

COMPRESSION

THRESHOLD

3:1

5:1

OFF

FREQUENCY

SIMUL STATE POWER

50%

TUBE

MIX

TUBE

HI GAIN

OUTPUT LEVEL

FET

FET

CLIP

COMPRESSION

THRESHOLD

FREQUENCY

180

50Hz

80

300

600 1.2K

BASIS M 2000

3:1

5:1

MASTER

OFF

MIDDLE

TREBLE

FIELD EFFECT CHANNEL

BASS

4K

6K

8K

BASS FREQ.

OUT

EQ IN

MIX MODE

BRIGHT

NORMAL

HIGH

LOW

BASS
SHIFT

ON

POWER

BASIS M 2000

Description:

By now you see the M-2000 houses two completely different pre-amplifiers, one all tube, one FET. These may be footswitched
between and/or combined by utilizing the Mix Mode, in which any blend of the two may be created. The Tube Channel offers the
choice of a normal (low gain) mode operation and an all tube Hi Gain overdrive mode for wilder applications. Each of these pre­amps offers the full array of rotary style tone controls, producing a rich, warm blend...fast! Each Channel may then be further
customized by engaging its own nine band graphic equalizer. These channel specific EQ's may be triggered in three ways: 1. Via
the front panel's mini toggle switch 2. Via the foot controller and 3. Programmed to engage in the Mix Mode automatically. Both
EQ's, as well as the modes, can be triggered remotely by using most tip to ground switches, such as the kind found on many
Master Rack Control systems. These ports appear as 1/4 inch jacks found on the rear panel in the External Select section.

Each channel also houses a Frequency Activated (shelving type) Compressor that can be bypassed or applied in 3:1 and 5:1
ratios. The M-2000 is fitted with a parallel effects loop with a crossover enabling frequency specific effect placement as well as a
dry/wet blend control. This loop may be assigned to auto engage in any or all of the modes as well as bypassed. This crossover
can also be used to send a pre-amp signal of a selected frequency to another power amplifier for bi-amping. A Balanced Output
with pre and post EQ positions and a level control is provided for recording or live sound reinforcement applications. An output for
a Tuner is included and may be triggered remotely by the Gain switch on the Foot Controller.

The M-2000's Simul-State power section feeds two mono 1/4 inch jacks or two 3-pin XLR jacks to deliver a robust 600 Watts
RMS into 4 Ohms which is the recommended load. The toneful Simul-State circuit uses a 12AX7 driver tube to feed the power
block of 12 high quality mosfets. This design boasts the smooth warmth found in all tube circuits and the tight, immediate
response often associated with solid state amplification. As you can see, the M-2000 has all the needed features to elevate your
playing to new plateaus, yet it remains simple and straightforward to use. The following is an explanation ot the controls and a few
setting examples.

FRONT VIEW BASIS M-2000

180

50Hz

80

ACTIVE

INSTRUMENT

INPUTS

PASSIVE

EQ IN

MIX MODE

BRIGHT

NORMAL

HI GAIN

NORMAL

MIX

ASSIGN

OUT

GAIN

300

ESA

M

TREBLE BASS MASTER

VACUUM TUBE CHANNEL

REAR VIEW BASIS M-2000

12A S.B.

FUSE

250 VOLTS

117 VAC 60Hz 1200VA

EXTERNAL SELECT

TUBE

EQ

TUBE

HI GAIN

FET

EQ

MIX

MODE

600 1.2K

4K

OOGIE

B

MIDDLE

SPEAKER OUT

SUGGESTED LOAD 4 OHMS
600 WATTS RMS
MINIMUM LOAD 2 OHMS

SPEAKER OUT

CAUTION: NEVER BLOCK AIR VENT

COMPRESSION

THRESHOLD

FREQUENCY

SIMUL STATE POWER

50%

TUBE

MIX

TUBE

HI GAIN

OUTPUT LEVEL

FET

FET

CLIP

COMPRESSION

THRESHOLD

FREQUENCY

6K

8K

3:1

5:1

OFF

3:1

5:1

OFF

SPEAKER

OUT

SPEAKER

OUT

50Hz

MASTER

180

600 1.2K

80

300

4K

BASIS M 2000

MIDDLE

EFFECTS LOOP

FET

MIX
MODE

PRE

BASS

CROSSOVER

LOW

0% 100%

BALANCED

LEVEL

TREBLE

FIELD EFFECT CHANNEL

TUBE

ON

OFF

FX LOOP AUTO

POST

BALANCED OUTPUT

6K

BASS FREQ.

MIX

HIGH

RETURN

8K

SEND

OUT

OUTPUT

EQ IN

MIX MODE

BRIGHT

NORMAL

HIGH

LOW
BASS

SHIFT

TUNER

ON

POWER

CHANNEL SELECT

FET MIX MODE

EXT

FOOT

SWITCH

FOOTSWITCH

FUNCTION ASSIGN
MUTE

FOOTSWITCH

TUBE

TUBE

HI GAIN

GAIN

PAGE 1

INITIAL SET-UP

EFFECTS LOOP

CROSSOVER

HIGH

LOW

MIX

CONNECT FOOT CONTROLLER

RETURN

0% 100%

BALANCED

LEVEL

EFFECTS LOOP

CROSSOVER

HIGH

LOW

MIX

RETURN

0% 100%

CONNECT SPEAKER

SPEAKER OUT

SUGGESTED LOAD 4 OHMS
600 WATTS RMS
MINIMUM LOAD 2 OHMS

SPEAKER OUT

SEND

OUTPUT

TUNER

CHANNEL SELECT

FET MIX MODE

EXT

FOOT

SWITCH

FOOTSWITCH

FUNCTION ASSIGN

MUTE

FOOTSWITCH

First connect the M-2000 to your favorite speaker cabinet using either the 1/4 inch jacks or the 3-

TUBE
TUBE

HI GAIN

GAIN

CHOOSE SWITCHING LOGIC

CHANNEL SELECT

FET MIX MODE

SEND

EXT

FOOT

SWITCH

FUNCTION ASSIGN
MUTE

FOOTSWITCH

TUBE

TUBE

HI GAIN

GAIN

SPEAKER

OUT

SPEAKER

OUT

pin XLR's.

The recommended load is 4 Ohms.

Then connect the M-2000 's Foot Controller to its 6-Pin Male XLR Jack.

Select FOOTSWITCH with the rotary control. (If the Foot Controller is not available, use
the rotary control to select the channels during this exercise.)

OUTPUT LEVEL CONTROL

50%

TUBE

FET

MIX

TUBE

HI GAIN

FET

CLIP

OUTPUT LEVEL

SELECT INSTRUMENT INPUT

ACTIVE

INSTRUMENT

INPUTS

PASSIVE

Important... Set the Output Level Control located in the center of the front panel to 0.

(7 O'Clock)

Connect your instrument to the appropriate Input jack (Active or Passive.) If your
instrument incorporates a pre-amp which uses a battery for power, you will probably want to
use the Active Input Jack. Most other instruments should work well with the Passive Input.

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