Mesa-Boogie V-12 User Manual
Owner’s Manual
Hello from the Tone Farm
...You, smart player and intuitive human, have put your trust in us to be your amplifier
company. is is something we do not take lightly. By choosing this instrument to be a part
of your musical voice, you have become part of the Mesa family...WELCOME!
Our goal is to never let you down. Your reward is that you are the new owner of an amp,
bred of fine all tube heritage...benefiting from the many pioneering and patented Mesa
circuits that led to the refinement of your new model. We feel confident, this amp will
inspire many hours of musical satisfaction and lasting enjoyment. It was built with you in
mind, by players who know the value of a fine musical instrument and the commitment it
takes to make great music. e same commitment to quality, value and support we make
to you...our new friend.
PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS
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:
READ AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS OF PROPER USAGE.
YOUR AMPLIFIER IS LOUD! EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND VOLUMES MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE !
No user serviceable parts inside. Refer service to qualified personnel. Always unplug AC power before removing chassis.
EXPORT MODELS: Always insure that unit is wired for proper voltage. Make certain grounding conforms with local standards.
WARNING: EU: permission from the Supply Authority is needed before connection.
WARNING: Vacuum tube amplifiers generate heat. To insure proper ventilation always make
certain there is at least four inches (100mm) of space behind the rear of the amplifier cabinet.
Keep away from curtains or any flammable objects.
WARNING: Do not block any ventilation openings on the rear or top of the amplifier. Do not
impede ventilation by placing objects on top of the amplifier which extend past the rear edge of
its cabinet.
WARNING: Do not expose the amplifier to rain, moisture, dripping or splashing water. Do not
place objects filled with liquids on or nearby the amplifier.
WARNING: Always make certain proper load is connected before operating the amplifier.
Failure to do so could pose a shock hazard and may result in damage to the amplifier.
Do not expose amplifier to 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. 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. Remove the power plug from the AC mains socket if the unit is to be stored
for an extended period of time. 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. Do not use
solvents such as benzene or paint thinner to clean the unit. Wipe off the exterior with soft cloth.
Table of Contents
Precautions _______________________________________________________________________________ 0
Overview ________________________________________________________________________________ 1-3
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS & FEATURES
TUNER OUT _______________________________________________________________________________ 3
PASSIVE/ACTIVE SWITCH ___________________________________________________________________ 3
INPUT SELECT _____________________________________________________________________________ 3
CHANNEL SELECT _________________________________________________________________________ 4
OVERDRIVE _______________________________________________________________________________ 4
GAIN ___________________________________________________________________________________ 4-5
BASS _____________________________________________________________________________________ 5
PASSIVE MID ______________________________________________________________________________ 5
ACTIVE MID _______________________________________________________________________________ 6
FREQUENCY ______________________________________________________________________________ 6
TREBLE ________________________________________________________________________________ 6-7
CH-1 & 2 MASTERS _________________________________________________________________________ 7
SOLO ____________________________________________________________________________________ 7
POWER ON/OFF __________________________________________________________________________ 7-8
STANDBY _________________________________________________________________________________ 8
REAR PANEL CONTROLS, SWITCHES & JACKS
AC RECEPTACLE ___________________________________________________________________________ 9
CIRCUIT BREAKER _________________________________________________________________________ 9
SLAVE OUT / SLAVE LEVEL __________________________________________________________________ 9
SPEAKER OUTPUTS _______________________________________________________________________ 10
FUNCTION SWITCHES _____________________________________________________________________ 10
GROUND LIFT, POST/PRE, DIRECT OUT ____________________________________________________ 10-11
EFFECTS LOOP ___________________________________________________________________________ 11
FACTORY SAMPLE SETTINGS _______________________________________________________________ 12
PERSONAL SETTINGS _____________________________________________________________________ 13
DIAGNOSING PRE-AMP TUBE PROBLEMS ____________________________________________________ 14
PARTS SHEET ____________________________________________________________________________ 15
Operating Instructions
Overview:
Congratulations on your choice of the Big Block TITAN V-12 as your amplifier and welcome to the MESA/Boogie Family! First
we would like to thank you for trusting us with your tone and choosing us as your amplifier company. This is something we never
take for granted and we are here for you should you ever need help. We are confident that your new amplifier will exceed your
expectations and bring you many years of rewarding inspiration and freedom to express through your music.
This newest addition to the M-PULSE line of hybrid bass amplifiers offers an incredible 1200 watts of toneful Simul State™
Power! This kind of crushing headroom leaves little dispute that the TITAN reigns supreme over the Mesa Bass Family (and
most other bass amplifiers). Our Simul State design seamlessly integrates the best sonic qualities of old-world tube circuitry and
modern high power mosfet technology to arrive at a stunning blend that is both musical and powerful. No less than 22 custom
designed and matched power mosfets put ridiculous amounts of transient handling current at your immediate disposal. This means
when you want to say something with your instrument, you’ll be heard with accuracy, both harmonically and in the time domain.
Every bassist knows how important that is!
PAGE 1
Overview: (Continued)
The TITAN doesn’t rest on the laurels of its massive power alone, Tone, versatility and unlimited shaping power abound in the
dual channel footswitchable preamp. Two identical all-tube preamp channels taken from our intuitive Big Block 750 are voiced such
that minimal shaping is needed to achieve a warm musical blend. When it’s time to craft your own signature sound, this preamp
can take you anywhere you wish to go quickly and effortlessly.
This tone control stack features two MID controls. A wide band passive MID works magically with the wide-band active BASS and
TREBLE controls to create a balanced, spatial blend, while a semi-parametric MID allows frequency specific shaping over a wide
range that covers low, mid and high mid/low treble frequencies. This array is simple to use, yet provides all the shaping power you
will need while keeping the tweaking to an inspiring minimum.
In addition to the more traditional gain stages, each channel of the TITAN features an all-tube overdrive stage with its own
separate OVERDRIVE and MASTER controls. This footswitchable feature brings everything we’ve learned building high gain guitar
amplifiers over three decades to focus on bass guitar and creates an incredible new frontier of truly usable overdriven bass sounds.
To access the two preamp channels, the TITAN provides a switchable Dual Configuration Input scheme that greatly expands the
application of all this Tone. Select either a Single Instrument/Dual Channel configuration or Dual Instrument/Dual Channel operation. These choices allow the player to decide how best to use the footswitchable power of the TITAN’s two preamps.
In the first scenario a player can use one instrument into either INPUT and dedicate each of the preamp channels to a different
footswitchable sound. These might have different EQ and gain settings, perhaps with one channel utilizing the OVERDRIVE mode
(which doesn’t have to be heavily distorted with some of the best sounds found at the furry onset of clip). For the bassist who uses
two instruments, or doubles on keyboard bass, you can dedicate each Channel to a different instrument and footswitch between
them for hot-swap access on the gig. Either way you choose to roll, the TITAN achieves the ultimate integration of incredible tube
Tone, shocking power and musical flexibility.
And finally, each Channel features a dedicated footswitchable SOLO level control allowing you to crank it up and step out when it’s
time to showcase a part or a solo.
The Rear Panel neatly showcases all the features you would come to expect in a amplifier of this caliber and ensures all your
interfacing needs are covered.
A balanced XLR DIRECT OUTPUT captures the entire preamp signal and features both PRE and POST options while its’ dedicated DIRECT LEVEL control allows you to match levels to all types of consoles. There is also a GROUND LIFT switch for the
DIRECT circuit to help ensure a quiet signal when connecting to consoles that may have different ground references.
A dedicated TUNER circuit with both Front and Rear Panel Outputs features a footswitchable MUTE function for silent tuning when
the footswitch is connected in stage or studio environments.
Outboard processing is handled through the series EFFECTS LOOP which is activated when the Hard Bypass feature is defeated
by selecting the ON position of the Effects Loop BYPASS switch.
A SLAVE OUTPUT and dedicated LEVEL control are provided for capturing the entire sound of the preamp and power section.
This is useful when another TITAN or additional power amplifiers are needed for large (coliseum size) venues. In this scenario
the SLAVE is the perfect feed signal because it will pass on everything you do to the sound and give you control over the signal
strength.
The TITAN delivers its massive power to the ground via the SPEAKER OUTPUT section which features heavy duty SPEAK-ON
connectors that lock the cable in place. These connectors also function with standard ¼” phone type connectors for speaker enclosures that don’t incorporate this system as a design feature.
PAGE 2
Overview: (Continued)
Finally, two punched grille vents serve as intake vents for the heat that is forced out of the two mosfet power blocks by the cooling
fan. NEVER BLOCK THESE VENTS!
NOTE: BLOCKING THE INTAKE VENTS WILL CAUSE OVERHEATING AND LEAD TO INTERRUPTED PERFORMANCE OR
EVEN DAMAGE TO YOUR AMPLIFIER.
Now that we have an overview of the TITAN, let’s look at the specific functions of the individual controls and features.
FrONT PANeL: CONTrOLs & FeATures
TUNER:
TUNER output. There is an optimum padded signal present at all times on both Front and Rear jacks. There is a MUTE function
and LED indication which is only controllable from the Footswitch. When the Footswitch is not connected, use the standby switch
to mute the signal while tuning.
PASSIVE / ACTIVE:
trol the input headroom and impedance of the two INPUTS. As you might have guessed, each switch corresponds to the adjacent
INPUT SELECT:
to feed either of the two channels and footswitched. This three position mini toggle is responsible for choosing which INPUT will be
This jack provides a convenient Front Panel output for connection of a tuner. It is wired in parallel with the Rear Panel
Two mini toggle switches, one above the top A INPUT jack and one below the bottom B INPUT jack con-
INPUT and selects either the full strength PASSIVE input impedance circuit or a “padded” higher headroom ACTIVE circuit. Standard passive basses that don’t incorporate an onboard preamp should be used in the PASSIVE
setting, while more modern instruments that utilize active pickups and/or an onboard preamp should be used in
the ACTIVE setting.
Much of the TITAN’s versatility can be attributed to its dual input section wherein the inputs can be routed
active (A or B) when you wish to access them manually or, whether the Footswitch will control this function.
In other words, we’ve included an on-board footswitchable “A/B box” in front of the two channel footswitchable
amplifier. This selectable Input platform is separate from the two Channels and their Select function and this is
what makes it possible to route either INPUT (A or B) to either Channel (1 or 2).
When the switch is in the up position (toward the “A” Input jack) the “A” INPUT is active. When the switch is in
the middle position (FTSW) the Footswitch will be active (provided it is connected to the Footswitch jack located on the lower right
of the Rear Panel) and can be used to toggle between “A” and “B” INPUTS. When the switch is in the down position (toward the “B”
INPUT) the “B” INPUT will be active.
NOTE: The INPUT SELECT defaults to the “A” INPUT when the toggle switch is in its middle (FTSW) position. When the footswitch
is not connected and this position is selected, the “A” INPUT will remain active until either the B (switch down) position is selected
or the Footswitch is connected and “B” is triggered.
PAGE 3
Loading...