The Microtubes® 500 is a 500W amplifier equipped with an all analog solid state preamplifier and a Class D Power Module.On the top row, you will find the clean section which is the foundation of your tone. It features a Gain control and an active 4 band EQ: along with Low and Treble controls, you will find Low Mids and Hi Mids controls, each knob with their own 2-way frequency switch.On the bottom row, you will find the Microtubes Engine®, an extra channel that will bring your clean tone to the next level by helping you cut through the mix while adding anything from subtle, tube-like, harmonics and natural compression to obliterating distortion. Input Connect your instrument via a standard ¼” mono cable. Passive/Active Switch from passive to active mode. Some active basses can have a hotter signal output which can make the amplifier distort early (feel free to use it on Passive mode even with active basses if such additional distortion is desired). Microtubes Engages the Microtubes Engine™ to add natural compression, organic harmonic enhancement, and saturation ranging from mild overdrive to high gain bass rage. The Microtubes Engine operates before the clean section (you can, therefore, use the 4 Band Active EQ for additional tone shaping in addition to the Tone knob described below). Drive Sets the Microtubes Engine’s distortion level. Ranging from soft, warm overdrive to devastating saturation plus everything in between. Tone Controls the high harmonic content of the Microtubes Engine via a variable low pass filter: crank it up for additional attack and definition or dim it down for a smoother sound. This is handy when running bright EQ settings or cabinets with tweeters. Level Controls the Microtubes Engine’s output volume. Blend Mixes between the Clean and Distortion signals (Microtubes Engine). B3K/VMT Selects between two overdrive circuits: B3K mode will deliver an aggressive, percussive sound while the VMT will bring up the mids for a warmer, more neutral character. Gain Changes the volume of the signal driving the Active 4 Band EQ. You can set it low for cleaner tone or set it higher for more aggressive growl. Bass +-12dB at 80Hz. Changes the low content of the signal. Low Mids +-12dB of the selected frequency via the LOW MIDS ƒ switch (described below). Low Mids ƒ Use this switch to change the frequency of the low mid band between 250Hz and 500Hz. Hi Mids +-12dB of the selected frequency via the HI MIDS ƒ switch (described below). Hi Mids ƒ Use this switch to change the frequency of the hi mid band between 1.5kHz and 3kHZ. Treble +-12dB at 5kHz. Changes the high content of the signal. Master Controls the overall volume of the amplifier. This control does not affect DI output or effects loop level. Mute Mutes the amplifier. Footswitch The Footswitch jack allows you to remotely engage and disengage the Microtubes Engine via our Intelligent Footswitch (sold separately). Hold the footswitch to Mute the amplifier. The VMT/B3K push button will remain operational with the Intelligent Footswitch plugged in. * Use a regular mono instrument cable to connect the amplifier to the footswitch.* Remove the cable from the footswitch jack in the rear panel if you want to control the amp from the front panel.* The Microtubes 500 will only work with our proprietary Intelligent Footswitch or Super Intelligent Footswitch (both sold separately). A generic Footswitch will not work with the Microtubes 500.
