350x OWNER’S MANUAL SWR • CORONA, CA • USA
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAUTION: TO REDUCE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. PLEASE REFER TO A QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN. A. Read Instructions: All safety and operation instructions should be read before the product is operated. B. Retain Instructions: The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. C. Heed Warnings: All of the warnings on this product and in the operating instructions should be adhered to. D.
INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase of the SWR 350x Bass Amplifier! You now own the cornerstone amp of SWR’s world-renowned Professional Line of products for bassists. A little history: The SWR 350x is an upgraded version of the Bass 350, a model we’ve offered for over ten years as a simple and straightforward solution for bassists who wanted the famous “SWR Sound" in the simplest Professional Line package possible.
Note: Please take a moment to verify that the following items were included in your SWR 350x packaging: AC Cable, User Guide, SubWave Activator Footswitch, 1/4" to 1/4" Footswitch Cable, SWR Catalog.
Sensitivity (full output under clipping, 8 ohms load, 100 Hz): Passive Input Jack: 38 millivolts Active Input Jack: 60 millivolts Power Amplifier (Effects Return Jack “in”): 5 volts Input Impedance Passive/Active Input: 800k Ohms Active Input: 60k Ohms Effects Return: 27k Ohms Output Impedance Effects Send: 100 Ohms Tuner Send: 100 Ohms XLR (Balanced) Out: 750 Ohms Signal To Noise Ratio: –72 dB (<10 millivolts typical) Equivalent Input Noise: 9 microvolts Dimensions (depth includes handles and XLR pad): 19"
Important: The minimum total impedance when operating the 350x is 2 ohms. This means you can safely use: a) A single 8 ohm cabinet b) A single 4 ohm cabinet c) Two 8 ohm cabinets (total: 4 ohms) d) Three 8 ohm cabinets (total: 2.6 ohms) e) Two four ohm cabinets (total: 2 ohms) ** **Running the amplifier constantly at 2 ohms, while technically acceptable, will cause the amp to run hotter than usual, and will cause heat-related wear on components sooner than normal.
amp clip circuit for this reason. Active Input Jack The Active input jack should be used with instruments having a built-in (on board) preamp or other sound sources that will produce output levels greater than 1 volt RMS. The number of bass manufacturers has increased significantly over the years, and it’s impossible to try and keep track of them all.
This remains true up to about the “2 o’clock” position. This position – a favorite for many users – brings out both the low end fundamentals and crisp highs and, at the same time, adds a little lower midrange to help cut through the band. However, if you go further clockwise and past the 2:00 position, selected mids will start to drop off – specifically, a group of frequencies centered around 200 Hz. At this point and after, the effect becomes much more pronounced.
long as your speaker cabinet can handle the peak levels. Adjust the controls slowly, and use common sense. Midrange Controls Your 350x comes equipped with two different controls for setting the amount of midrange present: one for boosting and cutting the level of midrange, and another for setting the specific midrange frequency that will be adjusted in level. Midrange Level Control The Midrange Level control cuts or boosts the frequency set by the Midrange Frequency control.
Activating or Defeating the Limiter Circuit You may either activate or defeat the Limiter circuit via the Effects Blend control, which doubles as an on/off switch for the Limiter. The “In” position activates the Limiter Circuit, and is the default setting as shipped from the factory. To defeat the Limiter, simply pull “out” on the knob of this control until you hear and feel a “click.” To re-engage the Limiter, push the control back in to its original position.
Balanced Output jack is the same as when in the DIRECT position, with one important exception: the SubWave™ is present. What’s the benefit of this setting? We’ve found that most people who use effects pedals prefer to use them in front of the amplifier. In other words, they run their bass into the effect pedal’s input, then from the effect pedal’s output into the front of their amplifier.
XLR Ground/Lift Switch Sometimes connecting to certain mixing boards or studio consoles with non-standard XLR wiring can cause a ground loop. Your 350x has a push-button switch for lifting the ground on the Balanced (XLR) Output. (It affects no other outputs.) Pushing on the switch will change the mode of operation. When the switch is in the “out” position (default setting from the factory), ground is on Pin 1 of the Balanced Output jack as normal.
Effects Send This jack’s primary function is to send a post-EQ-and-SubWave™ signal to an external effects device for use in the 350x Effects Loop. However, it can also be used as: 1. A line level output for use in conjunction with an additional (slave) power amp—such as SWR’s Power 750. 2. An unbalanced output suitable for recording or live mixing board purposes. The output impedance of the Effects Send jack is 100 Ohms.
SPEAKER OUTPUT SECTION This section of the manual will deal with the proper connection of speaker cabinets to the power amplifier in the 350x. Some of this ground has already been covered in the “Getting Started – Connecting Your Speaker Cabinets” section in the beginning of the manual. This is meant to supplement that section and provide information in greater detail, as power amplifiers, impedance and speaker cabinets are all crucial in determining how best to operate your new 350x.
One 8 ohm enclosure + one 8 ohm enclosure = 4 ohms total impedance One 4 ohm enclosure + one 4 ohm enclosure = 2 ohms total impedance One 8 ohm enclosure + one 4 ohm enclosure = 2.
Only SPEAKER CABLE of 18 gauge or heavier (the heavier the cable, the lower the gauge) should be used to connect your 350x to your speaker system. Do not use shielded instrument cable to connect your amplifier to your speaker enclosure, as this can result in intermittent power loss, cause your amp to oscillate and damage itself and/or your speakers, and render the cable useless for any purpose.
Line Fuse (A/C or Mains Fuse) This fuse is provided to protect the internal electronics against power surges, etc. It also protects the unit against itself should one of the internal components fail. If this fuse should open, replace it with the same type of fuse and rating. Do not defeat the purpose of this feature by using a higher rated fuse as it can void your warranty. Proper size of the AC fuse for all countries is 3AG.
A FEW WORDS CONCERNING HEAT One of the most asked questions about our amplifiers is why they tend to get warmer than other amps. The chassis of your amplifier can get quite warm during normal usage. This is especially true if you are operating your 350x at a 2 or 2.6 ohm total impedance. This is because these low impedances are introducing the least efficient condition of the unit (in terms of power drawn from the outlet in relation to power produced in the speakers).
SWR 350x – SUGGESTED SETTINGS Aural Enhancer min max Midrange Bass Level Frequency Treble 0 500 0 0 +15 -15 +15 -15 200 800 +15 -15 ROCK Aural Enhancer min max Midrange Bass Level Frequency Treble 0 500 0 0 +15 -15 +15 -15 200 800 +15 -15 REGGAE Aural Enhancer min max Midrange Bass Level Frequency Treble 0 500 0 0 +15 -15 +15 -15 200 800 +15 -15 JAZZ Aural Enhancer min max Midrange Bass Level Frequency Treble 0 500 0 0 +15 -15 +15 -1
350x LIMITED WARRANTY The 350x from SWR is warranted to the original consumer purchaser for TWO YEARS from the date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship, provided that it is purchased from an Authorized SWR dealer. This warranty applies only to products purchased in the USA or Canada.
