Marshall Amplification MG15 Series User manual

2 CHANNELS
CLEAN
OVERDRIVE
EQ
BASS
CONTOUR
TREBLE
CD INPUT
EMULATED
LINE OUT
EMULATED
2 CHANNELS
CLEAN
OVERDRIVE
EQ
BASS
CONTOUR
TREBLE
CD INPUT
EMULATED
LINE OUT
EMULATED
SPRING
REVERB
2 CHANNELS
CLEAN
OVERDRIVE
EQ
BASS
CONTOUR
TREBLE
CD INPUT
EMULATED
LINE OUT
EMULATED
DIGITAL FX
Owners Manual
MG
SERIES
15
MG
SERIES
15CD
MG
SERIES
15CDR
MG
SERIES
15DFX
MG15 Hbk multi 230V 1/3/02 9:54 am Page B

From Jim Marshall
I would like to thank you personally for selecting
one of our new 15 Watt, MG combos – the
MG15CD, the MG15CDR or the MG15DFX.
As a musician myself I fully understand the
necessity of achieving the right tone and feel to help
inspire musicians to reach their full creative potential
– be they aspiring beginners or more skilled players.
With this in mind I set my experienced R&D team
the task of designing a new range of affordable MG
amplifiers that truly captured the essence of the
Marshall sound.
Utilising new technologies, some of which were developed for our critically acclaimed AVT range,
the new MG Series raises the standard for what can be expected from a value-for-money range of
guitar amplifiers and defines a new benchmark. For example, the power amp section of your MG15
combo boasts FDD (Frequency Dependant Damping) – a radical new feature that is exclusive to
Marshall Amplification and accurately mimics the way an all-valve amplifier interacts with a
loudspeaker. As a result of FDD, your new MG15 will give you a sound never before thought possible
in such an affordable, non-valve amp.
Two of these three units also feature built-in effects – the MG15CDR boasts a natural sounding
spring reverb, while the MG15DFX houses specially designed Digital Effects (DFX).
The DFX featured in the MG15DFX are custom voiced by our own in-house design team. Each one
of the four effects on offer (Reverb, Delay, Chorus and Flange) have been designed to give you the
true warmth and feel of analogue effects, but in a highly flexible digital format. Furthermore, a wide
range of variations for each effect are literally at your fingertips – merely tweaking the two digital
effects controls on the front panel will give rise to sounds that range from subtle to radical, while
always remaining both natural and musical.
Like all the amplifiers in my new MG range, the MG15 was completely designed and engineered in
the UK and the most rigorous quality control procedures ensure that it meets the standard of build
you have come to expect from all Marshall products.
Whether the MG15 is your first ever Marshall or is the latest addition to your arsenal of amps, the
tone, flexibility and feel of this compact, rugged combo will deliver the goods – from bedroom to
backstage!
I wish you every success with your new Marshall. Welcome to the family…
Yours Sincerely,
1
ENGLISH
MG15 Hbk multi 230V 1/3/02 9:55 am Page 1

WARNING! - Important safety instructions
WARNING: This apparatus must be earthed!
A. PLEASE read this instruction manual carefully before switching on.
B. ALWAYS use the supplied mains lead, if a replacement is required please contact your
authorised Marshall Dealer.
Note: Closed back equipment with non-detachable mains cord.
When the equipment is not in use or is being transported, the mains
cord should be gathered and retained under the top strap handle to
prevent damage. See diagram.
C. NEVER attempt to by-pass the fuses or fit ones of the incorrect value.
D. DO NOT attempt to remove the amplifier chassis, there are no user serviceable parts.
E. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when the
power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally
or has been dropped.
F. NEVER use an amplifier in damp or wet conditions.
G. ALWAYS unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
H. PROTECT the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles and at the point where they exit from the apparatus.
I. DO NOT switch the amplifier on without the loudspeaker connected.
➲ Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the requirements of the EMC
directive (Environments E1, E2 and E3 EN 55103-1/2) and the Low Voltage directive in the E.U.
➲ EUROPE ONLY - Note: The Peak Inrush current for the MG15CD, MG15CDR and MG15DFX is
2.5 amps.
➲ CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance may void the users authority to operate the equipment.
➲ Note: It is recommended that all audio cables used to connect to the MG15CD, MG15CDR and
MG15DFX are of a high quality screened type. These should not exceed 10 metres in length.
➲ WARNING: Always ensure free movement of air around the amplifier!
USA ONLY - DO NOT defeat the purpose of the polarised or grounding type plug. A polarised
plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a
third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. When the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
Follow all instructions and heed all warnings
KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS !
2
!
ENGLISH
MG15 Hbk multi 230V 1/3/02 9:55 am Page 2

3
1. INPUT jack
Use a good quality (screened) guitar cable to
plug your guitar in here.
2. Clean VOLUME control
When the OD Select switch is ‘out’, this
control adjusts the volume of the Clean
Channel. At low settings the sound will be very
clean with a bell-like ring. Turning this control
above half way will introduce a desirable,
bluesy distortion as the power amplifier is
driven into ‘crunch mode’.
3. OD (Overdrive) SELECT switch
Depressing the Overdrive Select Switch will
engage the Overdrive Channel.
4. Overdrive GAIN control
Turning up the Overdrive Gain Control will
increase the amount of distortion generated in
the Overdrive channel. Low gain settings will
produce classic rock and blues tones. Crank
the Gain for fat and aggressive sounds that are
perfect for soloing or hard rock and nu-metal
riffing.
MG15CD Front Panel Features
GAIN
010
EQClean Overdrive
VOLUME
010
VOLUME
010
BASS
010
CONTOUR
010
TREBLE
010
EMULATED
HEADPHONES
CD IN &
EMULATED
LINE OUT
OD
SELECT
INPUT POWER
MG
SERIES
15CD
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
MG15CDR Front Panel Features
ReverbEQClean Overdrive
VOLUME
010
GAIN
010
VOLUME
010
BASS
010
CONTOUR
010
TREBLE
010
LEVEL
010
OD
SELECT
INPUT POWER
EMULATED
HEADPHONES
CD IN &
EMULATED
LINE OUT
MG
SERIES
15CDR
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 9 10 11 12
MG15DFX Front Panel Features
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 9 11 12
ENGLISH
10
MG15 Hbk multi 230V 1/3/02 9:55 am Page 3

5. Overdrive VOLUME control
Amazingly enough, this control adjusts the
volume of the Overdrive channel! The louder
this channel is set, the ‘looser’ the amplifier will
sound and feel. This behaviour is exactly what
a good all-valve amplifier does and is a result
of our proprietary FDD circuitry.
6. EQ BASS control
This control affects the bass or bottom end of
your sound. Increasing the bass control will add
warmth to your clean and balls to your
overdrive tones.
7. EQ CONTOUR control
This highly effective tone control works by
radically modifying the mid-range (body). The
tone can range from traditional and woody
sounding (setting at 10), to balls-to-the-wall
(setting at midway), to aggressive, ‘scooped’
and modern (setting at 0)…and all points in-
between.
8. EQ TREBLE control
This control affects the treble or top end of
your sound. Increasing the amount of treble will
give a glassy edge to your clean sounds and
increase the definition on low gain overdrive or
the amount of aggressive ‘fizz’ and ‘cut’ on high
gain tones.
9. FDD (Frequency Dependant
Damping) Switch
Marshall’s proprietary FDD circuit accurately
mimics the way an all-valve amplifier interacts
with the loudspeaker and adds a width and
depth to your sound which has been
unachievable in an affordable solid-state
amplifier…until now!
10. CD IN & EMULATED LINE OUT
jack
The MG15’s cleverly combine the Line Out
and CD Input functions. If you want to jam to
your favourite CD or tape, merely connect the
headphone output of your CD or tape player
here, adjust the CD / TAPE player’s volume to
match that of your guitar and ‘hey-presto’ –
you’ve got the perfect ‘play-along’ practice
system. Alternatively, you can use this socket
to connect the MG15 to your multi-track
recording machine and you’ll get a great
speaker emulated guitar sound direct to disk or
tape.
HELPFUL HINT: for ‘silent’ recording merely
plug an unconnected jack plug into the
headphone socket and you’ll disconnect the
MG15’s internal speaker.
11. EMULATED HEADPHONES jack
Plug your headphones here for a killer
speaker emulated sound! Doing this mutes
your MG15’s internal speaker for ‘silent’
practice.
12. POWER Switch & LED
The power switch turns your amplifier on and
off. The LED will be lit when your amplifier is on
and will not be lit when the amplifier is switched
off.
Note: Before connecting to the mains
electricity supply, always ensure that your
electricity supply is compatible with your
amplifier, as detailed on the rear panel.
Please ensure the amplifier is switched off
and unplugged from the mains electricity
supply before being moved.
13. Reverb LEVEL control
(MG15CDR only)
Increasing the Reverb Level control will mix
more of the naturally voiced spring reverb
signal into your sound – as you’ll find, you can
go from subtle to surf at the mere twist of this
control!
4
ENGLISH
MG15 Hbk multi 230V 1/3/02 9:55 am Page 4

5
Reverb (RVB)
Effect Description
Parameter
(adjustment*)
Reverb Decay Time
(from short to long) A natural sounding Reverb that never sounds harsh or grainy. Short Reverb times produce a
plate type effect while longer Reverb times
produce much larger sounding hall-type effects.
Delay (DLY) Delay Time
(from short to long) Short Delay Times will automatically have less repeats for groovy surf tones. Increasing the Delay
Time automatically increases the number of
repeats for a much more atmospheric effect.
Chorus (CHR) Speed
(from slow to fast) At slow Speeds a mellow phase-like sweep occurs. As the Speed is increased a more
traditional chorus effect is heard. At maximum
Speed, a psychedelic vibrato results.
Flange (FLG) Speed
(from slow to fast) At slow Speed settings the amount of regeneration is automatically increased for huge
‘jet engine-like’ sweeps. As the speed is increased
the regeneration decreases to produce a lush,
natural sounding flange effect. When the Speed is
maxed out, a fast vibrato results.
14. Digital FX PRESET / ADJUST control (MG15DFX only)
This control serves a dual purpose. Not only does it allow you to select one of the four types of
effects on offer (Reverb (RVB), Delay (DLY), Chorus (CHR) or Flange (FLG)), it also allows you to
change a parameter as you sweep it through each of the four effect segments. The parameter you
can adjust for each of the four effects is shown below:
*as you turn the control clockwise through the segment dedicated to that effect
15. Digital FX LEVEL control (MG15DFX only)
This controls how much of the chosen effect gets mixed in with your unaffected (dry) guitar tone.
Want to hear more of the DFX you’ve just dialled in? Then simply turn this up!
ENGLISH
MG15 Hbk multi 230V 1/3/02 9:55 am Page 5

26
MG
15
Technical Specification
Especificaciones técnicas
Technische Daten
Caractéristiques techniques
Technical Técnicas Technische Techniques
Power Output 15W RMS into 8Ω
Potencia de salida 15W RMS sobre 8Ω
Ausgangsleistung 15W RMS an 8Ω
Puissance de sortie 15W RMS sous 8 ohms
15W RMS / 8Ω
Main Guitar • Input Impedance 1MΩ
Impedancia de entrada principal de guitarra 1MΩ
Guitar • Input Eingangsimpedanz 1MΩ
Impédance d'entrée 1MΩ
1MΩ
CD Input • Input impedance 3.3kΩ
Impedancia de entrada de CD 3.3kΩ
CD Input • Eingangsimpedanz 3.3kΩ
Impédance d'entrée CD 3.3kΩ
3.3kΩ
Emulated Output • Level -10dBV
Nivel de salida de línea simulada -10dBV
Emulated Output • Ausgangspegel -10dBV
Niveau de sortie -10dBV
-10dBV
Weight 7.2kg
Peso 7.2kg
Gewicht 7.2kg
Poids 7.2kg
7.2kg
Size (mm) 350mm x 350mm x 185mm
Tamaño (mm) 350mm x 350mm x 185mm
Maße (mm) 350mm x 350mm x 185mm
Taille (mm) 350mm x 350mm x 185mm
350mm x 350mm x 185mm
MG
SERIES
15
MG15 Hbk multi 230V 1/3/02 9:58 am Page 26

Suggested Settings
Configuraciones que sugerimos
Soundvorschläge
Exemples de Réglages
Marshall Amplification plc
Denbigh Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1DQ, England
Tel : [01908] 375411 Fax : [01908] 376118
www.marshallamps.com
Whilst the information contained herein is correct at the time of publication, due to our policy of constant improvement
and development, Marshall Amplification plc reserve the right to alter specifications without prior notice.
Here follows four sample settings to act as starting
points from which to develop your own sounds.
N.B. Volume should be adjusted to taste.
GAIN
010
EQClean Overdrive
VOLUME
010
VOLUME
010
BASS
010
CONTOUR
010
TREBLE
010
OD
SELECT
INPUT
GAIN
010
EQClean Overdrive
VOLUME
010
VOLUME
010
BASS
010
CONTOUR
010
TREBLE
010
OD
SELECT
INPUT
GAIN
010
EQClean Overdrive
VOLUME
010
VOLUME
010
BASS
010
CONTOUR
010
TREBLE
010
OD
SELECT
INPUT
GAIN
010
EQClean Overdrive
VOLUME
010
VOLUME
010
BASS
010
CONTOUR
010
TREBLE
010
OD
SELECT
INPUT
Bright CleanWarm CleanBlues / CrunchMetal
Out
Out
In
In
230V
MG15 Hbk multi 230V 1/3/02 9:54 am Page A