Owner’s Manual
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
• Read these instructions.
• Follow these instructions.
• Heed all notes and warnings.
• Do not use this device near water.
• Clean this device only with a dry cloth.
• Keep these instructions for future reference.
• Damage to this device by improperly connected and/
or grounded equipment is not covered under warranty.
• Do not defeat an amplifier’s safety ground - which is
provided by the 3-prong AC power-cord plug! Doing
so may not only be ILLEGAL, but it may also pose a
SHOCK or ELECTROCUTION HAZARD.
Congratulations on your choice of MESA/Boogie®and wel-
come to the MESA®Family! The same passion for excellence,
commitment to quality and dedication to customer satisfaction
is present in each and every product we make in our one-and-
only shop in Petaluma, California, U.S.A. Rest assured that
the very same people that hand-build the finest amplifiers in
the world, also built your CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/ISO
TRANSFORMER and you have access to the same resources
for help that all our customers do. Call on us anytime and enjoy!
CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/ISO TRANSFORMER
The CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/ISO TRANSFORMER is a
high performance passive audio device that can receive a bal-
anced guitar signal from as far away as 330ft/100m with great
integrity and noise immunity.
Used in tandem with the CLEARLINK™ BUFFER/BALANCED
LINE-DRIVER, it can manage long-distance guitar signals
between wireless units, pedalboards, and amplifiers - whether
on-stage or off-stage, distance doesn’t really matter anymore.
In the studio, it allows a guitar player to sit in the control room
and connect to a far away amplifier in the live room. The long-
distance connection is made with a standard balanced XLR
microphone cable and the output connection going to an ampli-
fier’s input is made with a standard shielded 1/4” TS instrument
cable.
The ability to receive a guitar signal from extreme distances
cleanly, and without degradation, is made possible by a spe-
cially designed and shielded audio isolation transformer. It’s
complimented with ground-lift and phase-reverse switches
to safely prevent ground loop hum and noise, and to correct
phase cancellation problems, both of which can occur when
running multiple and/or channel switching amplifiers.
Furthermore, it can be used with unbalanced guitar signals from
a wide variety of pedals and other buffered devices, to safely
eliminate ground loop hum and noise, and to correct phase re-
verse issues, making it a must-have tool for every guitar player
and technician.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS
It’s always a good idea to make any audio connections
with every piece of equipment in a guitar rig turned off,
or at least the amplifier volume(s) turned down, to avoid
loud bursts of sound from damaging speakers or other
components.
IN: This combination 1/4” phono and 3-pin female XLR jack
is the input and accepts either a balanced or an unbalanced,
buffered guitar signal. For balanced input signals, use either a
standard XLR microphone cable or a shielded 1/4” TRS (tip,
ring & sleeve) balanced cable, up to 330ft/100m long. For un-
balanced input signals, use a shielded 1/4” TS (tip & sleeve)
instrument cable and always aim for the best quality and short-
est length possible - this will minimize the signal’s susceptibility
to noise and interference.
OUT: This 1/4” phono jack is the output and provides
an unbalanced signal that is electrically isolated from the
input, via the specially designed and shielded audio isola-
tion transformer. Connect this jack to the input of a pedal
or an amplifier, which is properly grounded with a 3-prong
AC power-cord plug, using a high quality shielded 1/4” TS
instrument cable that is 5ft/1.5m long or less - in order to
minimize high-frequency roll-off.
Note: If the output is going to be routed through a patch-
box or patch-panel, try not to exceed the 5ft/1.5m length
limitation, which applies to the entire length of cable con-
nected between the CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/ISO
TRANSFORMER output, and the pedal or amplifier input.
PHASE: This pushbutton switch inverts (reverses) the
phase of the output signal in relation to the input signal.
When the switch is in the “IN” position, the signals are in-
phase (0deg), and when it’s in the “OUT” position, the sig-
nals are out-of-phase by 180deg (reversed). With a single
amplifier, it’s best to leave this switch set to the “IN” posi-
tion. Running multiple amplifiers at once can sometimes
lead to a phase cancellation problem, which results in a
sound that can be described as hollow, thin, not as loud,
lacking low end or fullness... The best way to test and fix
this is to try and set the amplifiers to the same volume
level, individually. Then activate the amplifiers simultane-
ously, and listen with this switch in both positions - the best,
correct setting will result in a sound that can be described
as fuller or slightly louder.
GROUND: This push-button switch safely lifts (isolates)
the ground connection between the IN and OUT jacks,
eliminating a ground loop and its hum and noise. When the
switch is in the “IN” position, the grounds are connected,
and when it’s in the “OUT” position, the ground connec-
tion is lifted. Try both positions and use the setting which
results in the least amount of hum and noise.
Note: Any device that contains an audio isolation trans-
former is susceptible to hum from the magnetic field gener-
ated by a power transformer, such as those found in an
amplifier, effect processor, “wall-wart” power adapter or
universal pedalboard power supply. Even with adequate
shielding of the audio transformer and the device itself,
there can still be a potential for unexpected hum. So if an
unusual hum does occur, which cannot be eliminated by
either position of the GROUND switch, try re-locating the
CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/ISO TRANSFORMER. Typi-
cally it would only require being moved a short distance in
a particular direction to resolve this type of hum.
FAQ & HELPFUL HINTS
Can I use the CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/ISO TRANS-
FORMER as a DI-box?
Sorry, but it’s not a direct-box.
Can I use the CLEARLINK™ CONVERTER/ISO TRANS-
FORMER for re-amping?
Sorry, but it’s not a re-amp device.
What is “galvanic isolation” and does the CLEAR-
LINK™ CONVERTER/ISO TRANSFORMER have it?
Galvanic isolation is another term used to describe two
circuits that are electrically and physically separated from
one another, in order to prevent a ground loop from oc-
curring, which results in hum and noise. All audio isolation
transformers have/provide it; some manufacturers choose
to use the term and others don’t, and just go with “isolated”
or “isolation”. It’s all the same, so yes, the CLEARLINK™
CONVERTER/ISO TRANSFORMER has “galvanic isola-
tion”, and it is provided by a specially designed and shield-
ed audio isolation transformer.
FAQ & HELPFUL HINTS continued ▶
™
CONVERTER / ISO TRANSFORMER
