SWR mo'CONTROL User manual

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. Follow Instructions: All operating and use instructions should be followed.
E. Cleaning: Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a slightly
damp cloth for cleaning.
F. Water and Moisture: Do not use this product near water; for example, near a swimming pool, wet basement, and the like.
G. Accessories: Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table. The product may fall, causing
serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product.
H. Ventilation: Slots and openings in the unit are provided for ventilation and to ensure reliable operation of the product, to protect
it from overheating, thus these openings must not be blocked or covered. This product should not be placed in a built-in installa-
tion such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturer's instructions have been adhered to.
I. Grounding: This product is equipped with a three-wire grounding-type plug, a plug having a third (grounding) pin. This plug will
only fit into a grounding-type power outlet. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your
electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding-type plug.
J. Power Cord Protection: Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items
placed upon them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs and the point where they exit the product.
K. Lightning: For added protection of this product during a lightning storm or when it is left unattended and unused for long
periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet. This will prevent damage to he product due to lightning and power-line surges.
L. Overloading: Do not overload wall outlets or extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
M. Object and Liquid Entry: Never push objects of any kind into this product through the openings as they may touch dangerous
voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.
N. Servicing: Do not attempt to service this product yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous
voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
O. Damage Requiring Service: Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the
following conditions:
1) When the power supply cord has been damaged
2) If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the product
3) If the product has been exposed to rain, water, or other conductive liquids
4) If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions
5) If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way
6) When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.
P. Replacement Parts: When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts speci-
fied by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire,
electric shock, or other hazards.
Q. Safety Check: Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to
determine that the product is in proper operating condition.
R. Heat: The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other products that
product heat.

Note: Please take a moment to verify that the following items were included in your Mo’
Control packaging:
• Mo’ Control footswitch cable (DB9 connector, male-to-female)
• Mo’ Control effects bypass cable (1/4” to 1/4” instrument cable)
• SWR catalog
MO’ CONTROL—TOP PANEL FEATURES
Top Row (left to right)
• Preset Group 1 switch
• Preset Group 2 switch
• Preset Group 3 switch
• Preset Group 4 switch
• Bypass Switch
(all top row switches have red LED indicators)
Bottom Row (left to right)
• Overdrive switch (with red LED)
• SubWave switch (with blue LED)
• Bassynth switch (with amber LED)
• Mo’ EQ switch (with green LED)
• Chorus switch (with yellow LED)
• Dual Mode switch (with red LED)
2MO’ CONTROL USER GUIDE

MO’ CONTROL—REAR PANEL FEATURES (left to right)
• Effects Bypass Insert Cable 1/4” Jack
• Main Footswitch (DB9) Jack
• Preset Group Mode Switch
CONNECTING THE MO’ CONTROL TO THE MO’ BASS
Before connecting your Mo’ Control to your Mo’ Bass, it’s best to turn your Mo’ Bass power off.
Why? Mo’ Control is powered by the Mo’ Bass (you’ll notice the lack of an AC receptacle on the
Mo’ Control). Also, Mo’ Bass and Mo’ Control are “twins” when the units are connected – one
controls the other, and vice versa. The effects even have the same color LEDs. So if you connect
the Mo’ Bass to the Mo’ Control while the Mo’ Bass is on, most likely all of the individual effects
will turn on and the LEDs on both units will illuminate. No harm will come to either unit, but if your
settings on the Mo’ Bass are boosted – like, say, the Overdrive – you may hear a noise you
weren’t expecting.
Now that your Mo’ Bass is off, locate the DB9 cable (the one that looks like a computer cable)
and connect it from the “Foot Switch” DB9 jack on the rear of the Mo’ Bass to the similar DB9
jack on the rear of the Mo’ Control. This jack has a text box above it that reads “To Mo’ Bass
Foot Switch Jack Only.”
3MO’ CONTROL USER GUIDE
TO MO’BASS INTERNAL
FX BYPASS ONLY
Effects
bypass
cable
Effects
bypass
cable

Next, locate the standard 1/4" to 1/4" instrument cable. Insert one end of the cable into the
1/4" jack on the rear of the Mo' Control. This jack is located just to the left of the DB9 jack
you've just connected, and has a large text box above it that reads "To Mo' Bass Internal EFX
Bypass Jack Only." Now take the other end of the cable and insert it into the "Internal EFX
Bypass" jack on the rear of your Mo' Bass. Now you're fully connected, and you can switch on the
Mo' Bass.
We can hear you thinking: "What happens if I lose these cables?" Both cable are standard and
are easily replaceable. The 25-foot male-to-female DB9 cable is available at any computer sup-
plies store. The instrument cable (used for the Mo' Bass Internal EFX Bypass) is also easily
replaceable at most audio electronics retailers. Your Mo' Control comes with 25-foot versions of
each cable, and you can always contact the factory for replacement on either cable if you wish.
Finally, on the rear of the Mo' Control, locate the switch to the far right marked "Preset Group
Mode" and set the switch to "Program" (to the right). Now we're ready to play.
OPERATING THE MO’ CONTROL
Individual Effects
We need to establish a term for when Mo' Control is in its most basic state, which is when no
Preset Groups are activated. Let's call it Solo Mode, since that's the opposite of a group (and
Alone Mode just sounds so lonely). When in Solo Mode, operation is simple. Step on any one of
the switches for the individual effects, and three things will happen: a) The effect will activate on
the Mo' Bass; b) The LED will illuminate on the Mo' Control; and c) The LED will illuminate on the
Mo' Bass.
To disengage any activated effect, simply step on the switch again and it will shut off. Individual
switches will not affect other individual switches. You can turn the effects on and off one at a
time, or manually turn on several effects at once. Notice that whatever you do on the Mo' Control,
the Mo' Bass LEDs will reflect. The reverse is also true. If you engage an effect manually by using
the switch on the Mo' Bass itself, the corresponding Mo' Control LED will illuminate. In essence,
the two units are joined at the hip.
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MO’ CONTROL USER GUIDE
TO MO’BASS INTERNAL
FX BYPASS ONLY

"Dual Mode" is a mode of operation on the Mo' Bass, and acts as an individual effect on the Mo'
Control. If you activate the Dual Mode switch on the Mo' Control, the Mo' Bass will split its signal
into "clean" and "dirty" channels and route those split signals to different sides of the power
amp. (For more information, please consult the "Dual Mode" section of your Mo' Bass Owner's
Manual.) Again, think of Dual Mode as just another individual effect as we further discuss
operation of the Mo' Control.
Bypass
The "Bypass" switch on the Mo' Control will defeat all active Mo' Bass effects AT ANY TIME.
When Bypass is engaged, the red LED above the switch on Mo' Control will illuminate, and the
red LED on the Mo' Bass marked "Internal EFX Bypass" will illuminate as well. To disengage the
Bypass, simply step on the switch again. The red LED will turn off, and whatever effects you still
have on will become audible.
You'll notice that the LEDs for any activated effect will remain lit even after you activate the
Bypass function. This way you can set up whatever you want your next effect (or combination of
effects) to be while you have a clean, unaffected bass tone. Then you can disengage the Bypass
and be ready to kick in the right sound for the next section of the tune.
USING THE PRESET GROUP FUNCTION
The Mo' Bass was designed so that groups of effects could be used in a musical fashion, which
isn't always the case when taking a bunch of effect pedals and connecting them all together in
front of your amplifier. With the Mo' Control, you have the capability to program four unique
groups of Mo' Bass effects by using the Preset Group switches.Up until now we've been in Solo
Mode-that is, with none of the group switches activated. As an example, let's program Preset
Group 1.
First, turn off all of the individual effects. Now step on the switch marked "Preset Group 1." The
red LED above the number 1 should illuminate, but no individual effects should turn on. That's
because Group 1 is empty; we haven't put anything in there yet. Now activate the Overdrive, the
Mo' EQ and the Chorus. To program this group of effects into Preset Group 1, step once more on
the "1" switch, but this time hold your foot down on the switch. After about one second, you
should see the red LED blink. You can now remove your foot from the "1" switch, because you've
just programmed the group. It's that simple.
To check and make sure your programming was stored, step on the "1" switch again, this time in
normal fashion. The red LED above "1" should turn off, as should the Overdrive, Mo' EQ and
Chorus. You've just returned to Solo Mode, which when you left it, had no effects on at all. Now
step on the "1" switch again. You're back in Group Mode, and the Overdrive, Mo' EQ and Chorus
should all turn back on. Congratulations! Now you can program the other three groups however
you wish. (We recommend re-reading the entire "Front Panel Features" section in your Mo' Bass
Owner's Manual for some advice on gain stages, how levels affect other levels, and how effects
affect other effects when using combinations of sounds.)
Will Bypass still work when in Group Mode? You bet. Bypass will deactivate any engaged effects
no matter what mode you're in. All LEDs will still remain lit as well-the Preset Group LEDs includ-
ed. You can even program the Preset Groups while the Bypass is engaged.
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MO’ CONTROL USER GUIDE

You can also add and subtract effects from your preset without changing the preset. In other
words, if, while you're in a Preset Group, you turn on an extra effect that's not part of the group,
you'll hear the change, but it won't program automatically. You have to hold the Preset Group
switch down in order for it to program.
To prove this, activate Preset Group 1. Overdrive, Mo' EQ and Chorus should all be engaged. Hit a
bunch of individual switches, whatever you want. Then step on the "1" switch again, deactivating
the Preset Group. Now hit the "1" switch once more. Overdrive, Mo' EQ and Chorus will still be
there, just like you programmed it.
Protecting Your Preset Groups
Even though it takes holding a Group Switch down for nearly a full second to program, we've
included a feature that eliminates the possibility of accidental re-programming and locks in your
stored settings. After you've programmed your four Preset Groups, locate the "Preset Group
Mode" switch on the far right of the rear of the Mo' Control. Slide the switch to the "Protect" set-
ting (to the left). Now activate Preset Group 1. Your stored effects should all engage. Now step on
the "1" switch again-the Mo' Control will deactivate Group 1 immediately and return you to Solo
Mode, even if you hold your foot down on the switch indefinitely. The last thing you need in a live
setting is an accidental re-programming of a Preset Group. When the Preset Group Mode switch is
set to "Protect," this becomes impossible.
Note: When you want to change the effects in your Preset Groups, remember to put this
switch back to the “Program” position!
Going from Solo to Group Mode… and From One Group to Another… and Back Again…
You can switch back and forth between Solo Mode and Group Mode ’til your heart’s content. Just
know that Mo’ Control has a good memory. If you decide to activate a Preset Group, it will remem-
ber the last thing you did in Solo Mode. So when you deactivate that Preset Group, it will return to
whatever state Solo Mode was in at that time. Try this:
1. In Solo Mode, turn on the SubWave.
2. Turn on Preset Group 1. For the sake of this example, let's say Preset Group 1 is
Overdrive, Mo’ EQ and Chorus.
3. Now hit the Preset Group 1 switch again, turning it off. The Overdrive, Mo’ EQ and Chorus
should turn off, but the SubWave should turn on.
If the last thing you did in Solo Mode was to have all effects disengaged, it will return to that
state. But if something was on, it will be on again when you leave Group Mode.
What if you’re in Preset Group 1 and you hit the “Preset Group 2” switch? The Mo’ Control will
simply go from one group to the other. As long as you keep switching between groups, you’ll
remain in Group Mode. But if you hit any Preset Group switch twice in a row, you’ll return to Solo
Mode – and whatever you did last in that mode will be what you see and hear.
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MO’ CONTROL USER GUIDE

HOW MO’ CONTROL CAN ACT AS A MIDI CONTROLLER
You’ve probably noticed the “MIDI Out” jack on the back of your Mo’ Bass. You also may have
noticed that the MIDI Out function of the Mo’ Bass is only possible when used in conjunction with
the Mo’ Control, and that your Mo’ Bass Owner’s Manual asks you to refer to this manual for
more details. Well, here they are.
Basically, you can control both the Mo’ Bass and your external MIDI-capable device by using the
Preset Group and Bypass switches on the Mo’ Control. When connected to the Mo’ Bass, the Mo’
Control sends simple MIDI program change commands through the MIDI Out Jack on the rear of
the Mo’ Bass. (Again, the MIDI function on the Mo’ Control/Mo’ Bass system is for output only.)
Your control range will be six groups, and starting from 00 for the sake of this example, they cor-
respond as shown in the following chart:
Mo’ Control MIDI Device
Solo Mode = Group 00
Preset Group 1 = Group 01
Preset Group 2 = Group 02
Preset Group 3 = Group 03
Preset Group 4 = Group 04
Bypass = Group 05
Connection is as simple as patching a MIDI cable from the MIDI Out of the Mo’ Bass to the MIDI
In on your external effects device and patching that device into the Mo’ Bass external effects
loop. For information on programming your MIDI device’s presets to correlate to the Mo’ Control
in your desired manner, please consult the MIDI device’s owner’s manual, or contact the manu-
facturer for more detailed information.
7MO’ CONTROL USER GUIDE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Got questions? We figured you might. Here are the answers to some of the most common ones:
Q: What happens if I’ve forgotten one of the cables and I’m at the gig and it’s too late to get a
replacement? Will the Mo’ Control work with only one or the other?
A: If you forget the instrument (bypass) cable, the Mo' Control will work with the DB9 cable only
with the exception of the Bypass, which will simply be inactive. However, without the DB9
cable, the Mo' Control will not work in any capacity.
Q: Why can’t I program any Preset Groups? I’m holding the switch down, but all it does is turn the
group off.
A: Set the Preset Group Mode switch on Mo’ Control’s rear panel to “Program.”
Q: I’d like to make the Mo’ Control a part of my custom pedalboard, but the rubber feet are
keeping me from being able to velcro the bottom down to the pedalboard itself. I don’t see
any screws holding the feet in, and they’re difficult to get out. What’s up?
A: We wanted to keep the Mo’ Control as low to the ground as possible and still provide a rubber
non-skid surface that doesn’t just “stick on” on the Mo’ Control. The rubber feet have four
expanding “claws” on their back sides and hold in place extremely well. If you can’t remove
the rubber feet from the outside, unscrew the bottom panel. Then you can push the claws
through the holes from the backside. If you ever want to re-attach the feet, just push the claws
back through the six holes on the bottom panel.
Q: Can I program and store EQ and other Mo’ Bass settings with the Preset Groups on the
Mo’ Control?
A: Unfortunately, no. The Mo’ Bass is an analog device. It will store combinations of sounds, but
not the Mo’ Bass settings themselves. If you have a MIDI-capable external effects device, you
can program and store whatever you want on that device to correlate with the Preset Groups
on the Mo’ Control. We briefly considered equipping the Mo’ Control and Mo’ Bass with some
kind of digital-analog controlling device—visions of knobs flying around at the touch of a
switch filled the air—but when we realized it would raise the cost of the Mo’ Bass to around
$5,000 retail, we thought better of it.
Q: Now that I own the Mo’ Control, I have all sorts of questions about levels, effects, what
happens at the XLR outs, how best to run the power amps in the Mo’ Bass… where should
I start?
A: You can start with the Frequently Asked Questions page (F1) in your Mo’ Bass Owner’s
Manual. We recommend a thorough re-reading of that manual in any event. For even more
detailed information, go to our website at: swrsound.com. Click on Products, then click on
Professional Series, and then Mo’ Bass. A ton of compelling information awaits you. Finally,
you can always e-mail us at: [email protected], or call the factory at [phone].
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MO’ CONTROL USER GUIDE

MO’ CONTROLMO’ CONTROL LIMITED WARRANTYLIMITED WARRANTY
The MO’ CONTROL from FMIC is warranted to the original consumer purchaser for TWO YEARS from the
date of purchase, against defects in materials and workmanship and provided that it is purchased from
an Authorized SWR Dealer. This warranty applies only to products purchased in the USA or Canada.
This warranty is VOID if the unit has been damaged due to accident, improper handling, installation or
operation, shipping damage, abuse or misuse, unauthorized repair or attempted repair, or if the serial
number has been defaced or removed. FMIC reserves the right to make such determination on the
basis of inspection by an Authorized FMIC Service Center.
All liability for any incidental or consequential damages for breach of any expressed or implied
warranties is disclaimed and excluded herefrom.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so that the above exclusion may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state
to state.
For a complete list of Authorized FMIC Service Centers, please visit our website:
SWRSOUND.COM
SWR
8860 E. Chaparral Rd. Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85250-2618 USA
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEB: www.swrsound.com
SHOULD YOUR MO’ CONTROL REQUIRE SERVICE OR REPAIR,SHOULD YOUR MO’ CONTROL REQUIRE SERVICE OR REPAIR,
PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:
Locate your original receipt showing date of purchase, model and serial number.
Determine the closest Authorized FMIC Service Center to your location. The fastest way to get a complete list of
Authorized FMIC Service Centers is on the web, at:
http://www.mrgearhead.com/faq/allservice.html
You can also get this information by calling FMIC Consumer Relations at [phone].
To receive warranty service, return the complete product to an Authorized FMIC Electronics Service Center, with proof
of purchase, during the applicable warranty period. Transportation costs are not included in this Limited Warranty.
Defective products that qualify for coverage under this warranty will be repaired or replaced, at FMIC's discretion, with
a like or comparable product, without charge.
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