What is the LOW GAIN MODE, and how does it work?
What is the LOW GAIN MODE?
The LOW GAIN MODE is available for AMP1 Mercury Edition and AMP1 Iridium Edition. It will reduce the gain of your AMP1 on all channels in order to achieve authentic vintage sounds similar to using the „low“ input on vintage amps.
What is the LOW GAIN MODE for?
The AMP1’s gain knob features a „treble bleed“, which means the more you reduce the gain, the more treble your sound will have. This is useful for sparkling, shiny low gain sounds. For some players, depending on the guitar that’s being used, there will be too much treble. In this case, use the LOW GAIN MODE to be able to roll the gain back in and get a warmer tone.
Good to know
The LOW GAIN MODE is intended for stand-alone operation of the AMP1. The LOW GAIN MODE is deactivated by an incoming MIDI command as well as by connecting the REMOTE1 to the foot switch jack of the AMP1. This is because both via MIDI and with the help of REMOTE1, a maximum gain value (CC020) is stored individually per preset, and LOW GAIN MODE becomes obsolete.
How to activate the LOW GAIN MODE
Press and hold the middle foot switch [BOOST] while you switch your AMP1 on: The gain is being reduced on all channels.
AMP1 Mercury Edition
The AMP1 Mercury Edition has several software versions that behave differently when it comes to LOW GAIN MODE activation and deactivation:
With the first production batch, you will not receive any visual confirmation when activating the LOW GAIN MODE. With these unit, you must perform a factory reset in order to return to Full Gain Mode.
With the release of the AMP1 Iridium Edition, we changed the software of all AMP1s, including the AMP1 Mercury Edition, to allow the middle foot switch to flash three times when entering LOW GAIN MODE.
With these units, you can return to Full Gain Mode (in addition to performing the factory reset) also by repeating the above procedure: turn off the AMP1 and hold down the middle foot switch [BOOST] while turning it back on. The foot switch will not flash when LOW GAIN MODE is turned off, unlike when it is turned on
This software is installed on all AMP1 Mercury Edition units produced in 2019 or later. To find out when your AMP1 Mercury Edition was produced, check out this article.
AMP1 Iridium Edition
The AMP1 Iridium Edition is equipped with the latest software: The middle foot switch flashes three times when entering the LOW GAIN MODE, and you can return to Full Gain Mode - in addition to performing a factory reset - by turning off the AMP1 and holding down the middle foot switch [BOOST] while turning it back on.
Gain values in LOW GAIN MODE
If you activate the LOW GAIN MODE, the gain will be reduced to the following maximum values:
| Channel | AMP1 Mercury Edition | AMP1 Iridium Edition |
|---|---|---|
| CLEAN | approx. 70% | approx. 80% |
| VINTAGE | approx. 70% | 100% |
| CLASSIC | approx. 63% | approx. 96% |
| MODERN | approx. 70% | approx. 70% |