Mesa Boogie CabClone

The CABCLONE™ is a passive Cabinet Simulator/Speaker+Mic alternative with a built-in Amp Load. It provides a direct interface of your guitar amp’s Speaker Output to the input of a mixing console, microphone preamp or even direct to your converters (recorder) with or without the need for a speaker cabinet. It’s also a Compensated Headphone Driver that delivers a great sounding, great feeling headphone-friendly version of your amp’s Tone that’s perfect for late night practice sessions or anytime you want to play without others listening.

Featuring an internal (resistive type) load that can also be defeated, the CABCLONE can be used to capture a direct signal either with or without a live speaker connected to the amplifier. The CABCLONE is designed for amps rated at 150-Watts or less and our standard format is for 8 OHMs. Also available are 4 OHM and 16 OHM versions (again for amps of 150-watts or less) that allow proper impedance matching with other MESA–as well as non-MESA–amplifiers. Using this internal load scenario, you can transform any amplifier into a powerful “silent” live, recording or practice tool.

At the far right of the Front Panel there is a VOICING switch giving you three popular choices for the style of Speaker Cabinet simulated. The upper CLOSED BACK position scoops the midrange and also allows more of the upper harmonic region through, simulating the response of a 4×12 cabinet loaded with 60-watt speakers. This response is often preferable for heavily saturated rhythm and/or lead work where you want a midrange scoop and a huge sonic spread (width).

The center OPEN BACK position takes the lid off a bit so the upper harmonics can shine through and provide a more open, three-dimensional sound with accentuated top end. This position works well for clean work and overdriven rhythm applications where a brighter, “faster” response is in order. The lower VINTAGE CABINET position is the darkest, most compressed choice and offers the best response for single note soloing, especially when higher gain sounds are in use. This setting will keep lead work fat and round and free of “buzzy” gain artifacts. Within these three selectable Voicing positions you‘ll find the ability to tune the CABCLONE’s response to work well for almost any sound style.

In the CABCLONE’s simple Front Panel controls are the basic–but powerful–tools to control your guitar amp’s sound and get it to the Console direct with the least possible effort, time and “superfluous noise”. Now let’s jump to the Rear Panel and review the interfacing possibilities found there.