Samson 210C User Manual

6

1. Input (1/4-inch Jack) - Connect your bass guitar to this standard 1/4" unbalanced 

jack.  This Hydrive Combo Input has been designed to handle the signals from just 

about any bass with either passive pickups or with hotter pickups if your bass has 

active electronics (that is, if it has a battery).

2. LeveL (control knob) - This is the overall volume control.  For best signal-to-

noise ratio, keep the output of your bass at or near maximum and adjust the Hydrive 

Combos Volume to the desired level.

3. CompressIon (control knob) - This control determines the amount of 

compression (peak signal reduction) by simultaneously adjusting both threshold 

and compression ratio (which ranges from 2:1 to infinity [limiting]).  At the fully 

counterclockwise “Zero” position, the circuitry is bypassed and no compression is 

applied.  As the knob is raised clockwise (at settings from “1” to “10”), increasing 

amounts of compression are applied.

4. CompressIon LED – The LED provides a visual indicator of the status of the 

compression circuitry.  When the LED is off (for example, when the Limiter knob 

[see #3 above] is set to “Zero”), no compression is being applied.  When flashing, 

compression is being applied to the incoming signal at a ratio of approximately 

2:1.  When steadily blue, the compression ratio is approaching infinity (limiting is 

being applied to peak signals).  This LED “follows” the incoming signal, changing 

continuously as different amounts of compression and/or limiting are being applied.

5. FrequenCy (control knob)– This control knob is used to set the center cut 

frequency for the Shape circuit.  The Shape control adds a pre-set equalization curve 

with a slight lift in the low frequencies, a cut in the mids and then a slight lift again in 

the highs depending on it's setting.

6. SHAPE (switch) – This switch is used to engage the Hartke Shape circuit which 

adds a pre-set equalization curve with a slight lift in the low frequencies, a cut in 

the mids and then a slight lift again in the highs. For additional control on stage, the 

SHAPE switch can be controlled using a Hartke FS2 footswitch.

– When the Bass Attack Overdrive switch is ON, the 

control knob adjusts the amount of overdrive distortion.