Karen,
From the FAQ have included the control description. The Q-switch switches between the 8db boost described and 0db boost. It is a nice feature to have. I have it on my Orion with Essence electronics.
Keith
The Essence controls are volume, pan, and filter. The filter is a low pass filter and is variable from 350Hz to 6000Hz. When the filter is set fully to clockwise, all frequencies are being passed. As you roll back on the filter, you lower the threshold, above which no frequencies are passed. On the Essence, there is an 8db boost at the threshold frequency of the filter control.
The Essence has just one preamp, so there is just one trim pot inside the control cavity. Thus, you can't use the trim pot to balance the outputs of the pickups. However, the trim pot does serve two other purposes. One, to control the amount of signal going from the bass to your amp. Some preamps can be overdriven if you are sending too much signal from the bass. Two, to balance the output of your Essence with the output of your other basses.
