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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Mains powered apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus. Clean only with dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Table of Contents Introduction....................................................................................... ii Welcome aboard! ............................................................................. ii Main features.................................................................................... ii Signal path ...................................................................................... 1 Valve Reactor Technology ..............................................................
Introduction WELCOME ABOARD! T hanks for choosing the VOX AD15VT, AD30VT, AD50VT, AD100VT or AD100VTH Valvetronix amp. To ensure a long and trouble-free relationship with your new amp, please read this manual carefully, use the amp as directed and keep the manual for future reference.
SIGNAL PATH Your guitar sound passes through the following sections. (You can refer to “The Guitarist’s Guided Panel Tour” while you read the explanation that follows.) Power Amp model Effect Pre Amp model AUTO WAH / COMP Choose one of 11 types Effect MODULATION DELAY / REVERB Master Vol Speaker Class A Class AB Determined by the Pre Amp selection VALVE REACTOR TECHNOLOGY THE POWER (AMP) AND THE GLORY! V alve Reactor technology was first used on the VOX AD60VT & AD120VT Valvetronix amps.
Apart from the vital valve tone this ingenious power amp design provides, it also allows us to replicate various “circuit characteristics” that are unique to the all-valve power stages of the amps we’ve modelled. These “characteristics” include: Class A or Class AB operation, Presence and Resonance (low end) control circuitry (both found in the negative feedback circuit that some, but not all, valve power amps have) and power output.
CHECKING OUT THE PRESET PROGRAMS 1. Press the top panel PRESET button. The PRESET LED will light (this means you’re in Preset mode). 2. Turn the AMP selector to select an amp type. For each amp type you select, a preset containing a typical sound for that type will be selected; i.e., the GAIN, VOLUME, TREBLE, MIDDLE, BASS, and effect settings will be switched automatically. If you want to hear the amp without effects, press the effect bypass button. SWITCHING BETWEEN THE CHANNELS OF A PROGRAM 1.
The Guitarist’s Guided Panel Tour In this chapter we’re going to take a look at the top and rear panels of your Valvetronix amp. A. Top Panel 2 1 4 3 5 1. INPUT SECTION This is where you plug in your guitar. 2. AMP SECTION Here’s where you make your settings. AMP selector switch This selects one of the amp type models.
TREBLE, MIDDLE, and BASS This trio of knobs allow you to dial in the exact amount of high, mid, and low frequencies. Also, as you’d expect (and hope!), the exact manner in which each one of these controls behaves and also interacts with the others is dependant on the amp model selected. Turn to the “Amp models and effects” section (page 17) for more information.
TAP (EDIT 2) and LED This button enables you to set the speed of a modulation-type effect (such as CHORUS or FLANGER) the delay time REVERB length; simply press the button twice at the desired interval. The LED blinks at the specified speed or time. HINT: To set the time to exactly match the tempo of a song, press the TAP button several times along with the song. HINT: You can also adjust the speed or time, by holding down the TAP button and turning the EDIT 1 knob.
WRITE button Use this button to save a new program into CH1 or CH2. Refer to “Storing your program” (page 14). 5. POWER SWITCH When the power is on, the indicator located above the switch will be lit. B. Rear Panel AD15VT/AD30VT/AD50VT AD30VT/AD50VT only AD50VT only AD100VT AD100VTH AC power This is where you connect the included power cord. FOOT SW You can connect the optional VFS2 dual foot switch (sold separately) here, and use it to switch programs or bypass the effect while you perform.
NOTE: The AD15VT doesn’t have this control. NOTE: The power level setting isn’t saved as part of the program. This control lets you get that highly desirable, fat, warm sound of the Valvetronix power stage being driven hard (a common trait of all great valve power amps), at various levels. This will enable you to play comfortably in a small room or compromising your all-important tone. LINE/PHONE Use this jack if you’re plugging directly in to a mixer, recording device, or if you’re using headphones.
SPEAKER OUT jacks, OUTPUT SELECT switch Connect your speaker cabinet(s) to the SPEAKER OUT jack(s). Refer to the table below, and set the OUTPUT SELECT switch to the appropriate setting for the cabinet(s) you’re using. NOTE: Only the AD100VTH has these jacks and this switch.
About the three operating modes T he AD15VT/AD30VT/AD50VT/AD100VT/AD100VTH contains eleven “preset programs.” To select one of these, enter Preset mode (which simply means, press the PRESET button) and turn the AMP selector. There are also two rewritable “channel programs” which you can select by pressing the CH button or by using the optional VFS2 foot switch.
SWITCHING CHANNELS With either the CH1 or CH2 LED lit, press the CH switch. The channel will change each time you press the button, and the program stored in each channel will be recalled. (The physical settings of the top panel selector knobs and control knobs are ignored at this time.) HINT: If the optional VFS2 dual foot switch is connected to the rear panel, you can use it to switch programs. For details, refer to “Using the VSF2 dual foot switch” (page 16).
Creating and storing your own program T here are two ways you can do this; by tweaking an existing preset program that’s close to what you have in mind, or by starting from scratch. CREATING YOUR OWN PROGRAM Let’s start from scratch. 1. Choose any program in Preset or Channel Select mode, or select Manual mode. HINT: Since we’re starting from scratch it doesn’t matter what program you choose. 2. Use the BYPASS button to bypass the effect. (The BYPASS LED is lit.
HINT: For details on the effects, refer to “Amp models and effects” (page 17). 8. When you’ve come up with a sound you like, store the program. NOTE: In Preset or Channel Select mode, the changes you made will be lost if you switch to a different program or Manual mode or turn off the power without storing the program first. NOTE: The effect bypass setting isn’t stored as part of the program.
STORING YOUR PROGRAM When you’ve come up with a sound you like, you should store (write) the program. 1. Press the WRITE button. The CH1 or CH2 LED will blink. 2. Press the CH button to select the channel in which you want to store your program. The program will be stored in the channel whose indicator is blinking. HINT: If, during this process, you decide that you really don’t want to store the program, you can press the TAP button to cancel at this point.
RESTORING THE FACTORY SETTINGS Here’s how you can restore the factory settings. NOTE: If you do this, the programs you saved in the channels will be completely erased, and will be reset to the factory settings. NOTE: Effect and noise reduction settings made in the Manual mode will also be erased. 1. Turn the power off. 2. While holding down both the CH and WRITE buttons, turn the power on. When the CH1 and CH2 LEDs begin blinking, release these two buttons.
Using the VFS2 dual foot switch I f the optional VFS2 dual foot switch (sold separately*) is connected to the rear panel FOOT SW jack, you can use it to switch programs or turn effect bypass on/off. VFS2 left switch (switch 1): Switches channel programs VFS2 right switch (switch 2): Switches bypass on/off, or turn Manual mode on SWITCHING THE CHANNEL PROGRAM (SWITCH 1) Each time you press the VFS2’s left switch (switch 1), you’ll alternate between CH1 and CH2.
Amp models and effects In this section we’re going to talk about the eleven amp models and effects. AMP MODELS hich amps did we painstakingly model for our selection of eleven? Believe me when I say it wasn’t easy ’cos, as I’m sure you know, there’s a plethora of greatsounding amps out there. After countless hours of soul searching, earnest discussions (not to mention the occasional friendly argument!), calls to tone-wise friends (some professional players, some not ...
TUBE TALK Us Brits call ’em valves while our US cousins call ’em tubes ... as the saying goes: England and America are merely two countries divided by a common language! Anyway, call ’em what you will, these wondrous glass bottles lie at the tonal heart of each of our 11 models.
1. BOUTIQUE CL For this amp type, we modelled the Clean channel of a very rare, very expensive and respected 100 Watt head named the Overdrive Special. We auditioned several top-shelf boutique amps for this model but this amp was the clear winner. Its beautifully rounded low-end, delightfully transient mid-range attack and sweet treble make it the perfect partner for single- coil pickups. It is also incredibly responsive and extremely sensitive to picking styles and pickup selection.
4. AC15 This is modelled on Channel 2 of an amazing sounding 1962 VOX AC15. This 1 x12”, 15 Watt, valve driven combo was unleashed on the market in 1958 and was the first ever VOX amplifier. Thanks to its compactness, built in vibrato and tremendous tone, it was a huge hit with the popular British guitar bands of the time. One of the biggest reasons for its signature tone is the fact that it employs EL84 output valves in a Class A circuit with no negative feedback.
Original’s valve compliment: 5 x ECC83s & 1 x ECC82 in preamp, 1 x GZ34 rectifier, 4 x EL84s in power amp. 6. UK ’70s This is based on the “High Treble” channel of a 1971, 50 Watt, four input, all-valve head. This amp was chosen because the tone was incredibly rich and warm yet biting and distinct! As this amp has no master volume facility, the way to use it to its full potential is to crank the Volume.
8. UK MODERN This is modelled on the High Gain channel of a modern, all-tube 100 Watter. It combines a toneful high gain preamp stage with the unmistakable, “snarling” punch and girth the UK ’80s power stage offers. The result is a highly aggressive, tone-breathing monster capable of mondo-gain while retaining individual note definition. With the GAIN control on full, UK MODERN allows lead lines to soar into soulful feedback, while its low-end “chunk” remains tight and punchy.
EFFECTS The AD15VT, AD30VT, AD50VT, AD100VT & AD100VTH provide eleven of the most popular effects (some effects actually combine two effects). you can adjust the SPEED parameter of modulation effects or the TIME parameter of delay/reverb effects simply by pressing the TAP switch twice. In addition to using the EDIT 1 knob to adjust the most important parameters, you can make more detailed adjustments by holding down the TAP button or BYPASS button while turning the EDIT 1 knob.
COMP Want to play a clean passage that needs to be nice, smooth, and even? Need a bit more sustain on a lead line? Then look no further; COMP is the effect for you. It’s modeled on a compressor pedal that is hugely popular due to the percussive clean sound it can produce — making it perfect for ’80s and ’90s pop and funk rhythm work. It can also add a singing, mellow, sustain to lead lines — clean or dirty. EDIT1 “SENS” EDIT2 [TAP+EDIT 1] “ATTACK” Adjusts the sensitivity of the compressor.
FLANGER A model of a truly classic flanger that “unchained” a highly influential modern guitarist who many hail as the “godfather of two-handed tapping.” TAP “SPEED” Sets the modulation speed in a range of 0.1...10 [Hz]. EDIT2 “SPEED” This lets you use the knob to make fine adjustments [TAP+EDIT 1] to the parameter. EDIT3 “RESONANCE” Adjusts the amount of resonance. [BYPASS+EDIT 1] TREMOLO This effect is based on the highly acclaimed tremolo circuit found in a BLACK 2x12.
DELAY This is a model of one of the most respected analogue tape echo machines ever made. In the original the “echo” is produced by a playback head and the exact “delay time” is set by varying the motor speed. Many professionals prefer these “lo-fi” units because of the warm, dark echoes they produce. TAP “TIME” EDIT1 “MIX” EDIT2 “TIME” [TAP+EDIT 1] EDIT3 “FEEDBACK” [BYPASS+EDIT 1] Sets the delay time in a range of 1...1486 [ms]. Adjust the mix amount of the delayed sound.
Troubleshooting 1.The amp isn’t powering up when the POWER switch is ON. ➢ Is the power cable plugged into the AC power connector on the rear panel of the amp? ➢ Is the power cable plugged into an AC outlet? ➢ Is the AC outlet switched on and actually working? ➢ Does the power cable work? 2.
➢ Check the settings of the GAIN, VOLUME, TREBLE, MIDDLE, and BASS controls. On certain amp types, if the TREBLE, MIDDLE, and BASS controls are all turned down, there will be little or no sound coming from the amp due to the way the circuit of the original works. ➢ If you’re in Manual mode (the MANUAL LED lit), turn the following controls above their minimum setting: GAIN, VOLUME, TREBLE, MIDDLE, and BASS. 4. There’s no sound heard from the LINE/PHONE jack when you use it.
Specifications Number of amp types: Number of effects: Noise reduction: 11 11 1 Number of programs: Input/output jacks Top panel: 11 preset, 2 channel Rear panel: Power amp output AD15VT: AD30VT: AD50VT: AD100VT/AD100VTH: 1 x INPUT 1 x FOOT SW jack, 1 x LINE/PHONE jack (AD50VT/AD100VT only) EXTERNAL SPEAKER OUT jack x 1 (AD100VT/AD100VTH only) LOOP SEND jack x1, LOOP RETURN jack x 1 (AD100VTH only) SPEAKER OUT jack x2 maximum 15W RMS @ 8 ohms maximum 30W RMS @ 8 ohms maximum 50W RMS @ 8 ohms maximum 1
Programmer’s Cheat Sheet Wanna remember how you set up your favourite programs? Well this is the place to do it! Simply do as follows: 1. Indicate where all the knobs are set by drawing a line in the empty circles. 2. Indicate which MODULATION, DELAY & REVERB effects are being used by colouring in the relevant LED 3.
PROGRAM NAME: EDIT2[TAP+EDIT 1]: /TAP EDIT3[BYPASS+EDIT 1]: NR (NOISE REDUCTION): POWER LEVEL EDIT3[BYPASS+EDIT 1]: NR (NOISE REDUCTION): POWER LEVEL EDIT3[BYPASS+EDIT 1]: NR (NOISE REDUCTION): POWER LEVEL NOTE: PROGRAM NAME: EDIT2[TAP+EDIT 1]: /TAP NOTE: PROGRAM NAME: EDIT2[TAP+EDIT 1]: /TAP NOTE: 31
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