Crate DX112, DX212 Owner's Manual

Welcome. Please, Read This:

We at Crate extend our sincere “welcome” into a whole new world: a world where the
legendary performance of a musician-made Crate amplifier combines with the wonders of
digital amp modeling and effects. We bring you the only amplifier you’ll ever need: the
Crate DX-112 / DX-212. The heart and soul of sixteen different amplifiers have been cap­tured through the miracles of digital software engineering and placed into the DX amplifier.
Not only does the amp sound like the originals, it performs like the originals, with the same
tones and character of all your favorites – from vintage British grit to today’s heavy metal –
with a wide variety in between.

Along with digital amp modeling comes sixteen digital effects, all designed to rock your
world from here to Sunday. And, you can tweak each effect to your heart’s content!

Got your own favorite effects? Not to worry – the DX amps have stereo line in and line
out jacks for use as a stereo effects loop, or for connecting to an external stereo power
amp. It’s like having your cake and eating it, too – with extra icing!

The DX amplifier is programmable and can be controlled in a number of ways, including
through the front panel keypad, with the optional Crate Foot Controller, or via MIDI.

Within the pages of this Operating Guide you will find all sorts of per­tinent, useful and sometimes technical information which we at Crate
felt you ought to have. Please indulge us a bit and take the time to
actually read through this Guide at some point. Until then, for those
of you who just can’t wait to plug in and go, we offer you:

QQuuiicckk SSttaarrtt:: PPlluugg IInn aanndd GGoo!!

((ppaaggee 11))

There you’ll find just enough information to get you started. If you run
into any situation that isn’t covered in the Quick Start section, you
might have to – guitar gods forbid – read this guide first.

We at Crate thank you for choosing the DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier!

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

i

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

ii

Declaration Of Conformity

#37, Effective 01-01-2001

Manufacturer’s Name: SLM Electronics

Production Facility: 11880 Borman Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146, USA
Production Facility: 700 Hwy 202 W, Yellville, AR 72687, USA
Shipping Facility: 1400 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133, USA
Office Facility: 1400 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133, USA

Product Type: Audio Amplifier
Complies with Standards:

LVD: 92/31/EEC, 93/68/EEC, & 73/23/EWG
Safety: EN60065
EMC: EN55013, EN55020, EN55022, EN61000-3-2,

& EN61000-3-3

Supplementary information provided by your local Sales & Services Office or:

SLM Electronics - R & D Engineering

1901 Congressional Drive, St Louis, MO 63146, USA

Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

• READ, FOLLOW, HEED, AND KEEPALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.

• DO NOT OPERATE NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCE AND DO NOT BLOCK ANY VENTILATION OPENINGS ON THIS APPARATUS. FOR PROPER OPERATION, THIS UNIT REQUIRES 3”

(75CM) OF WELL VENTILATED SPACE AROUND HEATSINKS AND OTHER AIR FLOW PROVISIONS IN THE CABINET.

• DO NOT USE THIS APPARATUS NEAR SPLASHING, FALLING, SPRAYING, OR STANDING LIQUIDS.

• CLEAN ONLY WITH LINT-FREE DAMP CLOTH AND DO NOT USE CLEANING AGENTS.

• ONLY CONNECT POWER CORD TO A POLARIZED, SAFETY GROUNDED OUTLET WIRED TO CURRENT ELECTRICAL CODES AND COMPATIBLE WITH VOLTAGE, POWER, AND

FREQUENCY REQUIREMENTS STATED ON THE REAR PANEL OF THE APPARATUS.

• PROTECT THE POWER CORD FROM DAMAGE DUE TO BEING WALKED ON, PINCHED, OR STRAINED.

• UNPLUG THE APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

• ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS, ACCESSORIES, STANDS, OR BRACKETS SPECIFIED BYTHE MANUFACTURER FOR SAFE OPERATION AND TO AVOID INJURY.

• THIS APPARATUS DOES NOT OPERATE NORMALLY AND REQUIRES SERVICE WITH ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE FROM IMPACT OR ANY EXPOSURE TO MOISTURE.

• SERVICE MUST BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

• OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMA-

NENT HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNITIS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

PRECAUCION

RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO

NO ABRA

PRECAUCION: PARA REDUCIR EL RIESGO DE INCENDIOS O DESCARGAS ELECTRICAS, NO PER­MITA QUE ESTE APARATO QUEDE EXPUESTO A LA LLUVIA O LA HUMEDAD. PARA DISMINUOIR EL
RIESGO DE CORRIENTAZO. NO ABRA LA CUBIERTA. NO HAY PIEZAS ADENTRO QUE EL USARIO
PUEDO REPARAR DEJE TODO MANTENIMIENTO A LOS TECHNICOS CALIFICADOS.

ATTENTION

RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION

NE PAS OUVRIR

ATTENTION: PROTÉGEZ CET APPAREIL DE LA PLUIE ET DE L'HUMIDITÉ AFIN D'ÉVITER TOUT
RISQUE D'INCENDIE OU D'ÉLECTROCUTION. POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS ENLEVER
LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE
REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.

"IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
“ES NECESARIO QUE EL USUARIO SE REFIERA AL MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES.”
"REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION"

EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:
EXPLICACION DE SIMBOLOS GRAFICOS:
EXPLICATION DES SYMBÔLES GRAPHIQUES:

"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
“VOLTAJE PELIGROSO”
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"

=

=

Important Safeguards and Precautions:

All Crate products are designed for continuous safe operation, as long as common sense is used and steps are taken to help avoid cer­tain problems. Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage to your amplifier, yourself and others.

• The amplifier is equipped with a three-pronged AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, NEVER remove or otherwise attempt to defeat the ground
pin of the power cord.

• Connect the amplifier ONLYto a properly grounded AC outlet of the proper voltage for your amp.

• Avoid sudden temperature extremes, rain and moisture. Also, avoid sudden and intense impact. (If the unit has been subjected to any of the preceding abus-

es, have it looked at by an authorized service center.)

• NEVER set the amplifier on a support that might give out under its weight.

• Always keep the total speaker impedance at or above the rated load.

• Unplug the amplifier before cleaning it. NEVER spray liquid cleaners onto the amplifier. Wipe it with a slightly dampened, lint-free cloth to remove dirt and film.

• Do not use the amplifier if it has sustained damage to the chassis, controls, or power cord. Refer the unit to an authorized service center for inspection.

• Amplifiers capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inflicting permanent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure to such levels is prolonged.

Such damage is progressive and irreversible! Consider using quality hearing protection devices.

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONNSS

AAMMPP MMOODDEELLSS

EEFFFFEECCTTSS

TTHHEE KKEEYYPPAADD

FFAAVVOORRIITTEESS

Contents

Quick Start: Plug In and Go!

Making Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

A Look at the Front Panel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

A Look at the Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Making the Right Connections

The Input Jacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

The Stereo Line In and Line Out Jacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Using a MIDI Footswitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Using the Crate Foot Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

The MIDI Out/Thru Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

The Stereo Headphones Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

The Amp Models

Descriptions of the Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Equalization and Channel Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

The Digital Effects

Descriptions of the Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Effects Selection and Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

The Keypad

Recalling The Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Saving New Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

The Tap Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

The Manual (“MAN”) Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Restoring Factory Default Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Playing Favorites

Factory Presets 1–10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

User Presets 1–100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Appendices

A. Designer’s Note: Amplifier Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Block Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

B. MIDI Implementation Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

C. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

iii

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

1

QQuuiicckk SSttaarrtt::

PPlluugg IInn aanndd GGoo!!

MMaakkiinngg SSoouunndd::

Connect

your

guitar

LOW

HIGH

GAIN

GAIN

Start low,

turn up

as desired

Top Mount

Clean

High Power

Studio Tweed

Acoustic

Blue Voodoo

Vintage Club

Flexwave

Ω

Ampeg VL

Calif Mod Fuzzbox

α

MASTER GAIN BASS MID TREBLE CHANNEL

Tube Rectifier

Black Face

Large Tweed

60s Era UK

70s Era UK

α

PRESET PARAMETERS EFFECTSINPUT/OUTPUT

α

Ω

α

Ω

α

Ω

α

Ω

LEVEL

Adjust for

Change the

tone and

volume

digital effect

Try out the

different

amp models

more or
less gain

Touch Wah

Comp/Echo

Comp/Chorus

Cmp/Flg/Echo

Cmp/Cho/Echo

Cmp/Vib/Echo

Flange/Echo

Ω

Chor/Echo

Rotating Spkr

Choose a

Compressor

Tremolo

Vibrato

Chorus

Flanger

Delay

α

Echo

EFFECT

ADJUST

Modify

the chosen

effect

α

Ω

REVERB

LEVEL

Ω

Change

reverb amount

and depth

α

REVERB

DEPTH

Ω

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

2

MMaakkiinngg SSoouunndd::

• You may want to start out with the Master
control turned down low, since this amp
can get LOUD.

• Connect your guitar, plug in the amp and
turn it on.

• Select the manual mode by pressing the
MAN button on the keypad.

• Adjust the Gain control to get the amount
of gain you want.

• Try out the amp models by turning the
Amp Selector knob.

• Use the Bass, Mid, Treble and Channel
Level controls to change the tone and vol­ume. The EQ settings will vary depending
on the amp model you choose.

• Choose a digital effect by turning the
Effects Selector knob.

• Modify the chosen effect by turning the
Effect Adjust control.

• Adjust the reverb by turning the Reverb
Level and Depth controls.

• Try out the factory presets by pressing the
numbered buttons and the A/B button on
the Keypad.

•When first turned on, the A/B button is

not lit, and the numbered buttons recall
presets 1-5 (bank A). When you press the
A/B button it lights up, and the numbered
buttons recall presets 6-10 (bank B).

Try out the
factory presets
(bank A,1 – 5;

bank B, 6 – 10)

POWER

(If you need

to ask, ...)

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

3

QQuuiicckk SSttaarrtt:: PPlluugg IInn aanndd GGoo!!

AA LLooookk aatt tthhee FFrroonntt PPaanneell CCoonnttrroollss::

PRESET PARAMETERSINPUT/OUTPUT

α

α

Ω

HIGH
GAIN

LOW
GAIN

Top Mount

Clean

High Power

Tube Rectifier

Studio Tweed

Black Face

Large Tweed

60s Era UK

70s Era UK

α

Ω

Acoustic

Blue Voodoo

Vintage Club

Flexwave

Ω

Ampeg VL

Calif Mod Fuzzbox

α

MASTER GAIN BASS MID TREBLE CHANNEL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

EFFECTS POWER

α

EFFECT

ADJUST

α

Ω

REVERB

LEVEL

α

Ω

REVERB

DEPTH

Ω

Comp/Echo

Comp/Chorus

Cmp/Flg/Echo

Cmp/Cho/Echo

Cmp/Vib/Echo

Flange/Echo

Chor/Echo

Touch Wah

Rotating Spkr

Compressor

Tremolo

Vibrato

Chorus

Flanger

Delay

Echo

10 11 12 13 14 15

α

Ω

α

Ω

Ω

LEVEL

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

4

TThhee FFrroonntt PPaanneell ::

1, 2. Inputs: Use High Gain for standard
pickups, Low Gain for “hot” pickups and/or
on-board active electronics.

3. Master: Sets the overall output level. The
Master volume is the only non-programma­ble setting on the amplifier.

4. Amp Selector: Chooses the desired amp
model.

5. Gain: Adjusts the input gain.

6, 7, 8. Bass, Mid, Treble: Adjusts the sig-

nal tone.

9. Channel Level: Sets the output level of
the current preset.

10. Effects Selector: Chooses the effect
applied to the signal.

11. Effects Adjust: Changes one or more
parameter of the current effect.

12. Reverb Level: Sets the amount of rever­beration applied to the signal.

13. Reverb Depth: Changes the depth and
high-frequency damping of reverberation,
from a very small room (fully counter-clock­wise) to a very large hall (fully clockwise).

14. Keypad: Recalls and saves presets, using
the numbered buttons and the A/B button.

15. Power: Up is on!

RReeffeerr ttoo SSeeccttiioonn // PPaaggee::

“The Input Jacks” – page 7,8

“Descriptions of the Models” – page 11,12

“Equalization and Channel Level” – page 13,14

“Equalization and Channel Level” – page 13,14

“Equalization and Channel Level” – page 13

“Descriptions of the Effects” – page 15,16

“Effects Selection and Adjustment” – page 17,18

“Description of the Effects” – page 15,16

“The Keypad” – page 19,20

((TThheessee aarree tthhee bbaarreesstt ooff tthhee bbaarree--bboonneess ddeessccrriippttiioonnss –– eennoouugghh ttoo ggeett yyoouu ssttaarrtteedd.. PPlleeaassee cchheecckk oouutt tthhee sseeccttiioonnss aanndd
ppaaggeess nnootteedd ffoorr mmoorree iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn –– tthhiiss ggooeess ffoorr tthhee rreeaarr ppaanneell,, ttoooo..))

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

5

QQuuiicckk SSttaarrtt::

PPlluugg IInn aanndd GGoo!!

AA LLooookk aatt tthhee RReeaarr PPaanneell::

220-240V

C:

.75A 250V

100-120V

C:

T1.5A 250V

220-240V

C:

T1A 250V

100-120V

C:

T2A 250V

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

BY SLM ELECTRONICS

1400 FERGUSON AVENUE

ST. LOUIS. MO 63133

16 17

AVIS:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.

DX-212

MODEL

D-112/212

AEIOU1269

SERIAL#

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC

SHOCK – DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR

CAUTION:

OF FIRE, REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE
AND RATING.

ATTENTION:

UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE
MEME TYPE.

100-120V

T1.5A 250V

220-240V

T.75A 250V

TO REDUCE THE RISK

FUSE

AC:

AC:

DX-212DX-112

100-120V

T2A 250V

220-240V

T1A 250V

AC:

AC:

CAUTION:

CHASSIS

SURFACE HOT.

ATTENTION:

SUPERFACIE

DE CHASSIS EST

CHAUDE.

STEREO

HEAD

PHONES

STEREO

LINE

OUT

STEREO

LINE

IN

STANDARD

MIDI

CRATE
FOOT

CONTROLLER

MIDI

THRU/

OUT

MIDI IN/

FOOT

SWITCH

18 19 20 21 22 23

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

6

TThhee RReeaarr PPaanneell ::

16. AC Line Cord:

Plug the male end of this

cord into a properly grounded AC outlet of
the correct voltage. DO NOT DEFEAT THE

GROUND PIN OF THE AC PLUG!

17. Fuse:

The fuse protects the amplifier
against damages caused by overload condi­tions in the unit. If the fuse blows, replace it
only with the same size and type as indicat­ed on the rear panel.

18. Stereo Headphones:

For those private
moments, plug a pair of stereo headphones
into this jack. The internal speaker(s) is (are)
muted when headphones are used. (Can also
be used for recording.)

19. Stereo Line Out:

Connect this output to a

stereo amplifier or effects unit.

20. Stereo Line In:

Connect the output of an

external effects unit here.

21. Standard MIDI/Crate Footswitch
Controller:

This switch lets you choose how
you control your DX-112/212 – via MIDI or
with the optional Crate Foot Controller.

22. MIDI Thru/Out:

Connect to another
MIDI device you wish to control with the
foot controller.

23. MIDI In/Foot Switch:

This jack either
accepts a standard MIDI input or lets you use
the Crate Foot Controller.

RReeffeerr ttoo SSeeccttiioonn // PPaaggee::

“Stereo Headphones Jack” – page 9,10

“The Stereo Line In and Line Out Jacks” – page 7,8

“The Stereo Line In and Line Out Jacks” – page 7,8

“Using the Crate Foot Controller” – page 9,10

“The MIDI Thru/Out Jack” – page 9,10

“Using a MIDI Footswitch” – page 9,10

((TThhaatt’’ss aallll wwee’’rree ggoonnnnaa ggiivvee yyoouu ffoorr nnooww!! TToo lleeaarrnn aa wwhhoollee lloott mmoorree,, rreeaadd tthhee rreesstt ooff tthhiiss gguuiiddee!!))

CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONNSS

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

7

MMaakkiinngg tthhee RRiigghhtt CCoonnnneeccttiioonnss

TThhee IInnppuutt JJaacckkss::

TThhee SStteerreeoo LLiinnee IInn aanndd LLiinnee OOuutt JJaacckkss::

220-240V

C:

.75A 250V

100-120V

C:

T1.5A 250V

220-240V

C:

T1A 250V

100-120V

C:

T2A 250V

Top Mount

Clean

High Power

Studio Tweed

Acoustic

Blue Voodoo

Black Face

Large Tweed

Vintage Club

Flexwave

60s Era UK

Ampeg VL

Calif Mod Fuzzbox

Tube Rectifier

70s Era UK

α

HIGH

LOW

GAIN

GAIN

Ω

MASTER GAIN BASS MID TREBLE CHANNEL

PRESET PARAMETERS EFFECTSINPUT/OUTPUT POWER

αΩα

ΩαΩαΩαΩ

LEVEL

Comp/Echo

Comp/Chorus

Cmp/Flg/Echo

Cmp/Cho/Echo

Cmp/Vib/Echo

Flange/Echo

Chor/Echo

Touch Wah

Rotating Spkr

Compressor

Echo

Tremolo

Vibrato

Chorus

Flanger

Delay

αΩαΩα

EFFECT

REVERB

ADJUST

LEVEL

REVERB

DEPTH

Ω

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF FIRE, REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE
AND RATING.

ATTENTION:

UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE
MEME TYPE.

FUSE

DX-212DX-112

100-120V

AC:

100-120V

T1.5A 250V

T2A 250V

220-240V

AC:

220-240V

T.75A 250V

T1A 250V

AC:

AC:

CAUTION:

CHASSIS

SURFACE HOT.

ATTENTION:

SUPERFACIE

DE CHASSIS EST

CHAUDE.

STEREO

HEAD

PHONES

STEREO

LINE
OUT

STEREO

LINE

MIDI

STANDARD

IN

CRATE
FOOT

CONTROLLER

MIDI IN/

MIDI

THRU/

FOOT

OUT

SWITCH

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

BY SLM ELECTRONICS

1400 FERGUSON AVENUE

ST. LOUIS. MO 63133

DX-212

MODEL

D-112/212

AEIOU1269

SERIAL#

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC

SHOCK – DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR

AVIS:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.

CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONNSS

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

8

The Input Jacks:

The DX-112/212 has two input jacks – High Gain (straight) and Low Gain (padded) – to accom­modate a wide range of pickups and playing styles. The jack you use depends on your type of
pickups and the sounds you’re after.

For example, most players will plug their guitars into the High Gain jack. These players include those
with “normal output” pickups and some players with “hot” pickups who are looking for some
added distortion.

Some players will choose the Low Gain jack. These players are mostly those with “hot”/active
pickups who want a cleaner sound, with more headroom for the Gain control.

When nothing is plugged into either jack, the DX-112/212 mutes its internal speaker(s).

The Stereo Line Out/In Jacks:

The DX-112/212 has a Stereo Line In and Line Out jack (rear panel), for use as a stereo effects
loop, or to send a preamplified signal to an external stereo power amp.

To use an effects loop, connect the Line Out jack to the input of the effects device, then connect
the output of the device to the Line In jack.

To send a preamplified signal, connect a stereo signal cable from the Line Out jack to the input of
the stereo power amplifier.

The jacks are wired as follows: TIP = left channel, RING = right channel, SLEEVE = ground.

The Line Out jack signal is post master, post eq, and post effects.

•If you want to connect a DX-112 to
another guitar amplifier for stereo
sound, you’ll need to make a custom
patch cable like the one shown to the
right. Use this cable to connect your
DX-112 Line Out jack to the Line In
jack of the second guitar amp AND
the DX-112 Line In jack.

to DX-112
Line Out jack

12

to DX-112
Line In jack

RING

TIP

SLEEVE

TIPRING

SLEEVE

SLEEVE

TIP

3

to second guitar amp's Line In jack

TIP RING SLEEVE

2T, 2R 3T 2S,3S

1

1T, 2R 2T 1S,3S

2

1R (N/A) 1S,2S

3

CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONNSS

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

9

MMaakkiinngg tthhee RRiigghhtt CCoonnnneeccttiioonnss

UUssiinngg aa MMIIDDII FFoooottsswwiittcchh::

UUssiinngg tthhee CCrraattee FFoooott CCoonnttrroolllleerr::

TThhee MMIIDDII TThhrruu//OOuutt JJaacckk::

TThhee SStteerreeoo HHeeaaddpphhoonneess JJaacckk::

220-240V

C:

.75A 250V

100-120V

C:

T1.5A 250V

220-240V

C:

T1A 250V

100-120V

C:

T2A 250V

220-240V

C:

.75A 250V

100-120V

C:

T1.5A 250V

220-240V

C:

T1A 250V

100-120V

C:

T2A 250V

220-240V

C:

.75A 250V

100-120V

C:

T1.5A 250V

220-240V

C:

T1A 250V

100-120V

C:

T2A 250V

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF FIRE, REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE
AND RATING.

ATTENTION:

UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE
MEME TYPE.

FUSE

100-120VAC:
T1.5A 250V

220-240VAC:

T.75A 250V

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

BY SLM ELECTRONICS

1400 FERGUSON AVENUE

ST. LOUIS. MO 63133

DX-212

MODEL

D-112/212

AEIOU1269

SERIAL#

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC

SHOCK – DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR

AVIS:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.

DX-212DX-112

100-120VAC:

T2A 250V

220-240VAC:

T1A 250V

CAUTION:

CHASSIS

SURFACE HOT.

ATTENTION:

SUPERFACIE

DE CHASSIS EST

CHAUDE.

STEREO

HEAD

PHONES

STEREO

LINE
OUT

STEREO

MIDI

STANDARD

LINE

IN

CONTROLLER

MIDI IN/

MIDI

THRU/

FOOT

OUT

SWITCH

CRATE
FOOT

OUT

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF FIRE, REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE
AND RATING.

ATTENTION:

UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE
MEME TYPE.

FUSE

T1.5A 250V

T.75A 250V

DX-212DX-112

AC:

100-120V

T2A 250V

AC:

220-240V

T1A 250V

100-120V

220-240V

AC:

AC:

CAUTION:

CHASSIS

SURFACE HOT.

ATTENTION:

SUPERFACIE

DE CHASSIS EST

CHAUDE.

STEREO

HEAD

PHONES

STEREO

LINE
OUT

STEREO

LINE

MIDI

STANDARD

IN

CONTROLLER

MIDI IN/

MIDI

THRU/

FOOT

OUT

SWITCH

CRATE
FOOT

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

BY SLM ELECTRONICS

1400 FERGUSON AVENUE

ST. LOUIS. MO 63133

DX-212

MODEL

D-112/212

AEIOU1269

SERIAL#

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC

SHOCK – DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR

AVIS:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.

IN

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF FIRE, REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE
AND RATING.

ATTENTION:

UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE
MEME TYPE.

FUSE

T.75A 250V

DX-212DX-112

AC:

100-120V

T2A 250V

AC:

220-240V

T1A 250V

100-120V
T1.5A 250V

220-240V

AC:

AC:

CAUTION:

CHASSIS

SURFACE HOT.

ATTENTION:

SUPERFACIE

DE CHASSIS EST

CHAUDE.

STEREO

HEAD

PHONES

STEREO

LINE
OUT

STEREO

LINE

MIDI

STANDARD

IN

CRATE
FOOT

CONTROLLER

MIDI IN/

MIDI

THRU/

FOOT

OUT

SWITCH

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

BY SLM ELECTRONICS

1400 FERGUSON AVENUE

ST. LOUIS. MO 63133

DX-212

MODEL

D-112/212

AEIOU1269

SERIAL#

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK – DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR

AVIS:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF FIRE, REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE
AND RATING.

ATTENTION:

UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE
MEME TYPE.

FUSE

T1.5A 250V

T.75A 250V

DX-212DX-112

AC:

100-120V

T2A 250V

AC:

220-240V

T1A 250V

100-120V

220-240V

AC:

AC:

CAUTION:

CHASSIS

SURFACE HOT.

ATTENTION:

SUPERFACIE

DE CHASSIS EST

CHAUDE.

STEREO

HEAD

PHONES

STEREO

LINE
OUT

STEREO

LINE

MIDI

STANDARD

IN

CONTROLLER

MIDI IN/

MIDI

THRU/

FOOT

OUT

SWITCH

CRATE
FOOT

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

BY SLM ELECTRONICS

1400 FERGUSON AVENUE

ST. LOUIS. MO 63133

DX-212

MODEL

D-112/212

AEIOU1269

SERIAL#

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC

SHOCK – DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR

AVIS:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.

CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONNSS

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

10

UUssiinngg aa MMIIDDII FFoooottsswwiittcchh::

You can store and recall a total of 100 presets when using a MIDI footswitch. These presets are
accessed by MIDI program numbers 0 through 99. (Also, see the MIDI Implementation Chart,
Appendix B, page 45.)

WARNING: The MIDI In/Crate Foot Controller button must be in the OUT position

for MIDI operation. (The IN position applies power to the Crate Foot Controller

which could cause damage to another type of MIDI footswitch.)

UUssiinngg tthhee CCrraattee FFoooott CCoonnttrroolllleerr::

The optional Crate Foot Controller (model DX-FC) lets you store and recall a total of 100 presets and
allows foot control of the tap tempo function. The controller gets its power straight from the amplifier,
so no external power source or batteries are needed!

Plug the connecting cable into the MIDI In/Foot Switch jack and set the MIDI In/Crate Foot Controller
button to the IN (foot controller) position. This applies the power needed for the Crate Foot Controller.

(See the Foot Controller’s User’s Guide for more complete information-when you get one!)

TThhee MMIIDDII TThhrruu//OOuutt JJaacckk::

The MIDI Out/Thru jack lets you control other MIDI devices with the Foot Controller. Connect this
jack to the MIDI In jack of the device you wish to control.

The MIDI Thru works with either a standard MIDI input (footswitch) or with the Crate Foot Controller
plugged into the MIDI In jack, since the Crate Foot Controller sends standard MIDI messages.

TThhee SStteerreeoo HHeeaaddpphhoonneess JJaacckk::

Plug a pair of stereo headphones into this jack, for private listening. The internal speaker(s) is (are)
disconnected when headphones are used. The headphones signal is speaker compensated for a
realistic sound even without a guitar speaker cabinet. Since this amp can play LOUD, be careful
when using headphones – prolonged exposure to those high dB levels can wreak havoc on your
eardrums!

• The Headphones Jack can also be used as a stereo direct out for recording.

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

11

The DX-112/212 is actually 16 different amplifiers in one! The software inside the amplifier con­vinces the signal that it’s going through the electronic components of the original amplifier, giving it
all of the characteristics of that amp! (More or less – it’s really a lot more technical than that, but
you get the picture. For a slightly more technical description, see Appendix A on page 43.)

Use the amp selector knob to choose which amp model you want. The chart on the following
page lists the name we gave the amp model, the “make and model” of the amp we emulated, and
a brief description of the original amp.

AAMMPP MMOODDEELLSS

TThhee AAmmpp MMooddeellss

DDeessccrriippttiioonn ooff tthhee MMooddeellss::

Top Mount

Clean

High Power

Studio Tweed

Acoustic

Blue Voodoo

Black Face

Large Tweed

Vintage Club

Flexwave

60s Era UK

Ampeg VL

Calif Mod Fuzzbox

Tube Rectifier

70s Era UK

α

HIGH

LOW

GAIN

GAIN

Ω

MASTER GAIN BASS MID TREBLE CHANNEL

PRESET PARAMETERS EFFECTSINPUT/OUTPUT POWER

αΩαΩαΩαΩα

LEVEL

Touch Wah

Comp/Echo

Compressor

Tremolo

Comp/Chorus

Vibrato

Cmp/Flg/Echo

Cmp/Cho/Echo

Chorus

Cmp/Vib/Echo

Flanger

Delay

Flange/Echo

Ω

Chor/Echo

Rotating Spkr

Echo

α

ΩαΩαΩ

EFFECT

REVERB

ADJUST

LEVEL

REVERB
DEPTH

Top Mount

Clean

Acoustic

Blue Voodoo

Vintage Club

Flexwave

Ampeg VL

Calif Mod Fuzzbox

Tube Rectifier

High Power

Studio Tweed

Black Face

Large Tweed

60s Era UK

70s Era UK

DX-112/212 Digital Guitar Amplifier

12

AAMMPP MMOODDEELLSS

Model Name Modeled After the... Brief Description

Top Mount Vox AC 30 Bright with a great clean sound at low gain, distorts smoothly at high gain

settings – an early 60’s amp with lots of 2nd and 3rd order harmonics,
favored by the Beatles for the rhythm and lead tracks in their early days

High Power Hi Watt DR An early 60’s “upmarket” alternative to the popular Marshall amp – loud-

er and cleaner than most

Studio Tweed Fender Deluxe 5E3 The sound from which Rock ‘n’ Roll was born – Fender’s early 50’s claim

to fame

Black Face Fender Deluxe Reverb AA763 The classic tube amp – one of the first amps with reverb, a mid-60’s sta-

ple to the rock and roll diet (considered by some to be one of the best
amps ever made)

Large Tweed Fender Bassman 5F6-A Originally designed for bass, favored by guitarists for its big sound – a late

50’s classic

60s Era UK Marshall 1959 The renowned “brown sound” – a softer, smoother Marshall than the

more modern creations

70s Era UK Marshall JCM 800 The sound of ROCK! – loud and powerful with a definitive edge

Fuzzbox Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face Jimi would be proud – the classic stomp box distortion of his day

Tube Rectifier Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier Barre chord Heaven – the beginning of the modern high-gain amp era

Calif Mod Mesa-Boogie Mark IIC+ Tons of overdrive and sustain; the sound of Santana! – the hot-rodded

powerhouse Simul-Class amplifier

Ampeg VL Ampeg VL-501 A hot-rodded Marshall-style amp – powerful, lots of distortion and multi-

ple gain stages

Flexwave Crate GX-140C The massively overdriven, solid state Crate sound preferred by Metal-

Heads everywhere – a solid-state competitor for most classic tube amps
due to Crate’s proprietary FlexWave circuitry

Vintage Club Crate VC-60 A unique combination of both modern high-gain and classic tube amps

– bringing back the “vintage” sound of the early days of rock

Blue Voodoo Crate BV-60 Awesome modern high-gain tone – smooth, clean, and powerful

Acoustic Boss AC-1 Acoustic Simulator Makes your electric guitar sound like an acoustic

Clean Crate GX-140C Clean Jazz sound – just enough of a an edge to get your message across

All-important, legal, “cover-our-rear-ends” blurb!

Vox, Hi Watt, Fender, Marshall, Dallas-Arbiter, Mesa-Boogie, Boss, and the names of their respective products are all trademarks of their

respective companies, and have no affiliation with Crate and/or SLM Electronics, or with the DX-112/212 amplifier. These companies and

their products are acknowledged herein because we listened to their stuff and modeled some of their sounds into our amplifier.

Also, the above descriptions are paraphrased synopses of many of our own experiences with the amplifiers, along with information from the

“The Tube Amp Book, 4th Edition.”