Crate Amplifiers DXJ112 User Manual

W

elcome. 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 DXJ112. 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 DXJ112 Digital Guitar Amplifier!

DXJ112 Digital Guitar Amplifier

i

DXJ112 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 NOTOPERATE NEAR ANYHEAT 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 NOTUSE 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 APOLARIZED, SAFETY GROUNDED OUTLET WIRED TO CURRENT ELECTRICAL CODES AND COMPATIBLE WITH VOLTAGE, POWER, AND

FREQUENCY REQUIREMENTS STATED ON THE REAR PANELOF THE APPARATUS.

• PROTECTTHE 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 BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR SAFE OPERATION AND TO AVOID INJURY.

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

• SERVICE MUSTBE 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 UNIT IS OPERATED ATHIGH 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.

DXJ112 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

Bypassing the Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Appendices

A. Designer’s Note: Amplifier Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Block Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

B. MIDI Implementation Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

C. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

iii

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DXJ112 Digital Guitar Amplifier

1

QQuuiicckk SSttaarrtt:: PPlluugg IInn aanndd GGoo!!

MMaakkiinngg SSoouunndd::

Connect

your

guitar

α

Ω

Start low,

turn up

as desired

Top Mount

Clean

High Power

Calif Mod Fuzzbox

Tube Rectifier

Studio Tweed

Black Face

Large Tweed

60s Era UK

70s Era UK

Acoustic

Blue Voodoo

Vintage Club

Flexwave

Ampeg VL

Try out the

different

amp models

α

Ω

Adjust for

more or
less gain

Touch Wah

Comp/Echo

Bypass/Comp

Rotating Spkr

Tremolo

Delay

Echo

Vibrato

Chorus

Flanger

α

Ω

Modify

the chosen

effect

α

α

Ω

Ω

Change

reverb amount

and depth

Comp/Chorus

Cmp/Flg/Echo

Cmp/Cho/Echo

Cmp/Vib/Echo

α

α

Ω

α

Ω

α

Ω

Flange/Echo

Ω

Chor/Echo

Change the

tone and

volume

Choose a

digital effect

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DXJ112 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. (The power cord and power
switch are on the back of the amplifier.)

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

keypad is not illuminated, and the numbered buttons will

recall presets 1-5 (bank A). When you press the A/B

button it illuminates, and the numbered buttons will recall

presets 6-10 (bank B).

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

bank B, 6 – 10)

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DXJ112 Digital Guitar Amplifier

3

QQuuiicckk SSttaarrtt:: PPlluugg IInn aanndd GGoo!!

AA LLooookk aatt tthhee FFrroonntt PPaanneell CCoonnttrroollss::

Top Mount

Clean

High Power

Tube Rectifier

Studio Tweed

Black Face

Large Tweed

60s Era UK

70s Era UK

α

α

Ω

α

Ω

α

Ω

Acoustic

Blue Voodoo

Vintage Club

Flexwave

α

Ampeg VL

Ω

Calif Mod Fuzzbox

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

α

Ω

Ω

Touch Wah

Comp/Echo

Comp/Chorus

Cmp/Flg/Echo

Cmp/Cho/Echo

Cmp/Vib/Echo

Flange/Echo

Chor/Echo

Rotating Spkr

Bypass/Comp

Tremolo

Vibrato

Chorus

Flanger

Delay

Echo

α

α

Ω

α

Ω

Ω

10 11 12 13 14

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DXJ112 Digital Guitar Amplifier

4

TThhee FFrroonntt PPaanneell ::

1, 2. High & Low In: Use High In for stan­dard pickups, Low In 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 Model 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.

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

DXJ112 Digital Guitar Amplifier

5

QQuuiicckk SSttaarrtt::

PPlluugg IInn aanndd GGoo!!

AA LLooookk aatt tthhee RReeaarr PPaanneell::

POWER

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

BY SLM ELECTRONICS

1400 FERGUSON AVENUE

ST. LOUIS. MO 63133

15

DXJ112a

MODEL

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.

16

D-112/212

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

17 18 19 20 21 22

QQUUIICCKK SSTTAARRTT

DXJ112 Digital Guitar Amplifier

6

TThhee RReeaarr PPaanneell ::

15. Power Switch:

Depress the top of this
switch to turn the amplifier on. (Allow a few
seconds for the amp to respond.)

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. Stereo Headphones:

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

18. Stereo Line Out:

Connect this output to a

stereo amplifier or effects unit.

19. Stereo Line In:

Connect the output of an

external effects unit here.

20. Standard MIDI/Crate Footswitch
Controller:

This switch lets you choose how
you control your DXJ112 – via MIDI or with
the optional Crate Foot Controller.

21. MIDI Thru/Out:

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

22. 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

DXJ112 Digital Guitar Amplifier

7

MMaakkiinngg tthhee RRiigghhtt CCoonnnneeccttiioonnss

TThhee IInnppuutt JJaacckkss::

TThhee SStteerreeoo LLiinnee IInn aanndd LLiinnee OOuutt JJaacckkss::

Ω

Comp/Echo

Comp/Chorus

Cmp/Flg/Echo

Cmp/Cho/Echo

Cmp/Vib/Echo

Flange/Echo

Chor/Echo

Touch Wah

Rotating Spkr

Bypass/Comp

Tremolo

Vibrato

Chorus

Flanger

Delay

Echo

α

α

Ω

α

Ω

Ω

Top Mount

Clean

High Power

Studio Tweed

Acoustic

Blue Voodoo

Vintage Club

α

Ω

Flexwave

Ampeg VL

Calif Mod Fuzzbox

Tube Rectifier

Black Face

Large Tweed

60s Era UK

70s Era UK

α

α

α

α

Ω

Ω

Ω

α

Ω

POWER

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

BY SLM ELECTRONICS

1400 FERGUSON AVENUE

ST. LOUIS. MO 63133

DXJ112a

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:

CHASSIS

SURFACE HOT.

ATTENTION:

SUPERFACIE

DE CHASSIS EST

CHAUDE.

STEREO

STEREO

HEAD

PHONES

LINE
OUT

STEREO

LINE

IN

STANDARD

MIDI

CRATE
FOOT

CONTROLLER

MIDI

THRU/

OUT

MIDI IN/

FOOT

SWITCH