Hughes & Kettner DSM User Manual

www.hughes-and-kettner.com

BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG

ENGLISH

2.0

MANUAL

ZENTERA - MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 QUICK START GUIDE OR OPERATING MANUAL? . . . . .6

2.0 POWERING UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

3.0 AMP MODELS AND EFFECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

3.1 AMP MODELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

3.2 EFFECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

4.0 STANDARD SETUP/CABLE CONNECTIONS . . . . . . . . . .7

5.0 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

5.1 OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

5.2 THE ZENTERA®'S DISPLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

5.3 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES IN DETAIL . . . . . . . .8

6.0 SPECIAL FUNCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

6.1 PRE EFFECT MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

6.2 GLOBAL EQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

6.3 TUNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

6.4 STORE (NAME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

6.5 FOOTSWITCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

6.6 TAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

7.0 THE SYSTEM MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

7.1 MEMORY PROTECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

7.2 MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

7.3 WAKE UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

7.4 READ VALUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

7.5 MIDI SETUP BASE CHANNEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

7.6 MIDI PROGCHG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

7.7 MIDI SETUP DEVICE ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

7.8 MIDI SYSEX SEND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

7.9 MIDI SYSEX RECEIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

7.10 MIDI DUMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

7.11 MIDI MAPPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

7.12 FOOTSWITCH ASSIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

7.13 VOLUME PEDAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

7.14 VOL. PEDAL RANGE MIN., VOL. PEDAL RANGE MAX. .14

7.15 CV PED TYPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

7.16 CV PED CALIB MIN/MAX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

7.17 Z-BOARD BANK CHANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

7.18 Z-BOARDCALIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

7.19 VERSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

8.0 MAINTENANCE AND CARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

9.0 TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

10.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

11.0 APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

11.1 TABLE: EFFECTS AND EFFECT PARAMETERS . . . . . . . .15

11.2 MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

11.3 AC POWER AND THE GLOBAL CURRENT ADAPTER . . .31

GLOSSARY OF SYMBOLS

Turn knob

Tap knob or button (click)

Tap knob or button twice (double-click)

Hold knob or button pressed for a bit longer

(click and hold briefly)

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE ZENTERA!

The zenTera®converges the most sought-after amps and effects in the history of guitar amplification in an easy-to-handle, combo-sized package. And it does it with mind-bending authenticity, delivering

an audio experience you won't soon forget.

The secret behind the zenTera Modeling (DSM components (sectors) in the original amps and we analyzed the dynamic interaction between these sectors. One of the things we found is that tone is a sum greater than its many parts and that it is the musical quality of the individual component groups and their dynamic reciprocation that make the difference. These findings flowed into the making of digital models. Thus the zenTera faithfully replicate each amp, the full sweep of its dynamic range, its inherent sonic personality, and all its unique sound-shaping options.

Another example of the zenTera 24-bit A/D converter in its preamp section. Tweaked specifically for processing guitar signals, it enables the zenTera peaks of up to 116 decibels. This makes the zenTera digital amp that is able to capture the full dynamic range of the guitar. Until now this extraordinary dynamic range was solely the domain of tube amps.

But that's not all: In the engine room of the zenTera one but two of the latest-generation 32-bit floating point DSPs. Their computing power is what translates the technology of DSM soul-stirring, to-die-for tone. Furthermore, they guarantee that the

zenTera

bottom line is tone, and zenTera dynamics galore and lively, utterly true responsiveness to your attack.

In the zenTera Each amp type's tone controls respond faithfully as if you were tweaking your tone on the original. This lets you dial in every sound swiftly and intuitively just like you are accustomed to doing on analog amps. But there's more cooking in the zenTera smorgasbord of studio-quality effects, emulations of vintage stomp boxes and a faithfully replicated spring reverb. These effects, just like the amp's parameter controls, are intuitive to tweak, without the nerve-racking tedium of stepping through menus. All settings may be stored as presets in 128 slots (100 user presets + 28 factory sounds) and called up via the front panel, footswitch or MIDI controllers. With this array of user-friendly features, the zenTera handles like a dream.

Packing a powerful punch, the zenTera power amp is coupled with two Celestion Vintage 30 loudspeakers. This combination cuts through the din at any stage volume and enables you to make your musical statement under even the most demanding conditions.

A built-in tuner, a TAP function that lets you sync up delay time, a serial FX loop, an analog and digital recording output, a headphones jack and many other practical features give you the remarkable level of convenience that you've come to expect from Hughes & Kettner gear.

With the zenTera face lets you upload software upgrades at any time and even swap sounds and system settings with other zenTera

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reproduces signals without any perceptible latency. But the

you have 11 different amp models at your fingertips.

, you've bought a stake in the future. Its MIDI inter-

HERE'S HOPING THAT YOU GET AS BIG A KICK OUT OF THE ZENTERA'S TONE AS WE DID DEVELOPING

THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND IT!

's sonic sorcery is Dynamic Sector

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's innovative technology is the

to handle signal

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delivers it in truckloads replete with

's sonic kitchen - a

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into

ENGLISH

ZENTERA-MANUAL

BEFORE POWERING UP- Check and make sure that the local current and the amp's AC power rating are identical before you plug the zenTera can circulate freely around your amp's ventilation ducts. - Place the amp on a stable platform where it is not exposed to mechanical shocks and will not endanger the safety of anyone nearby. Avoid temperature extremes and excessive humidity, both of which can damage the amp and may cause an electrical shock. - The manufacturer is not liable for any damage to the amp due to improper use. Important information! Note that the zenTera should not be exposed to extreme cold over longer periods. Though unlikely, it is possible that the internal battery will lose its charge. This battery provides power to the system when it is switched off. Under normal conditions, it is recharged when you power the amp up.

1.0 QUICK START GUIDE OR OPERATING MANUAL?

We've included a quick guide for all those who are raring to go right now and can't be bothered to wade through the entire owner's manual. In just a few steps, it will familiarize you with the sound-shaping features of the zenTera functions. Even if this quick guide provides enough information to let you get off to a good start, please bear in mind that the

zenTera

them until you take the time to read the owner's manual.

2.0 POWERING UP

Activate the zenTera®by flipping the POWER switch located on the far right. The zenTera loading either the preset that was active before the amp was switched off or the last setting that was dialed in before the amp was switched off. These two possibilities are explained in greater detail in section 7.3, WAKE UP.

's mains cord into an AC outlet. - Ensure that air

and explain its key

's possibilities are legion. You won't find out about all of

will go on line in one of two statuses,

3.0 AMP MODELS AND EFFECTS

3.1 AMP MODELS

You can select from among eleven different models of amps herein called amp types - by rotating the zenTera knob. Every amp type has a distinctive sonic personality that is best suited for very specific styles of music. In addition to vintage milestones that literally made amp history, the zenTera emulations of some contemporary amps. In the following, we'll take a quick look at each amp type.

BLACK FACE

This American beauty is the definitive amp for classic clean tone. Although you'd be hard-pressed to drive it into the distortion zone, its big sound and enormous punch left an indelible mark on several of styles of music - it even helped shape certain playing techniques. This piece of gear has won friends and influenced people far and wide, from funk rhythm kings to jazz masters, from blues howlers to country pickers.

Note that the BRIGHT function found on the original is integrated into the

's GAIN knob. GAIN settings of up to 5.0 (12 o'clock position)

zenTera elicit that characteristic treble boost of the original's BRIGHT switch. The top end is not boosted at higher settings.

TWEED DELUXE

The kid brother of the big tweed amp, its raw, throaty textures are held in high esteem by connoisseurs of vintage grit. A purist's dream come true, its simple yet brilliant circuitry delivers earthy, fat tweed tone unrivalled by any other amp.

On the downside, the original was equipped with just one tone knob, so we elected to assign a sound-shaping functionality to the 3-band EQ and the PRESENCE knob for this emulation. This gives you a lot more musically meaningful tweaking options without sacrificing the tone that makes this amp type so special.

: TURN KNOBr: CLICKs: DOUBLE-CLICKt: CLICK AND HOLD BRIEFLY

's WAMP TYPE

also offers

TWEED 4 x 10

The ultimate vintage blues amp revered by almost all historic greats of the genre, it still spells bliss for many a modern-day blues blaster. The breadth and depth of its dynamic range and its fat, expressive lead tone are what made it famous. From squeaky clean to a throaty growl and all points in between, this amp puts meaning into the phrase "living on blues power."

BRIT EL 84

The amp for classic guitar-driven pop and rock. Judging by the many stellar songwriters who appear on its reference list, this amp would undoubtedly be the hands-down winner in a poll of song-smiths. Unarguably, its EL84-loaded, Class A power amp delivers the sweetest harmonic distortion of all tube amps. And its flexible tone controls with the legendary Cut and Top Boost circuits elicit chiming, sparkling sounds as well as fat lead tone. Cranked wide open, it also delivers gritty, roots rock-approved goods.

Note that the zenTera The Top Boost circuit is integrated into the MID knob, which is handy because this lets you dial smoothly rather than switch hard from Normal to Top Boost mode.

PLEXI 50

This British EL34-powered classic made music history. Many a genredefining steel-string slinger wielded its considerable sonic clout to leave an indelible mark on the face of modern music. With its hair-trigger response, the PLEXI will do exactly what the position of your guitar's volume knob tells it to. Turn the volume down low, and you get fat, clean tone with shimmering top end. As you crank the knob, you can hear that vintage rock roar unfold.

PLEXI 100

The PLEXI on steroids, this 100-watt sensation literally rocked the late '60s and continued to dominate the heavy rock scene throughout the '70s and well into the '80s. A staple of innumerable rock productions, this amp's dynamic response made it the tool of choice for many an audio alchemist. Indeed, it can be said with some authority that this beast's big, cutting sound defined what great rock tone is all about. It will also make you the object of fear and loathing in your neighborhood, because you won't feel the full fury of its sonic assault until you crank it to the hilt.

BRIT HI GAIN

A logical outgrowth of the razor-edged sound of British steel, this amp delivers gear-grinding overdrive and meltdown lead sounds with truckloads of sustain and in-your-face punch. The tone controls are tweaked to deliver the response of a modern-day boutique amp, adding many shades and hues to your sonic palette. Less subtly, its scooped mids elicit a merciless metal edge, while its over-the-top high end has been rumored to peal paint at a hundred paces.

ULTRA GAIN

A zenTera 100-watt amp until it is hot enough to roast weenies. And, frankly, the result is awe-inspiring - the fattest and most creamy lead sound imaginable.

USA HI GAIN

This amp's peerless tone is the product of three rectifier tubes. A real firecracker, it throws red-hot sparks of distortion for a fresh, dynamic tone. With its fat, bad and downright angry overdrive, this amp can take on many guises. Playing a key role in the rise of grunge in the '90s, it has since become the tool of choice for New Metal merchants. And with good reason, for few other amps can match its intensity and depth of musical expression, particularly for soloing.

ACOUSTIC AMP

This is the DSM acoustic amp.

's PRESENCE knob takes over the CUT function.

special, this is what you get when you hop up a British

version of the Montana, Hughes & Kettner's

ZENTERA - MANUAL

SEND RETURN

IN OUT

INPUT

FX-UNIT

SPEAKERS

RECORDING

OUT

Z-BOARD

PHONES

MIXING CONSOLES

COMPUTER

MIDI CONTROLLER

EXPRESSION

PEDAL

SUSTAIN PEDAL

FS-5

GAIN AMP TYPE BASS MID TREBLE PRESENCE PRESET DELAYMOD FX REVERB TYPE PARA 1 PARA 2

TUNER STORE

INPUT POWERVOLUME MASTER

JAZZ CLEAN

This amp type is based on a Hughes & Kettner rig that debuted back in the '80s, specifically the clean channel of the ATS 112, which many jazz guitarists still consider a benchmark for this style.

3.2 EFFECTS

The zenTera®offers an arsenal stocked with hip yet practical effects for which the gigging guitarist will find plenty of use. In addition to standard reverb, delay and modulation effects, the archive also features emulations of classic stomp boxes (e.g. fuzz) and vintage effect devices (e.g. tape echo devices). An excellent spring reverb simulation is also onboard. To learn more about the amp's effects offerings, check out Chapter 6.1, PRE EFFECT MODE, and the tables depicted under heading 11.1 in the appendix.

4.0 STANDARD SETUP/CABLE CONNECTIONS

5.0 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES

5.1 OVERVIEW

The zenTera®'s user panel is essentially divided into two segments, the amp section and the effect section.

amp section effect section

The layout of the amp section should look familiar to you - it is arranged much like that of an analog amp. The GAIN, BASS, MID, TREBLE, PRESENCE and VOLUME knobs rotate to a far left and far right position. You can dial in values of 0 to 10. Only the AMP TYPE knob spins completely around. The knobs of the selected amp type respond just like those on the original model, which means that in this respect the zenTera handles exactly like its analog forebears. In some cases, however, it gives you additional tweaking options beyond those of the original. This bit of icing on what was already a great cake is no novelty feature. You'll find that the extra sound-shaping options come in handy and that they make musical sense.

The effect section puts an array of delay, modulation and reverb effects at your disposal. Here you'll find it easy to dial in satisfactory sounds without a great deal of editing. All effects can be switched PRE or POST preamp.

: TURN KNOBr: CLICKs: DOUBLE-CLICKt: CLICK AND HOLD BRIEFLY

PRE is comparable to a stomp box that plugs into the front panel input. The latter option taps into the stereo signal circuit located before the power amp, giving you stereo effects.

5.2 THE ZENTERA®'S DISPLAY

The zenTera®'s display responds immediately to each handling operation and menu change. It always indicates the parameter that you are currently editing and jumps to the next display as soon as you activate another knob or menu. There's one

exception - the amp's master level (as determined by the MASTER knob on the far right) is independent of all other settings. Note that the master volume is not indicated in the display.

In standard display mode, the zenTera preset, the number of its memory slot, the name of the amp simulation as well as any effect blocks that you may have activated. The following diagram should clear up any questions you might have about what's what in the display.

Large numerical display:

number of the current preset (1 - 100, P1 - P28)

Top text line: name of the preset

Bottom text line: selected amp type

PRESET: It lights up when the amp is in the standard display mode. The

bar below PRESET illuminates when you edit a preset's settings.

INS-FX: It lights up if one of the PRE effects is activated for this preset. If you elect to use a wah-wah, the bar below INS-FX lights up as soon as the wah-wah is activated via the connected pedal. The bar lights up in the usual manner for the remaining PRE effects.

DELAY: It lights up when one of the delay effects is activated in the preset. If you choose to patch in the effect via the PRE circuit, the bar below DELAY lights up.

MOD FX: It lights up when one of the modulation effects is activated in the preset. If you choose to patch in the effect via the PRE circuit, the bar below MOD FX lights up.

REVERB: It lights up when one of the reverb effects is activated in the preset. If you choose to patch in the effect via the PRE circuit, the bar below REVERB lights up.

When you edit one of the preset's parameters, say WBASS, you will see the word BASS displayed in the lower text line and the value indicated in the large numerical display. The bar below PRESET will light up.

Note: To reset the amp to standard display mode after you've edited a parameter, simply double-click wait five seconds or so for the zenTera automatically reset to standard display mode.

indicates the name of the

TUNER. Or you can

to take a time out and

ENGLISH

ZENTERA-MANUAL

GAIN AMP TYPE BASS MID TREBLE PRESENCE PRESET DELAYMOD FX REVERB TYPE PARA 1 PARA 2

TUNER STORE

INPUT POWERVOLUME MASTER

5.3 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES IN DETAIL

FRONT PANEL

INPUT: Connect your electric guitar or pick-up-equipped acoustic guitar to this input (it accepts all input levels).

GAIN

: This knob serves different purposes depending on the

selected amp type: Some of the original models (BLACK FACE, TWEED DELUXE) don't come with a master volume. For this breed of amp, GAIN responds just like a regular volume knob. For models that are equipped with both gain and master knob, the GAIN knob serves the same purpose as the gain knob on the original.

AMP TYPE: This knob carries out four functions.

Turn the knob to select the desired amp type.

Tap it to activate PRE EFFECT MODE (for more info, check out

section 6.1, PRE EFFECT MODE). This mode puts different distortion, wah-wah and compressor effects at your disposal. Unlike the other effects found in the effect section, the only signal routing option for these effects is PRE, in other words, in front of the input.

Press and hold to set PRE EFFECT MODE to BYPASS.

Lots of amps are equipped with jacks offering high and low

input sensitivity. On the zenTera two options by means of an analog stage located in front of the input transformer. A double-click selects HI input sensitivity, another double click selects LOW input sensitivity.

The two options yield very different sonic results. Experiment to find out which option works best for the given application, guitar etc. If your axe is equipped with powerful pick-ups, LOW will certainly be your better bet.

TONE CONTROLS

These knobs work like those on the original amp and their response depends on the amp type that you have selected. Since some of the original amps don't have a presence knob or a 3-band EQ, the zenTera to replicate all of the originals' tweaking options (for an in-depth explanation of this, see 3.0 AMP MODELS).

: BASS, MID, TREBLE and PRESENCE knobs.

, you can switch between the

's knobs are assigned special functions

VOLUME

power amp MASTER knob located on the far right, you can store this parameter. This is a handy feature because it lets you dial in the desired balance of the relative levels for all presets.

PRESET: This knob performs two functions.

MOD FX, DELAY and REVERB: Each of these knobs can perform three functions:

: Controls preset volume. Unlike the setting of the

Turn the knob to select from among the 128 possible presets. The presets are activated immediately as soon as you dial them in, meaning that you don't have to confirm your selection. Memory slots 1 to 100 are designed to accommodate user presets. Slots 101 (P1) to 128 (P28) are factory presets that you can copy but not overwrite.

Press and hold the knob to switch the GLOBAL EQ ON or OFF. (for more info, see 6.2, GLOBAL EQ).

Turn the knob to activate the respective effect block and control the volume of the effect that you want to mix to the dry signal. (To learn more about selecting an effect, see the following section under TYPE and the tables in the appendix depicted under 11.1).

Tap it to activate the respective effect block without changing the effect volume setting. This is a handy option when you just want to check the effect settings or edit parameters other than its volume.

Press and hold it to bypass the given effect. This lets you A/B the sound with and without effect. reactivate the effect. Note: The effect is also switched to

bypass when you turn far left position.

MOD FX, DELAY or REVERB to the

Tap it again to

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+ 11 hidden pages