Rocktron Valve Sonic Plexi User Manual

USER’S MANUAL

Your VALVESONIC Plexi has been tested and complies with the following Standards and Direc­tives as set forth by the European Union:

Council Directive(s): 2014/30/EU
Standard(s): EN55032, EN55103-2

This means that this product has been designed to meet stringent guidelines on how much RF
energy it can emit, and that it should be immune from other sources of interference when properly
used. Improper use of this equipment could result in increased RF emissions, which may or may
not interfere with other electronic products.

To insure against this possibility, always use good shielded cables for all audio input and output
connections. Also, bundle audio cables separately from the AC power cables. These steps will help
insure compliance with the Directive(s).

For more information about other Rocktron products, please see your local dealer or one of our
importers closest to you (listed on the enclosed warranty sheet).

SPECIFICATIONS

Imput Impedance

Input Jack

Output Impedance

Output Jack

Tube Type

Power Consumption

Power Requirements

Dimensions

Weight

1 ㏁

1/4” mono unbalanced (Front and Rear)

Less than 50 ㏀ (Line Output)
Less than 2.7 ㏀ (Instrument Output)

1/4 Mono Unbalanced (Line Out and Instrument Out)

12AX7EH

20 Watts

100 ~120VAC / 1.0A
220 ~ 240VAC / 0.5A

(W) 19” x (D) 6 1/2” x (H) 1 3/4”
(W) 482.6mm x (D)165.1 mm x (H) 44.5mm

5.511 (lbs)

2.5K (kg)

OPERATING PRECAUTIONS

NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THIS SEC­TION TO PROVIDE YEARS OF TROUBLE FREE USE. THIS UNIT
REQUIRES CAREFUL HANDLING.

All warnings on this equipment and in the operating instructions should
be adhered to and all operating instructions should be followed.
Do not use this equipment near water. Care should be taken so that
objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the unit through any
openings.
The power cord should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused
for a long period of time.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THIS EQUIPMENT. THIS EQUIP­MENT SHOULD BE SERVICED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
ONLY. DO NOT MAKE ANY INTERNAL ADJUSTMENTS OR AD­DITIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT AT ANY TIME. DO NOT TAMPER
WITH INTERNAL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AT ANY TIME.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY VOID THE
WARRANTY OF THIS EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS CAUSING
SHOCK HAZARD.

OPERATING TEMPERATURE

Do not expose this unit to excessive heat. This unit is designed to oper­ate between 32° F and 104° F (0° C and 40° C). This unit may not func­tion properly under extreme temperatures.

Introduction

Rocktron has partnered with LA Custom to produce the ValveSonic series of all tube guitar preamps with

unprecedented sonic versality. Tonal capabilies range from 1950’s American, to 60’s, 70’s, 80’s Brish, to
modern American high gain. The ValveSonics have a unique four tube design with the exibility to reproduce
any musical style including classic rock, metal, pop, country, jazz and more.

The ValveSonic Plexi captures the vintage tones of the iconic Brish “plexi” ampliers, from the stacked amps
and the arena sound of rock to the sound heard during the “Sunset Strip” era of rock, and beyond.

Each ValveSonic model features a front panel input jack. The 1-2 switch aects the input of the tube stage
in the preamp. When switched to “1”, the unit provides the more “modern” type of input used on Brish
style amps. When switched to “2”, the unit provides a faer, “classic” type of input used on vintage Brish
ampliers. The Tight switch is used in conjuncon with the 1-2 switch; in the up posion the input is
“ghtened up” much like more modern Brish ampliers, while in the down posion the ght funcon is not
acve.

The ValveSonic Bright control is a six posion switch that provides ve dierent bright variaons to the
overall tone found in Brish ampliers, from vintage to modern, with 0 being o and 5 being the brightest.

The Gain control is used to determine the amount of GAIN Input level driving the ValveSonic tubes. Boost
can be obtained by ipping the Boost switch to the On posion. The Boost works in conjuncon with the “+”
switch. When the Boost switch is On and the “+” switch is in the down posion you will obtain an extra gain
stage that replicates the 80’s Brish type of tone. When the “+” switch is Up, you obtain an addional gain
stage and essenally add an enre tube to the front end, replicang the 90’s Brish amps.

Bass, Middle and Treble controls determine the amount of these various frequencies present in the signal.

EQ 1 & 2 swch replicates the two dierent style EQs that were used in Brish ampliers over the years. In
the Up posion, (posion 1), the “modern” EQ is replicated, providing a more midrange emphasis. In the
Down posion, (posion 2), “vintage” EQ is replicated.

The ValveSonic series features a unique AFTERBURNER switch. This switch works in conjuncon with
the DRIVE control, providing yet another gain stage aer the EQ secon of the preamp. When the
AFTERBURNER is turned On, this switch emulates a post phase inverter master. When On, you can ulize the
Drive control to adjust the amount of Drive present in the AFTERBURNER stage.

The ValveSonic also features HIGH CUT control to adjust the High Frequency cut in order to roll o some
of the high end “sizzle” when the high gain is used. The Master control determines the output level of the
preamp.

The ValveSonic series has been carefully designed to provide prisne tone, no maer what your style of
performance.

Front Panel

1

INPUT jack:

This standard 1/4” mono jack provides an input to the VALVESON-

IC from a guitar or other eect.

2

TIGHT Switch:

This switch eects the input of the tube stage in the preamp and is

used in conjunction with the 1-2 Switch. When in the down position
the “tight” function is not active. When in the UP position it “tight-

ens” up the input which is found in more modern British ampliers.

3

1 - 2 Switch:

This switch also eects the input of the tube stage in the preamp

1 = Replicates the more “modern” type of input used on British style
amps.
2 = Replicates a “fatter, classic” type of input used on the vintage

British ampliers.

4

BRIGHT Control 0 - 5:

The control is a six position switch that provides 5 dierent bright
variations to the overall tone found in British ampliers from vintage
to modern. 0 = o and 5 = the brightest.

5

GAIN control:

This control is used to determine the amount of GAIN Input level
driving the tubes.