Tech 21 XXL - Guitar and Bass Versions Owner's Manual

T: 973-777-6996 • E: [e-mail] • W: www.tech21nyc.com
© 2005

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The originally issued XXL (in early 1995) was the first overdrive pedal to offer a control to
manipulate the structure and balance of odd and even harmonics.Not a typical, simple
stomp box, by any means, it also happened to appeal to bass players. It was a natural
evolution to restructure specifically voiced guitar and bass versions.

With its unique WARP™ control, the XXL gives you a spectrum of tones, including tradi-
tional distortion, classic tube amp overdrive, and vintage fuzz, all in one unit. Born decades
ago, these timeless sounds will continue to be the preferred choice of players for decades
to come.

Characteristic of all Tech 21 products, the XXL will not depersonalize your instrument’s
tone. Most importantly,the XXL is highly interactive with the dynamics of your individual
playing style and your instrument’s individual tonality. It is engineered to be a useful tool for
stimulating your creativity and, ultimately, finding your own individual expression.

APPLICATIONS

The XXL is designed for use with any amp --tube or solid state, vintage or modern.You
can achieve the same results using the XXL with any of our highly-acclaimed SansAmp™
models of Tube Amplifier Emulators. It can also bring depth and soul to any multi-processor
that otherwise leaves you uninspired.

Simply plug your guitar into the XXL, and the XXL into the input of your amp (or the input
of a SansAmp).

GUIDE TO CONTROLS

LEVEL adjusts the output level without altering any tonal characteristics.

DRIVE adjusts the overall amount of gain and overdrive.

TONE-GUITAR EDITION is a very musical, specialized low pass filter that shifts the

high cut from 10kHz to 1kHz. It allows you to remove the high end without losing mids or
getting muddy.

TONE-BASS EDITION is a level-compensated passive tone control,inspired by the

tone controls of the ‘60s and ‘70s --with a twist.At max,it’s flat. However, as you go
towards the mid-point, it
Then, as you decrease from the mid point, it cuts highs --without changing the level.

boosts the low end and adds body, giving you the warmest sound.

WARP™ allows you to manipulate the odd and even harmonic structure within the

realm of distortion. It is the key to an entirely different dimension in sound control.The
median point (indicated by the double arrows) yields traditional distortion, well-suited for
chords and rhythm parts. Extreme settings work particularly well with individual notes -­they become smoother, fatter,thicker. Decreasing from the median point, you get higher
amounts of even harmonics, giving you the overdrive like that of a Class A tube amp.
Increasing
constrict, then dilate and enlarge. Sustaining that note will cause it to “sing.”

Warp and the X-Factor

The X-Factor is the ratio of odd and even harmonics relative to the dynamics of your
instrument and your playing style. For best results, your guitar should have a strong output
signal.The force you use to hit your strings will greatly influence the results you can achieve
with the
The effect will be that of a vintage fuzz pedal. (The difference here, however, is that the
XXL cleans up when you decrease the output
of your guitar.) The same setting, when played in a tight, controlled manner, will yield more
of a “woman tone.” With the XXL, it’s not just what you play, it’s how you play it.

Warp, oversaturates the unit.After an initial pick attack, a note will “sag” and

™

Warp control.To illustrate, set Warp at maximum and play very open and loose.

THE INS AND OUTS

1/4” INPUT: 1megOhm high impedance input, same as traditional tube amps.

1/4” OUTPUT: 1kOhm low impedance output drives long cables without loss of signal

integrity, even in bypass.

NOTEWORTHY NOTES & SUGGESTIONS

1) For guitar amps that tend to be on the bright side, or bass amps with a horn or tweeter, we
recommend the XXL’s
and adjusting to taste.When available, use the Normal channel on your amp, rather than the
Bright channel.

2) With Drive at or close to minimum and Warp at maximum, you can add “breath” to your amp,
as if you installed a tube rectifier.This gives extra character (that is otherwise difficult to obtain)
to a clean or overdriven amp.

3) When experimenting with the Warp control, set the knob, then play. If you turn the control
while you’re playing,you will not be able to hear the effect properly.To hear the effect at its most

exaggerated, use humbucking pickups with
lower register very hard.

Tone control be set lower than 12 o’clock, perhaps initially at 11 o’clock,

Warp set at maximum, and pick individual notes in the

RECOMMENDED EFFECTS PLACEMENT GUIDE

PLACE BEFORE THE XXL:
Compressor
Octave Divider
Wah (guitar)*

*NOTE: Placing the wah before distortion will yield a traditional

“rock” wah tone. Placing the wah after distortion will give you

a very wide ranging “synth” type filtering effect.

POWER REQUIREMENTS

•Utilizes standard 9V alkaline battery (not included).To install, simply remove battery door.(NOTE: The

Input activates battery.To conserve energy, unplug when not in use.) Power Consumption: approx. 5mA.

•USE DC POWER SUPPLY ONLY! Failure to do so may damage the unit and void warranty.

DC Power Supply Specifications:

-9V DC regulated or unregulated, 100mA minimum;

-2.1mm female plug, center negative (-).

Optional factory power supply is available,Model #DC2.

WARNINGS:

• Attempting to repair unit is not recommended and may void warranty.

• Missing or altered serial numbers automatically void warranty. For your own protection, be sure serial
number labels on the unit’s back plate and exteriorbox are intact.

ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. PROOF OF PURCHASE REQUIRED. Manufacturer

warrants unit to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one (1) year from date of purchase
to the original purchaser and is not transferable.This warranty does not include damage resulting from acci­dent, misuse, abuse, alteration, or incorrect current or voltage. If unit be-comes defective within warranty
period,Tech 21 will elect to repair or replace it free of charge.After warranty expires,Tech 21 will repair
defective unit for a fee.

ALL REPAIRS for residents of U.S.Call Tech 21 for Return Authorization Number. Manufacturer will
not accept packages without prior authorization, pre-paid freight (UPS preferred) and proper insurance.

International purchasers should contact the authorized Tech 21 distributor in their particular country.

FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANCE & SERVICE:

Contact Tech 21, weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, EST.

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

PLACE AFTER THE XXL:
Chorus
Delay
Wah/Auto Wah (synth/bass)*