Vox AD50VT-XL, AD30VT-XL, AD15VT-XL, AD100VT-XL User Manual
AD15VT-XL
AD30VT-XL
AD50VT-XL
AD100VT-XL
E 1
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
• Read these instructions.
•Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
•Follow all instructions.
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Mains powered apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or
splashing and that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall
be placed on the apparatus.
• Clean only with dry cloth.
• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type
plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other.
A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet. (for USA and Canada)
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly
at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the apparatus.
• Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for
long periods of time.
•Turning off the power switch does not completely isolate this product
from the power line so remove the plug from the socket if not using it
for extended periods of time.
• Install this product near the wall socket and keep the power plug
easily accessible.
•WARNING—This apparatus shall be connected to a mains socket
outlet with a protective earthing connection.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as powersupply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
• Do not install this equipment on the far position from wall outlet and/
or convenience receptacle.
• Do not install this equipment in a confined space such as a box for
the conveyance or similar unit.
• Excessive sound pressure from earphones and headphones can
cause hearing loss.
• Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by
the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used,
use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid
injury from tip-over.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol
within an equilateral triangle, is intended
to alert the user to the presence of
uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within
the product's enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an
equilateral triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature accompanying
the product.
THE FCC REGULATION WARNING (for USA)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Ho we v er ,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or tele vision reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
ncrease the separation between the equipment and receiver .
•I
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help .
Unauthorized changes or modification to this system can
void the user’ s authority to operate this equipment.
Notice regarding disposal (for EU)
If this “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol is
shown on the product or in the operating
manual, you must dispose of the product in an
appropriate way. Do not dispose of this product
along with your household trash. By disposing
of this product correctly , y ou can av oid
environmental harm or health risk. The correct
method of disposal will depend on your locality, so please
contact the appropriate local authorities for details.
* Company names, product names, and names of f ormats
etc. are the tr ademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.
Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................... 4
Welcome aboard! ............................................................................ 4
Main features................................................................................... 4
Signal path ...................................................................................... 5
Valve Reactor Technology .............................................................. 5
Quick Start ........................................................................................ 6
Setup ............................................................................................... 6
Checking out the preset programs .................................................. 7
Switching between the channels of a program................................ 7
Creating your own sounds............................................................... 7
The Guitarist’s Guided Panel Tour ................................................. 8
A. Top Panel.............................................................................................. 8
B. Rear Panel .......................................................................................... 11
About the three operating modes ................................................. 13
Preset mode (selecting a preset program) .................................... 13
Channel Select mode (selecting a channel program) ................... 13
Manual mode................................................................................. 14
Creating and storing your own program...................................... 15
Creating your own program........................................................... 15
Adjusting the noise reduction ........................................................ 16
Storing your program..................................................................... 17
Checking the settings of a program (original values) .................... 17
Restoring the factory settings........................................................ 18
Using the VFS2 dual foot switch................................................... 19
Amp models and effects ................................................................ 20
XL Amp models ............................................................................. 20
Effects ........................................................................................... 25
Troubleshooting ............................................................................. 29
Specifications ................................................................................. 31
Programmer’s Cheat Sheet ........................................................... 32
3
Introduction
W
ELCOME
hanks for choosing the VOX AD15VT-XL, AD30VT-XL, AD50VT-XL or AD100VT-XL
Valvetronix amp. To ensure a long and trouble-free relationship with your new amp,
T
M
• The XL-series uses Valve Reactor technology, and feature a power amp circuit con-
• Sophisticated modeling technology is used to provide eleven different amps. They
• Eleven high-quality effects are built in and seven are multi effects that let you use two
•You can store your favorite amp and effect settings as a program, which contain two dif-
• In Manual mode the sound you hear will reflect the physical settings of the knobs.
• If you connect the optional VFS2 dual foot switch (sold separately), you can use it to
• The power level control (
• The external speaker out jack (AD50VT-XL / AD100VT-XL only) lets you connect a
• The effect send/return jacks (AD100VT-XL only) allow you to connect your external
please read this manual carefully, use the amp as directed and keep the manual
for future reference.
AIN
FEATURES
taining a 12AX7 (ECC83) dual triode valve (“vacuum tube”) that would normally be
used in a preamp. This allows the amp to produce the true sound and feel of a bona
fide all valve (tube) amp.
range from classic vintage amps of the past to current expensive high-end valve
amps, and are accessible at the turn of a knob.
effects simultaneously plus Noise Reduction.
ferent settings (CH1 and CH2). You can switch between these settings from the top
panel, or by using the optional VFS2 foot switch connected to the rear panel (Channel
Select mode). In addition, there’s one preset program for each amp type (Preset mode).
switch programs or bypass effects.
output wattage of the power amp. This means that even when the master volume is
turned up to the max to drive the Valve Reactor power amp, you can adjust the volume
without losing any tone.
guitar speaker cabinet (8 ohm) of your choice.
effect processor in a loop connection.
ABOARD
!
The AD15VT-XL doesn’t have this feature.
) lets you adjust the
4
S
IGNAL
Your guitar sound passes through the following sections.
(You can refer to “The Guitarist’s Guided Panel Tour” while you read the explanation that
follows.)
V
ALVE
T
HE
PATH
Power Amp model
Effect
OCTAVE / COMP
R
EACTOR
P
OWER
alve Reactor technology was first used on the VOX AD60VT & AD120VT Valvetronix amps.
(
AMP
)
Pre Amp model
Choose one of 11 types
T
ECHNOLOGY
THE
G
AND
LORY
Effect
MODULATION
DELAY / REVERB
!
Master Vol
Class A
Class AB
Determined by the
Pre Amp selection
Speaker
V
Since conventional modeling effects for line recording are not used directly with a
speaker, they do not include a power amp circuit, output transformer, or speaker. In other
words, they only have a preamp circuit.
A real valve amp sound, however, is produced not just by the preamp, but also by the tone
and distortion of the power amp, and by the constant changes in impedance that are created by the power amp driving the speakers. The
age valve power amp circuit, a virtual output transformer (patent applied for) that uses
solid-state components to simulate an output transformer, and a dummy speaker circuit
that simulates the varying impedance of a real speaker. This means that although it’s lowpower, the power amps used in both the
actual all-valve (tube) amp.
XL-series
XL-series
has the same circuit structure of an
contains an actual low-watt-
While much of the tone creation and shaping carried out is done in the digital
domain, the Valve Reactor power amp is 100% analogue. The resulting journey your guitar’s signal takes through the analogue world of the power stage plays a major role in providing the all-important feel and tone of the original amps we modelled.
The Valve Reactor power stage is, to all intents and purposes, a bona fide valve (tube)
push-pull power amplifier, but in miniature. It utilizes a 12AX7 (ECC83) valve (a dual triode device — meaning “two valves in one”) and is equipped with an output transformer,
just like a “real” valve amp.
The power amp output signal is designed to “read” the constantly changing impedance
curve of the dummy speaker circuit system and feed this information back to the virtual
output transformer — just like an all valve amplifier does. This information permits the
behavior of the valve stage to vary with the speaker load (impedance), which is another
important part of “real world” valve tone.
5
Apart from the vital valve tone this ingenious power amp design provides, it also
allows us to replicate various “circuit characteristics” that are unique to the all-valve
power stages of the amps we’ve modelled. These “characteristics” include: Class A or
Class AB operation, Presence and Resonance (low end) control circuitry (both found in
the negative feedback circuit that some, but not all, valve power amps have) and power
output. Being able to match such vital characteristics helps ensure that each and every
one of our models is as tonally authentic as possible — as opposed to the usual “close
but no cigar” norm of digital modeling. And just so you know, this patented in USA power
amp technology is unique to VOX Valvetronix.
Quick Start
nce you’ve satisfied your primal urge to play, I’d like to urge you to give this manual a chance — it’s been written by a fellow guitar nut and this amp boasts some
O
we promise. This said, here’s the “Quick Start” — enjoy! I look forward to taking you
through the amp in more detail once you’re done...
killer bells ‘n’ whistles that warrant your interest. In short, it’ll be worth your while,
HINT: If you’re not sure of the location of a control or switch referred to in this Quick Start
section, you can refer to the illustrations in the section entitled “The Guitarist’s Guided
Panel Tour” (page 8).
ETUP
S
1. Turn the MASTER volume control on the amp all the way down.
2. Plug one end of the supplied power cord into the AC power connector on
the rear panel, and plug the other end into a wall outlet.
3. Plug your guitar into the INPUT jack on the top panel.
4. Turn on the POWER switch.
5. Slowly raise the MASTER volume to adjust the volume.
HINT: The rear panel POWER LEVEL control controls the output level of the power amp,
letting you adjust the volume while keeping that great-sounding power-amp distortion!
(The AD15VT-XL doesn’t have this feature.)
NOTE: You won’t hear any sound for a few seconds while the valves warm up. This isn’t a
malfunction, this is how a tube operates normally.
6
C
HECKING
1. Press the top panel PRESET button.
The PRESET LED will light (this means you’re in Preset mode).
2. Turn the AMP selector to select an amp type.
For each amp type you select, a preset containing a typical sound for that type will
be selected; i.e., the GAIN, VOLUME, TREBLE, MIDDLE, BASS, and effect settings will be switched automatically. If you want to hear the amp without effects,
press the effect bypass button.
WITCHING
S
1. Press the top panel CH (Channel) button.
The CH1 or CH2 LED will light, and the program assigned to the corresponding
channel will be recalled (Channel Select mode).
2. CH1 and CH2 will alternate each time you press the CH button.
REATING
C
HINT: You can store your favorite settings in each channel of the program. For details,
see “Storing your program” (page 17).
OUT
YOUR
THE
BETWEEN
OWN
PRESET
THE
SOUNDS
PROGRAMS
CHANNELS
OF
A
PROGRAM
1. Press the top panel MANUAL button.
The MANUAL LED will light (you’re in Manual mode).
HINT: You can also create your own sounds in Preset mode or Channel Select mode.
However, the process is a bit easier to understand in Manual mode, since the positions of
all knobs (except the EDIT 1 knob) are exactly what you’re hearing. In other words, what
you see is what you get!
2. Use the AMP selector to select an amp, and adjust the GAIN, VOLUME, TREBLE, MIDDLE, and BASS accordingly.
3. If you want to use an effect, use the EFFECTS selector to select an effect
type, and use the EDIT 1 knob to adjust the depth of the effect. For modulation-type effects like CHORUS or TREMOLO, or the DELAY/REVERB effect,
just press the TAP button twice to set the modulation speed or the delay/
reverb time to the corresponding interval — it doesn’t get much easier than
that!
If you don’t want to use an effect, press the BYPASS button. You can edit more
effect parameters but you’ll have to read the manual to find out how.
4. When you’ve come up with a sound you like, write it as described in “Storing your program” (page 17).
7
The Guitarist’s Guided Panel Tour
In this chapter we’re going to take a look at the top and rear panels of your Valvetronix
amp.
A. Top Panel
1
4
1. I
NPUT
This is where you plug in your guitar.
2. A
Here’s where you make your settings.
SECTION
MP SECTION
AMP selector switch
This selects one of the amp type models. As mentioned earlier, each model replicates the preamp (with its gain and tonal response), the power amp operation
(class A or AB), negative feedback circuitry (or lack thereof), and the response of
the tone controls and their placement within the circuit. For details, turn to “Amp
models and effects” (page 20).
Preset mode (when the PRESET LED is lit) lets you select preset programs that
contain typical sound and effect settings for each amp type.
2
3 5
GAIN
This adjusts the preamp gain. Higher settings will give you more distortion
VOLUME
This adjusts the volume.
8
TREBLE, MIDDLE, and BASS
This trio of knobs allow you to dial in the exact amount of high, mid, and low frequencies. Also, as you’d expect (and hope!), the exact manner in which each one
of these controls behaves and also interacts with the others is dependant on the
amp model selected. Turn to the “Amp models and effects” section (page 20) for
more information.
NOTE: In keeping with the originals, certain models will produce almost no sound if
all of these three tone controls are turned all the way down (counter-clockwise).
NOTE: Not all of the original amps that we modeled actually have all three of the Treble, Middle, and Bass controls. In such cases, we allow you to use all three knobs to
effectively increase the tonal range of the original. Turn to the “Amp models and
effects” section (
page 20) for more information.
MASTER
This adjusts the volume that is output from the preamp to the Valve Reactor power
amp. This will vary the amount of distortion created by Valve Reactor.
NOTE: The MASTER volume control is NOT programmable.
NOTE: The GAIN control also affects the amount of distortion. For some settings,
there may be virtually no distortion.
3. EFFECT SECTION
Here you can make settings for effects and noise reduction. For details on each effect,
refer to “Amp models and effects” (page 20).
EFFECTS
Selects the type of effect. You can use the TAP button, EDIT 1 knob and Bypass
button to adjust the parameters of each effect. When you select an effect type, the
effect parameters will be initialized and Effect Bypass will be defeated.
EDIT 1
Use this to adjust the parameters of each effect. By using this knob in conjunction
with the TAP and BYPASS buttons as described below, you can adjust three different parameters. (That is, if the BYPASS LED is dark.)
•Turn EDIT 1 (without pressing a button) (EDIT 1)
•Turn EDIT 1 while pressing TAP (EDIT 2)
•Turn EDIT 1 while pressing BYPASS (EDIT 3)
If the BYPASS LED is lit (the effect is bypassed), you can hold down the TAP button and turn the EDIT 1 knob simultaneously to adjust the noise reduction sensitivity.
NOTE: You can’t adjust the effect parameters while the BYPASS LED is lit.
9
TAP (EDIT 2) and LED
This button enables you to set the speed of a modulation-type effect (such as
CHORUS or FLANGER) the delay time REVERB length; simply press the button
twice at the desired interval.
The LED blinks at the specified speed or time.
HINT: To set the time to exactly match the tempo of a song, press the TAP button several times along with the song.
HINT: You can also adjust the speed or time, by holding down the TAP button and
turning the EDIT 1 knob. (This is the EDIT 2 mode)
NOTE: If the BYPASS LED is lit, you won’t be able to use the TAP switch to set the
time. (The TAP LED will be dark.)
BYPASS (EDIT 3) and LED
If you don’t want to use an effect, press this button to turn the effect off (i.e.,
bypassed). If the effect is bypassed, this LED will be lit.
NOTE: You can’t adjust the effect parameters if the BYPASS LED is lit.
HINT: While the effect is bypassed, you can adjust the noise reduction sensitivity by
holding down the TAP button and turning the EDIT 1 knob.
HINT: The bypass setting is remembered even when you switch modes, switch programs, or turn off the power.
HINT: The Bypass button can be used to modify effect parameters (EDIT 3). Press
and hold Bypass and simultaneously turn the EDIT 1 knob. See the chart on page 25
for what parameters can be controlled.
4. PRESET/MANUAL/CHANNEL SECTION
PRESET and LED
This button puts your Valvetronix amp into Preset mode and you can use the AMP
selector to select a “typical” setting for each amp type. If the PRESET LED is lit,
you’re in Preset mode!
MANUAL and LED
This button puts your Valvetronix amp into Manual mode which means the physical position of each knob (except for the EDIT 1 knob) determines exactly what
you will hear. This means that the amp will operate just like a conventional guitar
amp. If the MANUAL LED is lit, you’re in Manual mode.
CH (Channel), CH1/CH2 LEDs
This button switches between the two channels and The LED of the selected
channel will light. In Preset or Manual mode, the CH1 and CH2 LEDs will be dark.
If from either of these modes you then press this CH button, you’ll switch to Channel Select mode, and the channel (1 or 2) that you selected most recently will
become active.
10
WRITE button
Use this button to save a new program into CH1 or CH2. Refer to “Storing your
program” (page 17).
5. POWER SWITCH
When the power is on, the indicator located above the switch will be lit.
B. Rear Panel
AD15VT-XL/AD30VT-XL/AD50VT-XL
AD30VT-XL/AD50VT-XL only AD50VT-XL only
AD100VT-XL
AC power
This is where you connect the included power cord.
FOOT SW
You can connect the optional VFS2 dual foot switch (sold separately) here, and
use it to switch programs or bypass the effect while you perform.
POWER LEVEL
This adjusts the output wattage of the power amp.
AD30VT-XL: less than 0.1 W – 30 W AD50VT-XL: less than 0.15 W – 50 W
AD100VT-XL: less than 0.2 W – 100 W
NOTE: The AD15VT-XL doesn’t have this control.
NOTE: The power level setting isn’t saved as part of the program.
11
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