Vox VT80+, VT20+, VT40+, VT120+ User Manual

E 2

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 power-supply 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 car t 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. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television 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.

•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• 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 (EU only)

When this “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol is displayed on the product, owner’s manual, battery, or battery package, it signifies that when you wish to dispose of this product, manual, package or battery you must do so in an approved manner. Do not discard this

product, manual, package or battery along with ordinary household waste. Disposing in the correct manner will prevent harm to human health and potential damage to the environment. Since the correct method of disposal will depend on the applicable laws and regulations in your locality, please contact your local administrative body for details. If the battery contains heavy metals in excess of the regulated amount, a chemical symbol is displayed below the “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol on the battery or battery package.

*All product names and company names are the trademarks

or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Introduction...................................................................................... 4

Welcome! ........................................................................................................ 4

Main features .................................................................................................. 4

Quick start .......................................................................................5

Setup .............................................................................................................. 5

Checking out the preset programs.................................................................. 5

Switching between the user programs............................................................ 6

Top and rear panels.......................................................................... 7

Top panel ........................................................................................................ 7

Rear panel .................................................................................................... 11

About the three operating modes .................................................... 12

Preset mode (recalling preset programs) ..................................................... 12

Manual mode ................................................................................................ 12

Channel Select mode (recalling user programs) .......................................... 13

Creating and saving sounds ............................................................ 14

Creating a sound .......................................................................................... 14

Adjusting the noise reduction ....................................................................... 15

Saving a program ......................................................................................... 15

Checking the original values saved in a program ......................................... 16

Restoring the factory settings ....................................................................... 16

Using the tuner ............................................................................... 18

Using a foot switch (VOX VFS5)....................................................... 19

Foot switch operations in Channel Select mode........................................... 19

Foot switch operations in Preset or Manual modes ...................................... 19

Signal path .................................................................................... 21

What is Valve Reactor technology? .................................................. 21

About the amp models and effect types ...........................................22

Amp models .................................................................................................. 22

Pedal effects ................................................................................................. 26

Modulation and delay effects ........................................................................ 28

Reverb effects ............................................................................................... 31

Troubleshooting ..............................................................................32

Specifications .................................................................................34

Song preset program ...................................................................... 35

Program sheet ................................................................................ 36

Introduction

Welcome!

Thank you for purchasing the VOX Valvetronix VT20+/VT40+/VT80+/ VT120+ modeling guitar amplifier. To help you get the most out of your new amplifire, please read this manual carefully. Get ready to enjoy the VT20+/VT40+/VT80+/VT120+ amazing guitar sounds!

Main features

• The VT20+/VT40+/VT80+/VT120+ uses Valve Reactor technology, and features a power amp circuit containing 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.

• Sophisticated modeling technology is used to provide thirty-three different amps.

•Twenty-five high-quality effects are built-in. You can use up to four effects including noise reduction simultaneously (or up to five effects if you use “multiple effects”).

•You can create a sound using the desired amp and effect, and save it in the memory as one of eight programs (two banks x four channels). Programs can be switched while you perform, either from the top panel or from a foot switch connected to the rear panel (Channel Select mode). For each amp model, three preset programs – Basic, Effect and Song – are provided, giving you a total of 99 programs (Preset mode). The song programs reproduce the tones of classic hits played by famous guitarists.

• Manual mode lets you use the VT20+/VT40+/VT80+/VT120+ as a conventional guitar amp. The physical positions of the actual knobs will be reflected by the sound.

• An optional VOX VFS5 foot switch (sold separately) can be connected, allowing you to switch programs or turn effects on/off with your feet.

• The power level control lets you adjust the output wattage of the power amp.

• The built-in auto tuner lets you tune a guitar connected to the INPUT jack.

• The AUX IN jack lets you connect a CD/MP3 player, enabling you to play the guitar along with recorded music.

Quick start

This Quick Start section is for those of you who would like to start using your new amp right away. This manual contains information that will help you take full advantage of your Valvetronix amp, so be sure to read the rest of it after you’ve read the Quick Start section.

HINT: Illustrations of the top panel and rear panel are provided in “Top and rear panels” (p. 7), so refer to them as you try out your amp.

Setup

1. Turn the MASTER volume (p. 8) control on the amp all the way down.

2. Connect the included power cable to the AC power connector on the rear

panel, and plug the other end into an AC outlet.

3. Plug the cable connected to your guitar into the top panel INPUT jack.

4. Turn on the POWER switch.

5. Slowly raise the MASTER volume to adjust the volume.

HINT: The POWER LEVEL control adjusts the output level of the power amp.

NOTE: There may be no sound for several seconds until the vacuum tube warms up. This is not a malfunction.

Checking out the preset programs

1. Press the top Panel PRESET switch.

The PRESET LED will light up (Preset mode).

2. Turn the AMP selector to choose an amp model.

A preset program for a sound that is typical of each amp model will be recalled, and the GAIN, VOLUME, TREBLE, MIDDLE, BASS, and effect settings will switch automatically.

HINT: The amp models are organized into three banks, each bank containing eleven models (a total of thirty-three). Press the AMP switch to change banks. Each time you press this, the AMP LED will switch to green, orange, or red, and you’ll switch to amp banks STD, SPL, and CST. Each of the thirty-three amp models has three preset programs (a total of ninety-nine programs). In Preset mode, pressing the PRESET switch will cycle the PRESET LED among green, orange, and red, switching among preset programs 1 (basic), 2 (effect), and 3 (song). Each song program reproduces the tone of a hit played by a famous guitarist. See the chart on page 35 for a list of the songs presets included with your amplifier.

Switching between the user programs

1. Press one of the top panel CHANNEL switches (CH1, CH2, CH3, or CH4). The LED for the CHANNEL switch you pressed will light up, and the user program specified for that channel will be recalled (Channel Select mode).

HINT: The user programs are organized into two banks, each bank containing four channels (a total of eight programs). Press the CHANNEL BANK switch to switch banks. Each time you press it, the BANK LED will change between green and red, switching between channel banks 1 and 2.

HINT: You can store your own favorite sounds in a program. For details, please refer to “Saving a program” (p. 15).

Top and rear panels

In this chapter we're going to take a look at the top and rear panels of your Va lvetronix amp.

Top panel

The illustration shows the VT20+.

8 9

5 6

1. INPUT section

INPUT jack

This is where you plug in your guitar.

2. PRESETS/MANUAL section

PRESET switch and LED, MANUAL LED

Use this to switch to Preset mode or Manual mode, and to select preset programs (basic, effect, song). Pressing the PRESET switch repeatedly will cycle the program among basic, effect, and song. Press the PRESET switch for more than one second to engage Manual mode. In Preset mode you can use the AMP switch/selector to select typical sounds (preset programs) for each amp model. The PRESET LED will be lit green (basic), orange (effect), or red (song) when you’re in Preset mode. In Manual mode, the sound will reflect the physical position of all knobs except the VALUE and DEPTH knobs. This lets you use the VT20+/VT40+/ VT80+/VT120+ just as if it was a conventional guitar amp. The MANUAL LED will be lit when you’re in Manual mode.

PRESET LED

PRESET switch

MANUAL LED

AMP LED

AMP selector

AMP switch

3. AMP section

Here you can adjust the settings for the amp using the traditional VOX “chicken head” knobs.

AMP switch and selector, LED

Here you can select the amp mode. Each time you press the AMP switch, the bank and AMP LED color will change as follows:

• STD (Standard): green

• SPL (Special): orange

• CST (Custom): red Use the AMP selector to choose a model within the selected amp bank. The operation of the gain circuit, and the response of the tone controls and their location within the circuit are all switched according to the amp model you select here. In Preset mode (i.e., when the PRESET LED is lit), you can recall preset programs that contain sounds and effect settings that are typical of each amp model.

GAIN control

This adjusts the pre-amp gain of the selected amp model.

VOLUME control

This adjusts the volume of the selected amp model.

TREBLE, MIDDLE, BASS controls

These adjust the tone for the high, mid, and low-frequency ranges. The change produced by each control will differ depending on the amp model that you’ve selected.

MASTER volume

This adjusts the volume that is output from the pre-amp to the Valve Reactor power amp. This setting will change the amount of the Valve Reactor’s distortion.

NOTE: The MASTER volume setting is not programmed.

NOTE: The amount of Valve Reactor distortion is also affected by the

GAIN control and VOLUME control. For some settings, there will be almost no distortion.

4. CHANNEL/TUNER section

BANK and CHANNEL switches, LEDs

Use the BANK switch to

BANK LED

CHANNEL LED

select the channel bank. In Channel Select mode, the BANK LED will be lit green or red. Use the CHANNEL

BANK switch

CHANNEL switch

switches to select channels. The LED of the selected channel will be lit up. To save a new program, hold down the desired CHANNEL switch for two seconds or longer. If you want to save a new program in a different bank, hold down the BANK switch for 0.5 seconds or longer (until the BANK LED starts blinking) and select the desired writing-destination bank (p. 15 “Saving a program”). When the tuner function is turned on, the BANK and CH 1–4 LEDs will indicate the string number (a pitch note closest to the input sound) (p. 18 “Using the tuner”).

TUNER (BYPASS) switch and LED

Pressing the TUNER (BYPASS) switch will turn all effects off (bypass), and engage the tuner function. If you want to tune your instrument with the amp output muted, press the TUNER (BYPASS) switch for one second or longer. When the tuner function is turned on, the TUNER (BYPASS) LEDs will display the tuning status (p. 18 “Using the tuner”).

TUNER (BYPASS) LEDs

TUNER (BYPASS) switch

5. PEDAL section

Here you can adjust the settings for pedal effects. For details on each effect, refer to “Pedal effects” (p. 26).

PEDAL selector

This selects the effect type. When you switch the effect type, the parameter settings of the effect will be initialized.

VALUE knob

This adjusts the parameters of each effect. To turn the pedal effect off, rotate this knob all the way to the left.

MOD/DELAY selector

6. MODULATION/DELAY section

Here you can adjust the settings for modulation effects, delay effects, and other effects, such as pitch shift. For details on each effect, refer to “Modulation and delay effects” (p. 28).

DEPTH knob

VALUE knob

TAP LED

TAP switch

MOD/DELAY selector

This selects the modulation type, delay type, or other effect type. When you switch the effect type, the parameter settings of the effect will be initialized.

DEPTH knob

This adjusts the parameter of each effect, such as the depth of the effect. You can also adjust the modulation speed and other parameters by holding down the TAP switch and rotating the DEPTH knob. To turn the modulation/delay effect off, rotate this knob all the way to the left.

TAP switch, LED

This sets the speed of modulation-type effects, or the delay time of delay effects. The interval between two presses of the switch will be set as the speed or time. The LED will blink at intervals of the specified speed or time.

HINT: To set a precise speed or time that matches the tempo of a song,

press the TAP switch several times in rhythm with the song. If you selected PITCH SHIFT, pressing the TAP switch repeatedly will change the pitch setting. If you selected FILTRON, pressing the TAP switch repeatedly will toggle between UP and DOWN for the envelope. When UP is selected, the TAP LED will light up. You can also adjust the speed, pitch, or other parameters by holding down the TAP switch and rotating the DEPTH knob. For details, please refer to “Modulation and delay effects” (p. 28).

7. REVERB section

Here you can adjust the settings for reverb effects. For details on each effect, refer to “Reverb effects” (p. 31).

REVERB knob

Depending on the position of the knob, this selects the reverb type (ROOM, SPRING, or HALL) or adjusts the mix amount of the reverb sound. If you turn the control all the way to the left, the reverb effect will turn off.

8. POWER LEVEL control

This adjusts the output wattage of the power amp.

VT20+: 0W–30W VT40+: 0W–60W VT80+: 0W–120W VT120+: 0W–150W

NOTE: The power level setting is not saved in the

program.

REVERB knob

POWER LEVEL control

9. AUX IN/PHONES section

AUX IN jack

Connect the analog output of an audio device to this jack. You can connect a CD or MP3 player here, and play along on the guitar while listening to your favorite songs.

PHONES jack

Use this jack if you want to output directly to a mixer or recording device, or when you want to use headphones. The signal that is output from this jack is taken from directly before the power amp, and the cabinet response of the guitar amp will be applied to it.

NOTE: If you connect this jack, no sound will be output from the internal

speaker.

NOTE: Be sure to connect the headphones to this jack in stereo. If you

connect them in monaural, the sound will not be output through the

headphones.

Rear panel

AUX IN jack

PHONES jack

1. POWER switch

This switch turns the power on or off.

2. AC power connector

This is where you connect the included power cord.

3. FOOT SW (foot switch) jack

You can connect an optional foot switch (VOX VFS5) here. For more information on using the foot switch, refer to “Using the foot switch (VOX VFS5)” (p. 19).

NOTE: You must connect or disconnect the foot switch while the power is

off. Malfunctions or damage may occur if you connect or disconnect the

foot switch while the power is on.

About the three operating modes

Preset mode (recalling preset programs)

In Preset mode you can use the AMP switch/selector to recall programs for each amp model: “basic” programs containing typical sounds for that amp model, “effect” preset programs, and “song” preset programs that replicate tones from hit songs. Each program will automatically switch the settings for GAIN, VOLUME, TREBLE, MIDDLE, BASS, and effects. For details on the hit songs that are programmed for each amp model, refer to the table at end of this owner’s manual.

Switching to Preset mode

If the PRESET LED is dark, you’re not in Preset mode. Press the PRESET switch; the PRESET LED will light up, and you’ll be in Preset mode.

Recalling a preset program

Each of the thirty-three amp models contains three preset programs: “basic,” “effect,” and “song” (a total of ninety-nine programs). With the PRESET LED lit, use the AMP switch/selector. The preset program specified for each amp model will be selected, regardless of the position of the top panel control knobs or EFFECTS selector. If you recall a preset program while the effect bypass is enabled, the bypass will be cancelled. In preset mode, pressing the PRESET switch will make the PRESET LED cycle through green, orange, and red, switching among preset programs Basic, Effect, and Song.

Manual mode

When the VT20+/VT40+/VT80+/VT120+ is in Manual mode, it will behave like a conventional guitar amp. In other words, the sound will reflect the actual position of all the top panel selectors and control knobs (except for the VALUE and DEPTH knobs).

Switching to Manual mode

If the MANUAL LED is dark, the unit is not in Manual mode. Press and hold down the PRESET switch for one second or longer; the MANUAL LED will light up, and the unit will enter Manual mode.

NOTE: In Manual mode, if you adjust a parameter setting that is not affected by a knob position (such as the effect parameter and the noise reduction settings), the adjusted setting will be saved automatically, and that same setting will be recalled the next time the unit enters Manual mode. However, if at that time the PEDAL or MOD/DELAY selector is set to a different position than previously, the default parameter settings for that effect type will be loaded.

+ 28 hidden pages