Employing a number of unique technical enhancements, the Valvetronix line of combo amplifiers brings together classic Vox tone with the versatility of a preamp section utilizing Korg's REMS (Resonant structure and Electronic circuit Modeling System). The new AD60VTH and AD120VTH amplifier heads offer all of the critically acclaimed sounds and operation of the combos, including the Valve Reactor power amp section that recreates classic tube power amp response. Valve Reactor does this by changing parameters, including class of operation (class A or A/B) and negative feedback settings, for each modeled amp. This patented design utilizes a tube power amp with an output transformer electronically coupled to a solid-state power circuit in such a way that the relationship between the output tubes, output transformer, and speakers is unaltered. A new improved Valve Reactor power amp makes it possible for the new heads to provide full power at any impedance setting -- 4, 8, or 16 Ohms.
In order to create an amplifier that accurately replicates the sound and feel of 16 of the most sought after amplifiers available, Vox combined their own time-tested amp design with Korg's ToneWorks effects expertise. The Valvetronix series includes programmable effects (21 effects plus noise reduction, 32 programs), a built-in Korg auto-chromatic tuner, and an effects loop.
The new Valvetronix heads and cabinets include all of the features of the original combo series, plus more. The new heads and cabinets feature traditional Vox styling with series-distinctive deep blue grillcloth and gold piping, and the heads have been crafted in the classic Vox trapezoid shape.
What a Digital Modeling Amplifier Should Be
When Vox set out to create Valvetronix, the goal was clear - design a digital modeling amp that sounded and felt great. A versatile amp that could superbly re-create every detail, every nuance of a collection of the world's most sought after guitar amplifiers. An amp that actually lives up to the promise that digital modeling amplifiers appear to offer, but have never achieved - until now.
The Best of All Worlds
Vox realized that reaching this goal wouldn't be easy. That it would require top-notch digital technology plus a valve power amp capable of modeling the power amp sections of a ton of classic and modern valve amplifiers. In over 4 tone-filled decades, Vox amplifiers have achieved classic, even cult, status. They're the amps of choice for countless pros. But they knew it would take more than their own guitar amplification expertise. They also needed the skill and experience of a high-tech music equipment innovator. From this need, the collaboration between Vox and Korg was born.
Korg is the undisputed leader in the technology-laden world of digital music workstations and the force behind ToneWorks, the first company to master and patent "digital distortion with oversampling," a breakthrough that made high-quality digital recreations of guitar effects and amplifiers (that sounded and felt like the real thing) a reality. Together they've created Valvetronix-the ultimate, hybrid digital modeling amplifier that sounds, feels and operates like a guitar amp, with no compromises or excuses.
The Front End, Where It All Starts
The preamp sections of the Valvetronix combos rely on Korg's proprietary REMS technology. REMS (Resonant structure and Electronic circuit Modeling System) accurately reproduces the complex circuitry in each of the modeled amplifier's signal paths and re-creates the tonality originally created in those amps. It even replicates their unique tone-stack networks so the Valvetronix' tone controls interact exactly as they do in the amplifiers being modeled! Play a new AD60VT or AD120VT and you'll hear and feel the difference immediately.
Valve Reactor Technology, the Big Difference
The power amp section, as well as the relationship and interaction between the output valves, output transformer and speakers, are a critical part of any great valve amp. Every classic amplifier's power amp has its own unique set of characteristics, and to accurately model a great sounding guitar amp, we had to precisely model its power amp section, too. Because they were intent on modeling not 1, but 16 different, amazing amplifiers, they had to have a power amp that could actually change itself to model each and every one of those amplifiers.
How did Vox/Korg accomplish this? By inventing a new type of modeling, valve, power amplifier. Their patented Valve Reactor power amp consists of a valve power amp with an output transformer electronically coupled to a solid-state power circuit in such a way that the relationship between the output valve, output transformer, and speakers is unaltered.
This ingenious design delivers a number of benefits. All of the great sounding amps they've modeled are valve amps. Vox's Valve Reactor technology enables the new AD60VT and AD120VT to produce the high dynamic range associated with these traditional valve amps-something a solid-state amp simply couldn't do. That dynamic range is one of the reasons why valve amps sound and feel so much louder than solid-state amps rated at the same output power. Also, the AD60VT and AD120VT are better able to capture the sound and feel of the amps they're modeling because their output power can be configured to be exactly the same as those amps. A 50-watt AC15 may be an interesting curiosity, but the original was 15 Watts!
They didn't stop there. This new technology actually has the ability to switch automatically between Class "A" and Class "AB" depending on the amplifier it's modeling! In addition, it can select whether or not a model will have a negative feedback loop, as well as how much and what kind of feedback there will be. This adds immensely to the overall accuracy of the model's sound and feel because you just can't accurately model a Class "A" amp that doesn't have a feedback loop - like an AC30, for example - with class "AB" circuitry and all kinds of feedback. This is something the competition just doesn't seem to grasp.
Very Cool Effects Built-In
The effects in the AD60VT and AD120VT aren't an afterthought. Each one is a carefully crafted model of one of a variety of sought after classic and popular effects. These 10 essential pedals include Compressor, Acoustic Simulation, Vox Wah, Auto Wah, U-Vibe, Octave Divider, Treble Boost, Valve Overdrive, Fat Overdrive, and Fuzz. As pedals, they appear before the preamp models so they can drive the preamp in the same way they would in a traditional setup.
The new Valvetronix combos also feature Modulation, Delay, and Reverb effects sections, all of which can be used simultaneously. Just like in a pro guitar amp/rack, these effects sit between the preamp and power amp sections. The Modulation Section includes models of popular Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, and Rotary effects. The Delay Section delivers Delay, Tape Echo, and Multi-Head delay. A Tap button is provided for setting the delay time. The Reverb Section has three types, Spring, Plate, and Room. Each section can be controlled independently from the top panel, or, in the case of Modulation, from the optional VC-4 Foot Controller.
Following The Signal Path
When laying out the Top and Rear panels of the Valvetronix combos, Vox laid out the signal paths in the same way a guitarist typically puts his setup together.
Guitar -> one of 10 Stomp boxes -> one of 16 Preamp models -> one of 5 Modulation effects -> one of 3 Delay effects -> one of 3 Reverb effects -> Virtual Effects Loop -> Analog Master Volume -> Power amp model -> Celestion guitar speaker(s)
Signal path is a critical factor in the design of a modeling amp and another reason why the new AD60VT and AD120VT are capable of accurately modeling the sound, tone, and feel of so many desirable amplifiers and effects.
It is also another example of the painstaking attention to detail that went into the design of these new amps. They believe they achieved the goal, that these new Valvetronix combos model the sound, tone, and feel of 16 of the world's most lusted-after guitar amps (plus a closet full of awesome effects) like nothing else can. Get your hands on an AD60VT or AD120VT. We think you'll agree that everything else is just make-believe.
Valve Reactor: The Inside Story
In the Valve Reactor power amplifier, a 12AX7 dual-triode valve (12AX7s are typically used as preamp valves) is connected directly to an output transformer. Vox amp designers had to develop a way to raise the output level to one which could actually drive speakers to stage volume levels while maintaining the integrity of the valve-amp sound and feel. They accomplished this by creating a circuit of proprietary design dubbed the Vox VariAmp Power Circuit. The output transformer is connected to this new VariAmp Power Circuit that uses Constant Current design and Reactive Feedback technology.
The VariAmp Power Circuit cannot be overdriven, is totally transparent and can be configured to be 1, 15, 30, or 60 Watts. The VariAmp Power Circuit does not color or change the signal in any way and the resulting output tone is pure. It also ensures that the output signal maintains the high dynamic range associated with traditional valve amps - something most solid-state amplifiers simply cannot deliver, and one of the primary reasons why valve guitar amps normally sound and feel so much louder and more alive than solid-state amps boasting the same output power rating.
The Reactive Feedback technology used in the VariAmp Circuit "reads" the impedance curve of the speaker and then reports this reactive information back to the secondary side of the output transformer. This information is fed back to the primary side of the output transformer and therefore changes the loading on the valves, another important part of the vital role an all-valve power amp plays in the creation of traditional valve tone.
Technical Info
Amp Models: 16 types
Effects: 21 types (Drive: 10 types, Modulation: 5 types, Delay: 3 types, Reverb: 3 types)
Programs: 32 (8 Bank x 4 Channel)
In/Outputs: 2 x Guitar Input (High, Low), Stereo Loop Return, 1 x Headphone, Stereo Left & Right Line Out, Stereo Left & Rigt External Speaker Out, 1 x Foot Controller
Speaker: 2 x 12 in. Custom-voiced Celestion
Power: 2 x 60W RMS@8ohm
Tuner: Auto Chromatic Tuner [Measurement range: 27.5 Hz-2,093 Hz (A0-C7), Calib. A=438-445 Hz]
Options: VC-4 Vox foot controller
