Precautions Location Using the unit in the following locations can result in a malfunction. • In direct sunlight • Locations of extreme temperature or humidity • Excessively dusty or dirty locations • Locations of excessive vibration • Close to magnetic fields Power supply Please connect the designated AC adapter to an AC outlet of the correct voltage. Do not connect it to an AC outlet of voltage other than that for which your unit is intended.
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.
Table of Contents Introduction ................................................. 1 Main features........................................................ 1 Panel Tour for the guitarist (Top and rear panels).......................................................... 2 Top panel............................................................... 2 Rear panel ............................................................. 7 Making connections.................................... 8 iv Tuner ..........................
Introduction Thank you for purchasing the VOX Modeling Effect Processor ToneLab ST. In order to get the most out of your new gear, please read this owner’s manual carefully and use the product as directed. Keep the owner’s manual in a safe place for future reference.
Panel Tour for the guitarist (Top and rear panels) 1. Amp section Here you’ll create settings for the amp model. For details on each effect, refer to “Amp models” (p.13). Here we’ll introduce you to the switches, controls, and connectors on the ToneLab ST’s top panel. Top panel a. AMP bank select switch and LED Use this to switch the bank, or to turn the amp model on/off. Each time you press the switch, the bank will cycle between STD (Standard), SPL (Special), CST (Custom), STD ...
b. CABINET ON/OFF switch and LED This turns the cabinet model on/off. The LED will be lit if the cabinet model is on. By entering OPTION parameter setting mode you can set parameters for the cabinet model. OPTION parameter setting mode To enter OPTION parameter setting mode, hold down the CABINET ON/OFF switch for about one second. You’ll be in OPTION parameter setting mode, and the LED will blink. OPTION parameter setting mode lets you make the following settings.
b. PEDAL controller This selects the pedal type. If the pedal effect is turned off, turning this selector will turn the pedal effect on. c. EDIT knob This adjusts the parameters of each effect. 3. MOD/DELAY section Here you can make settings for the modulation effect, delay effect, and other effects such as pitch shift. For details on each effect, refer to “Mode/Delay types” (p.20). a. MOD/DELAY ON/OFF switch and LED This turns the modulation effect, delay effect, or other effect on/ off.
5. Program Select / Tuner section a. UP/DOWN pedals and LEDs Selecting a program (p.9, “Trying out the programs”) Pressing the UP pedal will increment the program by one, and pressing the DOWN pedal will decrement the program by one. You can hold down the UP pedal and press the EXIT/TUNE key to increment the program by ten. You can hold down the DOWN pedal and press the EXIT/TUNE key to decrement the program by ten. Using the tuner (p.
d. EXP PARAM (Expression Parameter) switch This lets you specify the maximum value and minimum value of the parameter that’s assigned to the pedal. For details, refer to “Expression pedal minimum and maximum values” (p.25). If the QUICK ASSIGN LED is lit, holding down this switch for approximately two seconds will assign a effect parameter to the expression pedal (p.24, “Assigning a function to the expression pedal (Quick Assign)”). e.
Rear panel NOTE: The included AC adapter is only for use with the ToneLab ST. Using it with any other device may cause malfunctions, so you must never do so. 5. STANDBY switch This turns the power on or off. 6. INPUT connector Connect your guitar cable here. 7. AUX IN jack 1. Valve The internal 12AX7 (ECC83) vacuum tube is located here. NOTE: The vacuum tube may break if it is subjected to physical impact. Be careful not to subject the ToneLab ST to strong physical impact. 2.
Making connections Here’s how to make connections and start using your ToneLab ST. CD player, etc. Mixer, recorder, etc. Audio system Guitar amp Guitar Headphones VOX Computer AC adapter USB cable OUTPUT/PHONES AUX INPUT IN 1. Set the AMP/LINE switch appropriately for the type of device you’ll be connecting to the OUTPUT/PHONES jack. Set the AMP/LINE switch as follows. AMP (VOX, F, M) If you’re connecting a guitar amp, choose the VOX, F, or M setting.
If you use a monaural phone plug cable to connect this to your amp etc., only the sound of the L (left) channel will be output. If you want to connect this in stereo to a mixer or recorder, use a “stereo phone plug (output) -> monaural phone plug x 2 (input)” adapter cable. 3. Turn the rear panel LEVEL knob to “0” (all the way to the left as seen from the rear panel). 4. Connect the plug of the included AC adapter to the DC12V jack, and plug the AC adapter into an AC outlet.
Creating your own sounds There are two ways to create your own sound: you can start with a program that’s similar to what you have in mind and then edit the parameters as desired, or you can create a program from scratch. Creating a sound Here we’ll explain how to create a program from scratch. 1. Turn off the cabinet model and effect types. If the CABINET on/off switch, MOD/DELAY on/off switch, and REVERB on/off switch LEDs are lit, press each switch to turn them off. 2.
Adjusting the high-frequency tone (Presence) Hold down the CABINET on/off switch for about one second to enter OPTION parameter setting mode, and then turn the TREBLE control. 5. Select and adjust the effects of other sections. For example if you want to add delay, turn the MOD/ DELAY selector to select DELAY. If the selector is already positioned at DELAY, turn it to some other delay type and then back to re-select DELAY.
Turning the knob toward the right will increase the amount of noise reduction. Turning the knob all the way to the left will turn noise reduction off; it will have no effect. NOTE: Depending on the guitar you’re using, excessively high settings of noise reduction may cause notes to be cut off unnaturally. 3. When you’ve finished making settings, press the EXIT/ TUNE switch. Saving a program When you’ve come up with a sound you like, here’s how to save (write) it.
About the amp models, cabinet models, and effect types This section provides details about the amp models and cabinet models, and on the pedal effects, mode/delay effects, and reverb effect. The following illustration shows the signal flow within the ToneLab ST. AMP MODEL CABINET MODEL EFFECT TYPE POWER AMP PEDAL TYPE PRE AMP GAIN VALVE ECC83 (12AX7) MOD / DELAY REVERB VOLUME OUTPUT SELECT VOLUME PEDAL Amp models Here we’ll explain the 33 different amp models.
3. US BLUES STD (Standard) This models a 4x10" combo amp from 1959 that was originally designed for bass guitar. Its smooth and crisp overdrive sound will respond sensitively to your picking dynamics and to the volume of your guitar. SPL (Special) This models the 22W Bruno Cowtipper Pro II 22 which owes its existence to a special friend of VOX, the custom amp designer Tony Bruno.
6. VOX AC30 STD (Standard) This models an AC30 amp with the “top boost” circuit that was included as standard starting with units produced in 1964. It delivers a smooth and refined top end, majestically deep overdrive, and a rich and brilliant clean sound. SPL (Special) This models is a hand-wired all-tube amp head sold to commemorate VOX’s fiftieth anniversary. This amp has no rival in its ability to create sparkling chime-like clean sounds and creamy warm overdrive sounds.
SPL (Special) This models the overdrive channel of a snakeskin-covered 100W amp head made in 1991. With an open low-end and a compressed mid/high range, its powerful and heavy sound delivers a forceful tone that will not break down even with the most extreme gain settings. CST (Custom) This is an original amp model based on a recent high-gain amp, but with the tone control changed to an active circuit that has a stronger effect than the conventional one, allowing a wide range of tones to be created.
Cabinet models These simulate the acoustical character of a guitar amp’s cabinet. 1. TWEED 1x8 This is an open back cabinet containing an 8-inch 3.2 ohm Alnico speaker, found in simple amplifiers with a 6V6 output tube. 2. TWEED 1x12 This cabinet has an important influence on the sound of the Tweed 1x12 amp. The speaker uses an Alnico magnet. 3. TWEED 4x10 This is an open back cabinet containing four 10-inch 8 ohm speakers connected in parallel for a 2 ohm impedance. 4.
Here are some typical combinations. Amp model CLEAN CALI CLEAN US BLUES US 2x12 VOX AC15 VOX AC30 UK ROCK UK METAL US HIGAIN 18 Amp model Cabinet model 2 TWEED 1x12 4 BLACK 2x10 5 BLACK 2x12 9 UK H30 4x12 For the CST amp model, we recommend that you turn the cabinet model off.
2. ACOUSTIC 5. OCTAVE This is ideal when you want to play acoustic sounds. It’s a simulator that transforms the sound of an electric guitar into the sound of an acoustic guitar. We recommend that you use this with a single-coil (i.e., low output) neck (front) pickup. Knob EDIT Parameter TONE* This models a pedal that adds weight to the sound by generating a sound one octave below, and mixing this with the original sound. Knob EDIT Parameter LEVEL* Adjusts the mix amount of the octave-lower sound.
9. ORANGE DIST 1. CLASSIC CHORUS This is a classic Japanese-made distortion unit in an orange box. Knob EDIT Parameter GAIN* Adjusts the gain. 10.METAL DIST This is a distortion unit that’s idea for metal. Knob EDIT Parameter GAIN* Retro, brazen, and rough-edged. EDIT Parameter GAIN* Adjusts the gain. Mode/Delay types The ToneLab ST provides eleven types of modulation effect, delay effect, and other effect.
4. PHASER 7. PITCH SHIFTER This models a popular analog phaser in a banana-colored box. Knob/Switch EDIT Parameter RESONANCE* TAP SPEED* TAP+EDIT SPEED* Adjusts the amount of resonance. Adjusts the modulation speed in a range of 0.1...15 Hz. Adjusts the speed. 5. TEXTREM This is a pitch shifter that allows you to play chords, and has a variable range of one octave upward or downward.
9. ECHO PLUS Knob/Switch This models an acclaimed analog tape echo. Originally, echo was created by a playback head, and the delay time was specified by changing the speed of the motor. Knob/Switch EDIT LEVEL* TIME TAP+EDIT FEEDBACK* Adjusts the mix amount of the delay sound. If this parameter is assigned to the expression pedal, the input level to the delay will be controlled by the expression pedal. Specifies the delay time in a range of 40...1480 ms. Adjusts the amount of feedback. 10.
Tuner Tune so that only the center LED is lit. The ToneLab ST has a built-in auto chromatic tuner. Tuning procedure 1. If you want to tune with the effects bypassed, press the UP pedal and DOWN pedal simultaneously. The program display will indicate “ ”. HINT: If the QUICK ASSIGN LED or the program display are not blinking, you can also press the EXIT/TUNE switch to tune with the effects bypassed.
Using the expression pedal for control Expression pedal settings The ToneLab ST’s programs assign various functions to the expression pedal, allowing you to control not only wah or volume but many other kinds of effect parameters with the expression pedal. HINT: If you select VOX WAH, the expression pedal will automatically function as a wah pedal. For each program, you can specify which parameter will be controlled by the expression pedal and how it will be controlled.
NOTE: The settings you made will return to their original values if you switch programs or turn off the power before saving. To assign volume, gain, or the input level to the reverb or delay effect, proceed as follows. • Volume: Operate the VOLUME knob, and then hold down the EXP PARAM switch for about two seconds. • Gain: Turn on the AMP on/off switch, operate the GAIN knob, and then hold down the EXP PARAM switch for about two seconds.
If an effect is assigned to the expression pedal The on/off switch LED of the assigned effect will blink, and the program display will indicate “ ”. If no function is assigned to the expression pedal The program display will blink “ ” and then the program number will be displayed. In this case, use Quick Assign to assign a function (p.24, “Assigning a function to the expression pedal (Quick Assign)”). 2.
3. Use the VOLUME control to specify the maximum value, and then press the EXP PARAM switch. The maximum value will be specified; the program display will indicate “ ” for about one second, and will then indicate the program number.
Connecting to your computer (USB connection) If you use a commercially available USB cable to connect the ToneLab ST to your computer, you’ll be able to use librarian software on your computer to manage user programs, and use the ToneLab ST as a USB audio interface. NOTE: If you’re using Windows, you’ll need to install the USB-ASIO driver in your computer in order to transfer audio data via the USB connector. Download the USB-ASIO driver from the manufacturer’s website (www.voxamps.com).
Restoring the factory settings Here’s how to restore the ToneLab ST to its factory-set state. NOTE: This operation will initialize the programs you’ve saved, returning all of them to the factory-set programs. 1. Turn the power off. 2. While holding down the EXIT/TUNE switch and EXP PARAM screen, turn the power on. 3. When the UP/DOWN pedal LEDs blink, release the switches. HINT: If you decide to cancel this procedure, press the EXIT/ TUNE switch. 4. Press the WRITE switch.
• Could the tuner be active? The effects are bypassed if the tuner is active. Press the EXIT/TUNE switch to defeat bypass. • Could an EDIT knob be set to the minimum value? Adjust the EDIT knob. Something is wrong with the sound • Are the OPTION parameters set appropriately? Hold down the CABINET on/off switch about one second to enter OPTION parameter setting mode, and adjust the parameters to appropriate values.
Preset program list No.
No.
Specifications Amp models: 33 Cabinet models: 11 Pedal types: 11 Mod/Delay types: 11 Reverb types: 3 Noise reduction: 1 Programs: 100 (50 preset, 50 user) Audio input INPUT jack, AUX IN jack Audio output OUTPUT/PHONES jack (stereo/mono dual use) LEVEL knob, AMP/LINE switch USB USB connector (Type B) Tuner Detection range: A0–E6 (27.5Hz–1,318.5Hz) Calibration: A=438–445 Hz Other DC12V connector, STANDBY switch Signal processing A/D conversion: 24-bit D/A conversion: 24-bit Sampling frequency: 44.
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