6
ZENTERA-MANUAL
BEFORE POWERING UP- Check and make sure that the local
current and the amp's AC power rating are identical before you
plug the zenTera
®
's mains cord into an AC outlet. - Ensure that air
can circulate freely around your amp's ventilation ducts. - Place
the amp on a stable platform where it is not exposed to
mechanical shocks and will not endanger the safety of anyone
nearby. Avoid temperature extremes and excessive humidity,
both of which can damage the amp and may cause an
electrical shock. - The manufacturer is not liable for any
damage to the amp due to improper use.
Important information! Note that the zenTera should not be
exposed to extreme cold over longer periods. Though unlikely, it
is possible that the internal battery will lose its charge. This battery
provides power to the system when it is switched off. Under
normal conditions, it is recharged when you power the amp up.
1.0 QUICK START GUIDE OR OPERATING MANUAL?
We've included a quick guide for all those who are raring to go
right now and can't be bothered to wade through the entire
owner's manual. In just a few steps, it will familiarize you with the
sound-shaping features of the
zenTera
®
and explain its key
functions. Even if this quick guide provides enough information to
let you get off to a good start, please bear in mind that the
zenTera
®
's possibilities are legion. You won't find out about all of
them until you take the time to read the owner's manual.
2.0 POWERING UP
Activate the
zenTera
®
by flipping the POWER switch located on
the far right. The
zenTera
®
will go on line in one of two statuses,
loading either the preset that was active before the amp was
switched off or the last setting that was dialed in before the amp
was switched off. These two possibilities are explained in greater
detail in section 7.3, WAKE UP.
3.0 AMP MODELS AND EFFECTS
3.1 AMP MODELS
You can select from among eleven different models of amps -
herein called amp types - by rotating the
zenTera
®
's
W
AMP TYPE
knob. Every amp type has a distinctive sonic personality that is
best suited for very specific styles of music. In addition to vintage
milestones that literally made amp history, the
zenTera
®
also offers
emulations of some contemporary amps. In the following, we'll
take a quick look at each amp type.
BLACK FACE
This American beauty is the definitive amp for classic clean tone.
Although you'd be hard-pressed to drive it into the distortion zone, its big
sound and enormous punch left an indelible mark on several of styles of
music - it even helped shape certain playing techniques. This piece of
gear has won friends and influenced people far and wide, from funk
rhythm kings to jazz masters, from blues howlers to country pickers.
Note that the BRIGHT function found on the original is integrated into the
zenTera
®
's GAIN knob. GAIN settings of up to 5.0 (12 o'clock position)
elicit that characteristic treble boost of the original's BRIGHT switch. The
top end is not boosted at higher settings.
TWEED DELUXE
The kid brother of the big tweed amp, its raw, throaty textures are held
in high esteem by connoisseurs of vintage grit. A purist's dream come
true, its simple yet brilliant circuitry delivers earthy, fat tweed tone
unrivalled by any other amp.
On the downside, the original was equipped with just one tone knob, so
we elected to assign a sound-shaping functionality to the 3-band EQ
and the PRESENCE knob for this emulation. This gives you a lot more
musically meaningful tweaking options without sacrificing the tone that
makes this amp type so special.
TWEED 4 x 10
The ultimate vintage blues amp revered by almost all historic greats of
the genre, it still spells bliss for many a modern-day blues blaster. The
breadth and depth of its dynamic range and its fat, expressive lead
tone are what made it famous. From squeaky clean to a throaty growl
and all points in between, this amp puts meaning into the phrase "living
on blues power."
BRIT EL 84
The amp for classic guitar-driven pop and rock. Judging by the many
stellar songwriters who appear on its reference list, this amp would
undoubtedly be the hands-down winner in a poll of song-smiths.
Unarguably, its EL84-loaded, Class A power amp delivers the sweetest
harmonic distortion of all tube amps. And its flexible tone controls with
the legendary Cut and Top Boost circuits elicit chiming, sparkling
sounds as well as fat lead tone. Cranked wide open, it also delivers
gritty, roots rock-approved goods.
Note that the zenTera
®
's PRESENCE knob takes over the CUT function.
The Top Boost circuit is integrated into the MID knob, which is handy
because this lets you dial smoothly rather than switch hard from
Normal to Top Boost mode.
PLEXI 50
This British EL34-powered classic made music history. Many a genre-
defining steel-string slinger wielded its considerable sonic clout to leave
an indelible mark on the face of modern music. With its hair-trigger
response, the PLEXI will do exactly what the position of your guitar's
volume knob tells it to. Turn the volume down low, and you get fat,
clean tone with shimmering top end. As you crank the knob, you can
hear that vintage rock roar unfold.
PLEXI 100
The PLEXI on steroids, this 100-watt sensation literally rocked the late '60s
and continued to dominate the heavy rock scene throughout the '70s
and well into the '80s. A staple of innumerable rock productions, this
amp's dynamic response made it the tool of choice for many an audio
alchemist. Indeed, it can be said with some authority that this beast's
big, cutting sound defined what great rock tone is all about. It will also
make you the object of fear and loathing in your neighborhood,
because you won't feel the full fury of its sonic assault until you crank it
to the hilt.
BRIT HI GAIN
A logical outgrowth of the razor-edged sound of British steel, this amp
delivers gear-grinding overdrive and meltdown lead sounds with truck-
loads of sustain and in-your-face punch. The tone controls are tweaked
to deliver the response of a modern-day boutique amp, adding many
shades and hues to your sonic palette. Less subtly, its scooped mids
elicit a merciless metal edge, while its over-the-top high end has been
rumored to peal paint at a hundred paces.
ULTRA GAIN
A
zenTera
®
special, this is what you get when you hop up a British
100-watt amp until it is hot enough to roast weenies. And, frankly, the
result is awe-inspiring - the fattest and most creamy lead sound
imaginable.
USA HI GAIN
This amp's peerless tone is the product of three rectifier tubes.
A real firecracker, it throws red-hot sparks of distortion for a fresh,
dynamic tone. With its fat, bad and downright angry overdrive, this
amp can take on many guises. Playing a key role in the rise of grunge
in the '90s, it has since become the tool of choice for New Metal
merchants. And with good reason, for few other amps can match its
intensity and depth of musical expression, particularly for soloing.
ACOUSTIC AMP
This is the DSM
TM
version of the Montana, Hughes & Kettner's
acoustic amp.
W
: TURN KNOB
r
: CLICK
s
: DOUBLE-CLICK
t
: CLICK AND HOLD BRIEFLY
Zentera Manu 2.0 E-D 28.08.2001 15:00 Uhr Seite 6
