GETTING THE BEST FROM YOUR VALVESTATE
TM
AMPLIFIER
There may be some features of your Valvestate
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amplifier with which you are not familiar. The following
terms are explained in order to help you to get the full benefit of these incredibly versatile facilities on those
models to which they apply.
GAIN
This is really just another term for input volume. On controls that have increased drive capacity, the more you
increase the gain, the greater the intensity of distortion. The Valvestate
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boost channels have an abundance
of gain and will give you countless overdrive variations. By playing with the positions of the gain and contour
controls combined, you will discover the many different textures of Valvestate
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overdrive.
CONTOUR
Our special mid band shift contour control changes the voicing of the boost channel to give you the maximum
amount of variation on overdrive selections. It works on the frequencies that are most effective for guitar and
gives unlimited potential to your distortion tones. As with the EQ controls, playing experience will show the
optimum settings for your sound.
CRUNCH
A term used to describe semi-distorted sounds often used for rock rhythm or blues lead playing. Crunch is
achieved by turning the normal channel gain to maximum or just below. Valvestate
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models have extra gain
built into their normal channels to give you plenty of crunch (models 8080, 8240, 8100, 8280 & 8200 also
have a switchable crunch selection). Turning down the guitar volume brings the sound back to clean.
EQ
Short for equalisation which describes the tone control combination. The Treble, Middle, Bass and Presence
controls are extremely effective in your Valvestate
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amp and the only way to really get to know their full
range is to play with them.
EFFECTS SEND & RETURN
When linking external effects processors, some of the best results can be achieved by using the effects loop.
The Send jack sends the signal from the amp to the input of the effects unit. This then returns from the units'
output into the Effects Return jack. The loop comes in after the amps' distortion circuitry so is best suited to
effects units such as chorus and delay where extra colouration of the effect is not required. Effects such as
distortion and compression are more suited to the amp input where sound colouration will follow. A level
switch allows the loop to operate at high (0dB) signal levels for rack processors, or low (-20dB) levels for
floor pedals.
PRE-AMP OUTPUT
This socket gives a signal direct from the amplifiers' pre-amp section which can be used either as an effects
send, or as a means of driving an external power amp system.
POWER AMP INPUT
If you own a separate pre-amp, this socket gives you direct access to the Valvestate
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power stage, without
involving the combo pre-amp. It can also act as an effects return.
LINE OUTPUT
The low level signal from this socket is specially filtered to enable you to link directly into recording or PA
mixing equipment and to still achieve the Valvestate
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guitar sound. The 8240, 8280 & 8200 have left and
right Line Outputs operating in stereo.
POWER STAGE
This refers to the part of the amplifier that delivers the signal from the pre-amp control section and amplifies it
in order to drive the loudspeaker. In your Valvestate
!
unit this is the part that is so unique and will really
make your guitar sounds simply the best!
STEREO CHORUS
Chorus is one of the sweetest guitar effects. The 8240, 8280 and 8200 bring you stereo chorus through twin
Valvestate
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power stages for a panoramic spread and superb chorus depth.
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