Yamaha THR5A, Manual, Page: 14 / 14

Think of THR kind of like a hand-wired amp from a tiny
boutique amp maker. It’s just not hand-wired. Or from a
tiny boutique amp maker. You see, instead of spending
their days with a soldering iron and a box full of com-
ponents, our amp developers have a slightly different
toolkit – VCM.
VCM, or Virtual Circuitry Modeling, is a proprietary
physical modeling technology developed by K’s Lab, one
of Yamaha’s most progressive engineering groups. K’s
Lab’s goal with VCM was to push digital signal process-
ing beyond the realms of simulating superficial sound
characteristics and into the muddy waters where an-
alogue equipment reigns supreme – musicality. Using
the techniques developed to make the world’s first
commercially available physical modeling synthesizer,
the VL-1, VCM uses powerful Digital Signal Processing
(DSP) technology to create virtual circuits that precisely
replicate the behavior of analog circuits and their ef-
fects on the signals passing through them – including
even the most mythical of all analog components, the
vacuum tube.
Most digital signal processors, amps and effects start
with the tone - using their DSP power to modify the
output of their audio circuit in an attempt to make it
sound a certain way. While this can create a passable
‘static’ version of the desired sound, this method misses
the things that define the best analog signal processors
– the perfect combination of response, dynamics and
tone that give analog circuits a three-dimensional feel
and, more often than not, a ‘sweet-spot’ where it just
all comes together. The theory of VCM is that by using
DSP to create a virtual circuit path for the audio to pass
through, not only will the tone be right but the VCM
circuit will also recreate those intangible elements of re-
VCM Technology
Amp Model Descriptions / Specifications
Why THR is different: Our sound
doesn’t start with the tone…
sponse and dynamics that combine with tone to create
the holy grail of signal processing – true musicality. By
refining the complex physical modeling algorithms that
allowed the VL-1 to generate natural tones, VCM is able
to model the precise behavior of each element in a cir-
cuit and therefore the exact changes that circuit makes
to a signal passing through it. VCM is even powerful
enough to model the tonal and dynamic changes that
result from the way a power amp interacts with a partic-
ular speaker cabinet. And this isn’t just a marketing-de-
partment invention - Google ‘damping factor’ and you’ll
start to see why the power of VCM helps make THR feel
like a big, cranked amp. Without taking it into account,
an amp just won’t feel right…
But as with most things, it’s not a case of good or bad
– just different. And that’s where the real power of VCM
comes in. While physical modeling techniques are an
impressive technical tool that can be used like a car-
bon-copy machine for circuits, we think of it more like
a virtual soldering iron in our engineer’s hands. Thanks
to the incredible power and accuracy of the VCM algo-
rithms that power THR, individual virtual components
can be changed or tweaked for each amp model based
on what sounds, feels and works better - effectively
creating modified circuits that combine elements from
different amps to make new, unique amp models that
are far more than blind, soulless simulations of other
people’s designs.
If you want to know what that really means to you, as
a player, try diming the master control on one of THR’s
low-power amp models. Sure, it has amazing tone – but
it’s the feel that you’ll notice. The tone’s really nothing
more than a bi-product. Just like any great amp.
Specifications
Amp model descriptions
THR10/5
CLEAN:
Rich clean tones from a 6L6 power section with early breakup for incredible jazz, blues and country sounds.
CRUNCH: Low-powered EL84 class-A tube output with bright, clear, dynamic power amp distortion characteristics.
LEAD: Low-gain preamp section and EL34 power section for rich, controllable distortion with great midrange definition.
BRIT HI : EL34s keep the classic British clarity while a higher gain preamp allows you to push the amp into serious distortion.
MODERN: Ultra high-gain input section combined with 6L6 output section delivers smooth, powerful distortion
BASS:
*
High-power all-tube design for dynamic, driving bass tone.
ACO:
*
Electric-acoustic optimized input with mic simulations for natural, clear tone.
FLAT:
*
Flat response clean input for line sources, tone and effect controls allow shaping of non-guitar sources.
THR10C
DELUXE: Twin 6L6 output stage and low gain preamp for clean tube warmth with late-breakup
CLASS A:
4xEL84s in a true Class-A configuration with interactive EQ for rich, complex harmonic tones and warm overdrive
US BLUES: low-power, low-gain twin EL84 design for clarity and definition
BRIT BLUES: KT88 powered for easy breakup and midrange rich overdrive
MINI: 12AX7, single EL84 – a no-frills tone monster that responds incredibly to picking dynamics
BASS, ACO,
FLAT:
These are the same as on the THR10. Refer to the entries above
THR10X
POWER I: "Crunch Ch" European 6L6 and 12AX7 tone for powerful, crunch tones with loads of presence
POWER II: "Lead Ch" European 6L6 and 12AX7 tone with increased bass and gain for thick, smooth leads
BROWN I:
"Crunch Ch" US 6L6 and 12AX7 tone gives clear, clean overdrive with late breakup and great control
BROWN II: "Lead Ch" US 6L6 and 12AX7 tone with thicker low-mid response and increased gains for articulate lead tones
SOUTHERN HI: 6550 output tubes and 12AX7-driven preamp with ultra-tight, fast tracking for crushing high-gain
CLEAN: Classic American clean tube amp – low gain preamp, 6L6 power section and 12-inch speaker with clear, late breakup
BASS, FLAT: These are the same as on the THR10. Refer to the entries above
THR5A
CONDENSER: Electric-acoustic optimized input with mic simulations for natural, clear tone.
DYNAMIC: The dynamic microphone setting gives the acoustic guitar a tight tonal core.
TUBE: The tube microphone setting gives the acoustic guitar a rich midrange tone.
NYLON: Perfect for use with an acousticelectric classical or nylon string guitar.
EG CLN:
Classic American clean tube amp – low gain preamp, 6L6 power section and 12-inch speaker with clear, late breakup
* Specifications and appearance may change without notice.
*THR10 only
THR10 THR5 THR10C THR10X THR5A
Amp Simulations
CLEAN, CRUNCH,
LEAD, BRIT HI,
MODERN,
BASS, ACO, FLAT
CLEAN, CRUNCH,
LEAD, BRIT HI,
MODERN
DELUXE, CLASS A,
US BLUES,
BRIT BLUES,
MINI, BASS,
ACO, FLAT
POWER I, POWER II,
BROWN I, BROWNII,
SOUTHERN HI,
CLEAN, BASS,
FLAT
CONDENSER,
DYNAMIC, TUBE,
NYLON, EG CLN
Effects CHORUS
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FLANGER
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PHASER
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TREMOLO
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DELAY
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DLY/REV
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SPRING
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HALL
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TAPE ECHO — —
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ECHO/REV — —
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COMP — — — —
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CMP/CHO
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EQ
BASS, MIDDLE,
TREBLE
TONE BASS, MIDDLE,
TREBLE
BASS, MIDDLE,
TREBLE
TONE
Chromatic Tuner
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User Memory
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Connections
INPUT (Standard Monaural Phone Jack), PHONES (Standard Stereo Phone Jack),
AUX (Stereo Mini Jack), USB 2.0, DC IN
Power Source AC Adapter/Battery (AA Batteries x 8)
Speakers
8cm Full Range x 2
Rated Output
10W (5W + 5W)
Dimensions (W x H x D) 360 x 183.5 x
140mm
271 x 167 x
120mm
360 x 183.5 x 140mm 271 x 167 x
120mm
Weight
2.8kg 2.0kg 2.8kg 2.0kg
Accessories
AC Adapter, USB Cable, Stereo Mini Cable, Owner’s Manual,
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