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model. This time though, the “neutral” position is when the control is all the way
off (turned fully counterclockwise). The two models this applies to are BLACK
2x12 and TWEED 1x12.
IMPORTANT NOTE: As you’ll discover when you read their descriptions, in the case
of the AC15, AC15TB, AC30 and AC30TB models, we’ve utilized the PRESENCE
control to mimic the TOP CUT control - whether it was present on the original or not.
About the Gain and Volume knobs
ToneLabSE’s amp models provide three programmable knobs that affect the
volume (gain); GAIN, VR GAIN, and CH VOLUME. Each control does has its
own specific job, and the sound of a particular amp model can vary over an
amazingly wide range just depending on the settings of these knobs.
As some of you will know, most vintage amps only have one VOLUME control
to set up the sound, whilst more modern amps usually have two types of level
controls – GAIN (or sometimes PREAMP VOLUME) that controls the input
level of the preamp section, and MASTER VOLUME that controls how much
signal is (and how loud it is going to be) passed from the preamp to the power
amp. With many vintage amps there is no MASTER VOLUME, the preamp
feeds directly into the power amp without any type of control.
The ToneLabSE’s controls are designed to cover all these points:
ToneLabSE GAIN: On vintage type models that do not have a master volume
(i.e., AC15, AC15TB, AC30, AC30TB, UK BLUES, UK 68P, BLACK 2x12,
TWEED 1x12, TWEED 4x10), the GAIN control works like the VOLUME of the
original amp. On other model amps that do have a master volume, the GAIN
control works like GAIN or PREAMP VOLUME.
ToneLabSE VR GAIN: MASTER VOLUME that controls how much preamp sig-
nal level is passed to the power amp, which in our case is the VALVE REAC-
TOR stage. (Your ToneLabSE works like a real amp.)
ToneLabSE CH VOLUME: For want of a better way of putting it, this is like a
power attenuator that you would add between the output of your amp and the
input of your speaker cabinet. This controls the level of the final mix and allows
you to balance all your programmed amp sounds to each other.
As in how the original amps work, we have made the relationship between
preamp and power amp work in the same way. Therefore to obtain truly
authentic tones please use the VR GAIN control in the same way, i.e. with VIN-
TAGE type models that do not have Master Volume control’s, turn the VR GAIN
control up to maximum.
When using a model of a modern amp that does have a master volume con-
trol, adjust VR GAIN just as you would adjust the master volume control. Low
settings of VR GAIN will tend to produce more of a preamp distortion, while
high settings will add the distinctive distortion and warmth of the Valve Reactor.
Lastly, if an original amp features a unique switch or control we make sure that we
cover it! Such things will be revealed in the model descriptions that follow shortly...
Tube Talk
Us Brits call ‘em valves while our US cousins call ‘em tubes...as the saying
goes: England and America are merely two countries divided by a common