FYI - VX Settings

[Zaphod B]

I finally had a chance to try to tone-match the M4's VX module against the Vox AC30.

My AC30 is one of the newer AC30CCs, with 2X12 Celestion Alnico Blues. I used the top boost channel with bass and treble at 12:00, and this was my reference point to tune the VX (A channel). On both the module and the amp, I had the channel gain set right on the threshold of breakup and used my lowest-output guitar, a MIA Fender Telecaster Deluxe Ash.

The M4 is running into a Randall RT2/50, and I used the EL34 side for this exercise. I kept the presence and density at 12:00 on this channel. The speaker cab for the M4 rig is an oversized, closed-back 2 X 12 cab with Celestion G12K-85s.

I got the VX module pretty close to the AC 30 but of course the speakers make any hope of an exact sound match impossible. The Alnico Blues are very forward in the high-mids to highs, and while they have a good bottom end presence, it can get a little wooly. The G12K-85s have a huge, tight bottom end presence and a sharp high end and they are very very clean sounding speakers whereas the Blues always have a little hair on 'em.

In the end I could not get the VX and the AC30 identical but it's close enough for the M4 to have a genuinely authentic sound. The VX settings are:

Bright boost: off
Bass boost: 1
Bass: 12:00
Mids: Full up - maxed
Highs: Full off - zeroed

I hope this helps you guys that have a VX module but no reference point.

Later!

 

[drneely]

hmmmm.... interesting, i will have to try this. I use the RT2/50 as well and my VX settings are very different than this. Should be interesting, thanks!

 

[RockStarNick]

I can't imagine it sounding good with the highs off...

I'll give it a show though...

 

[Zaphod B]

I was surprised as well that I needed to roll off the highs.

However, I had noticed that the VX module has a rather strident top end, at least through my rig, and rolling them off seems to bring out the mid-high forwardness of the AC30 without actually sacrificing brightness. Go figure.

I am going to do this again with the presence rolled off in varying degrees on the RT2/50. Having it set at 12:00 may be causing some of the high-end emphasis I'm getting.

 

[Zaphod B]

Update:

I tried this again with the presence rolled down on the RT2/50. I find that with the power amp's presence down to a bit below 9:00, the VX module needs treble at about 11:00 with the other settings remaining the same.

Again, the sound is close but I can't get the AC30's the midrange/mid-high crang out of the M4 rig. The M4 still sounds damned good, though, and in the end it's the speakers that are the primary determinant factor, I think, along with the fact that AC30s don't use EL34s.

 

[aeroic]

Update:

I tried this again with the presence rolled down on the RT2/50. I find that with the power amp's presence down to a bit below 9:00, the VX module needs treble at about 11:00 with the other settings remaining the same.

Again, the sound is close but I can't get the AC30's the midrange/mid-high crang out of the M4 rig. The M4 still sounds damned good, though, and in the end it's the speakers that are the primary determinant factor, I think, along with the fact that AC30s don't use EL34s.

Do this

Get a set of Svetlana 6550s for your RT2/50...and try it w/ the VX. I LOVE the tone w/ the VX and 6550s. It's a bigger sound and has much more mid clarity and high end sparkle vs the EL34s.

My settings on my VX / RT2/50 are:

Bass Boost - 1
Bright - 1
Bass - 10 oclock
Mids - Noon
Treble - 10 oclock
ChA Gain - 10:30 oclock
ChB Gain - 10 oclock
RT2/50 Density - 10 oclock
RT2/50 Presence - 1 oclock

I love the VX tone w/ those settings both in my M4 and Mod50.

Eric

 

[Zaphod B]

Thanks, Eric, that's a good recommendation.

Will those 6550s sound good with the SL2X as well, do think?

 

[RockStarNick]

Zaphod, do you have the highs rolled down that much on your other modules? Curious...

 

[aeroic]

Thanks, Eric, that's a good recommendation.

Will those 6550s sound good with the SL2X as well, do think?

Most definitely!!

I pretty much use 6550 (either Svetlana 6550s or Tung Sol 6550s) religiously. I do have a set of yellow jackets I use w/ TAD EL84s from to time though, and a set of JP 6L6 NOS tubes.

Outside of that...the 6550 is the tube for me! Sounds amazingly HUGE in the RT2/50 and Mod50. I prefer the Svetlana 6550s in the RT2/50 and the TS 6550s in my Mod50.

 

[Zaphod B]

Zaphod, do you have the highs rolled down that much on your other modules? Curious...

No. On the other modules I even have some bright boost dialed in.

The VX had a pretty strident bite that the Telecaster seemed to bring out very strongly. My other guitars, not so much.

I didn't roll off the highs on the VX that much until I tried to match it with the AC30.

At any rate, with the presence down on the RT2/50, I have some treble back in the VX.

 

[Zaphod B]

Thanks, Eric. I'll order some 6550s along with a 5751 to play with in the COD.

Most definitely!!

I pretty much use 6550 (either Svetlana 6550s or Tung Sol 6550s) religiously. I do have a set of yellow jackets I use w/ TAD EL84s from to time though, and a set of JP 6L6 NOS tubes.

Outside of that...the 6550 is the tube for me! Sounds amazingly HUGE in the RT2/50 and Mod50. I prefer the Svetlana 6550s in the RT2/50 and the TS 6550s in my Mod50.

 

[Zaphod B]

Hey, Eric -

On MF's web site they offer a Svetlana 6550 in a choice of hard/blue, soft/red, and medium/green.

What's the difference?

 

[Wagster]

I compared my AC30TBX to my VX and came up with the exact same settings as yours. Then I found this thread.

I finally had a chance to try to tone-match the M4's VX module against the Vox AC30.

My AC30 is one of the newer AC30CCs, with 2X12 Celestion Alnico Blues. I used the top boost channel with bass and treble at 12:00, and this was my reference point to tune the VX (A channel). On both the module and the amp, I had the channel gain set right on the threshold of breakup and used my lowest-output guitar, a MIA Fender Telecaster Deluxe Ash.

The M4 is running into a Randall RT2/50, and I used the EL34 side for this exercise. I kept the presence and density at 12:00 on this channel. The speaker cab for the M4 rig is an oversized, closed-back 2 X 12 cab with Celestion G12K-85s.

I got the VX module pretty close to the AC 30 but of course the speakers make any hope of an exact sound match impossible. The Alnico Blues are very forward in the high-mids to highs, and while they have a good bottom end presence, it can get a little wooly. The G12K-85s have a huge, tight bottom end presence and a sharp high end and they are very very clean sounding speakers whereas the Blues always have a little hair on 'em.

In the end I could not get the VX and the AC30 identical but it's close enough for the M4 to have a genuinely authentic sound. The VX settings are:

Bright boost: off
Bass boost: 1
Bass: 12:00
Mids: Full up - maxed
Highs: Full off - zeroed

I hope this helps you guys that have a VX module but no reference point.

Later!