ZenAmp_BDA_1.5

26.11.2001 15:59 Uhr

Seite 1

www.hughes-and-kettner.com

BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG

zenAmp
DYNAMIC SECTOR MODELING TM GUITAR AMP

MANUAL

ENGLISH

26.11.2001 16:07 Uhr

Seite 5

ZENAMP-MANUAL

This operating manual is also available as a computer file. To download it, go to www.hughes-and-kettner.com, then to Manuals. Hughes & Kettner, zenAmp, DSM, Dynamic Sector Modeling, Z-Board, FS-5, the Hughes & Kettner logo, the zenAmp logo, the DSM Logo, Montana, WARP 7, and ATS 112 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hughes & Kettner. All other product names are the property of their respective owners.
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE ZENAMP!
The findings of 20 years of research at Hughes & Kettner flowed into the zenAmp. On the one hand, it is the product of tube amp know-how. The experience gained in designing the sophisticated tube circuitry of advanced amps like the TriAmp and Custom Tube Series helped us analyze and understand down to the last detail the complex response of tube amps. On the other, the knowledge acquired in developing digital designs such as the AS 64 and the Access Preamp allowed us to apply our insights and translate what we know about the behavior of analog amps into digital models. We call the upshot of all these efforts Dynamic Sector Modeling. This unique approach calls for both the individual components (sectors) of the original amp and the dynamic interaction between these sectors to be modeled. And that was the decisive breakthrough in modeling. Like the zenTera the state of the art in digital amp modeling - the zenAmp is DSMTM-powered. Courtesy of a shared gene pool, the zenAmp delivers the same mind-boggling authenticity of tone, acres of dynamic range, genuine feedback, and hair-trigger response to guitar volume knob tweaks that the zenTera is known for. To be sure, tone and dynamic response are crucial. But so is ease of use. Sometimes less truly is more, and in the case of the zenAmp, we followed that axiom with missionary zeal. In consequence, this amp is as easy to operate as any analog amp. The amps effects section also handles remarkably intuitively. And that makes it the ideal sonic tool for guitarists who want to dial in very different and very compelling sounds for varying applications in a hurry - no muss, no fuss. The amp ships with five programmable and 25 non-programmable presets. With the optional Z Board, you can program and call up 100 user presets in addition to the 25 factory presets. The 2x 60 watt stereo power amp packs a mighty wallop, providing the punch needed to drive two 12" loudspeakers and cut through on stage. And, when the going gets tough, this amp really gets going: It delivers that 10% extra headroom you need to get your musical message across under extremely demanding conditions. As a very special feature, the zenAmp is loaded with a Celestion Vintage 30 and a Celestion RockDriver Junior speaker. The differences in frequency range and response make for a perfect symbiosis, adding to the amps sonic spectrum and delivering tone that is greater than the sum of its parts. Leading-edge modeling technology, ultra-easy handling, power galore - the zenAmp is the ideal workhorse for the gigging guitarist.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 8.1 8.2 QUICK START.6 AMP MODELS.7 STANDARD SETUP/CABLE CONNECTIONS.8 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES.8 OVERVIEW.8 GOOD-TO-KNOW STUFF: THE TWO MODES!.8 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES IN DETAIL.9 THE ZENAMP AND THE Z-BOARD.11 MAINTENANCE AND CARE.12 TROUBLESHOOTING.12 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS.12 APPENDIX.45 MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART.45 AC POWER AND THE GLOBAL CURRENT ADAPTER.48

BEFORE POWERING UP

Check and make sure that the local current and the amp's AC power rating are identical before you plug the zenAmp'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. Please also read and heed the section NOTES ON SAFETY on pages 2 to 4 of this manual.

HERE'S KNOWING THAT YOU GET AS BIG A KICK OUT OF THE ZENAMPS TONE AS WE DID DEVELOPING THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND IT!

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1.0 QUICK START
1. Plug the AC power cable into the mains socket on the rear panel, then plug it into a wall socket. 2. Turn the MASTER knob down and plug your guitar into the jack labeled INPUT.
6. To create a preset of your own, please proceed as follows: 6.1 Rotate the AMP TYPE knob to select the desired amp model.
CALIFORNIA HOT HOT CLASS A BRIT CLASS A TWEED 4 x 10 PLEXI 50 PLEXI 100 HOT PLEXI BRIT HI GAIN BRIT ULTRA GAIN
TWEED DELUXE BLACK FACE JC CLEAN

MASTER

JAZZ CLEAN ACOUSTIC
3. Switch the zenAmp on by flipping the POWER switch and adjust it to the desired volume using the MASTER knob. Preset number 1 is always activated when you first power up the amp. 4. You can call up the first five user presets by pressing buttons 1 to 5.

MANUAL 5

6.2 Adjust GAIN, BASS, MID, TREBLE and PRESENCE to taste and adjust the volume using the PRESET VOLUME knob.

TREBLE

PRESENCE

PRESET VOL

6.3 Select the desired effects via FX TYPE and/or DELAY TYPE and adjust FX PARAMETER, REVERB VOL, and/or DELAY VOL to taste.
TREMOLO COMPRESSOR MID BOOST T-SCREAMER STROBE CHORUS MONO CHORUS STEREO PHASER PHASER XL FLANGER MONO FLANGER STEREO

PRESETS

TAPE SPACE TAPE MULTI REPEAT TAPE MULTI DRY TAPE ECHO SPACE TAPE ECHO REPEAT TAPE ECHO DRY ECHO REPEAT ECHO DRY STEREO LOOP-O-TAP HALLO DRY HALLO REPEAT HALLO SPACE PING PONG STEREO REPEAT STEREO SPACE LOOP-O-TAP
5. To call up the 25 factory presets, please proceed as follows: 5.1 Press and hold the MANUAL button until it begins flashing.

ca. 2 sec.

FUZZ WAH WAH 1 WAH WAH 2 MOD WAH BYPASS

FX PARAMETER

REVERB VOL

DELAY VOL

6.4 Press STORE, then one of the channel buttons, and then STORE again in order to store the sound that you have devised.

5 STORE STORE

5.2 You can now activate individual factory sound banks 1 to 5 by pressing one of the preset buttons 1 to 5.

RESETS

7. Press the MANUAL button in order to defeat the stored setting. MANUAL always enables the front panel knob settings (see chapter 4.2).
5.3 Individual presets in the respective bank are activated by pressing preset buttons 1 to 5 again.

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2.0 AMP MODELS
Note that Fender, Marshall, Vox, Mesa Boogie, Roland and other names of amp models and effects are the trademarks of their respective owners, and that they are in no way connected to or affiliated with Hughes & Kettner. Any mention of these brand names and trademarks serve merely purposes of explanation to describe sounds generated by Hughes & Kettners proprietary Dynamic Sector Modeling technology. You can select from among 16 different models of amps - herein called amp types - by rotating the zenAmp's AMP TYPE knob. Every amp type has a distinctive sonic personality. In addition to vintage milestones that literally made amp history, the zenAmp also offers emulations of some contemporary amps. In the following, we'll take a quick look at each amp type. BLACK FACE (based on a Fender Twin) 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 zenAmp'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 (based on a Fender 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. 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 4x 10 (based on a Fender Bassman) 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 CLASS A (based on a VOX AC 30) 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 zenAmp'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. HOT CLASS A (based on a VOX AC 30) This is specially tuned version of the above amp. In the past, only a handful of hot-rod specialists who are very handy with a screwdriver have been able to conjure up something similar to this sound. Our nickname for this sound is Black + More. Does that ring any bells? Nuff said. CALIFORNIA HOT (a zenAmp special) Using only the finest ingredients from the tube amp cookbook, our sonic sous-chefs whipped up a very special soup du jour: fat, creamy lead tone with a Californian nouvelle cuisine flavor unrivalled by any other series-made amp. Best of all, it takes just a twist of a knob to dial in this tasty sonic treat on the zenAmp and savor the rewards of modeling technology. PLEXI 50 (based on a Marshall PLEXI, 50 Watt) 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 (based on a Marshall PLEXI, 100 Watt 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. HOT PLEXI (based on a Marshall PLEXI, 100 Watt) The name says it all: This is what you get when a genuine guitar gear guru hot-rods a PLEXI 100: the ideal sound for those who like it hard & heavy, late 80s style. BRIT HI GAIN (based on a Marshall JCM 2000) A logical outgrowth of the razor-edged sound of British steel, this amp delivers gear-grinding overdrive and meltdown lead sounds with truckloads 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. BRIT ULTRA GAIN (based on a Marshall JCM 2000) What do you get when you unleash a horde of engineers brandishing screwdrivers - wild-eyed men who have spent far too much time in the lab on an unsuspecting British amp? A snarling beast with a sound hot enough to roast weenies on. And, frankly, the result is awe-inspiring - the fattest and most creamy lead sound imaginable. RECTIFIED (based on a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier) 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. WARP (based on a Hughes & Kettner WARP 7) Welcome to the seventh circle of sonic hell. If the descriptive adjective of choice for the RECTIFIED model is "bad", then the WARP is downright evil. This amp was designed specifically to do the sound, vibe and feel of detuned guitars justice. If you like your tone best when it comes wrapped in a hard and heavy package sound with enamel-blistering bottom end, this model is just what the doctor ordered. On the grounds of its ability to deliver everything from an intimidating rumble to a malicious roar, there is plenty of justification for calling the WARP 7 the prince of darkness among amps. ACOUSTIC AMP (based on a Hughes & Kettner Montana) This is the DSM version of the Montana, Hughes & Kettner's proprietary acoustic amp. JAZZ CLEAN (based on a Hughes & Kettner ATS 112) With the debut of the ATS series back in the '80s, Hughes & Kettner ushered in the great era of hybrid amps. Wedding the advantages of tube technology to low-cost solid state engineering, the ATS 112 - particularly its clean channel - soon became the darling of many jazz guitarists. As a unique feature, it sported a volume knob with an integrated compressor (!) that made for a very warm sound replete with oodles of sustain. JC CLEAN (based on a Roland Jazz Chorus) The forebear of this model was esteemed for its crystal-clear sound. Note that when you crank the treble knob, in addition to a generous helping of top-end shimmer, you are adding the kind of punch known to part hair at 50 paces. Conversely, when you back off the treble knob, you get a very soft and round jazz tone.

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3.0 STANDARD SETUP/CABLE CONNECTIONS
FX-UNIT MIXING CONSOLE COMPUTER IN SEND OUT RETURN

HEADPHONES

FOOTSWITCH FS-5

Z-BOARD

MIDI CONTROLLER
4.0 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES

4.1 OVERVIEW

The zenAmps user panel is essentially divided into two segments, the amp section and the effects section.
CALIFORNIA HOT HOT CLASS A BRIT CLASS A TWEED 4 x 10 TWEED DELUXE BLACK FACE JC CLEAN JAZZ CLEAN ACOUSTIC PLEXI 50 PLEXI 100 HOT PLEXI BRIT HI GAIN BRIT ULTRA GAIN RECTIFIED WARP
TREMOLO COMPRESSOR MID BOOST T-SCREAMER FUZZ STROBE CHORUS MONO CHORUS STEREO PHASER PHASER XL FLANGER MONO FLANGER STEREO
Use the 16-way selector to activate modulation and delay effects. REVERB VOL and DELAY VOL control the amount of reverb and delay in the signal. FX PARAMETER lets you adjust effects dialed in via FX TYPE.
WAH WAH 1 WAH WAH 2 MOD WAH

BYPASS

-5 +5 -5 +5 -5 +5 -5 +10
4.2 GOOD-TO-KNOW STUFF: THE TWO MODES!
After you power the zenAmp up, it is automatically in Preset mode. This means that the amps current knob positions do not influence its sound. Instead, what you hear is determined by the stored amp and effect settings of the given preset. Say, for example, the presets stored BASS knob setting is 5, while the physical BASS knob setting on the zenAmp is 0. The sound you will hear is shaped by the stored rather than the physical setting. As soon as you change a parameter on the amp (say by tweaking the BASS knob) while the amp is in Preset mode, youll hear this parameter jump from its stored setting to the new setting. Note: Be advised that when you select another amp type while the amp is in Preset mode, the current presets tone control settings are overwritten by new settings that make sense in the context of the newly selected amp type. In Manual mode, the amp handles quite differently. When you activate this mode by pressing the MANUAL button, the current knob positions on the zenAmps front panel are enabled and they shape your tone. This is the mode to use for creating your own presets. You can return to Preset mode by pressing the MANUAL button again.

amp section

effects section
The amp section features a classic, tried-and-true layout. The GAIN, BASS, MID, TREBLE, PRESENCE and PRESET VOL VOLUME knobs work like the control features of an analog amp. The knobs of the selected amp type respond just like those on the original model, which means that in this respect the zenAmp handles exactly like its analog forebears. In some cases, it gives you additional tweaking options beyond those of the original. You'll find that in each case, the extra sound-shaping options make a great deal of musical sense. The AMP TYPE selector calls up a total of 16 models. In the amp section, youll also find the PRESET buttons 1 to 5 for calling up stored presets. For the record, a preset is comprised of all amp and effect settings that shape a stored sound. The effects section puts eight modulation effects as well as emulations of some classic stomp boxes at your disposal. These are accessible via the FX TYPE selector. In addition, it offers 16 delay effects as well as one spring reverb. You'll find it easy to dial in satisfactory sounds without a great deal of editing.

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4.3 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES IN DETAIL

FRONT PANEL

INPUT: Connect your electric guitar or pick-up-equipped acoustic guitar to this input (it accepts all input levels). GAIN: This knob serves different purposes depending on the selected amp type: Some of the original models (BLACK FACE, TWEED DELUXE) don't come with a master volume. For this breed of amp, GAIN responds just like a regular volume knob. For models that are equipped with both gain and master knob, the GAIN knob serves the same purpose as the gain knob on the original. AMP TYPE: Rotate this knob to select from among the 16 amp types. TONE CONTROLS: BASS, MID, TREBLE and PRESENCE knobs. These knobs work like those on the original amp and their response depends on the amp type that you have selected. Because some of the original amps don't have a presence knob or a 3-band EQ, the zenAmp's knobs are assigned special functions to replicate all of the originals' tweaking options (for an in-depth explanation of this, see 2.0 AMP MODELS). PRESET VOL: Controls preset volume. Unlike the setting of the power amp MASTER knob located on the far right, you can store this parameter. This handy feature lets you dial in the desired balance of the relative levels for all presets. MANUAL: Press this button to activate Manual mode (see also section 4.2 above). The current settings of all knobs are enabled what you see is what you hear. Heads up, though! The MANUAL button also lets you switch between the sound banks of the zenAmp manually when you press and hold it down for a bit. To learn more about this, please read the next section entitled PRESETS. PRESETS 1 to 5: These knobs perform two functions: For one, they are used to call up stored user presets and factory presets. To this end, proceed as follows: 1) Activate the five presets of a sound bank by pressing the Preset buttons. 2) To switch sound banks, press and hold the MANUAL button until it starts flashing. 3) Select the sound bank by pressing one of the PRESET buttons 4) Activate the presets 1 to 5 of this bank by pressing the PRESET buttons again. For the other, these buttons serve to store new presets. To learn more about this, read the following section entitled STORE. Note: On the zenAmp, you can call up 30 presets - including five user presets - manually. The optionally available Z-Board increases the number of manually accessible presets to 125, 100 of which are user presets.

Note also: To go from the sound banks holding the factory presets back to the five user presets, briefly press the MANUAL button. This switches the zenAmp to Manual mode (see section 4.2 above). Briefly press the MANUAL button again to switch to Preset mode, which lets you access the user presets. The optional Z-Board is of course a far more convenient option for switching modes and presets. STORE: It saves preset settings. Heres how this works: Press the STORE button. It lights up red. Select the desired memory slot by pressing one of the PRESET buttons 1 to 5. The preset is stored when you press STORE again. This overwrites the preset that was previously stored in the selected memory slot. Note: You can cancel the storage process at any time by pressing the MANUAL button. Note also: You can of course also navigate to the desired memory slot via the optional Z-Board. FX TYPE: This selector puts eight modulation effects, seven pre effects (meaning effects that plug into the front end of the amp) such as wah-wah, and a bypass at your fingertips. Simply turn the rotary selector to select effects. FX PARAMETER: Controls the parameters of the effect that you select using the FX TYPE knob. Since most of the effects offer at least two parameters, this knob actually gives you musically meaningful combinations of these parameters. Case in point: Say you select the chorus effect. When the FX PARAMETER knob is set to a low value, the chorus rate is low, but its intensity or amount is high. As you turn the knob up, the rate increases while intensity decreases. REVERB VOL: It determines the amount of reverb that is added to the signal. TAP: This button lets you enter in delay time manually. Simply tap in the desired tempo. The zenAmp gauges the time between taps and synchronizes the delay accordingly. TAP will of course only work when a delay effect is active. DELAY TYPE: Turn this rotary selector to choose from among the 16 different delay effects. This effects section can also be bypassed (see DELAY VOL). DELAY VOL: It controls the volume of the delay effect selected via DELAY TYPE. The delay effect is bypassed when the knob is set to the far left position. MASTER: It controls the overall volume level of the power amp. This knob is global, meaning that it affects all presets. Its setting cannot be stored.

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REAR PANEL
MADE IN ST. WENDEL GERMANY

RECORDING OUT LEFT

NRTL (Fairfield) UL 6500 NRTL (Fairfield) UL 6500
FX - LOOP RETURN LEFT RETURN RIGHT SEND LEFT SEND RIGHT STAGEBOARD
INPUT: 100/117/230 V~ 50 - 60 Hz 200 W REPLACE FUSE ONLY WITH THE TYPE AND RATING SHOWN BELOW:
REAR PANEL MAY BECOME TOO HOT TO TOUCH! LEAVE ENOUGH SPACE FOR PROPER VENTILATION!

CAUTION!

TO PREVENT THE RISK OF FIRE AND SHOCK HAZARD DONT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO MOISTURE OR RAIN. DO NOT OPEN CASE; NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. REAR PANEL MAY BECOME TOO HOT TO TOUCH! LEAVE ENOUGH SPACE FOR PROPER VENTILATION!

MIDI HEAD PHONES IN OUT

SETTING: 230 V~ 117 V~ 100 V~
FUSE: 250V / T 1 A 250V / SB 1.8 A 250V / T 2 A

Prod. Date

Ser. No.
MAINS IN: Connect the factory-included mains cord to this socket. Ensure the amp's voltage rating matches your local AC voltage rating before you plug the cord into the wall socket. The mains fuse bracket is located next to this socket (see also Section 8.2). When replacing blown fuses, make sure you use specified replacement fuses only (see 7.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS). RECORDING OUT: Analog stereo output for connecting the zenAmp to a mixing console for recording and live applications. The RECORDING OUT circuit sends a signal that has been processed using the amps integrated speaker simulation. Note: The EFFECTS LOOP is located pre or in front of the RECORDING OUT bus. This means that if you have plugged an external effect device into the zenAmp, this device will affect the RECORDING OUT signal. EFFECTS LOOP: Serial stereo/stereo insert for connecting external effect devices. In the signal chain, the EFFECTS LOOP is located pre or in front of the MASTER knob and RECORDING OUT. Note: Bear in mind that the overall sound quality depends to a considerable extent on the quality of the external effect device because in a serial loop such as this, the entire signal is routed through the outboard device. SEND: Connect this output to the input of your effect device. Unlike the RECORDING OUT bus, SEND jacks patch out signals without speaker simulation. This means that they may also be used as a line out for routing signals to external power amps. Note: If you use an effect device that is equipped with merely a mono input, the entire stereo signal will be carried in mono. For this reason, we recommend that you use an external effect device sporting stereo inputs. RETURN: Connect the outputs of your effects device to these jack. You can also use the RETURN jacks to connect an external signal source such as an audio playback device. However, keep in mind that in this case, the zenAmp's signal is muted. This means that if you patch in an external signal here, you cant play along with it over the zenAmp.
HEADPHONES: Connect headphones to this jack. Like the RECORDING OUT bus, this circuit features speaker simulation. Note that the internal loudspeakers are automatically disabled when you plug in headphones. Use the MASTER knob to adjust headphones volume. STAGE BOARD: 9-pin port designed to take the optional Hughes & Kettner Z-Board or the optional FS-5, a 5-way foot switch. Note: This is not an interface for connecting a PC. MIDI IN/OUT: Connect a standard MIDI board here. It also serves as the interface for loading software updates and creating backups for your presets. Pin function 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: n.c. shield n.c. current source current sink

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4.4 THE ZENAMP AND THE Z-BOARD
The Z-Board gives you remote control over of the essential functions of your zenAmp in gig situations. PLUGGING IN Do not switch your amp on. Plug the 9-pin connector into the corresponding port on your amp. Ensure that the VOLUME pedal is floored. This will spare you unnecessary troubleshooting a little later. Switch your amp on.
1/6 5/10 and PRE FX, MOD FX, DELAY, REVERB, PEDAL ASSIGN These buttons carry out two functions: In Preset mode, buttons 1/6 - 5/10 serve to select a preset, that is to say, to switch the desired preset of the activated sound bank on. The red LEDs indicate the selected preset. In MODE 2, the PRE FX, MOD FX, DELAY, and REVERB buttons serve to switch effects off and on. The red LEDs indicate the selected effects. The PEDAL ASSIGN button performs a special function in MODE 2. When it is activate (the red LED lights up), you can assign various amp parameters such as gain, bass, mid, treble, etc. or effect, parameters such as delay time, chorus rate, reverb volume, etc. to the WAH WAH pedal. All it takes to select a parameter is a slight twist of the corresponding knob on the amp. Assign it to the pedal by pressing the PEDAL ASSIGN button again. MODE 2 Switches back and forth between Preset mode and MODE 2 (effect mode). DISPLAY It shows the currently selected Preset or, when the Tuner function is activated, the pitch of the plucked string. The following table provides an overview of the notes that appear in the display when you are tuning. International scale C D flat D E flat E F G flat G A flat A B flat B German scale C Des D Es E F Ges G As A B H Display

HANDLING

BASICS The range of functions that the Z-Board puts at your disposal depends on the given model and software version of your Hughes & Kettner amp. Not all models and versions support all functions described in this owners manual. THE 2 MODES The Z-Board works in 2 different modes, Preset mode and MODE 2 (effect mode). You can switch between these two modes using the MODE 2 button. In Preset mode, you can activate presets that have been programmed on the amp. BANK UP/DOWN accesses the next higher or lower sound bank (for the record, a bank consists of a group of five presets). Once you have selected the desired bank, the 1/6 to 5/10 buttons let you call up the presets of that bank. In MODE 2, you can activate and deactivate effects. The PEDAL ASSIGN button lets you assign individual parameters of your amp to the WAH WAH pedal. This lets you control the given parameter in real time.

CONTROL FEATURES

VOLUME You can control the master volume level and the pre-effect section channel volume, using the VOLUME pedal. WAH WAH The WAH WAH pedal can perform two functions: 1) It controls the wah-wah effect. Push the pedal all the way down. The WAH WAH ON LED lights up to tell you the wah-wah effect is activate. 2) In MODE 2, the pedal can also control an amp parameter that has been assigned to it, for example, gain, bass, mid, treble, preset volume as well as effect parameters. (for more info, see the section below entitled PEDAL ASSIGN). BANK UP In Preset mode, it switches to the next higher sound bank (= group of five presets), in MODE 2, to the next higher preset. BANK DOWN in Preset mode, it switches to the next lower sound bank, in MODE 2 to the next lower preset.

TAP TEMPO/TUNER This button lets you determine delay time. Simply tap in the desired delay time with your foot. The red LED will flash at the tempo you determine. Note: This of course will only work if you have activated a delay effect. To activate the TUNER function, press and hold the button for a bit longer. The note of the plucked string is indicated in the display. The actual pitch for tuning is indicated by the LEDs above the 1/6 - 5/10 buttons. When the 3/8 buttons red LED lights up, the string is tuned to the proper pitch.

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5.0 MAINTENANCE AND CARE
The zenAmp does not require service of any type. There are however a few basic rules that will extend the service life of your amp enormously: Make sure all peripheral devices, cords and cables are in a state of good repair! Poor-quality cables will cause hum and undesirable noise. Ensure plenty of air can circulate around your amp's ventilation ducts at all times. Definitely avoid exposure to mechanical shocks and extreme heat, dust and particularly moisture. Be picky about the kind of peripheral devices you connect to your amp and always check out their specs before you plug them in. Under no circumstances should you connect devices with high output signal levels (e.g. power amps) to your amp's input. Be sure the AC power source delivers the current that your amp is designed to handle before you plug it in. When in doubt about the local rating, ask the venue's sound technician or a stage hand. Refrain from DIY repairs! To be on the safe side, you should also have a qualified technician replace internal fuses.
7.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
PREAMP SECTION INPUT FX RETURN L/R FX SEND L/R RECORDING OUT L/R -10 dBV / 1 M ohms 0 dBV / 10 K ohms 0 dBV / 220 ohms 0 dBV / 220 ohms
POWER AMP SECTION Output power Frequency response Loudspeaker Headphones out 2 x 60 watts into 8 ohms 20 Hz - 20 kHz 1x 12 Celestion Vintage 30, 8 ohms 1x 12 Celestion RockDriver Junior, 8 ohms 500 mW into 4 - 600 ohms

GENERAL Mains voltage 230 volts AC (European version) 117 volts AC (North American version) 100 volts AC (Japanese version) Max. power consump. 200 VA Mains fuse T 1 A (230 V model) T 1,8 A (117 V model) T 2 A (100 V model) Internal fuses 1x 500 mA Polyswitch (Stageboard) 2x T 2 A (Analog section) 1x T 630 mA (DSP section) Dimensions (W x H x D) 650 x 500 x 270 mm Weight 21 Kg

6.0 TROUBLESHOOTING

E1) The zenAmp won't power up when you switch it on: It's not getting AC power. Check the mains cable to see if it is connected properly! The mains fuse is defective. Replace the fuse with another identical fuse. If this fuse also blows, be sure to talk to your local Hughes & Kettner dealer. E2) The zenAmp is cabled up and connected properly, but no sound is audible. One or more of the volume or master knobs is/are turned all the way down. Dial in higher settings. The volume pedal of the connected Z-Board is set to the minimum position. Floor the pedal. E3) The zenAmp will not respond to the Z-Board or footswitch. The connector of the Z-Board or footswitch is not plugged in correctly or at all. Plug it into the zenAmp, ensuring that it is seated firmly. E4) The sound is totally distorted when you activate a connected effects device. The input of the effect device is being overdriven. If it is equipped with a level meter or other level indicator, check the signal level and back off the signal processor's input sensitivity (via a knob labeled "Input" or "Gain"). E5) The signal level drops considerably when you connect an external effects device, The effect device is sending the signal back at too low a level. Turn up the signal processor's output level.

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8.0 APPENDIX

8.1 MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART
MIDI Implementation Chart v. 2.0 (page 1 of 3) Manufacturer: Hughes & Kettner Model: ZenAmp Transmitted Recognized 1 Yes Mode 3 / 4: Omni Off Version: 1.00 Date: 29.03.01/AP Remarks
1. Basic Information MIDI channels Note Numbers Program Change Bank Select Response? (Yes / No) If yes, list banks utilized in remarks column Modes supported: Mode 1:Omni-On, Poly (Yes/No) Mode 2:Omni-On, Mono (Yes/No) Mode 3:Omni-Off, Poly (Yes/No) Mode 4:Omni-Off, Mono (Yes/No) Multi Mode (Yes/No) Note-On Velocity (Yes/No) Note-Off Velocity (Yes/No) Channel Aftertouch (Yes/No) Poly (Key) Aftertouch (Yes/No) Pitch Bend (Yes/No) Active Sensing (Yes / No) System Reset (Yes / No) Tune Request (Yes / No) System Exclusive: Sample Dump Standard (Yes/No) Device Inquiry (Yes/No) File Dump (Yes/No) MIDI Tuning (Yes/No) Master Volume (Yes/No) Notation Information (Yes/No) Turn GM1 System On (Yes/No) Turn GM2 System On (Yes/No) Turn GM System On (Yes/No) Other (note in Remarks column) NRPNs (Yes/No) RPN 00 (Pitch Bend Sensitivity) (Yes / No) RPN 01 (Channel Fine Tune) (Yes/No) RPN 02 (Channel Coarse Tune) (Yes/No) RPN 03 (Tuning Program Select (Yes/No) RPN 04 (Tuning Bank Select) (Yes/No) RPN 05 (Modulation Depth Range) (Yes/No) 2. MIDI Timing and Synchronisation MIDI Clock (Yes/No) Song Position Pointer (Yes/No) Song Select (Yes/No) Start (Yes/No) Continue (Yes/No) Stop (Yes/No) MIDI Time Code (Yes/No) MIDI Machine Control (Yes/No) MIDI Show Control (Level/No) 3. Extensions Compatibility General MIDI compatible? (Level(s)/No) Is GM default power-up mode? (Level/No) DLS compatible (Level(s)/No) Import DLS Files? (Type(s)/No) Export DLS Files? (Type(s)/No) Import Standard MIDI Files (Type(s)/No) Export Standard MIDI Files (Type(s)/No) NOTES