Rocktron Captures Guitar Player Editor’s Pick Award For ValveSonic Plexi
It did not take long for Rocktron’s newly released Valvesonic Plexi guitar preamp to receive its first honor, having been awarded a Guitar Player Magazine Editors’ Pick Award in the June (2018) issue of the magazine.
Rocktron has partnered with LA Custom to produce the ValveSonic series of all tube guitar preamps with unprecedented sonic versatility. The ValveSonic Plexi captures the vintage tones of the iconic British “plexi” amplifiers, from the stacked amps and the arena sound of rock to the sound heard during the “Sunset Strip” era of rock, and beyond.
Rocktron Captures Guitar Player Editor’s Pick Award For ValveSonic Plexi
It did not take long for Rocktron’s newly released Valvesonic Plexi guitar preamp to receive its first honor, having been awarded a Guitar Player Magazine Editors’ Pick Award in the June (2018) issue of the magazine.
Several years in the making, the Valvesonic Plexi all-tube preamp replicates the tones of British amps from the 1960’s to the 1990’s. Guitar Player Magazine wrote that “the Valvesonic Plexi is very capable at delivering Brit-voiced amp tones over an exceedingly wide range of gain and suffice it to say that if you are into a rack setup and want the ability to use any power amp that fits the need, the Plexi is definitely worth investigating.”
Rocktron has a history of receiving Editors’ Pick Awards over the years. “We deeply appreciate the recognition for our products,” said Rocktron Division President Bob Waller, “and coming from Guitar Player Magazine this is a particularly high honor.” Rocktron is a division of GHS Corporation of Battle Creek, Michigan,USA.
ValveSonic Plexi
Rocktron has partnered with LA Custom to produce the ValveSonic series of all tube guitar preamps with unprecedented sonic versatility. The ValveSonic Plexi captures the vintage tones of the iconic British “plexi” amplifiers, from the stacked amps and the arena sound of rock to the sound heard during the “Sunset Strip” era of rock, and beyond.
Each ValveSonic model features a front panel input jack. The 1-2 switch affects the input of the tube stage in the preamp. When switched to “1”, the unit provides the more “modern” type of input used on British style amps. When switched to “2”, the unit provides a fatter, “classic” type of input used on vintage British amplifiers. The Tight switch is used in conjunction with the 1-2 switch; in the up position the input is “tightened up” much like more modern British amplifiers, while in the down position the tight function is not active.
The ValveSonic Bright control is a six position switch that provides five different bright variations to the overall tone found in British amplifiers, from vintage to modern, with 0 being off and 5 being the brightest.
The Gain control is used to determine the amount of GAIN Input level driving the ValveSonic tubes. Boost can be obtained by flipping the Boost switch to the On position. The Boost works in conjunction with the “+” switch. When the Boost switch is On and the “+” switch is in the down position you will obtain an extra gain stage that replicates the 80’s British type of tone. When the “+” switch is Up, you obtain an additional gain stage and essentially add an entire tube to the front end, replicating the 90’s British amps.
Bass, Middle and Treble controls determine the amount of these various frequencies present in the signal.
EQ 1 & 2 swtich replicates the two different style EQs that were used in British amplifiers over the years. In the Up position, (position 1), the “modern” EQ is replicated, providing a more midrange emphasis. In the Down position, (position 2), “vintage” EQ is replicated.
The ValveSonic series features a unique AFTERBURNER switch. This switch works in conjunction with the DRIVE control, providing yet another gain stage after the EQ section of the preamp. When the AFTERBURNER is turned On, this switch emulates a post phase inverter master. When On, you can utilize the Drive control to adjust the amount of Drive present in the AFTERBURNER stage.
The ValveSonic also features HIGH CUT control to adjust the High Frequency cut in order to roll off some of the high end “sizzle” when the high gain is used. The Master control determines the output level of the preamp.
The ValveSonic series has been carefully designed to provide pristine tone, no matter what your style of performance.
Specifications
Input Impedance: 1M Ohms
Output Impedance: Input: 1/4″ mono unbalanced (front & back)
Output: 1/4″ mono unbalanced (line out & instrument out)
Tube Type: 12AX7EH
Power Consumption: 20w
Power Requirements: 100 ~ 120VAC/1.0A, 220 ~ 240VAC/.05A
Dimensions: 19″ x 6.5″ x 1.75″ / 482.6mm x 165.1mm x 44.5mm
Weight: 5.5lbs / 2.5kg