Hughes & Kettner Vortex User manual

ESPAñOL
ITALIANO
FRANÇAIS
DEUTSCH
ENGLISH
BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG
1.2
HEAD/COMBO
MANUAL
www.hughes-and-kettner.com
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IMPORTANT:
Before powering up please read
the Important Safety Instructions
on page 36 - 38!
WICHTIG:
Bitte lesen Sie vor der Inbetriebnahme
unbedingt die Sicherheitshinweise
auf Seite 36 - 38!
IMPORTANT:
Avant la mise en service, prière de lire
les instructions de sécurité
sur les pages 36 - 38!
IMPORTANTE:
Prima di utilizzare lo strumento leggete
attentamente gli avvisi di
sicurezza su pagina 36 - 38!
IMPORTANT:
¡Antes de la puesta en marcha, lea Ud.
las instrucctiones de seguridad en las
páginas 36 - 38!
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VORTEX - MANUAL
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A team of guitarists and technicians developed
the VORTEX™ line of amps with a single purpose in
mind: to provide you with great guitar sounds and
practical features in an easy-to-handle package.
The VORTEX™ is the ideal workhorse for the
discerning player. The VORTEX™'s high-
performance Current Feedback power amp
delivers the sought-after, wide-open tube tone
that other amps so sorely lack. It also makes the
VORTEX™ far louder than other amps with the
same output rating.
Its clear and convenient handling concept makes
it so easy for you to access the VORTEX™'s world
of sound. This manual gives you a detailed look at
its features and possibilities. It also provides the
information you need to be able to handle this
amp with confidence.
ENJOY THE TONE OF YOUR VORTEX™!
YOUR HUGHES & KETTNER®TEAM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BEFORE POWERING UP ............................................. 4
1.0 THE CHANNELS OF THE VORTEX™ ..................... 4
2.0 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES....................... 5
3.0 STANDARD SETUP/CABLE CONNECTIONS ........ 6
4.0 OPERATING THE VORTEX™ ................................ 6
4.1 SELECTING CHANNELS ....................................... 6
4.2 THE VORTEX™ AND SIGNAL PROCESSORS ...... 6
4.3 HOW TO CONNECT A SIGNAL PROCESSOR..... 7
4.4 THE VORTEX™ AND MIXING CONSOLES .......... 7
5.0 MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE ............................ 7
6.0 TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................ 8
7.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ........................... 33
VOTRTEX - MANUAL
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ENGLISH
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING
THE HUGHES & KETTNER®VORTEX™ AMP!
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VORTEX - MANUAL
• Check that the local current and the VORTEX™’s
AC power rating are identical before you plug
the power 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
temperature extremes which may damage the
amp or endanger the safety of bystanders.
• Hughes & Kettner®is not liable for damages due
to improper use.
BEFORE POWERING UP
At higher gain settings, the preamp of the
VORTEX™ generates warm harmonic overdrive
that is exceptionally dynamic. Based on semi-
conductors, this innovative circuitry simulates the
sound-shaping elements of tube amps and –
unmatched in this price range – lends the
VORTEX™ the kind of sound quality and dynamics
the ambitious guitarist can’t do without for
musical expression.
CLEAN:
Depending on preamp control settings,
the VORTEX™ delivers a variety of contemporary
and vintage clean tones. At higher VOLUME knob
settings, the "SoftClip" circuitry generates precisely
the warm overdrive that made vintage tube amps
so desirable. If desired, the CLEAN channel can
put out plenty of crunch.
LEAD:
The LEAD channel CHARACTER knob lets you dial
in both classic British rock tone – direct and
dynamic (HARD) – and warm blues tone with
more of an American vibe (SOFT). With the capa-
bility to sweep smoothly between these two very
different worlds of sound, you have unpreceden-
ted lead sound sculpting options at your fingertips.
REVERB:
The VORTEX™ features an onboard spring reverb
located after FX SEND in the signal chain.
1.0 THE CHANNELS OF THE VORTEX™
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INPUT: Input for guitars equipped with humbuckers,
active pickups, or single coils.
CLEAN VOL: Determines the CLEAN channel's
volume. Depending on the type of pickups your
instrument is equipped with, the amp will begin
to clip somewhere around the 12 o'clock setting;
you can control the amount of grit very precisely
by varying your picking attack.
CHANNEL SELECT: Switches back and forth
between the CLEAN and LEAD channels. The LEAD
channel is active when the button is pressed.
RED LEAD LED: The red LED illuminates when the
LEAD channel is active.
LEAD GAIN: Controls the amount of distortion in
the LEAD channel.
CHARACTER: Sweeps between the different tonal
characteristics HARD (British) or SOFT (American).
LEAD MASTER: Determines the LEAD channel
volume level.
BASS, MID and TREBLE: Common controls for both
channels. MID and TREBLE controls influence each
other, as is standard in tube amps. This sound-
shaping feature lets you to dial in a wide variety
of subtle tonal variations.
REVERB: Controls how much integrated reverb is
added to the signal. The reverb amount is auto-
matically adjusted for each channel when you
switch channels.
MASTER: Controls the VORTEX™‘s master volume
level. The FX-SEND signal level is not affected by
the MASTER control.
FX-SEND: Connect this jack to the input of an
effect device or outboard power amp. You can
also route the signal through a RED BOX®to a
mixing console.
FX-RETURN: Connect this jack to the output of an
effect device.
FOOTSWITCH: Connect a standard footswitch
(e.g. Hughes & Kettner®FS-1) here. This lets you to
switch back and forth between the CLEAN and
LEAD channels. When using a footswitch, ensure
the CHANNEL SELECT switch on the amp‘s front
panel is set to CLEAN.
PHONES: Headphone jack. The speaker is auto-
matically switched off when a plug is inserted into
this jack.
VOTRTEX - MANUAL
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ENGLISH
2.0 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES
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REAR PANEL:
MAINS: Connect the included Euro-norm 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.
SPEAKER OUTPUTS:
Serial on combos: Connect an auxiliary cabinet
with a minimum impedance of 2 ohms here.
Parallel on heads: Connect the included
4x12" cabinet and another auxiliary cabinet with
a rating of at least 8 ohms here. The minimum
permissible impedance is 4 ohms. This means if you
connect cabinets to both outs, each cabinet’s
impedance may be no lower than 8 ohms.
Combo-versions Head-version
3.0 STANDARD SETUP /
CABLE CONNECTIONS
HEAD/COMBO:
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VORTEX - MANUAL
4.1 SELECTING CHANNELS
You can activate the channels of the VORTEX™
via the front panel CHANNEL SELECT button or an
external footswitch. The Hughes & Kettner®range
of accessories offers a footswitch that fits the bill,
the FS 1.
4.2 THE VORTEX™
AND SIGNAL PROCESSORS
The VORTEX™ is equipped with a serial effects
loop, meaning that the entire preamp signal is
routed to the FX device and processed there.
4.0 OPERATING THE VORTEX™
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VOTRTEX - MANUAL
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ENGLISH
4.3 HOW TO CONNECT
A SIGNAL PROCESSOR:
• Connect the processor‘s input to the VORTEX™
FX-SEND jack and its output to the VORTEX™
FX-RETURN jack.
• To avoid noise, signal degradation, and inter-
rupted signals, use high-quality patch cords only.
• Make sure the processor is not distorting the
signal. Check the processor's gain LEDs and
use the input and output controls to dial in a
suitable level.
• Distortion devices are not designed for use in an
FX loop. As a rule of thumb, any kind of device
that compresses the signal should be connected
first in the signal chain. Depending on the type
of effect you want to achieve, you may want
to connect a compressor directly between the
instrument and the amp's input.
• If you are using several processors or stomp
boxes, ensure you connect them in the proper
order. If you don’t like what you’re hearing,
experiment with the order to find the sound
that suits you best.
4.4 THE VORTEX™
AND MIXING CONSOLES
If you want to feed the VORTEX™'s signal to
a mixing console, we recommend you route it
through a Hughes & Kettner®RED BOX®. Connect
it to the amp’s FX-SEND jack, as this signal path's
level is not influenced by the MASTER setting.
The RED BOX®balances the signal and simulates a
speaker cabinet.
The VORTEX™ does not require service of any
type. However, there are a few precautions
you should heed to ensure your amp lasts for
many years.
• Ensure all peripheral devices and cables are in
a state of good repair.
• Defective speaker cables are the most common
cause of power amp failure. Poor-quality cables
will cause hum and undesirable noise.
• Make certain the back of your amp' is not
blocked or covered. Proper cooling will prolong
the life of your amp.
• Avoid mechanical shocks and exposure to extre-
me heat, dust and especially moisture.
• When connecting peripheral devices, always
pay close attention to their specifications.
Never connect devices with high output signal
levels (e.g. power amps) to your amp's input.
• Ensure you have the correct AC power rating
available before you plug in the amp. If in
doubt, ask the venue's sound technician or the
custodian of the building you are rehearsing in.
• Refrain from do-it-yourself repairs! Have a quali-
fied service technician replace internal fuses.
• With the unit off and unplugged, use a soft
damp cloth to clean the exterior surface of
the VORTEX™.
5.0 MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
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VORTEX - MANUAL
6.1 If the VORTEX™ will not switch on:
• The amp is not getting any 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 trips,
consult your Hughes & Kettner®dealer.
6.2 If the VORTEX™ is connected properly,
but no sound is audible.
• One or several GAIN and MASTER controls
may be turned all the way down. Dial in
a higher setting.
• Never overlook the possibility that the guitar
cable may be damaged. Try another one.
• A short circuit in the speaker signal chain may
have tripped an internal fuse. Make sure none
of the connections are shorted out and have
a qualified service technician replace the fuse
(identical specifications are a must).
6.3 If the CLEAN channel will not activate
via an external footswitch:
• The footswitch is not connected to the
VORTEX™. Plug it into the appropriate jack.
• Check whether the footswitch is the correct
type. We recommend a Hughes & Kettner®FS-1.
6.4 If you use the effects loop, the FX-SEND/
FX-RETURN jacks cause annoying hum.
• An electrical or magnetic field is causing inter-
ference. Use higher-quality cables or re-arrange
the cables you are using to minimize interferen-
ce. If this still doesn't improve the situation, use
a DI-box.
• The grounding of the connected devices may
be causing a ground loop. DO NOT SEVER THE
GROUND OF THE CONNECTED DEVICES UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Try plugging all devices
into the same socket via an AC power distribu-
tor/power strip. If this doesn't eliminate the noise,
you must ensure the connection is galvanically
separated by routing the signal through
a DI-box.
6.5 If you have connected an FX processor to
the FX-SEND jack and the signal is totally
distorted, even when you have dialed in
a clean sound.
• The FX-SEND signal is overloading the input of
the FX processor. Reduce the processor‘s input
sensitivity ("INPUT" or "GAIN").
6.6 If you have connected an FX processor
to the FX-SEND jack of the VORTEX™ and
the signal's volume level is way too low.
• The FX processor's output level is set incorrectly.
Turn it up.
6.0 TROUBLESHOOTING
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VOTRTEX - MANUAL
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DEUTSCH
Ein Team aus Gitarristen und Technikern hat die
VORTEX™ Verstärker Linie mit dem Ziel entwickelt,
amtliche Gitarrensounds mit einfachster
Bedienung und praxisgerechter Ausstattung zu
kombinieren. Der VORTEX™ ist das ideale
Arbeitsgerät für anspruchsvolle Gitarristen. Eine
äußerst leistungsstarke „Current Feedback“-
Endstufe sorgt für den offenen ”Röhrencharakter”,
den andere Amps vermissen lassen. Damit ist Dein
VORTEX™ deutlich lauter als andere Amps mit
gleicher Ausgangsleistung. Ein übersichtliches und
komfortables Bedienkonzept macht es möglich,
ohne Umstände in die Soundwelt des VORTEX™
einzusteigen. Diese Bedienungsanleitung dient
dazu einen detailierteren Einblick in die Möglich-
keiten dieses Verstärkers zu bekommen. Sie wird Dir
darüber hinaus Informationen vermitteln die Dir
einen souveränen Umgang mit diesem Amp
ermöglicht.
WIR WÜNSCHEN DIR VIEL SPASS UND FREUDE
AM „TONE“ MIT DEINEM VORTEX™!
DEIN HUGHES & KETTNER®TEAM.
INHALT
VOR DER INBETRIEBNAHME......................................10
1.0 DIE KANÄLE DES VORTEX™ ...............................10
2.0 ANSCHLÜSSE UND BEDIENELEMENTE.................11
3.0 STANDARD SET-UP/VERKABELUNG....................12
4.0 BEDIENUNG DES VORTEX™ ...............................12
4.1 DAS ANWÄHLEN DER KANÄLE ..........................12
4.2 DER VORTEX™ MIT EFFEKTGERÄTEN .................13
4.3 ANSCHLUSS EINES EFFEKTGERÄTES....................13
4.4 DER VORTEX™ AM MISCHPULT .........................13
5.0 WARTUNG UND SERVICE....................................13
6.0 FEHLERBESEITIGUNG/TROUBLESHOOTING ........14
7.0 TECHNISCHE DATEN ...........................................33
WIR FREUEN UNS, DASS DU DICH FÜR DEN
VORTEX™ENTSCHIEDEN HAST!
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VORTEX - MANUALVORTEX - MANUAL
• Vergewissere Dich vor dem Anschluss des
VORTEX™, dass der nahe der Netzbuchse ange-
gebene Spannungswert mit der vorhandenen
Netzspannung übereinstimmt.
• Stelle eine ausreichende Luftzufuhr
an die Kühlflächen des Gerätes sicher.
• Achte auf einen festen Stellplatz, der mechani-
sche und thermische Fremdeinwirkungen,
welche die Betriebssicherheit des Gerätes oder
die Sicherheit von Personen beeinträchtigen
könnten, ausschließt.
• Für Schäden am Gerät, die durch unsach-
gemäßen Betrieb entstehen, wird seitens des
Herstellers keine Haftung übernommen.
VOR DER INBETRIEBNAHME
Die Vorstufe des VORTEX™ erzeugt (bei höherer
Aussteuerung) einen runden und harmonischen
Overdrive mit einer außergewöhnlichen Dynamik.
Sein innovatives Schaltungskonzept, das alle
soundgestaltenden Elemente von Röhrenamps in
Halbleitertechnik simuliert, verleiht dem VORTEX™
eine bisher in dieser Preisklasse nicht erreichte
Tonqualität und Dynamik, die ein anspruchsvoller
Gitarrist für seinen musikalischen Ausdruck unbe-
dingt benötigt.
CLEAN: Je nach Einstellung der Vorstufe können
moderne oder ”Vintage”- Cleansounds realisiert
werden. Bei höheren Einstellungen des VOLUME-
Reglers sorgt die ”SoftClip”-Schaltung für genau
den weichen Overdrive, durch den alte
Vollröhrenamps so beliebt geworden sind.
So wird bei Bedarf aus diesem CLEAN-
ein CRUNCH-Kanal.
LEAD: Durch den CHARACTER-Regler lassen
sich im LEAD-Kanal klassische, sowohl offene
Rocksounds mit ”britischem” Charakter - direkt
und dynamisch (HARD) – als auch weiche, bluesi-
ge Sounds mit einem mehr ”amerikanischen” Ton
(SOFT) verwirklichen. Durch das stufenlose
Überblenden dieser unterschiedlichen Sound-
welten ergeben sich völlig neue, bisher nicht
gekannte Variationsmöglichkeiten.
HALL: Ausgestattet ist der VORTEX™ mit einem
internen Federhall, der im Signalweg vor dem
FX-SEND liegt.
1.0 DIE KANÄLE DES VORTEX™
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