tech21 XXL User manual

LEVEL TONE WARP DRIVE
OUT IN
D.C.
TM
POWER REQUIREMENTS
*Utilizes standard 9V alkaline battery (not included).To install, simply remove
back plate. (NOTE: The Input activates battery.To conserve energy, unplug
when not in use.) Power Consumption: approx. 5mA.
*USE DC POWER SUPPLY ONLY! Failure to do so may damage the unit
and void warranty. DC Power Supply Specifications:
-9V DC regulated or unregulated, 100mA minimum;
-2.1mm female plug, center negative (-).
Optional factory power supply is available:Tech 21 Model #DC2.
WARNINGS:
* Attempting to repair unit is not recommended and may void warranty.
* Missing or altered serial numbers automatically void warranty. For your own
protection, be sure serial number labels on the unit’s back plate and exterior
box are intact.
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. PROOF OF PURCHASE
REQUIRED. Manufacturer warrants unit to be free from defects in materials
and workmanship for one (1) year from date of purchase.This warranty does not
include damage resulting from accident, misuse, abuse, alteration, or incorrect cur-
rent or voltage. If unit becomes defective within warranty period,Tech 21 will
elect to repair or replace it free of charge. After warranty expires,Tech 21 will
repair defective unit for a fee.
ALL REPAIRS for residents of U.S.: Call Tech 21 for Return Authorization
Number. Manufacturer will not accept packages without prior authorization,
pre-paid freight (UPS preferred) and proper insurance.
FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANCE & SERVICE:
Contact Tech 21, Inc., any weekday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, EST.
MADE IN THE U.S.A.
TECH 21. NYC
333 West 52nd Street, NY, New York 10019
212-315-1116 / Fax: [phone] / www.tech21nyc.com

PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The XXL is an overdrive stomp box. Plain and simple? Not quite.
Why is everyone running around on a scavenger hunt for the ultimate
vintage pedal or tube amp? To get those great sounds we’ve all been lis-
tening to on vinyl.These searches, for the most part, are in vain. Even if
you find the unit you want, chances are it won’t give you that sound. Or
you’ll get hosed. Or worse, both.
We at Tech 21 set our sights on finding a way to harness the sounds
of yesterday and incorporate our exclusive technology to give today’s
players new options. No other overdrive pedal has ever offered
a control to manipulate the structure and balance of odd and
even harmonics.
With its unique WARPTM control, the XXL gives you a spectrum of
tones, including traditional distortion, classic tube amp overdrive, and vin-
tage fuzz, all in one unit. Born decades ago, these timeless sounds will
continue to be the preferred choice of guitarists for decades to come.
Characteristic of all Tech 21 products, the XXL will not depersonalize
your guitar tone. Most importantly, the XXL is highly interactive with the
dynamics of your individual playing style, your individual musical style, and
your instrument’s individual tonality. It is engineered to be a useful, versa-
tile, cost-effective means of stimulating your creativity and ultimately, find-
ing your innermost, individual expression.
APPLICATIONS
The XXL is designed for use with any amp --tube or solid state, vintage or mod-
ern.You can achieve the same results using the XXL with any of our highly-
acclaimed SansAmpTM models of Tube Amplifier Emulators, as there is no speaker
simulation circuitry within the XXL. It can also bring depth and soul to any multi-
processor that otherwise leaves you uninspired.
Simply plug your guitar into the XXL, and the XXL into the input of your amp (or
the input of a SansAmp).
GUIDE TO CONTROLS
LEVEL adjusts the output level without altering any tonal characteristics.
DRIVE adjusts the overall amount of gain and overdrive.
TONE is a level-compensated passive tone control. Inspired by the tone controls
of the ‘60s and ‘70s, in typical Tech 21 fashion, we’ve added a twist.At max, it’s
flat. However, as you go towards the mid-point, it boosts the low end and adds
body, giving you the warmest sound.Then, as you decrease from the mid point, it
cuts highs --without changing the level. From minimum to maximum, the transi-
tion is smooth.The XXL’s exceptionally flexible Tone control offers greater com-
patibility with your existing gear.
WARPTM allows you to manipulate the odd and even harmonic structure within
the realm of distortion. It is the key to an entirely new dimension in sound con-
trol.The median point (indicated by the double arrows) will yield traditional dis-
tortion, well-suited for chords and rhythm parts. Extreme settings work particu-
larly well with individual notes.They become smoother, fatter, thicker, juicier.As
you decrease Warp from the median point, you get higher amounts of even har-
monics, to give you the overdrive like that of a Class A tube amp. Increasing the
Warp setting oversaturates the unit.After an initial pick attack, the note will “sag”
and constrict, then dilate and enlarge. Sustaining that note will cause it to “sing.”

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The X-Factor is the ratio of odd and even harmonics relative to the dynamics of
your instrument and your playing style. For best results, your guitar should have a
strong output signal.The force you use to hit your strings will greatly influence the
results you can achieve with the Warp control.To illustrate, try setting Warp at
maximum and play very open and loose.The effect will be that of a vintage fuzz
pedal. (The difference here, however, is that the XXL cleans up when you decrease
the output of your guitar.) The same setting, when played in a tight, controlled
manner, will yield more of a “woman tone.” With the XXL, it’s not just what you
play, it’s how you play it.
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-For guitar amps that tend to be on the bright side, we recommend the XXL’s
Tone control be set lower than 12 o’clock, perhaps initially at 11 o’clock, and
adjusting to taste.When available, use the Normal channel on your amp, rather
than the Bright channel.
-With Drive at or close to minimum and Warp at maximum, you can add “breath”
to your amp, as if you installed a tube rectifier.This gives extra character, that
is otherwise difficult to obtain, to a clean or overdriven amp.
-When experimenting with the Warp control, set the knob, then play. If you turn
the control while you’re playing, you will not be able to hear the effect proper
ly.To hear the effect at its most exaggerated, use humbucking pickups with
Warp set at maximum, and pick individual notes in the lower register very hard.
USING THE XXL WITH OTHER EFFECTS
For best results, plug your guitar directly into the XXL.This will preserve the
interactive nature of the unit.
SAMPLE SETTINGS & SUGGESTED PICK-UPS
LEVEL TONE WARP DRIVE
Warping an
Overdriven Amp
with Humbuckers
in Lead Position
LEVEL TONE WARP DRIVE
Blues
with Single Coil
in Rhythm Position
LEVEL TONE WARP DRIVE
Mega Fuzz
with Pick-up
in Lead Position
LEVEL TONE WARP DRIVE
Blues
with Humbuckers
in Rhythm Position
LEVEL TONE WARP DRIVE
Traditional Distortion
with Pick-up
in Lead or Rhythm
Position