Newly released in a 1U rack version, featuring a front and rear unbalanced output, and a rear balanced XLR output.
This is the big brother to the Cabinet Simulator pedal CS-1, in fact the VP-1 incorporates the CS-1 circuitry in addition to a two valve preamp.
The main use of the Mozztronics Valve Preamp VP-1 is for home recording so you can get a great guitar sound without micing up an amp, ideal for 3am where you can get the “all knobs on 11” sound without waking anyone else. As there is more than enough output level, you can also connect it to the input of a power amp, with a speaker connected to the power amp output.
Inspired by the classic preamp from the “800 series” Valve Guitar Amp we tweaked and optimised the tone stack so you can get a range of american & british style sounds. We use two premium 12AX7 valves at “real” amplifier voltages, and then run the signal through the Cabinet Simulator circuitry from the CS-1 (an accurate emulation of a Celestion filled quad box) to get as close as possible to the sound of a real amplifier. This unit is 100% analogue in the signal path. No digital simulations here. All the drive & character you hear comes from valves !
This unit is designed to be run after all your effects pedals, use it as you would use a real amplifier in your signal chain.
There are two inputs, Low Gain and High Gain.
Controls are exactly what you will find on an 800 series amp. GAIN, TREBLE, MID, BASS, and VOLUME. We have a BRIGHT switch, and a switch to turn the Cabinet Simulation circuitry on and off.
For best results, start with the VOLUME at 50% and turn down the gain on your audio interface.
If you are recording, as with any recorded track, you may need to apply some equalisation or other effects to the signal. Play around also if you have a VST cabinet simulator with your recording software. Switch off the cab-sim in the VP1 Valve Preamp and try with your software VST and your favourite speaker response, Or leave the VP1 cab-sim on and try with and without software VST’s. There is no right or wrong, if it sounds good, then it is good.
