Hughes & Kettner ZenAmp Standard SETUP/CABLE Connections, Jacks and Control Features, Overview

ZENAMP-MANUAL

3.0 STANDARD SETUP/CABLE CONNECTIONS

MIXING CONSOLE

COMPUTER

FX-UNIT

IN OUT

SENDRETURN

INPUT

4.0 JACKS AND CONTROL FEATURES

HEADPHONES

FOOTSWITCH FS-5

Z-BOARD

MIDI CONTROLLER

4.1 OVERVIEW

The zenAmp’s user panel is essentially divided into two segments, the amp section and the effects section.

CALIFORNIA HOT

MANUAL

1

2

3

4

5

STORE

TREMOLO

TAP

TAPE SPACE

zenAmp

HOT CLASS A

PLEXI 50

COMPRESSOR

STROBE

TAPE MULTI REPEAT

HALLO DRY

BRIT CLASS A

PLEXI 100

MID BOOST

CHORUS MONO

TAPE MULTI DRY

HALLO REPEAT

TWEED 4 x 10

HOT PLEXI

T-SCREAMER

CHORUS STEREO

TAPE ECHO SPACE

HALLO SPACE

TWEED DELUXE	BRIT HI GAIN	FUZZ	PHASER	TAPE ECHO REPEAT	DYNAMIC SECTOR MODELING	GUITAR AMP
					PING PONG

BLACK FACE

BRIT ULTRA GAIN

PRESETS

WAH WAH 1

PHASER XL

TAPE ECHO DRY

STEREO REPEAT

JC CLEAN

RECTIFIED

WAH WAH 2

FLANGER MONO

ECHO REPEAT

STEREO SPACE

JAZZ CLEAN

WARP

MOD WAH

FLANGER STEREO

ECHO DRY

LOOP-O-TAP

ACOUSTIC

5

5

BYPASS

STEREO LOOP-O-TAP

5

POWER

0

10

-5 +5

-5 +5

-5 +5

-5 +5

0

10

0 10

0 10

0

10

INPUT

GAIN

BASS

MID

TREBLE

PRESENCE

PRESET VOL

FX PARAMETER

REVERB VOL

DELAY VOL

MASTER

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, you’ll 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.

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.

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 amp’s 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 preset’s 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, you’ll 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 preset’s 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 zenAmp’s 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.

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