June 15, 2008

Vox Black Diamond

Vox has a new guitar modeling amplifier out. It's called Black Diamond. This looks very interesting. I was wondering what Vox is up to when I noticed the AD120 VTX was gone from their line of products. Looks like the Black Diamond is taking its place.

This amp is the flagship of the Valvetronix series, and it's designed to sound very much like a tube amp, while using amp modeling technology. It is powerful too - 200 watts (100 + 100 watts in stereo)!

There are 32 different amp models, although I don't know at this point which amps are being modeled. My guess is most of the classic Marshalls, Fenders, Soldano, Vox, etc, as well as newer and more rare boutique amps.

Plenty of effects are built in as well - 25 types (76 models) and this should be more than adequate in the effect department. The effect options is one thing that feels a little limiting in the entry-level Valvetronix amps. The Black Diamond have pedal effects of many kinds - distortion, compressor, wah, pickup simulator, spatial effects, modulation, reverb, noise reduction.

There are plenty of room to save your sounds. 128 programs should be sufficient. Up to 6 effects models can be used simultaneously.

Another nice feature is the automatic chromatic tuner with strobe-type operation. There is also a MIDI IN/OUT connector available.

The amp has Neo Dog 150 watt speakers especially made for Vox by Celestion.

You will most likely need the VS-12SV foot controller too - it is an optional extra, but with an amp like this, I think that is a must.

So really, what we have here is the top of the line modeling amp Vox currently offers. Improvements all over the line has been made. I have not yet tried this amp, but I am a big fan of the Valvetronix series amps, and I have no doubt that this will be the best sounding modeling amp Vox has ever made. If you see one somewhere, take it for a test and let me know what you thought of it!

See the offical Vox Black Diamond product page.

By Robert Renman - www.dolphinstreet.com

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Posted by Robert Renman on June 15, 2008