VHX Diezel 4 Channel 100 Watt Guitar Amp Head Owner’s Manual
- June 3, 2024
- VHX
Table of Contents
VHX
OWNER’S MANUAL
DOS 4.12 © 2021 Diezel GmbH. All rights reserved.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
We want you to be aware of certain safety aspects, for reasons of product
safety and liability. With all due respect, please read the following before
operating your new Diezel VHX.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or
modifications not expressly approved by Diezel Amplification GmbH could void
the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
- DO NOT use or store the device in or near moist or wet areas.
- Check the voltage specification at the rear of the unit before plugging the unit in. Make sure that the voltage shown is the correct voltage for the location you are using the device at. Under no circumstances can the amplifier be used at different than shown voltages.
- DO NOT OPEN the device housing. It must only be done by authorized personnel. Your VHX operates on very high internal voltages, which may still be present after the device has been turned off and disconnected for a while. No user-serviceable parts inside
- The VHX was designed to amplify a guitar signal and can be used only for this purpose.
- When transporting the VHX please observe the following: The Diezel VHX is a vacuum tube instrument amplifier. Vacuum tubes are shock sensitive, especially when hot. To avoid damaging the unit, we recommend using care during setup and tear down of the unit. Allow the Amplifier to adjust to ambient temperature before operating, 60 minutes should be enough in all cases. The VHX lives inside an extremely rugged chassis, but for continued road use, please protect the amplifier by using a professional flight case. Transport only in operating position. Do not transport upside down or on its side.
- The Diezel VHX is configured to deliver the highest tone fidelity at “normal volume levels (76 – 80dB). We caution you for your own good not to expose yourself to very high-volume levels for long periods of time. It can lead to hearing damage.
- Blown fuses can only be replaced with fuses of equal values. The use of incorrect fuses is prohibited and can cause severe injury and damage to the amplifier.
- Use only a grounded power cable in good operating condition.
25 YEARS LATER, SETS A NEW BENCHMARK IN TUBE GUITAR AMPLIFICATION. AGAIN.
VHX is the answer of the evolving needs of the guitar player. The unique
combination of the distinctive, irreplaceable fully programmable, and fully
analog tube preamp and power amp, with a fresh, simple, and intuitive UI opens
a world of infinite possibilities with no TONE compromise.
That’s what the X stands for. Defining it’s left to you.
SPECIFICATION
- Includes Diezel iconic channels from VH4, Hagen, Herbert, and more…
- Fully digitally programmable controls: Gain, Channel, Bright, Shape, Voice, Middle, Treble, Bass, Midcut, Volume, Presence, Deep
- Switchable Pre Loop
- 2 x Switchable FX Loop with independent programmable Send/Return Levels and Mix
- XLR Balanced Cabsim DI or IR Loader Record Out
- Headphones Cabsim DI or IR Loader Record Out
- Cabless operation
- Automatic chromatic Tuner
- Up to 7 simultaneous fully programmable effects
- Columbus MIDI support
- Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI-BLE support
- USB support
- DOS 3.0 effects list: IR Cabsim, IR Loader, Noise Gate, Compressor, Quad/Capo/Pedal Pitch Shifter, Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Reverb, Tremolo, GEQ, Rotary, Wah.
- No engineering degree is required to operate the device 🙂
FRONT PANEL
- INPUT Connect your guitar here through a good quality ¼” Instrument cable.
- PRE LOOP SEND Pre Loop SEND (output). Connect here the input of one or a chain of effects. PRE-LOOP is internally wired before PREAMP.
- PRE-LOOP RETURN (input). Connect here the output of the same effects used from PRE LOOP SEND. PRE-LOOP is internally wired before the preamp.
- PRESET MANAGER Rotate the encoder to scroll between all the available presets, from 1 to 99. Push to open Preset Manager. HOLD to quickly store the preset.
- ENCODERS This group of encoders will let you edit, by rotating, pressing, or holding the relative function shown on DISPLAY. Follow the lines.
- DISPLAY This is the Display where all the parameters will be visualized. Each encoder will control the respective parameter on display, following the lines.
- SCREEN MANAGER / MUTE Rotate the encoder to scroll between all the available screens. Push the encoder to MUTE or UNMUTE the POWER AMP so connected cabinets. POWER AMP cannot be UNMUTED if no cabinet is connected.
- MASTER VOLUME This is the POWER AMP Master Volume, it only affects POWER AMP so connected cabinets.
- STANDBY SWITCH Make sure the switch is on STANDBY mode before powering on the VHX. Let the tube warm up for at least 40 seconds.
- POWER SWITCH Make sure STANDBY is set to OFF before powering ON the VHX. Before powering OFF the VHX set STANDBY to switch OFF and wait at least 30 seconds to avoid the POWER AMP bump.
REAR PANEL - AC IN Connect to a PROPERLY GROUNDED AC power outlet. Make sure the voltage shown matches the location you are using VHX in.
- COLUMBUS Connect your COLUMBUS controller here.
- MIDI IN Connect your MIDI controller here. Please note that PHANTOM POWER is available at 9V DC on pins 1-6 (-) and 3-7 (+) with a maximum 500mA current.
- MIDI THRU Connect other chained MIDI devices here.
- USB Connect with a PC for updates and preset backup. Avoid using USB HUB for reliable operation.
- REC OUT This is the CAB SIM Balanced XLR output. It could be used in parallel to HEADPHONES and POWER AMP. Adjust LEVEL and other settings through the CAB SIM screen. If you are experiencing GROUND LOOP or HUM, you could use the LIFT push button. AVOID connection with 48V PHANTOM POWER enabled device.
- HEADPHONES Connect your headphones here. This output could be used in parallel to XLR REC OUT and POWER AMP. Adjust LEVEL and other settings through the CAB SIM screen.
- FX LOOP A/B Connect your effects chain here. FX LOOP A and FX LOOP B are completely independent and wired after the PREAMP and could be placed anywhere in the integrated DSP EFFECT chain. Each one has independent SEND, RETURN and MIX level adjustments, controlled through the FX LOOP A/B effect screen section.
- SPEAKER OUT Connect your CABINET(s) here. Make sure that the IMPEDANCE of the CABINET(s) matches the one shown on the relative output jack.
DISPLAY
The display is the heart of the VHX. It has been developed to give as much as
possible the feel and simplicity of an analog UI.
Starting from the top, the navigation bar will display the POWER AMP MUTE
STATUS and the current SCREEN:
| PREAMP
---|---
| FX
| RECORD
| TUNER
| STORE
| SETTINGS
The SIDES display the parameters relative to the current screen and could be
edited by rotating, pushing or holding the relative ENCODER.
To open the PRESET MANAGER, push the preset knob. The preset Manager would
give an overview of all the current presets, with the gain and effects
associated with them. It would be possible to select, move and copy/paste the
presets to arrange them easily. The PRESET MANAGER screen allows GLOBAL DEEP,
GLOBAL PRESENCE, GLOBAL DI, GLOBAL MASTER, and GLOBAL TAP to be edited. The
parameters are relative to the PER PRESET ones, where the value “0” means no
change.
PREAMP
The VHX preamp is the result of 25 years of constant development and
innovation and it brings you all the ICONIC Diezel tones from the amps
everybody’s in love with: VH4, Herbert, Hagen, Paul, and more…
GAIN Rotate the relative encoder to select the amount of gain.
GAIN STRUCTURE Push the GAIN encoder to scroll between all the available
configurations: GREEN, YELLOW, BLUE and RED.
BRIGHT (For GREEN and YELLOW) Rotate the relative encoder to toggle bright
mode.
SHAPE (For BLUE and RED) Rotate the relative encoder to scroll between all the
shape mode. Shape control will morph the relative gain structure, from TIGHT
to FAT.
VOICE (VINTAGE/EARLY/CLASSIC/MODERN) Push the SHAPE encoder to scroll between
the available voices.
TREBLE – MIDDLE – BASS Rotate the relative encoder to adjust preamp EQ.
VOLUME Rotate the relative encoder to adjust preamp volume.
BOOST Push the relative encoder to enable a +3db volume boost. This parameter
could be remotely controlled with the MIDI CC6.
MID CUT Rotate the relative encoder to adjust the midst intensity, centered at
about 400hz.
PRESENCE – DEEP Rotate the relative encoder to adjust POWERAMP presence and
DEEP. Please note that PRESENCE and DEEP parameters affect the CABSIM as well.
FX
FX SELECTION
One of the most interesting features of the VHX is the integrated DSP.
It is placed between the PREAMP and POWERAMP, allowing for up to 7
simultaneous and completely programmable effects.
Each available SLOT is numbered from 1 to 6 except for the PRE LOOP, labeled L
as the position is fixed before the PREAMP.
TO ENABLE PRE-LOOP Push the relative labeled encoder.
TO ASSIGN FX TO A SLOT rotate the relative numbered encoder to scroll between
all the available FXs.
TO EDIT FX PARAMETER, push the relative numbered encoder to enter FX EDIT
screen.
TO BYPASS FX, hold the relative numbered encoder.
MOVE Push the relative encoder to the SWAP FX position between SLOTS: PUSH to
enable the MOVE mode. ROTATE to move the blinking indicator to the effect you
need to move. PUSH to confirm the selection. ROTATE to move the selected FX to
the new SLOT. PUSH to confirm.
LONG PUSH to CLEAR all effects.
CLEAR ALL Long Push to remove all the effects.
The signal path is SERIAL, and it is as follow: PRE LOOP →PREAMP →FX 1 → FX 2
→FX 3 →FX 4 → FX 5 → FX 6 →CABSIM POWERAM
FX EDIT
FX Edit screen let you edit selected effect parameters, by rotating the
relative encoder. Push the BACK encoder to return to the FX SELECTION
Screen.PUSH the EFFECT NAME encoder to TOGGLE BYPASS. Some parameters (i.e.
DELAY TIME, PITCH) do have a FINE and COARSE mode. Push the relative parameter
encoder to toggle between the two modes.
FX LIST
Below the effect list and the relative parameters.
CHORUS Speed, Depth, Feedback, Tone, Level.
COMPRESSOR Sustain, Attack, Release, Blend, Level.
DELAY A / B Time (MIDI CC#2), Feedback, Depth, Modulation, Tone, Level, TAP,
Mode (TAPE, ANALOG, DIGITAL) EQUALIZER 80 Hz, 350 Hz, 850 Hz, 3.5 kHz, 6.6
KHz, Bandwidth, Level.
FLANGER Speed, Depth, Feedback, Level.
LOOP A / B Mix, Send Level, Return Level.
NOISE GATE Threshold, Attack, Release, Decay.
PHASER Speed, Depth, Feedback, Level.
PITCH SHIFT Mode (QUAD, CAPO, PEDAL), Pitch, Mix, Pitch A, Pitch B, Pitch C,
Pitch D, Pitch Mix, Level, Pedal, Range.
REVERB Mode (PLATE, ROOM, HALL, SPRING, SHIMMER, LUSH), Pre delay, Decay,
Tone, Level.
TREMOLO Speed (MIDI CC#2), Depth, Slope, TAP.
ROTARY Speed (MIDI CC#2), Depth, Slope, TAP.
WAH Auto/Decay, Range, Q, Mix, Pedal (MIDI CC#68).
CAB SIM
The integrated DSP does provide an IR-based cabinet simulation as well.
Specifically developed for the VHX, it allows you to quickly connect to FOH,
without the hassle of configuring the microphones on stage.
CAB SIM could then be used in both CABLESS mode, without cabinet or load, or
in parallel with the POWER AMP with a connected cabinet.
Both HEADPHONES and XLR are controlled from the CABSIM screen and could be
used in parallel.
HEADPHONES and XLR supports DI mode, to be used with your preferred cabinet
simulation hardware/software, or for reaping purpose.
MODE Rotate the relative encoder to select DI mode, CAB mode, or IR LOADER
mode.
SPEAKER Rotate the relative encoder to scroll between the available SPEAKER:
V30, G12K-100 or G12-65.
MIC Rotate the relative encoder to scroll between the available MIC: SM57,
R121, C414, MD421.
POSITION Rotate the relative encoder to choose the MIC position relative to
the speaker.
LEVEL Rotate the relative encoder to adjust the output level. Please note that
the output level will affect both HEADPHONES and XLR HIGH Rotate the relative
encoder to adjust the highcut filter response.
LOW Rotate the relative encoder to adjust the lowcut filter response.
TUNER
The VHX integrated tuner will let you check and set up your instrument
quickly. It does feature an automatic mode to pop up in the preamp screen,
very handy for studio or recording sessions. To enable it, strum any string
and leave it ringing for a couple of seconds. The tuner screen could also be
enabled with MIDI Control Change message CC 1.
Please note that tuner settings are GLOBAL and not per preset.
440Hz Rotate the relative encoder to adjust the tuner reference.
AUTO Rotate the relative encoder to toggle the automatic tuner.
MODE (SLOW/FAST) Adjust the needle speed
STORE
The STORE screen allows storing the current preset, preset name, and display
color.
If the current preset has been MODIFIED from the previous state, the STORE
icon on the navigation bar will show a RED DOT.
STORE Push the relative encoder to store the current preset, together with the
name and display color.
STORE TO NN Rotates the relative encoder to select a different preset
location. Push the relative encoder to store to the new preset location. CASE
Push the relative encoder to toggle between LOWERCASE and UPPERCASE.
DELETE Push the relative encoder to delete the last character from the preset
name.
SELECT Rotate the relative encoder to MOVE the selector over the displayed
keyboard. Push the relative encoder to add the selected character. 
SETTINGS
The settings screen allows you to edit VHX global settings and it gives
information about the DOS (Diezel OS) version installed.
MIDI Rotate the relative encoder to select the MIDI channel. Please note that
it does affect all the MIDI input channels, so Columbus, BLE MIDI, and USB
MIDI.
BLUETOOTH Rotate the relative encoder to toggle the Bluetooth.
MUTE Select what mute will affect, GLOBAL (PA + CABSIM) or POWER AMP only.
COLOUR Select the spectrum analyzer color between GRAY and CHANNEL color
(GREEN, YELLOW, BLUE, RED) or CHANNEL 2 color (GREEN, ACQUA, BLUE, PURPLE).
USB Push to MOUNT the VHX internal storage as a USB MSC unit. Push again to
UNMOUNT. Please note that while the USB is mounted the VHX UI is locked.
OFFSET Select if preset numbers should start from 0 or from 1.
TAILS Select if DELAY and REVERB tails should be active when switching to
presets with those effects not enabled.
RESET Hold to RESET the VHX to default. WARNING: Doing so all your preset will
be DELETED.
MIDI
The VHX is fully MIDI-capable. MIDI could be used via the MIDI IN, COLUMBUS,
USB MIDI, or via Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI-BLE.
MIDI CHANNEL is selected via the SETTINGS screen, as well as OMNI mode.
Supported MIDI MESSAGES are PROGRAM CHANGE messages that will select the
current preset, from 0 to 99, and CONTROL CHANGE messages that could control
various functions of the VHX, where toggle supports direct state as well, CCX
0 = OFF, CCX 1 = ON, any other value will toggle:
CC 1 Toggle POWER AMP MUTE and enables the TUNER screen.| CC 27 Toggle
COMPRESSOR
---|---
CC 2 TAP TEMPO Global| CC 28 Toggle PITCH
CC 3 TAP TEMPO for DELAY A| CC 29 Toggle DELAY
CC 4 TAP TEMPO for TREMOLO| CC 30 Toggle CHORUS
CC 5 TAP TEMPO for DELAY B| CC 31 Toggle FLANGER
CC 6 PREAMP VOLUME +3db BOOST| CC 32 Toggle PHASER
CC 7 MASTER VOLUME value.| CC 33 Toggle TREMOLO
CC 8 PREAMP VOLUME value.| CC 34 Toggle REVERB
CC 9 MID-CUT value.| CC 35 Toggle GEQ
CC 16 Toggle ALL FX and PREAMP LOOP.| CC 36 Toggle WAH
CC 17 Toggle PREAMP LOOP.| CC 37 Toggle DELAY B
CC 18 Toggle FX 1.| CC 38 Toggle ROTARY
CC 19 Toggle FX 2.| CC 64 Delay A Level.
CC 20 Toggle FX 3.| CC 65 Delay B Level.
CC 21 Toggle FX 4.| CC 68 Wah Pedal.
CC 22 Toggle FX 5.| CC 69 Pitch Shift Pedal.
CC 23 Toggle FX 6.| CC 96 Select current PC+1
CC 24 Toggle LOOP A| CC 97 Select current PC-1
CC 25 Toggle LOOP B| CC 119 RESERVED
CC 26 Toggle NOISE GATE|
UPDATE/IR LOADING
The VHX could be easily accessed using the USB connector located on the BACK
PANEL together with a PC, MAC or USB OTG capable smartphone.
Once connected, MOUNT the USB mass storage via the SETTINGS screen. It will
appear to the OS as an MSC DEVICE, and the internal memory will be accessible
just like a regular disk.
To LOAD CUSTOM IR on VHX: CONNECT the VHX to a PC or USB OTG-capable
smartphone.
MOUNT the VHX USB via the SETTINGS screen.
COPY the ir files (44.1K to 96K) in the folder IR inside the VHX disk.
To UPDATE the VHX, please make sure that all the connections and power supply
are stable and reliable, and follow the steps below:
DOWNLOAD the latest available software from the
www.diezelamplification.com support page.
POWER ON the VHX.
CONNECT the VHX to a PC or USB OTG-capable smartphone.
MOUNT the VHX USB via the SETTINGS screen.
COPY the file named DOS.bin in the VHX disk root.
POWER OFF the VHX.
POWER ON the VHX and wait for the update to finish. DO NOT power off the VHX
during these last steps.
In case of any FAILURE, the VHX will enter in RECOVERY MODE, please follow the
above steps again to recover.
References
- Diezel Amplification - Premium guitar amps made in Germany
- Diezel Amplification - Premium guitar amps made in Germany
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