Ghost Note Audio - 8100 gold preamp
Based on the Marshall* Valvestate 8100.
This preamp is based on the OD1 and OD2 channels of the original amplifier. Producing a very thick, saturated high gain tone, it was popular amongst metal bands in the mid-90's.
The original amp was a "hybrid" tube/solid-state design, but upon analysing the circuit, it quickly becomes clear that the tube functions as a simple hard-clipper stage, easily replaced with a set of clipping diodes, as lon as care it taken to match the clipping levels. As an added extra, we've added a second "Post" gain knob, which controls the signal strength going into this clipping stage, giving even broader range of sound possibilities.
* Marshall is a registered Trademark of Marshall Amplification Plc.
Controls
Bass, Mid, Treble - A classic 3-band tonestack.
Contour - Love it or hate it, this mid-tone control takes your sound from a fluffy mid-boost to ultra-scooped. There is a secret sweet spot around the 1.0-1.5 mark, be sure to look for it!
Gain - The main gain control for the preamp.
Post - Controls the gain in the hard clipping stage. When set low, gives a lower gain, fuzzier sound. At its maximum, the gain is significantly increased, and the high end increases considerably. Set to around 2'o'clock to match the gain and tone of the 8100.
Volume - Controls the output signal amplitude.
Channel Switch - Switches between the OD1 and OD2 channels.
Active Switch - Engages or bypasses the pedal with a relay (true bypass).
The original
The Valvestate series from Marshall was a big seller in the mid-to-late 1990s, popular among younger bands in the metal scene, both in America and Europe. It was affordable, high gain, and offered a "modern" sound, thanks to its (much debated, hated and misunderstood) Contour tone control.
The defining feature of the Valvestate 8100 was its "ValveState" technology, a hybrid design that combined a solid-state preamp section with a 12AX7 dual-triode tube in the signal path. This approach sought to capture some of the warmth and harmonics associated with tube amplifiers while maintaining the durability and cost efficiency of solid-state circuitry. In reality, the inclusion of a valve in the circuit is mostly a sales gimmick. Acting as a simple hard-clipping gain stage, the effect is easily replicated with a pair of diodes, without the need to add high-voltage circuitry into the mix. But it sure did help the sales numbers.
In recent years the amp has been re-discovered by tone-chasers, recognizing that the amp was a critical component of the mid 90's metal bands, such as Meshuggah, In Flames, Death, Dimmu Borgir and many, many others.
About Preamplifiers
This is a preamplifier, and not a distortion pedal. We do not recommend connecting this device to the input of a normal guitar amplifier. Instead, it is best used in one of the following ways:
Connected to the Effects Return / Power Amp Input of a guitar amp
Connect your guitar to the pedal input, and connect the pedal output to the effects return. This bypasses your amplifier's built-in preamp, and the signal goes through the pedal instead.
Connected to a dedicated power amp
Some examples include the Seymour Duncan Powerstage, Harley Benton GPA-100, or the Mooer Baby Bomb.
Connect the pedal directly to an audio interface
For recording purposes, the pedal can be connected to either an instrument or line-level input on your audio interface. Using a speaker cabinet simulation plugin, such as an Impulse Response (IR) loader, to emulate the effect of a speaker cab is highly recommended.
Technical Specs
Power Requirement: 9V DC, 200mA
Power connector: 2.1mm center-negative barrel jack (powersupply not included)
Dimensions: 145mm (W) 108mm (D) 61mm (H)
Dimensions (with packaging): 185mm (W) 130mm (D) 70mm (H)
| Marke | Ghost Note Audio |
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English Version below.
Allgemeine Sicherheitshinweise
• Bevor Sie das Gerät in Betrieb nehmen drehen Sie bitte alle Regler auf Minimum bzw. auf „Null“.
• Lesen Sie die Bedienungsanleitung sorgfältig durch, bevor Sie das Gerät in Betrieb nehmen.
• Bewahren Sie die Bedienungsanleitung für zukünftige Referenz auf.
•Verwenden Sie das Gerät nur für den vorgesehenen Zweck.
• Halten Sie das Gerät von Wasser, Feuchtigkeit und extremen Temperaturen fern.
• Bewahren Sie das Gerät außerhalb der Reichweite von Kindern auf.
Elektrische Sicherheit
• Vergewissern Sie sich, dass die Netzspannung mit den Angaben auf dem Gerät übereinstimmt.
•Verwenden Sie nur das mitgelieferte Netzteil oder ein gleichwertiges, von einem Fachmann empfohlenes Netzteil.
• Ziehen Sie den Netzstecker, wenn das Gerät längere Zeit nicht benutzt wird.
• Schützen Sie das Netzkabel vor Beschädigungen.
• Verwenden Sie das Gerät nicht, wenn das Netzkabel beschädigt ist.
• Vermeiden Sie den Kontakt des Geräts mit Wasser oder anderen Flüssigkeiten, um das Risiko eines elektrischen Schlages zu minimieren.
Hinweise zur Reparatur
• Reparaturen dürfen nur von qualifiziertem Fachpersonal durchgeführt werden.
• Versuchen Sie nicht, das Gerät selbst zu öffnen oder zu reparieren, da dies zu schweren Verletzungen oder Schäden am Gerät führen kann.
• Bei Funktionsstörungen oder Defekten wenden Sie sich an einen autorisierten Service-Techniker oder an uns. info@effekt-boutique.de
Warnhinweise
• Öffnen Sie das Gerät nicht. Es enthält keine vom Benutzer zu wartenden Teile.
• Stellen Sie sicher, dass die Lüftungsschlitze des Geräts nicht blockiert sind, um Überhitzung zu vermeiden.
• Verwenden Sie das Gerät nicht in der Nähe von entflammbaren Materialien oder Flüssigkeiten.
• Ziehen Sie bei Gewitter oder längeren Betriebspausen den Netzstecker, um mögliche Schäden durch Spannungsspitzen zu vermeiden.
• Setzen Sie das Gerät nicht direkter Sonneneinstrahlung oder anderen Wärmequellen aus.
• Essen Sie keinen gelben Schnee
English
General safety instructions
• Before you start using the device, please turn all controls to minimum or “zero”.
• Read the operating instructions carefully before using the device.
• Save the instruction manual for future reference.
•Use the device only for its intended purpose.
• Keep the device away from water, moisture and extreme temperatures.
• Keep the device out of the reach of children.
Electrical safety
• Make sure that the mains voltage matches the information on the device.
•Use only the included power adapter or an equivalent power adapter recommended by a professional.
• Unplug the device if the device is not going to be used for a long period of time.
• Protect the power cord from damage.
• Do not use the device if the power cord is damaged.
• Avoid contact of the device with water or other liquids to minimize the risk of electric shock.
Repair instructions
• Repairs may only be carried out by qualified specialist personnel.
• Do not attempt to open or repair the device yourself as this may result in serious injury or damage to the device.
• In the event of malfunctions or defects, contact an authorized service technician or us. info@effekt-boutique.de
Warnings
• Do not open the device. It contains no user-serviceable parts.
• Make sure the device's ventilation slots are not blocked to avoid overheating.
• Do not use the device near flammable materials or liquids.
• During thunderstorms or long breaks in operation, pull out the power plug to avoid possible damage caused by voltage peaks.
• Do not expose the device to direct sunlight or other heat sources.
• Don't eat yellow snow
Hersteller / Manufacterer:
Ghost Note Engineering Ltd
Unit 74, Basepoint Centre
Metcalf Way
RH11 7XX
Crawley
United Kingdom
https://ghostnoteaudio.uk/
tel: 07429074304
Imported by
Effektboutique
Riedstrasse 9
73760 Ostfildern / Germany
Tel: 0711 9583 2052
info@effekt-boutique.de
www.effekt-boutique.de
WEEE: DE 18974931