VOX AV15 Analog Valve modelling tube amp combo

General

The British brand VOX has brought a very special amp to the market, the AV15 Analog Valve. This 15-watt combo is equipped with a 12AX7 tube that functions as both a preamp and a power amp. As if that wasn't enough - it also has modelling capability! That's right, this tube amp can reproduce a number of different amp sounds from its Original 8" speaker, and that's where the ace up its sleeve comes out. The digital aspect of this amp is in the form of three classic effects you can add to your sound. Its compact size makes it handy for use at home or in the studio.

AV15 Analog Valve: a small package with big potential

In a standard modelling amp, the characteristics of certain well-known amplifiers are digitally programmed into the device. The AV15, however, depends entirely on tubes. Inside this amp, all-analogue pre-amp circuits drive the tubes in different ways to achieve the different sounds. This allows you to choose from bright cleans similar to those of a Twin Reverb for example, a tasty crunch or overdrive very much like VOX's own AC30, or a heavy American, overdriven, high-gain sound. Your neighbours will be especially pleased with the addition of a headphone connection for when you're experimenting with sounds deep into the night.

Creating your own sound

A modelling amp allows you more freedom to fine-tune your own sound as opposed to most other amps, which have few adjustment controls other than EQ. The entire VOX Analog Valve series of amps have 3-band EQ, gain and volume knobs, as well as switches at the bottom right that can really help you create an authentic sound. The twin-triode 12AX7 in this model is located in the pre-amp as well as the power amp. Use the buttons to make the sound of the preamp clean and bright or deep and fat, and keep in mind, the AV15's power amp valves are most responsive when you're playing through them. The icing on the cake is the addition of three effects (Chorus, Delay and Reverb) that can be used simultaneously!