Universal Audio OX Operation Manual

Universal Audio OX Operation Manual

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OX Operation Manual
Manual Version 180220
www.uaudio.com

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  • Page 1 OX Operation Manual Manual Version 180220 www.uaudio.com...
  • Page 2: A Letter From Bill Putnam Jr

    The OX Amp Top Box allows you to play and record your tube amp in its perfect tonal sweet spot — anywhere, and at any volume. Featuring the world’s best all-analog reactive load, OX also offers album-quality mic and speaker cabinet emulations, UA’s Dynamic...
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Saving Presets ....................31 Effect Editors ....................33 ASSIGN View ....................34 Store Individual Rigs to OX’s RIG Knob .............. 35 Store Rig Sets to OX’s RIG Knob................ 35 SETTINGS View ....................36 Rig, Cabinet, & Mic Descriptions ............37 Default RIG Control Cab &...
  • Page 4 OX System Overview ................45 OX Wi-Fi Networking ................49 OX Wi-Fi Hotspot ..................... 49 External Wi-Fi Networking................. 50 OX Registration .................. 51 OX Registration Overview .................. 51 OX Registration Procedure ................52 Troubleshooting .................. 54 Wi-Fi Reset ..................... 54 Factory Reset ....................
  • Page 5: Welcome To Ox Amp Top Box

    — including emulated speaker cabinets, close mics, ambient room mics, and up to four simultaneous studio effects. OX is also the only guitar recording system to offer a complete selection of expertly placed room mics, giving you the authentic experience of pushing air while recording your cranked amp in a world-class tracking room.
  • Page 6: About Ox Documentation

    Wi-Fi — letting you tweak, store and recall hundreds of presets from your iPad or Mac. You can then save your six favorite tones onto OX’s front-panel RIG knob for instant recall in the studio or at a gig.
  • Page 7: Critical Operation Notes

    Critical Notes — Avoid Equipment Damage Amp Output Load DON’T operate any tube amp without an output load such as a guitar speaker or OX. Using a tube amp without an output load can permanently damage the tube amp. Caution: Always POWER OFF the tube amp before connecting or disconnecting its speaker output to guitar speakers or OX.
  • Page 8: Important Notes - Reduce Equipment Wear

    Rated Speaker Power DON’T connect OX’s TO SPEAKER output to any speaker that is rated for a power level that is significantly less than the connected amplifier’s output power to avoid speaker damage. Moisture and Liquids DON’T expose OX to moisture or liquids. Make a habit of never putting beverages on your OX. If liquid is spilled into the unit, immediately unplug the power cord from the AC socket.
  • Page 9: Quick Start

    1. POWER OFF the tube amplifier. 2. Connect OX’s included power supply to an AC outlet and the power input jack on OX’s rear panel. 3. Set OX's rear panel IMPEDANCE knob to match the tube amp’s speaker output impedance.
  • Page 10: Amp & Speaker Connections

    OX speaker wire connections to amp and speaker cabinet Amp & Speaker Connection Notes Caution: To avoid equipment and/or hearing damage, be careful to connect and power the amp and OX in the proper sequence. See the Important Setup Steps for specific instructions.
  • Page 11: Output Connections

    Line / Monitor Outputs Connect OX’s rear panel LINE / MON OUT jacks to the line-level inputs of a stereo monitor system, computer audio interface, or other audio gear. Use shielded 1⁄4" balanced TRS or unbalanced TS line / instrument cables (not speaker cables).
  • Page 12: Control Knobs

    Controls & Connectors for complete details about OX's knobs and jacks. • RIG and ROOM knobs don’t affect OX's guitar speaker output. Rig preset sounds are heard in OX’s Headphone, Line/Mon, and Digital outputs only. OX’s guitar speaker output is pure analog amp tone.
  • Page 13: Controls & Connectors

    For a table of the six factory RIG knob assignments and the cabinet/mic/room/effect settings used in each RIG knob position, see Default RIG Control Cab & Mic Presets. Tip: RIG settings can be modified and stored with the OX software app. OX Amp Top Box Controls & Connectors...
  • Page 14 ROOM sounds are heard in the LINE / MON, HEADPHONE, and S/PDIF outputs, but not in the TO SPEAKER output. Tip: ROOM settings can be edited and stored with the OX software app. OX Amp Top Box Controls & Connectors...
  • Page 15 OX’s rear panel IMPEDANCE knob. LINE OUT (5) The signal level at OX’s rear panel stereo LINE / MON outputs is adjusted with this knob. LINE OUT does not change the level at OX’s SPEAKER, HEADPHONE, or S/PDIF outputs.
  • Page 16: Rear Panel

    +12VDC 1.5A OX’s rear panel elements POWER Switch (9) Use this toggle switch to apply power to OX. The included external power supply must be properly connected (10) to apply power to OX. Important: Power must be ON to enable OX outputs.
  • Page 17 Wi-Fi Status LED (11) This LED indicates activity on OX’s built-in WI-Fi network. The LED states encountered during normal operation are listed in the table below. For instructions on how to use OX’s Wi-Fi networking, see OX Software. Note: If Wi-Fi LED states not listed below are encountered, please contact UA Technical Support.
  • Page 18 LINE and HEADPHONE outputs. Both digital outputs carry the same stereo signal, and both digital outputs can be used at the same time. Digital signal levels can be adjusted with the master fader in the OX software app. Digital levels cannot be changed with OX’s hardware controls.
  • Page 19 Connect a high quality ¼” speaker cable between this jack and a guitar speaker cabinet. OX’s front panel SPEAKER VOLUME knob controls the loudness at this output. At the knob’s minimum position (0), the speaker connected here is OFF for silent operation.
  • Page 20 DO fully insert all speaker cable plugs to ensure proper ground returns. • DON’T use OX with amplifiers exceeding 150 Watts RMS output power. This jack is OX’s reactive load input. Connect a ¼” speaker cable between the tube amp’s speaker output and this input jack.
  • Page 21 LINE / MONITOR Outputs (21) The Left and Right LINE / MON outputs are for connecting OX to the analog line-level stereo inputs of studio monitors, a computer audio interface, or other audio equipment. Both ¼” jacks can accept balanced TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) or unbalanced TS (tip-sleeve) connections.
  • Page 22: Ox Software App

    Rigs as a starting place for your own custom tones. With the OX app, you can easily assign different Rigs to the OX’s six RIG knob slots, for access to your favorite Rigs when the OX app is not being used. Rig Sets can be easily assembled to quickly assign a batch of six Rigs to OX’s RIG knob slots for standalone...
  • Page 23: Essential App Concepts

    When OX is powered off, the current state of all OX settings and data is retained. When OX is powered on again, OX will be in the same state as when it was powered off. This includes all Wi-Fi networking and system settings, as well as RIG knob assignments.
  • Page 24 Rig – One complete guitar tone that contains the settings of all available sonic controls. Rig Set – A collection of six individual Rigs that can be quickly assigned to OX’s RIG knob. Effect(s) – OX’s four independent effect processors (EQ, compression, delay, and reverb).
  • Page 25: Rig View

    Rig, for vast tonal possibilities. Displayed Settings All settings displayed in Rig view are a mirror of the current RIG knob selection on OX’s front panel. If the RIG knob selection is changed, or the ROOM knob is adjusted, the settings in Rig view are updated to reflect the new settings.
  • Page 26 Rig LED on OX’s front panel is green, indicating the Rig was previously stored. • If a Rig has been modified with the app, or with the ROOM knob on OX’s front panel, the Rig name and OX’s Rig LED are amber, indicating the modified Rig is not yet stored.
  • Page 27: Input Level

    Master Fader and Output Meters The master fader (at the lower right of RIG view) is the output level control for OX’s stereo outputs. The stereo output level meters (next to the master fader) indicate signal levels at the outputs.
  • Page 28: Presets Management

    Presets Management A preset is one complete set related control values stored within OX. OX has Rig presets and effect presets. Effect presets include the cab/room mic EQ presets and the master effect presets. OX presets are saved, loaded, and renamed within the Presets Manager.
  • Page 29 Factory Rig (lock) Rig Folders Rig Presets Elements in the presets manager popover. In this example, FAVORITES is the selected folder (left column) and all favorite Rig presets are in the right column. OX Amp Top Box OX Software App...
  • Page 30: Loading Presets

    Note: You may need to scroll to see all presets in the folder. 3. Select a preset in the right column. The preset is loaded immediately. Tip: Keep the presets manager open to continue auditioning presets. When finished, press DONE to close the popover. OX Amp Top Box OX Software App...
  • Page 31: Saving Presets

    SAVE at the top left of RIG view (not the Rig name). The preset is saved, the existing preset is replaced with the new settings, and the popover does not open. Press SAVE to replace (discard) the same user preset OX Amp Top Box OX Software App...
  • Page 32 (AND all user presets within the folder). A confirmation dialog appears when deleting presets and folders so you can cancel the operation. Press the options dots to display the rename and delete options OX Amp Top Box OX Software App...
  • Page 33: Effect Editors

    Presets Management. Each of OX’s four studio-quality effects — 4-band EQ, 1176 SE compression, stereo modulated delay, and stereo plate reverb — has a unique editor. EQ has two editors; it can be viewed in graphic mode or touch mode.
  • Page 34: Assign View

    RIG view before entering ASSIGN view. Rig Sets A Rig Set is a collection of six individual Rigs. OX features 16 Rig Sets. Each Rig Set can be renamed and/or modified to contain any six Rigs. The main screen in Assign view displays the contents of one complete Rig Set. To see the list of 16 Rig Sets, press “<...
  • Page 35: Store Individual Rigs To Ox's Rig Knob

    Store Individual Rigs to OX’s RIG Knob 1. In Assign view, press the Rig in any Rig slot. The slot’s Rig selector appears. Rig slot selector — choose any Rig to assign it to the knob slot 2. In the slot’s Rig selector, choose a Rig to store in the slot. The Rig is instantly stored to OX’s RIG knob slot.
  • Page 36: Settings View

    This view includes a convenient link to the OX Knowledge Base for technical support. Wi-Fi View This view contains the Wi-Fi network selector. Use this function to pair OX to a different external Wi-Fi network. Pairing OX to a Wi-Fi Network...
  • Page 37: Rig, Cabinet, & Mic Descriptions

    Default RIG Control Cab & Mic Presets The default Rig values for each of the six RIG knob settings when OX is shipped from the factory are listed in the table below. RIG knob assignments can be changed with the OX app.
  • Page 38: Default Rig Sets

    Default Rig Sets The default Rig Sets when OX is shipped from the factory are listed in the table below. Rig Sets can be customized, renamed, and/or assigned to OX’s RIG knob in ASSIGN view within the OX app. RIG SET NAME...
  • Page 39: Speaker Cabinets

    Speaker Cabinets The 17 speaker cabinets available with OX’s Dynamic Speaker Modeling are listed below. The cabinets can be individually selected within the OX software app. 1x10 Black Cha This small, open-back vintage 10-inch speaker has that classic small amp honk. When SPEAKER DRIVE is pushed, this speaker has resonant sub-octave tones in the high F and B range.
  • Page 40 With original “green” 25-watt speakers, it breaks up on high notes around F#, G#, and C when SPEAKER DRIVE is pushed. This specific vintage cabinet has an extended low midrange and bass response. OX Amp Top Box Rig, Cabinet, & Mic Descriptions...
  • Page 41 This custom ported cabinet features 12-inch “white/cream” 75-watt modern British speakers. These speakers have an extended treble/presence frequency response and break up on high notes around G# and C# when SPEAKER DRIVE is pushed. OX Amp Top Box Rig, Cabinet, & Mic Descriptions...
  • Page 42: Cabinet Microphones

    Cabinet Microphones The six close mics (and one DI box) used on each of the speaker cabinets are listed below. The close mics can be individually accessed for any cabinet within the OX software app. Dynamic Speaker Modeling allows any single close mic, or any two different close mics, to be used on any cabinet.
  • Page 43 It has a gentle upper midrange that’s great for distorted rhythm guitars. DIRECT In direct mode you get the raw sound of your amp, without a guitar speaker, while still responding as if the amp is driving a proper reactive speaker load. OX Amp Top Box Rig, Cabinet, & Mic Descriptions...
  • Page 44: Room Microphones

    Room Microphones The five room mics capture the ambience of a high quality recording studio room for OX’s Dynamic Room Modeling. Matched stereo pairs are available for stereo ambience. The room mics can be individually accessed for every Rig within the OX software app.
  • Page 45: Ox System Overview

    When combined with a tube guitar amplifier, OX delivers album- quality studio tones without compromise. OX connects to the speaker output of a tube amp and features a variety of output connections for interfacing with other audio gear.
  • Page 46: Master Effects

    OX’s master effects are completely independent from the Dynamic Modeling processors and the 4-band EQ available on each mic mixer channel.
  • Page 47: Signal Flow

    Complete wireless Rig control is available with the OX app. Rig Set One Rig Set is a collection of six individual Rig presets that can be assigned to OX’s front panel RIG knob. With Rig Sets, you can quickly store your six favorite Rigs to the RIG knob for standalone use without the OX app.
  • Page 48: Additional Resources

    Analog Speaker Output OX’s SPEAKER OUT is the analog reactive load output without digital signal processing — it’s a pass-through of the tube amp’s output signal after power attenuation. Because the SPEAKER OUT is purely analog and doesn’t contain Dynamic Speaker Modeling, Dynamic Room Modeling, or master effects, the RIG and ROOM controls don’t change...
  • Page 49: Ox Wi-Fi Networking

    OX has built-in Wi-Fi network connectivity. OX’s Wi-Fi is used by the OX software app for wireless remote control of OX’s Rigs, Rig Sets, and all other OX settings. To view all OX app screens and settings, the Mac/iPad running the OX app must be connected to OX via Wi-Fi.
  • Page 50: External Wi-Fi Networking

    External Wi-Fi Networking The OX hardware can be paired as a client to an existing external Wi-Fi network. By pairing both the OX hardware and the Mac/iPad running the OX app to the same external Wi-Fi network, the Mac/iPad can connect to both the internet and OX at the same time.
  • Page 51: Ox Registration

    OX Registration To enable the OX app, the OX hardware needs to be registered with Universal Audio, and the OX hardware must be connected to the internet via Wi-Fi to register. After registration is complete, the OX app can access and control all available OX settings. This chapter will guide you through the Wi-Fi and registration process.
  • Page 52: Ox Registration Procedure

    OX Registration Procedure Note: In the following instructions, the “OX app device” is the Mac or iPad device that is running the OX software app. To register OX: 1. Download and open the OX software app. • Mac: From your computer, visit www.uaudio.com/ox/app...
  • Page 53 5. Open the OX app and complete registration. The OX app takes you to the OX registration web pages and they will guide you. Press “Create an account” if you don’t already have one (or login if you do). After account creation or login, OX is registered automatically.
  • Page 54: Troubleshooting

    5. Press the reset switch again within six seconds to confirm the action. The RIG LED is unlit, indicating OX initialization is in process. 6. When the RIG LED is solid green again, OX is in its factory state and ready for use. OX Amp Top Box...
  • Page 55: Specifications

    Specifications Note: All OX Amp Top Box specifications are subject to change without notice. SYSTEM I/O Complement Amplifier Input Speaker Output Line Outputs Two (one stereo left/right) Headphone Output One (stereo left/right) Digital Outputs Two (mirrored) ANALOG I/O Amplifier Input Connector Type ¼”...
  • Page 56 (52.7 cm x 32.9 cm x 28.7 cm) Weight Weight (unit only) 14.1 Lbs / 6.40 Kg Package Contents OX Amp Top Box Unit External Power Supply IEC Power Cable — US, EU, or UK (region dependent) Quick Start Guide RIG Control Presets Safety &...
  • Page 57: Block Diagram

    Block Diagram OX Amp Top Box Block Diagram...
  • Page 58: Notices

    The battery should only be replaced by a qualified technician. Replace only with the same or equivalent type battery. • OX does not contain a fuse or any other user-replaceable parts. The unit is internally calibrated at the factory. No internal user adjustments are available.
  • Page 59 End User License Agreement Your rights to the Software are governed by the accompanying OX Software End User License Agreement, a copy of which can be found at www.uaudio.com/eula. Open Source License Information OX open source license information can be found at www.uaudio.com/eula.
  • Page 60 Note: It is safe to install and operate OX Amp Top Box on top of a guitar or bass amplifier. Description of symbols used The lightning flash represented by the arrow symbol in an equilateral triangle is intended to alert users to the presence of high voltage within the unit that could cause an electrical shock hazard.
  • Page 61 We Universal Audio, Inc., 4585 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA, 95066, USA, +1-831-440-1176, declare under our sole responsibility that the product OX Amp Top Box 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.
  • Page 62 Par la présente Universal Audio, Inc. déclare que l'appareil Radiolan est conforme aux exigences essentielles et [French] aux autres dispositions pertinentes de la directive 1999/5/CE. Íslenska Hér með lýsir Universal Audio, Inc. yfir því að Radiolan er í samræmi við grunnkröfur og aðrar kröfur, sem [Icelandic] gerðar eru í tilskipun 1999/5/EC. Italiano Con la presente Universal Audio, Inc.
  • Page 63: Technical Support

    UA products. UA YouTube Support Channel Universal Audio Community Forums The unofficial UA discussion forums are a valuable resource for all Universal Audio product users. This website is independently owned and operated. www.uadforum.com Contact Universal Audio Support To contact the UA support team for technical or repair assistance, please visit: help.uaudio.com...
  • Page 64 www.uaudio.com...

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