Today, there are so many guitar pedals that it’s tough to know what one to buy. Luckily, the Valvoline Vox team have come up with a solution: the new line of pedals will provide the sound of your favourite amps. This series of compact overdrives is designed to mimic the tonal characteristics of certain amplifiers and has switchable modes that enable it to be used in one of three ways: as a drive pedal, as a preamp connected to a power amplifier/return loop, or as an.
Vox is always so on top of things. With their latest amplifiers, they’ve been coming out with a new type of tube called the Nutube which is in their amps and now the Valvenergy pedals too. The Cutting Edge is their latest creation, and it’s loaded with features that you won’t find anywhere else. You can now take advantage of all the features of their Vox amps without having to spend time and effort building your own rig.
About Vox Edge Valve Energy Pedal
Key Features: Vox announced the Valvenergy effect pedal range in October last year. It fuses a NuTube with the signal path, and offers options to make it a DI with speaker sim or a versatile preamp.
This launch is a major step forward for long-standing British amp wizards. It features four pedals: the Copperhead Drive (Mystic Edge), Cutting Edge and Silk Drive. Each offers unique circuit emulations, and an OLED display complete with an oscilloscope.
Korg developed the NuTube, which is a miniature valve device that produces a warm tone comparable to a vintage guitar amp. It uses 30% less power than typical tubes and outputs more warmth than an amplifier. This is reflected in the OLED display that atop each unit displays an oscilloscopic waveform representation of your signal. It makes for a great time.
Each Valvenergy pedal has its own unique sonic flavor. Vox clearly aims to please everyone with their curations. The Copperhead Drive resembles the thick dynamics of a cranked Marshall stack, while the Silk Drive replicates a slightly-less-crunchy amplifier from a renowned boutique American brand.
The Cutting Edge, on the other hand, offers full-bore gain sounds reminiscent of a Mesa-Boogie. Finally, the Mystic Edge allows Vox to pay homage to the heavy jangle of the AC30, their most significant contribution to music.
All pedals have controls for Volume, Gain, and a 3-band EQ. The Mystic Edge substitutes the middle-range for the AC30’s classic Tone Cut dial. However, all other pedals, except the Cutting Edge, feature a Bright toggle-switch.
The Valvenergy pedal line can be linked together using a variety of 3.5mm TRS cable, which allows the user to create complex bypass and activation networks between the pedals.
A switch at the top of each pedal allows you to toggle between Preamp, Standard and Cab modes. Preamp mode is for players who play with line-level instruments and other preamps. Cab mode caters to those who want to plug in and go DI.
Each pedal is powered by a 9v DC power port, located beside the top-mounted Jacks. They are sturdy and clad with sleek, brushed steel enclosures. Each one has its own colour scheme.
Mixdown: The intriguing prospect of the Valvenergy feature set is certainly not disappointing in operation. These four pedals could be the basis of an overdrive: they are versatile and can be used by a variety of players, not just guitarists. They also come at a reasonable price that allows them to achieve their goals.
Each pedal in the series emulates their original inspirations. They can produce a multitude of tones while the NuTube will warm up any synth or line source that you feed it while in Preamp mode.
The Mystic Edge is a great choice for crunchy rhythms and jangly leads. The Silk Drive is a good option for scooped blues or fusion. While the Cutting Edge and Copperhead are more for your inner riff-pig, the Copperhead and Cutting Edge are equally tasty.
Some users have complained that the Cab Sim section of this pedal is a bit too loud. However, in practice, they sound great when recorded DI. Even if some sounds felt a bit spiky, that was nothing that a few subtle EQ adjustments inside a DAW could fix.
Overall: Vox has taken a big step into a new market and it is one that could prove to be a boon for amplifier makers. These devices are brilliantly designed and priced quite accordingly for the average multi-instrumentalist, and the NuTube technology really puts them in a class of their own.
External Hardware
The cutting edge by Vox is a well-made distortion with a metal chassis size of 4.72″ Deep, 2.83″ Wide and 2.17″ High. This pedal is really cool – it has a neat display that gives you all the information you need, no matter where you are.
The screen features a built-in oscilloscope that shows you how the adjustments of your EQ affect the guitar signal. The knobs are a common plastic knob that you’ll find on most pedal types. Surprisingly, they’re nice & smooth to the touch.
Pressing the foot switch feels really good and it also has a really solid feel. On the front of it you’ll find a switch to change between different outputs. There is also a link jack for connecting 2 more Vox pedals together. The signal jacks for your guitar are side mount but are smooth when used.
Vox Cutting Edge Controls
Although the control scheme is very similar to many metal pedals, it’s quite responsive. You can adjust the tone of the device by using its active EQ. You can adjust the device’s tone by turning it up or down with a tight control.
It’s a great feature to be able to link Vox pedals together, and the control is easy! One turns on when you engage it, and the other turns off when you release it. You can also adjust the output of the unit with a switch. You can use it as a regular stomp or a preamp, or as an amp in a container when you use the cab sim.
I’m not sure if the screen or oscilloscope are accurate, but it was helpful for tone chasing. To dial in tone, I prefer to use my ears and not an oscilloscope. It would have been possible to cut the edge without it.
Cab Simulation
The Vox Edge has a cab simulation feature that lets you run a virtual cabinet and then use the device as a basic straight-to-amp interface. You can toggle this setting using the switch on the front of the pedal.
It’s a pretty analog truck simulator and doesn’t sound too bad.
Pedal Link
The four Valvenergy Vox pedals will each take a 1/8″ connector to connect them together. You’ll be able to control it like an amp, turning the volume up or down. When one is turned on, the other will be automatically turned off. This can be a pretty nifty feature for people who want to maximize flexibility and efficiency by running more than one Valvenergy for different tones.
Input Voltage
The Cutting Edge can be powered with either a battery or a 9-volt adapter. However, this adapter must be purchased separately and is only compatible with devices that have a maximum power consumption of 95 mA. When using the unit on a battery, two hours is the maximum, before it needs to be charged again.
Buffered Bypass
The pedal acts as a buffer and buffers the signal when the pedal is turned off. I didn’t notice any sound coloration when the device was off, but this could change depending on your setup.
The oscilloscope continues to show a reading even when the device is turned off. We think this is why they chose to buffer the signal output.
Cutting Edge Sound
The Vox metal sound, the Cutting Edge, sounds pretty good. When the saturation is adjusted correctly, it’s very smooth. The controls are responsive and wide. Mesa Rectifier tone would be my recommendation.
The pedal’s gain content is well-structured. Tube saturation is something I’m very familiar with, but it can be difficult to determine if Nutube clipping works in the same way as a vacuum tube.
The sound quality is excellent and you can adjust the volume with the control. Active EQ can be used to boost or reduce frequencies. Although it can be quite complicated, there are some sweet spots.
The distortion sound had a good mid-gain saturation that was enjoyable to use and the leads were very fluid and clear.
Driving Range
The entire signal path is analog and bypass mode buffers the pedal output to avoid tone loss when using long cables or complicated pedalboard layouts. These pedals can be powered by batteries, but they also have a standard 9V input socket that consumes 95mA. Each pedal, like many Vox guitars, uses a Nutube valve as a signal path.
Korg Corporation and Noritake Itron Corporation developed these miniature triode valves. They are a spin-off of vacuum fluorescent display technology. They are used to accurately communicate the response and harmonic distortion of a vale amplifier.
You can choose to operate the pedals in one of three modes. Pre is for patching into the amp’s effect loop back, while Cab applies cabinet/speaker simulation to the output. The mode settings are displayed in the middle of each pedal’s top panel. This display is controlled by a slide switch at the rear of each pedal.
After a short interval, the screen switches over to an oscilloscope view that displays the waveform of each pedal’s output. You can disable this if you find the display distracting, but I found it quite cute! The display has a red strip at the top that indicates when the pedal is active. When you press the footswitch, the display will indicate Bypass for about a half second.
A 3.5mm Link TRS Jack is another novel feature. It can be found on the rear panel. You can link multiple Valvenergy pumps, so that they can be switched between with one stomp. A splitter cable is needed if you want to link more than one pedal.
While all four pedals share similar control layouts they are not identical. The Mystic edge, for example, does not offer drive, volume, and tone. Instead, it has an EQ section that is more extensive than the Vox AC30 amp. It has separate Bass and Treble controls as well as a Tone Cut knob which interacts with the treble control to reduce the high end.
The Tone Cut knob is replaced by a middle EQ control for all the pedals in this series. The Bright switch on the Cutting Edge pedal is replaced with a Tight knob. This is designed to shape the low-end, add depth when turned anticlockwise, and trim the bass when turned clockwise.
Impressions
The Mystic Edge was first out of the box. It faithfully recreates the Vox AC30 sound. The drive range is almost straight-forward, with rock tones and a bright switch that delivers more edge. It sounds more like an AC30 top-boost model. The result was convincing when fed into my Roland Blues Cube amp’s clean channel. It had plenty of drive and an unusually Vox-like harsh edge. You’ll instantly recognize the sound if you play a few Kinks riffs.
Although I don’t usually like the sound of a DI-driven guitar, these pedals might be able to make me a fan.
The Cutting Edge was designed to reproduce “high-gain US sounds”. It channels more than just a little Mesa Boogie spirit. However, it can handle cleaner sounds very well. Copperhead Drive reproduces the classic British stack amplifier tone. It is based on a vintage Marshall setup and can handle heavy distortion to very light sounds. It captures the essence of UK rock guitar sound and it is very clean. The Silk Drive is a boutique-style guitar with a more relaxed tone, less aggression, and better note definition. It’s well-suited for blues, pop, and other styles.
Each pedal is unique and reflects the character of the amplifier it was voiced. However, they all have some common features, including the ability to pick well and handle higher gain settings without losing any note definition. You can change your picking strength or use your volume control to go from a clean sound to rock out. Pre mode is great for feeding the pedal into an amp’s loop return point. Cab mode adds a speaker emulator.
The speaker emulation sounded a bit thin to my ears at the low end. However, further adjustments to the EQ controls made it more usable. These pedals were set up in Standard mode. I then added a Celestion IR-based speaker emulation via a plug-in. This allowed me to create believable amp sounds with a convincing sense lowend girth.
These pedals are a great alternative to the usual DI-driven guitar sounds. To complete the illusion, you just need to add some ambience to your room. These pedals are affordable and compact, despite their great tone. The real challenge is choosing which pedal to purchase.
Vox VE-CD Valvenergy Copperhead Drive Pedal
Vox amps traditionally use the old-school vacuum tube but with the new Nutube technology. We’ve made a bunch of cool looking pedals with this new technology. Give one a try and let us know what you think! The new Nordstrand Big Distortion packs a punch with its four classic amp sounds and handy features for the modern musician.
What is the Nutube?
Meet Nutube, the new vacuum tube from Korg and Noritake Itron. You can use it as a vacuum fluorescent display, which powers an old-school flavor in an advanced way – and gives it exceptional durability. Exactly like a conventional vacuum tube, the Nutube has an anode grid filament structure. You’ll get the same sweet ringing over tones that are distinctive of conventional vacuum tubes.
- Equipped with Nutube, providing vacuum tube sound and response
- Buffered bypass reduces noise when the effect is turned off
- Connection mode can be switched according to your use
- Channel switch function allows operation similar to a multi-channel amp when multiple VALVENERGY series units are connected
- OLED display provides a visual indication of the sound
Analog circuit design with ample headroom
The VALVENERGY series are made of all analog circuits with the 9V power supply voltage boosted to 15V internally. This gives the amplifier higher volume and headroom and makes its sound more dynamic. It’s a circuit design that uses the VALVENERGY series to its full potential!
Three connection modes that you can switch according to your situation
You can use the pedal in three different modes – STANDARD, MODERN, and CLASSIC. STANDARD: The pedal outputs an instrument-level signal. Connect your guitar’s input to the input of your amp using the same setup as you do with a stomp box. PREAMP: This headphone jack outputs a line-level signal. Connect it to input or return on your amp for use with an electric guitar and its amplifier cabinet. CAB-SIM: This pedal outputs a line-level signal with an analog cabinet simulator on the output. It’ll work in most mixers or digital audio workstations, and can give you top-quality guitar tones.
Equipped with a channel switching function
You can chain two pedals together with a standard 1/8” stereo cable through the CH-SW (channel switch) jack of each pedal. This lets you use one pedal while going straight to the other, and it’s like someone was changing channels on a guitar amp. If you want three pedals linked together in one place, just plug them into a Y split cable and they’ll all be sorted.
OLED display provides visual confirmation of the sound
These pedals are equipped with a high-contrast OLED display that shows how the waveform is affected by the knob settings, which can be helpful when making adjustments.
Description & Specs
You can have iconic amp sounds on your pedalboard. Copperhead Drive’s valve distortion pedal delivers the power of British full-stack amps in a compact pedal form. Nutube powers it with warm, responsive tones that sound amp-like.
Copperhead Drive is inspired by the rich and punchy British amp sounds. It offers a versatile valve distortion pedal. All-analog signal paths and Nutube give you the authentic sound of an amp and distortion tones. Internally boosted voltage provides more headroom and dynamics. The OLED display displays an oscilloscope when the pedal is active, or is disabled, so you can see exactly how your signal is being affected.
You can use it as a standard pedal or a line-level preamp. The built-in analog cabinet simulator allows you to simulate an amp and make adjustments using three output modes. To transform your amp completely, use STANDARD mode and your regular guitar rig. You can also use PREAMP or CAB SIM mode to record directly into your audio interface. The all-analog design allows you to dial in the perfect sound in any situation using the active EQ and an all-analog design.
Two VALVENERGY pedals can be linked together using a standard 1/8” stereo cable. Each pedal has a LINK jack. You can turn one pedal on and bypass the other using this system, much like switching between channels in a guitar amp. You can link up to three pedals by using a stereo split y-configuration 1/8” stereo cable.
- Valve distortion pedal with all-analog signal path
- Powerful British crunch tones
- Powered by Nutube
- Three output modes for use as a pedal or preamp
- Selectable analog cabinet simulator
- OLED display with oscilloscope
- Active EQ to shape your signal
Final Thoughts
The metal sounds sound great and the controls are very good at dialing in different tones for lead and rhythm. This pedal can do a lot.
Vox’s Vox line of Valvenergy pedals has a great link feature. This is especially useful when you have many stompboxes to make dirty sounds. It’s easy to perform by pressing one button, and all your devices will respond.
I’m not sure what to think about the OLED screen and oscilloscope. It feels like an additional to the cutting edge, but it doesn’t really have to be there. It was not used for tone shaping. It would have been a better idea to make this pedal completely bypassable and remove the screen.
However, I assume it has a buffered bypass. This assumption could be incorrect. It is a great distortion system and a great addition to your Vox dirt box string.
FAQ for Vox Edge Valve Energy Pedal
What is the Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal?
The Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal is a pedal that can help you get the most out of your guitar playing. It’s a great option for those who are looking to improve their playing without having to invest too much money.
The Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal is a great option for those who are looking to improve their playing without having to invest too much money. The pedal provides more control over your playing and can help you create better tones and sound.
What are the benefits of using Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal?
Benefits of using Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal:
- Improves your guitar playing skills.
- Reduces the tension in your hands, wrist, and arm muscles.
- Reduces fatigue and improves stamina.
How does the Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal work?
The Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal for guitar is a pedal that can be used with an electric guitar to provide a boost of energy and power.
The Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal for guitar is designed to help you play better, faster, and more efficiently. The pedal has an adjustable volume control that lets you set the level of boost as needed. It also has a power switch that lets you choose between three different modes: standard, rhythm, and lead.
The Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal for guitar is powered by six AA batteries which last up to 10 hours on average.
How much does the Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal cost?
The Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal for guitar costs $99.99 and is available in the Vox store. It is made of a high-quality steel and aluminum construction with a black rubber grip handle.
The Vox Valve Energy Pedal for guitar is a pedal that provides a range of effects from clean boost to full distortion, with a variety of controls including volume, tone, gain and more.
This pedal is perfect for players looking to add some extra power and tone to their sound without having to spend too much money on pedals or amplifiers.
Does the Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal have a warranty?
The Vox Cutting Edge Valve Energy Pedal for guitar comes with a lifetime warranty, which we are sure you will love!