The Tech 21 Oxford is an amp character and speaker simulation pedal that models a classic Orange amplifier head. It is part of Tech 21's Character Series, a line the maker describes as taking its mojo from the most respected amp tones on both sides of the Atlantic, and it runs on Tech 21's proprietary, 100% analog SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation technology123. Tech 21 pitches its sound as the greasy grit of '70s London glam, with the option to go deeper and darker into vintage metal territory2.
Controls
The Oxford carries five knobs plus a Speaker Simulation button. The Low and High knobs are based on a '70s British console EQ, fixed at 120 Hz and 2.5 kHz respectively, while the Mid knob is centered at 500 Hz1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Low | Fixed at 120 Hz, up to +22 dB boost or -12 dB cut, based on a '70s British console EQ1 |
| Mid | Centered at 500 Hz, up to 12 dB boost or cut1 |
| High | Fixed at 2.5 kHz, +30 dB boost or -12 dB cut, based on a '70s British console EQ1 |
| Character | Emulates the Orange F.A.C. midrange sweep, from tight and thin to fully cranked1 |
| Level | Works like a traditional, well-equipped amp level control2 |
The Character knob is the pedal's signature control. It emulates the F.A.C. (Frequency Analyzing Control) midrange sweep found on Orange amps: counterclockwise it tightens the lows and thins the sound, at noon it thickens it, beyond noon it gets brighter and more present, and fully cranked it mimics what Premier Guitar's reviewer called the "just about to blow" sound1.
Speaker Simulation
A Speaker Simulation button turns on the Oxford's cab emulation. Premier Guitar's reviewer heard it as a closed-back 4x12 loaded with Greenback speakers, though Tech 21 did not specify the exact model1. Tech 21 says the Character and Mid controls and the speaker emulations are all engineered to personify the specific amplifier traits being modeled, including the speakers associated with each amp type2. That makes the pedal usable as a preamp into a power amp or interface as well as a drive into a clean amp.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's reviewer found the Oxford fared best plugged into the front end of a fairly generic clean tone, which allowed the pedal to do the heavy lifting1. The review listed a street price of $169 USD1.
Videos
Sweetwater
Premier Guitar
Brett Kingman
Questions
What Orange amp is the Tech 21 Oxford based on?
Premier Guitar's reviewer described the Oxford as Tech 21's take on a classic Orange head, and noted that Tech 21 did not specify whether the model was based on the OR-120 or the OR-80. The pedal is voiced around the classic Orange amp tone of the era, with the Character knob reproducing the F.A.C. midrange sweep found on Orange amps.
What does the Character knob do on the Tech 21 Oxford?
The Character knob emulates the F.A.C. (Frequency Analyzing Control) midrange sweep from Orange amps. Counterclockwise it tightens the lows and thins the sound, at noon it thickens it, past noon it gets brighter and more present, and fully cranked it mimics what the reviewer called the just about to blow sound.
Does the Tech 21 Oxford have a speaker simulation?
Yes. A Speaker Simulation button turns on the Oxford's cab emulation, which Premier Guitar's reviewer heard as a closed-back 4x12 loaded with Greenbacks, though Tech 21 did not specify the exact speaker model. Tech 21 says the speaker emulations are engineered to personify the speakers associated with the modeled amplifier type.
What series of pedals is the Oxford part of?
The Oxford is part of Tech 21's Character Series, a line of pedals that take their voicings from respected amp tones on both sides of the Atlantic. Each pedal in the series models a particular amplifier style and covers vintage, high-gain and lead tones through a continuously variable control.
How much does the Tech 21 Oxford cost?
Premier Guitar's review listed the Oxford at a street price of $169 USD.
Sources (3)
- Tech 21 SansAmp Oxford & U.S. Steel Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2010-08-17
- Oxford Character Series, Tech 21 NYC, 2019-06-24
- Tech 21 Releases the dUg Pinnick DP-3X and VT Bass 200, Premier Guitar, 2018-01-23
