Behringer T1953 User Manual

Users Manual

T1953

ENGLISH

Version 1.2 December 2002

TUBE ULTRAGAIN

TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove

the cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside; refer servicing to qualified personnel.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not

expose this appliance to rain or moisture.

This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosurevoltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.

DETAILED SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:

All the safety and operation instructions should be read before the appliance is operated.

Retain Instructions:

The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.

Heed Warnings:

All warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.

Follow instructions:

All operation and user instructions should be followed.

Water and Moisture:

The appliance should not be used near water (e.g. near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool etc.).

Ventilation:

The appliance should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example, the appliance should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings, or placed in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the flow of air through the ventilation openings.

Heat:

The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

Power Source:

The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.

Grounding or Polarization:

Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an appliance is not defeated.

Power-Cord Protection:

Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords and plugs, convenience receptacles and the point where they exit from the appliance.

Cleaning:

The appliance should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.

Non-use Periods:

The power cord of the appliance should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.

Debris and Liquid Entry:

Care should be taken that debris and/or liquids do not enter the enclosure through openings.

Damage Requiring Service:

The appliance should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:

- The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or

- Debris or liquid has entered the appliance; or

- The appliance has been exposed to rain; or

- The appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or

- The appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.

Servicing:

The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that which is described in the operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.

This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to important operating and maintenance instructions in the accompanying literature. Read the manual.

TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953

FOREWORD

Dear Customer,

We thank you for expressing your confidence in BEHRINGER products by purchasing the BEHRINGER TUBEULTRAGAIN. It is one of my most pleasant tasks to write this preface, as our engineering team has made it possible to enhance the traditional tube circuitry design (particularly for our VINTAGER series of products), and adapt it to meet the high sound quality and dynamics requirements of modern, pro-level audio technology. The fact that we are still fascinated by antique tube radios and amps as well as the fine and warm tonal character that we usually associate with them, are the reasons why vacuum tubes have kept their ground even in state-of-the-art circuit topologies used especially in professional audio technology or high-end devices. We are particularly proud that we have found an extremely effective symbiosis between solid-state and tube technologies making them affordable to anybody interested in audio technology. As always, our top-priority concern when developing this device was the demanding end user, in other words: you. It was our major goal to meet your demands. Sure, it meant a lot of hard work to develop such a product, but the fun has made it all worthwhile. The shine in the eyes of the many interested musicians at the Music Fair 1997, when they saw our VINTAGER models for the first time, was a lasting incentive driving our development efforts.

It is our philosophy to share our joy with you, because you are the most important member of the BEHRINGER family. With your highly competent suggestions for new products youve greatly contributed to shaping our company and making it successful. In return, we guarantee you uncompromising quality (manufactured under ISO9000 certified management system) as well as excellent technical and audio properties at an extremely favorable price. All of this will enable you to fully unfold your creativity without being hampered by budget constraints.

We are often asked how we can make it to produce such high-grade devices at such unbelievably low prices. The answer is quite simple: its you, our customers! Many satisfied customers means large sales volumes enabling us to get better conditions of purchase for components, etc. Isnt it only fair to pass this benefit back to you? Because we know that your success is our success, too!

I would like to thank all people whose help on Project TUBEULTRAGAIN has made it all possible. Everybody has made very personal contributions, starting from the designers of the unit via the many staff members in our company to you, the user of BEHRINGER products.

My friends, its been worth the trouble!

Thank you very much,

Uli Behringer

TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953

TUBEULTRAGAIN

Tube Microphone/Line Preamplifier

T1953

s Ultra low-noise discrete microphone/line preamplifier with selected 12AX7 tubes

s ULTRA-TUBE circuitry (UTC) adds desired amount of warmth without additional noise

s Mic input stages are based on high quality, discrete conjugate transistor pair circuitry

s Ultra-wide bandwidth from 18 Hz to 30 kHz for open sound

s Warmth control allows precise dosage of desired tube effect

s Completely versatile DI-Box due to servo-balanced inputs and outputs

s Level converter from -10 dBV to +4 dBu

s Soft mute +48 V phantom power to avoid switch-on thumps

s Fully tunable and switchable 12dB high-pass filter

s Switchable phase reverse to correct phase problems

s Ultra low-noise 4580 audio operational amplifiers offer outstanding sound performance

s Highly accurate metering with true RMS level detection

s Servo-balanced gold-plated XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs

s High-quality detented potentiometers and switches with vintage-style knobs

s Huge back-lit analog VU meters and stylish retro design

s BEHRINGERs high-performance OT-1 output transformer retrofitable

s Manufactured under ISO9000 certified management system

TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 6

1.1 The concept .................................................................................................................................... 6

1.2 Before you get started ..................................................................................................................... 7

1.3 Control elements ............................................................................................................................. 7

2. OPERATION .......................................................................................................................... 10

3. APPLICATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 11

3.1 The TUBEULTRAGAIN as a microphone preamp ........................................................................... 11

3.2 The TUBEULTRAGAIN as a level converter ................................................................................... 12

3.3 The TUBEULTRAGAIN as a direct injection box ........................................................................... 12

3.4 The TUBEULTRAGAIN as tube interface ...................................................................................... 12

4. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND .............................................................................................. 12

4.1 Audio dynamics ............................................................................................................................ 13

4.1.1 Noise as a physical phenomenon ....................................................................................... 13

4.1.2 What are audio dynamics? ................................................................................................. 14

4.2 The tubes used in the TUBEULTRAGAIN ..................................................................................... 15

4.3 Tube history .................................................................................................................................. 15

4.4 Design and functional principle of tubes ........................................................................................ 16

4.5 Properties of tubes ........................................................................................................................ 17

4.6 The best of both worlds ................................................................................................................. 18

4.7 UTC circuit .................................................................................................................................... 18

4.8 Studio applications ........................................................................................................................ 18

4.9 Phantom power ............................................................................................................................. 19

5. INSTALLATION ..................................................................................................................... 20

5.1 Rack mounting .............................................................................................................................. 20

5.2 Mains connection .......................................................................................................................... 20

5.3 Audio connections ........................................................................................................................ 21

5.4 Transformer-balanced output (option) ............................................................................................ 21

6. SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................. 22

7. WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................... 23

TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953

1. INTRODUCTION

With the TUBEULTRAGAIN you have purchased an extremely musical and flexible microphone preamplifier. Our ULTRAGAIN range of devices has been a hit ever since we introduced our first model some 5 years ago. This high-end microphone preamp is based on many years of experience and findings in amplifier technology and is used throughout the world in renowned studios, sound reinforcement systems as well as in broadcast and television studios. Improving the legendary ULTRAGAIN even further was a real challenge, and we are proud of our success. The BEHRINGER TUBEULTRAGAIN meets highest and no-compromise requirements in terms of operation, sound, specifications and workmanship.

Even at the conception of the TUBEULTRAGAIN it was clear that we had to combine the outstanding technical specifications of our ULTRAGAIN with a warm tube sound. We are therefore proud to be able to present the TUBE ULTRAGAIN, a device featuring our newly developed UTC vacuum tube circuit combined with a no-compromise approach.

The heart of the TUBEULTRAGAIN is an extremely low-noise microphone preamp circuit that uses discrete components to produce a highly transparent sound. In combination with our BEHRINGER tube technology, the operational amplifiers 4580 and a sophisticated circuit topology, the TUBEULTRAGAIN yields excellent noise and distortion properties! The switchable +48 V phantom power supply allows for connecting almost any kind of microphone and suppresses power-up thumps with its soft mute function.

Our engineering team has made it possible to enhance the traditional tube circuitry (particularly for our TUBEULTRAGAIN) and adapt it to meet the high sound quality and dynamics requirements of modern, pro-level audio technology. The fact that we are still fascinated by antique tube radios and amps as well as the fine and warm tonal character that we usually associate with them, are the reasons why vacuum tubes have kept their ground even in state-of-the-art circuit topologies used especially in professional audio technology or high-end devices. We are particularly proud that we have found a highly effective symbiosis between solid-state and tube technologies making them affordable to almost anybody in audio technology.

With the exception of 2 12AX7/ECC83 tubes, the TUBEULTRAGAIN T1953 is based on SMD technology (Surface Mounted Device). These subminiature components known from aerospace applications ensure both extreme packing density and greater reliability.

Speaking of reliability: quality assurance plays an ever important role in todays production methods. To guarantee even greater operational reliability, our products are manufactured under one of the most stringent industrial quality assurance systems: ISO9000. This European certification is granted exclusively to companies whose manufacturing processes are in full compliance with this accurate standard.

1.1 The concept

The philosophy behind BEHRINGER products guarantees a no-compromise circuit design and employs the best choice of components. The op-amps, type 4580, used in the TUBEULTRAGAIN are chosen for their superior signal-to-noise ratio, low distortion and linear performance. Additionally, the TUBE ULTRAGAIN uses high quality resistors and capacitors with very tight tolerances, high-grade switches as well other selected components.

The TUBEULTRAGAIN uses 12AX7 / ECC83 tubes. These triodes are capable of handling a large dynamic range with little microphony. Add to this their relative ruggedness and above average life span and you can see why its one of the most popular and reliable pre-amp tubes on the market. These features also ensure you their availability for many years to come.

Balanced inputs and outputs

As standard, the BEHRINGER TUBE ULTRAGAIN is installed with electronically servo-balanced inputs and outputs. The new circuit design features automatic hum and noise reduction for balanced signals and thus allows for trouble-free operation, even at high operating levels. Externally induced mains hum etc. will be effectively suppressed. The automatic servo-function recognizes the presence of unbalanced connectors and adjusts the nominal level internally to avoid level differences between the input and output signals (correction 6dB).

Transformer-balanced outputs (optional)

In contrast to electronic balancing, the use of transformer-balanced outputs offers the advantage of galvanic separation between units. Electrical potential differences and ground loops in audio installations do not

1. INTRODUCTION

TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953

therefore impair the performance of the units. The transformer-balanced outputs, commonly used in radio and TV engineering, can also be fitted retrospectively upon request. The BEHRINGER transformer OT-1 is designed to the highest exacting standards and is available as an accessory.

1.2 Before you get started

Your BEHRINGER TUBEULTRAGAIN was carefully packed in the factory and the packaging was designed to protect the unit from rough handling. Nevertheless, we recommend that you carefully examine the packaging and its contents for any signs of physical damage, which may have occurred in transit.

+ If the unit is damaged, please do not return it to us, but notify your dealer and the shipping

company immediately, otherwise claims for damage or replacement may not be granted. Shipping claims must be made by the consignee.

The BEHRINGER TUBEULTRAGAIN fits into two standard 19" rack units of space (3 1/2" / 89.5 mm). Please allow at least an additional 4" depth for the connectors on the back panel.

+ Be sure that there is enough space around the unit for cooling and please do not place the

TUBEULTRAGAIN on high temperature devices such as power amplifiers etc. to avoid overheating.

The mains connection of the TUBEULTRAGAIN is made by using the supplied cable. It meets all of the international safety certification requirements. Please make sure that all units have a proper ground connection.

+ Before you connect your TUBEULTRAGAIN to the mains, please make sure that your local

voltage matches the voltage required by the unit!

As a standard the audio inputs and outputs on the BEHRINGER TUBEULTRAGAIN are fully balanced. If possible, connect the unit to other devices in a balanced configuration to allow for maximum interference immunity. The automatic servo function detects unbalanced connections and compensates the level difference automatically (6dB correction).

1.3 Control elements

Fig. 1.1: Front panel of the TUBEULTRAGAIN

The front panel of the BEHRINGERTUBEULTRAGAIN consists of two identical channels with four switches, four rotary controls and 4 analog meters.

1. INTRODUCTION

+ 16 hidden pages