Behringer T1954 User Manual

T1954

®

TUBE ULTRAFEX

TUBE ULTRAFEX T1954

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TUBE ULTRAFEX T1954

FOREWORD

Dear Customer,

We thank you for expressing your confidence in BEHRINGER products by purchasing the BEHRINGER
TUBEULTRAFEX. 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ULTRAFEX 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

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TUBE ULTRAFEX T1954

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TUBEULTRAFEX

Professional, multi-purpose sound enhancement system for high-end studio and stage applications

T1954

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TUBE ULTRAFEX T1954

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

1.1 The Design Concept ........................................................................................................................ 6

1.2 Before You begin ............................................................................................................................. 6

1.3 Control Elements ............................................................................................................................ 7

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

2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 10

2.2 The Position of the TUBE ULTRAFEX in the Signal Path ............................................................... 10

2.3 Basic Setting .................................................................................................................................11

2.4 Adjustment of the Bass Processor................................................................................................. 11

2.5 Adjustment of the Noise Reduction System ................................................................................... 11

2.6 Adjustment of the Enhancer/Exciter System .................................................................................. 11

2.7 Adjustment of the Tube Stage ....................................................................................................... 12

2.8 Adjustment of the Surround Processor .......................................................................................... 12

3. APPLICATIONS .....................................................................................................................12

3.1 Sound Enhancement during Replay ..............................................................................................12

3.2 Sound Enhancement during Recording.......................................................................................... 12

3.3 Enhancing the Sound of Subgroups, Monitor and Effect Paths ...................................................... 13

3.4 Enhancing the Sound of Tape Duplication ......................................................................................13

3.5 Enhancing the Sound of Instruments ............................................................................................. 13

3.6 Enhancing the Sound of P.A. Systems..........................................................................................14

3.7 Sound Enhancement in HiFi and Video ......................................................................................... 14

4. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND .............................................................................................. 14

4.1 The BEHRINGER TUBE ULTRAFEX ... ......................................................................................... 14

4.2 Psycho-acoustic Background ....................................................................................................... 15

4.3 On Psycho-acoustic Devices ........................................................................................................ 15

4.3.1 Frequency correction .......................................................................................................... 16

4.3.2 Phase shifting ..................................................................................................................... 16

4.3.3 Artificial harmonics generation ............................................................................................16

4.4 The Bass Processor of the TUBE ULTRAFEX ............................................................................... 16

4.5 The Surround Processor of the TUBE ULTRAFEX ......................................................................... 17

4.6 The Vacuum Tubes of the TUBE ULTRAFEX ................................................................................. 17

4.6.1 UTC circuit .......................................................................................................................... 17

4.6.2 Tube history ........................................................................................................................ 18

4.6.3 Design and functional principle of tubes .............................................................................. 18

4.6.4 Properties of tubes.............................................................................................................. 19

4.6.5 The best of both worlds ....................................................................................................... 20

4.6.6 Studio applications .............................................................................................................. 20

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

5.1 Rack mounting .............................................................................................................................. 21

5.2 Mains Connection ......................................................................................................................... 21

5.3 Audio Connections ........................................................................................................................ 21

5.4 Transformer-balanced Outputs (optional) ....................................................................................... 22

6. SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................. 23

7. WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................... 24

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TUBE ULTRAFEX T1954

1. INTRODUCTION

In purchasing the new TUBEULTRAFEX T1954, you have acquired an extremely efficient and universal sound
processor which combines the sound enhancement features of the ULTRAFEX series with the tube sound of
the BEHRINGER ULTRA-TUBE technology. Since its announcement of the first ULTRAFEX model in year
1990, it has caused a sensation. This high-end sound enhancement processor is based on our many years of
experience and discoveries in the field of psycho-acoustics. The TUBEULTRAFEX finds widespread applica­tion throughout the world, in renowned studios, sound reinforcement systems as well as in broadcast and TV
studios.The sound precision and flexibility of the functions are the main outstanding features of this high-end
unit. The TUBEULTRAFEX is our state-of-the-art sound enhancement system offering a special combination
of sound improvement designs. The unit can be used wherever professional sound improvement is required.
The BEHRINGER TUBEULTRAFEX is the no-compromise answer when the situation demands a no-compro­mise solution.

Advanced BEHRINGER technology

The philosophy behind BEHRINGER products guarantees a no-compromise circuit design and employs the
best choice of components. The TUBE ULTRAFEX uses high-quality resistors and capacitors with very tight
tolerances, high-grade switches, low-noise operational amplifiers (type 4580) as well other selected compo­nents.

Additionally, the unit is manufactured in compliance with the ISO9000 certified management system.

1.1 The Design Concept

Compared to its predecessors, the TUBEULTRAFEX offers several advanced features and we have succeeded
in dramatically refining the audio qualities. The unit now features our new UTC tube circuitry and a new L/C filter
switch which offers more power in the bass area. Beside that a new VSP (Variable Sound Processing) circuitry
has been added to allow you to use simultaneous exciter and enhancer sound processing.

Since the introduction of the first psycho-acoustic Processors, technology in this field has made tremendous
progress. Although the fundamental principles of enhancer and exciter technology have been well-known for a
long time, engineers have been able to refine and improve the essential components over and over again. The
BEHRINGER company has also contributed considerably to this development:

With the introduction of our Natural Sonic processor, we have set new standards. Previously encountered
problems of restricted leveling range, plus increased noise level and audible distortion during signal process­ing, are typical shortcomings of conventional circuit designs. They were completely solved by the development
of new circuitry.

The BEHRINGER TUBE ULTRAFEX is equipped with different sound enhancement features which stand for a
new achievement in the history of sound processors: The legendary BEHRINGER Natural Sonic principle in
combination with the Variable Sound Processing circuitry (VSP) and the integrated Noise Reduction system
offer presence and transparency for your music without receiving unwanted noise. The Bass Processor addi­tionally adds power to the bottom end. The innovative Surround Processor enables extra depth and width for
stereo signals. As a special feature the TUBE ULTRAFEX comes with the new ULTRA-TUBE technology
(UTC) that adds warmth and translucency to your music.

In the TUBE ULTRAFEX two selected 12AX7/ECC83 vacuum tubes are used. These triodes are capable of
handling a large dynamic range with little microphony. In addition to that 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.

Failsafe relays have been incorporated into the design of the BEHRINGER TUBE ULTRAFEX, which automati­cally and silently bypass the unit in the event of power supply disconnection or failure. These relays are also
active at switch-on to isolate the TUBE ULTRAFEX until the power rails have settled, thus preventing the
possibility of a potentially damaging switch-on thump.

1.2 Before You begin

Your BEHRINGER TUBE ULTRAFEX 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.

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1. INTRODUCTION

TUBE ULTRAFEX T1954

+ 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 ULTRAFEX fits into two standard 19" rack units of space. 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 ULTRAFEX
on high temperature devices such as power amplifiers etc. to avoid overheating.

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

voltage matches the voltage required by the unit!

The mains connection of the TUBE ULTRAFEX is made by using a mains cable and a standard IEC receptacle.
It meets all of the international safety certification requirements. Please make sure that all units have a proper
ground connection.

+ Please ensure that only qualified persons install and operate the TUBE ULTRAFEX. During

installation and operation the user must have sufficient electrical contact to earth. Electro­static charges might affect the operation of the TUBE ULTRAFEX!

Additional information you will find in Chapter 5 INSTALLATION.

As a standard the audio inputs and outputs on the TUBE ULTRAFEX 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

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TUBE ULTRAFEX T1954

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