Fryette Valvulator I Owner's Manual

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VALVULATOR I

TM

Vacuum Tube Buffer + Power Supply

Owners Manual

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for choosing the FRYETTE
Valvulator I Vacuum Tube Buffer + Power Supply.

As a player, you are constantly searching for new sounds and
new ways to improve your existing setup. We understand the
constantly evolving nature of artistic creativity and the search
for the perfect sound to complement your musical vision. We
know that the difference between a good sound and a great
sound is often just a matter of the subtle tweak of a tone knob
or changing the position of a microphone.

The Valvulator I is a must-have accessory that combines two
useful and powerful features, a Vacuum Tube Buffer/Line
Driver, and a Multiple Output Regulated DC Power Supply, in
a single, convenient, AC powered unit. The Valvulator I is a
ruggedly built, compact pedalboard and professional/home
studio tool that operates on standard AC wall current. No Wall
Warts!

Fryette products are renown for outstand ing performance and
are designed and built to last a lifetime. Generally, the
Valvulator I will require very little maintenance. It uses a
standard 12AX7 preamp tube in the audio circuit and this will
last typically 1 to 3 years depending on the number of hours of
continuous operation. Should you decide to replace the tube,
we recommend that you refer this service to qualified service
personnel. However if you have electronic repair experience
and wish to replace the tube yourself, please observe all
necessary precautions and remove the power cord before
opening the unit. A Sovtek 12AX7WB is the factory installed
tube and is selected for its superior performance, low noise,
and low microphonic sensitivity. Since the performance of this
device is dependent upon the quality of the tube, the warran ty
is only valid if the factory recommended tube is used.

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How it works

Most players are aware of the noticeable and often aggravating
loss of signal level, change of tone and/or loss of high
frequency response when an effects device is inserted between
the guitar and amplifier. These losses can diminish the sound
quality, character, and sustain of your guitar. This also causes
premature signal decay, making feedback notes difficult to
obtain and control.

Most modern guitar amplifiers provide an effects loop to
eliminate these problems. This type of loop usually inserts the
effect between the preamp and power amp stages in the
amplifier. This is great for Delays, Reverbs and Multi-effects
Processors that operate well with the high signal level present
in this part of the amplifier circuit. Unfortunately, this is not
the ideal setup for most distortion devices, wah pedals and
other low level, battery-operated effects. Typical fixes for
these devices usually involve modifying the pedal, such as
installing “true bypass” switches, solid state “op amp” buffers
or utilizing “hard wire” loop switchers in the effects chain.
These modifications are usually only marginally effective and
often create as many problems as they solve, especially with
vintage pedals. Often the problem of diminished or altered
guitar tone remains since the guitar signal is not always
entirely isolated from the effect input circuitry.

The Valvulator I provides a sonically transparent input stage
that isolates the high impedance guitar pick-up signal from the
stomp box’s input circuitry. To accomplish this the cable from
the guitar is plugged directly to the V-1 input jack. This clean,
dynamic signal is then converted to a low impedance signal
source, which is impervious to the loading effect of multiple
stomp boxes, multiple amplifiers or poorly designed “buffer
mods” on pedals. The resulting improved signal quality gives
wah pedals more wah range, overdrive pedals more sizzle and
punch, and phasers more intensity.

Other signal sources such as bass, keyboards and even
microphones can be used with the V-1 to improve tone, reduce
noise and enhance professional/home recordings.

Specifications

The Buffer/Line Driver section of the Valvulator I features a
1 megohm input, 600 ohm output, unity gain vacuum tube
design. This ultra low noise device utilizes precision 1% metal
film resistors and top quality Wima coupling capacitors. The
selected low noise 12AX7A tube operates at voltages
normally found in the best guitar amplifiers, and incorporates
a regulated DC tube filament supply to eliminate hum
typically caused by supply noise and filament leakage.

The Power Supply features one 12VDC output and three
9VDC outputs. Each 9VDC output is fed from a well-filtered,
individually isolated regulator circuit, capable of operating
typically two effects devices on each output. In addition, each
regulator is overload and short circuit protected. The custom
power transformer is ruggedly built to withstand years of road
abuse. It features a low noise design that allows for installation
in tight quarters and close proximity to other devices with
minimum hum and noise.

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