Behringer T1953 manual

TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 Version 1.2 December 2002 Users Manual ENGLISH[...]

2 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to important operating and mainte- nance instructions in the accompanying literature. Read the manual. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS C A U T I O N : To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside; refer servicing to qualified person[...]

3 TUBE UL TRAGAIN 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[...]

4 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 T1953 TUBEULTRAGAIN Tube Microphone/Line Preamplifier 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[...]

5 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 T ABLE OF CONTENTS 1 . INTRODUCTION . . ................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 The concept ............................................................................................................................... ..... 6 1. 2 Before you [...]

6 TUBE UL TRAGAIN 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 techno[...]

7 TUBE UL TRAGAIN 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[...]

8 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 Fig. 1.2: Control elements on the front panel 1 Use the MIC/LINE switch to toggle between MIC and LINE modes. When the switch in up position, the unit works in MIC mode (now you can activate the +48 V switch if required; in LINE mode this function is disabled). The newly developed UTC circuitry is active in both modes. + Ple[...]

9 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 Fig. 1.3: T ube section of the TUBEUL TRAGAIN 8 Use the LEVEL control to set the signal gain at the input of the tube stage. The gain can be set from -20 to +20dB, i.e. the signal can be attenuated or amplified by 20dB. When the control is at its center position, the level is unaltered. This control is active in bot[...]

10 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 14 SERIAL NUMBER . Please complete and return the warranty card within 14 days of the date of purchase. Otherwise, you will lose your right to the extended warranty. Alternatively, you can register online at our website under www.behringer.com. 15 FUSE HOLDER / VOLTAGE SELECTION . Before connecting the T1953, confirm that t[...]

11 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 The LEVEL control The LEVEL control sets the signal gain at the input of the tube stage. Use this control to adapt the TUBE ULTRAGAIN to either home recording level (-10dBV) or professional level (+4dBu). When this level is too low the tube effect becomes less audible and the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates. To obt[...]

12 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 3. 2 The TUBEULTRAGAIN as a level converter Semi-professional devices in hi-fi and home recording environments are usually operated with a nominal level of -10dBV (0.316 V), while the level used in studios is 0dBu (0.775 V) or +4dBu (1.23 V). So, when you connect devices of both types to each other, you should d[...]

13 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Threshold Of Audibility Falling Leaves Recording Studio Quiet Apartment Normal Conversation "Loud" Office Power Drill Threshold Of Pain Jet Engine Machinery Hall Sound-Pressure Level (dB SPL) Fig. 4.1: Dynamic range of human hearing The range of sound pressure levels or the dynamic ra[...]

14 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 without components. Even if special low-noise components are used, a certain degree of basic noise cannot be avoided. This effect is similar when replaying a tape. The non-directional magnetic particles passing the replay head can also cause uncontrolled currents and voltages. The resulting sound of the various frequencies [...]

15 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 Fig. 4.3: The interactive relationship between operating level and headroom The need therefore arises for a fast acting automatic gain control system which will constantly monitor the signals and which will always adjust the gain to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio without incurring signal distortion. This device is calle[...]

16 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 With the introduction of semiconductor technologies in the field of audio amplification it soon became clear that the tube would have to gi ve way to the transistor, as this device featured an enormously enhanced signal- to-noise ratio, less complex power supply and improved frequency response. Plus, semiconductor-based cir[...]

17 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 Fig. 4.6: Pentode In a triode the capacitance between grid and anode is a problem with regard to high frequencies and large amplification factors. For this reason, the pentode has a positively charged screen grid between the control grid and the anode. However, the positive charge of the screen grid attracts electrons emitt[...]

18 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 4. 6 The best of both worlds Despite many efforts neither manufacturers nor developers have succeeded so far in simulating these positive properties of the tube by means of other devices. Additionally, the natural capabilities of the tube to act as a soft limiter can only be mimicked with highly sophisticated circuitry. Tod[...]

19 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 Video T ape Compact Disc Analog Records FM Radio Digital T ape (16 Bit) Analog T ape dB 100 75 50 25 Analog Mixing Console Fig. 4.8: Dynamic range of various media 4. 9 Phantom power Condenser microphones need a specific supply voltage polarizing the condenser diaphragm. This voltage can be furnished from an internal batter[...]

20 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 To eliminate this risk, the BEHRINGER TUBEULTRAGAIN automatically disables the unbalanced jack in MIC mode. Microphones can thus only be connected to the XLR connector. Never switch on the +48 V supply when you use unbalanced microphones, as this could cause electrical damage. Some people hold that the sound of dynamic m[...]

21 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 5. 3 Audio connections As standard, the BEHRINGER TUBEULTRAGAIN is installed with electronically servo-balanced inputs and outputs. This 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 et[...]

22 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 6. SPECIFICATIONS Microphone inputs Connections X L R Type transformerless, DC-decoupled input Impedance 3 kOh m bal anced Max. input level +10dBu bal anced and unbalanced CMRR typical 40dB, >55dB @ 1 kHz Line inputs Connections XLR and 1/4" TRS Type transformerless, DC-decoupled input stage Impedance 50 kO[...]

23 TUBE UL TRAGAIN T1953 7 . WARRANTY The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording of any kind, for any purpose, without the express written permission of BEHRINGER S pe[...]