Achieving Power Tube Saturation

[JLagoon]

I will have the chance to crank up my power amp in the rehearsal studio today, so I want to make sure my understanding in getting power tube saturation after researching this topic.

Less preamp volume + high power amp volume = power tube saturation

Right?

So, in my case, I would turn down the input knob of my delay unit (the last unit on the chain) and turn up the level knob on my power amp, right?

FYI, my power amp is VHT2502 (50 watts), does anyone know (maybe a guess) how high I will need to crank up the level knob?

Thanks!!!

 

[Pierre]

Re: Achieving Power Tube Saturation

In doubt, put it to 11

Well in all sincerity, I don't think you NEED to bring the preamp volume/gain down. You only need to do so if you want to achieve the same level of gain as in lesser volumes, since you'd get an increase in it from the power tube distortion.
As far as when they'd start ODing, I'd say maybe around 8.5, most likely 9.5 out of 10.

 

[Marcel]

Re: Achieving Power Tube Saturation

Poweramp saturation starts as high volumes... At least you have to put the volume over 5 maybe more 8-9!

I think the VHT is modern sound and gonna have much clean headroom, which tubes is it using?

No it doesn't help to drop the volume before the poweramp... it's like a second master volume...

The distortion comes with the volume... to get them at low volume is a hot plate...

 

[JLagoon]

Re: Achieving Power Tube Saturation

The power amp has JJ EL34L power tubes in it.

Here's a quote by jem7vwh93 from daveweiner.com forum:

"If you don't have the equipment the best way to experience this is to go to a Guitar Center and grab a Hot Rod Deluxe. Take it in their sound room. Set it to the clean channel with the preamp volume off. Turn the master volume all the way up, and play. Turn up the preamp volume until you hear the amp break up. That is power amp distortion.
Cran the master all the way down, and switch to the hot channels. Crank the preamp volume all the way and start to turn up the master. This is preamp distortion."

Can I regard the input knob on my delay unit as the preamp volume on the HRD?

 

[Marcel]

Re: Achieving Power Tube Saturation

Set your sound clean and then crank that ****in volume knob off your poweramp until you hear the break up

and use good ear plugs man!!!

 

[shredaholic]

Re: Achieving Power Tube Saturation

Less preamp volume + high power amp volume = power tube saturation

Right?

Not quite,

In effect it's:

More preamp volume + high power amp volume = power tube saturation


the stronger the preamp signal, the more the power amp is pushed into saturation

 

[JLagoon]

Re: Achieving Power Tube Saturation

Thanks for all the replies!!!! :fing2:

 

[some_dude]

Re: Achieving Power Tube Saturation

Turn the master volume to 10 and the preamp gain to zero.

Now slowly turn up the the preamp gain.....when you hear your amp start to overdrive in a way you don't normally hear, that's the power tubes.

Then play something by AC/DC.

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: Achieving Power Tube Saturation

I will have the chance to crank up my power amp in the rehearsal studio today, so I want to make sure my understanding in getting power tube saturation after researching this topic.

Less preamp volume + high power amp volume = power tube saturation

Right?

So, in my case, I would turn down the input knob of my delay unit (the last unit on the chain) and turn up the level knob on my power amp, right?

FYI, my power amp is VHT2502 (50 watts), does anyone know (maybe a guess) how high I will need to crank up the level knob?

Thanks!!!

You can probebly get power tubes that are rated for less headroom then "standard" tubes. basicly if you go to Doug @ www.dougstubes.com and ask him for a quad of power tubes (EL34s) graded at #2 or #3, they'll break up faster.

Maybe give those a try?


Good luck!

 

[James Rock]

Re: Achieving Power Tube Saturation

Less preamp volume + high power amp volume = power tube saturation

That would give u a higher noise to volume ratio (noisier) but means u will get less preamp distortion compared to power amp (especially if u have a BOOST in the loop)