LunaticFringe
New member
Can somebody clarify what this is for me? I would think it would be one volume control that turns everything up but the way it gets mentioned around here I'm sure it means more.
Master Volume
- Thread starter LunaticFringe
- Start date
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Master Volume
Generally, you turn the preamp volume way up to generate distortion in the preamp and then turn the master volume down so you get that distortion at reasonable overall volume. Generally, the master volume control would be located in the guitar circuit after the preamp and before the power amp: between the preamp and power amp stages of a guitar amplifier.
Lew
Generally, you turn the preamp volume way up to generate distortion in the preamp and then turn the master volume down so you get that distortion at reasonable overall volume. Generally, the master volume control would be located in the guitar circuit after the preamp and before the power amp: between the preamp and power amp stages of a guitar amplifier.
Lew
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Master Volume
I am not the athority here but in short Mater Volume is your final output - Power tube, the pre-amp is really the volume of the pre-amp, in a non-master volume amp the volume is the signal's level into the pre-amp so if you want gain, you really have to crank it up, hence different tone, no possibility of playing in the bedroom, and as some believe a responsiveness that can be repeated on a Master volume amp.
I am not the athority here but in short Mater Volume is your final output - Power tube, the pre-amp is really the volume of the pre-amp, in a non-master volume amp the volume is the signal's level into the pre-amp so if you want gain, you really have to crank it up, hence different tone, no possibility of playing in the bedroom, and as some believe a responsiveness that can be repeated on a Master volume amp.
LunaticFringe
New member
Re: Master Volume
So, my amp doesn't have any volume controls labelled master, like I've seen on other amps. But it does have a gain control that allows me to set the amount of overdrive and a volume which lets me set the headroom. Same thing?
So, my amp doesn't have any volume controls labelled master, like I've seen on other amps. But it does have a gain control that allows me to set the amount of overdrive and a volume which lets me set the headroom. Same thing?
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Master Volume
Probably...especially if is a tube guitar amp.
I have very little recent experience with solid state guitar amps.
Probably...especially if is a tube guitar amp.
I have very little recent experience with solid state guitar amps.
Last edited:
Fresh_Start
New member
Re: Master Volume
FWIW there are a couple types of master volumes. Most Marshalls (and other amps?) have the master volume just before the phase inverter.
However, some amps like a Matchless Lightning have a post-phase inverter master volume (PPIMV). I think the idea is to catch whatever distortion is present in the phase inverter before reducing the signal to the power tubes, but would be interested if any players have opinions about different master volume types.
Chip
FWIW there are a couple types of master volumes. Most Marshalls (and other amps?) have the master volume just before the phase inverter.
However, some amps like a Matchless Lightning have a post-phase inverter master volume (PPIMV). I think the idea is to catch whatever distortion is present in the phase inverter before reducing the signal to the power tubes, but would be interested if any players have opinions about different master volume types.
Chip
LunaticFringe
New member
Re: Master Volume
What is the phase inverter anyways? I think the V3 preamp tube in my amp is for the phase inverter but I don't know what it means.
What is the phase inverter anyways? I think the V3 preamp tube in my amp is for the phase inverter but I don't know what it means.
rashayritto
Off-Topic Lurker
Re: Master Volume
you can do some quick research on the internet. wikipedia is surprisingly useful with stuff like this
you can do some quick research on the internet. wikipedia is surprisingly useful with stuff like this
Fresh_Start
New member
Re: Master Volume
Take a look at Aiken Amps glossary: http://www.aikenamps.com/AmpTerms.html
Another way to look at it is that the phase inverter takes the output from the preamp stages and creates two copies that are mirror images of each other in terms of voltage. They aren't necessarily perfect copies of the preamp output, or of each other, but that's mojo!
Chip
Take a look at Aiken Amps glossary: http://www.aikenamps.com/AmpTerms.html
Another way to look at it is that the phase inverter takes the output from the preamp stages and creates two copies that are mirror images of each other in terms of voltage. They aren't necessarily perfect copies of the preamp output, or of each other, but that's mojo!
Chip
MattPete
New member
Re: Master Volume
This has a nice click-able block diagram with explanations for what each part of the amp does.
http://marshall.redpt.com/clay/marshall_circuits_101.html
Most master volumes occur after the tone stack and before the phase inverter (not shown on that diagram). You can think of them as a simple potentiometer that limits the amount of signal going to the phase inverter.
Some other amps use a post-phase inverter master volume (PPIMV). Some people think that these sound better, as they also let the phase inverter distort.
One thing to keep in mind, is that the amp is always running flat-out. The volume controls (preamp, master, gain, etc.) don't limit the power, but limit the signal going from one stage to the next. If you click on either of the V1(a or b) gains in the block diagram, you can see the preamp volume pot that controls the amount of signal flowing to the next stage.
In either case, with the MV turned down, there will not be enough signal to distort the power amp. That's the price you pay (if that matters to you) for being able to control the overall volume.
This has a nice click-able block diagram with explanations for what each part of the amp does.
http://marshall.redpt.com/clay/marshall_circuits_101.html
Most master volumes occur after the tone stack and before the phase inverter (not shown on that diagram). You can think of them as a simple potentiometer that limits the amount of signal going to the phase inverter.
Some other amps use a post-phase inverter master volume (PPIMV). Some people think that these sound better, as they also let the phase inverter distort.
One thing to keep in mind, is that the amp is always running flat-out. The volume controls (preamp, master, gain, etc.) don't limit the power, but limit the signal going from one stage to the next. If you click on either of the V1(a or b) gains in the block diagram, you can see the preamp volume pot that controls the amount of signal flowing to the next stage.
In either case, with the MV turned down, there will not be enough signal to distort the power amp. That's the price you pay (if that matters to you) for being able to control the overall volume.
LunaticFringe
New member
Re: Master Volume
Cool, that makes it alot easier to understand.
Cool, that makes it alot easier to understand.
