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Topic: Amplifier Tone |
Delbert Barker Sr
From:
Franklin, Ohio, USA
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Posted 30 Aug 2002 4:20 am |
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| I have read the comments on tone problems and one of the problems that I have found is that all places, except studios don't have the same constant voltage. Voltage drops affect the tansistors and they do not perform at their peak and this affects volume and tone. |
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Roger Andrusky
From:
Waterford, PA, USA
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Posted 30 Aug 2002 8:16 am
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This one puzzles me. Any power amp will have the DC voltages inside well below any point where they may deregulate due to line fluctuations. It would take at least a 20% drop in AC line voltage at 120VAC to pull the DC voltages out of regulation if the power transistors are operating at 50VDC rail to rail.
How did you come to find out that the line voltage was fluctuating from place to place and what were the variations? Just curious.
-Roger |
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Steve Feldman
From:
Central MA USA
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Posted 30 Aug 2002 1:33 pm
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| I've had to check into this kind of thing to troubleshoot problems with analytical (lab)instruments, etc. You can get hold of this thing called a 'Dranitz Meter' that plugs into the wall and monitors voltage in real time. You just leave it there for a week or so and it records fluctuations. You can set it to flag critical highs or lows, and you can print out results over time. It does the trick... |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 30 Aug 2002 1:59 pm
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I have a Tripp Light Line Stabilizer / Conditioner that I use for that reason. I used to not only play steel, but also keyboards in a band that played outside a lot. Before I got it, when the band would play a "power" chord, the power would drop low enough to re-boot my synthesizers (of course when they finished booting up, they seldom had the same program/sound that I was using when they went down - bummer). My amps would also start breaking up. This unit would keep the line voltage coming to my stuff fairly stable and I had no more problems. It also helps in clubs.
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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Posted 30 Aug 2002 2:07 pm
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You guys must have better ears than me!  Interesting idea, though.
I'm moving this topic to the 'Electronics' section of the Forum.
------------------
 Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6) |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 31 Aug 2002 12:26 am
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| The only degradation I've noticed when there is a (low) voltage problem is a loss in volume, and a little distortion. |
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Johan Jansen
From:
Europe
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Posted 31 Aug 2002 3:42 am
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Would it be an idea to put a UPS between the powerstrip and the powerchord?
I know a lot of studio's work this way, I never seen this on a bandstand.
Could probably save a lot of work in programming, blown speakers etc.
JJ www.steeljj.com |
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Duane Dunard
From:
Troy, MO. U.S.A.
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Posted 31 Aug 2002 3:55 am
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| It's been one of my sore spots over the years, that when I worked a wedding dance or anaversary dance in certain local VFW halls, about half-way through the night, when they turned off the food cater's preasure cookers, coffee pots, etc, our amps suddenly got stronger and better sounding. This would be noticed more in the summer months when the air-conditioning units were also running hard. |
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Matt Steindl
From:
New Orleans, LA, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2002 3:12 pm
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Stop colmplaining! Just be glad you arent playing a Hammond B3, when tonewheel organs get a screwy power supply, they fall way out of tune. Most hotshot organist get kinda freaky when they are playing a show outside w/ a sketchy generator.
Why do all the cool old idiosyncratic insruments come w/ so much bagage?
PSG- Cabinet drop
Rhodes/Wurlitzer- tuning issues
B3-see above post
Mellotron-dont even ask!
I guess you gotta pay to play!
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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 1 Sep 2002 9:56 am
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| I have an Evans 500FET that if it doesn't get enough power, it goes on strike. This has caused some awkward moments like it sounds great during the sound check and when we all start playing we discover that the entire system is plugged into a 15 or 20 watt line. Outside with generator power is also a 'red flag'. |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Sep 2002 2:09 pm
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| Years ago I was working a club in Pueblo, CO, and the Stage Lights were in the same circuit as the Stage Electrical Outlets. Every time the lights were dimmed, the amps. lost power and began to distort! After that I always carried a Voltage Compensator (I think it was called) or Regulator. When you set up you plug it into the wall socket and the meter tells you the voltage. Then you turn the dial until it points to 117 volts, andthen plug into it's outlet and go! However; it did not change setting when the voltage did! If the voltage went down, then you ad to turn the dial to bring it back to 117 volts. So that only solved a temporary problem! John |
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