Tube Amplifiers

Parts and processes that create sound

Garrett Day & Jake Siegel Eng 202C Audience and Scope

The purpose of this technical document is to inform musicians, store owners, manufacturers, or anyone interested in sound amplification about tube amplifiers. Fundamental vacuum tubes have been around since the early 1900s and tube amplifiers have been used for audio amplification since the 1950s. Since then, tube technology has also been used in satellite transponders, military radar, and high power television transmitters. This document will explore the components of a tube amplifier from the basic principles of electricity to individual parts that combine to create tones that are unique to vacuum tube amplifiers.

The Vacuum Tube Manipulator of Electricity

Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that are the backbone of electricity. Typically, electrons are not simply floating around space, but when electrons are within a vacuum (a space where air and matter do not exist) they can be controlled using a sufficient positive charge.
Figure 1 - Back of a Tube Amplifier (Source guitarhow.com)

How Do Vacuum Tubes Work?

The vacuum tube is made of four basic components. The Envelope A sturdy glass casing that houses the plate, cathode, and grid The Plate Also called the anode, this component carries a strong positive charge and attracts electrons from the cathode. The Cathode Also called the filament, this component carries a weak positive charge, creating a steady flow of electrons to the plate. The Grid This component is placed between the plate and cathode and it connects an outside signal to the flow of electrons

Figure 2 Vacuum Tube (Source johnclarkemills.com)

The presence of the cathode, plate, and grid define the tube as a triode tube.

Preamp Tubes and Power Tubes The preamp tube receives the signal from
the guitars pickups and amplifies the signal so it can drive the power tubes.

The power tubes thus amplify the preamp

tubes.

Electrons flow through the power tubes

plates at high voltages but low current.

When the amplifier is on, the cathode is heated and is ready to release electrons to the anode.

Figure 3 - Vacuum Tubes When On and Heating(Source- flickr.com)

Modifying Voltages
An important process that occurs in tube amps is the conversion of 120 volt AC voltage (alternating current) from a wall outlet to 250 volt AC voltage, to DC (direct current) and finally the smoothing of the DC wave to create a stable current. This process uses the transformer, rectifier, and capacitors, and is pictured in figure 4.

1. The Transformer 120V AC 250V Converts 120V power from the wall to 250V power appropriate for the
amp and sends converted voltage to a rectifier tube

Supplies 6.3V AC to heating elements in the vacuum tubes 2. The Rectifier 250V AC Initial Direct Current Converts 250V power to a direct current ripple 3.

Capacitors Initial Direct Current Smooth DC Wave

Convert direct current ripple to a smoother, more stable wave

Figure 4 - Voltage Conversions (Source premierguitar.com)

The Output Transformer

After the three-step voltage conversion occurs, the output transformer becomes the main component. Like the transformer above, the output transformer converts signals and directs processes. The output transformer converts the electron flow from the power tube to a low voltage signal with a high current that drives the speaker It matches the load of the speaker to the output from the tube circuit. Output transformers are measured in ohms on the tube side, and watts on the speaker side. The speakers need to be able to handle the amount of watts that the output transformer delivers.

Positive and Negative Outcomes of Tube Amp Usage

When it comes down to deciding between a tube amplifier and a solid state (non-tube) amplifier there are many factors that will influence the decision. Cost, maintenance, transportability, and sound quality are a few. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. Table 1 shows the advantages and disadvantages of choosing tube or solid state technology.

Tube Amplifiers
More expensive Require more maintenance Very heavy and fragile Unparalleled output and tone High power consumption Increased risk of electric shock

Solid State Amplifiers

Less expensive Relatively maintenance-free Durable and easy to transport Built-in Effects More energy efficient Low risk

Table 1 Tube vs. Solid State

How to Control the Amplifier

Turning on a tube amplifier This is a two-step process that is controlled by two different switches. First, the on/off switch is turned to the proper position and the second switch is turned to the standby position. Standby mode puts the amplifier on idle. While idling, a filament in the tube begins heating to warm up the tubes and get the amp working correctly. Amplifiers should stay in standby for about two minutes to allow this heating to occur; the standby switch is then changed from standby to on. Controlling Output A heavily used section of the amplifier is the dials and buttons that are used for controlling the output. These controls can include volume, treble, and bass. The treble and bass knobs control tone. These act as a mixer between high and low frequencies. When turned to a high setting, a great deal of gain is available. Gain is the level of input volume being sent to the preamp stage. There are also some additional controls that specific tube amps can possess. Two of the most common are presence and reverb. A presence control boosts the upper frequencies above normal treble control range. Reverb makes the sound persist after the original sound is produced, similar to an echo. The settings are usually numbered 0 through 10, but these are not measurements of how much power is being used. That is, for a 50-watt amplifier, a setting of 5 out of 10 is not 25 watts.

Conclusion
There are several components and processes involved in tube technology, but it all begins with the vacuum tube. The ability for the plate, cathode, and grid to control electrons within the envelope is the basis for amplification. As electrons are released from the cathode to the anode, the preamp tubes amplify the signal from the guitar using this flood of electrons. From here, the transformer, rectifier, and capacitors translate voltage from a wall outlet, to a smooth direct current. The output transformer uses this current to drive the speaker, resulting in the sound we here. Many of the best known guitar players, especially from the 1960s, predominantly used tube amplifiers, and still use them today. The most well known companies that produce iconic tube amplifiers include Marshall, Fender, Vox, and Orange.

Works Cited
"Choosing a Guitar Amp." GuitarHow. N.p., 2011. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://www.guitarhow.com/15_guitarhow_choosing_an_amplifier.html>. Formosa, Dan. "How Tube Amps Work." Premier Guitar. N.p., 15 July 2013. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/17116-how-tube-amps-work?page=1>. Mills, John C. "What's The Deal With These Vacuum Tubes Anyway?." John Clarke Mills. N.p., 13 May 2008. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://www.johnclarkemills.com/2008/05/13/whats-the-deal-with-these-vacuum-tubesanyway/>.