Posts Tagged ‘bias problems’
Friday, June 3rd, 2011
Pics from Glory Days music in Joplin, MO USA. A reporter at CNN saw the orange tolex and took the pics.
We sincerely hope that the company can recover from this, our thoughts and best wishes go out to all.
Checkout the cymbal sliced into the door frame
Tags: amp, bias problems, Custom, EL34 Valve, guitar, Guitar amp repair scotand, KBO Dynamics, Laney, Marshall, music shop, Output transformer, Pacemaker 100, Tornado, Tube Amp Doctor, TubeSync, USA, valve failure modes, valves
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Thursday, April 21st, 2011
Orange Amps presents DIVO with TubeSync technology. DIVO helps increase the life of your tubes, protects against unexpected tube failure, and even allows for (4) different tube types to be installed in the same amp.
DIVO will come pre-installed on select Orange Rockerverb 100 MKII heads beginning Summer 2011. The OV4 stand-alone unit, also available in 2011, can be installed on almost any amp that has (4) power tube slots.
Tags: 6v6, amp, Amp Fix, Bias Engine, bias problems, biasing, Dark Terror, Dennis Marshall, DIVO, Doug doppler, EL34 Valve, guitar, guitar amp repair, Guitarist Magazine, Hiwatt at Musikmesse, John Beer, KBO Dynamics, Marshall, Musikmesse, Orange Amps, Orange DIVO, Output transformer, Rock, Rockerverb 100 Head, Scotand, Summer NAMM, UK, valve matching, valves
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Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
Doug Doppler Demos Orange Amps Rockerverb 100 with DIVO Musikmesse 2011
 Orange Amps Rockerverb 100 with DIVO Musikmesse 2011 / Doug Doppler
Tags: 2011, amp, bias problems, DIVO, doppler, doug, Doug doppler, EL34 Valve, Frank, Frankfurt, KBO Dynamics, Marshall, Musikmesse, Musikmesse 2010, orange, Orange DIVO, Rockerverb 100 Head, Rockerverb 100 MKII, Rockerverb 50 Head, Technology, Tubes, TubeSync, TubeSync Bias Engine
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Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
A common requirement for tube amplifiers used for professional and stage purposes is that there should be a high percentage of confidence that one or more tubes will not fail during the performance. Tubes are often thought of in the same manner as light bulbs, in that they are most likely to fail catastrophically at switch on. This means that the moments just after the switch on point constitute the most stressful and potentially damaging periods in the life of the equipment.
In an attempt to guard against this possibility, it is common practice to do one of two things on a regular basis.
1/ regularly remove the tubes and have them commercially tested;
2/ replace the tubes with new stock on a regular basis.
These two methods may give the operator a degree of confidence but in fact, it can be shown that the faith placed in both methods is misplaced.
It is a known fact that removal of a tube from its socket results in a number of potentially damaging mechanical stresses on the metal to glass seals around the pins. Each insertion of an all glass tube will cause micro-cracking of the glass around the pin. This will invariably cause a small leakage of air into the valve, causing ‘gassing’ and eventually leading to its demise.
Removal for testing will also break the intimate contact between the holder and the tube contact pin, resulting in a poorer contact on re-insertion.
Many tube testers apply unreasonable electrical stresses to the tube internal electrodes and it is not uncommon for a known good valve to be damaged during the test. Tube testers can also give erroneous results depending on the way they perform the tests, possibly allowing faulty tubes to show ‘good’ and the good valves to be rejected as ‘bad’.
The second method of ‘blanket replacement’ with new stock on a regular basis can also lead to problems because if the failure distribution curve for tubes is analysed, it can be seen to follow the classic ‘bathtub’ failure curve. This inevitably means that an amplifier which is regularly ‘re-tubes’ will inevitably be considerably more likely to fail during the first hundred hours service than one which has been left untouched.
TubeSync overcomes these problems by performing an ‘in circuit’ test on the tubes every time the amplifier is powered up. The mutual conductance (gm) of the tube is measured by monitoring the cathode current of each valve whilst adjusting the grid bias in fixed steps. The results are tabulated and the new value is compared with previously stored values. A decision is then made on how far the tube has decayed in emission since the last test. Outputs from the device inform the user of the predicted remaining life of the tube.
Tags: 2011, 6v6, amp, anode, Ashdown, bass, bias, bias problems, biasing, current, Frankfurt, Hiwatt at Musikmesse, Hiwatt custom amp, KBO Dynamics, Musikmesse, NAMM 2011, orange, Output transformer, technician, Technology, Tube Amp Doctor, Tubes, TubeSync, TubeSync Bias Engine, valves
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
For over 30 years, Geoff Pugh has been providing the musicians’ community with vital repair services. We repair, modify and produce high quality valve amplifiers. Our services extend beyond that of just valve amplifiers and therefore we are highly skilled in repairing and modifying other products such as effects pedals, solid state amplifiers, hi-fi amplifiers, etc.
Aston Electronics is the home of Volt Amplifiers. Volt Amplifiers are a range of high quality hand made amps built on demand. Specific features and requirements can be provide you with the ultimate amp of your choice.
Aston Electronics is also the home of the Darktone pedal series. These high quality hand made pedals provide you with a huge range in tone and depth which can be vital to a players live setup.
We are proud to annouce that Aston Electronis is now an approved installer of TubeSync.
To find out more visit : http://www.voltamps.co.uk
Tags: anode, Ashdown, Aston Electronics, Bias Engine V4, bias problems, birmingham, Frankfurt, guitar amp repair, Guitar amp repair scotand, guitar amp tech, guitar amplifier repair, guitar valve amp repair uk, Happy Mondays, hiwatt, Hiwatt custom amp, kent, Laney, Manchester, Mesa Boogie, middlands, north wales, Saun Rider, Sean Syder, Shaun Ryder, south wales, Steve ryder, surrey, technician, TubeSync Bias Engine, v4, valve matching, Volt Amps, wales, warranty
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Friday, September 10th, 2010
TubeSync technology
TubeSync streamlines with the amp’s circuitry to constantly test and monitor the amp without altering the fundamental amplification process, tone or sound. It eliminates the need for bias current matching, increases tube life by micro-adjusting the bias on each tube, predicts tube failure and can, in the event of tube failure, even run the amp at half power, preventing catastrophic amp damage.
The result is an amp unhampered by many of the problems associated with conventional tube amplification allowing musicians to enjoy classic tube sound quality without the frustrations.
These are just some of TubeSync’s unique features:
- Eliminates the need for bias current matching of output tubes
- Micro-adjusts the bias on each tube to ensure its full potential is realised
- Assures reliability
- Maintains optimum performance
- Increases tube life
- Reduces quiescent power consumption
- Sets tubes at their optimum temperature as soon as you power up
- Detects tube failure and prevents catastrophic damage to amp
- Switches out faulty tubes and runs amps at half power until tube can be changed
A new industry standard
TubeSync technology has now been incorporated in new amp designs from some of the world’s most prominent amp manufacturers. Hiwatt, famed for their legendary reliability, was one of the first OEMs to recognise the potential of TubeSync for further enhancing the reliability and performance of their amps. KBO Dynamics continues to work with the industry’s biggest names to raise the bar in tube performance and reliability, creating a new industry standard in amp design and manufacture.
Introducing the Bias Engine
The Bias Engine is the hardware that encapsulates TubeSync’s unique technology. Fitting the Bias Engine is a straightforward procedure, with all necessary components supplied within the retrofit kit. It is stipulated that the Bias Engine is fitted by an accredited technician.
 The Bias Engine is sold as a part of the TubeSync Professional Amp Upgrade Kit containing:
TubeSync Bias Engine Hardware
TubeSync hardware is wired straight into the amp’s circuitry. The Bias Engine is a very compact component that can be incorporated in both point-to-point and PCB wired amps.
Tube fault LED indicator harness and amp chassis LED plate
The Bias Engine is wired to 4 LED indicators that permanently illuminate when the tube is faulty and ‘flash’ when the tube needs to be replaced. The LEDs sit on the amp chassis, surrounded by the LED plate.
Wiring harness and mechanical fixings
The wiring harness, bundling all necessary wires and connectors, completes the kit along with a full set of mechanical fixings for securing the Bias Engine.
TubeSync Bias Runner software
Improving amplifier biasing methods, servicing and fault diagnostics
Interfacing with Bias Engine hardware, our Bias Runner software has been designed to allow OEMs and professional amp technicians to interrogate the status of an amplifier, alter bias settings, perform field diagnostics and configure the amp for best performance, further adding value to your services.
Bias Runner is easy to install, offering full fault diagnostics, enabling tube biasing with and without audio present, either collectively or as individual tubes. It is the perfect tool for warranty provision and servicing, providing a database of hardware serial numbers and storing amplifier parameter settings for full traceability.
Total service hours
Reads and displays the total number of hours the amplifier has been powered up. Optional reset facility available if required.
Total duration with audio
Reads and displays the total number of hours the amplifier has been driven with audio. Optional reset facility available if required.
Total hours idle
Reads and displays the total number of hours the amplifier has remained idle i.e. has not been driven with audio. Optional reset facility available if required.
Faulty tube log
Reads and displays the number of times a tube has been switched off due to a fault during the lifetime of the amplifier. A reset function is available for each individual tube.
Bias current (Audio present)
Enables the user to adjust tube current bias settings collectively or individually
Bias Current Idle (No Audio Present)
Enables the user to adjust tube current bias settings collectively or individually
Hardware and version status
Displays the serial number of the TubeSync module and the hardware version number
Serial number and settings database
Stores all serial numbers together with amplifier parameter settings in a database for full traceability
Our commitment to you
We work closely with all of our partners to promote high standards and to support you in realising the full benefits of our truly innovative and impactful core technology and associated products.
As a TubeSync retailer or accredited technician you will receive:
Guaranteed product quality
All of our products are manufactured to the highest quality standards using state of the art assembly equipment. All components are ROSH compliant and uniquely identified for full batch traceability
A comprehensive solution
A complete package of hardware and software supports ease of use and easy configuration
Technical support
Our approach is founded on product and service quality. We offer our retail partners generous technical support to ensure that you are fully equipped for promoting TubeSync technology and advising your customers appropriately.
As an authorised retailer you will appoint a technician(s) who will receive training from our own technical team and who will be required to become certified as an accredited TubeSync technician before performing installations.
Warranty
All components come with a 12 month warranty which commences from the date of installation. Full warranty terms are available on request.
Tags: amp, Amp tech, backliners, bias, bias problems, EL34, EL34 Valve, guitar, guitar amp repair, hiwatt, Hiwatt custom amp, KBO Dynamics, London, Marshall, Output transformer, technician, the plasa, Tubes, TubeSync, TubeSync Bias, UK, valve, valve amp repair, valves
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
With TubeSync fitted in your amp there is no need to match output tubes. Drop in any combination of makes OR EVEN TYPES!!! (EL34, KT77, KT88, 6L6 etc) and TubeSync will automatically sense and adjust the output bias of each tube independently to balance the amp. Imagine what new tones you can create from those limitless output tube combinations! You can even run a 2 X EL34s and 2 X 6L6s in your 100W head simultaneously, alternately you can use the half power mode and switch between 6L6s or EL34s at 50W output power, now that’s cool!
Read on to find out how you can get TubeSync fitted into your amp
TubeSync can only be installed by accredited engineers via ‘TubeSync Service Points’. To find the nearest TubeSync Service Point near you, please click on the image blow
Tags: 6l6, Amp repair, Amp tech, bias problems, EL34, guitar, guitar amp tech, Hiwatt custom amp, Marshall, orange, Scotland, Service Point, Sound, technician, TSL100, Tube Amp Doctor, tube amp service, valve amp, valve amp repair, warranty
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Thursday, July 1st, 2010
An interesting phenomenon that some ‘leaky’ tubes, removed from conventionally biased amps, appear to improve when run with TubeSync. The reason may be that when the tube gets hot, g1/cathode leak causes a current increase, but it is automatically biased ‘back’ to compensate, which allows the tube to cool down again and thus reduce leakage et al. After a while the leak sometimes reduces or disappears completely – we surmise that the getter gets a chance to mop up stray gas molecules or the metallic deposit gets ‘boiled off’ the mica supports. This type of fault in a conventional amp would normally blow the HT fuse, however TubeSync can avoid is and rectify the problem! Cool eh?
Tags: 100W, 50W, AD 200, amp, Base Head, bias, bias problems, current, Custom, DR103, EL34, fuse, gain, hi, Higain, hiwatt, Hiwatt at Musikmesse, HT, Huiwa, JC900, JCM800, JCM900, KT88, Laney, Marshall, orange, Output transformer, Pacemaker 100, Problem, PV5150, Rockerverb 50 Combo, Thunderverb, Thunderverb 200, tube failures, TubeSync Bias Engine, valve, valve failure modes
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Friday, June 11th, 2010
Bulldog Amplification builds handcrafted tube amps in Germany to meet the ever demanding needs of musicians in terms of tone and reliability. Years of experience in repairing and modifying tube amps has lead to an exclusive line of guitar amplifiers. These instruments are built to produce the best possible tone. Most of today’s amps offer many different sounds and functions, but the guitar signal has to pass through various paths of electronic circuitry until it reaches the speaker, consequently the tone is weakened. Tone and bullet proof reliability are the most important things for Bulldog Amplification and that’s why Bulldog is delighted to announce that TubeSync will become standard within their The Jack 66, Jack 18, Black Bert 1, and Den Lachs amplifier models.
The ‘’Jack 66’’
‘’The combination of TubeSync with short signal paths and other high quality components make our amplifiers world class and due to this, Bulldog Amplification is becoming a preferred choice by professional artists and serious guitar players’’.
The TubeSync ‘’Bias Engine’’
‘’ Robust, bomb proof reliability, with enhanced functionality and perfect tone is what we want’’ – says Ingo Bührmann from Bulldog Amplification. Ingo goes on to say…
‘’Cheap poorly designed products from China are fast becoming unacceptable to guitar players especially within Germany, where high quality engineering is embedded within our culture’’ You would buy a car if the drive was terrible and it broke down when you needed it the most, well would you? ‘’ I believe the same philosophy applies to guitar amplifiers, high performance and reliability is paramount’’.
Bulldog Amps are currently used by a number of high profile bands such as the massively popular German band Guano Apes and Livingston. Bulldog amps with TubeSync will soon be appearing on a stage near you!
 Guano Apes  Livingston
For more information on TubeSync email:
UK: info@tubesync.co.uk
Germany: info@bulldog-amps.com
Tags: amp, anode, backliners, bass, bias, Bias Engine, bias problems, Broken, Bulldog, Bulldog amplification, Bulldog amps, Duesenberg, Duesenberg Amp, EL34, Frankfurt, gain, German, Germany, Guano Apes, guitar, Göldo, Ingo Bührmann, Kluson, Livingston, Musikmesse, Musikmesse 2010, Roger Mayer, Sound, technician, tube, TubeSync, TubeSync Bias Engine, UK, valve matching
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Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Famed for their legendary reliability and tone, Hiwatt have gone one step further in the reliability stakes by employing TubeSync® technology in their already bulletproof amplifiers.
Over the last year, Hiwatt and Durham-based KBO Dynamics have developed their own version of a pioneering technology called TubeSync®, which Hiwatt will launch at Frankfurt Musikmesse 2010 in March. The technology has been developed in order to overcome problems associated with conventional tube amplification such as biasing, tube longevity and overall reliability. What the collaboration has achieved is to improve amplifier design without changing the fundamental amplification process yet retaining the classic Hiwatt tone and sound.
Although not an integral part of the amplification process, Tubesync® is connected to the heart of the amp’s circuitry, constantly testing and monitoring; it’s like having an amp technician working full time inside the box every time the amp is powered up. This technology eliminates the need for tube bias current matching, increases tube life by micro-adjusting the bias on each tube, predicts tube failure and can, in the event of a catastrophic tube failure, even run the amp at half power. The result is the eradication of many of the problems hampering conventional tube amplifiers and peace of mind for the musician wise enough to have taken this route.
KBO Dynamics Chief Exec Andy Fallon: “It has been a pleasure working with Hiwatt who have been extremely receptive to change and have embraced the new technology. They have seen the benefits it can bring to them and of course, their customers, and we are looking forward to further exciting collaborations. This technology genuinely has raised the bar concerning reliability and classic tube amps, and what’s more. It’s been developed exclusively in the UK.”
Tags: anode, bias, Bias Engine, bias problems, Frankfurt, gain, guitar, Hiwatt at Musikmesse, Hiwatt custom amp, how to, Musikmesse, Musikmesse 2010, Tube Amp Doctor, tube failures, Tubes, TubeSync, TubeSync Bias Engine, valve, valve matching, valves
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