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TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside; refer servicing to qualified personnel. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosurevoltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 FOREWORD Dear Customer, We thank you for expressing your confidence in BEHRINGER products by purchasing the BEHRINGER TUBE ULTRAGAIN. It is one of my most pleasant tasks to write this preface, as our engineering team has made it possible to enhance the traditional tube circuitry design (particularly for our VINTAGER series of products), and adapt it to meet the high sound quality and dynamics requirements of modern, pro-level audio technology.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 TUBE ULTRAGAIN Tube Microphone/Line Preamplifier T1953 s Ultra low-noise discrete microphone/line preamplifier with selected 12AX7 tubes s ULTRA-TUBE circuitry (UTC) adds desired amount of warmth without additional noise s Mic input stages are based on high quality, discrete conjugate transistor pair circuitry s Ultra-wide bandwidth from 18 Hz to 30 kHz for open sound s Warmth control allows precise dosage of desired tube effect s Completely versatile DI-Box due to servo-balanced
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................6 1.1 The concept .................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Before you get started ..................................................................................................................... 7 1.3 Control elements ..................
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 1. INTRODUCTION With the TUBE ULTRAGAIN you have purchased an extremely musical and flexible microphone preamplifier. Our ULTRAGAIN range of devices has been a hit ever since we introduced our first model some 5 years ago. This high-end microphone preamp is based on many years of experience and findings in amplifier technology and is used throughout the world in renowned studios, sound reinforcement systems as well as in broadcast and television studios.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 therefore impair the performance of the units. The transformer-balanced outputs, commonly used in radio and TV engineering, can also be fitted retrospectively upon request. The BEHRINGER transformer OT-1 is designed to the highest exacting standards and is available as an accessory. 1.2 Before you get started Your BEHRINGER TUBE ULTRAGAIN was carefully packed in the factory and the packaging was designed to protect the unit from rough handling.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 Fig. 1.2: Control elements on the front panel 1 + 2 + 8 Use the MIC/LINE switch to toggle between MIC and LINE modes. When the switch in up position, the unit works in MIC mode (now you can activate the +48 V switch if required; in LINE mode this function is disabled). The newly developed UTC circuitry is active in both modes. Please note that the input phone jack is disabled in MIC mode, i.e. you must use the XLR connector to access the microphone amp.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 Fig. 1.3: Tube section of the TUBE ULTRAGAIN 8 Use the LEVEL control to set the signal gain at the input of the tube stage. The gain can be set from -20 to +20 dB, i.e. the signal can be attenuated or amplified by 20 dB. When the control is at its center position, the level is unaltered. This control is active in both MICROPHONE as well as LINE mode. Use this control to adapt the TUBE ULTRAGAIN to either home-recording level (-10 dBV) or professional level (+4 dBu).
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 14 SERIAL NUMBER. Please complete and return the warranty card within 14 days of the date of purchase. Otherwise, you will lose your right to the extended warranty. Alternatively, you can register online at our website under www.behringer.com. 15 FUSE HOLDER / VOLTAGE SELECTION. Before connecting the T1953, confirm that the voltage display matches your local mains voltage. When replacing the fuse, you must always use the same type.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 The LEVEL control The LEVEL control sets the signal gain at the input of the tube stage. Use this control to adapt the TUBE ULTRAGAIN to either home recording level (-10 dBV) or professional level (+4 dBu). When this level is too low the tube effect becomes less audible and the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates. To obtain the best possible signal-to-noise ratio and subsequently the best possible sound, keep an eye on the VU level meter.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 3.2 The TUBE ULTRAGAIN as a level converter Semi-professional devices in hi-fi and home recording environments are usually operated with a nominal level of -10 dBV (0.316 V), while the level used in studios is 0 dBu (0.775 V) or +4 dBu (1.23 V). So, when you connect devices of both types to each other, you should do this via some kind of level translator. The BEHRINGER TUBE ULTRAGAIN is excellently suited for this application.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 Jet Engine 160 140 Sound-Pressure Level (dB SPL) Threshold Of Pain Power Drill 120 Machinery Hall 100 "Loud" Office 80 Normal Conversation 60 40 Quiet Apartment Recording Studio 20 Falling Leaves 0 Threshold Of Audibility Fig. 4.1: Dynamic range of human hearing The range of sound pressure levels or the dynamic range of human hearing encompasses a factor of 10,000,000.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 without components. Even if special low-noise components are used, a certain degree of basic noise cannot be avoided. This effect is similar when replaying a tape. The non-directional magnetic particles passing the replay head can also cause uncontrolled currents and voltages. The resulting sound of the various frequencies is heard as noise.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 Fig. 4.3: The interactive relationship between operating level and headroom The need therefore arises for a fast acting automatic gain control system which will constantly monitor the signals and which will always adjust the gain to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio without incurring signal distortion. This device is called a compressor or limiter. 4.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 With the introduction of semiconductor technologies in the field of audio amplification it soon became clear that the tube would have to give way to the transistor, as this device featured an enormously enhanced signalto-noise ratio, less complex power supply and improved frequency response. Plus, semiconductor-based circuits can be realized much more easilyfor less money.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 Fig. 4.6: Pentode In a triode the capacitance between grid and anode is a problem with regard to high frequencies and large amplification factors. For this reason, the pentode has a positively charged screen grid between the control grid and the anode. However, the positive charge of the screen grid attracts electrons emitted from the anode plate when it is hit by arriving electrons.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 4.6 The best of both worlds Despite many efforts neither manufacturers nor developers have succeeded so far in simulating these positive properties of the tube by means of other devices. Additionally, the natural capabilities of the tube to act as a soft limiter can only be mimicked with highly sophisticated circuitry. Todays studio technology requirements are therefore met by a combination of both high-grade semiconductor and tube technologies.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 dB 100 Analog Mixing Console Compact Disc Analog Tape Analog Records FM Radio 25 Video Tape 50 Digital Tape (16 Bit) 75 Fig. 4.8: Dynamic range of various media 4.9 Phantom power Condenser microphones need a specific supply voltage polarizing the condenser diaphragm. This voltage can be furnished from an internal battery, or an external power supply that is either connected directly to the microphone or supplies the voltage through the microphone cable.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 To eliminate this risk, the BEHRINGER TUBE ULTRAGAIN automatically disables the unbalanced jack in MIC mode. Microphones can thus only be connected to the XLR connector. Never switch on the +48 V supply when you use unbalanced microphones, as this could cause electrical damage. Some people hold that the sound of dynamic microphones is affected when the +48 V supply is on, or that ribbon microphones cannot be operated from an input equipped with +48 V phantom power.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 5.3 Audio connections As standard, the BEHRINGER TUBE ULTRAGAIN is installed with electronically servo-balanced inputs and outputs. This circuit design features automatic hum and noise reduction for balanced signals and thus allows for trouble-free operation, even at high operating levels. Externally induced mains hum etc. will be effectively suppressed.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 6. SPECIFICATIONS Microphone inputs Connections Type Impedance Max. input level CMRR XLR transformerless, DC-decoupled input 3 kOhm balanced +10 dBu balanced and unbalanced typical 40 dB, >55 dB @ 1 kHz Line inputs Connections Type Impedance Max. input level CMRR XLR and 1/4" TRS transformerless, DC-decoupled input stage 50 kOhm balanced, 25 kOhm unbalanced +23 dBu balanced and unbalanced typical 40 dB, >55 dB @ 1 kHz Audio outputs Connections Type Impedance Max.
TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953 7. WARRANTY § 1 WARRANTY CARD/ONLINE REGISTRATION To be protected by the extended warranty, the buyer must complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 14 days of the date of purchase to BEHRINGER Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH, in accordance with the conditions stipulated in § 3. Failure to return the card in due time (date as per postmark) will void any extended warranty claims.
