Pre amp for bus use

[TalismanRich]

Could it be the compression

Compression would maintain the waveform shape, just decreasing the size of the wave. 2:1 compression means above the threshold, 2dB in yields 1dB out. If you look at the wave forms throughout the track, it's more of a cutoff, which is limiting or clipping. Snip off the top above a certain level. 2dB in is 1dB out, but 2.5dB and 3dB in is also 1dB out. Anything above the threshold is gone. You lost your continuity. And, it's asymetrical, only chopping off one side of the wave. This is done with the arrangement of clipping diodes in some pedals.

I'm assuming it's the TC02 we're talking about, and now I see a button for polarity. That would account for the inversion. I would be playing with it to see if the clip follows the inverted signal. Is it always the top, or if you flip the switch, does it cut the bottom of the signal? Did you use it for compression or just the preamp?

I've been looking at the TC02. The tube is just for preamplification. The compressor section is optical. I can't find any signal layouts to see how it's designed.

It's funny that when I searched for the TC02. there was one for $115 in Germany, and another for $400 in UK. A modified one in Nashville is $435. Threads from years ago were showing them being sold new for $90 to $170.

 

[FrankD77]

no idea.
To be honest i didn't analyze it like you did i just listened.

But it's very interesting
Seeing you can't link the channels i could be doing something wrong with the levels.

I'm working on a track now so when that's done I'll run it through without hitting the limit. This track was run through it with occasionally the red led blinking. Maybe that's the culprint.

There is not a lot of info about these. What i could find was very positive so for 120 i took the gamble.

 

[TalismanRich]

It says it's a Class A preamp, so if you hit the red light, it could be what's happening. Everyone today talks about "you have to hit it hard to drive it into saturation" to get the "tone". To me, it's like running your engine at red line, and trying to use your transmission to control speed.

 

[FrankD77]

It says it's a Class A preamp, so if you hit the red light, it could be what's happening. Everyone today talks about "you have to hit it hard to drive it into saturation" to get the "tone". To me, it's like running your engine at red line, and trying to use your transmission to control speed.

That could be it, sounds logical.

As long as it gives the results i like i don't really care what happens

But it's very interesting to see what happens. And something to experiment with. Will drive it less the next time

 

[CoolCat]

all this sound comparison is why I bought a headphone amp and decent openback headphones, because if the monitoring isn't pure and consistent all the sound-samples are part room, or part speakers, influenced. Its always "can my ears hear it ?" and "can I see it on a graph?".
BiPolar....right brain art and left brain julian krause specs.

I'm curious pop up some clips of A vs B...run a poll thread or something? a blind-shoot out.

I've not had much luck with preamps and transformers adding some big change on a vocal mic, but on guitar it seemed much more noticeable like a 73pre overdriven, then running a MIX through one? Ive never done that, seems it would be more energy than just a voice mic, maybe more than just a guitar.

I flipflop from Grace design Millenia clean to JoeMeekOptoAphextubeShimmerTransformer Color........or usually ISA stuff is a nice middle, not sure why? its silent, but has "weight" or whatever word it is, loud, full.

its all good stuff, right?

 

[FrankD77]

As long as it inspires
For one it's a 2101 for the next the axe FX.