Category Archives: Amplifier
Mixing Console Object Model
Overlaying WBS M462 and M462A Equalizer schematics – Hand Drawn
SC-05-05 – What is a balanced transmitter?
Guitar Pedal – Balanced in to Low-Z unbalanced ==> HiZ to Balanced out
A client asked for a way to balance a guitar pedal so he could send and return Line Level to his guitar pedals. He wanted a way to use his pedal collection as effect sends. We came up with a modified Ward-Beck Systems POD-1. The POD-1 offered op-amp gain adjustment trimmer pots so you are adjusting the gain of the balancing amplifiers.
The un-balanced output impedance is roughly 30Ω and the unbalanced Input Impedance is 47kΩ. It’s a pretty safe assumption that mopst guitar effects can operate within these ranges.
You could also use this as a re-amp tool and a hyper-transparant Direct Inject box for keyboards and anything unbalanced.
XLR input Balanced +4dBu differential Receiver to an RCA connector to a 1/4″ TS jack that feeds the pedal then return to the opposite.
If you are interested in trying one out contact Ward-Beck Systems 
Testing a Sony TC-630 with a period accurate factory test tape
Anxiety, regret, and satisfaction at the 1/2 way point
Wiring a Ward-Beck D/A convertor rack and Distribution System
Sound guy xmas idea – LA2a
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that: you can never have too many LA2As around the studio. In addition that, I know that each of the old ones is its own animal. For more information check out Universal Audio
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sound guy xmas!!! Day 1 – Syscomp Curve Tracer
Xmas is around the corner. Sound guys and gals are the hardest people in the world to shop for… I will be posting a stream of gift ideas!
Day 1: The Syscomp CTR-101 Curve tracer:
Key Features
-Plots device characteristics for diodes, transistors, MOSFETs, JFETs, and more!
-Up to 30V test voltage at 1A test current
-True voltage and current source drive ampli ers
-High resolution measurements
-Pulsed test mode to minimize device dissipation
-Auto-scaling real-time plotting during analysis
-Sample-by-sample power and current limiting
-Open-source software
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VW golf – Will it fit?? 14 power amps…
BARELY!!!
This was a hairy transport… I feared getting into an accident with this load. I most certainly would have been taken out. Also, the weight of them sure dropped the back of the car 3″! Thanks again D, I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into!
My first microphone pre-amp design
Doing a school project is the PERFECT excuse to design build a test my first ground up original Microphone pre-amp!
I learned these buzzwords from the Kimber cable guy:
The imaging is fantastic, totally forward sounding with edge AND detail on the soundstage. Though precise, there isn’t that analytical flavour tainting the dry sound in the copper typically found in other microphone pre-amps. Micro-clipping isn’t an issue anymore! By a factor of at leased 10, the noise floor is lower than you’d ever expect. With an un-constrained matrix, painting the sound stage will be a pleasure. Tipping the value curve, the proportions are just right.
But honestly… I’ve not heard it yet, or kimber cable for that matter.
Seriously though… it’s a transformer coupled double balanced class A instrumentation pre-amp using only the best. Actual results to follow!
Bought some school Supplies
Reply
Doing some research for a school project. I thought I’d have a benchmark for the project. This seems like a good starting point. 
Balancing and un-balancing simulation
Started a project for school… got side tracked and designed a balancing and unbalancing circuit for some modules. 
Will it fit… Tannoy Speakers
Picked up a set of Tannoy System-12s for the lab
I was worried they wouldn’t fit… They are 140 Litres each! I’m excited to hear them in action!
one had to go in the front seat…
Transistor Man
a whole semester summed up in one drawing
From the Art of Electronics second edition – Paul Horowitz and winfield Hill
Well there’s your problem
Ever hear someone say “there’s something funny going on with that power?”
I think electricians are sometime intimidated when they see Orange receptacles. I’ve become sceptical of Orange receptacles without a label on them. Today I had just reason to explore a problem I had…
Trick to remember NPN VS PNP
NPN: Not Pointing in
PNP: Pointing In
Going to re-manufacture some WBS daughter boards
As a part of my school program, I’ve decided to take a shot at re-designing 2 WBS components.
First the 4-110 mic pre-amp for the M460 – M461. In the 90s WBS redesigned the card using 5534 but I’m looking at something even more modern.
Second the 109 cards. While at Revolution Recording, Joe D redesigned his version of the 109 card and it was a HUGE improvement. He described it as “taking the cheese cloth off the audio” and he was right.
The idea is to have a plug and play module available for users with a few new features not incorporated in past designs.
Once they’re done I hope to have them for sale on www.AudioAholics.com
A project I’ve been working on has come… full circle ;-)
Congrats to Kevin Park and the Lacquer channel team for getting the Neumann VMS70 back in the game. A fantastic project to have been a part of! We recapped the entire audio electronics for Kevin before he had lathe aficionado Chris Muth calibrate it. It’s a fine precision piece of audio electronics and Kevin is one HELL of a lathe mechanic and cutting engineer! It, and he, are in good hands over at Toronto’s Lacquer Channel. I’m excited to cut a few plates myself!
Photo and story here: http://www.thegridto.com/culture/music/play-it-as-it-lathes/
Did you see it?
Many Thanks to Dave, Jose, and Tyler for their help and enthusiasm about the project!