Video není dostupné.
Omlouváme se.
Nutube Technology Explained - conversation with Vox R&D engineer Phil Scarffe
Vložit
- čas přidán 29. 05. 2019
- Senior research and development engineer Philip Scarffe from Vox Amplification in the UK has a talk with us about some of the thinking behind the entirely groundbreaking Nutube technology. A way to make Vacuum tube technology maintain its analog sound but use considerably less space and energy allowing it to be put in all sorts of products.
Video credit: VOX Amplification Australia
Like/Follow us:
/ voxamps
/ voxamps
/ voxamplification
So what is Nutube technology? I understand that it's a new way of working of tubes, but that's just explaining what the name already suggests. Sorry for being negative, but Vox tried to sell me 'tube tone' as a kid with the Valvetronix and I was hoping to actually learn how this technology works, how it reduces power and removes limitations.
Late answer, but you know the displays that used to be in old VHS players, clocks etc that had a very cyan light. Search "Vacuum fluorescent display" and you will get what I mean. Those were a type of display tubes and is what Korg has "re-invented" for use in audio instead of picture. They are real vacuum tubes in other words, just a bit more modern and sleek than their older counterparts. Not a bad idea, but as everyone who would want to use this technology in commercial products would have to license it from Korg, it hasn't taken off. I don't think Korg has given out any licenses yet anyways, as I suspect they want to milk it for money for the time being. They sound perfectly fine tbh, but most amp builders who want/has to look for smaller and more long lasting components to put in their amps because of size limitations for example, like BluGuitar, are more likely to go with tiny military grade tubes that are already available without any licensing fees. They are built to last a long time so they don't really have to worry about the tubes going bad anytime soon.
Anyone who's seen my videos, knows that I am a big fan of Vox amplifiers. The only Nu-Tube product I have tried thus far has been the Mini SuperBeetle and I have to admit I was impressed with it. I really should try the other Nu-Tube products in the Vox line and see how I feel about it. It sure is intriguing.
So I've got two questions...first, can this (in a pedal) effectively make it sound like my Pathfinder 15r is actually being used to double track an AC 30? (To be clear I'm looking for cream or crunch but in the rock range not metal).
Second, I'm sure this is a no, but could these realistically be built right into a custom guitar as part of a mid booster like Gilmour and Clapton have only with a real mini tube based preamp right in the guitar alongside a sweepable mids boost? Or do you think putting a vacuum tube inside a guitar just a logistics and maintenance nightmare waiting to happen?
Nutube is cool and all and hurray for new tech but I don't think anyone feels constrained by a 1965 ac30. To be honest, if vox could make them exactly like they did in 1965 at reasonable prices the whole world would smile.
I sure wouldn't want to take a 1965 AC-30 or tour unless i had a tech to maintain it for me.
If you could just get a power amp version, I'd be all over it.
That MVX150 behind him uses NuTube in the power amp as well as the preamp. Came out last year I think.
get the head version and use it through the return of the FX loop. That's a power amp 100 per cent, exactly as in a dedicated power amp, i.e. a driver section and a push pull circuit
Has the microphonics been solved/isolated with the pining from the nutubes?
I’m loving the concept of Nu Tube, however I’m still finding that tube amps still project way better than anything “electronic”. The Nu Tube amps still sound as though the speaker is pointed the wrong way behind the amp somewhere. However, it’s better that a completely transistor amp which sounds like it’s in a swimming pool.
I’d love to see further developments where Nu Tube can project near as well as a bona fide tube amp.
When THAT happens, Nu Tube will rule the world! 🙂
Bear in mind they're probably using crap Chinese caps where tone is as brittle as a thin layer of ice. I'm going to do my own component changes to warm up the tone...it's amazing what you can do to tone with quality caps.
I really wish Korg/Vox had gone with a subminiature design instead of the VFD they chose, or at least used a separate cathode instead of directly heated, because the NuTube is way too microphonic for DIY builders. And since it needs external support circuitry to sound decent (buffers and such), it's not as simple to hook up.
I can only see it as an advantage for ease of mass production and lower Power consumption.
At least it's a step into a new era of tube tech, which I can appreciate, I'm just not sure it's the right step.
So why to you buffer both input and out with a op amp that does all the gain?
What a Beautiful amp
the main advantage of tubes is that building good sounding amps is easier with tubes than with SolidState. In fact for long time engineers did not understand howto make a good sounding SS amp. Nowdays several amps on the market are SS and they sound as good as a good tube amps. The thing that really matters is not to adopt a specific technology, but to know howto use it properly. I do not think it makes sense to use a NU 6P1 that costs 50 Euros while you may get good results with components that costs much more less, just the only thing needed is to know how.
I have MV50 Boutique. It is, well....
.
.
.
..
.
.
.
Fucking amazing. You have to be really a jerk to hate it. It sounds amazing.
I have a MV50 AC and it's "Fucking amazing" too!!!
MV50 with FX Loop, please. 🇧🇷
So which amps are these in?
They are in the Vox MV50 heads, the Mini Superbeatle and probably some others. There is also a new version of the Ibanez Tube Screamer pedal that uses it.
Could you please make a single channel AC30 with the NuTube and the 3 band EQ?
That's basically what the Mini Superbeetle is
What about reliability vacuum tubes can easily be replaced
If they're so reliable then why do you need to replace them
sorry, but nothing is explained here other than that it is a "revolutionary design" :)
Nice but Im still non the wiser as to what NuTube actually is.
what I want is reliable solution for my 6l6 power tubes. preamp tubes last forever :)
The tone is still a bit thin "less rich" in its dynamics than a good tube amp spits out. Now I say "good" as in a quality tube amp bc we all know some tube amps suck. I build custom harp mics and modify amps for harmonica, so my ear is extra sensitive as we deal with high gain hiZ mic elements and even most new Fenders are a feedback squealing thin toned waste of money. I'm tempted to buy one and then do my own component modifications to make it useful for amplified harp. Been doing it for about 20 years and I have secrets in tone tweaking, so this just might be fruitful for us harp players. I read about some new tube-type bottle invention about 5 years ago in an obscure electronics mag that catered to military and space tech...wonder if this is it. I may contact VOX after I do my thing and maybe corner some of the harp market. Quilter thinks he's found "that tone" with pure SS amps, but although being very smart with excellent SS amps, Pat just doesn't get it with us harp players.
Told us absolutely nothing about it.
//
The typical mysticism.
//
//