From drjoho@swbell.net Wed Jan 28 12:31:08 2004
Subject:Re: Speakeasy gain structure?

On the rear panel of my Speakeasy (single channel, classic, rackmount)
there is a knob lableded "Gain" which the website say controls the amount
of tube distortion. Did you and Steven talk about the effect of this knob?

Also, what is the effect of varying the volume of the input (as we do with
the expression pedal).

Josiah
Austin, Texas

> Within an hour of posting my question, I got a call from Steven
> Hayes, President of Speakeasy Vintage Music. He personally answered
> my questions and we talked for quite a while. I've never had customer
> service like this in my entire life! I want my voice to the chorus
> that sings "not just great preamp, great company".
>
> Okay, here's what I understood about the gain structure of the
> preamp. Note that I am talking about a rackmount vintage clone
> preamp with Barker, I don't know how applicable this description is
> to other configurations. (you must view the following graphic with a
> monospaced font, like Courier)
>
> +-----+ +------+ +-----+ +------+ +------+ ------+ +----------+
> |Input|->|Barker|->|Stage|->| Tone |->|Volume|->|Stage|->|Rear Panel|
> | | | | | 1 | | Ctrls| | Knob | | 2 | |Attenuator|
> +-----+ +------+ +-----+ +------+ +------+ +---+-+ +-----+----+
> | |
> V V
> Leslie 1/4"
> Output Output
>
> GAIN: X 5 X 17 X .5 (approx) X 17
>
> Note: The two stages are provided by the 12AU7 tube used in the
> preamp.
>
> So the answer is: the preamp has two gain stages, the input is
> full-blast (what this means depends on whether you have a Classic,
> Barker, or Howler), the Volume knob controls the level into the
> second stage. I think of it like a Mesa Boogie with the first channel
> always full.
>
> I hope I have captured what I heard accurately. Thanks, Steven for
> your
> explanation and your time.
> -cliff
>
> --- In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, "Cliff Spencer"
> wrote:
> > Can someone please explain the gain structure of my SE rack unit?
> > I'm thinking the following is true:
> > 1. inputs are fixed gain (that gain varies with installed options)
> > 2. the Volume knob controls the output level of the preamp
> > 3. the volume knob associated with the 1/4" jack (huh?)
> >
> > I'm assuming that there is only one preamp stage, is this true?
> > Please set me straight.
> > -cliff
>
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