17
TUBE VITALIZER
When the tubes are active you can use the Attenuator controls
to reduce the output level for each channel separately. Level
changes due to processing can be compensated. The control
characteristic has a very fine resolution before 0 dB (fully clock-
wise).
The tube output section can be switched into a Limit mode for
each channel separately. All levels exceeding 12 dB will be softly
limited.
Limiting takes place due to the full saturation of the tubes in
conjunction with a diode network. You may find that the top end
is getting a bit duller due to the limiting. Use the High EQ to
compensate for this. The Limit mode works very efficient when
processing drums. To do so, insert the Tube Vitalizer into the
drum-subgroup. Leave the unit in Attenuator mode when proces-
sing complete mixes.
The VU In/Out switch lets you choose between either input or
output levels to be displayed on the VU meters. When the status-
LED is not illuminated the VU meter will show the input levels. On
the other hand an illuminated status-LED indicates that the
output level is displayed. The 0 dB mark on the VU is internally
calibrated to +6 dB.
The Tube Vitalizer features a special relay circuitry that slowly
builds up the 250 volts over a period of 45 seconds. Thereby the
lifetime of the tubes is increased by up to 4 times. In pre-maste-
ring this circuitry garantees a reproducable sound for a long time.
The tubes in use are E 83 CCs. The Warm Up-LED (red) illuminates
after the main power has been switched on. After 45 seconds it
switches to Active mode (orange-LED). If the Activate Tubes
switch is pressed when switching the power on you will have no
output signal until the Active mode is on. In the warm-up period
you should not activate the tube section. The solid-states outputs
are active immediately after mains voltage has been turned on.
13
Attenuator
Control elements
14
Atten./Limit
15
VU In/Out
16
Tube Status
