A WORD ON VACUUM TUBES
The CELEUS TUBE's most exciting feature is, of course,
the vacuum tube built right into the face of the mixer. This is
primarily used for adding depth and warmth to your audio,
but the technology itself has a long and engrossing history.
The technology surrounding vacuum tubes actually dates
back over a century. It is, in fact, closely related to an
everyday light bulb, but uses the technology for audible
purposes rather than illumination. Due to its history, we can
largely credit its conception to the likes of Thomas Edison,
Eugen Goldstein, Joseph Swan, Johann Wilhelm Hittorf
and Nikola Tesla.
Traditionally, the tubes were made up of a filament and a
plate, both of which were encased in a near air-tight glass
enclosure. In 1906, however, American inventor Lee de
Forest added a cathode and grid - essentially creating the
world's first practical amplification device. He called it the
Audion.
The idea behind the technology is the filament would heat
the cathode, allowing movement of electrons through the
grid to the plate (the anode). This allowed the vacuum tube
to act as a rectifier and introduction of a positive voltage to
the grid allowed for amplification of the signal.
Today, we use vacuum tubes soley for their warm, satisfying
sound. Technology has advanced beyond the need for
them in amplifiers; modern equipment has switched over
to resistors due to them being smaller, cheaper, and more
durable. However, those seeking traditional sounding
gear, vacuum tubes in professional audio products are
highly regarded as the best source for warmth and depth.
They offer a natural sound that, many argue, cannot be
reproduced using digital technology.
Anatomy
8
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Using the Vacuum Tube
The CELEUS TUBE has two main operating modes when
it comes to output. The first is transistor, which is your
traditional analog circuitry. The second is tube, where the
output signal will run through the vacuum tube. The output
mode is selected by the TRANS/TUBE switch found on the
top right-hand side of the mixer.
In addition to this, there is a switch that will adjust the signal
sent to the headphones output. This allows for quick and
immediate comparison between the two signals through
your headphones.
Replacing the Tube
The CELEUS TUBE's internal vacuum tube can be replaced
if necessary. Simply unscrew and remove the protective
screen, then gently slide the tube from its cradle. When
replacing the tube, ensure all pins are correctly aligned with
the terminals in the base. Replace the cover and screw
back into place. The tube itself is temperamental, so its
important to use the utmost of care when replacing.
WARNING: Under no circumstances should the vacuum
tube itself be disassembled. Doing so may pose very
serious health risks.
Cathode
Plate
Glass Envelope
Grid
CELEUS TUBE